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 Growing careers in China's pet industry boom Xinhua) 08:40, December 25, 2024 A qualification test of pet groomers is held at the headquarters of Favor Pets, a chain brand offering pet services, in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2024. (Xinhua) BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Li Yabin, 29, who previously worked in business management, decided to leave her job and pursue a career in the pet industry after losing her beloved dog to illness. "I felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness as I watched my dog pass away," Li said. "That experience made me realize the importance of gaining knowledge about proper pet care." She then spent three months researching the pet industry nationwide and was excited to discover its vast potential, fueled by strong consumer demand and diverse business opportunities. Since June, Li has been studying a series of professional courses, including pet grooming, pet training and pet healthcare -- all included in the 2022 edition of China's occupational classification code -- and plans to start her own business in the near future. Li is one of many drawn to new careers in China's rapidly growing pet sector. According to the 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper, the number of pet dogs and cats in the country's urban areas reached 124 million, an increase of 2.1 percent year on year. The urban pet (dogs and cats) consumer market grew by 7.5 percent in 2024 from 2023, hitting 300.2 billion yuan (about 41.77 billion U.S. dollars). "The pet industry is fast growing, which contributes to the emergence and boom of pet-related professions," said Yan Jinsheng, vice president of China Pet Industry Association and head of Favor Pets, a Beijing-based chain brand dedicated to pet-related vocational training. Favor Pets has witnessed a significant rise in trainees in recent years, cultivating over 30,000 pet groomers, 4,000 pet trainers and 500 pet healthcare technicians. "A burgeoning field, the pet sector faces strong competition and rapid technological advancements," said Yan. He noted that unlike in the past when practitioners relied on experience to enter the field, an increasing number of trainees are now opting to acquire professional knowledge and certifications, with many, like Li, preferring to develop comprehensive skill sets rather than specializing in a single profession. Yan highlighted the potential of the pet healthcare profession, which often involves non-invasive treatments, such as massage and exercise, to help pets regain function, strength and range of movement. Yan said that with the growing number of pets in China, the demand for healthcare services is rapidly increasing. "Healthcare can be offered as a basic service in pet stores, similar to grooming services, as well as in pet rehabilitation centers, which are expected to be widely established in the future," he added. A pet trainer trains a dog in Shanghai, east China, May 28, 2023. (Xinhua) More than a decade ago, pet trainers had already been recognized as one of the new professions in the country. While still considered an emerging occupation today, they are required to master knowledge in areas such as pet mental health, relationship maintenance and social interaction training, going beyond the traditional behavioral training that was emphasized in the past. "Pet trainers are now expected to train pets to become good-mannered, as the growing number of pets has driven the need for a society where people and pets coexist harmoniously," said Qian Di, head of Your Hakimi, a Shanghai-based company specializing in pet trainer training and organizing pet-themed business activities. According to Qian, the company has trained over 30 pet trainers since its establishment in June last year, most of whom are post-80s to post-00s. "They are all pet enthusiasts, financially stable and well-educated. They are optimistic about the pet industry," he said. Wang Yan, in her 30s, quit her job in financial accounting to receive training as a pet trainer in Your Hakimi earlier this year. In November, she passed the exam and obtained her primary certification. Now embracing her new role, Wang participates in many pet-themed activities and has observed a rising number of pet owners eager to train their pets to be good-mannered. She has recognized the growing demand for pet training and is confident in the promising future of her new profession. The flourishing professions enrich the pet service market and meet pet owners' changing demands, said Wu Yi, an associate professor at the College of Animal Science and Technology at China Agricultural University. Wu pointed out that the development of new professions faces challenges, such as a shortage of skilled professionals and unclear industry certification standards. She emphasized the need to strengthen professional training and education, and called for government policies and guidance from industry associations to help standardize market practices and promote the healthy development of these professions. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Casey, a three month old blue heeler mix, is recovering after he chewed his leg off at the Conroe Animal Shelter after receiving no emergency care for his badly injured leg in July. Photo By Robin Arouty, Courtesy Of Joy Southhard EDITORS NOTE, THIS PHOTO HAS BEEN ALTERED TO BLUR THE DOGS INJURY. Casey, a three-month-old blue heeler/Australian shepherd mix, was dropped off at the Conroe Animal Shelter July 7 with a badly injured right front leg. Due to lack of care at the shelter, he chewed the leg off before being rescued and taken to a local veterinary hospital. Photo courtesy of Joy Southhard Five months after Conroe came under fire when a puppy was allowed to chew its leg off at the city-owned shelter, council approved a $1.6 million budget to improve conditions and care at the facility. The council approved the budget Dec. 12 after placing the facility's operation under the Conroe Police Department in September. Interim Police Chief Lee Tipton said the budget allows for 16 full-time employees but does not include a full-time veterinarian. Currently, the shelter has two veterinarians who provide spay and neuter surgeries and basic medical care a few times a week. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We truly believe this is where we want to go and provide the staff we need to run a good shelter, Tipton said. Tipton said the department is looking at partnerships with Bissell Pet Foundation to provide reduced rate spay and neuter surgeries and Hills Science to supply food at a discounted rate. Additionally, Tipton said they are working with medical supply vendors for discount pricing for medication and supplies and for grant opportunities to help with costs. Tipton said the city plans to work with rescue and foster organizations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Those things will come later, we are trying to build a foundation, Tipton said. Were trying to get there and we will get there once we have staff on hand. Councilwoman Shana Arthur, who is on the advisory committee for the shelter, said the city is working the improve the shelter. The end result is to take care of these animals and protect them in a safe environment so they can be adopted, Arthur said. Its not perfect but it is getting there. Shelter woes Concerns about the treatment of animals at the shelter operated by Care Corp., came to light after Casey, a three-month-old male blue heeler mix, was brought to the shelter July 7 with a badly injured leg and provided an anti-inflammatory pill for pain but no other veterinary care. Advertisement Article continues below this ad By July 9, Casey, who has now been adopted, had chewed the leg off. Conroe Mayor Duke Coon launched the investigation into the puppys treatment and the shelter operations July 23. NEW CHIEF: Former assistant fire chief Paul Sims returns to serve as chief for the city of Conroe On Aug. 22, following the investigation that showed a lack of emergency medical care, lack of medications, no veterinarian on staff, and soaring euthanasia rates, Tipton recommended that the council terminate the Care Corp., contract with a 30-day notice. In September, the council agreed to extend the deadline for receiving proposals from third parties for operating the shelter. Texas Litter Control was the only company that submitted a bid to the city. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas Litter Control is a nonprofit organization that offers the public low-cost spay and neuter services to address animal overpopulation. Tipton and Interim City Attorney Mike Garner said several provisions in the contract were concerning, including a new animal shelter, Texas Litter Controls authority over the shelter budget, the creation of a trap-neuter-release program for the city, and the citys lack of ability to intervene with Texas Litter Controls policies and procedures for the shelter. Veterinarian shortage Tipton addressed public concern about a veterinarian shortage and how it would provide medical services to the animals. We are looking at different areas, like going to Texas A&M and veterinary hospitals to see if we can recruit somebody that way, Tipton said. As a failsafe, there is funding (in the budget) for two part-time veterinarians. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, the current shortage of veterinarians in the U.S. significantly impacts access to health care for animals and the well-being of the veterinary health care team. DEATH PENALTY: Harris County DA Kim Ogg seeking death penalty against men accused of killing Jocelyn Nungaray In a July 2022 statement about the shortage, the Association said veterinary healthcare teams are feeling overworked and overwhelmed. While the association stated the solution was complex, increasing student recruitment, provide more training for veterinary nurses and technicians, exploring innovative educational models and encouraging veterinarians to choose careers that contribute to addressing the critical needs of underserved populations. A recent study by Brakke Consulting Inc., commissioned by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the number of graduates from existing U.S. veterinary colleges is likely enough to meet demand to 2035. According to the study released in October, three new schools are admitting students. They are Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Long Island University in Brookville in New York and Ana G. Mendez University in Puerto Rico. Two people have been injured after a knife-wielding maniac went on a stabbing rampage in New York City's Grand Central Station on Christmas Eve. Sources told DailyMail.com a 28-year-old man slashed two strangers with a knife in the seemingly random attack just after 10pm at the busy tourist hotspot. He knifed a 42-year-old man in the wrist and a 26-year-old woman in the neck. They were each transported to Bellevue Hospital in stable conditions. NYPD said officers received a 911 call at 10.15pm and rushed to the scene, where they detained the suspect. He has not yet been named. No charges have been filed yet against the attacker, who remains in custody. He has three prior arrests for criminal mischief, fare beating and assaulting a police officer, sources told the New York Post. Dramatic photographs show blood splattered across the ground at the train station on Midtown's 42nd Street, while police cordons separate the grisly scene from swarms of tourists. It comes less than a week after Guatemalan migrant Sebastian Zapeta-Calil allegedly burned a stranger to death on board a subway at Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn's Coney Island on Sunday morning. Zapeta-Calil, 33, appeared in court on Tuesday over the gruesome murder which was caught in chilling videos filmed by witnesses. Two people have been injured after a knife-wielding maniac went on a stabbing rampage in New York City 's Grand Central Station on Christmas Eve Sources told DailyMail.com a 28-year-old man slashed two strangers with a knife in the seemingly random attack just after 10pm at the busy tourist hotspot Meanwhile, on Monday, homeless migrant Juan Jose Valencia allegedly assaulted a rookie female officer in Midtown Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal. The 30-year-old Colombia native is accused of attacked the officer while shouting that he hates women who work in law enforcement, according to the Post. He is accused of mimicking to fire a gun with hand gestures at the entrance to the terminal around 6.45am, law enforcement sources told the Post. The rookie officer approached Valencia, who allegedly threatened her by saying he had a knife. He is accused of tripping her when she tried to handcuff him before pouncing on her as she hit the ground and throwing punches. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil is shown sitting on a subway bench watching as the woman he allegedly set on fire to burns alive. In front of him is an NYPD officer who walked past him, unaware he was responsible for the sickening crime The officer called for back up. Police arrived and were able to wrestle Valencia off her before cuffing and detaining him. She was left in hospital with multiple injuries. Valencia has been charged with assaulting an officer and resisting arrest. NYPD told DailyMail.com the officer was not one of theirs and likely a transport official. The alleged attacker has previously been charged with stalking and intimidation, according to the Post. Bashar al-Assad's British wife is severely ill from leukaemia and has been given a '50/50' chance of survival by doctors, sources in contact with the family claim. Asma al-Assad reportedly fled to Moscow weeks before her husband to receive cancer treatment, before the Syrian regime fell earlier this month. Amid contested reports the 49-year-old is now seeking to leave as her health condition 'cannot be adequately monitored in Moscow', sources told the Telegraph her 'devastated' father, a Harley Street doctor, has been looking after her in Russia. Ms Assad's leukaemia, diagnosed in May, is understood to have returned after a brief period of remission, the outlet reports. 'Asma is dying,' a source who has spoken directly to the family in recent weeks said. 'She can't be in the same room with anyone [because of her condition].' Ms Assad is understood to have been kept away from others to avoid complicating infections as she undergoes cancer treatment. The former First Lady has reportedly been in Moscow 'for several weeks' seeking medical supports, according to sources familiar with the escape. Rumours circulated this week that Ms Assad could now be seeking divorce from her partner of 24 years as a 'precondition' for her return to London as a return 'cannot be based solely on health reasons'. Ms Assad, a dual Syrian-British national, is undergoing cancer treatment in Moscow (pic 2010) Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma walk in a street of Paris on December 10, 2010 Bashar and Asma Al-Assad are pictured meeting with Vladimir Putin in 2005 Ms Assad, a dual Syrian-British national, is currently exiled in Moscow with her husband following the fall of the Syrian capital on December 8. Her father, Fawaz Akhras, is understood to have joined her earlier this month after the move to Moscow. Sources told the Telegraph he has been caring for her for much of the last six months, in Moscow and the UAE, as she battles a 'vicious' form of cancer. 'She has been 50/50 in the last few weeks,' a source in contact with the family said. Reports this week claimed she was looking to leave her husband and flee Russia to return to the UK amid her health battle. The Kremlin was quick to push back on the claims reported by Turkish outlet Haberturk. But analysts have signalled fears for her safety in Moscow, describing her life in Moscow as a 'golden cage' under the thumb of President Vladimir Putin. 'Life in Moscow, Russia - in a golden cage - is no longer satisfactory for Asma Assad,' pro-opposition political analyst Stanislav Belkovsky warned this week. 'She wants to move to London, UK and return to work in investment banking [and] at the same time, if possible, to remove part of her family's capital from sanctions.' Despite having British citizenship, Ms Assad remains bound by sanctions, which No10 confirmed yesterday would block her from being able to return to the UK. While Russian authorities are now reportedly considering her application to leave, the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has insisted she is 'not welcome here in the UK' due to sanctions. No10 refused to comment on whether she could have her citizenship revoked to stop her coming to the UK. Assad himself is said to have been restricted to living in Moscow, where the family reportedly own at least 18 luxury flats, and cannot travel the country. Assad's wider family are believed to own dozens of apartments in the Russian capital and he reportedly moved to Moscow some 270 kilograms of gold and 1.6 billion with him when he fled Syria. But his assets and money in the country are now said to have been frozen, unconfirmed reports added. Contested reports shared Sunday claimed that Ms Assad was '[dissatisfied] with her living conditions in Moscow'. She reportedly applied to the courts for special permission to leave Moscow. Bashar al-Assad's wife Asma is seen at the Bristol hotel on December 9, 2010 in Paris Assad's extended family reportedly purchased at least 18 luxury apartments in the City of Capitals complex, located in Moscow's glittering skyscraper district In Moscow, the Assad clan is linked to luxury properties in both the 990ft City of Capitals complex and the nearby 1,226ft Federation Tower (pictured) Queen Elizabeth II receives Asma al-Assad and her husband, then Syria's president Bashar Al-Assad, on December 17 2002, at Buckingham Palace, in London on their first visit to Britain This was 'currently under evaluation' and 'the result has not yet been determined' as of last week, Haberturk reported. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the claims and denied that the former president, a long-time ally of Putin, had been confined to Moscow. Asked on a conference call if the reports corresponded to reality, Peskov said: 'No they do not correspond to reality.' There has been so far no comment on the divorce reports from al-Assad or his wife. Ms Assad was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia 'after presenting with several symptoms and following a comprehensive series of medical tests and examinations,' a statement shared in May said. While in Syria, she was to 'adhere to a specialized treatment protocol that includes stringent infection prevention measures' and would 'temporarily withdraw from all direct engagements' as part of the treatment plan, it added. Acute myeloid leukemia is an aggressive cancer of the bone marrow and the blood. Ms Assad was previously been treated for breast cancer. Asma al-Assad, wife of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, speaks with school girls in Aleppo, February 8 2004 The former home of Dr Fawaz Akhras, the Father-in-Law of deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Tony Blair (R) greets Bashar al-Assad (L) and his wife Asma (C) as they arrive December 16, 2002 in London In August 2019, she announced that she was 'completely' free of the disease a year after her diagnosis. Ms Assad, a controversial figure through the war, was born and raised in the United Kingdom, where she went by 'Emma' growing up. Her parents lived in a modest home in North Acton, West London where they raised their daughter, who went on to become an investment banker. She later left her career behind to marry the then-newly minted President Bashar Assad, in 2000. She maintained a public role as First Lady, promoting civil and charity groups, but has been accused of using her British education and Western style to try to mask the brutality of her husband's crackdown on dissent. Neighbours told MailOnline that Ms Assad's parents left for Moscow at the start of December, where their daughter, Assad and grandchildren are seeking asylum under Vladimir Putin. Pope Francis has used his traditional Christmas message to urge 'all people of all nations' to find courage during this Holy Year 'to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions'. The pontiff's 'Urbi et Orbi' - 'To the City and the World' - address serves as a summary of the woes facing the world this year. As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that he dedicated to hope, Francis called for broad reconciliation, 'even (with) our enemies'. 'I invite every individual, and all people of all nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions,' the pope said from the loggia of St Peter's Basilica to throngs of people below. The pope invoked the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing God's mercy, which 'unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge'. He called for arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine and in the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, 'particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave' as well as Lebanon and Syria 'at this most delicate time'. Francis repeated his calls for the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. He cited a deadly outbreak of measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the suffering of the people of Myanmar, forced to flee their homes by 'the ongoing clash of arms'. The pope likewise remembered children suffering from war and hunger, the elderly living in solitude, those fleeing their homelands, who have lost their jobs, and are persecuted for their faith. Pope Francis leads the traditional Urbi et Orbi Christmas Day blessing from the central balcony of Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican City, 25 December 2024 The Vatican Media shows Pope Francis during the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to the city and the world as part of Christmas celebrations, at St Peter's Square Francis delivers his Christmas Urbi Et Orbi Blessing and his traditional Christmas Day message Pilgrims were lined up on Christmas Day to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St Peter's Basilica, as the Jubilee is expected to bring some 32 million Catholic faithful to Rome. Traversing the Holy Door is one way that the faithful can obtain indulgences, or forgiveness for sins during a Jubilee, a once-every-quarter-century tradition that dates from 1300. Pilgrims submitted to security controls before entering the Holy Door, amid new security fears following a deadly Christmas market attack in Germany. Many paused to touch the door as they passed and made the sign of the cross upon entering the basilica dedicated to St Peter, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church. 'You feel so humble when you go through the door that once you go through is almost like a release, a release of emotions,' said Blanca Martin, a pilgrim from San Diego. '... It's almost like a release of emotions, you feel like now you are able to let go and put everything in the hands of God. See I am getting emotional. It's just a beautiful experience.' Hanukkah, Judaism's eight-day Festival of Lights, begins this year on Christmas Day, which has only happened four times since 1900. The calendar confluence has inspired some religious leaders to host interfaith gatherings, such as a Hanukkah party hosted last week by several Jewish organisations in Houston, Texas, bringing together members of the city's Latino and Jewish communities for latkes, the traditional potato pancake eaten on Hanukkah, topped with guacamole and salsa. While Hanukkah is intended as an upbeat, celebratory holiday, rabbis note that it is taking place this year as wars rage in the Middle East and fears rise over widespread incidents of antisemitism. The holidays overlap infrequently because the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles and is not in sync with the Gregorian calendar, which sets Christmas on December 25. The last time Hanukkah began on Christmas Day was in 2005. Christians in Nineveh Plains attended Christmas Mass on Tuesday at the Mar Georgis church in the centre of Telaskaf, Iraq, with security concerns about the future. 'We feel that they will pull the rug out from under our feet at any time. Our fate is unknown here,' said Bayda Nadhim, a resident of Telaskaf. Iraq's Christians, whose presence there goes back nearly to the time of Christ, belong to a number of rites and denominations. They once constituted a sizeable minority in Iraq, estimated at around 1.4 million. But the community has steadily dwindled since the 2003 US-led invasion and further in 2014 when the so-called Islamic State militant group swept through the area. The exact number of Christians left in Iraq is unclear, but they are thought to number several hundred thousand People attend a Christmas Eve mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception (Al Tahira al Kubra Church) in Qaraqosh, Iraq on December 24, 2024 People attend a Christmas Eve mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception (Al Tahira al Kubra Church) in Qaraqosh, Iraq on December 24, 2024 Mourners hug in front of a makeshift memorial of flowers and candles for the victims of a car-ramming attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, eastern Germany, on December 23, 2024 People stand in front of candles and flowers at the mourning site in front of St. John's Church following a vehicle-ramming attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg on Friday that left five people dead, including a nine-year-old boy, and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack, saying that 'there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg'. He urged Germans to 'stand together' and that 'hate and violence must not have the last word'. A 50-year-old Saudi doctor who had practised medicine in Germany since 2006 was arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and bodily harm. The suspect's X account describes him as a former Muslim and is filled with anti-Islamic themes. He criticised authorities for failing to combat 'the Islamification of Germany' and voiced support for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. A dead body was found on the wheel of a United Airlines plane after it landed at Maui's airport in Hawaii on Christmas Eve. UA flight 202 took off from Chicago at 9.50am Tuesday and arrived in Maui at 2pm local time. The body was found on a wheel well of the Boeing 787-10, an area only accessible from outside of the aircraft. 'Upon arrival at Kahului airport in Maui on Tuesday, a body was found in the wheel well of one of the main landing gears on a United aircraft,' United told DailyMail.com in a statement on Wednesday. 'United is working with law enforcement authorities on the investigation.' The airline added that it's not clear how or when the person accessed the wheel well. 'The Maui Police Department is currently conducting an active investigation regarding a deceased individual discovered on an incoming flight from the mainland this afternoon. At this time, no further details are available,' police said in a statement, as reported by Hawaii News Now. Hawaii Department of Transportation officials also confirmed the gruesome discovery on the plane. A dead body was found on the wheel of a United Airlines plane after it landed at Maui's airport in Hawaii UA flight 202 took off from Chicago at 9.50am Tuesday and arrived in Maui at 2pm local time It comes on one of the busiest travel weeks of the year as millions take flights during the holidays. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through January 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Also on Tuesday, American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. As a result, flights were delayed across Americans major hubs, with only 36 percent of the airlines 3,901 domestic and international flights leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Fifty-one flights were canceled. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups a winter storm or a computer outage can snowball into massive disruptions. A woman looks at departing flight information as American Airlines resumed its flights after a technical glitch on Christmas Eve This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers automatic cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. A deadbeat dad from Kentucky who's avoided paying child support for ten years was dramatically arrested after getting off a cruise ship in Miami. Dominic Weaver, 47, was cuffed and taken into custody last week when the ship docked in the Florida port. He was transported from Miami to the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections where he remains behind bars. Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell told local affiliate WDRB that Weaver owes roughly $114,000 to $120,000 in unpaid child support for four children. Police say he has 'not paid one cent', and he is also wanted for two undisclosed felonies. Weaver's history goes back to 2019 when his name appeared on a list of people delinquent on their child support payments in the local newspaper. O'Connell's office posted the names of these deadbeats who skipped out on their child support payments. 'Our office does everything we can to work with people that have this obligation,' O'Connell said. The cruise ship Weaver vacationed on before he was taken into custody last week in Miami A mugshot of Dominic Weaver, 47, the deadbeat dad from Louisville, Kentucky, who has been on the lam for allegedy not paying thousands in child support 'I mean everything we can, you know, to the extent of even helping find employment and do things like that." At the time, Weaver owned more than 91,000, and was sentenced to five years probation after being convicted of gross nonsupport. In 2021, that number grew to more than $99,000. O'Connell told WDRB that he is planning to ask the court to revoke Weaver's sentence and sentencing to four years in the state penitentiary for this offense. Weaver is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 6, 2025. Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell called Weaver's case the most 'egregious' Despite winning a staggering 7.6 million fortune, life didn't change that much for Britain's most generous lotto winners. Widower Ray Wragg, now 86, alongside his late wife Barbara, scooped the eyewatering sum back in January 2000 when they matched all six numbers in the National Lottery. What the couple did next was even more remarkable though, as they embarked on a two-decade spree of philantropy which saw them give away almost the entirety of their jackpot prize. Continuing to live a modest lifestyle, Ray and Barbara opted to see thousands of people in their local city of Sheffield benefit from their spoils. Ray, who had worked as a roofer and Barbara, who had worked as a nightshift nurse, decided that after purchasing a new Range Rover and indulging on a Caribbean cruise, that the money would be better spent on family and friends, as well as 17 separate local charities. The couple's generosity scaled to such heights that they even received a special reward from the National Lottery and were granted invites to Buckingham Palace and the Pride of Britain awards. Unfortunately, Barbara passed away from sepsis in 2018 at the age of 77, but had previously claimed that their winnings were 'too much for two people'. And reflecting on the win almost a quarter of a century on, Ray says the windfall never changed them as people. Ray and Barbara Wragg won an eyewatering 7.6 million when they matched six numbers in the National Lottery draw in January 2000 Speaking to the BBC, the lotto winner said: 'I was working, Barbara was working, the kids were working.. We were all right. Like other families do, we saved up. 'It changed our lives but not us as persons. That's stood us in good stead. I still look at the price of a pair of socks you know'. An avid Sheffield United fan, Ray had been due to return to a building site in South Wales at 8am the following Monday morning but rang his boss to inform him he'd not be there. The couple 'effectively retired' from work that evening, but still somehow kept celebrations to a minimum. Ray and Barbara even found the time to share a can of Guinness and a glass of wine as they soaked in the enormity of the win before calling their children to share incredible news. The extent of the pair's charitable acts is truly a sight to behold though. One of their first major donations was a new bladder scanner for Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital, along with the further gifting of funds to Weston Park Hospital where their daughter had been previously treated for Ewing's sarcoma. Other philantropic deeds included the purchasing of 30 television sets for local hospices so that each child could watch TV in bed. The extent of the couple's generosity knew no bounds, with the pair donating large amounts to 17 local charities following their unexpected windfall The Braggs generous acts included paying for hundreds of school children to attend Sheffield's annual pantomime at Christmas time They also footed the bill six years running for over 250 local inner-city school children to attend the Sheffield pantomime at Christmas time. On another occasion, Barbara wrote the Royal Hallamshire Hospital's breast clinic a 5,000 cheque on a whim when she spotted a donations jar in the reception area. The couple even once helped a group of World War Two veterans on a trip to honour fallen comrades in 2003 and paid for 50 war heroes to visit Italy for the 60th anniversary of the battle of Monte Cassino the following year after they had failed to secure enough funding. Having helped thousands of people through their charitable efforts, not every donation or kind act can be recounted, but some other notable beneficiaries included Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, the Make a Wish Foundation, Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, the Meningitis Trust and Help The Aged. Police are renewing a 20,000 appeal to find the body of a woman murdered by her boyfriend who refuses to reveal what he did with her remains. Fiona Holm, 48, was last seen alive on June 20 last year with her family now facing their second Christmas without her. She was seen on a five second clip leaving a residential address in south east London and was reported missing nine days later. Her partner, Carl Cooper, has since been convicted of murdering Fiona in the living room of his flat at a separate address in Catford a short while later. Cooper, now 66, lied to Fiona's family and police, and took extensive steps to cover up the killing. But despite exhaustive efforts by police, Fiona's body has never been recovered. At the time of her death Cooper was on bail having been charged on suspicion of murdering another former girlfriend Naomi Hunte, 41. He was convicted of both murders in July and is currently serving life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years. Pictured: One of the last known sighting of Fiona Holm in an off licence in Catford, south London, on June 20, 2023 Carl Cooper, now 66, lied to Fiona's family and police, and took extensive steps to cover up the killing Pictured: Fiona Holm and her daughter Savannah Holm Naomi was found stabbed to death on the sofa at her home in Woolwich in 2022. She had made a number of calls to police over the previous two years, telling officers that Cooper was stalking and harassing her. Naomi told cops Cooper had been 'obsessed' with her. Fiona also reported Cooper to the Met for GBH two months before she is believed to have been killed in June last year. The Met previously said four officers are under investigation for misconduct in connection with a GBH complaint made by Fiona in April 2023. Since her death, Fiona's family have been tormented by her loss and the lack of closure due her missing remains. Fiona's daughter Savannah said in a statement: 'This year is the second Christmas without my beloved mother. 'As the heartache still continues, the restless nights go on knowing that she has been out there this long, and no-one has come forward with any information, which I find disturbing. 'The thought of us finding her remains is sickening to think about, but this would also bring my whole family peace. Naomi Hunte (pictured) was found stabbed to death on the sofa at her home in Woolwich in 2022 Fiona Holm pictured walking alone on Verdant Lane, Catford, south-east London in a five-second clip Fiona reported Cooper to the Met for GBH two months before she is believed to have been killed in June last year. 'My Nan has not been the same since. 'The only thing she worries about is where her daughter is, as she wants her to be found. 'Nan misses her daughter's big heart and kind ways the most.' Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn of the Met Police, who leads the investigation, said: 'My team has carried out a huge amount of work to try to find Fiona, using specialist teams to search areas she was known to frequent, open spaces, bodies of water, houses, cars and lockups. 'Thousands of hours of CCTV has been seized and viewed, substantial mobile phone enquiries have been reviewed and hundreds of witness statements have been taken, including interviews with Fiona's family and friends. 'Those efforts have continued since Cooper's conviction. 'This Christmas, our thoughts are with Fiona's family, who are still waiting for answers almost two years after her tragic murder. 'Our thoughts are also with Naomi's family at this difficult time. 'I am appealing to anybody who may be able to assist the ongoing search for Fiona's remains to come forward, no matter how insignificant you think your information could be. 'Perhaps now Cooper has been convicted, you feel able to come forward and tell us what you know or have heard.' *If you have any information, please contact the incident room on 020 8721 4005, or 999 if you need urgent police attendance. If you want to give your information anonymously, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. An Old Master painting looted by the Nazis but then saved by the Monuments Men has raked in an impressive 436,000 at auction. The early 18th century work by Nicolas de Largillierre, titled Portrait of a Woman, features an unknown woman with porcelain skin wrapped in a shimmering red and silver cape. It had been valued at 60,000 but a tense bidding war at auctioneers Christie's in Paris meant the undisclosed buyer ended up paying a staggering seven times this amount. The painting had been initially taken by the Germans from a bank crate near Bordeaux in Nazi-occupied France in February 1941. It was transported to Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, which was the hiding place for more than 5,000 paintings and 20,000 objects stolen by the regime. But towards the end of the war a group of British, American and French art experts, museum curators and librarians were assembled to find and recover Hitler's stolen art before it could be destroyed. Their work was immortalised in the 2014 film The Monuments Men starring George Clooney, Bill Murray and Matt Damon. The real-life team arrived at the castle on April 28, 1945, and American soldier Anthony Valim rediscovered the painting before joyously lifting it up in a famous photograph. The early 18th century work by Nicolas de Largillierre, titled Portrait of a Woman features an unknown woman with porcelain skin wrapped in a shimmering red and silver cape The oil on canvas 'half length' painting was returned to its rightful owners, the wealthy Jewish banker de Rothschild family. They kept hold of it until 1978, when it entered another private collection which it has remained in until the sale. Ahead of the impending Nazi invasion of France, winemaker Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who owned the Chateau Mouton Rothschild vineyard near Bordeaux, packed up his artworks in crates and put them in storage to try and hide them from the enemy. Rothschild was arrested by the Vichy government in 1940 and stripped of his French citizenship. His assets were seized, with his crates of artworks found in a bank vault outside Bordeaux. The auctioneers say that the painting was able to be returned to the Rothschilds after the war because of the efforts of an unsung hero French museum administrator, Rose Valland. She worked at the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris, which was being used by the Nazis to warehouse tens of thousands of looted artworks before they were sent on to Germany. But unbeknownst to them, she was also part of the French Resistance and kept a note of the serial codes given to each painting so they could be returned to their original owners. Fussen, Germany, 5/22/45: While a lieutenant checks his list in the background, 7th army soldiers carry three valuable paintings down the steps of Neuschwanstein Castle at Fussen, Germany, where they were a part of the collection looted by the Nazis from conquered countries. The paintings are, (L to R) "Cat and Mirror," Charbin, 1749; a painting by Brouver, belonging to the Weissman Collection; and a portrait of a lady marked "Rothschild Collection 18th Century" Born in Paris in 1656, de Largillierre was one of Europe's leading portrait painters in the final decades of the 17th century and the initial decades of the 18th. He spent much of his early career in England, as assistant to Sir Peter Lely, Principal Painter to King Charles II. Olivia Ghosh, Christie's head of sale, said: 'He executed this painting in around 1700, after his permanent return to France. 'It depicts a now unknown woman from the aristocracy or haute bourgeoisie. 'Boasting porcelain skin and wrapped in a shimmering red and silver cape, she is elegantly integrated into an outdoor setting, with some trees on the left and a rock face on the right. 'The picture showcases many of the gifts for which Largillierre is renowned, including sumptuous surfaces and gorgeous colours. 'Aware of the antisemitic measures being adopted by the Nazis in Germany, and also the threat posed by Hitler's expansionist foreign policy, Baron Phillipe de Rothschild packed up his artworks in crates and put them into storage. 'His crates were found in a bank vault outside Bordeaux and removed to the Jeu de Paume in February 1941. Matt Damon and George Clooney in The Monuments Men - 2014. The work of the British, American and French art experts was immortalised in the film 'The painting was transferred along with the rest of Rothschild's collection to Neuschwanstein Castle in south-east Germany. 'The Nazis had no idea that Valland, the quiet, bespectacled employee at the Jeu de Paume, was eavesdropping on their conversations and taking secret notes on the destinations of train and truck shipments. 'Each work was given an inventory number, and Valland also recorded these - in the case of Portrait d'une femme, a mi-corps, 'R437', a number still marked on the stretcher of the canvas. 'When Paris was liberated in 1944, Valland shared her information with Lieutenant James Rorimer, one of some 350 members of the Allied forces' Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives programme. 'Colloquially known as the "Monuments Men", these were museum curators, art historians, architects, artists and librarians tasked with finding and protecting as many looted items as possible. 'In the war's final days, he and a small number of troops at his disposal found the vast trove that Valland had told him about. 'In the nick of time, too, before the Germans had had the chance to move the items on again, or worse, destroy them. 'The Largillierre portrait was returned to Paris in November 1945, before being officially restituted to the Rothschild family six months later. 'It remained in their collection until 1978, when it was acquired by the vendor. 'There are some works of art whose importance goes beyond their mere aesthetic quality because of the place they hold in a wider history. 'The present painting by Nicolas de Largillierre is one such work.' Police have issued a Christmas Day appeal to find a missing 25-year-old woman. Chelsea Beavers, 25, was last seen at about 2.30pm on Saturday, police said. She vanished without trace from the North Shields area just days before Christmas. Northumbria Police said her family are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare. Officers urged the public to report any sightings of Chelsea, who is described as white, 5ft 6in tall of slim build with long blonde hair which is usually worn in a ponytail. Chelsea Beavers, 25, was last seen at about 2.30pm on Saturday, police said A police spokesman said: "Chelsea, or anyone who knows where she might be, should contact Northumbria Police by sending a direct message on social media or using the live chat function on the Force's website." Sightings can also be reported on 101 using the quote reference number NP-20241222-0678. This is the shocking moment gangs of yobs chased each other armed with machetes as violence erupted outside a school. The chaotic scenes were captured near Sandwell College, in West Bromwich, West Midlands. Mobile phone footage shows more than a dozen hooded youths running amok in the middle of the town centre with at least two armed with massive blades. At one point, a young man appears to lunge towards another with a knife, narrowly missing him as stunned motorists are forced to a halt. A single college security guard can be seen running into shot as groups of people swarm the area near the King's Square shopping centre. Horrified social media users voiced their concern over the footage. One person commented on Facebook: 'Why does this generation of kids think playing with their lives is a game?' Another added: 'The truth is people need to stop standing by watching and do something to help.' Hoards of yobs chased each other with machetes in chaotic scenes earlier this month Yobs were seen chasing each other near a school in West Bromwich, West Midlands Police confirmed they are investigating the shocking footage and appealed for ayone with information to contact them The college said: 'We are aware of a recent incident in West Bromwich town centre. We can confirm that the individuals involved are not Sandwell College learners.' A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: 'We're investigating following armed disorder near West Bromwich Ringway. 'A number of people were seen running through the streets with weapons at just before 1.30pm on Friday 6 December. No-one is known to have been injured but we're working hard to identify those involved. 'We've been reviewing CCTV - alongside other enquiries - and we'll be looking to arrest whoever is found to have been carrying a weapon. We know this would have been intimidating, and worrying, for others and our officers are continuing to conduct highly visible patrols in the area to provide reassurance. 'Anyone with information is asked to contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101, quoting log 2223 of 6 December.' Knife violence amongst youngsters has been a worry for police in recent years. Just last week, four teens were jailed for life for the murders of two best friends who were viciously stabbed to death in a tragic case of mistaken identity. Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, were killed after being chased by a gang of armed thugs in the Knowle West area of Bristol as they went out for pizza. Their attackers - Riley Tolliver, 18, Kodishai Westcott, 17, and two boys aged 15 and 16, who cannot be named due to their age - had been driven to Ilminster Avenue by Antony Snook, 45. They had been on a 'blood thirsty revenge mission' after an earlier attack on Kodi's family home, which was part of a 'postcode rivalry' between two suburbs of Bristol. All five were convicted of two counts of murder last month following a six-week trial at Bristol Crown Court. Snook was later jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 38 years. Max Dixon, 16, (left) and Mason Rist, 15, went to nursery, primary and secondary school together and enjoyed gaming together on the PlayStation. They were both brutally killed in a case of mistaken identity Max, 16, and Mason, 15, had been firm friends since the tender age of five Judge Mrs Justice May said Max and Mason were 'completely innocent parties' and were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Wescott, who can be named for the first time after a judge lifted a Section 45 order, was told he would serve a minimum of 23 years and 44 days. Tolliver was jailed for a minimum of 23 years and 47 days. The 15-year-old boy was told he would serve at least 15 years and 229 days, while the 16-year-old was given a minimum term of 18 years and 44 days. 'You were part of a group who attacked and killed two boys,' the judge told the defendants. 'The boys you killed were Mason Rist and Max Dixon. They were your age. They had done nothing wrong. They didn't attack the house, they had nothing to do with it. 'You have heard how much pain you have caused to their families. 'Max and Mason's families must go on without them in a different way. Your lives will change too. As Mason's sister said, there are no winners here.' Interstate 45 is seen across from The Woodlands Towers at The Waterway and The Woodlands Mall, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer When Christin Cherry was deciding where to move to grow her fitness and health business, she was told by her consultant that she needed to move to a hub city The city needed to be near an airport and a place where people all over the country could visit to talk business. So she chose The Woodlands. Cherry founded entreProcess a consulting firm that helps small businesses build their brands in 2012. She said she's seen how siloed business owners can be in other parts of the country. She thought it was very difficult to connect with other business owners in the past. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "(But) The Woodlands, it just is not that way," Cherry said. She added that entrepreneurs here can keep to themselves if they choose to, "but it's hard. Once you're in, (the township is) going to grab you in and keep you." Since starting her consulting business in 2022, Cherry said she has helped more than 50 businesses across the country and in The Woodlands. "(The Woodlands is) not super political, it's not 'what's in it for me.' it's genuinely, 'how can I help you?' And that's been really refreshing," she said. It's a very tight-knit relationship-based community, said Aaron Cox, president of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I think there's some value, particularly to the small business person, to having a lot of people who still like to do business with a handshake," Cox said. "You know, our folks are very technologically savvy and very technologically advanced, but they still want to do business with their neighbor; they still want to know their neighbor." The chamber of commerce currently represents more than 1,500 businesses in the Houston region. Moving into The Woodlands to build a business Miguel Lopez, president of the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber, echoed the same sentiment as Cox. Lopez said the township has seen an explosion of growth in the Latino community, and families are moving here for more than just a quiet neighborhood. "They want to open up a business; they want to invest in a business," Lopez said while sitting inside of Galindo's Barbershop, Spa, Studio, Coffee + Elixirs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2016, Zak Galindo officially opened Galindo's Barbershop in Magnolia, starting off with just three chairs. And shortly after, he expanded into the Conroe area. Galindo then took over Jons Bakery and Deli inside American Furniture Warehouse off Interstate 45 in Conroe rebranding it to Galindos Bakery and Deli. He would later expand his barbershop business into a coffee shop, studio and bar. Lopez said Galindo also doesn't shy away from giving back to his community, such as giving someone in need a free haircut, or being a sponsor to an event that the chamber hosts. Leaning into each other for help The key to success is connecting with other businesses through chamber meetings and other gatherings, Cherry said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I'd say the success for The Woodlands in particular is the community, the chamber, but also the little subgroups of business owners around the chamber," she said. "You have that, those gatherings where people really do lean in towards each other for help." For example, Image 360 owner Angela Schimmels' business recently burned down in Spring. "We had to rely on and have had tremendous support from people in the community that want to help us out and help us get back on our feet," Schimmels said. "And to me, that has meant almost more than anything else." Finding connections Serenity Sips Bar & Wellness Emporium opened in October, said owner Celeste Potter. The family-owned business off Interstate 45 is a wellness spa that also offers handcrafted coffees and teas, according to the business' website. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Potter, who has a background in healthcare administration as well as six years in the military, said she dreamed of becoming a doctor. After building meeting people around The Woodlands while working there, she decided she wanted to open a business of her own, she said. "As we were thinking about what we wanted to do and the areas we live in, it felt right to do it (in The Woodlands)," Potter said. The ultimate goal for the business was to build connections, said Gracie Aguilar, co-owner and Potter's sister. Since the opening, the business has steadily grown regulars, she said. "Who knows if we had been able to find that had we opened our business somewhere else," Aguilar, said. "But we found it here." Aguilar said she's been talking to people who are also looking to open their own businesses. Footage of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed and killed 38 people shows suspicious holes in the fuselage, leading to rumours that the aircraft was shot down by Russians. The flight from Azerbaijan's capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny crashed with 67 passengers and five crew members on board near Aktau, western Kazakhstan, this morning. According to the plane's course on Flight Radar 24, it was flying over the republic of Dagestan along the Caspian Sea coast, after which it disappeared from tracking, suggesting it was exposed to air defense systems in Russia. It then showed up around an hour later off course and flying low above the water near western Kazakhstan before crashing. Ahead of the crash, the crew had reported a strong impact on the hull. They assumed the aircraft hit a flock of birds but later it was reported that it was the explosion of an oxygen tank to supply the cockpit in the event of depressurisation. This supposed sudden depressurisation of the cylinder caused significant damage to the hull and its 'scattering into fragments'. But new footage showing gaping holes in the side of the wreckage has raised questions whether birds or an exploded oxygen tank could have downed the plane. There have been suggestions that Russian air defences might have caused the crash as 'this doesn't seem like birds'. Footage of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed and killed 38 people shows suspicious holes in the fuselage, leading to rumours that the aircraft was shot down by Russians This is the horrific moment a passenger plane hit the ground in a fireball in a Christmas Day crash landing New footage showing gaping holes in the side of the wreckage has raised questions whether birds or an exploded oxygen tank could have downed the plane. There have been suggestions that Russian air defences might have caused the crash as 'this doesn't seem like birds' Footage shows scared passengers praying and some oxygen masks lowered with damage inside the cabin minutes before the plane crashes and breaks apart in Kazakhstan, with 42 people feared dead A firefighter is seen above climbing through debris in the upside-down plane Wall Street Journal reporter Yaroslav Trofimov said speculation by Russian media included that Russian air defences mistook the passenger jet for a Ukrainian drone. It is known the Embraer 190, belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines, was attempting to land at Russian airport Grozny, capital of Chechnya region, which at the time was under attack by Ukrainian drones. The plane was barred from landing - with the official reason given as 'fog'. It is known Chechnya and three bordering areas were under attack, and that a shopping mall ignited into an inferno with a drone strike win Vladikavkaz, capital of Russian region North Ossetia. It is also reported from security officials that Chechen air defences opened fire on drones, striking and exploding at least one. Questions have now been raised over whether the plane was damaged by anti-drone gunfire from the ground as it sought to land in Grozny. Authorities in Kazakhstan said they had begun looking into different possible versions of what had happened, including a technical problem, Russia's Interfax news agency reported. Footage filmed by a passenger shows terrified people praying and some oxygen masks lowered with damage inside the cabin minutes before the plane crashed and broke apart in Kazakhstan, leaving 38 dead. Other footage shows mayhem inside the plane after the crash as rescuers went inside the severed rear of the aircraft, where several people can be seen lying on the ground. Astonishingly, some were found still alive. One trapped woman shouted at rescuers: 'Help me please!'. A firefighter asked her whether she needed help to get up, and she confirmed that she would need to be lifted out of the debris. It is understood that the 29 people reported to have survived the crash were found in the rear section of the aircraft, with the front being badly destroyed by fire. Latest figures indicate 22 of the 29 survivors are being treated in hospital, seven of whom are in serious condition. At least ten people dying after reportedly being thrown out of the cabin. One terrifying video shows the moment the plane burst into flames and broke into several parts as it hit the ground, with thick black smoke rising up from the wrecked aircraft after. Later bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact. Azerbaijan Airlines, the country's flag carrier, said the Embraer 190 had 'made an emergency landing' around three kilometres from Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. 'A plane doing the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau. It belongs to Azerbaijan Airlines,' the Kazakh ministry said on Telegram. The Embraer E190AR with registration number 4K-AZ65 sent out a distress signal at an altitude of 2,125 feet over the Caspian Sea. The footage taken moments before the plane crashed were filmed by a passenger who sent it to his wife Terrified passengers can be seen on the plane as oxygen masks dropped down, just before the crash Latest figures indicate 22 of the 29 survivors are being treated in hospital, seven of whom are in serious condition. One survivor is pictured in hospital above Rescuers are pictured crawling into the plane wreck to look for survivors People are seen standing next to the rear of the crashed passenger jet One trapped woman shouted at rescuers: 'Help me please!'. A firefighter asked her whether she needed help to get up, and she confirmed that she would need to be lifted out of the debris There were 105 passengers and five crew members on board the fight from Azerbaijan capital Baku to Russian city Grozny. Earlier reports had suggested 67 on board Footage of the crash showed the plane bursting into flames as it hit the ground and thick black smoke then rising Emergency services are pictured above at the scene of the plane crash Footage from the crash site shows rescuers looking for survivors of the horrific crash The front of the plane burst into flames when the aircraft hit the ground Dramatic new footage showed the pilot pulling the plane out of a steep fall as he sought to regain control, but the aircraft still suffered a catastrophic crash exploding in fire. The two main sites of the wreck at Aktau airport were hundreds of yards apart. Mangled human remains from the horror crash were strewn on rough ground at the airport. Dazed and bloodied passengers are seen emerging from the severed rear of the plane. Some sat in shock on the ground after escaping from the aircraft. Others managed to walk clear. Meanwhile, the front of the aircraft - torn asunder by the crash - could be seen ablaze in the distance. Plane crash survivor Kristina Evstigneeva, 34, a travel agent from Vladivostok, was in a serious condition and had to undergo brain surgery after the plane crash in Kazakhstan. Another survivor Zaur Mamedov, 36, was returning from his father's funeral in Baku. The plane attempted to land at Aktau in western Kazakhstan after being rerouted from Grozny and another Russian city Makhachkala due to fog. Two of the 29 survivors are children, believed to be girls aged 11 and 16. Bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact The front of the aircraft - torn asunder by the crash - could be seen ablaze in the distance At least ten people died after being thrown out of the plane The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 lays on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, December 25 'They are receiving all the necessary medical care in hospitals in the region,' said the Ministry of Health. '23 ambulance teams were mobilised to the scene of the incident.' Unconfirmed reports said that both pilots died in the crash, and from the crew only a female flight attendant survived. Tengrinews reported 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 of Russia, six of Kazakhstan and three of Kyrgyzstan were on board the stricken plane. Following the crash, Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, was returning home from Russia where he had been due to attend a summit on Wednesday, Russia's RIA news agency reported. Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, expressed his condolences in a statement and said those being treated in hospital were in an extremely serious condition and that he and others would pray for their rapid recovery. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to Aliyev over the loss of life, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. 'Unfortunately, Azerbaijan's President Aliyev was forced to leave St Petersburg (where he had a summit). Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau,' Peskov said. 'We deeply sympathise with those who lost their relatives and friends in this plane crash and wish a speedy recovery to all those who managed to survive.' Another angle shows a massive fireball where the aircraft hit the ground A drone view shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan December 25 Reports said the plane collided with a bird and suffered a steering failure. The aircraft is seen coming in steeply descending its nose pointing down too steeply In this handout picture released by Kazakhstan's emergency situations ministry, emergency specialists work at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet near the western Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25 Aktau residents have been asked to donate blood for the survivors. Authorities in Kazakhstan said a government commission had been set up to investigate what had happened and its members ordered to fly to the site and ensure that the families of the dead and injured were getting the help they needed. Kazakhstan would cooperate with Azerbaijan on the investigation, the government said. Grozny - the destination - is the capital of the Chechnya republic, a Russian region controlled by Vladimir Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov which regularly sends troops to fight in the war against Ukraine. A Christmas photo shared by NASA astronauts stranded on the international space station has everyone wondering how they got their hands on Christmas treats. The images, which show Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams and other NASA astronauts wearing Santa Claus hats, was posted earlier this week to celebrate the holidays. The two test pilots have been stranded in space since June, when they blasted off on Boeings first astronaut flight to the International Space Station. But their mission grew from eight days to eight months after NASA decided to send the companys problem-plagued Starliner capsule back empty in September. This has led many on social media to question how the astronauts received the Christmas decorations they showed off in their holiday images. One X user wrote: 'who delivered the Christmas hats and decorations?? 'Sou thought far enough in advance to pack them when extra space in the capsule is at a very high premium?? hmmm.' Another echoed the sentiment, adding: 'Just curious how theyre still alive with 8 days of food and Christmas decorations?' NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Nick Hague and Don Petitt pose for a holiday picture on the International Space Station Many on social media questioned how the stranded astronauts got their hands on the Christmas decorations they showed off on their holiday video. Williams is pictured with astronaut Don Pettit A third questioned: 'How much did it cost to send up Christmas hats?' The viral question prompted commander Nick Hague to reveal the crew received the goodies in a shipment from Earth six months ago. 'There's no last-minute dash to the mall to get gifts on @SpaceSation,' Hague said. 'A team of elves had to pack up these gifts 6 months ago!' On a holiday video, Williams said: 'Its a great time up here, we get to spend it with all of our family on the International Space Station. 'There are seven of us up here and so were going to get to enjoy company together.' Mission commander Williams and flight engineer Wilmore took off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5 for a test flight of Boeing's new Starliner capsule. The plan was to ride Starliner out of the atmosphere, perform a few test maneuvers, and dock with the ISS for an eight-day stay before returning to Earth in the same capsule. However, things almost immediately began to go wrong for the problem-plagued capsule as the craft experienced thruster failures and a helium leak. The viral question prompted commander Nick Hague to reveal the crew received the goodies in a shipment from Earth six months ago While Williams and Wilmore were safely delivered to the ISS, by the time Starliner arrived it had sprung more helium leaks and five of its 28 thrusters had failed. After weeks of tests, NASA made the decision that it was not safe for the astronauts to return aboard Starliner as originally planned. In September, Starliner was sent back to Earth empty, touching down in New Mexico after slowing its descent with parachutes. Mission commander Williams and flight engineer Wilmore took off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5 for a test flight of Boeing's new Starliner capsule. The plan was to ride Starliner out of the atmosphere, perform a few test maneuvers, and dock with the ISS for an eight-day stay before returning to Earth in the same capsule. However, things almost immediately began to go wrong for the problem-plagued capsule as the craft experienced thruster failures and a helium leak. While Williams and Wilmore were safely delivered to the ISS, by the time Starliner arrived it had sprung more helium leaks and five of its 28 thrusters had failed. After weeks of tests, NASA made the decision that it was not safe for the astronauts to return aboard Starliner as originally planned. Mission commander Williams and flight engineer Wilmore are not expected to be rescued until March. They are pictured with their crew members on ISS A satellite image shows an overview of the International Space Station with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on June 7 In September, shortly after Starliner's return, NASA's Crew 9 mission launched from Florida aboard a SpaceX Dragon crew capsule. Two of the mission's original crew were left back on Earth, freeing up a seat each for Williams and Wilmore. Crew 9 made it safely to the ISS, but Boeing's stranded astronauts still can't leave the station until a replacement crew arrives. Under the original plan, NASA would send the four astronauts of Crew 10 to the ISS on a brand-new SpaceX Dragon capsule in February next year. After a 'handover period' to help Crew 10 get up and running, Williams, Wilmore, and the members of Crew 9 would then return to Earth in their original capsule at the end of the month. However, NASA has now revealed that the new SpaceX capsule isn't going to be ready in time to hit that deadline. The Starliner spacecraft is seen docked to the Harmony module of the International Space Station on June 13 The capsule isn't expected to arrive at the companys processing facility in Florida until early January and will still need more than a month of testing before it is ready. NASA is now targeting no earlier than late March 2025 to launch the rescue crew, meaning Williams and Wilmore might not get back to Earth until April. The space agency maintains that the ISS is well-stocked with everything the crew needs, including food, water, clothing, and oxygen, adding that a recent resupply even brought some 'special items' to help celebrate the holidays. The owner of hotel in Turkey that collapsed in an earthquake has been jailed for 17 years. Ahmet Bozkurt ran the Isias Grand Hotel in Adiyaman which was destroyed by a quake on February 6, 2023, claiming the lives of 72 people. He was found guilty of 'conscious negligence', while his son Mehmet Fatih was also sentenced to more than 15 years in prison. A total of 39 students in a school volleyball tea from Northern Cyprus were staying at the hotel in the city of Adiyaman when it was hit by a 7.8 magnitude quake. Thirty-five of the school children died following the natural disaster, which also hit 10 other provinces in southern Turkey, leaving 50,000 dead and hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Among those who testified against the hotel owner was Osman Akin, a gym teacher from northern Cyprus, who lost two of his children in the hotel rubble. Poor construction and failure to enforce building codes even in earthquake-prone areas was blamed for the extent of the destruction. Bozkurt denied charges against him and insisted there was no wrongdoing on his part. Relatives of the school volleyball team that perished in a Turkish hotel that collapsed during an earthquake in February 2023 gather outside the justice court for the trial Hotel owner Ahmed Bozkurt has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after being found guilty of 'conscious negligence' A picture of the school volleyball team released by family members, of which 35 students died More than 30 members of a school volleyball team were killed when the hotel crumbled. Pictured: Family members of the students protesting outside the justice court An aerial view shows residential buildings ruined by a deadly earthquake in Adiyaman, Turkey The 7.8 magnitude quake claimed the lives of more than 15,000 people in southern Turkey and left hundreds of thousands injured He was reported as saying in his defence that the event was 'the disaster of the century', adding: 'My hotel was destroyed, just like 850,000 other constructions.' The Cyprus Mirror reported that the architect behind the hotel, Erdem Yldz, was also handed a prison sentence of over 17 years, while civil engineer Halil Bagc was sentenced to seven years and 16 months behind bars. The court also sentenced Hasan Aslan and Mehmet Goncuogl to 15 years and seven years imprisonment respectively. Bilge Ack, Efe Bozkurt, Seda Zeren, Sule Ozbek, and Ulviye Bozkurt were all acquitted of charges. Mississippi police are searching for a 'very, very dangerous' killer who escaped from prison on Christmas Eve. Drew Johnson, 33, escaped from the South Mississippi Correctional Institution on Tuesday, according to the George County Sheriff's Office. 'He will be desperate and very, very dangerous. Call your family and alert them. Send messages to them and get responses,' said the Sheriff's Office in a Facebook post. Johnson was serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of 25-year-old Calvin Holloway Jr., who was shot Friends said Holloway left to help a friend who was stranded at 3:45 in the morning and never returned. His Chevrolet truck was found abandoned in Memphis, five miles from where police found his body, according to the Clarion Ledger. Holloway had met with Johnson in southwest Memphis. His body was found with multiple stab wounds in that area four days after he was reported missing in April 2016. Drew Johnson, 33, escaped from the South Mississippi Correctional Institution and is described by the sheriff's office as 'very very dangerous' after murdering two people, one being a former cell mate, and starting two fires in prison Johnson also pled guilty to striking and killing a fellow prisoner in the head with a brick and setting fire to the jail on two occasions Johnson pled guilty to the murder of 25-year-old Calvin Holloway Jr, who was found in Memphis with around two dozen stab wounds in 2016 An accessory to Holloway's murder, Rebecca Allison was indicted on a charge of accessory for helping Johnson. It remains unclear if she is still in prison. According to an arrest affidavit, Allison told detectives that she had knowledge of Holloways death. She admitted to being in Holloway's truck and helping to wipe it down after he was killed, reported the outlet. Johnson also pled guilty to striking and killing a fellow prisoner in the head with a brick and setting fire to the jail on two occasions. He was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of aggravated arson in 2022. 'People tend to be more generous during Christmas and let their guard down. Be vigilant and be careful,' the Sheriff's Office said. In addition to the murder conviction, Johnson has a long criminal history in other states. The prison he escaped from sits in southwest Mississippi, not far from the Alabama state line. Police are urging the public not to engage with him if they see him, and to alert the authorities instead. A former defense official has said the government is hiding UFO secrets from Americans, amid the spotlight on apparent drone sightings over the East Coast in recent weeks. Luis Elizondo, the former head of the Defense Department's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, told Congress last month about an alleged government group 'hiding the fact that we are not alone in the cosmos'. 'I believe that we as Americans can handle the truth. And I also believe the world deserves the truth,' Elizondo said. Elizondo was among those claiming that whistleblowers are afraid to come forward, while urging Congress to pass legislation which would protect them. The hearing was part of a larger investigation into UFOs, also known as unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAPs), to determine whether any government officials have been withholding evidence from Congress. It comes as wild footage showed what appeared to be a UFO hovering in the skies over New Jersey before suddenly accelerating away on Sunday. In a short 13 second clip posted to social media, a white light blinked in the sky before suddenly vanishing, leaving onlookers stunned. In the footage, which was shot close near Atlantic City, family members were heard discussing what they witnessed before the object suddenly disappears. Luis Elizondo, the former head of the Defense Department's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, told Congress last month about an alleged government group 'hiding the fact that we are not alone in the cosmos' A former defense official has said the government is hiding UFO secrets from Americans, amid the spotlight on apparent drone sightings over the East Coast in recent weeks 'It just vanished!' one said. 'I just watched it through the telescope.' The footage was sent to Tim Janicki by a friend. The video is the most recent in a long line of mysterious drone sightings that have been reported flying over New Jersey and across the eastern U.S., sparking speculation and concern over where they came from and why. Data shows New Jersey residents have reported more than 1,000 sightings of the flying objects across the state in less than a month after the first report. Some 964 incidents have been logged in total since the first sighting on November 19 up until December 13, according to statistics collected by the states Office of Emergency Management and shared with the New York Post. Yet despite the startling volume of apparent sightings - which have prompted locals to shoot into the sky and even sparked the closure of an airport in neighboring New York - officials are yet to provide answers about who or what is behind the drones. As the flashing objects continue to circle the skies above New Jersey and beyond, theories about the source have proliferated in the homes of lawmakers and residents below - from Project Blue Beam to foreign conspiracies. Social media has gone wild with conspiracy theorists insisting the alleged drones are connected with a chilling government plot. Trump-supporting actress Roseanne Barr was among those touting the Project Blue Beam theory, which claims global elites are planning to use advanced technology to stage celestial events in order to manipulate the world's population. 'Now you see why I mention Project Blue Beam every week on my podcast..,' the 72-year-old wrote on X. The theory dates back to the 1990s, but it recently found traction again online as commentators such as Barr claim that the US government could stage an alien invasion as a pretext for imposing authoritarian rule. Others have also espoused the idea that the Biden Administration could be behind the drone activity, given its refusal to provide reassuring answers amid the mounting crisis. Footage has emerged of what appears to be a ' UFO ' hovering in the skies over New Jersey before suddenly accelerating away leaving the family who were watching lost for words Swarms of drones have been spotted in the skies of New Jersey for weeks, sparking officials to call for a 'limited state of emergency' Former CIA operations officer Laura Ballman revealed her chilling theory that the drones lighting up multi-state skies may be a 'classified exercise.' She told Fox News Live that the drone sightings are 'extremely unsettling,' and shared her theory that they may be part of a technology 'test,' orchestrated by the federal government. Ballman said: 'Now in terms of who is behind this, seeing the statements that have been made by John Kirby, who has said that these objects are not operating illegally. 'Coupled with the several op-eds that have been out there in the last 24 hours about the need to look at our detection systems, [it] makes me think perhaps this is actually a classified exercise to test either evasion technology or detection technology in urban areas.' White House National Security spokesman John Kirby has said the aircraft are not foreign - and they may not even be 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 told reporters on Thursday. 'The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating these sightings, and they're working closely with the state and local law enforcement to provide resources using numerous detection methods to better understand their origin,' Kirby said. He said the agencies used 'very sophisticated electronic detection technologies' but 'have not been able to and neither state or local law enforcement corroborate any of the reported visual sightings.' 'To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft being operated lawfully,' he said, denying the aircraft were even drones. Transgender flags will be flown from government buildings under controversial new guidance. Official protocol now states that the flag should be raised to commemorate the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Buildings which have only one flagpole should fly the transgender flag instead of the Saltire. The new guidance comes as the SNP government restated its commitment to funding a scandal-hit gay and transgender rights group for teenagers which was once led by a paedophile. Scottish Tory equalities spokesman Tess White said: Hard-pressed Scots rightly expect scarce resources to be spent on tackling issues such as cost of living, healthcare and education, not on debates about what type of flag is flown. The government guidelines state that the transgender flag should be flown on November 20 to commemorate transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. Both the transgender flag and the Saltire should be raised if the building has two or more flagpoles. Meanwhile, equalities minister Kaukab Stewart backed LBGT Youth Scotland (LGBTYS) despite a charity boss quitting in disgust over its funding. Latest guidance says the transgender flag, above, should be flown on November 20 Tory equalities spokesman Tess White says Scots don't want flag debates Rosie Millard dramatically quit as chairman of the BBCs Children in Need charity last month after claiming there had been institutional failure over grants it had awarded to LGBTYS. The SNPs renewed statement of support for LGBTYS came in a document on the rights of non- binary people (who identify as neither male or female) which vowed to make it easier for them to access public buildings but failed to explain why they could not already enter them. An update on a plan to boost non-binary rights published by Ms Stewart states that the SNP government will continue to fund LGBT Youth Scotland to deliver support to LGBTQI+ people experiencing gender-based violence. The Mail revealed in September that Children in Need had axed funding for LGBTYS amid a row over a coming-out guide for pupils co-authored by a convicted paedophile. No one was available for comment at LGBTYS. Scottish Government officials confirmed that flags are to be flown on Transgender Remembrance Day in line with the guidance you have linked to. A spokesman said: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting LGBTQI+ young people, including through funding LGBT Youth Scotland. This is particularly important at a time when we are seeing a rise in attacks against the LGBTQI+ community. A newborn baby girl froze to death overnight in Gaza, becoming the third to die from the cold in the city's tent camps in recent days. The father of three-week-old Sila Mahmoud al-Faseeh wrapped her in a blanket to try to keep her warm in their tent in the Muwasi area outside Khan Younis, but it was not enough, he said. Mahmoud al-Faseeh, said the tent was not sealed from the wind and the ground was cold, as temperatures on Tuesday night dropped to 9C. Muwasi is a desolate area of dunes and farmland on Gaza's Mediterranean coast. 'It was very cold overnight and as adults we couldn't even take it. We couldn't stay warm,' he said. Sila woke up crying three times overnight and in the morning they found her unresponsive, her body stiff, he said. 'She was like wood,' said Mr al-Faseeh. They rushed her to a field hospital where doctors tried to revive her, but her lungs had already deteriorated. The three-week-old baby was the third to die from the cold in Gaza's tent camps in recent days, said doctors. Pictured: A view of the area where people live in makeshift tents near trash piled up in the coastal area of Gaza City, Gaza on December 24 People inspect the site of reported Israeli bombardment on tents sheltering Palestinians displaced from Beit Lahia at a camp in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on December 25 Israel's bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza have killed over 45,000 Palestinians A woman and children stand from afar to view the site of reported Israeli bombardment on tents sheltering Palestinians Images of Sila following the tragedy showed the little girl with purple lips, her pale skin blotchy. Ahmed al-Farra, director of the children's ward at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, confirmed that the baby died of hypothermia. He said two other babies - one three days old, the other a month old - had been brought to the hospital over the past 48 hours after dying of hypothermia. The deaths underscore the squalid conditions, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians crammed into often ramshackle tents after fleeing Israeli bombardment and offensives. The tragic death came as Israel and Hamas accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts that could wind down the 14-month war. Hopes of a ceasefire appeared as complicated as ever Wednesday with Israel and Hamas trading accusations of delaying an agreement. In recent weeks, the two sides seemed to be inching toward a deal that would bring home dozens of hostages being held in Gaza, but several differences have emerged. Although Israel and Hamas have expressed optimism that progress was being made toward a deal, sticking points remain over the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, people involved in the discussions say. On Wednesday, Hamas accused Israel of introducing new conditions related to the withdrawal from Gaza, the prisoners and the return of displaced people, which it said was delaying the deal. Israel's government accused Hamas of 'reneging on understandings that have already been reached.' Yet, both sides said discussions are ongoing. Israel's negotiating team, which includes members from its intelligence agencies and the military, returned from Qatar Tuesday evening for internal consultations, following a week of what it called 'significant negotiations.' Israel's bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza have killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. The offensive has caused widespread destruction and displaced some 90 per cent of Gaza's 2.3 million people, often multiple times. Hundreds of thousands are packed into tent camps along the coast as the cold, wet winter sets in. Aid groups have struggled to deliver food and supplies and say there are shortages of blankets, warm clothing and wood for fires. Israel has increased the amount of aid it allows into the territory, reaching an average of 130 trucks a day so far this month, up from around 70 a day in October and November. Still, the amount remains well below previous months and the UN says it is unable to distribute more than half the aid because Israeli forces deny permission to move within Gaza or because of rampant lawlessness and theft from trucks. A plane crash which saw two aircrafts burst into flames in Tokyo happened because a pilot mistakenly believed he had been given permission to enter the runway for take-off, an investigation has found. A Japan Airlines 9201 passenger jet landing at Haneda Airport ploughed into a Japan Coast Guard plane waiting on the runway on January 2, killing five of the six crew members on the later aircraft. All 379 passengers and crew aboard the Japan Airlines Airbus A350 escaped safely down evacuation chutes minutes before the jet was engulfed in the blaze. A 166-page report by the Japan Transport Safety Board confirmed that two minutes before the collision took place, the control tower told the Coast Guard plane, 'No. 1, taxi to holding point C5'. This meant it was first in line to take off and was supposed to wait at the holding point for further instructions. But the Coast Guard pilot, who survived the accident, said he believed the message signified permission to enter the runway, the report said. In those final two minutes, the pilot told investigators that he ordered his co-pilot to go through a checklist that normally begins when a plane has received final take-off permission. He also believed he heard the control tower say 'cleared for take-off' about a minute before the collision. A Japan Airlines 9201 passenger jet landing at Haneda Airport ploughed into a Japan Coast Guard plane waiting on the runway on January 2 All 379 passengers and crew aboard the Japan Airlines Airbus A350 escaped safely down evacuation chutes minutes before the jet was engulfed in the blaze The Coast Guard plane was delivering rescue supplies to a region of Japan hit by an earthquake the day before. The 'No. 1' meant that the plane had been given priority ahead of another plane that normally would have gone ahead. This suggested to the pilot that controllers shared his desire to move quickly, the report said. The report also outlined that the pilot was worried that his colleagues would be late getting home after dropping off the supplies and returning to Tokyo. It was also confirmed that air-traffic controllers didn't notice a warning light indicating a potential runway collision. This meant they let the Coast Guard plane sit on the runway for about 40 seconds as the Japan Airlines jet descended. The Transport Ministry said it has taken steps to improve pilot communications and strengthen warnings about runway incursions. Footage taken from inside the plane showed passengers panicking as smoke filled the cabin. Several can be seen with masks and rags over their mouth in an effort to limit the amount of smoke they inhale, while others can be heard crying out in fear. Shocking footage showed the Japan Airlines jet engulfed in a raging inferno as it sat on the runway at Haneda Airport, in Ota City, Tokyo, with gouts of flame seen pouring out of the passenger windows Fire crews were deployed to the scene immediately, with footage showing firefighters desperately trying to extinguish the flames with multiple hoses A tower of smoke billowed out of the burning wreckage of the plane at Haneda Airport Another clip showed smoke pouring out of the side of the plane as it touched down on the runway of the airport, the busiest in the country, which saw over 26.5 million passengers in 2021. Swede Anton Deibe, 17, who was a passenger on the Japan Airlines plane, told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that 'the entire cabin was filled with smoke within a few minutes'. She said: 'We threw ourselves down on the floor. Then the emergency doors were opened and we threw ourselves at them. 'The smoke in the cabin stung like hell. It was a hell. We have no idea where we are going so we just run out into the field. It was chaos,' added Deibe, who was traveling with his parents and sister.' Haneda is one of the busiest airports in Japan, and many people travel over the New Year holidays. Japan has not suffered a serious commercial aviation accident in decades. Its worst ever was in 1985, when a JAL jumbo jet flying from Tokyo to Osaka crashed in central Gunma region, killing 520 passengers and crew. That disaster was one of the world's deadliest plane crashes involving a single flight. A devastated Colorado farmer has made an emotional plea to her followers after cruel thieves stole her entire livestock right before Christmas. The farmer, known on TikTok as 'twocenttuesday', broke down in tears as she revealed her four prized Berkshire female pigs along with 60 meat birds and 20 laying hens were stolen from her property just south of Pueblo, Colorado. 'We've just been devastated,' she sobbed in the TikTok video posted on Christmas Eve. 'Our livestock and our livelihood has just been stolen.' 'If anyone in the southern Colorado region, or surrounding areas could help me out, that would be super swell.' She captioned the now-viral video: 'TikTok do your thing. These poor babies were all stolen last night just south of Pueblo Colorado. Please help us find them! They are precious to us and don't deserve whatever is happening to them. Thanks!' The farmer posted a follow-up video where she shockingly admitted she's found 'peace' with the tragedy due to the overwhelming community response. In the touching video shared Wednesday, the TikToker compared her story with the Grinch trying to steal Christmas. 'You know how the Grinch tried to steal Christmas from the Whos? Well, we had a real Grinch try to steal our Christmas,' she said. A devastated Colorado farmer has made an emotional plea to her followers after cruel thieves stole her entire livestock right before Christmas The farmer, known on TikTok as 'twocenttuesday', broke down in tears as she revealed her four prized Berkshire female pigs along with 60 meat birds and 20 laying hens were stolen from her property just south of Pueblo, Colorado 'But just like in the movie, instead we found compassion and kindness and a community of support,' she continued. 'Someone stole my pigs and my chickens but the bible tells us all things work together for the good of those who love god.' She revealed there's no update on her missing livestock, however, she's found 'peace about it' after receiving the outpouring of support. 'We have no news on our livestock but there was such a silver lining of support that i kind of have a peace about it. 'I wish I had my livestock back but knowing that I am supported as significantly as I am is just absolutely beautiful, so thank you and Merry Christmas.' The farmer posted a follow-up video where she revealed there was no update on the missing livestock yet but admitted she's found 'peace' with the tragedy due to the overwhelming community response Users rushed to offer support and advice, with one suggesting she check the 'closest auction yards and her local brand inspector.' Many other wished her luck and prayed for the return of her livestock. 'Have you hired any new workers or had any new visitors? This sounds like an inside job,' another user questioned. Donald Trump has made his strongest bid yet to take over Canada, offering the Canadian people a 60 percent tax cut if they agree to join the US and become the 51st US state. The president-elect has in recent days suggested a territorial expansion into Canada, Greenland and Panama, and has mocked prime minister Justin Trudeau by calling him 'governor.' On Christmas, Trump escalated his campaigns against the governments of both Panama and Canada. 'Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal (where we lost 38,000 people in its building 110 years ago), always making certain that the United States puts in Billions of Dollars in repair money, but will have absolutely nothing to say about anything,"' Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. 'Also, to Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada, whose Citizens Taxes are far too high, but if Canada was to become our 51st State, their Taxes would be cut by more than 60%, their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other Country anywhere in the World. 'Likewise, to the people of Greenland, which is needed by the United States for National Security purposes and, who want the U.S. to be there, and we will!' Trump recently posted that 'Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State' and offered an image of himself superimposed on a mountaintop surveying surrounding territory next to a Canadian flag. Trudeau has suggested that Trump was joking about annexing his country, but the pair met recently at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida to discuss Trumps threats to impose a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian goods. Donald Trump has made his strongest bid yet to take over Canada, offering the Canadian people a 60 percent tax cut if they become the 51st US state Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who attended the Friday dinner at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club, said Trumps comments were in jest. 'The president was telling jokes. The president was teasing us. It was, of course, on that issue, in no way a serious comment,' LeBlanc told reporters in Ottawa. Trump made the stark declaration on Sunday night that he would like to purchase Greenland as he announced his pick for ambassador to Denmark, PayPal co-founder Ken Howery. 'For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,' he wrote on Truth Social. Trump expressed interest in buying Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, during his first presidential term. He was publicly rebuffed by Danish authorities - who reiterated the island was 'open for business, not for sale' - before any conversations could take place. The Danish Prime Ministers Office said in its own statement that the government is 'looking forward to welcoming the new American ambassador. And the Government is looking forward to working with the new administration.' Trump recently posted that 'Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State' and offered an image of himself superimposed on a mountaintop surveying surrounding territory next to a Canadian flag Trudeau has suggested that Trump was joking about annexing his country The pair met recently at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida to discuss Trumps threats to impose a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian goods 'In a complex security political situation as the one we currently experience, transatlantic cooperation is crucial,' the statement said. It noted that it had no comment on Greenland except for it not being for sale, but open for cooperation.' Trump again having designs on Greenland comes after the president-elect suggested over the weekend that the US could retake control of the Panama Canal if something isnt done to ease rising shipping costs required for using the waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Panama President Jose Raul Mulino responded in a video that 'every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to,' but Trump fired back on his social media site, 'Well see about that!' J.R. Gonzales, a native Houstonian, is a senior digital production editor for HoustonChronicle.com. Before that, he was a news copy editor. Since 2006, he has overseen Bayou City History, which covers various aspects of Houston's history. Prior to joining the Houston Chronicle, Gonzales worked as a night cops reporter at The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C., and later as a copy editor. He has also worked as a courthouse reporter for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Gonzales is a journalism graduate of the University of Houston. Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh calls to abandon his surrender of the Chagos Islands after the new leaders of Mauritius rejected the proposed deal. Downing Street insists that the controversial agreement to give up sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago is still on track, as it scrambles to get it signed before Donald Trump returns to the White House. But the Prime Minister is facing renewed calls to ditch it after the recently elected government in Mauritius rejected the terms agreed in October and demanded the UK reopen negotiations. This week Mauritian leader Navinchandra Ramgoolam had a phone call with outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is also keen to get the deal across the line. The prime minister told his MPs afterwards: I made him understand that we do not agree with certain things contained in the agreement concluded on October 3 by the former Mauritian prime minister and informed him that we have made a counter-proposal which will be transmitted to him. Days earlier his deputy had suggested that Mauritius is demanding more money to allow the continued operation of the crucial Anglo-American military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos atolls. Mauritiuss deputy prime minister Paul Berenger told constituents: This base existed on our land, on our territory... but not only it is [about] our sovereignty. There are some things you cant accept if youre a true patriot. They are trying to make us sign and they are quibbling on a small amount. Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh calls to abandon the transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after the proposed deal was rejected Downing Street insisted plans to give up sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago were still on track In response to the latest comments, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said: While Labour ministers refuse to answer straightforward questions in Parliament about the Chagos surrender, the Mauritian Government have let the cat out the bag. Theyve confirmed that Labour wants the deal done before President Trump returns to office, and they want more British taxpayers cash. Starmer and [Foreign Secretary David] Lammy need to come to their senses and ditch the deal. But last night the UK Government insisted the deal was not dead. Members of the Chagossian community protest against the Government's decision at Parliament Square A spokesman said: We do not recognise these reports. The Mauritian prime minister has repeatedly been clear that he remains willing to conclude a deal and we are working to finalise this agreement, which is in both sides shared interests. 'The long-term protection of the base on Diego Garcia has been the shared UK and US objective throughout and this agreement secures its future. Although president-elect Trump has not commented publicly on the deal, it is widely expected he will attempt to scupper it if it is not signed before his inauguration next month. Several of his allies believe it risks US national security since Mauritius is an ally of China. The terrifying moments before and after an Azerbaijan Airlines plane ploughed into the ground and erupted into a ball of flames have been caught on camera. Passengers made their final video calls to loved ones before the tragic jet crash which killed 38 people. Then, heart-wrenching footage snapped survivors pulling themselves from the mangled wreckage. The clips came to light as fears grew around Russian involvement - and whether it played a part in the fiery crash. The Azerbaijan Airlines plane carrying 67 passengers and five crew members crashed near Aktau in Western Kazakhstan - leaving 38 dead. The flight left Azerbaijan's capital Baku on its way to the Russian city of Grozny, it was flying over the republic of Dagestan along the Caspian Sea coast when it disappeared from tracking. It then showed up around an hour later off course and flying low above the water near western Kazakhstan before crashing. A new clip has surfaced of survivors emerging from the wreckage. A man is seen limping away from the scene of the plane crash in Western Kazakhstan This is the horrific moment a passenger plane hit the ground in a fireball in a Christmas Day crash landing People are seen standing next to the rear of the crashed passenger jet Half of the mangled plane can be seen in the clip, with emergency services and passengers surrounding the aircraft in the hunt to find survivors. One person can be seen being dragged to safety, their legs dangling. In the background cries and screams can be heard from surrounding people. One bloodied man can seen limping away from the wreckage. Another video shows the moment the plane hits the ground, bursting into flames on impact and sending a huge black smoke cloud into the air. Footage of the aircraft has showed suspicious holes in the fuselage, leading to rumours that the aircraft was shot down by Russians. Aeroplane tracker Flight Radar 24, showed the plane disappear before the crash, suggesting it was exposed to air defense systems in Russia. Ahead of the crash, the crew had reported a strong impact on the hull. They assumed the aircraft hit a flock of birds but later it was reported that it was the explosion of an oxygen tank to supply the cockpit in the event of depressurisation. This supposed sudden depressurisation of the cylinder caused significant damage to the hull and its 'scattering into fragments'. But new footage showing gaping holes in the side of the wreckage has raised questions whether birds or an exploded oxygen tank could have downed the plane. There have been suggestions that Russian air defences might have caused the crash as 'this doesn't seem like birds'. Wall Street Journal reporter Yaroslav Trofimov said speculation by Russian media included that Russian air defences mistook the passenger jet for a Ukrainian drone. Rescuers enter the back of the plane to try and reach any survivors trapped in the aircraft A person's feet are seen being dragged away from the wreckage of the aircraft The camera then pans to show the person sat upright with their head in their hands It is known the Embraer 190, belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines, was attempting to land at Russian airport Grozny, capital of Chechnya region, which at the time was under attack by Ukrainian drones. The plane was barred from landing - with the official reason given as 'fog'. It is known Chechnya and three bordering areas were under attack, and that a shopping mall ignited into an inferno with a drone strike win Vladikavkaz, capital of Russian region North Ossetia. It is also reported from security officials that Chechen air defences opened fire on drones, striking and exploding at least one. Questions have now been raised over whether the plane was damaged by anti-drone gunfire from the ground as it sought to land in Grozny. Authorities in Kazakhstan said they had begun looking into different possible versions of what had happened, including a technical problem, Russia's Interfax news agency reported. Footage filmed by a passenger shows terrified people praying and some oxygen masks lowered with damage inside the cabin minutes before the plane crashed and broke apart in Kazakhstan, leaving 38 dead. Other footage shows mayhem inside the plane after the crash as rescuers went inside the severed rear of the aircraft, where several people can be seen lying on the ground. Astonishingly, some were found still alive. One trapped woman shouted at rescuers: 'Help me please!'. A firefighter asked her whether she needed help to get up, and she confirmed that she would need to be lifted out of the debris. It is understood that the 29 people reported to have survived the crash were found in the rear section of the aircraft, with the front being badly destroyed by fire. Latest figures indicate 22 of the 29 survivors are being treated in hospital, seven of whom are in serious condition. At least ten people dying after reportedly being thrown out of the cabin. One terrifying video shows the moment the plane burst into flames and broke into several parts as it hit the ground, with thick black smoke rising up from the wrecked aircraft after. Later bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact. Azerbaijan Airlines, the country's flag carrier, said the Embraer 190 had 'made an emergency landing' around three kilometres from Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. 'A plane doing the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau. It belongs to Azerbaijan Airlines,' the Kazakh ministry said on Telegram. The Embraer E190AR with registration number 4K-AZ65 sent out a distress signal at an altitude of 2,125 feet over the Caspian Sea. The footage taken moments before the plane crashed were filmed by a passenger who sent it to his wife Terrified passengers can be seen on the plane as oxygen masks dropped down, just before the crash Latest figures indicate 22 of the 29 survivors are being treated in hospital, seven of whom are in serious condition. One survivor is pictured in hospital above One trapped woman shouted at rescuers: 'Help me please!'. A firefighter asked her whether she needed help to get up, and she confirmed that she would need to be lifted out of the debris There were 105 passengers and five crew members on board the fight from Azerbaijan capital Baku to Russian city Grozny. Earlier reports had suggested 67 on board Footage of the crash showed the plane bursting into flames as it hit the ground and thick black smoke then rising Emergency services are pictured above at the scene of the plane crash Footage from the crash site shows rescuers looking for survivors of the horrific crash The front of the plane burst into flames when the aircraft hit the ground Dramatic new footage showed the pilot pulling the plane out of a steep fall as he sought to regain control, but the aircraft still suffered a catastrophic crash exploding in fire. The two main sites of the wreck at Aktau airport were hundreds of yards apart. Mangled human remains from the horror crash were strewn on rough ground at the airport. Dazed and bloodied passengers are seen emerging from the severed rear of the plane. Some sat in shock on the ground after escaping from the aircraft. Others managed to walk clear. Meanwhile, the front of the aircraft - torn asunder by the crash - could be seen ablaze in the distance. Plane crash survivor Kristina Evstigneeva, 34, a travel agent from Vladivostok, was in a serious condition and had to undergo brain surgery after the plane crash in Kazakhstan. Another survivor Zaur Mamedov, 36, was returning from his father's funeral in Baku. The plane attempted to land at Aktau in western Kazakhstan after being rerouted from Grozny and another Russian city Makhachkala due to fog. Two of the 29 survivors are children, believed to be girls aged 11 and 16. Bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact The front of the aircraft - torn asunder by the crash - could be seen ablaze in the distance At least ten people died after being thrown out of the plane The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 lays on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, December 25 'They are receiving all the necessary medical care in hospitals in the region,' said the Ministry of Health. '23 ambulance teams were mobilised to the scene of the incident.' Unconfirmed reports said that both pilots died in the crash, and from the crew only a female flight attendant survived. Tengrinews reported 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 of Russia, six of Kazakhstan and three of Kyrgyzstan were on board the stricken plane. Following the crash, Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, was returning home from Russia where he had been due to attend a summit on Wednesday, Russia's RIA news agency reported. Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, expressed his condolences in a statement and said those being treated in hospital were in an extremely serious condition and that he and others would pray for their rapid recovery. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to Aliyev over the loss of life, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. 'Unfortunately, Azerbaijan's President Aliyev was forced to leave St Petersburg (where he had a summit). Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau,' Peskov said. 'We deeply sympathise with those who lost their relatives and friends in this plane crash and wish a speedy recovery to all those who managed to survive.' Another angle shows a massive fireball where the aircraft hit the ground A drone view shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan December 25 Reports said the plane collided with a bird and suffered a steering failure. The aircraft is seen coming in steeply descending its nose pointing down too steeply In this handout picture released by Kazakhstan's emergency situations ministry, emergency specialists work at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet near the western Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25 Aktau residents have been asked to donate blood for the survivors. Authorities in Kazakhstan said a government commission had been set up to investigate what had happened and its members ordered to fly to the site and ensure that the families of the dead and injured were getting the help they needed. Kazakhstan would cooperate with Azerbaijan on the investigation, the government said. Grozny - the destination - is the capital of the Chechnya republic, a Russian region controlled by Vladimir Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov which regularly sends troops to fight in the war against Ukraine. Police are abandoning an increasing proportion of criminal investigations without identifying a culprit, it can be revealed today. More than four out of ten victims now see their cases simply being written off. An analysis of official figures this year showed that police in England and Wales ditched investigations into 45 per cent of reported offences which involved an individual victim, such as an assault or personal theft. From April to June, 452,517 investigations into such crimes were closed without a suspect being collared, up more than 27,000 on the previous three months. A further 41,578 cases were closed without tracing a perpetrator in crimes which the Home Office categorises as having 'no specific victims', such as vandalism or some drug offences. It meant police jettisoned investigations into almost four crimes a minute, on average. Baroness Newlove, the Victims' Commissioner, called on police forces to take 'urgent action'. 'Victims do not report crimes lightly,' she said, 'yet far too often cases are being abandoned without a suspect being identified, leaving victims feeling ignored and let down.' Separate data covering the 12 months to the end of June revealed 40.2 per cent of crime reports ended without a suspect being traced. That was up from 39.5 per cent the previous year, and 36.2 per cent the year before that. Polive officers on patrol. An analysis of official figures this year showed that police in England and Wales ditched investigations into 45 per cent of reported offences which involved an individual victim Police vehicles in a city. More than four out of ten victims now see their cases simply being written off Baroness Newlove (pictured), the Victims' Commissioner, called on police forces to take 'urgent action' Separate data covering the 12 months to the end of June revealed 40.2 per cent of crime reports ended without a suspect being traced. That was up from 39.5 per cent the previous year, and 36.2 per cent the year before that. The year to June saw 2,156,075 incidents in which the police gave up trying to track down perpetrators more than 5,900 crimes every day on average. The total included more than 325,000 incidents of 'violence against the person' and nearly 32,000 sex offences, including 7,189 rapes. More than 1.3 million thefts went unsolved, including 139,222 burglaries. The charity Victim Support described the figures as 'very worrying' which reflected a 'criminal justice system in crisis'. Spokesman Alex Mayes added: 'Anyone who has been the victim of crime deserves to have their case properly investigated and a fair shot at seeing justice.' Labour is under fire for failing to maintain the same level of investment as the previous Tory Government, which has led to record numbers of police officers, with some forces, including the Met, predicting swingeing cuts in order to balance their books. A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council said: 'In every report, officers will assess what evidence and investigative lines may be available. In some cases there may not be enough information to act upon or bring about criminal proceedings. 'We recognise we need to do more to increase victim satisfaction and bring more offenders to justice. We are working closely with the Government to identify ways to become a more productive and efficient police service.' Vladimir Putin was yesterday accused of orchestrating an inhumane Christmas Day attack after a wave of strikes pulverised Ukraines energy grid. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that more than 70 missiles and 100 drones targeted energy infrastructure sites across the country. The attack was said to have left hundreds of thousands without heating, killing at least four people across four regions and injuring six in the city of Kharkiv. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer joined the chorus of condemnation, saying it demonstrated Russias bloody and brutal war machine that showed no respite even at Christmas. Mr Zelensky said: Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones. Despite the country-wide air alerts, he vowed that Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas. The strikes on fuel and energy sources included 78 air, ground and sea-launched missiles as well as 106 Shaheds and other types of drones, Ukraines air force said. Its air defences were said to have downed 59 Russian missiles and 54 drones overnight on Tuesday and yesterday morning. Vladimir Putin was yesterday accused of orchestrating an inhumane Christmas Day attack after a wave of strikes pulverised Ukraines energy grid The attack was said to have left hundreds of thousands without heating, killing at least four people across four regions and injuring six in the city of Kharkiv The strikes on fuel and energy sources included 78 air, ground and sea-launched missiles as well as 106 Shaheds and other types of drones, Ukraines air force said At least four people were killed in the regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kherson and Kharkiv, according to officials. Civilian buildings were also damaged. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said one Russian missile passed Moldovan and Romanian airspace. The latter said it did not detect any missiles. Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraines energy sector since spring, damaging almost half of its generating capacity and causing prolonged blackouts. Following the barrage, half a million people in the Kharkiv region were left without heating, in temperatures just a few degrees Celsius above zero, while there were blackouts in Kyiv and elsewhere. Meanwhile, in Russia one woman died and three people were wounded by falling debris from a downed drone which sparked fire in a shopping centre in the city of Vladikavkaz near the Georgian border. A screen grab captured from the video shows the damaged a shopping mall after an explosion, killed one person and injured nine others, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said in Vladikavkaz, Russia on December 25 A local resident reacts near her neighbours' house, which was destroyed in a drone strike in Kharkiv, on December 25, 2024, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Informal Summit of the Commonwealth of the Independent States, December 25 Moscows Defence Ministry said it had conducted a massive strike on what it said were critical energy facilities supporting Kyivs military-industrial complex. Sir Keir denounced the assault on Ukraines energy infrastructure. He said: I pay tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and the leadership of president Zelensky, in the face of further drone and missile attacks from Putins bloody and brutal war machine, with no respite, even at Christmas. As we go into the New Year, it remains vital that we redouble our resolve to place Ukraine in the strongest possible position to end Russias illegal aggression against the Ukrainian people. Yesterday marked only the second time that Ukraine has held Christmas on December 25. The Russian Orthodox Church, which claims sovereignty over Ukraines Orthodox Christians, celebrates Christmas on January 7, following the ancient Julian calendar. Last year Mr Zelensky signed a law moving Ukraines Christmas Day to December 25, with a goal of abandoning the Russian heritage of the Orthodox Christmas. King Charles will address the country on Christmas Day in a tradition that began 92 years ago. His first Christmas broadcast, in 2022, was filmed in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth who was laid to rest there. It was the first Christmas speech made by a male monarch since Charles's grandfather, King George VI delivered a pre-recorded message in 1951. Though the concept remains the same, the current monarch's speeches are very different to the very first read by George V in 1932. Sat in a small room in Sandringham that provided better sound quality and reportedly calmed the King's nerves, George V gave his first ever Christmas broadcast. The Daily Mail's coverage of the momentous occasion at the time called it the 'world's most thrilling broadcast'. King George V giving his Christmas broadcast from Sandringham back in 1934 Queen Elizabeth filming her Christmas address in Sandringham with the original microphones used by her grandfather by her side 'Reception was very good in this country and excellent reports have been received from overseas,' the Mail reported. It was a huge step in connecting the monarch to the rest of the world. An estimated 20 million people tuned in to hear the King's Christmas message during which he spoke of 'the marvels of modern science' that allowed him to be heard by so many. 'I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all,' he said. 'To men and women so cut off by the snows, the desert, or the sea, that only voices out of the air can reach them.' He ended with, 'To all - to each - I wish a Happy Christmas. God bless you!' Though it was received well, the broadcast reportedly did not go smoothly. The King was ridden with nerves and had the speech written for him. Though he was reluctant at first, George V eventually agreed to take a break from celebrating with his family and read the 251 words. It didn't go completely to plan, however, and he fell through the seat of his favourite wicker chair shortly before the broadcast began. Aides quickly helped him into another chair but the monarch ended up so stressed about the speech that he later said it 'ruined' his Christmas. A clipping from the Daily Mail in 1932, reporting on the King's first ever Christmas broadcast The Queen pictured after her Christmas Day television broadcast in 1957 The late monarch in the Blue Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace recording her Christmas Day message in 2013 Nevertheless, it was a tradition that has been repeated most Christmases since. The next year, George V used it as an opportunity to send special wishes, 'especially to the children, whose great day this is'. He reflected on the 'many upheavals and uncertainties of 1933 and looked towards the future. It ended with 'God bless you'. King George VI did not give a Christmas Day address in 1936 after only have two weeks to prepare when his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated on December 10. George VI struggled with a severe stutter and gave his first Christmas Day broadcast in 1937 with speech therapist Lionel Logue by his side. However, he found the ordeal so stressful that he didn't give another Christmas Day speech until 1939, when the country was at war. Queen Elizabeth gave her first Christmas Day speech over the radio in December 1952. The monarch sat in the same chair and desk as her grandfather and paid tribute to her late father. She talked about families coming together for the festive period and how she viewed the Commonwealth as 'a far larger family'. Elizabeth also looked forward to her Coronation in the following year and asked for people to pray for her. The late Queen shaped the Christmas speech tradition in her own way by taking it to the television screen for the first time in 1957. On the 25th anniversary of the first ever Christmas radio broadcast, Elizabeth sat down in the Long Library at Sandringham and addressed the nation through their televisions. Dressed in a glitzy evening gown and the three-string pearl necklace gifted to her by her father King George when she turned 21, the Queen sat by a piano, alongside a framed picture of Prince Charles and Princess Anne. The Queen said: 'Twenty-five years ago, my grandfather broadcast the first of these messages. Elizabeth pictured after recording her Christmas speech in 2018 in the White Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace King Charles pictured during his first Christmas broadcast in 2022 'Today is another landmark, because television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day.' Now, King George V's great-grandson continues the yearly tradition over the festive period and is set to give his third Christmas broadcast. Last year, he chose the backdrop of the room in Buckingham Palace that leads to the iconic balcony. He focused mostly on the Coronation and emphasised the acts of service that went with it. The Duchess of Sussex's tenure as a working royal was unexpectedly brief, with her attending Christmas at Sandringham just twice. Meghan's grand debut came when she joined Prince William and Princess Kate on the traditional walk to St Mary Magdalene Church, cautiously holding onto her then-fiance Prince Harry's arm. Naturally, the 3,000 onlookers - some of whom had camped out overnight - were eager to catch a glimpse of the newest family member and, of course, her outfit. Meghan wore a Sentaler wrap coat and thigh-high Stuart Weitzman boots, topped with a bespoke hat by Philip Treacy for the occasion. This distinctive beret would spark a series of collaborations between the acclaimed milliner and the duchess - as we explore below. Beret with twist detail In 2017, a newly engaged Meghan joined the Royal Family for the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham, marking her first public appearance in a hat. She chose a custom piece by Philip Treacy - a contemporary dome-shaped beret, crafted from nutmeg brown velour with twist detailing. This chic hat effortlessly complimented Meghan's beige wrap coat by Sentaler, tan Stuart Weitzman boots and Chloe handbag. For the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham, Meghan chose a contemporary dome-shaped beret by Philip Treacy Dragonfly beret For the Anzac Day memorial service at Westminster Abbey in 2018, the duchess wore an all-black ensemble, pairing it with another custom beret by Philip Treacy. While the off-the-peg design showcased a cluster of beaded dragonflies, Meghan's version was more understated, featuring just one small insect. She completed her refined aesthetic with an Emilia Wickstead dress and matching cropped jacket, Manolo Blahnik pumps and a Jimmy Choo clutch. For the Anzac Day memorial service at Westminster Abbey in 2018, the Duchess wore an all-black ensemble, pairing it with another custom beret by Philip Treacy Saucer hat Shortly after her wedding, Meghan attended then-Prince Charles's 70th birthday patronage celebrations in a blush-toned outfit. She wore an elegant Goat dress with Tamara Mellon court shoes and a Philip Treacy saucer hat, perfectly angled to flatter her look. Meghan added sparkle with a diamond bracelet and matching stud earrings by Vanessa Tugendhaft, accentuated by a polished chignon. Meghan attended Prince Charles's 70th birthday patronage celebrations in a blush-toned outfit, topped with a Philip Treacy saucer-style hat Slice hat At her first Trooping the Colour, Meghan embraced a ladylike charm with a pale pink off-shoulder dress by Carolina Herrera and coordinating Philip Treacy slice hat. The original straw hat design included silk satin rosettes, though Meghan opted for a custom version without them, achieving a minimalist feel. At her first Trooping the Colour, Meghan embraced a ladylike charm with a blush pink off-shoulder dress by Carolina Herrera and coordinating Philip Treacy slice hat Wave hat During her debut at Royal Ascot, Meghan beamed in a monochrome ensemble by Givenchy. She again collaborated with Philip Treacy, selecting his Wave hat from the spring/summer 2018 collection. The hat's curved silhouette and elongated bow detailing added a dramatic flair to Meghan's appearance, giving her outfit a touch of pizzazz. During her debut at Royal Ascot, Meghan beamed in a monochrome ensemble by Givenchy with Philip Treacy's Wave hat Straw hat with ribbon In October 2018, Harry and Meghan officially opened the Anzac Memorial in Sydney, Australia. Meghan donned a solemn yet sophisticated look, opting for a black Emilia Wickstead dress, teamed with Tabitha Simmons slingback pumps and diamond jewellery from Pippa Small and Tiffany & Co. She added a Philip Treacy straw hat, adorned with a buntal ribbon, which brought a tasteful touch to her ensemble. At the Anzac Memorial in Sydney, Meghan donned a Philip Treacy straw hat, adorned with a buntal ribbon Velvet knot beret with veil For the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in 2019, Meghan sported a chic, understated outfit. She paired a textured Sentaler coat with Tamara Mellon leather slouch boots, elevating the look with a structured beret from Philip Treacy's autumn/winter 2019 collection. The hat, customised in navy blue, featured a knot detail and a veil with shorter, wider-spaced netting for a striking finish. Kate Middleton and her children joined the King and Queen as they attended the Christmas Day service at Sandringham today. The cheeky trio of children were welcomed by fans of the royals who have been waiting near the church since yesterday evening. Charles, 76, and 77-year-old Queen Camilla walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church past a crowd of well-wishers. They were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis. William walked hand in hand with Charlotte, and Kate who wore a green coat and hat smiled at the crowds. Also in the walking party was the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Members of the royal family who walked to the service were greeted at the foot of the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. They then headed inside and the National Anthem was sung before the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful. King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at Sandringham this morning Princess Catherine strolled with Prince William and their three children in a coat designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen King Charles sported a beige trench coat and brown suede shoes for Christmas Day The Wales's three children were dressed smartly and all appeared in good spirits Princess Catherine flashed a warm smile as members of the public looked on in glee Kate Middleton has had a difficult year battling cancer but seemed healthy and happy as she walked to the church Both Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine donned emerald green coats as they walked with King Charles and Prince William. Catherine's coat was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Crowds were given copies of the order of service, conducted at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, conducted by the Rector Rev Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. Hymns included O Come All Ye Faithful, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The service also included The Lord's Prayer. Prince William said last week that he was looking forward to spending Christmas with 45 members of his family 'all in one room' as he attended a seasonal event for families of 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, in his role as colonel-in-chief, in Bulford, Wiltshire. We are not amused: Six-year-old Prince Louis offered a stern look after the service despite the best efforts of Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams However, the young prince appeared in a cheerier mood after receiving a Mickey Mouse dressed in a snazzy purple suit Looking classy as ever, the young Waleses accepted gifts from members of the public The youngster once again stole the limelight with his cheeky antics, this time clutching his far share of chocolate - which he will no doubt have to save until after Christmas Dinner Already a budding fashion icon, Prince Louis sported a green and blue tie that echoed his mother's scarf as he looked into the distance Princess Charlotte and Prince George also beamed as they met crowds outside the church with their family Both George and Charlotte were seen clutching teddy bears after the Christmas Day service Louis bowed his head as he walked from the church at Sandringham with his mother and father Prince Louis bends down to stroke a dog in a regal purple jumper as he greets well-wishers in Sandringham Kate Middleton paired pale blue earrings with a golden bangle around her right-hand wrist Kate, Princess of Wales shakes hands with a little girl as she greets members of the public after attending the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk Queen Camilla smiles as she holds a bouquet of flowers given by well-wishers after attending the Christmas day service However, Prince Andrew, 64, will not be attending the Royal Family's celebrations and instead headed out for a solitary walk. He joined the family at church for the last two years in succession, but was said to be preparing to spend Christmas Day with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York this year. They were expected to spend Christmas at Royal Lodge, the home they share in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire. Those invited to Sandringham can look forward to a mixture of the traditional and some festive fun of the Royal Family's own making. Both Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine donned emerald green coats as they walked with King Charles and Prince William She paired a blue and green tartan scarf with her designer emerald coat The Royals smiled as they were greeted by members of the public Charles waved to onlookers as Catherine held hands with her Prince Louis, her youngest child They then headed inside and the National Anthem was sung before the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful Both Queen Camilla and King Charles carried umbrellas as they walked Mike Tindall was seen walking behind the Waleses as the royals made their way towards the church Fans of the royals lined the grassy verge beside them as they greeted the family Prince William looked lovingly towards his wife Princess Catherine while holding Princess Charlotte's hand Members of The Firm opened their presents on Christmas Eve in a nod to the family's German origins. They laid out their gifts on trestle tables and exchanged them at teatime. They are known to enjoy giving each other novelty presents, typically buying things that are cheap and will make people laugh rather than spending a lot on big, lavish gifts. They laid out their gifts on trestle tables and exchanged them at teatime. Sophie Edinburgh was seen in a marvellous sky blue coat alongside her daughter Lady Louise Windsor, who paired an eggshell beret with beige heels and a graceful coat The Duchess of Edinburgh and Lady Louise braved the cold this morning Princess Beatrice, who is pregnant, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Christopher Woolf attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk Princess Beatrice waves at the crowds with her husband Edoardo Mozzi and her stepson Christopher Woolf Her appearance at St Mary Magdalene Church on the monarch's Norfolk estate comes after it was revealed that she had been ordered by doctors to stay home in the UK for Christmas in case travelling endangers her baby Lady Chatto, the daughter of the late Princess Margaret, also attended Zara Tindall beamed alongside her daughter Lena Elizabeth Tindall The youngster flashed a cheeky, toothy grin this morning outside the church The procession of royals started with His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Catherine Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George attend the Christmas Day church service King Charles waves on the day he attends the Royal Family's Christmas Day service The Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham Prince Edward, second left, and Princess Anne arrive for the the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England Zara Tindall wore a stunning plum coloured coat she paired with a hairband and purse of the same colour as she walked with her children The late Princess Margaret's eldest grandchildren Samuel Chatto (second left) and Arthur Chatto (second right) attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk They are known to enjoy giving each other novelty presents, typically buying things that are cheap and will make people laugh rather than spending a lot on big, lavish gifts. For instance, Prince William reportedly gave his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth a pair of slippers emblazoned with her face. Today, the Royals attended the Christmas Day service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, where they were greeted by well-wishers. The royals arrived at Sandringham to the joy of well-wishers on Christmas Day They gathered at the church before going in for the service, which started with the National Anthem Members of the royal family who walked to the service were greeted at the foot of the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams The family went into the church together. After the National Anthem, the first hymn was O Come, All Ye Faithful After the service, Princess Catherine gracefully brushed back her hair with her hand as Prince Louis watched on He then shook hands with Catherine, the Princess of Wales as she stood with other members of the Royal Family She then went to greet royal fans, some of whom presented her with stunning bouquets of flowers The Princess of Wales shook hands with a young girl who had come out to greet her today She also received Christmas cards from the people gathered in their hundreds outside the church The Princess of Wales may well have made this woman's day as she shook her hand after the service Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh holds a bouquet of flowers gives by well-wishers after she attended the Christmas Day service After the service, the royals greeted well-wishers and accepted flowers and other gifts. King Charles passed on his thanks to the crowds, telling them: 'I hope you will be able to get back in time [for dinner].' Members of the public who met Kate described her as 'radiant'. Karen Maclean, from North Lincolnshire, spoke with both Charles and Kate and gave the princess a hug. The 73-year-old, who is retired, said she had had '20 years of cancer' and spoke about the disease with the King and his daughter-in-law after their own health issues this year. 'We just had a little talk about cancer, really,' said Ms Maclean. 'I've met the King before. He said to me 'I can remember you', I'm thinking 'what!', like many years ago?' She said that Charles and Kate seemed 'very well actually, considering what they're going through'. She added after hugging Kate: 'What a privilege.' Royal superfan John Loughrey said: 'I said to Kate that she is an inspiration to us all, we are so proud of her. 'She said thank you, and that she liked my top with her picture on. 'She looked in good colour, radiant is the word I would use.' Frenchman Louis Beauchamp, 29, handed Kate a specially made pashmina which he designed and bought for the princess on a recent trip to Morocco. Mr Beauchamp, an English language teacher from Paris, said: 'She said she was very grateful, and said: 'How kind of you.' Kate Middleton looked utterly radiant as she beamed while greeting well-wishers A few Father Christmases even turned up to greet Princess Catherine The King made sure to thank the people who braved the cold to come see him this morning Princess Beatrice sported a lovey coat paired with sleek black gloves as she walked with her stepson Christopher Woolf after the service 'I'm a teacher, we have met before, and she said: 'keep up the good work.' 'It was very moving to see her after such a hard year for her. 'She said: 'Thank you for all your support and coming a long way today.' Theresa Iredale, from Banbury in Oxfordshire, spoke to Kate briefly when she asked if was allowed to hand chocolate coins to George, Charlotte and Louis. Ms Iredale said: 'I didn't want to do it without permission and Kate just said: 'That's fine.' 'I shook her hand and said I was so happy for her that was she feeling so much better and she said: 'Thank you so much, thanks for the support.' Later, they will return for a traditional lunch of roast turkey and all the trimmings. They will sit down ready to eat at 1.15pm sharp, according to Queen Elizabeth II's former chef Darren McGrady, who catered for Christmas at Sandringham frequently in the 1980s and 1990s. On Christmas night, they are expected to play parlour games including charades and bingo. Owing to links to alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo being revealed, Prince Andrew is expected to spend the holidays in Windsor with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson instead. King Charles III is attending Sandringham for the Christmas Day Service alongside Queen Camilla The Prince of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey The Princess of Wales, pictured at the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, undertook 11 duties this year following her cancer diagnosis William and Kate, pictured during the Emir of Qatar's visit in December, have stepped back from duties this year following her cancer diagnosis King Charles III and Queen Camilla pictured in Samoa during their tour in October The King has stepped out at a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on December 22 - ahead of hosting his loved ones for Christmas He also pulled out of a pre-Christmas lunch for royals at Buckingham Palace last Thursday. After speaking to his ex-wife the Duchess of York, Prince Andrew has decided not to join 70 members of the Royal Family at the palace. It had been claimed Andrew was insisting on going to the lunch, telling friends 'he should be there', and that as it's a family occasion, 'why shouldn't he go?' But MailOnline understands Sarah persuaded him not to attend. After a year of trials for the Royal Family, it seemed many breathed a sigh of relief at the decision. Both Princess Catherine and King Charles announced this year that they had cancer. Last week it was reveaed that the King will continue to need cancer treatment in 2025. A Buckingham Palace source said the 76-year-old's health is still being 'managed' but is 'moving in a positive direction'. His Majesty intends to return to a full programme of public duties next year. This will include 'exciting' UK and international visits in the first half of 2025, the insider said. 'His treatment has been moving in a positive direction, as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into the new year', the Palace source said. Prince Andrew will not join the rest of his family at Sandringham for Christmas Alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who forged links with the Duke of York in another scandal Charles has been carrying on with his duties despite facing a personally challenging year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer. News of Charles' cancer, undisclosed in its form, came in February, after it was discovered while he was treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate in January. He cancelled all face-to-face public duties but returned in April and has since travelled to France for D-Day commemorations, hosted incoming state visits for the Emperor of Japan and the Emir of Qatar, and undertaken a hectic tour to Australia and Samoa with the Queen, despite still undergoing outpatient cancer treatment. Meanwhile, a video released by Kate in September which confirmed she would return to public duties following the completion of her course of chemotherapy. Kate has been gradually returning to public events after revealing in September that she had finished a course of cancer treatment. William described the past year which has seen his wife and father being treated for cancer as 'brutal'. He said that 2024 has 'probably been the hardest year in my life' and a 'dreadful' experience. The Prince spoke candidly about the royal family's major health scares in an interview while in South Africa last month, saying 2024 has 'probably been the hardest year in my life' and a 'dreadful' experience. When asked on November 7 about his year, William replied: 'Honestly, it's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. 'But I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal.' Kate appeared in a deeply personal video with her family in September to confirm her return to public duties following the completion of a course of chemotherapy. The Princess's heartfelt message about her cancer journey was spoken over images showing the Waleses and their children enjoying the outdoors, and she said her focus now was 'doing what I can to stay cancer free'. She described the previous nine months since her serious health issues began as 'incredibly tough for us as a family' and how the 'cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone', with the experience giving her a 'new perspective on everything.' The public gleefully welcomed them as they arrived at Sandringham for Christmas Day's church service today. The first royal fans arrived outside the gates of Sandringham at 7.30pm on Christmas Eve in order to secure the best spot. That included self-confessed royal superfans John Loughrey and Sky London. The friends spent the night sleeping al fresco wrapped in sleeping bags. Mr Loughrey, 69, from Wandsworth in London, said: 'The weather has been damp, it's been soaking through the sleeping bag and I've had an hour's sleep. But it doesn't matter.' He said he empathised with Kate and her recent health issues because his late partner Marion Crean died with skin cancer in 2003. Pomeranians Peanut and Coco ahead of the Christmas Day morning church service Members of the public gather ahead of the Christmas Day morning church service attended by the royal family at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk Royal fans queue at Sandringham ahead of the Christmas Day church service Two Pomeranian dogs in the queue as the public wait to greet Royals on Christmas Day Mr Loughrey, wearing a T-shirt depicting a montage of the Princess, and holding a Christmas rose bouquet for her, said: 'Catherine has been an inspiration to us all, and her positivity has been amazing to see, she's got support all around the world. 'She has told us she is not out of the woods, but we want to stay positive. 'We also all want to see King Charles and Queen Camilla because of course they've not been well. 'It has been a difficult year for them and there are millions of people supporting them. 'I've met the King before and he said to me he has never seen anyone wearing so many badges before. 'I think to be honest there probably isn't anyone in the world who has seen the Royal Family as many times as me, and I'm proud of that. 'My friends know what I'm like, that this is my passion. Sometimes people say silly things but I love doing this.' Mr London, 64, from Paddington in north London, was also wearing a customised Kate T-shirt and holding a bouquet for the princess. He said: 'John and I have had a good laugh, he kept trying to yap to me last night so I didn't get much sleep. 'The only place I'd rather be than outside here at Sandringham today is probably inside Sandringham with them. So this is the next best thing. 'When you do this sort of thing you don't actually need much sleep, you feel refreshed and ready to go. 'It means the world to me to see them. 'I really want to see William again. I spoke to him before and he said: 'Don't call me Prince William, I'm just William.' 'And he is - he's very down to earth. Unfortunately he's an Aston Villa fan and I'm Birmingham City, their rivals, but that doesn't put me off him.' Do YOU know the woman speaking to the Princess of Wales? Do YOU know the woman speaking to the Princess of Wales? Kate Middleton has spoken to well-wishers about her battle with cancer and hugged a cancer patient after a Christmas Day church service with the King and the rest of the royal family. The Princess of Wales and her children joined the King and Queen as they attended the Christmas Day service at Sandringham today. She told royals fans she was 'hugely grateful' to the hundreds of people who had written to her offering their support after her cancer diagnosis earlier this year. Moments after she took a gift for Charlotte from a little girl, who she wished Merry Christmas, a woman who had worked for Macmillan Cancer Support told Kate: 'I just wanted to say you are an inspiration to all the patients.' The Princess of Wales replied: 'The amount of people who have written this year is extraordinary and I think cancer just really does resonate with so many families. 'People like you are doing all the hard work out there. I'm hugely grateful.' Another woman added, 'We're all behind you, never forget that,' to which Kate replied, 'Thank you very much, [that's] so kind, nice to meet you.' Members of the public who met Kate described her as 'radiant'. A cancer patient who was one of the well-wishers also hugged Kate. The Princess of Wales hugged a cancer patient (pictured) after a Christmas Day service today Kate Middleton has spoken about her battle with cancer after a Christmas Day church service at Sandringham in Norfolk A woman who worked for Macmillan Cancer Support told Princess Catherine that she was an 'inspiration' to patients The Princess of Wales thanked her and praised the woman's hard work to help cancer patients Karen Maclean, from North Lincolnshire, spoke with both Charles and Kate and gave the princess a hug. The 73-year-old, who is retired, said she had had '20 years of cancer' and spoke about the disease with the King and his daughter-in-law after their own health issues this year. 'We just had a little talk about cancer, really,' said Ms Maclean. 'I've met the King before. He said to me 'I can remember you', I'm thinking 'what!', like many years ago?' She said that Charles and Kate seemed 'very well actually, considering what they're going through'. She added after hugging Kate: 'What a privilege.' Earlier this morning, King Charles, 76, and 77-year-old Queen Camilla walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church past a crowd of well-wishers. Her conversation about cancer came moments ater she was given a drawing by a little girl for Princess Charlotte Kate thanked her and said she would pass it on to Charlotte, before wishing the little girl Merry Christmas They were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children - Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis. William walked hand in hand with Charlotte, and Kate who wore a green coat and hat smiled at the crowds. Also in the walking party was the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Members of the royal family who walked to the service were greeted at the foot of the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. They then headed inside and the National Anthem was sung before the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful. King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at Sandringham this morning Princess Catherine strolled with Prince William and their three children in a coat designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen King Charles sported a beige trench coat and brown suede shoes for Christmas Day The Wales's three children were dressed smartly and all appeared in good spirits Princess Catherine flashed a warm smile as members of the public looked on in glee Kate Middleton has had a difficult year battling cancer but seemed healthy and happy as she walked to the church Both Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine donned emerald green coats as they walked with King Charles and Prince William. Catherine's coat was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Crowds were given copies of the order of service, conducted at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, conducted by the Rector Rev Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. Hymns included O Come All Ye Faithful, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The service also included The Lord's Prayer. Prince William said last week that he was looking forward to spending Christmas with 45 members of his family 'all in one room' as he attended a seasonal event for families of 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, in his role as colonel-in-chief, in Bulford, Wiltshire. We are not amused: Six-year-old Prince Louis offered a stern look after the service despite the best efforts of Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams However, the young prince appeared in a cheerier mood after receiving a Mickey Mouse dressed in a snazzy purple suit Looking classy as ever, the young Waleses accepted gifts from members of the public The youngster once again stole the limelight with his cheeky antics, this time clutching his far share of chocolate - which he will no doubt have to save until after Christmas Dinner Already a budding fashion icon, Prince Louis sported a green and blue tie that echoed his mother's scarf as he looked into the distance Princess Charlotte and Prince George also beamed as they met crowds outside the church with their family Both George and Charlotte were seen clutching teddy bears after the Christmas Day service Louis bowed his head as he walked from the church at Sandringham with his mother and father Prince Louis bends down to stroke a dog in a regal purple jumper as he greets well-wishers in Sandringham Kate Middleton paired pale blue earrings with a golden bangle around her right-hand wrist Kate, Princess of Wales shakes hands with a little girl as she greets members of the public after attending the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk Queen Camilla smiles as she holds a bouquet of flowers given by well-wishers after attending the Christmas day service However, Prince Andrew, 64, will not be attending the Royal Family's celebrations and instead headed out for a solitary walk. He joined the family at church for the last two years in succession, but was said to be preparing to spend Christmas Day with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York this year. They were expected to spend Christmas at Royal Lodge, the home they share in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire. Those invited to Sandringham can look forward to a mixture of the traditional and some festive fun of the Royal Family's own making. Both Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine donned emerald green coats as they walked with King Charles and Prince William She paired a blue and green tartan scarf with her designer emerald coat The Royals smiled as they were greeted by members of the public Charles waved to onlookers as Catherine held hands with her Prince Louis, her youngest child They then headed inside and the National Anthem was sung before the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful Both Queen Camilla and King Charles carried umbrellas as they walked Mike Tindall was seen walking behind the Waleses as the royals made their way towards the church Fans of the royals lined the grassy verge beside them as they greeted the family Prince William looked lovingly towards his wife Princess Catherine while holding Princess Charlotte's hand Members of The Firm opened their presents on Christmas Eve in a nod to the family's German origins. They laid out their gifts on trestle tables and exchanged them at teatime. They are known to enjoy giving each other novelty presents, typically buying things that are cheap and will make people laugh rather than spending a lot on big, lavish gifts. They laid out their gifts on trestle tables and exchanged them at teatime. Sophie Edinburgh was seen in a marvellous sky blue coat alongside her daughter Lady Louise Windsor, who paired an eggshell beret with beige heels and a graceful coat The Duchess of Edinburgh and Lady Louise braved the cold this morning Princess Beatrice, who is pregnant, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Christopher Woolf attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk Princess Beatrice waves at the crowds with her husband Edoardo Mozzi and her stepson Christopher Woolf Her appearance at St Mary Magdalene Church on the monarch's Norfolk estate comes after it was revealed that she had been ordered by doctors to stay home in the UK for Christmas in case travelling endangers her baby Lady Chatto, the daughter of the late Princess Margaret, also attended Zara Tindall beamed alongside her daughter Lena Elizabeth Tindall The youngster flashed a cheeky, toothy grin this morning outside the church The procession of royals started with His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Catherine Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George attend the Christmas Day church service King Charles waves on the day he attends the Royal Family's Christmas Day service The Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham Prince Edward, second left, and Princess Anne arrive for the the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England Zara Tindall wore a stunning plum coloured coat she paired with a hairband and purse of the same colour as she walked with her children The late Princess Margaret's eldest grandchildren Samuel Chatto (second left) and Arthur Chatto (second right) attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk They are known to enjoy giving each other novelty presents, typically buying things that are cheap and will make people laugh rather than spending a lot on big, lavish gifts. For instance, Prince William reportedly gave his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth a pair of slippers emblazoned with her face. Today, the Royals attended the Christmas Day service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, where they were greeted by well-wishers. The royals arrived at Sandringham to the joy of well-wishers on Christmas Day They gathered at the church before going in for the service, which started with the National Anthem Members of the royal family who walked to the service were greeted at the foot of the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams The family went into the church together. After the National Anthem, the first hymn was O Come, All Ye Faithful After the service, Princess Catherine gracefully brushed back her hair with her hand as Prince Louis watched on He then shook hands with Catherine, the Princess of Wales as she stood with other members of the Royal Family She then went to greet royal fans, some of whom presented her with stunning bouquets of flowers The Princess of Wales shook hands with a young girl who had come out to greet her today She also received Christmas cards from the people gathered in their hundreds outside the church The Princess of Wales may well have made this woman's day as she shook her hand after the service Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh holds a bouquet of flowers gives by well-wishers after she attended the Christmas Day service After the service, the royals greeted well-wishers and accepted flowers and other gifts. King Charles passed on his thanks to the crowds, telling them: 'I hope you will be able to get back in time [for dinner].' Royal superfan John Loughrey said: 'I said to Kate that she is an inspiration to us all, we are so proud of her. 'She said thank you, and that she liked my top with her picture on. 'She looked in good colour, radiant is the word I would use.' Frenchman Louis Beauchamp, 29, handed Kate a specially made pashmina which he designed and bought for the princess on a recent trip to Morocco. Mr Beauchamp, an English language teacher from Paris, said: 'She said she was very grateful, and said: 'How kind of you.' Kate Middleton looked utterly radiant as she beamed while greeting well-wishers A few Father Christmases even turned up to greet Princess Catherine The King made sure to thank the people who braved the cold to come see him this morning Princess Beatrice sported a lovey coat paired with sleek black gloves as she walked with her stepson Christopher Woolf after the service 'I'm a teacher, we have met before, and she said: 'keep up the good work.' 'It was very moving to see her after such a hard year for her. 'She said: 'Thank you for all your support and coming a long way today.' Theresa Iredale, from Banbury in Oxfordshire, spoke to Kate briefly when she asked if was allowed to hand chocolate coins to George, Charlotte and Louis. Ms Iredale said: 'I didn't want to do it without permission and Kate just said: 'That's fine.' 'I shook her hand and said I was so happy for her that was she feeling so much better and she said: 'Thank you so much, thanks for the support.' Later, they will return for a traditional lunch of roast turkey and all the trimmings. They will sit down ready to eat at 1.15pm sharp, according to Queen Elizabeth II's former chef Darren McGrady, who catered for Christmas at Sandringham frequently in the 1980s and 1990s. On Christmas night, they are expected to play parlour games including charades and bingo. Owing to links to alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo being revealed, Prince Andrew is expected to spend the holidays in Windsor with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson instead. King Charles III is attending Sandringham for the Christmas Day Service alongside Queen Camilla The Prince of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey The Princess of Wales, pictured at the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, undertook 11 duties this year following her cancer diagnosis William and Kate, pictured during the Emir of Qatar's visit in December, have stepped back from duties this year following her cancer diagnosis King Charles III and Queen Camilla pictured in Samoa during their tour in October The King has stepped out at a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on December 22 - ahead of hosting his loved ones for Christmas He also pulled out of a pre-Christmas lunch for royals at Buckingham Palace last Thursday. After speaking to his ex-wife the Duchess of York, Prince Andrew has decided not to join 70 members of the Royal Family at the palace. It had been claimed Andrew was insisting on going to the lunch, telling friends 'he should be there', and that as it's a family occasion, 'why shouldn't he go?' But MailOnline understands Sarah persuaded him not to attend. After a year of trials for the Royal Family, it seemed many breathed a sigh of relief at the decision. Both Princess Catherine and King Charles announced this year that they had cancer. Last week it was reveaed that the King will continue to need cancer treatment in 2025. A Buckingham Palace source said the 76-year-old's health is still being 'managed' but is 'moving in a positive direction'. His Majesty intends to return to a full programme of public duties next year. This will include 'exciting' UK and international visits in the first half of 2025, the insider said. 'His treatment has been moving in a positive direction, as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into the new year', the Palace source said. Prince Andrew will not join the rest of his family at Sandringham for Christmas Alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who forged links with the Duke of York in another scandal Charles has been carrying on with his duties despite facing a personally challenging year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer. News of Charles' cancer, undisclosed in its form, came in February, after it was discovered while he was treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate in January. He cancelled all face-to-face public duties but returned in April and has since travelled to France for D-Day commemorations, hosted incoming state visits for the Emperor of Japan and the Emir of Qatar, and undertaken a hectic tour to Australia and Samoa with the Queen, despite still undergoing outpatient cancer treatment. Meanwhile, a video released by Kate in September which confirmed she would return to public duties following the completion of her course of chemotherapy. Kate has been gradually returning to public events after revealing in September that she had finished a course of cancer treatment. William described the past year which has seen his wife and father being treated for cancer as 'brutal'. He said that 2024 has 'probably been the hardest year in my life' and a 'dreadful' experience. The Prince spoke candidly about the royal family's major health scares in an interview while in South Africa last month, saying 2024 has 'probably been the hardest year in my life' and a 'dreadful' experience. When asked on November 7 about his year, William replied: 'Honestly, it's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. 'But I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal.' Kate appeared in a deeply personal video with her family in September to confirm her return to public duties following the completion of a course of chemotherapy. The Princess's heartfelt message about her cancer journey was spoken over images showing the Waleses and their children enjoying the outdoors, and she said her focus now was 'doing what I can to stay cancer free'. She described the previous nine months since her serious health issues began as 'incredibly tough for us as a family' and how the 'cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone', with the experience giving her a 'new perspective on everything.' The public gleefully welcomed them as they arrived at Sandringham for Christmas Day's church service today. The first royal fans arrived outside the gates of Sandringham at 7.30pm on Christmas Eve in order to secure the best spot. That included self-confessed royal superfans John Loughrey and Sky London. The friends spent the night sleeping al fresco wrapped in sleeping bags. Mr Loughrey, 69, from Wandsworth in London, said: 'The weather has been damp, it's been soaking through the sleeping bag and I've had an hour's sleep. But it doesn't matter.' He said he empathised with Kate and her recent health issues because his late partner Marion Crean died with skin cancer in 2003. Pomeranians Peanut and Coco ahead of the Christmas Day morning church service Members of the public gather ahead of the Christmas Day morning church service attended by the royal family at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk Royal fans queue at Sandringham ahead of the Christmas Day church service Two Pomeranian dogs in the queue as the public wait to greet Royals on Christmas Day Mr Loughrey, wearing a T-shirt depicting a montage of the Princess, and holding a Christmas rose bouquet for her, said: 'Catherine has been an inspiration to us all, and her positivity has been amazing to see, she's got support all around the world. 'She has told us she is not out of the woods, but we want to stay positive. 'We also all want to see King Charles and Queen Camilla because of course they've not been well. 'It has been a difficult year for them and there are millions of people supporting them. 'I've met the King before and he said to me he has never seen anyone wearing so many badges before. 'I think to be honest there probably isn't anyone in the world who has seen the Royal Family as many times as me, and I'm proud of that. 'My friends know what I'm like, that this is my passion. Sometimes people say silly things but I love doing this.' Mr London, 64, from Paddington in north London, was also wearing a customised Kate T-shirt and holding a bouquet for the princess. He said: 'John and I have had a good laugh, he kept trying to yap to me last night so I didn't get much sleep. 'The only place I'd rather be than outside here at Sandringham today is probably inside Sandringham with them. So this is the next best thing. 'When you do this sort of thing you don't actually need much sleep, you feel refreshed and ready to go. 'It means the world to me to see them. 'I really want to see William again. I spoke to him before and he said: 'Don't call me Prince William, I'm just William.' 'And he is - he's very down to earth. Unfortunately he's an Aston Villa fan and I'm Birmingham City, their rivals, but that doesn't put me off him.' William and Kate were joined by their three children for the Christmas Day service Princess Kate made a cheeky quip to a fan at Sandringham as she was getting ready to leave the Christmas Day festivities. As the royal stood speaking to well-wishers who had come to catch a glimpse of her and the rest of the firm, her children and husband stood patiently waiting feat away. Sweet snaps showed Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis chatting while Kate shook hands and accepted gifts. And when the Princess realised her children and husband William had finished with their socialising she quipped to one royal lover: 'I seem to have lost my family.' The three young royals stood beside their father, William as they waited for her to finish chatting. Crowds had gathered after the Royal Family's Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church. Earlier in the day, Prince Louis, six, couldn't contain his glee as the young royal accepted boxes of Cadbury chocolates and stuffed animals from fans at Sandringham on Christmas morning. The youngster attended the special service at the church on the Norfolk estate with his parents. After the service, senior members of the Royal Family, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, greeted well-wishers - laden with gifts - who began arriving outside the church on Christmas Eve. Louis looked visibly excited by the presents he received from members of the public - including a box of Cadbury's chocolates, Christmas crackers, bouquets of flowers, and an assortment of stuffed toys. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis wait with their father, the Prince of Wales for Kate to finish greeting well-wishers after the Christmas Day church service Prince Louis, six, couldn't contain his glee as the young royal accepted boxes of Cadbury chocolates and stuffed animals from royal fans at Sandringham on Christmas morning Princess Charlotte and Prince George also graciously accepted their presents, as they waved to the crowds while standing alongside their father, Prince William Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis at Sandringham In a sweet video from Christmas Day morning, a very happy Louis had his hands full of gifts before another well-wisher offered him a Father Christmas headband. The young prince accepted the headband, politely thanked the person who gifted it and returned to his father and siblings. Prince William, who was himself greeting well-wishers with enthusiasm, appeared amused by his youngest son's haul and said: 'You've got that as well'. But when the family started to move along the path, Louis appeared to struggle to keep hold of everything he had received. At that point, he returned to his father and sweetly asked: 'Papa, can you carry some?' Princess Charlotte and Prince George also graciously accepted their presents, as they waved to the crowds while standing alongside their father, Prince William. George, who will start secondary school next year, was twinning with his father, Prince William in a navy coat and matching trousers, while his younger sister wore a dark green coat that was almost identical to Kate's Alexander McQueen number. Kate, meanwhile, stole the show as the future Queen exchanged warm hugs with royal fans, who appeared joyous at her return to Sandringham following what has been a particularly turbulent year for the Royals. The Waleses looked picture perfect as they arrived at Sandringham on Christmas morning, with Charlotte holding on to her father's hand. Prince George, 11, walked confidently ahead of his siblings, while his younger brother Prince Louis refused to let go of Kate's hand. Prince Louis with his Christmas haul after leaving the special service at Sandringham The young prince is known for his cheeky antics and often steals the spotlight at royal family events Prince Louis couldn't contain his excitement as he collected all his Christmas gifts from well-wishers Louis can be seen holding up a candy bar after the Royal Family's walkabout on Christmas morning The young royals joined their family members for the annual Christmas walkabout in perfectly coordinated outfits While Princess Charlotte's outfit was a nod to her mother Kate's look, Princes George and Louis matched with their father Prince William Princess Charlotte walked alongside cousin Mia Tindall, ten, who is the eldest of Zara and Mike Tindall's three children Prince Louis shows off his presents Princess Charlotte accessorised her winter outfit with a dark green velvet bow, in a subtle nod to her mother's outfit The princess appeared at ease while interacting with members of the public and wishing royal fans a Merry Christmas She can be seen holding gifts from well-wishers, including a stuffed toy and a bouquet of flowers Picture perfect! The Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children, Prince Louis, six, and Princess Charlotte, with Prince George, 11, watching over his younger siblings George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, accompanied the Prince and Princess of Wales to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Norfolk Estate for the traditional outing Today, all eyes were on Kate as she looked as chic as ever, bearing no indication of the challenging year behind her and her father-in-law, 76, who was also diagnosed with cancer, for which he is still undergoing treatment. Charlotte also accessorised with a matching velvet bow. Meanwhile, Prince Louis was dressed smartly, with the six-year-old wearing a coat, trousers, and a white shirt just like his elder brother. Kate, 42, was a sight to behold alongside Prince William, their three children, King Charles and other members of the Royal Family. Her presence at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Norfolk Estate was revered and perhaps unanticipated following a painfully gruelling year for the Princess, who stunned the world with a shock cancer diagnosis in March 2024. The Princess underwent major abdominal surgery in hospital, after which doctors broke the news that they had found evidence of cancer and advised her to undergo treatment immediately. The princess dazzled in a forest green Alexander McQueen coat that she previously wore during a visit to Leeds in 2023. Her silky brunette locks were styled in a classic blow dry while her make-up was simple for the daytime event. The Waleses along with several senior membersof the Royal Family, including Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Princess Charlotte finished her outfit with navy blue tights and black ballet flats Princess Charlotte waves to the crowds at Sandringham, alongside Prince George and their father, the Prince of Wales Princess Charlotte standing with her younger brother, Prince Louis Prince George's tie matched his sister Charlotte's coat as well as mother Kate's navy and green scarf Members of the royal family were greeted at the foot of the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams Prince Louis could be seen holding on to his mother's hand as the Waleses walked towards St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Christmas morning Meanwhile, Charlotte grabbed her father Prince William's hand as they smiled at well-wishers who had lined the streets ahead of their arrival The Prince of Wales and his eldest son, Prince George Prince William lays a reassuring hand on George's back as Britain's future king greets royal fans at Sandringham Sweet! Prince Louis rushes to give his brother Prince George one of the chocolate bars he received Prince Louis looked dapper in a navy coat and matching trousers Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two children Archie and Lilibet remain in Montecito, California. She walked past well-wishers who were visibly elated to catch a glimpse of the brave Princess in her essence. Her infectious smile was testament to her courage in the face of adversity as well as her work ethic, as the Christmas service marks just one of many official public engagements attended by the Princess since announcing her cancer treatment. It is also the second time the Wales family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King's birthday parade, in June. Prince William, 42, looked dapper in a suit and tie perhaps inspiring his eldest son's dashing style. Hundreds of well-wishers have been queuing since the early hours to catch a glimpse of the royals, and waved excitedly as Prince William and Princess Kate made their way to the Church. For the Royals, festivities usually start when everyone arrives on Christmas Eve. The family open presents, some of which are gag gifts - one of the Royal Family's traditions. The family then attend services at Saint Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. Once they get home Christmas lunch is served, followed by afternoon games. Princess Charlotte seen walking with her brother Louis and mother Kate, as the young royal picked a chequered navy and green coat for the outing Prince Louis appeared serious as he walked alongside his family The royal family photographed at Sandringham King Charles appeared in good spirits as he greeted well-wishers at Sandringham William and Kate pictured with Prince George and Prince Louis Kate and Queen Camilla wore matching green coats for the festivities on Wednesday But it can also be used as a preventative option in the hope of stopping cancer coming back - with as much as 46 per cent decrease in returning cases, according to a 2019 study. This time, two years ago, the Royals experienced their biggest change for decades as they celebrated their first festive period without Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September 2022. The world was thrust into mourning at the news of her passing at age 96. Britain's longest-reigning monarch was rushed to Balmoral after doctors became 'concerned' for her health - she later died 'peacefully' surrounded by family. The tragic moment would precede a string of devastating events that befell the Royal Family, most notably the Princess of Wales distressing cancer announcement. She revealed in March that she had been undergoing preventative chemotherapy since late February, after being diagnosed with cancer. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to attack tumours and is typically given to treat cancer directly or shrink a tumour in preparation for surgery. In a video released in September, Kate admitted the last nine months had been 'incredibly tough' for her and her family. 'The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,' she said. Kate smiles at Prince Louis, six, as the Waleses arrived at Sandringham After six months of preventive chemotherapy the princess says she is now 'cancer free'. 'Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes,' she added. Initially the reason for Kate's surgery was understood to be non-cancerous. She later revealed subsequent tests had found cancer was present. Kate was then advised to undergo a course of preventative chemo and described herself as being in the 'early stages' of that treatment. Preventative chemotherapy, also called adjuvant chemotherapy, aims to stop cancer coming back once the main tumour has been removed from the body. It has also taken its toll on her closest, with Prince William declaring 2024 the 'hardest year in my life' following his wife and father's cancer diagnoses. In a remarkably candid - and at times emotional - interview at the end of his official visit to South Africa in November, he admitted the past few months had been 'brutal'. The three royal children were overloaded with gifts from people who had come out to greet the Royal Family at Sandringham But the Prince also said how hugely 'proud' he was of Catherine and the King for handling their health battles with such dignity and bravery. Slightly sighing and lowering his voice, he said: 'Honestly? It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. 'But I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. 'But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal'. And speaking earlier that week, he heaped praises on his wife for being 'amazing this whole year'. Surely the Prince will continue to be a pillar of support for his father, King Charles, who will continue to undergo cancer treatment into 2025. Shortly before Christmas, a Buckingham Palace source said the 76-year-old's health is still being 'managed' but is 'moving in a positive direction'. Charles has been carrying on with his duties despite facing a personally challenging year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer. Princess Charlotte exchanges a smile with her older brother Prince George News of Charles' cancer, undisclosed in its form, came out in February, after it was discovered while he was treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate in January. He cancelled all face-to-face public duties but returned in April and has since travelled to France for D-Day commemorations, hosted incoming state visits for the Emperor of Japan and the Emir of Qatar, and undertaken a hectic tour to Australia and Samoa with the Queen, despite still undergoing outpatient cancer treatment. Meanwhile Queen Camilla, 77, is battling her own health woes and is said to be recovering from a bout of pneumonia since returning from a royal tour of Australia and Samoa with her husband. The chest infection has temporarily ruled her out of a series of royal duties and was at one time said to be resting at home in Wiltshire while being monitored by doctors. This is the wholesome moment Kate Middleton accepted a gift from a child as she left a Christmas Day church service with the rest of the Royal Family. The Princess of Wales and her children joined the King and Queen as they attended the service at Sandringham today and afterwards greeted the crowds outside. 'Lovely' Kate, wearing a green coat and a hat, approached fans where one of the children stood and handed the future Queen a drawing of Charlotte, as the people's faces lit up to meet them. The Princess said: 'Did you miss Charlotte? Yeah, should I give it to her when we get back home? That's so kind of you, there's your writing. Thank you very much. Merry Christmas.' The cute moment between the Princess of Wales and the little one was caught on camera by other fans nearby. Many took to social media to share their love for the princess, with one saying: 'Well done to the P of W, and to the parent who gave her child's drawing to her. How gracious of them both.' Meanwhile, another Royal fan said: 'She is so lovely. An icon.' while another user said: 'She is the real thing, nothing phony about Catherine, Princess of Wales.' The Princess of Wales, along with other royals greeted fans outside when the adorable encounter with a royal fan was captured after a Christmas Day church service at Sandringham in Norfolk The moment was one of many captured when the members of the family left the church The Princess of Wales hugged a cancer patient (pictured) after a Christmas Day service today There were many other moments where fans were overwhelmed by meeting the Princess and caught the interaction on camera. In another heart-warming interaction, the princess took a gift for Charlotte from a little girl, who she wished Merry Christmas, a woman who had worked for Macmillan Cancer Support told Kate: 'I just wanted to say you are an inspiration to all the patients.' Kate replied: 'The amount of people who have written this year is extraordinary and I think cancer just really does resonate with so many families. 'People like you are doing all the hard work out there. I'm hugely grateful.' Another woman added, 'We're all behind you, never forget that,' to which Kate replied, 'Thank you very much, [that's] so kind, nice to meet you.' Members of the public who met Kate described her as 'radiant', while a cancer patient also hugged her. Karen Maclean, from North Lincolnshire, spoke with both Charles and Kate and gave the princess a hug. The 73-year-old, who is retired, said she had had '20 years of cancer' and spoke about the disease with the King and his daughter-in-law after their own health issues this year. Princess Catherine strolled with Prince William and their three children in a coat designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Kate Middleton has spoken about her battle with cancer after a Christmas Day church service at Sandringham in Norfolk A woman who worked for Macmillan Cancer Support told Princess Catherine that she was an 'inspiration' to patients The Princess of Wales thanked her and praised the woman's hard work to help cancer patients 'We just had a little talk about cancer, really,' said Ms Maclean. 'I've met the King before. He said to me 'I can remember you', I'm thinking 'what!', like many years ago?' She said that Charles and Kate seemed 'very well actually, considering what they're going through'. She added after hugging Kate: 'What a privilege.' This all came as King Charles, 76, and 77-year-old Queen Camilla walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church past a crowd of well-wishers. Joining them were the Waleses and their children - George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Louis. Also in the walking party was the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Members of the royal family who walked to the service were greeted at the foot of the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. They then headed inside and the National Anthem was sung before the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful. King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at Sandringham this morning King Charles sported a beige trench coat and brown suede shoes for Christmas Day The Wales's three children were dressed smartly and all appeared in good spirits Princess Catherine flashed a warm smile as members of the public looked on in glee Kate Middleton has had a difficult year battling cancer but seemed healthy and happy as she walked to the church Both Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine donned emerald green coats as they walked with King Charles and Prince William. Catherine's coat was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Crowds were given copies of the order of service, conducted at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, conducted by the Rector Rev Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. Hymns included O Come All Ye Faithful, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The service also included The Lord's Prayer. Prince William said last week that he was looking forward to spending Christmas with 45 members of his family 'all in one room' as he attended a seasonal event for families of 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, in his role as colonel-in-chief, in Bulford, Wiltshire. We are not amused: Six-year-old Prince Louis offered a stern look after the service despite the best efforts of Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams However, the young prince appeared in a cheerier mood after receiving a Mickey Mouse dressed in a snazzy purple suit Looking classy as ever, the young Waleses accepted gifts from members of the public The youngster once again stole the limelight with his cheeky antics, this time clutching his far share of chocolate - which he will no doubt have to save until after Christmas Dinner Already a budding fashion icon, Prince Louis sported a green and blue tie that echoed his mother's scarf as he looked into the distance Princess Charlotte and Prince George also beamed as they met crowds outside the church with their family Both George and Charlotte were seen clutching teddy bears after the Christmas Day service Louis bowed his head as he walked from the church at Sandringham with his mother and father Prince Louis bends down to stroke a dog in a regal purple jumper as he greets well-wishers in Sandringham Kate Middleton paired pale blue earrings with a golden bangle around her right-hand wrist Kate, Princess of Wales shakes hands with a little girl as she greets members of the public after attending the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk Queen Camilla smiles as she holds a bouquet of flowers given by well-wishers after attending the Christmas day service However, Prince Andrew, 64, will not be attending the Royal Family's celebrations and instead headed out for a solitary walk. He joined the family at church for the last two years in succession, but was said to be preparing to spend Christmas Day with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York this year. They were expected to spend Christmas at Royal Lodge, the home they share in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire. Those invited to Sandringham can look forward to a mixture of the traditional and some festive fun of the Royal Family's own making. Both Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine donned emerald green coats as they walked with King Charles and Prince William She paired a blue and green tartan scarf with her designer emerald coat The Royals smiled as they were greeted by members of the public Charles waved to onlookers as Catherine held hands with her Prince Louis, her youngest child They then headed inside and the National Anthem was sung before the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful Both Queen Camilla and King Charles carried umbrellas as they walked Mike Tindall was seen walking behind the Waleses as the royals made their way towards the church Fans of the royals lined the grassy verge beside them as they greeted the family Prince William looked lovingly towards his wife Princess Catherine while holding Princess Charlotte's hand Members of The Firm opened their presents on Christmas Eve in a nod to the family's German origins. They laid out their gifts on trestle tables and exchanged them at teatime. They are known to enjoy giving each other novelty presents, typically buying things that are cheap and will make people laugh rather than spending a lot on big, lavish gifts. They laid out their gifts on trestle tables and exchanged them at teatime. Sophie Edinburgh was seen in a marvellous sky blue coat alongside her daughter Lady Louise Windsor, who paired an eggshell beret with beige heels and a graceful coat The Duchess of Edinburgh and Lady Louise braved the cold this morning Princess Beatrice, who is pregnant, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Christopher Woolf attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk Princess Beatrice waves at the crowds with her husband Edoardo Mozzi and her stepson Christopher Woolf Her appearance at St Mary Magdalene Church on the monarch's Norfolk estate comes after it was revealed that she had been ordered by doctors to stay home in the UK for Christmas in case travelling endangers her baby Lady Chatto, the daughter of the late Princess Margaret, also attended Zara Tindall beamed alongside her daughter Lena Elizabeth Tindall The youngster flashed a cheeky, toothy grin this morning outside the church The procession of royals started with His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Catherine Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George attend the Christmas Day church service King Charles waves on the day he attends the Royal Family's Christmas Day service The Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham Prince Edward, second left, and Princess Anne arrive for the the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England Zara Tindall wore a stunning plum coloured coat she paired with a hairband and purse of the same colour as she walked with her children The late Princess Margaret's eldest grandchildren Samuel Chatto (second left) and Arthur Chatto (second right) attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk They are known to enjoy giving each other novelty presents, typically buying things that are cheap and will make people laugh rather than spending a lot on big, lavish gifts. For instance, Prince William reportedly gave his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth a pair of slippers emblazoned with her face. Today, the Royals attended the Christmas Day service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, where they were greeted by well-wishers. The royals arrived at Sandringham to the joy of well-wishers on Christmas Day They gathered at the church before going in for the service, which started with the National Anthem Members of the royal family who walked to the service were greeted at the foot of the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams The family went into the church together. After the National Anthem, the first hymn was O Come, All Ye Faithful After the service, Princess Catherine gracefully brushed back her hair with her hand as Prince Louis watched on He then shook hands with Catherine, the Princess of Wales as she stood with other members of the Royal Family She then went to greet royal fans, some of whom presented her with stunning bouquets of flowers The Princess of Wales shook hands with a young girl who had come out to greet her today She also received Christmas cards from the people gathered in their hundreds outside the church The Princess of Wales may well have made this woman's day as she shook her hand after the service Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh holds a bouquet of flowers gives by well-wishers after she attended the Christmas Day service After the service, the royals greeted well-wishers and accepted flowers and other gifts. King Charles passed on his thanks to the crowds, telling them: 'I hope you will be able to get back in time [for dinner].' Royal superfan John Loughrey said: 'I said to Kate that she is an inspiration to us all, we are so proud of her. 'She said thank you, and that she liked my top with her picture on. 'She looked in good colour, radiant is the word I would use.' Frenchman Louis Beauchamp, 29, handed Kate a specially made pashmina which he designed and bought for the princess on a recent trip to Morocco. Mr Beauchamp, an English language teacher from Paris, said: 'She said she was very grateful, and said: 'How kind of you.' Kate Middleton looked utterly radiant as she beamed while greeting well-wishers A few Father Christmases even turned up to greet Princess Catherine The King made sure to thank the people who braved the cold to come see him this morning Princess Beatrice sported a lovey coat paired with sleek black gloves as she walked with her stepson Christopher Woolf after the service 'I'm a teacher, we have met before, and she said: 'keep up the good work.' 'It was very moving to see her after such a hard year for her. 'She said: 'Thank you for all your support and coming a long way today.' Theresa Iredale, from Banbury in Oxfordshire, spoke to Kate briefly when she asked if was allowed to hand chocolate coins to George, Charlotte and Louis. Ms Iredale said: 'I didn't want to do it without permission and Kate just said: 'That's fine.' 'I shook her hand and said I was so happy for her that was she feeling so much better and she said: 'Thank you so much, thanks for the support.' Later, they will return for a traditional lunch of roast turkey and all the trimmings. They will sit down ready to eat at 1.15pm sharp, according to Queen Elizabeth II's former chef Darren McGrady, who catered for Christmas at Sandringham frequently in the 1980s and 1990s. On Christmas night, they are expected to play parlour games including charades and bingo. Owing to links to alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo being revealed, Prince Andrew is expected to spend the holidays in Windsor with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson instead. King Charles III is attending Sandringham for the Christmas Day Service alongside Queen Camilla The Prince of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey The Princess of Wales, pictured at the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, undertook 11 duties this year following her cancer diagnosis William and Kate, pictured during the Emir of Qatar's visit in December, have stepped back from duties this year following her cancer diagnosis King Charles III and Queen Camilla pictured in Samoa during their tour in October The King has stepped out at a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on December 22 - ahead of hosting his loved ones for Christmas He also pulled out of a pre-Christmas lunch for royals at Buckingham Palace last Thursday. After speaking to his ex-wife the Duchess of York, Prince Andrew has decided not to join 70 members of the Royal Family at the palace. It had been claimed Andrew was insisting on going to the lunch, telling friends 'he should be there', and that as it's a family occasion, 'why shouldn't he go?' But MailOnline understands Sarah persuaded him not to attend. After a year of trials for the Royal Family, it seemed many breathed a sigh of relief at the decision. Both Princess Catherine and King Charles announced this year that they had cancer. Last week it was reveaed that the King will continue to need cancer treatment in 2025. A Buckingham Palace source said the 76-year-old's health is still being 'managed' but is 'moving in a positive direction'. His Majesty intends to return to a full programme of public duties next year. This will include 'exciting' UK and international visits in the first half of 2025, the insider said. 'His treatment has been moving in a positive direction, as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into the new year', the Palace source said. Prince Andrew will not join the rest of his family at Sandringham for Christmas Alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who forged links with the Duke of York in another scandal Charles has been carrying on with his duties despite facing a personally challenging year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer. News of Charles' cancer, undisclosed in its form, came in February, after it was discovered while he was treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate in January. He cancelled all face-to-face public duties but returned in April and has since travelled to France for D-Day commemorations, hosted incoming state visits for the Emperor of Japan and the Emir of Qatar, and undertaken a hectic tour to Australia and Samoa with the Queen, despite still undergoing outpatient cancer treatment. Meanwhile, a video released by Kate in September which confirmed she would return to public duties following the completion of her course of chemotherapy. Kate has been gradually returning to public events after revealing in September that she had finished a course of cancer treatment. William described the past year which has seen his wife and father being treated for cancer as 'brutal'. He said that 2024 has 'probably been the hardest year in my life' and a 'dreadful' experience. The Prince spoke candidly about the royal family's major health scares in an interview while in South Africa last month, saying 2024 has 'probably been the hardest year in my life' and a 'dreadful' experience. When asked on November 7 about his year, William replied: 'Honestly, it's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. 'But I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal.' Kate appeared in a deeply personal video with her family in September to confirm her return to public duties following the completion of a course of chemotherapy. The Princess's heartfelt message about her cancer journey was spoken over images showing the Waleses and their children enjoying the outdoors, and she said her focus now was 'doing what I can to stay cancer free'. She described the previous nine months since her serious health issues began as 'incredibly tough for us as a family' and how the 'cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone', with the experience giving her a 'new perspective on everything.' The public gleefully welcomed them as they arrived at Sandringham for Christmas Day's church service today. The first royal fans arrived outside the gates of Sandringham at 7.30pm on Christmas Eve in order to secure the best spot. That included self-confessed royal superfans John Loughrey and Sky London. The friends spent the night sleeping al fresco wrapped in sleeping bags. Mr Loughrey, 69, from Wandsworth in London, said: 'The weather has been damp, it's been soaking through the sleeping bag and I've had an hour's sleep. But it doesn't matter.' He said he empathised with Kate and her recent health issues because his late partner Marion Crean died with skin cancer in 2003. Pomeranians Peanut and Coco ahead of the Christmas Day morning church service Members of the public gather ahead of the Christmas Day morning church service attended by the royal family at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk Royal fans queue at Sandringham ahead of the Christmas Day church service Two Pomeranian dogs in the queue as the public wait to greet Royals on Christmas Day Mr Loughrey, wearing a T-shirt depicting a montage of the Princess, and holding a Christmas rose bouquet for her, said: 'Catherine has been an inspiration to us all, and her positivity has been amazing to see, she's got support all around the world. 'She has told us she is not out of the woods, but we want to stay positive. 'We also all want to see King Charles and Queen Camilla because of course they've not been well. 'It has been a difficult year for them and there are millions of people supporting them. 'I've met the King before and he said to me he has never seen anyone wearing so many badges before. 'I think to be honest there probably isn't anyone in the world who has seen the Royal Family as many times as me, and I'm proud of that. 'My friends know what I'm like, that this is my passion. Sometimes people say silly things but I love doing this.' Mr London, 64, from Paddington in north London, was also wearing a customised Kate T-shirt and holding a bouquet for the princess. He said: 'John and I have had a good laugh, he kept trying to yap to me last night so I didn't get much sleep. 'The only place I'd rather be than outside here at Sandringham today is probably inside Sandringham with them. So this is the next best thing. 'When you do this sort of thing you don't actually need much sleep, you feel refreshed and ready to go. 'It means the world to me to see them. 'I really want to see William again. I spoke to him before and he said: 'Don't call me Prince William, I'm just William.' 'And he is - he's very down to earth. Unfortunately he's an Aston Villa fan and I'm Birmingham City, their rivals, but that doesn't put me off him.' In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, the Texas Historical Commission welcomes the institutes Museum on Main Street program to Brenham for a special exhibit through Jan. 19. Photo courtesy Visit Brenham A Smithsonian Institution exhibit on life in rural America is traveling to seven Texas cities, and Houstonians' closest shot at seeing it is in Brenham, where the exhibit is now through Jan. 19. It's part of the institution's Museum on Main Street program, and it's been planned in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission. The exhibit, Crossroads: Change in Rural America, which will include the national Smithsonian exhibit and the local exhibit called Century of Simon, will be housed at The Barnhill Center at the Historic Simon Theater, 111 W. Main Street in Brenham. The exhibit opened on Dec. 7. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, state organizations across the nation and local host institutions. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education and research complex with 21 museums and the National Zoo based in Washington, D.C. In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, the Texas Historical Commission welcomes the institutes Museum on Main Street program to Brenham for a special exhibit through Jan. 19. Buildings in downtown Brenham are pictured. Photo courtesy the Texas Historical Commission HOUSTON 30 YEARS AGO: Houston in December 1994 It was the busiest time of the year, either at the post office or the tamale factory. Support for the Museum on Main Street program has been provided by the U.S. Congress. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Brenham is the third of seven stops for the traveling exhibit. It started in San Augustine, Texas in August, then moved on to Clifton, Texas Oct. 12 through Dec. 1. After its run in Brenham, a small town located approximately equal distance between Austin and Houston along US. 290, the exhibit will travel to Rockport, Buffalo Gap, San Elizario and wrap up in Bandera June 21 through Aug. 2. Designed for small-town museums, Crossroads will foster conversations about how rural America has changed. "'Crossroads' explores how rural American communities changed in the 20th century," according to information from the Texas Historical Commission. "Much of the United States landscape remains rural, with only 3.5% of the landmass considered urban. Since 1900, the percentage of Americans living in rural areas has dropped from 60% to 17%." In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, the Texas Historical Commission welcomes the institutes Museum on Main Street program to Brenham for a special exhibit through Jan. 19. The exhibit is at The Barnhill Center in Brenham. Photo courtesy Visit Brenham The exhibition looks at that remarkable societal change and how rural Americans responded. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When many hear the phrase 'rural America, we have more assumptions than facts. There is so much more to the story, said Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution. HOW TO WATCH TEXANS GAME: Texans' Christmas game, Beyonce performance are streaming exclusives. The Smithsonian exhibit contains five free-standing exhibition units with photographs, text panels and objects and a free-standing touchscreen interactive computer kiosk featuring video and audio content. The "Century of Simon" exhibit celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Simon Theater, which is now The Barnhill Center event venue in downtown Brenham. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Talk about step into Christmas and lets join together! To attend church at Sandringham yesterday morning, the Princess of Wales continued the literal dressing that has characterised her wardrobe of late that is, adopting sartorial codes to reflect an events theme. For the traditional Christmas Day service, this came in the form of Kates colour choice: a perfectly yuletide forest green with a flash of equally festive tartan. Her long coat-dress was made bespoke by her favourite designer, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, whom the Princess has called upon for all the most important events of her life, namely her wedding day. Kate, 42, first wore it last year at the launch of a Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood campaign in Leeds. Yesterday, she teamed it with another long-time staple of her wardrobe, a Gina Foster hat which she wore to the very same service at Sandringham in 2013. Indeed, she has made a habit lately of rewearing older items, demonstrating she knows that the most stylish move in 2024 is to wear clothes repeatedly. Her bag, by London designer Grace Han, comes in at 2,370 but Kate has certainly invested in this wisely, using it innumerable times. The only new items? Her topaz, gold and diamond earrings (5,995) by London jeweller Robinson Pelham the same jeweller who made her wedding earrings and her tartan scarf to update her old coat-dress. It was another typically Kate move: harnessing the power of clever accessorising. For the traditional Christmas Day service, this came in the form of Kates colour choice: a perfectly yuletide forest green with a flash of equally festive tartan Her long coat-dress was made bespoke by her favourite designer, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen The only new items? Her topaz, gold and diamond earrings (5,995) by London jeweller Robinson Pelham the same jeweller who made her wedding earrings Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church She accessorised to similar effect for her carol concert filmed earlier this month, adding a bow to update another old McQueen coat. The Black Watch tartan scarf was also a deeply symbolic choice: the Black Watch has historical ties to bravery and resilience. It is also referred to as government tartan, which has been worn for more than 300 years and remains a emblem of honour and unity. Kate also used the scarf to tie in with her childrens tartan ensembles Charlottes coat and the ties worn by George and Louis. There was an aesthetic unity between Kate and Camilla, too the Queen opted for a similar green shade. Together At Christmas was the name of Kates carol concert, broadcast on Christmas Eve. At the end of one of their hardest years, it seems the royals are spreading this message via their sartorial cohesion, too. Gail Platt's iconic exit from Coronation Street has now been revealed as the soap's Christmas special saw one of its most dramatic and chaotic episodes yet. In the show, legendary actress Helen Worth officially bid farewell to the cobbles of Weatherfield after playing the role of Gail for 50 years. But after fans feared she would be killed off, Gail instead had a happy exit that saw her start 'day one of her new life' with husband Jesse Chadwick (John Thompson) abroad. While the hour did not see her death, the Christmas day storyline saw an engagement, a pregnancy, an arrest, multiple fights and a lot tears. With the episode setting the scene for an emotional Christmas episode, Gail was sinisterly serenaded by the ghost of her old murderous partner, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron). Gail Platt's iconic exit from Coronation Street has now been revealed as the soap's Christmas special saw one of its most dramatic and chaotic episodes yet The legendary actress Helen Worth has officially bid farewell to the cobbles of Weatherfield after playing the role of Gail for 50 years Gail looked loved up as she gave her husband a kiss at their wedding ceremony Being haunted by the notorious villain, which ended in an argument about her past, Gail was left distressed on Christmas morning as she woke up shouting that she was 'not that woman anymore'. Claiming she had an epiphany, Gail ran out to her partner Jesse and confessed that she needed a groom and that the wedding was back on. He romantically asked her if she was available for 2pm as they confirmed that their big day was back. Gail's mother, Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls), attempted a last-minute olive branch and knocked on Gail's door, to which Tina shot down her festive spirits and said she was not welcome. Despite this, she still turned up at the venue before the big celebration to 'wish her good luck', to which Gail expressed her devastation that she did not support her decision to go abroad and start a new life. With their relationship held together by a string, Audrey was given a second chance to withstand the test of time for their family bond. But there was soon more drama as Nick's (Ben Price) estranged wife, Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), brought the police to the wedding as she accused him and his partner Toyah (Georgia Taylor), who is also her sister, of fraud. Told he was going to the station, Nick looked to Leanne in disgust as he was forced out of his mother's big day. While it was speculated that the festive episode would see her death after suffering from a series of heart problems, Gail exited the iconic show by moving away to Jesse's villa abroad While the hour did not see her death, the Christmas day storyline saw an engagement, a pregnancy, an arrest, multiple fights and a lot tears David adds a bit of drama to Gail's big day At the station, Nick was accused of spending nearly 400 on lingerie and an array of expensive candles and luxuries and was informed that they were all paid for by TLH Holdings. Claiming he and Toyah knew nothing about the account, he continued to plead his innocence and begged to be let go to see his mum get married. Released back in time to catch the vows Jesse proclaimed to Gail that 'she makes him the happiest man on the planet,' Nick looked relieved as he gets his Christmas wish. Dubbing it the 'first day of their new life', Gail looked elated as she promised Jesse 'she will love him until the day she dies' But soon enough, Leanne gatecrashed the party and accused Toyah of always being the one for him and saying, 'she was just keeping the bed warm'. Refusing to leave her own restaurant and exchanging some digs about their sex life and Leanne's son, the begrudged ex pushed Toyah and said she would 'knock her teeth out.' But after Leanne accused her of locking her son in a car and driving into a wall, Toyah punched Leanne in the face, starting a fight between the two, which saw a police man, Craig Tinker (Colson Smith), get assaulted and the wedding decorations get trashed. Craig marched the two women to the station to be charged with assaulting a police officer, and the celebration got underway for the speeches and Platt's home video, which was gifted to her by her children. Gail has now had seven weddings over her time on the Cobbles With the episode setting the scene for an emotional Christmas episode, Gail was being sinisterly serenaded by the ghost of her old murderous partner, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) Being haunted by the notorious villain, which ended in an argument about her past, Gail was left distressed on Christmas morning as she woke up shouting that she was 'not that woman anymore' After the wedding came to an end, Gail was left sitting on her own, crying over all the heartfelt comments before she was whisked away in a fancy wedding car. While youngest son, David (Jack P Shepherd), should have been at the ceremony celebrating his mother, he was feeling the devastation of losing his wife and stepped out to knock back a couple of whiskeys and accused Adam Barlow (Sam Rovertson) of sleeping with his wife, Shona (Julia Goulding). Unhappy with the aim of the conversation, Adam aggressively pushed David out onto the roof while serving him the hard truth that he 'couldn't make Shona happy'. But in a quick heat-of-the-moment reaction, David pushed him down the stairs, causing Adam to fall and hit his head on the cobbles - leaving him looking lifeless. As an ambulance arrived, Adam slowly regained consciousness, leaving David and Shona to argue it out in the street. David revealed he heard what Debbie said and accused her affair of happening when she was in the hotel that night. Giving in to the guilt, Shona admitted her betrayal: 'Alright I did sleep with someone but it wasn't Adam, I swear on Lily's life'. Devastated, the pair took the argument into the house, where she revealed she was ashamed but thought the marriage is dead and doesn't know what to do with it. David and Adam got into an argument after Gail's big day The clash ended up with Adam on the floor covered in blood But their argument was interrupted as bride Gail came home to check on her youngest son and tearfully told him that he needed to be kind and that while 'he has a big mouth, he has a sensitive soul.' And that 'big mouth' he put to use soon after he used his best man speech to take a swipe at his wife. He told the room that while Gail was a woman of optimism and gives everyone a second chance, he does not. Bringing a tear to everyone's eye, David went through the most heartfelt aspects of his mum and how the street will never be the same without her. And more drama was set for David when Adam's CT scan came back clear, he told Tina that he wanted to go to the police and press charges. Meanwhile, Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) was faced with Gail's granddaughter, Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon), who was trying to call off their relationship and accused him of no longer loving her. Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan), who he recently slept with following another one of their arguments, was hiding around the corner. But as Daniel pulled out a diamond wedding ring, which Bethany tearfully accepted, Daisy looked devastated and quietly walked away despite her moving on with Kit Green. Later in the episode, Daisy was seen holding a positive pregnancy test. Throughout the episode, Gail also told each of her kids that they were 'always her favourite' Gavin and Stacey fans were left shocked after the return of a familiar face in the sitcom's finale episode. After 17 years, Gavin and Stacey came to an end on Christmas Day, with one last episode to say goodbye to the beloved comedy. The upcoming special came five years after the show's last Christmas instalment in 2019 and while most fans were excited to see beloved characters including Smithy, Nessa, Gavin, Stacey, Uncle Bryn and Pam return, there was one face viewers weren't so excited to see. In the previous episode, filmed half a decade ago, fans were left on the edge of their seats waiting to see what Smithy, played by James Corden, would say to Nessa (Ruth Jones) after she got down on one knee. And it seems Smithy's answer to her proposal was a no as the finale episode saw the return of Smithy's girlfriend Sonia, played by Laura Aikman who was revealed as his bride-to-be. Fans were devastated after she was unveiled as a returning character and took to social media to share their thoughts. Gavin and Stacey fans were left shocked after the return of a familiar face in the sit com's finale episode After 17 years, Gavin and Stacey finally came to an end on Christmas Day, with one last episode to say goodbye to the beloved comedy, picking up five years after Nessa (Ruth Jones) proposed to Smithy (James Corden) And it seems Smithy's answer to her proposal was a no as the finale episode saw the return of Smithy's girlfriend Sonia, played by Laura Aikman who was revealed as his bride-to-be Fans wrote: 'I heard the whole UK Gasp.' while others said: 'Just started watching #GavinAndStacey...WTF. Smithy is marrying SONIA?!'. Many were upset about the return of Sonia and didn't hold back on X, writing: 'The whole UK when smithy walks into the office and see Sonia' and 'gotta deal with the insufferable sonia on gavin and stacey AGAIN?!'. Another fan commented: 'GET OUT OF HERE SONIA COMMEEE ONNNNN' and one person revealed it nearly ruined their Christmas, writing: 'early choked on my left over christmas dinner when i saw it was sonia and not nessa, smithy was marrying'. And one chimed in with Stacey, played by Joanna Page, writing: 'oure right Stacey. Sonia is just not right for Smithy'. And others agreed, posting on X: 'No.. no.. this is all wrong. Smithy & Sonia aren't meant to be together'. The return of Sonia - much to fan upset - comes after James and Ruth spilled the beans on the very bizarre writing process behind the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special. The presenter, 46, and actress, 58, joined hosts Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby on the Capital FM Breakfast Show for an insightful chat ahead of the special launch. They admitted to using quite unorthodox methods to get inspired - like the time a bags of chocolate buttons ended up fuelling a writing sessions in a Heathrow Airport hotel. Fans were devastated after she was unveiled as a returning character and took to social media to share their thoughts 'There's a lot of hotel rooms we've written in,' James said. Ruth interceded: 'One of the particularly exotic ones was I was up in Scotland last year and we only had kind of like a day that we could both write, and we had to make the most of any time that we had so I flew down to Heathrow from Inverness.' 'I got the Heathrow Express out and we wrote for a day in a hotel next to the runway and it wasn't our most productive day, was it?,' added James. 'Looking back now it feels like a mistake but at the time we were so close to getting it done we were just like let's just try and get it there. 'We often try and write between like six and ten pages a day when we write and that day, I think we wrote a page and a half.' The return of Sonia - much to fan upset - comes after James and Ruth spilled the beans on the very bizarre writing process behind the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special James (pictured), 46, and Ruth, 58, spilled the beans on the very bizarre writing process behind the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special Ruth (pictured) and the TV favourite joined hosts Jordan North , Chris Stark and Sian Welby on the Capital FM Breakfast Show for an insightful chat ahead of the special launch Chris asked if they used 'post-it notes' in order to draft up scripts and Ruth promptly quipped: 'We do have post-it notes but they're not very detailed. 'I find them every now and again and they literally have like two words on them. We're not very grown-up in that regard.' The beloved TV host admitted their hotel writing rooms resembled a 'disaster', and added: 'I often say if somebody walked past the window and looked in at Ruth and I, what they would see is two people more than likely having a nap, two open bags of like chocolate buttons, randomly placed post-its on a wall and you would look in an you would never ever think 'oh they must be writing a successful hit show.' 'You'd be thinking 'that looks like a disaster.' Matty Johnson is looking a little worse for wear this Christmas. The Bachelor star, 37, took to social media with a weepy selfie the night before Christmas. Matty's right eye is red and swollen and he sported a five-o-clock shadow in the relatable post. 'The antibiotics are working...I think,' the father-of-two wrote as he posed with a half-hearted thumbs up. Matty and his wife Laura Byrne have been busy renovating a 'rundown' coastal property which they purchased in August. The reality TV lovebirds put tools down for the holidays, though as Matty hit the beach with his two daughters for an ocean dip and then Laura revved up the party at North Bondi RSL. Laura Byrne let her hair down as she hit the pub stage at North Bondi RSL on Christmas Eve The 38-year-old podcaster let her hair down as she hit the pub stage to dance in a summery white linen pant and bandeau top set. It comes after she split the nation with her highly controversial stance on what the best Christmas chocolate is earlier this week. Laura took to Instagram to crown the Ferrero Rocher, as she filmed a beautifully wrapped gift box. Inside the mixed collection of the brand's biggest hits is the classic hazelnut version, the white chocolate and coconut Raffaello and the dark choc Rondnoir. 'The white Raffaello is the best,' the radio star insisted in her video, adding that the hazelnut is 'delicious' but the dark chocolate version 'kind of sucks'. Laura then invited her followers to vote on which the best of the three is, with the votes divided. The Ferrero Rocher gift box is a Christmas staple and is usually on sale around Christmas time at popular supermarkets. As of late Monday evening, the votes sat at 54 per cent preferring the classic milk hazelnut, 38 per cent loving the white and only 9 per cent picking the dark. Laura Byrne (pictured) sparked a fierce debate on Monday night. The Bachelor star debated on what the best Christmas chocolate is on her Instagram Stories, sharing a video on a Ferrero Rocher gift box Matty and Laura are enjoying a well deserved break after hitting a huge roadblock in their extension renovation of their $2.2million beach house. The reality TV couple have gone with a throwback 1970s style for the space, with mid-century stained wood cabinets matching the light brown tiles of the floor. But their extensive remodel has faced many issues since they started overhauling the home from termites to wood rot and mould. Laura posted a behind-the-scenes video showing how they had stripped the rundown property to its bare bones and revealed the shocking discoveries they found. 'There was no way of really knowing what this Reno had in store for us, or how comprehensive the rebuild was going to have to be until we started pulling off walls and pulling up the carpet,' she shared. 'We've been met with termites, white ants, wood rot, mould and more than a couple of snakes along the way - but finally she is taking shape and we are slowly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.' Dubbing the house the Chante-Mer - which means 'Sing the Sea' in French - Laura also told how construction had to stop for a week so exterminators could rid the site of pests. 'We had to replace all of the walls and internal structures throughout the kitchen,' she continued. Despite the challenges, Laura remained positive and told how they plan to transform the neglected beach house into a luxury three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. Located on a clifftop in Ulladulla on the far south coast of NSW 226kms from Sydney, the old two-storey dwelling offers amazing water views. The home last changed hands in 1984 for a mere $62,500 and Laura and Matty splashed out $2.19million on buying it in August. The location holds special meaning for the happy couple, who tied the knot in 2022 at Cupitts Estate Winery, just down the road from their new holiday home. The home is set on 746 sqm overlooking Racecourse Beach and previously belonged to United Nations simultaneous conference translator Valerie Barnes, who died in 2021 aged 94. Comedian Tim Dillon reportedly did an entire bit about the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the celebration of his death at a Netflix special. Dillon, 39, is among a slew of comedians appearing on Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year, Netflix's upcoming special shading this past year's biggest moments. And Dillon did not hold back as he did a sketch about the recent death of Thompson, playing the late CEO in a suit with painted-on bullet wounds, according to TMZ. Luigi Mangione has been accused of killing Thompson, who was shot dead on December 4 as he walked to a Manhattan hotel where the United States' biggest medical insurer was holding an investor conference. He has plead not guilty to state murder and terror charges. Dillon reportedly made no secret of who he was playing as he hit the stage in a suit which was painted with bullet wounds on the back. His costume also consisted of chains wrapped around him, in what TMZ compared to as the ghost Marley from A Christmas Carol. Comedian Tim Dillon reportedly did an entire bit about the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the celebration of his death at a Netflix special; Dillon pictured 2023 The bit proceeded to see Dillon pretend to be Brian, returning from Hell (where he's apparently enjoying himself) and visiting Earth to deliver the speech he was set to give at the investor conference he was heading to before his death. But then Dillon reportedly scolds the crowd and world for celebrating his killing. Immediately after Thompson died, social media was flooded with users joking about the CEO's death due to his company's track record of rejecting medical claims. The brazen killing and ensuing five-day manhunt to find his alleged killer captivated Americans. While public officials have condemned the killing, some Americans who decry the steep costs of healthcare and insurance companies' power to deny paying for some medical treatments have feted Mangione as a folk hero. Mangione, despite his charges, has been the apple of social media's eye as thousands of 'fans' have made edits, fan accounts and glorified him, even dubbing him a 'hero.' He has been flooded with support, including by donors keen to fundraise for his legal defense. DailyMail.com has learned that Mangioni is 'moved' by his newfound world fame and the fans lusting over him. Mangioni has received thousands of dollars in donations and hundreds of handwritten letters in jail, a legal insider said. Thompson was shot dead on December 4 as he walked to a Manhattan hotel Mangione even shared the proceeds of his notoriety with his fellow inmates in Pennsylvania, who have also expressed support for him and might have even helped him get a 'glow up' before his extradition to New York City. The source said the prisoners who were heard yelling in support of Mangione during a News Nation live cast 'did it so that Luigi could hear them.' Despite the massive attention the case has gathered, the world has yet to hear from Mangione, who has remained silent aside from an outburst before his first court appearance where he claimed authorities were 'disrespecting the intellect of the American people. But DailyMail.com has learned that since that court appearance, where he was unshaved and frazzled, Mangione learned of the public's adoration of him after he was shown articles reporting the massive fixation on the accused killer. Luigi Mangione has been accused of killing Thompson, who was shot dead on December 4 as he walked to a Manhattan hotel where the United States' biggest medical insurer was holding an investor conference. He has plead not guilty to state murder and terror charges Mangione has captivated the nation following Thompson's murder, with memes, merchandise and religious-themed candles that glorify him popping up all over the internet. A source close to Mangione said he is 'extremely aware of the massive fan base he has right now.' He was 'shocked and really choked up' when he first saw the support he has received, which 'gave him confidence and reassurance that he will be okay.' The IVY league graduate is said to be used to receiving attention from 'men and women alike' but 'not to this level.' Mangione is 'moved' by the public's bizarre fixation on him, which has extended to other prisoners, who might have helped him get a haircut and shave before his extradition to NYC. Aussie A-lister Lara Worthington has revealed the extra special Christmas gift that almost brought her to tears. The Sydney-born model, 37, took to her Instagram Stories to share that The Wiggles' official Instagram account has followed her. The famously private Lara (nee Bingle) punctuated the screenshot with a string of sobbing emojis. The Wiggles are followed by 308,000 people, but the iconic Aussie children's group follows a select 3400 accounts on the social media platform. Other Australian personalities who merited a follow back from The Wiggles include MAFS identity Jules Robinson, WAG and influencer Rebecca Judd, Robert Irwin, The Matildas, Jessica Rowe, Dom Dolla, G Flip, Larry Emdur, and Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou. Lara and her family are enjoying some down time with her family after they returned to Australia for the Christmas holidays. Lara Worthington has revealed the extra special Christmas gift that almost brought her to tears. The Sydney-born model, 37, took to her Instagram Stories to share that The Wiggles ' official Instagram account followed her on Christmas Eve 'No. I like America,' Lara's husband Sam Worthington said when by GQ asked if a move was in the couple's future. 'America has given me everything and I've been here for 20-odd years, man. There's anonymity but there's also a real sense of community which is very cool.' The model is in Darwin with her husband, Sam Worthington, and their three sons, and interacting with the local wildlife. She posted to Instagram on Friday to share a candid glimpse at her hometown festive season. In one image, Sam, 48, held up a skull from what appeared to be a crocodile while one of their sons played in the background. In another, Lara got up and personal with a croc while in another she shared the pub the family stopped at, called Shenanigans. A final photo depicted the blonde aboard a boat and wearing a wind breaker and sunglasses. In her caption she wrote: 'The new Irwins' referring to the family of Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin who are known as for their love of crocodiles and wildlife. The model drew the ire of some fans after sharing photos of a seemingly innocuous act. Lara shared two photos taken at Crocosaurus Cove - a herpetarium and aquarium located in Darwin. Lara Worthington (pictured) is enjoying some down time with her family after they returned to Australia for the Christmas holidays In her caption she wrote: 'The new Irwins' The heart-stopping images showed the mum-of-three encased in a perspex cage, dubbed the Cage Of Death, below the water's surface. Lara wasn't swimming alone, however, as the photos showed a hefty crocodile swimming to the cage to size Lara up as a perspective meal. She seemed unfazed though, gently wafting he arms through the water as she safely watched the prehistoric critters from the safety of the cage, chanelling her inner Steve Irwin. The pulse-raising post was met with a flurry of comments from fans, with many praising Lara's bravery cavorting with the apex predators. 'Wow, I still wouldn't trust that,' one fan opined, while another jumped in with a similar: 'You're brave.. not a hope in hell would I do this!' Not all fans were impressed though, with some taking the time to slam the television personality, as 'taunting' the crocs. 'These amazing prehistoric creatures are kept in captivity in tiny pools to be taunted by humans,' one fan chastised. 'This is so not your vibe.' Another fan agreed with the sentiment, arguing that the animals appeared 'depressed'. '100% agree,' they replied. Gordon Ramsay brought the festive cheer to Instagram on Tuesday as he shared an adorable family photo in matching Christmas pyjamas. The celebrity chef, 58, posed alongside his wife Tana, daughters Matilda 'Tilly,' 23, and Holly, 24, as well as their sons Oscar James, five, and 13-month-old Jesse James. The cosy family snap also featured Holly's fiance, Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty, and his four-year-old son George from a previous relationship. Gordon penned alongside the sweet post: 'Merry Christmas, lots of love from our family, to yours Gx.' While missing from the festive family photo, Gordon and Tana are also proud parents to their 24-year-old son Jack. Gordon Ramsay brought the festive cheer to Instagram on Tuesday as he shared an adorable family photo in matching Christmas pajamas The night prior, Holly looked smitten with her fiance Adam as they danced the night away at their engagement party She was all smiles as she she shared sweet moments from her celebrations to her Instagram Stories. In one snap, the influencer was seen grinning as they posed for a selfie with Holly's sibling Oscar. For the glitzy affair she wore an elegant white lace dress which was adorned with silver diamonds. She added inches to her ensemble with a pair of red glossy heels and danced with her Olympic Swimmer partner, 29, who proposed to her in September. Holly showcased just how extravagant the affair was and she posted a snap of a huge espresso martini tree. It comes after Holly enjoyed a luxury dinner with Adam and her parents at Scott's in London on Sunday. The influencer shared a sweet picture to Instagram with her Olympic swimmer partner, spending quality time with her TV chef dad and mum ahead of Christmas. It comes after Holly enjoyed a luxury dinner with Adam and her parents at Scott's in London on Sunday The influencer looked incredible in a stylish 248 red boucle minidress which boasted white floral frilled edging and buttons down the front Holly looked incredible in a stylish 248 red boucle minidress which boasted white floral frilled edging and buttons down the front. Styling her long brunette tresses loose, the stunner accessorised by layering two gold necklaces. Adam, who proposed to Holly in September, cut a casual figure for the evening in a long sleeved black top which he wore with a long silver cross necklace. Meanwhile Tana wowed in a black dress which featured a swan pattern and Gordon opted for a plain white T-shirt. Holly simply captioned the post with a candle, heart, star and martini emoji. Earlier in the day, Gordon shared a loved-up post to Instagram with Tana celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary. Mother-of-six Tana looked sensational in a brown satin dress which she teamed with gold heels and a coordinated clutch. Gordon also dressed to impress for the romantic evening in a navy suit which he teamed an open collar white shirt. Holly looked smitten with her fiance Adam Peaty as they danced the night away for their engagement party on Monday He wrote: 'Incredible anniversary dinner at one of the most beauty hotel in the world @thesavoylondon'. Adam and Holly are set to head to the Ramsay family home in southwest London for Christmas day. Speaking with The Times, Gordon explained that he would be hosting a whopping 24 others and will skip the turkey lunch for an evening beef wellington. The Ramsay west London home will play host to all their children, who, after a three year refurbishment are reportedly keen to move back in to the family home. Gordon even said that his four eldest children had put their apartments up for rent' to return to the Ramsay nest. Attending the turkey-free Christmas will be his wife Tana and their six children, Megan, 26, twins Holly and Jack, 24, Matilda, 23, Oscar, 5, and Jesse, one. It comes just after Holly showed off her dazzling yellow diamond engagement ring as she enjoyed a romantic getaway in Dubai with her fiance Adam . Earlier in the day, Gordon shared a loved-up post to Instagram with Tana celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary Mother-of-six Tana looked sensational in a brown satin dress while Gordon dressed to impress for the romantic evening in a navy suit Holly and Adam will be enjoying Christmas at the Ramsay family home in southwest London; Tana (second left), and their six children, Megan, 26, twins Holly (second to Gordon) and Jack, 24, Matilda, 23, (right) Oscar, 5, (with Tana) and Jesse, one It comes just after Holly showed off her dazzling yellow diamond engagement ring as she enjoyed a romantic getaway in Dubai with her fiance Adam She displayed her incredible figure as she posed for a stunning mirror selfie in a black minidress and towering bright orange heels. The daughter of TV chef Gordon Ramsay styled her long brunette tresses loose for the evening out and accessorised with gold jewellery. In another snap, Holly captured Olympian Adam looking over their hotel balcony taking in the picturesque view. The couple stayed at the lavish 5-star Atlantis, The Palm hotel and also uploaded a snap of their hotel bed which was scattered with rose petals. Adam and Holly also enjoyed a trip to an aquarium and she couldn't contain her smile as she posed next to a tank full of sting rays. Sharing their happy news of their engagement last month, the couple complemented each other's posts by including bible verses after Adam revealed religion had saved him from addiction. Jackie 'O' Henderson's former toy boy Jack Tyerman has declared his love for another woman. The age-gap romance allegedly fizzled out over the radio star's memoir, The Whole Truth. The 30-year-old tradie recently shared some loved-up photos to Instagram which captured him posing up a storm with his new girlfriend Asha Dillon. Jack and Asha look very loved-up in the new pictures, where they are seen posing up a storm as the Emily Ratajkowski lookalike tenderly leaned into her beau. Another photo showed them having fun together while Sydney-based nutritionist Asha held a drink, as they hammed it up for the camera. The Sydney-based tradie confirmed he was smitten with his new girlfriend in the caption: 'Have you heard I'm in love?' Meanwhile, Asha first made the relationship 'Instagram official' five months ago. Jackie 'O' Henderson's former toy boy Jack Tyerman has declared his love for another woman, after they allegedley fell out over the radio star's memoir The Whole Truth. (Pictured together in May) Many of Jack's followers quickly took to the comment section to congratulate him on the amazing news. 'Best way to spend Christmas!' one person wrote and a second user added: 'Yes!' Jackie was first romantically linked to the model in August 2023 when he was spotted at her luxury Sydney pad. While the relationship was said to have fizzled into a friendship, now it seems the pair don't even have that, as an insider suggests the 'hot tradie' was furious about the KIIS FM host mentioning him in her book, according to The Daily Telegraph. 'Most people probably wouldn't be able to identify the fact part of the book is about Jack, but he knows it's about him,' an inside source told the publication. 'Yes, Jackie changed his name, but those close to the pair now know intimate details surrounding their short-lived relationship.' Jackie and Jack have also unfollowed each other on Instagram since the release of her autobiography. The pair were last spotted on a date in May, as they went out to dinner at popular French dining hotspot Restaurant Hubert. Jackie previously addressed the pair's relationship on KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show when her co-host Kyle Sandilands questioned her about a date. The 30-year-old tradie recently shared some loved-up photos to Instagram which captured him posing up a storm with his new girlfriend Asha Dillon Jack and Asha look very loved-up in the precious pictures where they are seen posing up a storm as the Emily Ratajkowski lookalike tenderly leaned into him 'We went together to the restaurant and I didn't want to drive and told him to drive [my car],' she explained, adding Jack lives close by. 'He is cute but no there is nothing going on... We went out with his sister and her husband. Just catching up.' She also spoke about the relationship in August last year. While Jackie admitted she was 'dating' at the time, she maintained she and Jack were 'just friends'. 'No, Jack is not my boyfriend. We're not in a relationship, not my boy toy,' Jackie told Kyle. 'Jack is a good friend of mine. I know him through a friend of ours. We didn't meet on a dating app or anything like that.' The media personality went on to say she was ultimately 'to blame' for the romance rumours after she told Daily Mail Australia she was dating someone during a Logies interview. 'In my mind, I'm dating and I've been on a few dates, so I said 'maybe' [I'm dating], but I probably should have said, "Maybe, we'll see what happens,"' she confessed. Kim Richards reportedly received a mental health evaluation from the police after they responded to an unusual call she made over the weekend. The reality TV personality, 60, was reportedly visited by local authorities at a house owned by her sister, Kyle Richards, on Sunday afternoon. The Los Angeles Police Department was responding to a call the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum had made about someone who had taken her cat but returned it. Per TMZ, the police arrived on the scene and while explaining what happened, she reportedly got on a long-winded tangent about issues she had with her sister Kyle. The police officers then called for a mental health evaluation team to evaluate her after seeing her behave in that manner, according to the outlet. Insiders told TMZ that they determined Richards did not meet the criteria for an involuntary hold as they felt she did not pose a threat to herself nor others. Kim Richards reportedly received a mental health evaluation from the police after they responded to an unusual call she made over the weekend; pictured November 2023 in Los Angeles At the time of the incident, it appeared that Kyle was in Aspen, Colorado with her ex, Mauricio Umansky, and their children on a family trip for the holidays. Paramedics were also reportedly dispatched but quickly left as they determined Richards nor anybody else required medical transport to a hospital. Regarding her complaint about what happened to her cat, the police reportedly did not take any other action and left. This comes several months after Richards was placed on a psychiatric hold after local authorities were called in response to an incident at the Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. In September, the LAPD responded to a call about Richards being incoherent on the scene and refusing to leave when asked. She was then detained on an involuntary 5150 hold, a 72- hour psychiatric hospitalization amid a mental health crisis. Her half-sister Kathy Hilton shared a message of support after Richards had been placed on the psychiatric hold. Later that same month, there was another incident at a home owned by Kyle again. It was reported that Richards was involved in an altercation with her sister Kyle in Encino, where Kyle 'owns a home that Kim had recently been staying in.' The reality TV personality, 60, was reportedly visited by local authorities at a house owned by her sister, Kyle Richards, on Sunday afternoon; pictured December 2016 in Los Angeles The Los Angeles Police Department was responding to a call the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum had made about someone who had taken her cat but returned it; pictured September 2021 in West Hollywood Per TMZ, law enforcement sources said that Kyle claimed Kim was 'in deep trouble over her sobriety' and that their entire family was 'worried about her survival.' Concerned neighbors called the local authorities about Richards at the home. Both the neighbors as well as Kyle reportedly wanted Richards to be removed from the house. It was reported at the time that the rest of Richards' family had cut off contact with her following her 'relapse' as they reportedly hope to drive her back to sobriety. Her struggle with sobriety was previously documented during her time on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. In the first season of the reality show, which aired in 2010, Kyle accused her sister of being an alcoholic during a tense exchange. The following year, she entered rehab. In April 2015, Richards was arrested for public intoxication at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The police arrived on the scene and while explaining what happened, she reportedly got on a long-winded tangent about issues she had with her sister Kyle Richards. The police officers then called for a mental health evaluation team to evaluate her after seeing her behave in that manner, according to the outlet; pictured April 2017 in Los Angeles This comes several months after Richards was placed on a psychiatric hold after local authorities were called in response to an incident at the Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Her half-sister Kathy Hilton shared a message of support after the incident; pictured November 2023 in Los Angeles That same year, she checked herself into a treatment facility in Malibu. The following year, Richards revealed her addiction issues began after her split from her second husband Gregg Davis in 1991. 'I started noticing I was drinking a lot. That's when my issue started,' she recalled. Back in December 2016, she was celebrating five years of sobriety. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. Ruth Langsford has shared a health update on her elderly mother as she prepares for her first Christmas since her split from Eamonn Holmes. The Loose Women presenter, 64, who has been regularly visiting her 94-year-old mum Joan in the hospital after her horror fall, posted a video on Instagram Tuesday evening. In the clip, Ruth shared a glimpse of her Christmas preparations from her kitchen, updating followers on how things were going. She told the camera: 'Hello, this feels like deja vu because last Christmas Eve, I think I was standing in the kitchen like this, with a roller in my hair, talking about last-minute things and how come I'm never organised and have everything done like people that are going to carol services tonight and pantos and everything's done, and I haven't got everything done. 'And my mum, my mum is in hospital, to be fair, and I've been doing a lot of hospital visits, but that's no excuse because, you know, I've had all year to prep. So I'm here, look, wrapping presents, I've laid the table over there, and there's Maggie. 'I have made my cranberry sauce today, but still some bits and bobs to do. Ruth Langsford has shared a health update on her elderly mum as she prepared for her first Christmas since her split from Eamonn Holmes Ruth and Eamonn announced their split in September after 14 years of marriage 'I've got to wrap Maggie's stocking from Santa. Shhh. And here I am, roller in, but I have got a glass of fizz. 'So if I don't get to speak to you tomorrow, Merry Christmas to you and yours. I hope you have a wonderful day, whatever you're doing. Have a good one, and cheers.' Earlier in the day, Ruth showed fans the horrific bruising on her mother Joan's face after she suffered a fall last week. Displaying Joan's painful injuries, Ruth wrote: 'Mum's got a right shiner after her fall! [crying face emoji] Trying to soothe it with Arnica cream'. Keeping spirits high, Ruth joked: '94 years old and hardly a grey hair... I'm hoping I've inherited the gene!' Ruth explained at the time of the fall that this year's Christmas was going to be different as she looks set to spend it without her mother. The star revealed that this isn't the first time her mother has broken her pelvis but was hoping she would recover as well as she did last time. Ruth wrote: 'No dancing in my kitchen peeling the veg for my darling Mum this Christmas.she's had a fall and fractured her pelvis! Earlier in the day, Ruth showed fans the horrific bruising on her 94-year-old mother Joan's face after she suffered a fall last week Displaying Joan's painful injuries, Ruth wrote: 'Mum's got a right shiner after her fall! [crying face emoji] Trying to soothe it with Arnica cream' 'She's okish, no surgery required thank goodness but she needs rest and time to heal now. She's in hospital at the moment but I'm hoping to get her home soon. 'This time last year she fell and broke her hip but recovered wellshe's a very strong woman so I'm sure she'll recover from this too. Put's life and what's important into perspective eh? Happy Christmas! X x'. Earlier this week, MailOnline revealed Ruth and Eamonn Holmes are still only communicating through their lawyers, despite the pair's amicable olive branch on social media this week. Ruth appeared to accept ex husband Eamonn's peace offering and returned the like on a post of he and a his co-host Isabel Webster as they wrapped up their final show of the year. It comes after Eamonn issued a public display of support for ex-wife Ruth as she paid an emotional visit to her unwell mother Joan in hospital earlier this week. In his first notable contact with Ruth since their separation, the GB News presenter liked her post. But the estranged couple's relationship hasn't thawed despite the cryptic move on Instagram. Ruth's ill-stricken mother Joan has always played an important part in Eamonn's life, so it was important to him to like her post. The Loose Women presenter has been in and out of hospital visiting Joan after she broke her pelvis from a nasty fall Ruth explained at the time of the fall that this year's Christmas was going to be different as she looks set to spend it without her mother The star revealed that this isn't the first time her mother has broken her pelvis but was hoping she would recover as well as she did last time MailOnline have contacted Ruth and Eamonn's representatives for a comment. The couple confirmed their 14-year marriage is over in June and are understood to be keen on ushering in a speedy divorce once Christmas and New Year are out of the way. Eamonn's co-host Isabel is set to be replaced by Ellie Costello, 31, during the working week as part of a number of major changes announced by the broadcaster. The 41-year-old, who had previously worked for Sky News and the BBC, had been a part of the show since it launched in 2022. A GB News spokesperson said on Wednesday: 'Ellie Costello will now co-host GBN Breakfast five days a week, presenting alongside Eamonn Holmes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and with Stephen Dixon on Thursday and Friday. 'Stephen and Anne Diamond will continue to co-present GB News Breakfast at Weekends.' Earlier this week, MailOnline revealed Ruth and Eamonn Holmes are still only communicating through their lawyers, despite the pair's amicable olive branch on social media this week Ruth appeared to accept estranged husband Eamonn Holmes', 65, olive branch as she made a cryptic move in a post with he and co-host Isabel Webster on Wednesday Eamonn issued a public display of support for ex-wife Ruth as she paid an emotional visit to her unwell mother Joan in hospital earlier this week Following Eamonn's olive branch to Ruth in the post about her mother, the presenter took to Instagram on Thursday to share an emotional tribute to his late mother. He wrote: 'When folk ask me What do u want for Christmas? 3 Christmases without u now Mum and u r still top of my wish list ' It's understood that Eamonn and Ruth are hoping to settle their divorce imminently - with Ruth to keep their 3.5million Surrey mansion. 'The aim is for Eamonn and Ruth to resolve their divorce as quickly as possible in the New Year,' a source told The Sun. 'Ruth is keen to stay in their marital home as it is where she is settled, Eamonn on the other hand wants to get out and make a fresh start. They aren't dragging their heels and want this settled and done as quickly as possible.' Eamonn recently sparked speculation that he is engaged to Alexander after she was spotted wearing a large ring on her engagement finger during a romantic getaway to Paris last week. 'Eamonn has been talking openly about his plans to marry Katie and has made it clear he wants to spend the rest of his life with her,' a source told The Sun. 'Theyre already living together and he knows it feels right. They have a very strong connection and get on very well. She has given him a real lust for life and she looks after him.' Following Eamonn's olive branch to Ruth in the post about her mother, the presenter took to Instagram on Thursday to share an emotional tribute to his late mother Eamonn and Ruth split after 27-years together (pictured 2009) and they are parents to son Jack, 22 In pictures obtained by the publication, the couple headed to the Louvre, with Alexander wearing a gold diamond ring on her engagement finger. The counsellor was not pictured wearing the band at a Christmas carol concert in West London on December 5. It was reported last month that Langsford has hired a 'fierce' divorce lawyer amid the bitter split. As reported by The Sun, Catherine Costley has been called up by Loose Women host Ruth who seeks to end her 14-year marriage to Holmes with a financial settlement. Costley is known for her fierce approach to divorce settlements and has said all women should have a 'go bag' fund when exiting a relationship, according to The Sun. The divorce lawyer was once an apprentice of 'Steel Magnolia' Baroness Fiona Shackleton, Britain's highest-profile divorce lawyer who famously represented Charles in his split from Diana in 1996. Baroness Shackleton has also worked with A-list stars including Sir Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Madonna. She was once doused with water in court by a furious Heather Mills while representing the Beatles legend during the couple's divorce in 2008. Mayor John Whitmire stands at the intersection of Westcott and Blossom Streets in the Crestwood neighborhood on Friday March 29, 2024. Sharon Steinmann Mayor of his neighborhood Regarding Crosswalk signal near Whitmires home is needed. So is a city-wide plan. | Editorial, (Nov. 14): John Whitmire, mayor of Houston or simply, mayor of Washington Avenue, where he resides? He has recently demonstrated a lack of concern for other areas while prioritizing his neighborhood. On Dec. 13 and 14, the mayor and the Houston Police Department conducted operations on Washington Ave. to crack down on speeders, drunken drivers and other traffic violations. This marked the beginning of one of Mayor Whitmires new public safety initiatives and cost nearly $11,000. Whitmire also approved a project at a cost of $320,000 that installed a high-intensity activated crosswalk, known as a HAWK, down the street from his residence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Yet recently, there were three fatalities and one hospitalization in two separate incidents on Kirby Drive, all resulting from high-speed collisions. We need to address other issues, such as enforcing certificate of occupancy and parking plan standards in other areas, which I believe have been completely disregarded. It appears that excessive effort and expense are being directed toward Whitmires neighborhood. Whitmire should govern as a mayor for the entire city, not just his neighborhood. Gary Ruby, Houston Tolerance for indecency Advertisement Article continues below this ad Your outrage should be over Joe Bidens open border policy that has allowed about 400,000 convicted criminals to roam the streets, according to the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And lets not forget the nearly 320,000 unaccompanied migrant children whose status and location isnt being sufficiently monitored once released from federal custody. We had a precious, 12-year-old girl killed right here in Houston by two men who were here illegally. You liberals were taught a lesson in November, and yet you still cling to the very policies that defeated you soundly. With a resounding Trump victory, America woke up to the scam of woke, DEI and green policies. Step back and watch the rebirth of Making America Great Again. Raymond Martin, Mont Belvieu I am reminded of some of the indecencies of the American past, including stealing the Native American lands and racism. At least, these are being acknowledged and partially healed. Sadly, my answer to Regina Lankenaus question of whether there would be outrage today is: probably not. Americans tolerance for indecent behavior and institutions has grown steadily, it seems, as wealth and power are gathered in the few. Two decades ago, I doubt we would have allowed a candidate festooned with indecent behavior to even run for president. We did anyway. Health care delivery in America, right along with separation of migrant families at our borders, has become one of the most indecent aspects of who we have become. The per capita cost of American health care is almost double the costs in comparable countries. This leaves working-class Americans with huge medical debt and even affects some in the middle class who thought they were protected by health insurance. Why have we not done something about this cruelty? Fear of medical care costs has collateral damage. It keeps many from seeking the care they need until their suffering demands a visit to the emergency room. They die early. As of 2022, our life expectancy is 49th among nations of the world. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Have our foreign policies become indecent? Have we supported countries that commit genocide? Have we condoned the development and use of weapons whose collateral damage is likely to be monstrous? My point is that indecent behavior comes in many forms and at many levels. John T. James, Houston Why was Lankenau and other editorial staff all but silent during Bidens egregious and unconscionable open border policy? Was four years of lawlessness at the southern border not enough? Its a little rich to accuse the American public of just looking the other way at familys being split up while drug and sex trafficking, and an administrations willful refusal to enforce our countrys own immigration laws, is so commonplace. Yes, its sad that migrant families were separated. But this is not brutal or celebrated cruelty as Ms. Lankenau likes to portray it. Its a byproduct of social justice, something Democrats are supposed to champion. While were at it, did the Chronicle or most other critics of the Trump-era zero tolerance policy shudder or express outrage at the estimated 320,000 migrant children who are being insufficiently monitored after the Biden administration allowed them to cross our southern border without their parents? The answer is no. According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, Americans pay an estimated $150 billion per year due to illegal immigration. We have stretched our social safety nets past their limits, including our health care and educational institutions. This is the real cruelty, and is an injustice our citizenry is being forced to endure daily. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jerry K. Deutsch, Seabrook Cruelty was the point! Trumps family separation policy was aimed at inflicting maximum pain on migrants to discourage them from coming to the United States. It was so unpopular with some Americans that about 74 million showed up in 2020 to vote for the guy who famously inflicted the pain. But the somewhat dubious claims that their votes were motivated by economics leads to the question: were they uninformed, willfully ignorant or are they just being disingenuous? Only they really know. Before the 2024 election, Trump promised to end birthright citizenship, he promised mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and he wouldnt rule out family separations. President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both said Trump would probably reinstate the policy. Earlier this month, Trump stated without hesitation thatyou have no choice except to deport everyone who is illegally in the U.S., including even possibly removing the American-citizen family members of the deported immigrants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump voters can say but the price of eggs, or they can scream that it costs a whole 10 bucks more now than it did five years ago to fill up their 23-gallon tanks, or whatever. But they knew exactly who they were voting for. They voted for the cruel guy who wanted to inflict maximum pain. Rand Nolen, Houston Evidence to the contrary Regarding How a Republicans social media post forced a Texas agency to strip LGBTQ language from its website, (Dec. 20): Brad Pritchett, interim CEO of Equality Texas, an LBGTQ rights advocacy group, is quoted saying, Our state is bigger than the prejudices of one small man [state Rep. Brian Harrison]. While I appreciate Pritchetts sentiments, sadly, Texas voters have shown again and again that our state is comprised of many, many small men and women. Pamm Muz Muzslay, El Lago A change in tone Regarding Worst. Transition. Ever. | Opinion, (Dec. 20): Finally! Thank you to Cal Thomas for writing a column that tells the truth about the transition and the worst president ever instead of the fawning, Thank you, Biden. Rather than dwelling on the peccadilloes of Donald Trump the Democrats' favorite subject you expose just a few of the disastrous decisions Joe Biden (or his staff) have made most recently. This seems to be one of the rare times the Houston Chronicle prints a piece that doesnt excoriate Trump. Thank you for reminding us how our country has suffered from the Biden-Harris administration. Heres hoping the editors at the Chronicle will provide fair and balanced reporting in the New Year. Carol Ann Anderson, Houston Hahaha! Good one, Mr. Thomas. Really, the worst? Worse than an insurrection urged by the losing candidate in his attempt to overthrow the election? Your scale of bad presidential transitions must be reversed, or seriously skewed. Some of Bidens decisions might not be the best, but theres no comparison to the king of lies and manipulation. Witness his attempt to stop the current spending bill and shut down the government, even before hes in office. Very humorous, Mr. Thomas. I didnt know you could be so hilarious! Bob Gayle, Houston Really, Cal Thomas? The worst presidential transition ever? Worse than Trumps chaotic transition in 2021? The amnesia of Trump supporters is baffling. Chris Greene, Houston Roberson testimony Regarding Testimony of Texas man whose execution was halted in shaken baby case is challenged again, (Dec. 19): Can someone please explain to me why Attorney General Ken Paxton is afraid of Robert Roberson testifying? This man is fighting for his life and deserves to be heard. Why does Paxton feel he has the right to interfere? There are many people supporting Mr. Roberson, and the very least we can do as decent human beings is exhaust all means available before taking a life. Ahronda James, Cypress If it is an undue burden for Roberson to be transferred to Austin to testify about his death sentence, why dont they just use Zoom? In this day and age, it seems like a simple solution that could save a life. Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb has recalled suffering from a life-threatening illness back in 2010. The actor, 77, who plays Mick Shipman in the show, caught malaria after a trip to Senegal to raise awareness about child poverty. When he returned to the UK from his trip he started to develop a severe fever that lasted for months and the illness eventually left him deaf in one ear and developing tinnitus. He has now told The Express of his terrifying symptoms: 'It's been catastrophic. I'm famous for never being ill. But I went into complete physical meltdown. At one point I felt like I was dying. But the real shock was when I realised I couldn't hear properly. 'It was like the worst hangover I'd ever had. For a few days I had a fever which caused me to sweat and then cool again. I couldn't sleep - I didn't have the strength to do anything. 'It was hellish. If I was sitting with two or three friends, it was impossible to follow the conversation. I suddenly understood why people with hearing loss can become isolated.' Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb has recalled suffering from a life-threatening illness back in 2010 The actor, 77, who plays Mick Shipman in the show, caught malaria after a trip to Senegal to raise awareness about child poverty Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes. The Gavin and Stacey cast broke down in tears this week as they marked the final time that they would be together as a group ahead of watching the final episode. The show's creators James Corden, 46, and Ruth Jones, 58, took over as hosts on the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show on Monday and were joined by a plethora of cast members ahead of the sitcom's final ever episode. But as their show started to come to an end, the cast members could be seen rocking from side to side, holding each other while having an emotional moment. Sat around in the studio listening to Run by Stephen Fretwell, the cast could be seen enjoying their last few moments together with a hug and a kiss. And it wasn't just the cast who were left sobbing as fans flocked to the comment box to reveal that they also shed a tear during the instalment. One penned: 'Oh! Oh! I am crying. It must feel like going through a break up. Such a lovely cast of people. They should all go out and get hammered, and have a fight down Caroline Street' 'To quote Pam Shipman Christmas special 2008 Ive goneIve actually gone!' When he returned to the UK from his trip he started to develop a severe fever that lasted for months and the illness eventually left him deaf in one ear and developing tinnitus The Gavin and Stacey cast broke down in tears this week as they marked the final time that they would be together as a group ahead of watching the final episode 'Bloody TIDY! Been crying all day & now rewatching for the 100th time all episodes ' 'Crying! Brilliant show, bravo!! Can't wait to watch the finale on Wednesday' Their emotional display came after fans hailed the cast's BBC Radio 2 takeover as 'iconic' as they declared they wished the stars fronted the show 'every day'. During the show they revealed secrets about the upcoming finale, shared some of their favourite memories from the series and discussed all things festive. And fans of Gavin and Stacey were clearly loving the cast's radio work as they rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their joy as hearing the actors on the airwaves in the morning. They penned: 'Loving the cast of Gavin and Stacey on @BBCRadio2 this morning. Heading home to the valleys later today, and its making me all the more giddy. Tidy!! '#Gavinandstacey taking over the #BBCRadio2 breakfast show is ICONIC! I love it.' 'Merry Christmas Ruth & James, waking up early this morning just to listen to you guys! I've watched Gavin & Stacey right from the beginning & can't wait to watch the finale' The last ever instalment will air in a 90-minute special on Christmas Day this year after fans of the show begged for an end to the story 'The crew of #Gavinandstacey should be on every breakfast show. Hilarious, and brilliant.' 'Would quite like to wake up to Ruth Jones every morning! #Gavinandstacey #BBCradiotwo A treat I wasnt expecting.' James and Ruth were joined by Joanna Page, Mat Horne, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb and Rob Wilfort for the three hour long special. The last ever instalment will air in a 90-minute special on Christmas Day this year after fans of the show begged for an end to the story. Famous music producer Richard Perry, who shared an 8-year romance with Jane Fonda, has passed away at 82. The visionary behind Carly Simons Youre So Vain and Rod Stewarts The Great American Songbook died of cardiac arrest, as confirmed by his friend Daphna Kastner to AP. 'He maximized his time here,' Kastner said, describing Perry as a 'father friend' and the godfather to her son. 'He was generous, fun, sweet, and made the world a better place. The world is a little less sweeter without him here. But its a little bit sweeter in heaven.' Ben McCarthy, Perrys personal assistant for nearly 30 years, shared with TMZ that the producer had battled Parkinsons disease. McCarthy recounted visiting Perry about a month ago, noting that while Perry could no longer verbally communicate, he remained in good spirits. During the 1970s, Perry worked with an array of legendary artists, including Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Art Garfunkel, Diana Ross, and Ringo Starr, cementing his legacy as one of the most sought-after producers of his time. Famous music producer Richard Perry, who shared an 8-year romance with Jane Fonda , has passed away at 82; (Fonda/Perry in 2015) The visionary behind Carly Simon s Youre So Vain and Rod Stewart s The Great American Songbook died of cardiac arrest, as confirmed by his friend Daphna Kastner to AP; (seen in 1982) In 2017, Perry and Fonda amicably split, with Perry saying in a statement, 'We continue to maintain a close friendship and care deeply about each other.' He added at the time, 'Jane has rededicated herself to activism and I am finishing my memoirs. So all is well with the Fonda-Perry relationship. Were just starting a new chapter.' Perry, a versatile musician turned legendary producer, mastered a variety of genres and achieved number-one hits across pop, R&B, dance, and country charts. Widely regarded as a musicians producer, Perry collaborated with artists like Harry Nilsson on Without You, The Pointer Sisters on Im So Excited, and Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias on To All the Girls Ive Loved Before. He was known for helping Barbra Streisand modernize her sound, reviving careers like Fats Dominos, and elevating rising stars like Leo Sayer. A New York native born to musical parents who co-founded Peripole Music, Perry was a skilled drummer and oboist. Early in his career, he joined the doo-wop group Escorts and later studied music and theater at the University of Michigan before shifting to production. Teaming up with Gary Katz, who later worked with Steely Dan, Perry began producing in the 1960s and quickly rose to prominence with projects like Captain Beefhearts Safe As Milk and Ella Fitzgeralds Ella, which featured covers of songs by the Beatles and Smokey Robinson. By the 1970s, Perry had established his legacy with million-selling albums such as Barbra Streisands Stoney End, guiding her transition into contemporary pop and rock. During the 1970s, Perry worked with an array of legendary artists, including Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand , Art Garfunkel, Diana Ross , and Ringo Starr , cementing his legacy as one of the most sought-after producers of his time; (seen in 2016) In 2017, Perry and Fonda amicably split, with Perry saying in a statement, 'We continue to maintain a close friendship and care deeply about each other' Streisand recalled their collaboration as creative and musically liberating, noting his enthusiasm and vision. Beyond music, Perrys life was filled with connections to cultural milestones and iconic figures. He dated Elizabeth Taylor and Fonda, attended landmark events like Otis Reddings Monterey Pop Festival performance, and mingled with music legends like Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger. Rod Stewart described Perrys West Hollywood home as a hub for late-night revelry. Although Perry initially dreamed of a Broadway career, his decision to focus on production transformed him into an industry giant whose influence spanned decades and genres. Nicole Kidman's steamy new erotic thriller Babygirl has just been released in the US and both critics and viewers can't stop praising it. The Aussie actress, 57, stars as a high-powered New York business executive who starts a risky affair with her much-younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson. The movie is currently certified as 'fresh' on movie review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 79 per cent. Sheila O'Malley for Rogerebert.com praised Kidman's performance as Romy as a highlight of the film: 'Kidman plays Romy at a fever pitch, and she is very effective. 'Babygirl is a high-wire act. Its a small miracle the film works as well as it does.' Richard Roeper for The Chicago Sun-Times joined the chorus, with: 'Kidman does powerful work as the upscale, insecure executive betraying her loving husband.' Nicole Kidman's steamy new erotic thriller Babygirl has just been released in the US and both critics and viewers can't stop praising it. Pictured Elsewhere, Dana Stevens from Slate praised the film for being engaging: 'What keeps Babygirl from feeling preachy or self-serious is its sense of humour and playfulness when it comes to sex.' Meanwhile, American audiences quickly took to social media to praise Kidman and her co-stars. 'Its such a good movie for real,' one person wrote. 'Love the movie! Can't wait for part two!' a second user added. The movie is currently only out in the US and set for release in Australian cinemas in January 2025. Kidman recently teased her erotic drama Babygirl is her most risque role to date as she shed light on the steamy project. The racy movie includes some very intimate scenes including one of Nicole's character masturbating after having sex with her husband, played by Antonio Banderas. Addressing the erotic scenes, Kidman - who most recently starred in another age-gap romance, A Family Affair - admitted it is the most 'exposed' she has ever felt in front of the camera. The Aussie actress, 57, stars as a high-powered New York business executive who starts a risky affair with her much-younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson The movie currently is certified as 'fresh' on movie review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 79 per cent Speaking to Vanity Fair, she said she wasn't sure she would be 'brave enough' to watch the film on the big screen. 'There's something in me going: 'Okay, this was made for the big screen and to be seen with people. I'm not sure I have that much bravery,' Nicole told the publication. 'I've made some films that are pretty exposing, but not like this,' she added of the 'confronting' experience. Nicole shared her apprehension over audiences seeing the sex scenes, admitting the 'vulnerable' filming process left her feeling 'ragged'. 'It's like, golly, I'm doing this, and it's actually now going to be seen by the world. That's a very weird feeling,' she said. 'This is something you hide in your home videos. It's not a thing that normally is going to be seen by the world.' Babygirl sees Nicole take on the role of Romy, a business executive who is balancing her career with trying to find fulfillment in her marriage to a theatre director (Antonio). Cracks in their marriage appear when new intern Samuel (Harris) makes his attraction to Romy clear and they begin to explore a 'forbidden sexual dynamic'. Director Halina Reijn is said to have wanted to put specific focus on the female orgasm in the thriller, with one charged scene showing Romy masturbating. Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban rang in their Christmas Day celebrations with a visit to a church service in Sydney. The Hollywood actress and the musician, both 57, have returned Down Under for the festive season with their two daughters Sunday Rose, 16, and Faith Margaret, 14. And the family, who live in Nashville, kept to their Christmas traditions as they started off the day by attending a church service at St Francis Xavier Church in Lavender Bay. The chapel is the Kidman's local church and it holds a special place for them as it was where Nicole's mother Janelle and father Antony's funerals were held. Stepping out for the Christmas Day service, Nicole cut an elegant figure in a black dress with a ruffled neckline, which she styled with dark sandals. She kept her essentials in a stylish black handbag and shielded her eyes with a pair of dark shades as she joined her family at the service. Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban rang in their Christmas Day celebrations with a visit to a church service in Sydney The family kept to their Christmas traditions as they started off the day by attending a church service at St Francis Xavier Church in Lavender Bay The chapel is the Kidman's local church and it holds a special place for them as it was where Nicole's mother Janelle and father Antony's funerals were held Keith looked equally smart in a powder blue shirt and beige chinos, which he paired with a pair of black trainers and aviator sunglasses. The couple were joined by both their daughters Sunday and Faith as the family spent some quality time together to kick off their Christmas Day traditions. Nicole's two adopted children, Isabella, 31, and Connor, 29, who she shares with her ex Tom Cruise, are not believed to have joined them on the trip Down Under. Nicole has flown back to Australia to reunite with her younger sister Antonia, 54, and her family as they spend their first Christmas without her mother Janelle. The family have rallied around to support each other during the bittersweet time as they are all spending time together over the festive period. The chapel where Nicole and her family attended the Christmas Day service holds a special place for the family as they have been regulars there for years. They also farewelled Nicole's mother Janelle there in September as the family all united for the funeral service. A decade earlier, Nicole's father Antony's funeral was also held at the St Francis Xavier Church on September 19, 2014. The couple were joined by their two daughters Sunday Rose, 16, (pictured) and Faith Margaret, 14, for the Christmas Day service Stepping out for the Christmas Day service, Nicole cut an elegant figure in a black dress with a ruffled neckline, which she styled with dark sandals She kept her essentials in a stylish black handbag and shielded her eyes with a pair of dark shades as she joined her family at the service Nicole and Keith appeared to be in good spirits as they were seen leaving the church together following the service Keith was every inch the doting husband as he held the car door open for Nicole as she got into their vehicle Keith looked equally smart in a powder blue shirt and beige chinos, which he paired with a pair of black trainers and aviator sunglasses Nicole accessorised her summer ensemble with an array of chunky jewellery as she arrived at the church It is not the first time the Kidmans have visited the church since Janelle's funeral as Nicole joined Keith and her daughters there on Monday, just days before Christmas. Janelle sadly died at the age of 84 in September - just hours before Nicole won the Best Actress award for Babygirl at Venice Film Festival. It is tradition for Nicole to jet back to Australia over the Christmas period and she and Keith often host New Year's Eve celebrations at their Sydney Harbour apartments. Over the past ten years, Nicole has purchased two penthouses in the exclusive North Sydney Latitude building and then combined them to make a mega-apartment. While back in Sydney this Christmas, Nicole will no doubt be reuniting with her sister Antonia and her family. The Kidman clan have already had a festive catch-up in recent weeks after Antonia jetted out to visit Nicole in Nashville at the start of the month. Antonia was joined by her daughters Lucia, 26, and Sybella, 17, for the trip as they jetted over to stay in Nicole's $4.9million Nashville mansion. Keith showed off his tattooed arms as he soaked up the sun while waiting beside their vehicle Keith has been rallying around to support Nicole in recent months following the death of her mother Janelle The couple were joined by both their daughters Sunday (pictured) and Faith as the family spent some quality time together to kick off their Christmas Day traditions Sunday wore a yellow top and blue jeans as she stepped out of the church alongside Keith Faith wore a blue and white dress and heeled sandals for the Christmas Day church service Keith was seen holding the car door open for his youngest daughter Faith as they left the church to continue their Christmas celebrations The family (Keith and Sunday are pictured) all spent Christmas morning at the same church where Nicole's mother Janelle's funeral was held in September The Kidman clan have all been rallying around each other since their matriarch Janelle (pictured with Nicole in December 2018) sadly passed away in September at the age of 84 Lucia, who lives in Sydney, shared festive snaps from the holiday to her Instagram at the time as she documented the trip. She was joined by her boyfriend Henry Poole, while Antonia's husband Craig Marran also jetted over with them. Nicole's sister Antonia shares her two daughters and two sons Hamish, 23, and James, 21, with late businessman Angus Hawley, who died in 2015. She also has two younger sons Nicholas, ten, and Alexander, eight, with her second husband Craig. Khloe Kardashian revealed why she and her two little ones are giving the legendary Kardashian Christmas Eve bash a pass this year. The annual celebration, first hosted by Kris Jenner in 1987, has evolved from an intimate family gathering into a glamorous, star-studded event. In recent years, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian have taken turns hosting, complete with extravagant themes, luxurious decor, and an A-list guest list. But this year, Khloe and her kidsTrue, 6, and Tatum, 2, whom she shares with ex Tristan Thompsonare sidelined by an illness. 'Tatum was sick the entire weekend, now my TuTu is sick,' she wrote on Instagram mere hours before the event. 'For the first time in a long, long time, we will miss Christmas Eve. I feel so terrible for my sick littles.' She added, 'No fun, but I pray we are fine for Santa tomorrow!!!' Khloe Kardashian revealed why she and her two little ones are giving the legendary Kardashian Christmas Eve bash a pass this year This year, Khloe and her kidsTrue, 6, and Tatum, 2, whom she shares with ex Tristan Thompsonare sidelined by an illness This comes as Kim recently revealed that this years Christmas Eve party would be a more 'low-key' affair compared to previous years. Kim explained that the gathering will be a little more 'intimate' this year, due to 'construction' work going on. Speaking to Vogue, Kim shared: 'Just because we have a lot of construction going on, so we're doing a really family intimate one that I'm really excited about.' However, that won't stop the family getting all glammed up. Kim added: 'Still dressing up to the nines, because that's what we do.' The Skims founder - who has North, 11, Saint, nine, Chicago, six, and five-year-old Psalm with ex-husband Kanye West - says the parties are so legendary that even their children's friends wish they could attend. She has vowed to keep the festive family tradition going. She said: 'They're just beginning. Our kids love them and now all their friends want to come. It's such a fun tradition.' Khloe revealed the reason on her Instagram Stories 'Tatum was sick the entire weekend, now my TuTu is sick,' she wrote on Instagram mere hours before the event, adding, 'For the first time in a long, long time, we will miss Christmas Eve. I feel so terrible for my sick littles' The Kardashian-Jenner family is famous for throwing an epic, luxurious Christmas Eve party every year that often features a star-studded guest list Last year's celebration was held at Kim's home and featured a star-studded guest list that included Paris Hilton One of the only times it was cancelled was amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year's celebration was held at Kim's home and featured a star-studded guest list that included Paris Hilton. Meanwhile, it was recently reported that Kim has started dating again. The reality star split from comedian Pete Davidson, 31, in late 2022 after nine months together. Kim was married to Damon Thomas from 2000 until 2004, and Kris Humphries for a period of 72 days in 2011. The businesswoman was married to rapper Kanye from 2014 until 2022. Karl Stefanovic was caught out on Christmas Day as he made a very unfortunate gaffe during the busy morning of celebrations. His wife Jasmine took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday to give an insight into their hectic festivities with their daughter Harper, four. She posted a photograph of a stressed-looking Karl trying to assemble a pink Barbie car for Harper as he was surrounded by loose parts and the instruction manual. The Today Show host, 50, made a rookie error in only constructing the vehicle on the morning of Christmas Day, no doubt leaving Harper in suspense to play with it. In an accompanying caption, Jasmine poked fun at his gaffe as she penned: 'Don't think your plan of doing it Christmas morning was very wise.' It is not the first time this Christmas that the couple have had some struggles with assembling Barbie-themed presents. Karl Stefanovic was caught out on Christmas Day as he made a very unfortunate gaffe during the busy morning of celebrations She posted a photograph of a stressed-looking Karl trying to assemble a pink Barbie car for Harper as he made a rookie error and only assembled it on Christmas morning Earlier in the day, Jasmine shared a photograph which showed her trying to assemble a '2,000 piece' Barbie dreamhouse for Harper. Jasmine sat on the floor next to the unassembled pieces with a frustrated look on her face as she worked hard to try to put the play set together. She hilariously captioned the picture: 'How fun's Christmas thanks. Barbie dreamhouse comes in 2000 pieces.' The Barbie dreamhouse set actually comes with about 75 pieces to assemble and usually takes between 45 minutes to an hour to put together. Their Christmas celebrations come just days after the family had a huge scare when Harper went missing for an hour while they holidayed in Noosa. Police were called to their Noosa holiday home about 4.20pm on December 16 when Harper vanished from their sprawling holiday home, which overlooks the beach. A panicked Karl and his wife Jasmine, 40, frantically scoured the area as a Queensland Police helicopter hovered above looking for Harper. It was not the first time on Christmas Day that the couple had some struggles with assembling Barbie-themed presents as Jasmine also struggled to put together a dreamhouse for Harper Neighbours also joined the search and checked nearby streets and bush trails, while Karl's older daughter Willow, 19, and her boyfriend Genaro Abdala Garcia checked the beach. Thankfully, Harper was found an hour later 'curled up asleep underneath a chair where no one could possibly have hidden' at their holiday home, Karl told the Daily Telegraph. Willow has returned to Australia to spend the Christmas holidays with her family after moving to the UK to study at the London College of Fashion. Karl shares Willow and his two other older children Jackson, 24, and River, 17, with his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn. Zara McDermott revealed she was 'spat on' by a man while Christmas shopping in a 'vile' unprovoked attack on Tuesday. The Love Island star turned documentary maker, 28, took to her Instagram story moments after the incident occured to share what happened with her two million followers. She was standing outside a Lidl store wth her brother's girlfriend Alice as she recalled the disgusting act. Zara explained: 'Guys, me and Alice are actually really shocked at what just happened. We were just getting some last minute christmas bits just walking down the street. 'Normal, normal stuff and this guy out of nowhere runs up to us, spits on us. Thankfully it just missed because of the wind and then walked off in the other direction. I can't believe it.' She wrote on the screen: 'No I'm shocked!!! What is wrong with people?' alongside a crying emoji. Zara McDermott revealed she was 'spat on' by a man while Christmas shopping in a 'vile' unprovoked attack on Tuesday The Love Island star turned documentary maker, 28, took to her Instagram story moments after the incident occured to share what happened with her two million followers Zara later posted a screenshot of a DM from one of her followers, which read: 'Misogony! How festive!' The influencer wrote on the screen: 'Merry Christmas!!! I'm still kinda in shock that someone could do that... I think I would have been really shaken up if alone! 'Luckily I was with Alice! Had so many messages from other people having experienced the same thing in London. She added: 'I've heard of men approaching women on the street and hitting them in the face also (a friend of mine had this happen to her). It's completely vile!' The shocking attack came just after Zara revealed she will spending her Christmas Day away from boyfriend Sam Thompson as she took to Instagram to let her followers know she's heading back to Essex to celebrate. The former Love Islander wrote: 'Heading back to Essex for Christmas to spend some much needed switch off time with my family. I've been so looking forward to spending Christmas with them. 'I know I'm 28 now and my brother is 24 but we still have the same Christmas traditions we do each Christmas that haven't changed since we were little.' She added: 'Not ready to give that up just yet (or ever). There's nothing more magical than waking up in your childhood home and having some festive magic with your family.' Addressing her cats, she quipped: 'Bye bye babies, see you in a few days!! Dad will take good care of you.' She was standing outside a Lidl store wth her brother's girlfriend Alice as she recalled the disgusting act Zara explained: 'Guys, me and Alice are actually really shocked at what just happened. We were just getting some last minute christmas bits just walking down the street' Zara later posted a screenshot of a DM from one of her followers, which read: 'Misogony! How festive!' The shocking attack came just after Zara revealed she will spending her Christmas Day away from boyfriend Sam Thompson It comes just after Zara stunned wearing the latest collection from her clothing brand Rise last month, which is available to buy now on New Look's website Zara modelled the new Rise Black Label range, flashing a hint of her toned, tanned legs in a matching two-piece pyjama set It comes just after Zara stunned wearing the latest collection from her clothing brand Rise last month, which is available to buy now on New Look's website. Zara modelled the new Rise Black Label range, flashing a hint of her toned, tanned legs in a matching two-piece pyjama set. She cosied up in the luxury loungewear, later sporting a sweatshirt and relaxed jogging bottoms as well as black leggings, perfect for running errands and fitness classes. Following the success of her debut collection with Tesco's F&F, Zara has further expanded her brand, introducing elevated ready-to-wear clothing and fashionable staples in an easy-to-match neutral colour palette. After the showcase, Zara thanked everyone who attended on her Instagram, admitting she always feels nervous before hosting an event. She said: 'We had a showroom event for Rise and I couldn't be more grateful to everyone who came. 'I cannot thank everyone enough for coming real talk but I do always get nervous for my own events (even though I've only done three) perhaps it's from when I had a birthday party as a teenager, and everyone pulled out last minute. 'Thankfully, that didn't happen, and I'm so overjoyed beyond words. I've been on cloud nine all day and this space is our new Rise HQ.' Paris Hilton left fans in frenzy after she unveiled a new look on a shopping trip with her husband Carter Reum on Monday. The blonde bombshell, 43, opted for a brunette wig as she stocked up on last minute Christmas gifts, telling fans who still recognised her that she was going 'undercover' on the outing. Yet as the pictures went viral, with one fan penning: 'Now she reminds me of Honey G from X Factor!' Honey G, real name Anna Georgette Gilford, 41, shot to fame on The X Factor in 2016 when she won over the judges with her rapping ability. The series was later won by Matt Terry, with Honey finishing in fifth place. She later went on to release her debut track The Honey G Show under Simon Cowell's record label Syco. Paris Hilton left fans in frenzy after sporting a brunette wig on an 'undercover' shopping trip on Monday, with the heiress being compared to X Factor rapper Honey G (right) Paris is famously a blonde bombshell (pictured earlier this month) but attempted to go incognito with the short brunette wig Honey then later went on to start up her own label titled H to the O Music. She released two more singles titled Hit You With The Honey G and Riding Hot. The two tunes included lyrics such as: 'My game is outrageous; my love is contagious; You won't want to disengage us; because I'm so flirtatious.' Last year, Honey G admitted she looks 'completely different' after shedding two stone from her intense gym workouts and said she gained a lot of 'body confidence'. She first lost the weight during lockdown in 2021 and since decided to run four triathlons and do a 20-mile run. After 'hitting the gym' Honey G explained how she's 'changed her body shape' and joked she no longer gets 'chased through shopping centres by school kids' in a new interview. She told The Daily Star - 'I had a personal trainer for a year and a half, almost two years and we worked a lot on strength training and I started to see, coupled with all the running I was doing, I started to see my body change. 'That's why not a lot of people recognise me in the street anymore, it says online I'm unrecognisable which is true. 'But yeah I'm not saying I miss being chased through a shopping centre by school kids but seriously, in all honesty, when I started to see body shape change, it spurred me on even more.' Honey G shot to fame on The X Factor in 2016 where she won over the judges with her rapping ability. The series was later won by Matt Terry, with Honey finishing in fifth place Last year, Honey G admitted she looks 'completely different' after shedding two stone from her intense gym workouts and said she gained a lot of 'body confidence' In contrast, Paris - who is the great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton, the founder of Hilton Hotels - soared to fame in the Nineties as an It girl. She went on to star in The Simple Life with Nicole Richie, which followed the two wealthy socialites as they struggled to do menial, low-paying jobs. Paris is also known in the music industry. Her first LP, 2006's Paris, become a cult album thanks to its hit single Stars Are Blind. She now tours the world working as a DJ. Paris recently returned to The Simple Life series with Paris & Nicole: The Encore, a new season celebrating the 20th anniversary of the iconic reality show. The series featured the famous blondes as they attempted to produce an opera inspired by their nonsense 'song' Sanasa, which they penned when they were both only seven years old. They sang the seemingly nonsense phrase multiple times on their original series, to the confusion and annoyance of unfamiliar people sucked into their reality-show shenanigans. Jessica Alves flaunted her assets while enjoying a hose bath in her native Brazil. The TV personality, 41, exuded confidence as she posed in a skimpy leopard print bikini which featured red strings tied into bows. Standing poolside, Jess shook her surgically assets while she basked in a sunny 'hose bath'. Keeping her long illuminous locks to the side, Jess weaved her hair into a long plait which she swung over her shoulder. Sharing the saucy clip to Instagram, the influencer appeared in happy spirits as she spent the Christmas season in her home country, Brazil. She captioned the post: 'The feeling of freedom, simplicity in nature is priceless, who has never taken a hose bath?' Jessica Alves flaunted her assets while enjoying a hose bath in her native Brazil at Christmas The TV personality, 41, posed up a storm in a skimpy leopard print bikini which featured red strings tied into bows It comes after Jessica revealed she was left with a gaping hole in the side of her surgically-enhanced bottom after she was stung by a bee. Jessica was stung on the bottom which later became infected and saw the Brazilian beauty rushed to hospital. At first, the sting merely became swollen but soon a hole developed in the side of Jessica's bottom. The star, who is known for her love of cosmetic surgery, went to The Clinic Club on Harley Street to help smooth out the injury after the infection healed. Speaking to MailOnline, she said: 'I have 1000cc of hyaluronic acid which was able to even the scars and the imperfections in my bum after the bee sting. 'The professional at The Clinic Club London was very meticulous injecting the gel. He applied some local anesthesia and I was done in 40 minutes. 'The next day, I was resting for 24 hours on my stomach but I could do pretty much everything as normal. 'I am very happy with the results and now I'm getting ready to enjoy my hot Christmas in Brazil with my family. I fly out in two weeks.' Keeping her long illuminous locks to the side, Jess weaved her hair into a long plait which she swung over her shoulder Sharing the saucy clip to Instagram, the influencer appeared in happy spirits as she spent the Christmas season in her home country, Brazil She captioned the post: 'The feeling of freedom, simplicity in nature is priceless, who has never taken a hose bath?' Detailing the injury, Jessica explained: 'I was sunbathing at Ocean Club in Ibiza when I was bitten twice on one cheek two weeks ago. 'A big inflamed lump formed and so I went to hospital to have it drained with a needle before being put on antibiotics. 'I had to fly to Las Vegas for a PA at the Palms hotel where I also had my birthday celebrations with close friends who were able to fly out to join me. 'After few days, the lump came back and it exploded, creating a big hole in my bottom and exposing my implants. She added: 'I spent two days in the hospital in Las Vegas where I had intravenous antibiotics. The doctors there wanted to remove my bum implant because it got infected after I was stung.' Jessica's bottom implants had to be removed immediately, causing her anguish and feeling fearful because she will be forced to have yet more surgery. It comes after Jessica revealed she was left with a gaping hole in the side of her surgically-enhanced bottom after she was stung by a bee After her treatment to deal with the infection, Jessica said: 'I am very happy with the results and now I m getting ready to enjoy my hot Christmas in Brazil with my family' The TV screen queen has 2220cc implants and has said spending 1million in over 100 operations is all worth it as it's an 'investment in my happiness'. She previously wrote on Instagram: 'With regret to all my Las Vegas fans that for health reasons I had to cancel my PAs coming up this week and return to England. 'I was stung by a bee two weeks ago and it is making me ill now'. She also shared a shot of her arm with a cannula in it, at Spring Valley Hospital, captioning it: 'Party is over'. Jamie Foxx looked festive as he stepped out for dinner with friends in Beverly Hills Christmas Eve. The actor, 57, who was spotted with some family at Billie Eilish's last concert for 2024, was decked out in a red Gucci sweater with the designer's logo and images of skunks. The Oscar winner wore leather pants and black shoes with thick rubber soles for his holiday meal at Crustacean. He accessorized with two diamond necklaces. The Django Unchained star seemed to have healed quickly from the stitches he reportedly received in an altercation at his birthday party at Mr. Chow's in Beverly Hills on December 13, after a drinking glass was allegedly thrown at him, striking his mouth. According to TMZ, some members of the Jackass crew were living up to their reputation and pointing a 'laser penis pointer' at Foxxs table, projecting a penis-shaped image, while the actor was celebrating with his family. Jamie Foxx looked festive as he stepped out for dinner with friends at Crustacean in Beverly Hills Christmas Eve The Ray star was described as 'upset,' and 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. 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. The star caused a bit of controversy after making the questionable remark in his new Netflix special What Had Happened Was He said of dating: 'Sisters, I'm here to tell you, I've been cured. I've been cured of everything, no more white girls. I'm serious, no more white girls. No more white girls. No more. No more white girls.' It is not known if he is still dating his latest girlfriend Alyce Huckstepp after their relationship was confirmed in August 2023. In March at the The African American Film Critics Association, the funnyman, who dated Katie Holmes for six years, joked about how his affinity for Caucasian women may have resulted in some people thinking he was 'cloned' after his recovery. 'But then they saw me with a white girl,' the They Cloned Tyrone star said he accepted the award in a clip shared on social media. 'Thats Jamie! You know he love them white b**ches!' he said. 'Come on, man! Thats why I didnt think I was going to get this award; am I Black enough?' The Oscar winner wore leather pants and black shoes with thick rubber soles for his holiday meal at Crustacean. He accessorized with two diamond necklaces Foxx will l next be seen on the big screen in Back In Action with Cameron Diaz. The two promoted the film in a fun video on Instagram. The spy comedy focuses on two former CIA agents who are called back into the field after their secret identities are exposed The Critics Choice Award winner seemed to have returned to his former vigor and has a long slate of projects to keep himself busy. He recently completed work on the thriller Tin Soldier with Robert DeNiro and Scott Eastwood. Foxx will next be seen on the big screen in Back In Action with Cameron Diaz. The two promoted the film in a fun video on Instagram. The spy comedy focuses on two former CIA agents who are called back into the field after their secret identities are exposed. The movie was scheduled to open January 17, 2025. Korean cinema and television have had their fair share of iconic actresses who captured audiences with their performances. One point that always gets a lot of focus is the clarity of their speech, more especially their pronunciation and enunciation. In Korea, where clean and crisp enunciation was seen in past radio dramas, there were actresses who received bad points due to this aspect. Here, we get into diction, which covers pronunciation and articulation, two aspects of diction that are very specific, and why clear communication is essential for acting. Although perfect diction is not a requirement for being skilled, it is fun to see which actresses have been called out for their manner of speech and how the stigma actually has an effect on their careers. Based on a Reddit thread, here are some of the significant Korean actresses who have been targeted over enunciation: 1. Song Ji Hyo Many people have been disappointed with Song Ji Hyo's acting a lot, pointing out her pronunciation issues and whether we have seen any improvement in her acting from old films. While some pointed out that her variety show popularity could have overshadowed her acting flaws, others noted that even successful actors such as Uhm Tae Woong and Sung Dong Il do both acting and this type of work with no criticism. For example, one netizen wrote: "I really hate her pronunciation," while another said: "Her acting has always just been okay at most...she was really bad in 'New World,' and she drops her voice way too low in dramas, especially sageuks. She sounds mumbling and it destroys her verbalization. It's not just her variety image that influences her mediocre acting ability." 2. Choi Ji Woo Choi Ji Woo plays a significant role in the 2014 drama "Seduction." But a number of viewers slammed her skill as an actress. She came under fire no less than just for her facial impression and awkward way of talking, especially compared to other actors like Park Ha Sun, who faced even harsher comments for her pronunciation. One netizen wrote, "In terms of her bad pronunciation, that actress still beats the hell out of her (Park Ha Sun)." 3. Han Ye Seul Han Ye Seul faced backlash when she was cast as the leading lady in the SBS legal drama "Defendant." However, many netizens were not impressed with her diction and pronunciation and wondered if she would be able to play a lawyer effectively. Statements recall her past of quitting projects while shooting and fakes that she lacks in acting. Some feel that she has not delivered in her career in some time and question why she continues to get leads despite these problems. A netizen said: "Her diction is so bad and she is playing a lawyer. I can already hear her high-pitched voice from this distance." 4. Yoon Eun Hye When Yoon Eun Hye was confirmed for the drama "Future Choice," which also stars Lee Dong Gun and Jung Yonghwa, fans were less than pleased. Some were anticipating her return, while others commented on her manner of pronouncing words. A netizen said, "Can Yoon Eun Hye correct her pronunciation? Yoon Eun Hye to make her return to dramas after 5 years?https://t.co/nmyhfpShRH pic.twitter.com/WSlOQTCifY allkpop (@allkpop) April 24, 2018 5. Goo Hye Sun Goo Hye Sun, in the weekend drama "You're Too Much," has had good and bad reviews of her acting. Many people pointed out she sounded shaky and unstable, which could have affected her scenes and interviews with enunciation as well. It has then led to questions about the quality of her overall performance. Read more: Goo Hye Sun Shows Off Patented Hair Roll Invention After Earning Top Honors in College Other Korean actresses who have faced backlash for pronunciation issues are: 6. Hwang Jung Eum 7. Park Shi Yeon 8. Jung Yoo Mi 9. Jin Se Yeon 10. Lee Yeon Hee 11. Yoo In Young 12. Park Se Young 13. Jung Eun Chae 14. UEE 15. IU 16. Hyeri 17. Seolhyun 18. Goo Hara 19. Sohee 20. Seo Eun Soo Is there anyone we missed? Kim Kardashian pulled out all the stops to make Christmas magical for her kids. The SKIMS founder, 44, hired her ex-husband Kanye West's pianist Philip Cornish to wake her kids North, 11, Saint, nine, Chicago, six, and Psalm, five, with Christmas songs. Cornish has been Kanye's Sunday Service musical director since 2019 and has been playing holiday songs in Kim's mansion during the month of December for years. The Grammy winner comes to the family's Calabasas home 'every single morning' to wake the kids up 'peacefully' as he plays the piano in their living room, Kim previously revealed. It was Kanye, 47, who first hired Philip to play for his kids during the Christmas season. 'Kanye and Philip have been good friends and collaborators for years. It was all Kanye's idea to bring him into the house,' The Sun reported. Kim Kardashian pulled out all the stops to make Christmas magical for her kids 'He thought it was a peaceful, creative way to add some magic into the kids' holiday routine and he insisted on it. Originally Kim wasn't in love with the idea as she felt it was unnecessary. But now, everyone including Cornish looks forward to his visits. 'Philip would do it for free and even tells Kim that but he does get paid. Rather than per day, it's a lump sum - which at this point is now well into the six figures,' the outlet reported. 'He will also get holiday gifts and food from the family's chef, which is the full VIP Kardashian treatment. 'It's a good gig for him, and he seems really satisfied with the dynamic and how he is treated. He doesn't live too far from Calabasas, he's deep in the outskirts of LA too so the commute isn't bad,' the insider said. Kim has been nothing but kind to him, and he has even grown closer to the kids and teaches North some piano keys. Hes become part of the family.' The tinkling of the piano keys can be heard throughout Kim's massive 15,000 square-foot home. The SKIMS founder, 44, hired her ex-husband Kanye West 's pianist Philip Cornish to wake her kids North, 11, Saint, nine, Chicago, six, and Psalm, five Cornish has been Kanye's Sunday Service musical director since 2019 and has been playing holiday homes in Kim's mansion during the month of December for years Kim previously captioned a video of the music director playing: 'Its that time of year!!!' '@Philthekeys comes over every morning to wake my kids up by playing the piano while the mad morning rush is happening to calm their little souls and fill it with beautiful Christmas songs.' Cornish revealed how the whole tradition got started on an episode of the On an episode of the Can We Talk R&B podcast, he said Kanye called him randomly at 10pm one day years ago and said, 'I want you to wake the family up with Christmas songs on the piano.' 'I was like "When?" And he said, "Tomorrow.' I said, "Just tomorrow?" And he said, "Every day until Christmas." I was like, "Are you serious?" He was dead serious.' Philip also said that when Kanye asks for something, theres 'never a lot of time' to get it done, as 'everything is now, no matter what youre doing.' The Kardashian-Jenner's smaller, more intimate annual Christmas Eve party took place on Tuesday night. Kim posted a video to her Instagram Story showing dozens of bottles of her sister Kendall Jenners 818 Tequila topped with red bows and surrounded by candles outside of their chill soiree. The Grammy winner comes to the family's Calabasas home 'every single morning' to wake the kids up 'peacefully' as he plays the keys in their living room, Kim previously revealed It was Kanye, 47, who first hired Philip to play for his kids during the Christmas season. 'Kanye and Philip have been good friends and collaborators for years Kim recently revealed that this years Christmas Eve party would be a more 'low-key' affair compared to previous years 'How cute is this? We can all take one of these as a little parting gift,' Kardashian captioned the photo. Kim recently revealed that this years Christmas Eve party would be a more 'low-key' affair compared to previous years. Kim explained that the gathering will be a little more 'intimate' this year, due to 'construction' work going on. Speaking to Vogue, Kim shared: 'Just because we have a lot of construction going on, so we're doing a really family intimate one that I'm really excited about.' However, that won't stop the family getting all glammed up. Kim added: 'Still dressing up to the nines, because that's what we do.' The Kardashian-Jenner clan threw their annual family get-together on Christmas Eve this year. Rather than their usual star-studded fete, however, the family of reality TV stars opted for a more intimate, low-key gathering this year. On Tuesday, the sisters took to Instagram to share a sneak peek into their exclusive soiree, which was seemingly held at Kendall Jenner's $8.5 million home that she elaborately decorated with family heirlooms for the holidays. Their celebration included bottles of reserve tequila as party favors and card games for the adults and Christmas movie-themed legos for the kids. This comes after Kim Kardashian, 44, explained why their family, who is famous for throwing an epic and luxurious party every year, decided to do an 'intimate' event this year. All of the sisters posted throwback Christmas tributes to their matriarch Kris Jenner and gathered to for their family holiday party with the exception of Khloe Kardashian, 40, who later explained why she couldn't make it. The Kardashian-Jenner clan threw their annual family get-together on Christmas Eve this year. Rather than their usual star-studded fete, however, the reality star family opted for a more intimate, low-key gathering this year; pictured in 2023 On Tuesday, the sisters took to Instagram to share a sneak peek into their exclusive soiree. Staying true to their family tradition, Kylie Jenner , 27, put on a glamorous display with white sequins covering the entirety of her halter-style, long dress Even though their bash will not be like years past, Kim reassured fans in her Vogue interview that they are still 'dressing up to the nines, because that's what we do.' Staying true to their family tradition, Kylie Jenner, 27, put on a glamorous display with white sequins covering the entirety of her halter-style, long dress. On her Instagram Stories, Kylie shared a snippet of herself heading to their low-key winter wonderland party with her two kids daughter Stormi, six, and son Aire, two. She shares both children with her ex-boyfriend and baby daddy, rapper Travis Scott, 33. In one short clip, Kylie appeared to be sitting in the car as she showed off her dazzling diamond jewelry and chic, French manicure. Alongside another video of her stilettos with straps covered in pearls, she could be heard singing a Christmas carol, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with her kids. Once they arrived at the fete, Kylie shared a photo of her and her pal Yris Palmer's matching martinis. On her own Instagram Stories, Kendall, 29, also showcased her chic, holiday party look and seemingly confirmed that the family chose a white Christmas theme for their outfits this year. The party appeared to be held at Kendall Jenner's home this year. In a photo of herself in front of her mansion, which she recently showed off in a home tour video, the supermodel, 29, also showcased her chic, holiday party look and seemingly confirmed that the family chose a white Christmas theme for their outfits this year She looked stunning in a gorgeous, cream-colored Phoebe Philo gown featuring a sexy back cutout, a chic high neckline and long, puffy sleeves Kourtney Kardashian shared a sneak peek of some Christmas decor to confirm she was at her family's holiday party. She shared a photo of what appeared to be family heirloom dolls in Kendall's home Earlier in the day, she shared snaps from a photoshoot with her husband, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker Posing in front of the entranceway of her home, the supermodel stunned in a gorgeous, cream-colored Phoebe Philo gown featuring a sexy back cutout, a chic high neckline and long, puffy sleeves. At the party, the family partook in wholesome games including with 818 Tequila-themed playing cards as shown in one of founder Kendall's social media posts. The model also shared a photo of a wall lined with bottles of her reserve tequila, warmly lit by tall candles and strings of colorful Christmas lights. In a clip posted by Kim on her own Instagram Stories, the SKIMS founder gushed about 'how cute it is' that everyone could take home one of the bow-wrapped tequila bottles as a 'parting gift.' She also showcased the lego masterpiece her and her kids build for Christmas, once again gushing 'how cute' it was. She said that their family created the house from the 1990 Home Alone movie. In one short clip, Kylie appeared to be sitting in the car as she showed off her dazzling diamond jewelry and chic, French manicure On her Instagram Stories, Kylie shared a snippet of herself heading to their low-key winter wonderland party with her two kids daughter Stormi, six, and son Aire, two. Alongside a clip of her stilettos with straps covered in pearls, she could be heard singing a Christmas carol, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with her kids Once they arrived at the fete, Kylie shared a photo of her and her pal Yris Palmer's matching martinis At the party, the family partook in wholesome games including with 818 Tequila-themed playing cards as shown in one of founder Kendall's social media posts She said that her children North, 11, Saint, nine, Chicago, six, and five-year-old Psalm made additional touches to their family project. The eldest Kardashian-Jenner sister, Kourtney Kardashian who celebrated her daughter-in-law Alabama Barker's 19th birthday on the same day was also in attendance. Most of her stories were throwback photos with the teenager as part of a sweet birthday tribute to husband Travis Barker's daughter, but Kourtney did share a sneak peek of some Christmas decor to confirm she was at her family's holiday party. She shared a photo of what appeared to be family heirloom dolls in Kendall's home. Meanwhile, Khloe Kardashian, 40, was not in attendance. The model also shared a photo of a wall lined with bottles of her reserve tequila, warmly lit by tall candles and strings of colorful Christmas lights In a clip posted by Kim on her own Instagram Stories, the SKIMS founder gushed about 'how cute it is' that everyone could take home one of the bow-wrapped tequila bottles as a 'parting gift' She also showcased the lego masterpiece her and her kids build for Christmas, once again gushing 'how cute' it was. She said that their family created the house from the 1990 Home Alone movie She said that her children North, 11, Saint, nine, Chicago, six, and five-year-old Psalm made additional touches to their family project Meanwhile, Khloe Kardashian , 40, was not in attendance. Khloe revealed that she had to cancel her appearance at her family's holiday gathering because her two kids two-year-old son Tatum and six-year-old daughter True, whom she affectionately refers to as TuTu were not feeling well The eldest Kardashian-Jenner sister, Kourtney Kardashian who celebrated her daughter-in-law Alabama Barker's 19th birthday on the same day was also in attendance. Most of her stories were throwback photos with the teenager as part of a sweet birthday tribute to husband Travis Barker's daughter And their 37-year-old brother Rob Kardashian Jr. who prefers to keep a low profile and stay under the radar did not make an appearance on any of his family member's social media posts as per usual. 'Tatum was sick the entire weekend and now my TuTu is sick,' Khloe wrote in an Instagram Story update about her two children, both of whom she shares with her ex, Tristan Thompson. 'For the first time in a long long time we will miss Christmas Eve,' she continued as she added a teary-eyed emoji. 'I feel so terrible for my sick littles,' she added. 'No fun but I pray we are fine for Santa tomorrow!!!' Tina Malone has revealed the heartbreaking way she will spend this year's Christmas following the tragic death of her late husband Paul. The Shameless star's husband Paul, 42, died by suicide on March 13 after what the soap star has now confirmed was a long struggle with his mental health, specifically Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. And the actress has confessed she will pay tribute to Paul by playing his favourite songs and wearing matching pyjamas with their daughter over the festive period. Speaking to Closer magazine, the former Celebrity Big Brother star described her loss as 'insurmountable' and admitted she will never recover from it. She explained: 'We will raise a glass for him at Christmas lunch and talk about him around the table. We'll play his favourite music and share our favourite stories. 'The loss and the sorrow of losing Paul is insurmountable, I will never, ever get over it.' Tina Malone has revealed the heartbreaking way she'll spend Christmas after her husband Paul's tragic death at just 42 as she reflected on her 'insurmountable loss' The Shameless star's husband Paul, 42, died by suicide on March 13 after what the soap star has now confirmed was a long struggle with his mental health, specifically Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (pictured in 2013) The pair share a daughter together, Flame, 11, and Tina confessed she is trying to be 'strong' for her child. She added: 'But I have to be strong and resilient for Flame. All the 'firsts' are difficult. Christmas will be hard, but I will make it magical and special for her.' Tina will also be joined by her mum and Paul's dad Ste for Christmas lunch with her late husband's brother and sister, along with her children, joining them later in the day. The mother also shared that on Flame's 11th birthday on December 15, her daughter made the heartbreaking confession that she didn't want presents, she just wanted her dad back. As well as buying matching pyjamas for this year's Christmas, Tina also confessed she keeps his memory alive daily by keeping his gym bag in the hall, his aftershave next to their bed, and his toothbrush in the bathroom. The star even has 'out loud' disputes with her late husband to keep remembering him. Tina previously revealed that she is speaking out about how he died in the name of 'transparency' and to encourage conversations around supporting veterans. She has revealed he turned to drink and drugs in an attempt to cope with his time serving in the armed forces - and believes he is now 'in a better place'. The actress has confessed she will pay tribute to Paul by playing his favourite songs and wearing matching pyjamas with their daughter over the festive period (pictured in 2015) The mother also shared that on Flame's 11th birthday on December 15, her daughter made the heartbreaking confession that she didn't want presents, she just wanted her dad back (pictured all together in 2014) In May, Tina recalled receiving her late husband's final texts hours after he sent them on the night he took his own life. Tina told how because she has an 'old phone' the messages did not come through until it was too late for her to do anything to help. She explained that the police knocked on her door to share the heartbreaking news about Paul's passing, just as received the texts from him. Tina revealed Paul sent her a text at 4am on the night of his death, which read: 'I am sorry I left you, you lit up my life every time I saw you. I'm sorry.' Tina had tragically read that message just as police had arrived at her Liverpool home, after Paul had not returned home that night. The Brookside actress was just about to take Flame to school when police arrived and informed her that Paul was dead. In the text, the former military man also wrote: 'Tina, please forgive me and one day when you are up here with me we will meet again. Xxx I love you Tina, I will visit you when I find a way. I am sorry my love, you made my life perfect, throughout the chaos. Xxx I will come and visit you and Flame in spirit. Please forgive me xxx' Speaking to OK magazine, Tina said: 'His last texts were sent at about 4am but I have an old phone and they didn't come through straight away. When they finally arrived the police were already at my house breaking the news that he'd gone.' Tina added: 'I've not spoken about this publicly until this minute. It's the first time I've said it and confirmed it. Paul did commit suicide. I believe in transparency.' Paul was a former member of the 22nd Regiment of the Cheshires, serving in Northern Ireland, Belize, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Falklands - where he was nicknamed Chevy by fellow squaddies because of his surname, after the comedian. Tina previously revealed that she is speaking out about how he died in the name of 'transparency' and to encourage conversations around supporting veterans (seen in 2014) Paul (pictured during his time with the Cheshire regiment) served all over the world - including in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Falklands War hero husband Paul Malone's last texts were sent at about 4am She penned on Twitter: 'Six weeks ago today was the worst day of my entire life, my world fell apart, my hubby Paul is dead, but he lives forever in my heart x' But Tina said he would talk often about the Army when he was drunk - and she encouraged him to seek help to cope with what he saw while serving his country. Paul - with whom she had daughter Flame, now 11, via IVF - was eventually diagnosed with PTSD three years ago. Tina said: 'When he got drunk he'd ramble about the army and I'd tell him, 'You have depression, you have emotional issues because of what you've seen'. But he'd sweep it away. He'd say, 'How will I get a job if I have that?'' She and Paul met at a boot camp event where he was a personal trainer after her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother. But their relationship was troubled in 2017 as Tina was arrested and cautioned for cocaine possession - being sacked from a pantomime in the process - while Paul lost his job caring for violent teenagers. The couple were left facing bankruptcy and Tina says his mental health spiralled during this time, using prescription drugs and cocaine in an attempt to cope before attempting to take his own life. He was admitted to psychiatric care, and was given help by an veterans charity, but Tina said he would experience mood swings. Eventually, Tina said, Paul 'couldn't fight anymore'. After making food for Flame, he kissed Tina, went out - and was dead hours later. 'He felt lost, he felt useless,' she said. Tina's remarks, reported by the Mirror, come as she intends to launch a new charity in his name, Paul's Flame to help people in times of crisis. She added: 'This is a man who served his country. The only way I can get through is by fighting for change, addressing the issues facing veterans and soldiers, trying to help others.' Last year, statistics on British military veteran suicides were published for the first time and expose the mental health crisis facing our soldiers as they retire from service and attempt to return to civilian life. According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2021 the most recent figures available suicides by men aged 35 to 44 were almost twice as high among veterans as non-veterans, at 33.5 per 100,000, compared to 18.8. Tina previously confessed that she is 'broken' following the death of her husband Paul, after she revealed the last conversation they had on the day he died. In a social media update, she responded to fans who had left her 'kind messages' and shared their own personal stories of loss Tina Malone and Paul Chase pictured together in 2017. She says his death has left her 'bereft' Tina took to her social media this week to admit the loss of her husband has left her 'bereft'. In a heartbreaking post, she detailed Paul's final hours before he died, revealing that he had made breakfast for their daughter and kissed Tina goodbye. She tweeted: 'Four weeks ago at 4pm today my hubby made scrambled eggs, bacon, beans, sausages for Flame, kissed me and said see you later. '10 hours later he was dead, I am broken, so bereft.' Paul was laid to rest with a crowd of mourners gathering outside Tina's home in Liverpool, where she joined them and received hugs and comfort from friends and relatives. Many could be seen drying their eyes as fellow veterans helped to carry Paul's coffin to his hearse, which was draped in a flag with his dress hat from the Cheshire Regiment placed on top. The Cheshire Regiment Association, which Paul belonged to, shared pictures of the former officer in his military uniform, in honour of the man they affectionately knew as 'Chevy'. Friends from the regiment turned out in force for his funeral, with many in the group wearing regimental ties and some of his pallbearers proudly showing their medals. A statement on Facebook read: 'We have received the very sad news that Paul 'Chevy' Chase died yesterday at the age of 42. Paul was married to the actress Tina Malone. 'RIP Paul. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time.' Tina tied the knot with Paul, who is 19 years her junior, in 2010 and they were married for nine years, before briefly separating in 2019 - getting back together just months later in February 2020. Following their 2020 reunion, the soap star said their relationship was back to normal and said their 'love never went away.' She told Closer magazine at the time: 'The love never went away, we're working on things now, our problems were compounded by depression but I learned that in tough times you have to pull together and not apart.' Former Gogglebox star Ava-Grace Moffatt looked completely unrecognisable as she returned home from university to reunite with her famous sister, Scarlett, on Tuesday. The reality star, 18, first rose to fame as a young child on the popular show, and nearly a decade later, she's all grown up. Scarlett, 34, also known for winning I'm A Celeb, took to her Instagram stories and posted a clip of the pair doing some last minute Christmas shopping. 'Love that my sis is back from uni for Christmas,' she wrote, as the two enjoyed some festive bonding time. The Moffatt family joined Gogglebox in 2014 during the third series, with Scarlett quickly becoming a fan favourite for her outspoken personality. Initially appearing with just her parents, Mark and Betty, Scarlett was later joined by Ava from series seven. Former Gogglebox star Ava-Grace Moffatt looked completely unrecognisable as she returned home from university to reunite with her famous sister, Scarlett, on Tuesday The reality star, 18, first rose to fame as a young child on the popular show, and nearly a decade later, she's all grown up Scarlett, also known for winning I'm A Celeb , took to her Instagram stories to share her excitement as she posted a clip of the pair doing some last minute Christmas shopping This was followed by her then-boyfriend Luke Crodden joining in series eight, as reported by The Mirror. Following the family's stint on Gogglebox Ava and the family joined Scarlett in Australia when she hosted the I'm A Celeb spin-off after winning the main show in 2016. In 2019 the family also appeared in The Tribe Next Door Channel Four documentary that saw them live alongside the Himba community in a Namibian tribal village, in an exact replica of their parents Newcastle home. The sister outing comes after Scarlett endured some Christmas chaos earlier in the day as she much of the food she ordered from Click & Collect was substituted with something else. The TV presenter shared a video on Christmas Eve telling fans about her festive family treats that were unavailable and so were replaced when she went to get them. Thankfully Scarlett saw the funny side of the matter as she laughed while detailing all her replacements. She said: 'Substitutes are wild. So me and [her son] Jude this morning went to get our click and collect at seven, half seven. So they were like, "there's a few substitutes". 'Not a bother, hun. You're dressed as an elf, I'm in a festive mood, I don't care. What are the substitutes? Ava also appeared in their family's Channel 4 documentary The Tribe Next Door The sister outing comes after Scarlett endured some Christmas chaos earlier in the day as she much of the food she ordered from Click & Collect was substituted with something else The TV presenter, shared a video on Christmas Eve telling fans about her festive family treats that were unavailable and so were replaced when she went to get them '"Um, your salted caramel profiterole stack, we've swapped them for two packs of eclairs. Your rosemary to make cocktails, we've swapped that with a bit of parsley. Cauliflower cheese, we'll stick some potato dolphin wires in."' Laughing, Scarlett added: 'Honestly I'm going to have a look because some of them are hilarious. 'I was half expecting for my pigs and blankets for them to put a faux fur throw in and just say enjoy, it's a blanket cause honestly it's hilarious.' Scarlett encouraged her followers to share their own Christmas substitute horror stories and there were plenty. Scarlett encouraged her followers to share their own Christmas substitute horror stories and there were plenty One fan wrote: 'Rosemary - dill , after eights -a mint aero and personal fave croissants - mars bars wtf'. Others wrote: 'Tesco once substituted a beef joint (for Christmas) for a pack of meatballs! Had to go shopping again on Xmas eve.' 'I had doughnuts substituted with onion rings! The kids were not impressed when they asked what was for pudding & I told them onion rings!' 'I got a win the other day- giant Yorkshire pudding substituted for 25 of gammon but was only charged 31p!!! My lucky day.' 'Ordered Ben & Jerry's Phish Food......got actual fish food flakes.' Hudson Joseph Meek, who starred in Baby Driver, died at age 16 on Thursday. The teenage actor was reportedly ejected from a moving vehicle in a tragic event last week in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. He sustained blunt force trauma after falling from the car at 10:45 p.m., according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office, per local news outlet and NBC affiliate WVTM 13. He was taken to the UAB Hospital in Birmingham but died from his injuries on Saturday night less than 48 hours after the coroner said he was thrown from a moving motor vehicle, per ABC 33/40 News. The Vestavia Hills Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Meek's death, WVTM reports. He was surrounded by his friends and family when he passed away peacefully, per his obituary. Hudson Joseph Meek, who starred in Baby Driver, died at age 16 on Thursday. The teenage actor was reportedly ejected from a moving vehicle in a tragic event last week in Vestavia Hills, Alabama; pictured in September in Deauville, France Meek was known for portraying the younger version of the main character in the 2017 action flick Baby Driver; pictured September 2015 in Atlanta Meek was known for portraying the younger version of the main character in the 2017 action flick Baby Driver. Following his breakthrough role, he went on to star in the reboot of MacGyver. He also made guest appearances on several television series including the NBC drama Found. His professional acting credits date back to 2014 when he first starred in The Santa Con alongside Melissa Joan Hart and Jaleel White. It was revealed that he also worked on several movies and shows to be released posthumously in 2025, according to the obituary. 'Our hearts are broken to share that Hudson Meek went home to be with Jesus tonight,' read an Instagram post shared by his loved ones on his account over the weekend. 'His 16 years on this earth were far too short, but he accomplished so much and significantly impacted everyone he met.' A celebration of life in remembrance of Meek will be held on December 28. He sustained blunt force trauma after falling from the car at 10:45 p.m., according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. He was taken to the UAB Hospital in Birmingham but died from his injuries on Saturday night He was surrounded by his friends and family when he passed away peacefully, per his obituary The Vestavia Hills Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Meek's death, WVTM reports; pictured alongside filmmaker Fletcher Barnes in September He landed his breakthrough Baby Driver role in 2017. His professional acting credits date back to 2014 when he first starred in The Santa Con. He went on to star in the reboot of MacGyver and also made guest appearances on several television series including the NBC drama Found; pictured August 2016 In his memory, his loved ones are establishing the Hudson J. Meek Memorial Scholarship. In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations to the scholarship, which will be awarded annually to a Vestavia Hills High School student. He is survived by father Derek Firth Meek and mother Lani Wells Meek as well as his older brother Tucker Firth Meek and grandmothers Margaret Green Meek and Faye Searcy Wells. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said his government has prepared a roadmap for the state's energy sector for the next 25 years. The state government plans to provide solar energy facility for houses provided to the poor people under various schemes, he said at a 'meet-the-press' programme here. In the next two-three years, efforts will also be made to reduce the electricity tariffs, said Fadnavis, who holds the energy portfolio. "The energy sector is very important, and we have prepared the roadmap for the next 25 years," the chief minister said. "We also plan to make sure houses provided to the poor under different government schemes do not get electricity bills. These homes will be covered under solar energy," he said. Fadnavis said he has also focused on expediting the completion of pending projects, especially in the irrigation sector. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushes forward with his vision of One Nation, One Poll the nation waits to see whether this proposal will unite or divide The introduction of a controversial bill, One Nation One Poll, has created more controversy than acceptance. The BJP has been talking about it but introduced it, which has been sent to the joint select committee of the Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in a hurry to fulfil the BJPs unfinished agenda. He had already opened the Ayodhya temple and got the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. This long-awaited bill aims to streamline the electoral process for 28 states and eight union territories, with an electorate of nearly a billion voters. The bill has triggered widespread debate, significant interest, and Opposition from various parties. Though momentum is building for simultaneous elections, some questions need answers. They include whether Modi has the required two-thirds majority to pass the bill in Parliament. Is there a political consensus? Will the Opposition come on board? Is the timing of the bill right? Most Opposition parties reject the idea of simultaneous polls. They include the Congress, the Left parties, the Trinamool Congress, and regional and smaller parties. They reject it mainly to settle political scores and apprehension that they may benefit the BJP. Former President Ram Nath Kovind chaired a nine-member committee recommending simultaneous polls last year, labelling it a game changer. Thirty-two parties supported the concept, and 15 rejected it. The panel also advised that the Centre form a panel to oversee the implementation of this proposal. Also, there should be a joint electoral roll for all elections so that voters will use the same list for national, state, and local polls. Over the years, elections have become a standard feature, but the One Nation, One Poll bill has the potential to reshape our election process. Proponents of the bill argue that it could significantly reduce campaign costs, alleviate the strain on administrative resources, and streamline governance. This could ultimately benefit the public by reducing the frequency of elections, a prospect that should inspire optimism. Elections in India are held at different levels. The first is panchayat, followed by the district level, the state assembly level, and finally, the national level. They happen at different times, and the government wants to streamline the system. Interestingly, the idea of simultaneous polls is not new. Historically, it was a synchronised poll from 1952 to 1967. The premature dismissal of various governments and the consequential dissolution of Assemblies led to staggard polls. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi dismissed many Opposition-ruled state governments. The most important thing is that the BJP needs the support of the allies and friendly parties. In the recent 2024 polls, the BJP was 40 short of a majority in the house and could form the government only with the help of JD (U) and Telugu Desam. Most opposing parties reject simultaneous polls, including Congress, the Left parties, the Trinamool Congress, and regional and smaller parties. Even in the BJP, 20 MPs were absent while the bill was introduced. The Kovind panel also suggested having the votes in two parts. The first will be for Lok Sabha and Assembly votes, and the second for local groups.The bill faces significant constitutional, legal, and political challenges. The Kovind panel suggests amending Articles 83 and 172 to allow simultaneous elections. However, the BJP lacks the two-thirds majority for this amendment, and the Constitution needs clarification on concurrent polls. The potential impact on the federal structure of the country and the logistical challenges of conducting simultaneous elections for a billion voters are crucial factors to consider. Prime Minister Modis main challenge is to gather enough support in Parliament. At the same time, the government must build political consensus and persuade the Opposition to agree. The Opposition has rejected simultaneous polls, fearing it might benefit the BJP. The 15 opposing parties hold 205 MPs, while Modi needs 362 votes to proceed. A legal framework for simultaneous elections is essential to address mid-term government collapses and central political manoeuvring. The one nation, one poll approach reduces waste and election frequency, so the Opposition should consider it carefully and present any alternative proposals for public discussion. The One Nation One poll has been one of the poll promises of the BJP. Some core issues have already been addressed, such as the revocation of Article 370 and the building of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. In his third term, Modi wants to finish the unfinished agenda. Modi presents this legislation with a clear strategy: Whether he succeeds or not, he benefits. If the bill gets passed, it will be an advantage for the BJP government. If it fails, he can claim that he tried to enact reform but faced Opposition obstruction. Despite potential delays, its important to debate the bill, as election spending ultimately comes from taxpayers money.Now that the bill has been sent to a joint select committee, we must wait for its report. (The writer is a popular columnist; views are personal) In an unprecedented move, two departments of Delhi Government have released public notices and disowned the registration process started by Chief Minister Atishi and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for two schemes announced by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the National Capital. The Delhi governments Health and Family Welfare department and Women and Child Development department on Wednesday issued public notices disowning the existence of schemes, Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojna and cautioned citizens against falling for misleading schemes launched by the AAP. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Atishi has stated that strict administrative action will be taken against two officers who released public notices to disown the registration process started by her and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for two schemes. The officers in question are a joint director of the Department of Woman and Child Development and the special secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department. Atishi, addressing a press conference at the AAP headquarters, strongly condemned the notices, claiming that the officers were under pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She insisted that the public notices were false and part of a larger conspiracy by the BJP to undermine the AAPs initiatives, which had gained significant public support. She added that the party would take legal action, including a Delhi Police inquiry, against the officers for issuing misleading statements. During the press conference, Atishi also shared an official notification from the Cabinet that approved the Rs 1,000 allowance for women under the Mahila Samman Yojana, reaffirming the legitimacy of the scheme. The fresh controversy will add another dimension to the ongoing tussle between the AAP and the bureaucracy, with accusations flying between parties. The move underlines the tenuous relationship between the bureaucracy and the elected Delhi Government after an amendment to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, the services department comes under the control of the Lieutenant Governor. The latest flashpoint, which comes weeks ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, sparked a slugfest between the AAP and BJP leaders. The BJP has accused the ruling party of duping people, since the two schemes have not been approved yet. The Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), in a public notice in newspapers, has said the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana does not exist and has not been approved by the Delhi government. It has urged citizens to refrain from sharing personal information with individuals or groups claiming association with this fake scheme, as it could result in identity theft or financial fraud. As, if and when such a scheme is notified, the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), GNCTD, will launch a digital portal for eligible individuals to submit their applications online as per the approved guidelines. The eligibility conditions and modalities will be clearly notified by the department as and when it happens. It is emphasised that since no such scheme exists, the question of physical forms / applications for the registration under this non-existent scheme does not arise, it said, adding that any individual collecting forms or information in the name of this scheme is fraudulent and without any authority. The department has warned that sharing personal information in the public domain may lead to people falling prey to cybercrime. In a public notice, the health department has said that it does not have any such supposed Sanjeevani scheme in existence. It added that it had not authorised anyone to collect personal data from elderly citizens and was not providing any card. The department said any individual or political party collecting such forms under the name of this scheme is fraudulent and without any authority. If a person/entity calls you or visits you with the promise to provide benefit of free treatment under this supposed non-existent scheme or provide you some Health/Sanjeevani Scheme Card in this regard, then you are hereby advised to: (1) not believe in any promise of free treatment under the supposed non-existent Sanjeevani scheme (2) not to provide any personal detail to anybody claiming to provide benefits under the scheme (3) not to affix your signature or thumbprint on any document unknowingly. The department has said it will not be responsible for any liabilities or frauds arising out of such unscrupulous activities. Under the Mahila Samman Yojana, modelled on Maharashtras Ladli Behna Yojana that helped the BJP retain power in the state, eligible women will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000. Kejriwal has promised that the amount will be increased to Rs 2,100 if the AAP is re-elected. The Sanjeevani Yojana promises free healthcare for Delhi residents aged 60 and above. The scheme will cover medical expenses of senior citizens in both Government and private hospitals. This comes after AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Atishi and party convener Arvind Kejriwal, visited several areas and launched doorstep registration for Sanjeevani Yojana and Mahila Samman Yojana. The AAP has also come out with an Artificial Intelligence ad with Arvind Kejriwal in a Santa Claus avatar. Shortly after the notices, Kejriwal launched a veiled attack at the BJP, saying it was rattled by the AAPs announcement of welfare initiatives like the Mahila Samman Yojana and the Sanjeevani Yojana. They have planned to arrest Atishi in the next few days in a fabricated case. Before that, raids will be conducted on senior AAP leaders, Kejriwal tweeted. In a post on X, Kejriwal also claimed that AAP leaders would be raided in a bid to derail the AAPs governance agenda. BJP leaders were quick to hit out at the party over the newspaper ads, with Manoj Tiwari cautioning people to be careful as the AAP could siphon off their money. We are astonished. Arvind Kejriwal is getting documents signed by people at many places, and the health department is giving advertisements that no such proposal was passed, no agreement happened. Atishi is the Chief Minister, she should answer, Tiwari said. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva accused Kejriwal of committing digital fraud by promoting a non-existent scheme. There is an AAP Government in Delhi, and their own department is issuing a warning to the public that no such scheme exists. Arvind Kejriwal is cheating the people of Delhi. This is Atishi vs Arvind Kejriwal, Sachdeva said. According to AAP sources, 1.5 lakh people have been registered for the Sanjeevani scheme so far and 13 lakh women for Mahila Samman Yojana. A team of 3,000 AAP workers are carrying out the doorstep registrations with a target of 5 lakh registrations daily, the sources said. The departments notices play out against the backdrop of the power tussle between Delhis elected Government and the Centre. The principal secretaries of all Delhi departments report to the Chief Secretary, a central Government appointee. This, in effect, means that the AAP Government has no control over Delhi officers, an issue it has repeatedly raised in its 10-year rule in the National Capital. The Supreme Court ruled last year that the Delhi Government would control the services in the capital, but the Centre brought an ordinance and then an Act to overturn this. This Act established the National Capital Civil Services Authority, comprising the Chief Minister, Delhi Chief Secretary and Principal Home Secretary. This Authority makes recommendations to Delhis Lieutenant Governor on officials transfers and postings and disciplinary matters. The Chief Secretary and Principal Home Secretary are the Centres appointees and can easily outvote the Chief Minister. In a shocking incident, a man in his early 30s tried to immolate himself on Wednesday afternoon opposite the high security zone Sansad Bhavan premises, the police recovered a singed note from the victim, identified as Jitendra. It hints at Uttar Pradeshs governments inaction in a case relating to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Act. An official of the Delhi Fire Service said that a call regarding the incident near the Railway Bhawan opposite the Sansad Bhavan was received at around 3.35 pm on Wednesday, and a fire tender was pressed into service. The security personnel deployed near Sansad Bhavan rushed the man identified as Jitendra, a resident of Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, to the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. He set himself on fire at the roundabout near Rail Bhawan. The local police and railway police along with some people immediately extinguished the fire and the person was sent to the hospital, an official statement said. According to initial investigations, the man took the extreme step due to a dispute with some individuals back home in Baghpat. A note addressed to the National Commission for Scheduled castes (NCSC) recovered from the victim, states that some people harassed the women of Jitendras family and also hurled casteist slurs at them. The note also mentions that his family members received death threats, and that the police were not registering any case against the accused. Police said Jitendra arrived in Delhi on a train on Wednesday morning. His half-burnt backpack and some other belongings were seized from the spot. A police officer said the mans family members have been contacted and further investigations were on. Jitendra has sustained 90 per cent burn injuries with the officials stating that the man is reportedly in very critical condition and that he used a petrol-like substance to self-immolate. The ambitious first of its kind interlinking of the Ken-Betwa River as desired by former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee two decades ago, finally kick started with the foundation stone laying by PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday which also marked the birth anniversary of the political stalwart Bharat Ratna Vajpayee. The Vajpayee government had proposed river linking as a solution for irrigation needs as well as for dealing with floods. Modi laid the foundation stone of the Rs 44,600 crore Ken-Betwa River Link Project at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh and said the river linking will open new doors of prosperity and happiness in the Bundelkhand region. Union Water Resources Minister C R Patil and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav handed over two kalash (urns) containing water from Betwa and Ken rivers, respectively, to Modi, who poured it over a model of the project to launch the river linking work. As per the initial estimation of the project, nearly 44 lakh people in 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh in Uttar Pradesh will get drinking water under the project. Nearly 7.18 lakh agricultural families in 2,000 villages will benefit from the project, which will also generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy, officials involved in the project said Addressing the event Modi said that in the 21st century, only the nations with adequate and well-managed water resources can advance. The major challenge of the 21st century is water security. In the 21st century only those countries who have adequate water resources with proper management will move forward, he said. The PM also released a commemorative stamp and a coin in the memory of Vajpayee. Modi also performed `bhumi pujan or ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of 1,153 Atal Gram Sewa Sadans costing Rs 437 crore at the Khajuraho program. Under the Ken Betwa project, a 77-metre high and 2.13 kilometres long Daudhan dam and two tunnels (upper level 1.9 km and lower level 1.1 km) will be constructed on the Ken river in the Panna Tiger Reserve. The dam will store 2,853 million cubic metres of water, the chief minister said. The surplus Ken water will be transferred to the Betwa river through the 221-km-long link canal from Daudhan dam, providing irrigation and drinking water facilities in both the states, he said. With the project, 8.11 lakh hectare area can be irrigated in 2,000 villages of 10 districts - Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Sagar, Raisen, Vidisha, Shivpuri and Datia. Nearly seven lakh farmer families will be benefited from this, the Chief Minister said. The Ken-Betwa project will provide an annual irrigation facility in 59,000 hectare area in Uttar Pradesh and stabilisation of the existing irrigation in 1.92 lakh-hectare area, which will provide irrigation facilities in Mahoba, Jhansi, Lalitpur and Banda districts of UP, he said. The project also includes the work of saving the historical Chandela era heritage ponds in Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Niwari districts of MP, where water can be stored during the rainy season. Delhi BJP on Wednesday hit out at the AAP government and charged Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi of political fraud. This accusation came in the backdrop of controversy surrounding Sanjeevani health scheme and Mahila Samman scheme promising a monthly allowance to women. Addressing a joint conference, state BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijender Gupta said the AAP government stands exposed in the eyes of the public. The BJP also claimed the ruling party is writhing like someone caught in the act of committing wrongdoing or theft. Delhi BJP President said that Kejriwal should apologize to the people of Delhi for the fake Mahila Samman and Sanjeevani schemes. Sachdeva remarked that after returning from jail, Kejriwal had to resign as the Chief Minister of Delhi and began to see his defeat in the upcoming assembly elections. At this point, he started announcing schemes that were entirely fictional and lacked any ground implementation. The state BJP chief highlighted that for the first time in 12 years of power, a government promised to fix erroneous electricity and water bills, ensure the supply of clean water instead of dirty water, and repair broken roads but only after being re-elected to power. When these false promises began to fail, Kejriwal tried repackaging his previously announced Mahila Samman Scheme, but it is not working. After deceiving women in Punjab with the same scheme, Kejriwal tried to sell the dream of Rs 2,100 per month to women in Delhi, Sachdeva said. The Delhi BJP President added that while BJP MPs were fighting in the Delhi High Court for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi, Kejriwal opposed it. Instead, he sold another dream by promising to implement the Sanjeevani Scheme for senior citizens after the elections. He concluded that instead of launching a fake Mahila Samman Scheme, the Delhi government should have learned from states like Madhya Pradesh and Haryana and implemented the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Punjab and 32 other states. For the first time in history, the Chief Minister and the ruling party are spreading false schemes after 12 years in power, and ultimately, to prevent the public from being misled, officials had to fulfill their duty and issue a public warning to make the public aware, the BJP charged. Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, said the Kejriwal government has once again been exposed. Today, the revelation from the public notification of the Delhi government has used a word fraud. Gupta referred to his letter written to Chief Minister Atishi on November four, saying that the AAP government had promised to give Rs one thousand rupees to each person in Delhi before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and had them fill out forms, saying that they would provide one thousand rupees to all applicants starting in April. However, as soon as the elections ended, the AAP governments promise was forgotten, and they did not give a single penny. Gupta appealed to people whose money is being withdrawn after providing OTP to contact the BJP, promising to help get their money back. Staff Reporter n New Delhi Delhi BJP on Wednesday hit out at the AAP government and charged Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi of political fraud. This accusation came in the backdrop of controversy surrounding Sanjeevani health scheme and Mahila Samman scheme promising a monthly allowance to women. Addressing a joint conference, state BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijender Gupta said the AAP government stands exposed in the eyes of the public. The BJP also claimed the ruling party is writhing like someone caught in the act of committing wrongdoing or theft. Delhi BJP President said that Kejriwal should apologize to the people of Delhi for the fake Mahila Samman and Sanjeevani schemes. Sachdeva remarked that after returning from jail, Kejriwal had to resign as the Chief Minister of Delhi and began to see his defeat in the upcoming assembly elections. At this point, he started announcing schemes that were entirely fictional and lacked any ground implementation. The state BJP chief highlighted that for the first time in 12 years of power, a government promised to fix erroneous electricity and water bills, ensure the supply of clean water instead of dirty water, and repair broken roads but only after being re-elected to power. When these false promises began to fail, Kejriwal tried repackaging his previously announced Mahila Samman Scheme, but it is not working. After deceiving women in Punjab with the same scheme, Kejriwal tried to sell the dream of Rs 2,100 per month to women in Delhi, Sachdeva said. The Delhi BJP President added that while BJP MPs were fighting in the Delhi High Court for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi, Kejriwal opposed it. Instead, he sold another dream by promising to implement the Sanjeevani Scheme for senior citizens after the elections. He concluded that instead of launching a fake Mahila Samman Scheme, the Delhi government should have learned from states like Madhya Pradesh and Haryana and implemented the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Punjab and 32 other states. For the first time in history, the Chief Minister and the ruling party are spreading false schemes after 12 years in power, and ultimately, to prevent the public from being misled, officials had to fulfill their duty and issue a public warning to make the public aware, the BJP charged. Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, said the Kejriwal government has once again been exposed. Today, the revelation from the public notification of the Delhi government has used a word fraud. Gupta referred to his letter written to Chief Minister Atishi on November four, saying that the AAP government had promised to give Rs one thousand rupees to each person in Delhi before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and had them fill out forms, saying that they would provide one thousand rupees to all applicants starting in April. However, as soon as the elections ended, the AAP governments promise was forgotten, and they did not give a single penny. Gupta appealed to people whose money is being withdrawn after providing OTP to contact the BJP, promising to help get their money back. The political slugfest between the AAP and the BJP intensified in Delhi on Wednesday as the Chief Minister Atishi alleged that the BJP was offering Rs 1,100 to women from slum areas in the New Delhi constituency, and that the cash distribution took place at the residence of former BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma. However, Varma has rejected the charge and said the Rashtriya Swabhiman Sanstha, formed by his father and former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma 25 years ago, was behind the scheme to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,100 to poor women. In a statement, Verma said the 'Rashtriya Swabhiman' was behind the scheme to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,100 to women from poor sections of society. Taking a dig at AAP, Verma also said that at least he was "not distributing liquor like Arvind Kejriwal". Earlier, addressing a press conference, Atishi alleged that Rs 1,100 each was given to women from slum clusters at former BJP MP Parvesh Verma's residence at Windsor Place, and their voter ID details were noted down. I urge the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Delhi Police to raid Parvesh Vermas residence. There is credible information that crores of rupees in cash are still lying there. If these agencies act now, the truth about BJPs unethical practices will be exposed to the entire country," she said, adding that the AAP will make formal complaints to the police and the election commission and demanded Verma's arrest. The controversy escalated when AAP leaders, including MP Saurabh Bharadwaj, slammed Verma and the BJP for allegedly using the tactic of vote-buying. Verma, a former West Delhi BJP MP, had earlier claimed that he was asked by senior party leaders to start preparations for contesting from the New Delhi Assembly segment. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewals hunger strike, now in its 30th consecutive day, has captured the attention of the nation, becoming a symbol of steadfast determination and resilience in the fight for farmers rights. Seventy-year-old Dallewal, a prominent advocate for agricultural reforms, is demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. His health has sharply declined over the past month as he survives solely on water. Despite his frailty, Dallewal has refused to yield, asserting that the government must act decisively or witness his ultimate sacrifice. This relentless protest has drawn a stream of political leaders and activists to the Khanauri border in Sangrur. Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) Punjab unit president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, along with his Cabinet colleagues Dr Balbir Singh, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Taranpreet Singh, Barinder Goyal, and AAP state working president and MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi; besides Congress MP from Amritsar Gurjit Singh Aujla visiting Dallewal to express solidarity and press the BJP-led Central Government to address the farmers demands. Punjab Polices special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla also met the farmer leader. However, amidst the growing support including that from Uttar Pradeshs Khap Panchayat, cracks within the farmer unions are becoming evident as major coalitions, including the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), maintain a cautious distance from the movement. Adding to the urgency, plans for a Punjab-wide bandh on December 30 are gaining momentum, with a pivotal meeting scheduled to finalize strategies. In a dramatic and alarming development, a medical team en route to monitor Dallewals health narrowly escaped serious injury in a road accident on Wednesday. The team, from Patialas Rajindra Hospital, was involved in a head-on collision near Jauramajra village when a reckless Scorpio driver swerved into their lane to overtake a bus. The crash resulted in only minor injuries, and the injured are undergoing treatment at Rajindra Hospital. A dashboard camera of another vehicle captured the Scorpio drivers dangerous maneuver, overtaking a bus and colliding with two oncoming vehicles, including that of the medical team. Dallewals extended hunger strike has taken a severe toll on his body. His weight has plummeted, his immunity has weakened, and doctors are increasingly alarmed about the risk of infections. To safeguard his health, organizers have placed him in a glass-enclosed stage to minimize exposure. Despite these measures, Dallewals determination remains unshaken. In a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he wrote, Enact the MSP guarantee law or prepare for my martyrdom. This plea has resonated with political leaders across Punjab. Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, after meeting Dallewal, lamented the Central Governments indifference, saying, The sacrifice of a leader like Dallewal cannot be ignored. This is a call for justice, not just for farmers but for Punjabs future. Similarly, AAPs Aman Arora expressed his support and urged the government to take immediate action to prevent a tragedy. As Dallewals protest garners widespread grassroots support, including endorsements from Haryana and Uttar Pradeshs khap panchayats, divisions within the farmer movement are becoming more pronounced. The SKM, a leading coalition of farmer organizations, has refrained from backing Dallewals hunger strike, citing strategic disagreements. Some leaders within SKM view Dallewals actions as an independent initiative that risks fragmenting the collective strength of the movement. The discord has historical roots, with tensions dating back to the 2020 farmer protests. Critics within the SKM have accused Dallewals faction of sidelining others to consolidate their base. Meeting to discuss Dec 30 Punjab Bandh today Preparations for the December 30 Punjab bandh are proceeding with urgency. A crucial meeting at the Khanauri border on Thursday will bring together leaders from trade unions, taxi associations, and religious and social groups to finalize strategies. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has emphasized the importance of the bandh, calling for widespread participation from businesses, employees, and the general public. Scheduled to last from 7 am to 4 pm, the bandh aims to showcase the collective power and resolve of Punjabs farming community. However, the SKMs reluctance to endorse the bandh reflected ongoing divisions within the movement. This lack of unity poses a significant challenge as organizers strive to present a united front. Dallewals hunger strike has become a defining moment in the struggle for farmers rights, symbolizing both the strength and vulnerabilities of the movement. His call for unity among farmer unions is a poignant reminder of the stakes involved. With the December 30 bandh approaching and the Supreme Court set to hear a related case on January 2, the coming days are critical. To curb irregularities, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said that the State Government has initiated several e-governance initiatives. The government has introduced the online issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various departments, boards, and corporations, which are required during registration, to curb irregularities in land registration. Additionally, the Web-Halris system has been implemented statewide to ensure transparency and accuracy in land records, he said. Addressing the State-level Governance Day programme in Gurugram on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna awardee and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Chief Minister said that in the mining sector, the government has ensured transparency through the e-auction and e-Ravana schemes. Furthermore, the enactment of the 'Right to Service' law holds public officers accountable, mandating timely service delivery and ensuring swift action against those who fail to meet deadlines, thus reinforcing efficiency and responsiveness in public service, he said. In his speech, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of sensitivity and empathy in government administration, urging officers to view their roles as an opportunity to uplift society and ease the hardships of the common people. Saini urged the officers to view each case with compassion, stating that when someone approaches their office with a problem, they should not simply see it as a piece of paper. Instead, they should recognize it as a symbol of the individual's pain and hardship. If we can understand the story behind that paper, we will have truly succeeded in our efforts towards good governance. He said, When our government assumed the responsibility of public service in 2014, we launched a campaign of governance reform, transitioning from good governance (Sushasan) to service (Sewa). The success of such a campaign depends on Niyat (intent), Nishtha (commitment), and Niti (policy). For good governance, there must be a genuine intention to serve, and the policies must be designed in a way that leaves no room for corruption. On the strength of Niyat, Nishtha, and Niti, our government is successfully realizing the true essence of good governance, said Saini. The Chief Minister said that the state government has established the foundation of an honest and transparent administration, and the reforms introduced by the government have yielded positive results in terms of good governance. He highlighted that through the Parivar Pahchan Patra (PPP) model, eligible individuals are now able to access the benefits of government services and schemes from the comfort of their homes. He said that it is the result of good governance that overcoming all the obstacles, our government has given government jobs to 1.71 lakh youth without Kharchi Parchi. Today, educated panchayats in the state are giving new impetus to the development of villages. Every village has become Lal Dora free due to good governance, he said. Saini said, There was a time when fear, corruption, nepotism, and regionalism were prevalent in previous governments. However, our government has systematically closed all avenues of corruption. We have taken decisive steps, such as eliminating corruption in the name of CLU, and also ensured that government jobs are given solely based on merit, implementing online employee transfers, stopping the misuse of kerosene by providing free gas cylinders to every poor household, and addressing fraud in ration distribution, pensions, stipends, and subsidies for the underprivileged. These initiatives are all part of our commitment to good governance. Dahina Block to get status of sub-division In another event during the Dhanyawad programme at Kosli in Rewari, Saini inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for six major development projects worth over Rs 23 crore. The projects include the inauguration of four initiatives valued at Rs. 20.53 crore and the foundation of two projects costing Rs. 2.51 crore. The inaugurated projects include a 33 KV substation in Bohka, a road connecting Dhawana to Mandola, a PHC in Bohatwas Ahir, and a Senior Secondary School building in Lilodh. Besides this, foundation stones were laid for the Gugod to Tumbaheri road and the Mussepur to Haluhera connecting road. The Chief Minister announced that Dahina block will get the status of sub-division once the required criteria are met. He further announced that Sub health centers will be constructed in village Natheda and Surkhpur, subject to availability of panchayat land. Primary health centers will be built in village Gudiani and Ratnathal on availability of land. Water works (Jal ghar) will be constructed in the village Motalkalan. He said that a college will be constructed in Jatusana soon, besides this the Bhurthala Distributary will be renovated. He announced that the villages Bhadangi and Nayagaon Minor will be reconstructed. Himachal CM pays floral tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee Shimla: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee by garlanding his statue at The Ridge, Shimla, on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary. Speaking to media persons, he lauded Vajpayees immense contribution to the nation, describing him as an extraordinary statesman, an outstanding parliamentarian and a gifted poet. He said that Vajpayee had a deep affection for Himachal Pradesh and its people. Cold weather conditions prevail in Punjab and Haryana Chandigarh: Cold weather conditions persisted in Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday with Faridkot recording the lowest minimum temperature at 4.2 degrees Celsius, according to the meteorological department. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a low of 7.4 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a minimum temperature of 5.4 degrees Celsius, Amritsar 5.7 degrees Celsius and Gurdaspur 5.5 degrees Celsius. Bathinda also experienced a cold night at 6.2 degrees Celsius. In Haryana, Narnaul was the coldest place with a minimum temperature of 5.2 degrees Celsius. Hisar recorded a low of 6.8 degrees Celsius, Karnal and Sirsa 8 degrees Celsius, and Gurugram 9.3 degrees Celsius. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a low of 7.4 degrees Celsius. Hry DGP honours police personnel on Good Governance Day Panchkula: Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur on Wednesday honoured police personnel who performed commendable work in various fields at a felicitation programme in Panchkula on Good Governance Day. In the ceremony, the DGP honored 7 police personnel who received the DGP Uttam Seva Medal and a total of 25 police personnel who performed excellent work in Haryana 112. In his address, DGP said that it was a matter of pride for us that the response time of Haryana Police's ERV has now reduced to an average of 6.52 minutes, which means that the Haryana Police team reaches to help a person within almost 7 minutes of receiving the information. Chandigarh MC opens 'Rupee Store' in Manimajra Chandigarh: To provide affordable items to those in need while promoting the concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (RRR), the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has organized its 'One Rupee Store' at the Community Centre in Indira Colon, Manimajra. Speaking on the occasion, City Mayor Kuldeep Kumar said that the MCC's permanent RRR Center in Sector 17 has received an overwhelming response from citizens over the past year, enabling the establishment of this new Rupee Store. The aim of the Rupee Store is to provide affordable access to various items, such as books, electronics, clothing, crockery, kitchenware, toys, and bed sheets, all priced at just Rs. 1 per item, while promoting the RRR concept. Information technology most effective tool to curb corruption: Hry Guv Chandigarh: Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya on Wednesday said that information technology is the most effective means of ensuring transparency, implementing good governance and curbing corruption. Speaking at the Good Governance Day event at LNJP Hospital in Kurukshetra on the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dattatraya highlighted the state governments efforts in transitioning from outdated systems to creating a public-friendly framework, which has yielded significant success. Following the encounter of three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terrorists in Pilibhit, security agencies are intensifying their search for their local helpers in the Terai region. Three suspected Khalistani terrorists allegedly involved in the grenade attack in Gurdaspur were killed in an encounter with police in Pilibhit early Monday, with Punjab's Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav terming it as a major breakthrough against a Pakistan-sponsored terror module. Bareilly Range IG Rakesh Singh said the police and intelligence agencies are on high alert following the threats. "Investigations are underway, and security measures have been intensified in the border areas. "Action will be taken against anyone who is found to have helped the terror elements," he said. The incident has also has brought renewed attention to the security concerns along the Nepal border. A significant portion of the border adjacent to Puranpur remains largely unmonitored due to the challenging terrain and lack of proper infrastructure. Security agencies, including the police and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), have intensified their surveillance in the region. Singh assured that the border is under strict surveillance and that there is strong coordination between the police and the SSB. He emphasised that all efforts are being made to prevent the entry of undesirable elements. The success in Pilibhit comes after three blasts which took place in different districts of Punjab this month. The gunfight between members of the KZF and a joint team of Uttar Pradesh Police and Punjab Police took place in Puranpur area of Pilibhit after three module members opened fire at the police party. Following the encounter, a police case was filed here on Tuesday after a video turned up on X showing a person making threats to spread terror during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, an officer said. "On December 24, a video was shared on various handles on social media platform (X) in which a person was using objectionable words against Hindu religion. He was also using derogatory words against political personalities," police in a statement said. They said the man threatened to spread "terror" on January 14, 2025 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya) and February 3 (Basant Panchami). A case was registered at the Cyber Police Station of Pilibhit district after the alleged video surfaced, the statement said. Asked about the number of people who were booked, a police spokesperson said on Tuesday, "This is a part of the investigation," and refused to elaborate further. Cine profita electoral dupa interzicerea lui Georgescu. Chirieac: El va castiga cel mai mult, daca va fi lasat sa candideze Blog Archive: Mar 2025 (70) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) A Silent Christmas Day Walk of Derry's Walls for Palestine has taken place co-organised by Davy McAuley and Derry Anti War Coalition. This is the second year of the Christmas Day Walk, described by Mr MacAuley as an act of quiet reflection and solidarity with the Palestinian people. We could no have imagined the horror that would be visited on them throughout 2024, said Mr McAuley. 15 months of genocide have passed. The land of the first Christmas is under even more brutal occupation. Our city walls are famous for resisting sieges. We walk on Christmas morning to celebrate the resilience of thhse who live under siege in Palestine, he added. My @DerryNow piece on the Silent Christmas Day Walk of Derry Walls for Palestine - organised by Davy McAuley & Derry Anti War Coalition. & @DerryNow pic.twitter.com/HYYy1sHXli Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) December 25, 2024 Speaking to The Derry News at the conclusion of the Walk, Derry City and Strabane District councillor Gary Donnelly (Independent) said he had walked the Walls to "show solidarity with the beleaguered people of Palestine". He added: "They have been bombarded and a genocide has been forced upon them. "Given the time of the year, and the poignancy of it, I am here because I think it is important to show whatever type of solidarity we can with them, to let them know that the world cares about them," said Cllr Donnelly. Cllr Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) said the turn out at the Walk was "fantastic". "Obviously it is Christmas Day, a day of celebration, a day of getting together with your family and friends, a day of enjoyment," he added, "but it is also a tragic time as well. "The people of Gaza are still living through a genocide. I'm sure there were bombs dropped last night by the Israeli occupation forces that killed more children. "There is a child killed every hour in Gaza at the minute and we are here to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine, to let them know we haven't forgotten about them and we are going to start the New Year where we left off. "We are going to still be marching for Palestine. We are going to be marching for an end to the genocide. We are going to be marching to call for those who are responsible for this to be held accountable by the International Criminal Court, and all those governments that are complicit," said Cllr Harkin. Davy McAuley said it was important to show that "we can't stop in our activism". He added: "It has to go on 365 days a year. The people of Gaza, the people of the West Bank, are not getting a day off because it is Christmas, quite the opposite. "Christians in Bethlehem would have had to go through all kinds of checkpoints and al kinds of misery, so it is really important that we are here as much as we can to try to highlight the suffering of the Palestinian people." China's EV price war: 2 years of financial turmoil and supply chain chaos China's electric vehicle (EV) industry has endured a two-year price war, leading to significant profit compression across the supply chain. Automakers have slashed costs to defend their market share, but this strategy has intensified upstream financial strain. Suppliers face cash flow crises, disrupting component stability and driving up costs, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of instability. In December 2024, Ji Yue Auto, a Baidu-backed EV startup, suffered a sudden funding chain collapse, capturing widespread industry attention. Analysts and reports quickly dissected the company's overnight downfall, highlighting financial mismanagement and systemic challenges. Ji Yue's collapse is not a standalone incident in China's EV sector. Other manufacturers, including Enovate and Bordrin, have faced comparable financial crises, underscoring the precarious state of the industry's funding ecosystem. Aggressive price cuts have become a necessity for automakers seeking to attract buyers, further eroding corporate profits. Compounding the issue, the EV sector's heavy reliance on external financing is increasingly unsustainable as market volatility deters investors, leaving many firms struggling to secure critical operational funds. China's automotive supply chain has grown rapidly in recent years, with rising revenues and expanding profit margins. However, the industry is now facing unprecedented challenges, particularly in the EV segment, where structural issues threaten long-term stability. EV companies are under immense pressure from soaring R&D costs and ongoing price wars. Ji Yue Auto exemplifies these challenges, posting negative gross margins of CNY50,000 (approx. US$ 6,878) per vehicle and cumulative losses exceeding CNY10 billion in 2024. Low gross margins have severely constrained Ji Yue Auto's ability to generate revenue or attract external financing. Despite multiple funding rounds from key shareholders Baidu and Geely, the company failed to reverse its losses, prompting shareholder exits and a complete funding collapse. Ji Yue exacerbated its financial woes by extending payment terms to Geely, its primary shareholder and contract supplier, from 45 to 90 days. This delay resulted in debts exceeding CNY3 billion and ultimately led Geely to halt production. Initially tasked with supporting Baidu's EV ambitions, Geely faced mounting strain as it managed its extensive portfolio of brands, including Geometry, Lynk & Co, Radar Auto, and Zeekr. Note: The payment terms offered by Chinese automakers to suppliers are approximately twice as long as those of European and Japanese automakers, passing price competition pressure onto the upstream supply chain. Prolonged payment terms and erratic order volumes are creating systemic risks for loss-making companies like Ji Yue Auto. These challenges cascade through the supply chain, amplifying financial instability at every level. In the first three quarters of 2024, publicly listed Chinese automakers had an average payment term of 182 daysdouble that of global competitors. Leading EV players like BYD, XPeng, and Nio exceeded 180 days, while Haima and BAIC BluePark extended payment terms to 298 and 252 days, respectively. These prolonged delays in receivables strain suppliers' cash flows, creating severe capital turnover challenges. By contrast, international automakers adhere to significantly shorter payment terms, typically within 60 days. BMW averages 42 days, Toyota 53 days, and Honda as low as 32 days, offering suppliers much-needed financial stability. The financial crisis at Ji Yue Auto intensifies the EV industry's ongoing price war while imposing additional strain on the supply chain. This vicious cycle threatens to trigger a domino effect, potentially leading to the collapse of weaker automakers. 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. US House targets BOE: OLED import ban looms amid SDC patent clash The US House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party (Select Committee on the CCP) has urged a ban on importing OLED panels from BOE over alleged patent infringements against Samsung Display (SDC). Analysts suggest that such a ban could bolster South Korea's display industry, positioning SDC as the primary beneficiary. ETNews reported that John Moolenaar, chair of the Select Committee on the CCP, called on the International Trade Commission (ITC) to prohibit the import of BOE OLED panels, citing infringements on SDC's patents. Chosun Biz reported that in a December 19 letter to the ITC, Moolenaar warned that not banning BOE displays, proven to infringe US patents, could heighten US dependency on BOE for military-critical technologies. He further stressed that failing to sanction BOE risks signaling to Chinese firms that US intellectual property (IP) can be violated without consequence. In September, Moolenaar called on the Ministry of National Defense to classify BOE as a Chinese military corporation, asserting that BOE plays a key role in China's military-civil fusion strategy and poses a potential threat to US national security. The Select Committee on the CCP recommended comprehensive measures to safeguard US national security, including restricting display imports from BOE and other Chinese manufacturers. BOE, a major producer of LCD and OLED panels, has grown rapidly with strong support from the Chinese government. As Huawei's primary OLED panel supplier, BOE's technologies are vital for consumer electronics, such as TVs and smartphones, as well as military and defense applications. Recap: SDC's ITC battle over OLED patent infringements In December 2022, SDC filed an ITC complaint against US distributors for selling OLED panels that infringed its patents and sought an import ban. BOE, whose panels were implicated, voluntarily joined the case in March 2023 as a co-defendant with the importers. SDC accused 17 US wholesalers, including MobileSentrix and Gadget Fix, of importing OLED panels that violated four patents, including Diamond Pixel (patents 9,818,803; 10,854,683; 7,414,599; 9,330,593), and sought a ban on these components. The Elec reported that on November 15, 2024, the ITC issued a preliminary ruling, finding BOE guilty of infringing three SDC patents and US importers guilty of infringing four. However, the ruling, nearly two years after SDC's initial complaint, did not ban BOE's product imports. Samsung's ongoing struggles with IP theft and rising competition from China Since 2018, disputes between South Korea's Samsung and Chinese companies have centered on allegations of IP theft. CNN reports that Samsung's folding screen technology was stolen and sold to China, prompting the Suwon District Prosecutor's Office to charge 11 individuals. The accused allegedly leaked blueprints of Samsung's "flexible OLED edge panel 3D lamination" technology to a self-founded company, which sold the data to Chinese firms for nearly US$14 million. As reported by The Verge and CNBC, Samsung debuted its Galaxy Fold, the company's first foldable smartphone, on February 20, 2019. Five days later, Huawei unveiled its 5G foldable phone, the Mate X, while Oppo's then-VP Yiren Shen revealed a foldable prototype on Weibo, sparking market speculation about the timing, according to Yahoo News. RTI reports that employees of a Samsung supplier created a shell company to obtain equipment usage data and panel design details from SDC, later selling the stolen technology to Chinese firms. The supplier illicitly manufactured 24 units of 3D lamination equipment, selling 16 to Chinese buyers. Nikkei identified the recipients as BOE, TCL CSOT, and two additional Chinese panel manufacturers. In May 2023, former Samsung executive Jin-seok Choi faced accusations of setting up a factory in China to steal proprietary data. By July, SDC had filed a federal lawsuit in Texas against BOE, alleging infringement of five OLED patents in the production of components for devices like the Apple iPhone 12, as reported by Reuters. On July 18, 2024, a South Korean court sentenced a former SDC researcher to six years in prison for leaking OLED manufacturing technology to China, valued at over KRW340 billion (approx. US$234.4 million). According to Businesskorea and Korea JoongAng Daily, the researcher, an OLED expert with over a decade at SDC, stole and shared trade secrets from 2018 to May 2020, including OLED Excimer Laser Annealing (ELA) equipment's inverted optical system and OCR inkjet technology. These actions underscore the growing threat of intellectual property theft in the tech industry. Omdia reports that South Korea has traditionally led the chip and display manufacturing sectors, with SDC dominating the OLED market. However, BOE overtook LG Display (LGD) in 2022 to become the world's second-largest panel maker, intensifying competition for South Korean firms from Chinese manufacturers. Potential impact of an ITC ban on BOE OLED panels The ITC's decision on whether to follow the US House of Representatives' recommendation to ban BOE's OLED panels remains closely watched. As the patent dispute involves widely used electronic products, such a ban could have far-reaching consequences. South Korean analysts argue that an import ban on BOE could limit Chinese firms' ability to supply OLED panels to the US and enhance their technology, providing a competitive edge to South Korean manufacturers. Dundalk based business Irish Whiskey Auctions, founded in 2018 by Anthony and Katie Sheehy, emerged from a personal passion for collecting after encountering difficulties in purchasing a unique whiskey gift. This led them to create the worlds first Irish whiskey auction platform. Starting with just 156 lots in October 2018, the business expanded rapidly, encompassing a variety of spirits beyond whiskey. Originally projecting a modest growth, they surpassed expectations within months. The boom in Irish whiskey worldwide has meant that businesses like Irish Whiskey Auctions have gone from strength to strength. Celebrating their fifth anniversary last October, the company has seen many changes. Going from two staff members to nine this year, auctioning over 50,000 lots so far and gaining over 10,000 clients and rising- there is plenty of work to do and luckily their passion for the promotion of Irish whiskey stems from the fact that they and their staff are whiskey fans from the outset. They have broken world records, selling the most expensive single bottle of Irish whiskey at 110,000, but they have also made sure that others have benefitted from their success, hosting charity lots in every monthly auction, which in 2023 alone raised close to 180,000 for various charities. Their charity work is something that Irish Whiskey Auctions say they are extremely proud of. They work with big brands, distilleries and private donors to auction charity lots to the highest bidder. These auction proceeds have benefitted charities such as The Maria Goretti Foundation, The Capuchin Homeless Charity, animal welfare charities, the Midleton flood relief effort by St. Vincent de Paul and the Lions Club. The business provides the platform for these funds to be raised. They forward the full proceeds plus their 10% sales commission on top to the donors charity of choice, meaning the charity benefits to 110% of the sale price of the whiskey bottle. Regarding their charity efforts, Anthony says, Why wouldnt we help out with charities? We have been lucky in our life and it is only right that we give back. It is a pity that more companies dont do it. Handling bottles of whiskey worth tens of thousands of euros is not without its risks, too. It is important that all their team are fully trained on how to handle and assess each individual bottle before it is placed online for each monthly auction. Each individual bottle is photographed many times for its showcase on the online auction catalogue, ensuring that the bidders know exactly what they are bidding on. In the region of 8,000 photos are now taken each month. Their highly trained staff (who have themselves qualified in various whiskey education channels), make sure every bottle they handle is inspected thoroughly before auction, guaranteeing their clients peace of mind in a sector which occasionally throws up fraudulent rare whiskeys. Part of the key to our continued success has been our openness and transparency, clients know first and foremost that we are whiskey fans, but in our approach to the business, should there be an issue, then we are open and honest with our customers, this has built a level of trust paramount in building our brand, said Anthony. Irish whiskey is the fastest growing spirit in the world, with sales increasing by over 5% each year. The worldwide growth of Irish whiskey plus the ability for Irish whiskey producers to experiment with taste and their ingredients in their recipes or mash bills, has increased customer numbers, exploding worldwide and Irish Whiskey Auctions make sure they are best placed to take full advantage of these trends. They have diversified in recent times with the creation of The Whiskey Hub (www.thewhiskeyhub.com), a complete whiskey solutions center that includes sister companies such as Irish Whiskey Experiences, Whiskey Brokerage, Whiskey Investment, Whiskey Storage, Whiskey Shipping Fulfillment. Here are a few pointers Anthony gives to those of you considering getting involved in collecting whiskey for fun or as an investment: Do your homework, there are a myriad of sources now to help you find plenty of information on that bottle or the brand that you are thinking of investing in or with. It is not hard to Google something but dont just look at the first result, examine many different sources so that you are truly fully informed. Examine all the photos or the individual items, make sure you know exactly what you are bidding on or buying. Ask questions if you are not sure. No genuine seller or auction house will mind answering questions or providing additional photos. Bid carefully. Check previous sales prices of an item and set your boundaries and dont go past them. Be clinical in your behaviour on an auction. Dont chase another bidders folly. There are many brands out there with an annual release, buy a bottle each year for your child or grandchild as an investment. Store it away and you will have significant value in 15 -18 years time. i.e. if you had bought a bottle of Midleton Very Rare every year from 1984-2018 it would have cost in the region of 3,500 in total over the 34 years, that set of 34 bottles would now sell for in excess of 85,000. Read Next: Louth student winner in all-island Poetry Aloud poetry speaking competition Dont buy from non-specialist auction platforms or auction houses. Definitely dont buy whiskey on social media platforms. As it is in all ways of life if it is too good to be true then it probably is. Just because it is old does not mean it is valuable. Not every bottle of whiskey from the 1950s is worth money , in fact most bottles are not. Age is just a number, that was never so true. Irish Whiskey Auctions hold an online only auction every month. They last for nine days and attract tens of thousands of views on their website each week, reflecting their reach to clients all over the world. Visit their website at www.irishwhiskeyauctions.com , email info@irishwhiskeyauctions.com if you would like to become a buyer or seller, or phone 01 5242142 to speak to one of their knowledgeable staff. Established in 2012 in Dundalk, Creative Spark has been a beacon for creative practitioners, SMEs, start-ups, and entrepreneurs locally. By providing essential resources such as workspace, skills, technology, and a supportive network of peers and experts, Creative Spark has nurtured their growth and development. As a not-for-profit social enterprise and led by a voluntary Board of Directors and a team of experienced professionals, Creative Spark has played a crucial role in advancing education and enriching the community of County Louth and beyond. Creative Spark exemplifies the principle of best practice, illustrating how clustering creative and innovative businesses within a central multi-tenant enterprise hub can serve as a dynamic strategy for stimulating business growth. This approach fosters wealth creation, job opportunities, and knowledge advancement within the area. Creative Spark accommodates a total of 63 SMEs across two locations, spanning various fields such as architecture, web design, and radio skills training. Creative Spark offers a range of facilities and programmes to support new and established innovative and creative enterprises in Louth and the wider north-east region. l Enterprise FabLab: A digital fabrication laboratory complete with workspace, design area and training. l Print Studio: Printmaking workshop and visual artists' resource organisation. Committed to nurturing both emerging and established visual artists. l Artist-in-Residence Programme: Supporting artists with workspace and resources for their projects. l Own-door Studio Units and Co-working Spaces: Providing a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs and small businesses. l Meeting and Training Rooms: Spaces designed for workshops, seminars, and networking events. l Creative Spark Downtown Hub: A dedicated remote working facility in Dundalk's town centre, supporting occupants in the greater north-east region. l Mobile FabLab: A prototyping and training space that ventures off site to visit business hubs, industrial parks, schools, and community spaces. In 2023, Creative Spark unveiled the Enterprise FabLab, a cutting-edge Digital Fabrication Laboratory, reaffirming its dedication to advancing education, fostering entrepreneurship, and enriching the local community. Boasting state-of-the-art technology such as laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC routers, electronic workbenches, vinyl cutters, and power tools, the FabLab equips members with an extensive array of resources to bring their ideas to life all under one roof. With a warm invitation to new members, the FabLab offers tailored membership options designed to cater to a diverse range of business needs. The FabLab at Creative Spark provides expert guidance, training and upskilling for professional teams and individuals through Education and Operations Manager Oscar Diaz and Technical Manager Carl McAteer. Their wealth of experience and knowledge ensures that members receive personalised assistance and mentorship to navigate digital fabrication with confidence. Joining a FabLab means becoming part of a global community of learners, educators, technologists, researchers, makers, and innovatorsa vast knowledge-sharing network spanning 100 countries and 24 time zones. Ryan Reilly, a local creative from Dundalk with a background in graphic design, media, arts, and technologies, has been awarded a scholarship for the Fab Academy to study 3D Print & Technical Design for six months at the Creative Spark Enterprise FabLab. As the first official node for the Fab Academy in Ireland, Creative Spark is proud to support Ryan as he embarks on this transformative journey. The Fab Academy curriculum, conceived by the Centre for Bits and Atoms (CBA) at MIT and spearheaded by Professor Neil Gershenfeld, explores the principles and applications of digital fabrication, and is hosted online by MIT. Read Next: Christmas production at Dundalk IT celebrates Skills for Independent Living "Our mission at Creative Spark is to cultivate a collaborative environment where ideas flourish and innovation thrives," said Sarah Daly, Executive Director of Creative Spark. "The Enterprise FabLab epitomises this ethos, offering entrepreneurs, innovators, and community groups the opportunity to unleash their creativity and drive positive change. "Ryan Reilly's selection as the first student for the Fab Academy Diploma at Creative Spark is a testament to his talent and dedication. "We are excited to see him thrive in the Fab Academy, and we are confident that his experience will inspire others to pursue their creative passions." Creative Spark's impact on the local economy and community is profound, with 212 jobs created, 6,808 individuals engaged in training, and an annual local economic contribution of 3.88m. Christmas Eve Still cant get that catchy viral hit The Spark by the Cork kids, Kabin Krew, out of your head? Well RTE One will be airing the Kabin Krew Christmas Special at 5:15pm to rap us into the festive spirit! Tommy Flemings Christmas Songs for a Winters Night will serenade TG4 viewers from 7:15pm. The show was recorded live in the intimate setting of Belleek Castle in Ballina and will offer a relaxing night before the mayhem of Christmas Day. Of course, Christmas is a time for indulgence so The Great Christmas Bake Off on Channel 4 makes for some perfect festive viewing on Christmas Eve at 8pm. And it wouldnt be Christmas without the Father Ted Christmas Special on RTE Two at 7:55pm. As always, the Christmas specials of all your favourite soaps will kick-off on Christmas Eve. Eastenders (7:50pm) and Fair City (8:30pm) will both be on RTE One, while Virgin Media One will air Emmerdale (7pm) and Coronation Street (9pm). Christmas Day The long-awaited finale of Gavin & Stacey will air on BBC One on Christmas Day at 9pm. Its been five years since the last Christmas special of the beloved British sitcom in 2019, and now the show will be tied up in a nice bow for its final ever episode. Another festive favourite, Mrs Browns Boys Christmas Special will be on RTE One at 9pm. The Young Offenders Christmas Special will follow straight after on RTE One at 9:30pm. Googlebox Irelands Christmas Cracker will air on Virgin Media One at 9pm. The Oscar-nominated film An Cailin Ciuin has its TV premier on Christmas day at 8pm on TG4. But, if youre looking for something lighter to watch on TG4 on the big day, the station will host a night of traditional Irish music starting at 9:30pm with Geantrai na Nollag. St Stephens Day Googlebox fans will be happy to know that the show's Christmas special will be on Channel 4 at 10:15pm. The Outnumbered Christmas Special will air on BBC One at 9:40pm. The hit show is returning after 8 years to see how the Brockman family are coping with the addition of a new grandchild! One to watch for anyone who is interested in the royal family, Harry & Meghan: Is America Turning Against Them will be on Virgin Media Two at 9pm. In a more somber viewing, the documentary A Secret Buried: The Mother and Baby Scandal will be on Virgin Media Two at 10pm which examines the investigation into the mass grave discovered in Tuam, Galway. In Between For the time-warp days in between Christmas and New Year's there's plenty of great shows to choose from, like the annual favourite Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2024 on Channel 4 at 9pm on Friday, 27 December. Then on Saturday, 28 December, you can catch the final festive edition of The Weakest Link: Party Special on BBC One at 7:30pm. What Daire Did Next is a one-off special which follows the young Irish Liverpool fan Daire Gorman who last year got to meet the then-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. RTE One will show the special on Sunday, 29 December, at 6:30pm where you can see how life has been for Daire since he took the internet by storm last Christmas. On Monday, 30 December, Callan Kicks The Year 2024 will be on RTE One at 9:30pm for what is sure to bring a few laughs! New Years Eve Patrick Kielty will be celebrating New Year's Eve in style with a star-studded special of The Late Late NYE Show on RTE One at 10:20pm. Celebrities such as James Blunt, Olympians Mona McSharry and Sharlene Mawdsley, as well as Paralympian Orla Comerford will join Patrick for the festive feature alongside performers Picture This. The Mrs Brown's Boys New Year's Special will also air on RTE One at 9:15pm for another seasonal special. Robbie Williams, Rami Malek and Motsi Mabuse will join Graham Norton for The Graham Norton New Years Eve Show at 10:25pm on BBC One. Failte 2025 will air at 11:30pm on TG4. Why not ring in the New Year with Daithi O Se and Doireann Ni Ghlacain who will present a night filled with traditional Irish music and song in Beflast's Culturlann McAdam O Fiaich. New Years Day If youre not ready to let go of Gavin & Stacey just yet, you can catch the documentary which looks back at the creation of the hit series, Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell, on BBC One at 7pm. For some nostalgic viewing, be sure to watch the Gladiators: Celebrity Special at 6pm on BBC One where the hit 90s show will return to see some new celebrities take on the gladiators. Dermot O'Leary, Samantha Barks and Kelly Holmes will join Stephen Mulhern for the Celebrity Catchphrase Christmas Special on Virgin Media One at 8pm. Then, what is sure to be a hit for the younger ones, catch Billie Eilish: Live at the O2 on TG4 at 12:35am. Christmas dinner is the centrepiece of festive celebrations, and the star of the show is undoubtedly the turkey. But a perfectly roasted, juicy turkey can quickly turn into a Christmas day disaster if not cooked properly. In fact, according to Safefoods annual survey, 55% of people are worried about cooking their turkey correctly while a further 30% are worried about timing their turkey so thats its ready with all the other dishes. The survey also revealed that 60% of people start their Christmas dinner planning in early December with 26% starting it just a few days before the big day. In addition, the cost of living is still impacting on spend for this years Christmas dinner; more than 1 in 3 (35%) said they are shopping around for cheaper food options and 27% will be cooking a smaller-sized turkey. READ NEXT: Ireland's favourite Christmas song revealed and it's not Fairytale of New York This year, Safefood has the perfect tools to help home cooks make it a safe and tasty turkey for Christmas Day. The Christmas Dinner Food Planner can help reduce the stress of preparation and prevent food waste www.safefood.net/Christmas/Shopping with 41% of cooks saying theyre cutting back on the amount of food they buy this Christmas. Theres also Safefoods Turkey Cooking Time Calculator to help get everything ready on time www.safefood.net/Christmas/turkey-cooking-calculator Simply enter the time you want to eat dinner, answer a couple of simple questions about the turkey weight and oven type, and it will calculate when you need to start cooking. Safefood also recommend using a meat thermometer which takes all the guesswork out of knowing when your turkey has reached the safe internal temperature of 75C. How to use a meat thermometer Take your turkey out of the oven and insert a clean thermometer probe into the thickest part of the bird. Take your turkey out of the oven and insert a clean thermometer probe into the thickest part of the bird. In a whole turkey, the thickest part is between the breast and the leg. In a whole turkey, the thickest part is between the breast and the leg. If you are cooking a turkey crown or a boned and rolled turkey the thickest part is at the centre of the joint. If you are cooking a turkey crown or a boned and rolled turkey the thickest part is at the centre of the joint. You can use a digital or dial meat thermometer. You can use a digital or dial meat thermometer. The turkey is fully cooked when the temperature reaches 75C. The turkey is fully cooked when the temperature reaches 75C. Always make sure you wash the meat thermometer thoroughly afterwards. If you do not own a meat thermometer, you can check that theres no pink meat, the juices run clear, and that the meat is piping hot when you cut into the thickest part. Commenting on the research, Trish Twohig, Director of Food Safety with Safefood said, With over half of people (55%) who are cooking Christmas dinner this year worried about either under- or over-cooking their turkey, weve got all the practical tools you need on how to cook what is probably the most anticipated meal of the year. Using a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the turkey has reached 75C is the fool proof way to knowing its fully cooked and will be deliciously juicy! Visit safefood.net to find our Turkey Cooking Time Calculator which will also help you to set a schedule for cooking on the day. The Safefood survey also found that 43% will enjoy turkey leftovers for up to two days after Christmas. You can also find lots of turkey leftover recipes on www.safefood.net/Christmas Actor Aidan OCallaghan is currently enjoying great success, and was involved in a significant storyline as a character in the UK soap Eastenders - but acting wasnt something the Bandon man even intended to do professionally. There were no actors in my family or my immediate circle. The only actors I knew of were Cillian Murphy and Graham Norton, said Aidan. I was involved with the Cork Academy of Dramatic Art just for fun while I was in school. I really loved it, but I never considered doing it professionally. From such modest beginnings and ambitions, Aidan has made it big in the industry, landing roles in both EastEnders and another hit UK soap, Emmerdale. His big break came unexpectedly, in a 2015 movie, when he got a last-minute phone call. I got a call to say someone has dropped out of Clash Of The Dead, a zombie film, and could I come in quickly to replace them? I loved every second of it, and I knew then that this was definitely what I wanted to do, so I kept going to acting classes and doing as much networking as I could. There are so many doors to knock down in London, but some day, someone will give you an opportunity, and then the rest is history. Its been hard graft, but its great to see it paying off. The pay-off has been significant. OCallaghan had a role in Emmerdale before starring in EastEnders, in a major storyline involving one of the shows long-running characters, Ben Mitchell. I had a conversation with my agent and said I would love to get a dramatic storyline in Eastenders, recalled Aidan. I wanted to come in for a period, cause some drama, and then have that come to a dramatic end. And then I got the part involving the main family in the show, the Mitchell family. It was amazing. Cork actor Aidan O'Callaghan OCallaghan joined the soap in 2022 playing Lewis Butler, a barman who assaults Ben Mitchell, leaving both characters to deal with the fall-out. He nominated for Villain of the Year for his performance. The actor says it was a challenging but rewarding role. It was tough because it was a very heavy storyline. I did a lot of research, and I had to meet with a lot of survivors. That was really heartbreaking at times, but it was also rewarding in the sense that you are involved in this huge storyline that starts conversations, which is important. Aidan says it was also rewarding professionally, as appearing on the show has helped open doors for the actor. He recently appeared in the hit Netflix show The Witcher: Blood Origin alongside Michelle Yeoh and Lenny Henry, and says the pace of work was very different to working on EastEnders. When you do a soap, you can be doing multiple scenes per day; the script is often changing, and you might get one or two takes if you are lucky, he said. Working on the bigger projects like The Witcher theres much more preparation. Weeks in advance, you will work with the prosthetic team or the stunts co-ordinator. Its a much higher scale, but you may not have as much collaboration sometimes because so many people are involved. But the audience is much bigger, the response is much bigger, and the sets are so much more fun as well - the scale of the sets is incredible. OCallaghan is much in demand, and recently finished shooting The Reckoning Of Erin Morrigan, a film about a former IRA operative who faces the ghosts of her past in a final reckoning. The film stars Olwen Fouere, and OCallaghan says he was in awe of her each day. Veteran actress Fouere, 70, from Galway, has appeared in Derry Girls, The Crown, and most recently, in the second series of The Tourist on BBC1 earlier this year, alongside Jamie Dornan. I love her work and was so excited to work with Olwen, said Aidan. The film is coming out next year and I am really excited for people to see it. OCallaghans route to acting was a little unorthodox. He studied pharmacy, and not only did he work as a pharmacist before becoming an actor, but he still does between acting jobs. I never actually wanted to be a pharmacist, but I put it on my CEO form, and it was the course I got, explained Aidan. As it happens, I really like it. It is quite flexible. I work as a locum between acting jobs. You get to meet so many people when you are working in hospitals and pharmacies. I think that adds a layer to being an actor; there is a lot of observing involved and dealing with people when they are vulnerable. Aidan, who has worked in the pharmacy in Cork South Infirmary and several other Cork pharmacies, does most of his pharmacy work in London, where he is based for acting jobs, but says he still works in Irish pharmacies when he has the opportunity. He also says that, although London is his main base, he comes home to Cork as often as possible. When I am not working, I am home every second weekend. It all depends on filming schedules. OCallaghans parents own Aunties Bar in Tower, which he says helped him land the coveted part in Eastenders. My character was a barman, so part of the audition and screen test was working behind a bar and actually knowing what to do, rather than pretending, really helped me get the part, so I have to thank my parents for that one. OCallaghan can also be seen in A Simple Killing, a short film written by Mark Conway and directed by Jason Branagan. It recently won Best Short Film at the Waterford International Film Festival. I met the director on EastEnders, and he offered me the role, so the show really has opened doors for me, said Aidan. I am excited to see where I go next. I have a manager in the U.S, so if Los Angeles calls, I will happily follow the work - but I would be just as happy to shoot something at home in Cork. Earlier this month, Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross Dr Fintan Gavin was in a school in Skibbereen and was asked questions by the children. I was asked, Why did God choose to send a son into the world? and it really cuts to the heart of the Christian message, the bishop said. To have a seven or eight-year-old ask that question, and have that insight, I wanted to respond honestly, in a language that they would understand. I said it showed how God wants to show his closeness to us, wants to take on our humanity, and show solidarity with all of the problems that are in the world, and in that, that Jesus, through his life, through his message, showed us the way that God wants us to live. I also wanted to say that Jesus is someone that were meeting today, through other people. Another child asked if there were wars in the time of Jesus. I said that, unfortunately, history tells us that there have always been wars in different parts of the world, he said. I said that, for them, as young children, they had to remember that, be it in Ukraine or in the Holy Land or be it elsewhere, children are suffering in war at this moment, and they have to be peacemakers themselves in their own lives, and that we all do. We all have to be part of that Christmas message of peace, and that is something that we cant give up on. The soft-spoken Dubliner was appointed to Cork and Ross by Pope Francis in 2019. Geographically the largest diocese in the country, Cork and Ross stretches from Goleen and Durrus, in the west, to Watergrasshill, in the north-east, taking in Cork city, Skibbereen, Ballincollig, Bandon, Carrigaline, Carrigtwohill, Clonakilty, and Kinsale. It has a population of 280,000 Catholics, and average weekly Mass attendance is between 30% and 40%. The diocese has 70 priests assigned to its 68 parishes, 59 of whom were ordained for ministry in the diocese, marking a decline of more than 50% on 2004, when Cork and Ross had 122 diocesan priests. Bishop Gavin wasnt long in office when the pandemic struck. One of the most controversial measures introduced by him, so far in his time in Cork and Ross, has been the grouping of parishes in to families, to better utilise limited numbers of clergy. People wouldve said there wasnt enough consultation about that. Hands up. There wasnt, he told The Echo. But when you could only gather 10, 15 people, it was hard. Now we know that we have to plan, theres a lot of good things happening. There are green shoots, but its in a different, more secularised world, and we have to find our space in that. Despite talk of the decline of the Catholic Church in Ireland, engagement is strong, Bishop Gavin said. In 2023, there were 2,857 baptisms in the diocese, 3,706 children received First Holy Communion, and 3,552 children were confirmed. There were 2,454 funerals. Bishop Gavin cautioned that people need to have more than a commodity-based, surface engagement with the Church if it is to survive and thrive. We need to find ways to train, support, and fund more positions for lay people to work in the Church, he said. We need to encourage vocations to the priesthood. He described himself as an optimist and he said that one of the driving forces in his life was a Christian hope, and a sense of being part of something greater. This is Gods mission, Gods Church, and Gods plan, and Im just an instrument in it, he said. For Corks Church of Ireland community, Christmas is a light in the darkness Christmas is a particular favourite time of year for the Church of Ireland, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne, and Ross the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton said. It will come as no surprise that the primary focus of Christmas, for me, is as a religious festival, one of the most important Christian festivals of the year, when we celebrate the coming of Jesus, the light of the world, the will of God, the incarnation of the word of God, he said. For me, its primarily a Christian festival, and because of the work that I do, its a day when I lead worship and lead celebrations, and have done for the-last-more-than 40 years. On Christmas morning, its an early start, because I preside and preach at St Fin Barres Cathedral and meet everybody afterward, and then its home in time for a late lunch, and the family side of the celebrations really dont begin until the family and guests have gathered. We always have people in to join us on Christmas Day; that doesnt really start until mid-afternoon, he said. Up to then, the entire focus in our house is on leading the religious ceremony. The days that follow Christmas are more low-key, he said, with saints days, such as St Stephens Day, to be celebrated and with church services on those days, but with a pace that is less hectic. The Church of Ireland has about 14,000 members in Cork city and county, Bishop Colton said. As far as churchgoing is concerned, it varies according to the time of year, but Christmas is a time when churchgoing is very strong, and that tradition is still very popular at this time, he said. Thats not to say that we havent lost ground to make up, especially after Covid-19. He added that while there was work to be done regarding church attendance, put it this way: Im not pessimistic, Im not discouraged. Asked his favourite part of Christmas, Bishop Colton said he particularly loves the religious services and the music. I love the carols, the familiar readings, and I truly love, too, the people visiting Cork for Christmas, the people coming home to Cork for Christmas, seeing people maybe I havent seen for a whole year at the door of the cathedral. Seeing people who have been away and have come home, seeing the joy in their families, and, equally, of course, in the church community and the communities in general, were conscious of supporting people who find Christmas a difficult time, people who have had tragedy in their lives in the year since last Christmas, he said. Bishop Colton said some of the horrible things that are going on in the world can make people feel helpless. Its worth remembering that the Christmas message is about light in darkness, and the darkness hasnt put out the light, and that should give us courage and hope to press on. Corks Jewish community will begin Hanukkah on Christmas Day This evening, as the sun sets on Christmas Day, the Jewish festival of Hanukkah will begin. Hanukkah means dedication, and it commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem following the victory by Jewish rebels, led by Judas Maccabeus, over the Syrian king Antiochus in 165BCE. According to the Talmud, when the Maccabees set out to re-consecrate the temple, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to relight the candelabra for one day, but, miraculously, the oil remained lit for eight days. Judaism follows the lunar calendar, so the date of Hanukkah varies between the end of November and the end of December every year, with the first day of the eight-day feast falling this year on Thursday, December 26, which, per Hebrew tradition, starts at sunset the day before, Christmas Day. Each night of Hanukkah, the Chanukiah, or menorah, is lit. It is an eight-branched candelabra and with a place for a ninth candle, the shammes, used to light the others. One candle is lit on the first night of Hanukkah, and an additional candle on each successive night, until, on the eighth night, the Chanukiah is fully illuminated. Cork has a Jewish tradition dating back to the mid-1700s, but the main wave of Jewish immigrants began to arrive here from what is now Lithuania in the 1880s. At its peak, Cork citys Jewish community was made up of 65 families, perhaps 450 people or so, mostly living in Hibernian Buildings, or Jewtown, as it is still known, but declining numbers led eventually to the closure of the South Terrace synagogue in 2016. Nowadays, about 250 to 300 Jews live in Cork city and county, and the community has approximately 75 active members. The lay leader of Corks Jewish community is Sophia Spiegel. The synagogue closed because Corks Orthodox community had become very, very small, but there is now a very vibrant Reform community in Cork, and we meet twice a month and we have services, Ms Spiegel said. Cork no longer has a synagogue, so the Jewish community uses another facility, and some of the remaining Orthodox Jews in Cork attend the Reform services. Corks Jewish tradition is still remembered in Shalom Park, which neighbours Jewtown, and this year, as always, Hanukkah will be marked. Because the ceremony falls this year on a bank holiday, Ms Spiegel said, the annual Hanukkah reception in City Hall will be deferred, but the lighting ceremony will go ahead as usual. The ceremony is on the evening of January 1, Ms Spiegel said. There are always eight lights burning in Shalom Park, but there is one lantern that only turns on for the last night of Hanukkah, and on that night a poem is read. Corks Muslim community honours the birth of Jesus every day In the Quran, Jesus, son of Mary, is described as the Messiah, al-Masi, and honoured as a great prophet. Preceded by Yaya ibn Zakariya, or Yahya, son of Zecheriah, known to Christians as John the Baptist, Jesus was succeeded, Muslims believe, by the prophet Muhammad. In Islam, Jesus is revered as one of the greatest prophets, and the Quran teaches that he was born of a virgin, travelled with his disciples, and performed miracles, and was rejected by the Jewish establishment. However, the Quran teaches that Jesus was not crucified, and did not die on the cross, and nor was he resurrected, but, rather, he was saved by God and miraculously ascended into heaven. More than 5,000 Muslims live in Cork city and county. The Islamic Information Centre on Shandon St is run by Imam Dr Farghal Radwan, a retired consultant anaesthetist who has lived in Ireland for four decades. Picture: Denis Minihane. The Islamic Information Centre on Shandon St, which is run by Imam Dr Farghal Radwan, a retired consultant anaesthetist who has lived in Ireland for four decades, provides a place of worship and refection for Muslims from more than 40 countries. Dr Radwan noted that the birth of Jesus is celebrated on several different dates by the various different Christian sects, with no consistency or certainty about the true date of his birth. If you look at the Orthodox Christian faith in Egypt, in Greece, in Russia, in parts of Africa they celebrate his birth at different times in January, he said. Muslims dont specifically celebrate Christmas as the birth day of Jesus, but because he is one of Islams greatest prophets, they honour him every day, and try to live according to the teachings of the prophets. Asked if Islam has an end-of-year festival comparable to Christmas, Dr Radwan said there were some parallels with the Muslim tradition of taking stock. At the end of the year, we look at what you have achieved over the year, because we believe that all your actions are calculated anew, so if you look at whats good and whats bad, to review your actions, at the end of the year everyone will have to look, he said. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, dependent on the movements of the sun and the moon, but at the end of the year, we have to look at our actions and improve ourselves in front of God. A fresh charge was brought against the driver of a delivery van who allegedly signed to receive a package of more than 54,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine sent through the post and concealed in a domestic appliance. Detective Garda Emmet Long brought the new charge against Martin Lleshi of Bank Place, Mallow, Co Cork, last week. The charge is contrary to Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act and on conviction there can be a minimum sentence of 10 years, unless the judge finds there are exceptional circumstances. The new charge states that he had cocaine and cannabis with a combined value of more than 54,000 for sale or supply at Glasheen Rd, Cork, on August 29. He was refused bail at Cork District Court and was also unsuccessful in his High Court appeal for bail. Detective Garda Emmet Long objected to bail, stating that the Albanian national did not have ties to Ireland and would be a flight risk if given bail. Mr Lleshi, aged 31, faces related drugs charges arising out of the same incident. Det Garda Long said there was a controlled delivery of the package in a joint operation carried out by a number of garda units and Revenue officers. The detective testified at Cork District Court that the package contained a household appliance with a large amount of controlled substance inside. It was further stated that the owner of the address had no knowledge whatsoever of the package being delivered. If given bail I believe the defendant would abscond and would be a serious flight risk, Det Garda Long said. He has no ties to the community and he is now unemployed. He said [to gardai] that he absconded from Albania due to a threat on his life there. And he absconded from Greece also due to a threat on his life. He was working as a delivery driver in Cork and photographing addresses at which deliveries could be made. Mr Lleshi told gardai at the time that he knew it was something illegal but he did not know it was drugs. Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused in continuing custody. The matter was put back for directions from the DPP, which may be given when the matter comes before the court on January 16. Stephen Peacocke, who is most famous for playing Brax on the Australian soap Home and Away, is making his way to Cork for an exclusive fan meet-and-greet event. It will take place on February 25 from 7pm at The Address Hotel, Cork. On the night, fans will be able to ask questions and capture memories with a personal photo. Best known for his iconic role as Darryl Brax Braxton in Home and Away, Peacocke won numerous fans worldwide with his portrayal of the tough yet lovable River Boy. In The Address Hotel, he will reflect on his time in Summer Bay, sharing memorable behind-the-scenes moments, and discuss how Home and Away provided the launchpad for his career beyond the small screen. Since leaving Home and Away, he has expanded his repertoire with standout roles in films such as Hercules and Me Before You, as well as in the critically acclaimed TV series Wanted. For tickets, see www.tickettailor.com/events/homeandawayireland. A 60-year-old man, who has a serious heart condition and is one of the last tenants in council flats due for demolition, has claimed that when he told Cork City Council he is not computer literate, he was given a users guide to the councils online letting system. Dan Galvin has lived in a one-bedroom social housing flat on Noonans Rd for over eight years. The Togher native suffers from a serious heart condition, and is living with limited mobility caused by arthritis. He says his lungs are badly affected by the mould and damp in his flat. He said he was told more than a year ago by the council that he would be transferred to a new home, but would need to use the councils online choice-based letting (CBL) system. When he replied that he was not computer literate, Mr Galvin claimed he received in the post a users guide to the choice-based letting (CBL) system. I asked them below in City Hall for help with the system, and I got in the letterbox a booklet showing me how to use the system. They might as well send it in Chinese, because I have no idea what its saying. I told them I dont know how to go on a computer. I wouldnt know how to turn on a computer, he said. Im a carpenter by trade. When I was able to, I could build you a house, but I couldnt turn on a computer for you. Mr Galvin said he had received no contact from the council in over a year, beyond the delivery of the CBL how-to guide. Earlier this month, local housing activist William OBrien sent an email to Cork City Council on Mr Galvins behalf but received no response. Mr OBrien said Mr Galvin needs a tenant support liaison officer to help him to look at properties. A tenant support officer should be meeting Dan regularly with a phone or a tablet, and be showing Dan properties and saying, Dan, you can bid on these ones, but its absolutely terrible that Dan has been forgotten about," he said. The council flats on Noonans Rd, St Finbarrs Rd, Fort St, and Dean St were built in the 60s by what was then Cork Corporation under the supervision of then city architect, Eamon OByrne. Originally planned to have a 50-year lifespan, the flats according to tenants have long-since become prone to cold, damp, black mould, and rodent infestation. In September 2023, following a campaign by residents, Cork City Council told tenants that it favours the rehousing of tenants and the demolition of the flats. Now there are approximately 30 tenants left in the 90-odd Noonans Rd and St Finbarrs Rd flats, but the 38 flats on Fort St and Dean St remain mostly occupied. Cork City Council was asked for a comment. As Andy Williams used to sing, Its the most wonderful time of the year - and what a year it has been! If you happen to be in and around Cork Airport during the festive season, youll be able to experience first-hand the wonder and magic of homecomings and reunions in our Arrivals area, as families reunite and reconnect at this special time of year. And as we approach the end of 2024, it is important to take stock and reflect on what has been a very busy year for Cork Airport - the busiest year for international passenger traffic in the airports 63-year history in fact. This year, Cork Airport will welcome nearly 3.1 million international passengers, a significant milestone and almost 10% growth on 2023. It is currently the fastest growing airport in Ireland, testament to its ever-growing popularity with consumers across the South of Ireland. In fact, our traditional catchment area of Munster has grown to include counties in south Leinster, and it is not unusual now to see passengers travelling all the way from Laois, Offaly, Wexford, and even as far away as Kildare - all to fly out of Cork Airport. We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, easy, convenient and safe airport experience for all our passengers and take that commitment very seriously. As we like to say, your holiday starts once you lift the handbrake in one of our three conveniently located car parks, all within a few minutes walk of the terminal building. Our passengers love our swift security screening, being greeted by the friendly airline or airport staff, an extensive duty-free shopping experience with world-renowned brands and locally produced artisan products, and a relaxed and easy ambience while they await their flight. We all know how much people love to see new routes being added, and it is fair to say that they will be pleased with some of the great announcements we have made with our airline partners recently. Next summer, SunExpress will operate a new service to Izmir in Turkiye. Its our first scheduled service to Turkiye and our first connection with the continent of Asia. SunExpress is a new airline to operate at Cork Airport and it will bring to nine, the number of scheduled carriers that now operate here. Other new routes include TUI services to Corfu (Greece) and Dalaman (Turkiye), which will operate next summer, and Aer Lingus will offer two new services next summer - to Bilbao and Bordeaux. Our business development team are listening to the demands of our catchment area for more direct routes and more connectivity out of Cork. We are confident that 2026 will bring even more new airlines and routes to Cork. Niall MacCarthy As we grow our direct, point-to-point route network, we are also incredibly proud of the extensive hub connectivity that is available from Cork Airport. With airlines like Aer Lingus, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa and SWISS, you can travel to the four corners of the world with a convenient connection en route in one of the major European hub airports. That is something we dont take for granted and Cork Airport offers that seamless connectivity through the likes of London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, and Zurich. The beauty of it all of course, is that you can check-in at Cork Airport, get all your boarding passes, check your luggage through to your destination - and of course, starting and ending your long-haul trip from the convenience and ease of Cork Airport. While we make great strides in expanding our route network, sustainability always remains a key focus for us at Cork Airport. Were the Best Performing Commercial Semi-State Body for energy reduction for two years running, as assessed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Weve made significant investments in the electrification of our vehicle fleet. Weve installed new fast-charging public electric vehicle power points, doubling our capacity for charging in the process. Lighting on the airport campus has been replaced by energy efficient LED versions, we made our runway fully LED during the reconstruction and we invested in a new, state-of-the-art electrical substation for Cork Airport - all in the last four years. We have exciting plans for a new solar farm which will generate up to 25% of the airports electricity needs into the future and is being submitted for planning approval. Separately, we continue to work closely with Bus Eireann, National Transport Authority and other bus operators to improve the bus connectivity with Cork Airport - for inbound visitors and outbound holidaymakers alike. Public transport has improved in recent times, but there is scope for further improved coverage and connectivity in public bus services to the airport. As we look to the future, Cork Airport will be preparing for continued growth in passenger numbers. The airport plays an integral part in supporting tourism and industry in the region, supporting over 12,000 jobs and contributing an estimated 1bn to the south of Ireland economy. As our route network grows, so too will our passenger numbers and we have to plan ahead for that growth. Key items on the infrastructure agenda in near term will be the development of a new mezzanine floor for security, on which work will commence next year. Further down the line, we will be looking towards the requirement for more parking stands for aircraft, more boarding gates, more seating and improved facilities for our passengers and bringing more international visitors directly into the south of Ireland through Cork. This is an incredibly exciting time for our local airport. Cork Airport is here to serve the needs of the region, whether that be for leisure, business or otherwise. The future looks very bright indeed and, throughout it all, we will continue to provide the fast, friendly and enjoyable airport experience that Corkonians have grown to love. 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 Palestinian child looks over a missile that failed to explode after the Israeli army attacked a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza City, Gaza on Dec. 23, 2024. Moiz Salhi / Anadolu via Getty Images Palestinians whose family members were killed in Gaza attacks by Israel during the last 14 months have taken legal action against British oil major BP. They argue that the companys ownership of the pipeline supplying Israel with oil has been aiding the assault. The claimants sent BP a letter before claim that alleges its actions breach stated human rights commitments under international law, reported The Guardian. Israel relies heavily on crude oil and refined petroleum imports to run its large fleet of fighter jets, tanks and other military vehicles and operations, as well as the bulldozers implicated in clearing Palestinian homes and olive groves to make way for unlawful Israeli settlements. Some fuel from refineries goes directly to the armed forces, while much of the rest appears to go to ordinary gas stations where military personnel can refuel their vehicles under a government contract, the letter states. A Palestinian girl lights a candle in the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank on Dec. 24, 2023. Maja Hitij / Getty Images BP is the owner and operator of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which Azerbaijan uses to supply Israel with crude oil. The pipeline runs through Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. From there, the oil is transported via ship to provide 28 percent of the crude oil used by Israel. Oil from the pipeline has been reported as being sent to a jet fuel refinery for military aircraft that drop munitions on Gaza. The Palestinian claimants sent their letter a little more than a month following a report published by a coalition of environmentalists that identified the oil company as one of the top corporate suppliers of oil to Israel, Common Dreams reported. The major international oil companies, including BP, Chevron, Eni, ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies, may be linked to 35% of the crude oil supplied to Israel since October [2023], the report says. These companies, as well as state-owned entities and other private and publicly traded oil producers, profit from supplying oil to Israels refineries, where a proportion is likely refined into fuels for Israels war machine. The claimants say BP violated the guiding principles of the United Nations regarding business and human rights, in addition to the prohibition against being complicit in war crimes, crimes against humanity under international law and its own policy obligations, which require the oil company not to contribute to human rights abuses, reported The Guardian. A UN commission found Israel to have committed war crimes during the Gaza conflict, and the UN general assembly has approved immediate ceasefire resolutions in a conflict that has killed at least 45,000 people. This legal action marks a new phase in accountability for those that are complicit in alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The evidence against BP demonstrates a clear failure to adhere to its own human rights policies and international law, said Tayab Ali, director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians and international law head at Bindmans law firm, as The Guardian reported. Both organizations have been working with the claimants in the case. By facilitating the transport of oil that fuels military operations in Gaza, BP has contributed to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the region. Our clients seek justice for the profound suffering and loss they have endured and call on BP to act responsibly by immediately halting its involvement, Ali said. The Palestinian claimants have suffered enormous losses because of the conflict. One of the lead claimants is a British citizen who has lost 16 family members from Israeli airstrikes, with surviving family members facing dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The claimants are demanding an immediate cessation of oil supply to Israel and facilitation through the BP pipeline and an admission liability and a commitment to mediation for assessing damages, reported Common Dreams. Other claimants have faced terrible physical and psychological harm, including displacement, amputations and loss of family members, with some dying because of lack of essential supplies and access to medical care, The Guardian reported. A woman holds a girl after Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City, Gaza on Oct. 23, 2023. Ali Jadallah / Anadolu via Getty Images The letter demands that BP immediately stop its facilitation and supply of oil to Israel through its pipeline, and that the company provide all relevant documents, including contracts, policies and risk assessments related to its operations in connection with oil supplies to Israel. In addition to an admission of liability, the claimants seek BPs commitment to mediation for the assessment of damages, as well as a public apology for all the harm it has caused. The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations last week argued that foreign governments have an obligation under international law to end the supply of fuel to Israel unless they can guarantee it will only be used for nonmilitary purposes, reported Common Dreams. This includes both a ban on the export of crude oil, military jet fuel, and other fuels, as well as a prohibition on the transport of these commodities through their territory, the Amsterdam-based nonprofit organization said. (Photo: Peter Kenny)Women outside the Church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem. Christmas is a bleak event in Bethlehem in 2024 as there is no traditional Christmas tree or decorations adorning the Church of the Nativity, revered as Jesus' birthplace. "Holiday cheer was absent in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem," on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, AFP reported. Bethlehem's municipality has gone for modest Christmas celebrations out of respect for Palestinians suffering in Gaza to the west. But for some, like Jerusalem resident Hisham Makhoul, spending Christmas in the holy city provided an "escape" from the Israel-Hamas war raging for more than 14 months in the Gaza Strip. Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based news outlet, headline its story: "Bethlehem marks melancholic Christmas for second year in shadow of Gaza war." It said, "The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank on Christmas are nowhere to be found." Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born, The Associated Press reported. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Holy Land's top Roman Catholic cleric cited the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. "This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad," he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Yet for some, such as Jerusalem resident Hisham Makhoul, spending Christmas in the holy city provided an "escape" from the Israel-Hamas war that has raged for more than 14 months in the Gaza Strip, said the AFP report. "What we're going through is very difficult and we can't completely forget about it," said Makhoul of the plight of Palestinians in the besieged territory, which is separated from the West Bank by Israeli territory," said Makhoul. The patriarchs and church heads in Jerusalem shared a Christmas message amid the continuing conflict and uncertainty in the region in which they said the ancient path of redemption leads humanity in a full-circle to the current time, according to the World Council of Churches. This is "when wars still rage and untold millions in our region and around the globe continue to suffer grievously, Outwardly, little seems to have changed," reads the message. The message reflects that the holy birth of Jesus Christ's sparked a spiritual revolution that continues transforming countless hearts and minds toward justice, mercy, and peace. ""For those families of the faithful who have remained in the Holy Land, as well as those who have joined us, it is our privilege to continue to testify to the sacred light of Christ in the very places where He was born, ministered, and offered Himself on our behalf, rising victoriously from the grave to a new resurrected life," reads the message. "In this hopeful Christmas spirit, we give thanks to the Almighty for the recent ceasefire between two of the warring parties in our region, and we call for it to be expanded into Gaza and many other places, bringing an end to the wars that have plagued our part of the world." Melissa Nathan, a well-known crisis PR manager, has become a focal point of accusations surrounding the alleged smear campaign against actress Blake Lively in the saga that's currently gripping pop culture, intertwining Hollywood drama with behind-the-scenes PR tactics. Now, the claims have spotlighted Nathan's connections in the media industry and her role in shaping public narratives during celebrity controversies. Last week, Lively, who starred in It Ends With Us, filed a lawsuit against co-star and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment. Among the more shocking allegations was that Baldoni hired Nathan to orchestrate a campaign aiming to discredit Lively in retaliation for her accusations. The allegations, which surfaced in several reports, have drawn scrutiny to Nathan's professional methods and deep media ties. Who's Melissa Nathan in the Blake Lively Drama? Melissa Nathan's reputation as a crisis PR strategist is evidently built on years of managing high-profile clients and steering them through public scandals, and she's reportedly even known in some circles as a "PR assassin," as a recent Reddit thread postulated. Nathan's role often involves protecting her clients' images at all costs. But her alleged tactics in this case are sparking debate about ethical boundaries in public relations. Melissa Nathan is accused of running a smear campaign against Blake Lively. Anyone surprised that she is the sister of Sara-Nathan. A so called journalist,who also ran smear campaign against Meghan? What parent raised those two monsters?#BlakeLively pic.twitter.com/6IEu59zq0o Snarky Guy (@Barbara27541025) December 23, 2024 Adding to the intrigue is Nathan's connection to Sara Nathan, an editor at the New York Post. Critics have questioned whether this familial tie may have influenced the paper's coverage of the Lively-Baldoni controversy, according to Sportskeeda. "Melissa Nathan is known for playing hardball," one PR industry insider said. "But these allegations, if true, raise serious concerns about the lengths some in Hollywood are willing to go to protect their clients." Blake Lively's Legal Fight Lively's lawsuit claims she endured inappropriate behavior on set, including an unsolicited kiss from Baldoni and persistent comments about her appearance. When she raised concerns, she alleged Baldoni retaliated by hiring Nathan to tarnish her reputation. According to reports, Lively's legal team believes that a coordinated effort was made to flood the media with damaging stories about her professionalism and character. While Nathan has not publicly responded to the accusations, her approach to crisis management has been described as aggressive and results-driven. She's reportedly employed by many A-list clients in the past, tasked with protecting their public images in times personal or professional turmoil. However, the allegations in Lively's lawsuit suggest a darker side to the business of reputation management. Hollywood insiders and media critics alike are calling for greater transparency in how public relations firms operate, particularly in cases involving sensitive allegations. The controversy has also reignited discussions about the unchecked power wielded by PR firms and their ability to shape narratives in ways that can harm victims of misconduct. Alec Baldwin is officially off the hook, legally, in his involuntary manslaughter case in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of 'Rust.' Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney's Offices' special prosecutor announced she withdrew prosecutors' notice of appeal on Monday, December 23, which was initially filed in November. Hutchins was killed in October 2021 after a prop gun Baldwin was holding accidentally discharged, fatally shooting her and injuring featuring director Joel Souza. "This has always been about seeking justice for Halyna Hutchins. We regret that Mr. Baldwin will not be held accountable for the role he played in the death of Halyna Hutchins and as we withdraw the appeal, we do so with the hope that the outstanding lawsuits bring some measure of justice to the family of Halyna Hutchins," Morrissey said. "The dismissal of criminal charges against Baldwin has sparked debate about the legal process and accountability in the Rust incident in which a talented cinematographer lost her life, and director Joel Souza was injured," Mary Carmack-Altwies, First Judicial District Attorney, said. "Halyna's tragic death has prompted industry-wide scrutiny, specifically in New Mexico, of safety protocols, especially the use of firearms and live ammunition on set. Halyna's family set up the Halyna Hutchins Foundation to advocate for safer practices in the industry, promoting safety education and honoring her legacy as a talented filmmaker." She added that, "Despite its disagreement with the Court's decision, the FJDA remains steadfast in its mission to uphold justice. There is still much work to be done in criminal court, and our office will continue to diligently prosecute cases with integrity, fairness, and commitment to the rule of law." Baldwin, 66, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, but his case was dismissed in July 2024 due to "egregious discovery violations constituting misconduct." However, the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, Baldwin's attorneys, addressed Morrissey's withdrawn appeal, per 'USA Today.' "Today's decision to dismiss the appeal is the final vindication of what Alec Baldwin and his attorneys have said from the beginningthis was an unspeakable tragedy but Alec Baldwin committed no crime. The rule of law remains intact in New Mexico," the pair said. In November, 'Rust' premiered at the Energa Camerimage International Film Festival in Poland, three years after the tragic on-set shooting that claimed the life of the cinematographer. The festival screening was accompanied by a panel discussion featuring Souza, cinematographer Bianca Cline, and Hutchins' mentor Stephen Lighthill. "In the panel, following the screening of 'Rust,' the filmmakers will discuss events surrounding the film, offering insight into continuing production after Halyna's death," the festival said. The discussion focused on Hutchins' artistic vision, the challenges faced by the crew, and the filmmakers' commitment to completing her work. The panel also highlighted Hutchins' "unique visual style," the role of women in cinematography, and the importance of safety on set. Tori Spelling is opening up about a Christmas memory that left one of her kids empty-handed during the holiday season. On a recent episode of her podcast misSPELLING, the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum revealed that her daughter Stella, now 16, didn't actually get any Christmas gifts last year because she was too busy helping her mom shop for and wrap presents for her siblings. "Dean used to help me wrap all the gifts but obviously, now, I'm a single mom with separate households," Spelling says, referring to her second husband, Dean McDermott. The former couple shares five children together: Liam, 17, Stella, Hattie, 13, Finn, 12, and Beau, 7. Spelling explained how her daughter stepped in to support her during the busy holiday season. "Stella wraps all the gifts with me and it's just poor thing," she shares. "She shops for the gifts with me. So last year, I'm not kidding, Stella didn't get a Christmas present at all." The reason? Spelling admitted it was because she waited until the last minute and couldn't manage everything on her own. Despite missing out on her own gift, Stella stayed focused on making Christmas special for her family. "She said, 'This is tradition. This is what we've always done. We're gonna do it. I'll do it with you. I don't care about my gift,'" Spelling fondly recalls. Stella even stayed up late helping Spelling assemble a motorized car for her youngest sibling, Beau, to enjoy on Christmas morning. "We were up until 4 a.m. and then Beau was awake by 7 ready to open gifts," Spelling notes. Reflecting on the experience, Spelling acknowledged her daughter's selflessness. "She just wanted to make sure everyone else had an amazing Christmas," she says. Determined not to repeat the oversight, Spelling said she asked Stella for her wish list early this year. "I want to make sure she gets everything she deserves," Spelling adds, hinting at a more thoughtful holiday this year. Listen to the full misSPELLING episode below. Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson dove headfirst into uncharted territory for their provocative new film, Babygirl. The erotic thriller, directed by Halina Reijn, explores power dynamics and forbidden desires in a charged relationship between Kidman's character, a reserved CEO, and Dickinson's daring young intern. But it was the duo's commitment to a specific "unspoken rule" on set that kept their intense performances sharp and believable. "There was an unspoken thing that we adhered to," Dickinson explains in an interview with the Associated Press. "We weren't getting to know each other's personal lives," he continues. "When we were working and we were the characters, we didn't veer away from the material." Dickinson adds, "I never tried to attach all of the history of Nicole Kidman. Otherwise it probably would have been a bit of a mess." The approach ensured their on-screen connection stayed focused, allowing them to embody their complex characters fully without personal distractions. Things Get Erotic in Babygirl Babygirl, set for release Christmas Day, has already generated buzz for its bold storytelling and fearless performances. Critics have praised it as an unflinching look at female desire and control, with Rolling Stone highlighting its ability to spark "conversations about consent, the fetishization of control and the forbidden rush of crossing a half-dozen lines far more than the usual cougarsploitation." For Kidman, the role demanded a raw vulnerability rarely seen on screen. In scenes ranging from tender to unsettling, she portrays a woman grappling with suppressed desires and societal expectations. Reviews, like one from People, describe her performance as brave and "Unbound," with Kidman capturing the character's mix of shame, relief and liberation. Dickinson, too, delivers a standout performance as Samuel, a character whose ambiguity and directness present both challenges and opportunities. Critics agree that Babygirl is more than just provocative it's a daring exploration of sexual and emotional boundaries. With Kidman's fearless portrayal and Dickinson's magnetic presence, the film has already cemented its place as a must-watch. See a trailer below. Talks to reach deal between Hamas and Israel continue in Qatar Talks to reach a deal between Hamas and Israel continue, the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson said during a press conference in Doha on Tuesday. Yara H. Morrison is the definition of an early starter. At just 13 years old, she launched Yaras Youth Fashion, a clothing line designed specifically for teenagers. While many of her peers were focused on school and figuring out who they wanted to be, Yara was already building a business based on her passion for fashion and her vision to create something that resonated with young people. Her story is a powerful reminder that its never too early to start planning for your future, and the sooner you start taking action, the sooner you can see results. Yara shows us that with hard work, vision, and a little creativity, big things can happenno matter your age. From a young age, Yara was always interested in fashion. But unlike many teens who simply admire the clothes they see on others, Yara took her passion one step further. She wasnt just a consumer of fashionshe was a creator. At just 13, she recognized a gap in the market for stylish, age-appropriate clothing for young people. The clothes available for teens were either too grown-up or lacked the fun and individuality she wanted. So, Yara did what many young dreamers might only think about: she started designing her own clothing line. Yaras clothing line, Yaras Youth Fashion, was born out of a deep understanding of what her peers wanted. I wanted to create something that reflected the unique personalities of teens, Yara has said. Teens are often overlooked in the fashion world, so I wanted to change that. She didnt wait for someone else to do itshe took it upon herself to bring her vision to life. Yaras success is a result of her ability to combine passion, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. What sets Yara apart from many other young people is her early ability to see her future clearly. While most teens are figuring out who they are, Yara was already setting goals for her business. She started planning and executing her clothing line with a level of maturity and foresight thats rare for someone her age. But even more impressive was her ability to think beyond just designing clothes. She understood that building a business required more than creativityit required planning. Yaras journey wasnt just about designing and selling clothes. She also had to learn about sourcing materials, understanding fashion trends, building a brand, and marketing her products. At 13, she wasnt just a designer; she was a young businesswoman in the making. I realized that if I wanted Yaras Youth Fashion to succeed, I needed to learn everything about the fashion industrydesign, production, sales, and marketing, Yara explained. She dove into the business side of fashion and sought out resources, mentors, and experiences to help her grow. She wasnt just waiting for opportunities to come to her; she was actively creating them. One of the biggest lessons Yara teaches us is the importance of taking actionespecially when youre young. While most kids her age might have been dreaming about starting a business, Yara was already out there doing it. She started small, creating designs that reflected her own style and the needs of her peers. She didnt wait until she had all the answers; she just started experimenting, learning as she went, and adapting her designs to meet the market. At such a young age, Yara faced challengesfinding suppliers, learning how to make her products stand out in a competitive market, and figuring out how to fund her businessbut she didnt let these challenges stop her. She turned them into opportunities to grow and learn. Its important to embrace challenges, because thats where you learn the most, Yara says. Each step of her journey taught her something new, whether it was improving her designs or understanding her customers better. This ability to take action and learn from mistakes is a key part of what made Yara successful. She started early, which allowed her to grow and develop over time. The skills she gainedcreativity, perseverance, and the ability to problem-solvecompounded and became the foundation of her business. By starting at just 13 years old, Yara had the advantage of time. The sooner you start something, the more opportunities you have to make it better, expand it, and build on it. With every collection she launched and every new design she created, she learned valuable lessons that added up over time. Yara didnt just focus on making sales; she focused on building a brand that would grow with her. Each step she took built upon the previous one, creating a compounding effect that allowed her business to expand and her skills to grow. Starting young gave her the time and space to experiment, make mistakes, and keep moving forward. Starting young means I have the chance to learn and grow more than most people, Yara says. Its a huge advantage to get a head start. By the time shes an adult, she will have years of experience under her beltsomething most people dont gain until later in life. Yaras journey is a powerful reminder that you dont have to wait until youre an adult to pursue your passions and make a difference. Starting early gives you more time to grow, more opportunities to learn, and more chances to get it right. Whether youre a young person like Yara, or an adult looking to start a new venture, her story proves that age is not a barrier to success. Whats most inspiring about Yara is her ability to combine creativity with a business mindset, and her refusal to wait for the perfect moment. She took what she lovedfashionand turned it into a thriving business, all while growing and learning every step of the way. Yaras story is proof that its never too early to start working on your dreams. Do you know anyone who started young and created something amazing? Maybe a teen entrepreneur, artist, or inventor who didnt wait for adulthood to make an impact? Wed love to hear your stories! Share your inspirations with us and lets celebrate those who are taking action and building their futures early. Feel free to share your thoughts below or join our Age Brilliantly forum to talk about the early starters who inspire you most. Blake Lively has received support from Sony Pictures after suing Justin Baldoni. Blake Lively has received support from Sony Pictures The 37-year-old actress has taken legal action against her 'It Ends With Us' co-star and director, alleging sexual harassment and accusing him of waging a smear campaign against her and now the studio which made the movie have given her public backing and "strongly condemned" attacks on her reputation. A spokesperson told Variety: We have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film. We fully and firmly reiterate that support today. "Further, we strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society. In addition, SAG-AFTRA have also condemned the "startling and troubling allegations" and praised Blake's "courage in speaking out". A spokesperson for the union told Deadline: We applaud Blake Livelys courage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment and for her request to have an intimacy coordinator for all scenes with nudity or sexual content. This is an important step that helps ensure a safe set. Employees have every right to raise issues of concern or to file complaints. Retaliation for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behavior is illegal and wrong. We all have a right to be treated with dignity and respect on the job and to work in an environment free of harassment, discrimination and retaliation." Blake submitted her 10-claim complaint with the California Civil Rights Department last week, in which she accused Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios and others involved with making the movie of sexual harassment and a "coordinated effort to destroy her reputation". The star claimed the film was shot amid a "hostile work environment that nearly derailed production" and alleged a campaign against her was launched by the actor - who also directed the movie - and his company after its release. What's more, the actress demanded "no more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni's alleged previous 'pornography addiction', no more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further mentions of cast and crew's genitalia, no more inquiries about Blake's weight, and no further mention of Blake's dead father". According to the lawsuit, Sony Pictures approved the former 'Gossip Girl' star's requests. But the actress has alleged that Justin subsequently engaged in a "social manipulation" campaign in a bid to "destroy" her reputation. The actor - who has been dropped by his talent agency, WME in the wake of the claims - has denied the allegations and accused Blake of making an attempt to "fix" her own "negative reputation". Feature: "Western Monkey King" takes Peking Opera to the world Xinhua) 08:43, December 25, 2024 Ghaffar Pourazar performs Peking Opera in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Ke) Editor's note: The hope for the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people, with grassroots connections as its foundation. While the two countries have experienced ups and downs in their bilateral ties, it is the enduring friendship between their peoples that has consistently infused warmth and momentum into this relationship. As Jan. 1 marks the 46th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations, Xinhua is releasing a series of stories highlighting Americans who deeply appreciate Chinese culture and work actively to bridge the differences between the two nations. BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The global success of China's acclaimed game "Black Myth: Wukong" has introduced the enchanting tale of Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, to audiences worldwide. But for Ghaffar Pourazar, a British-American dual citizen living in California, this legendary figure has been a part of his identity for decades. Seated before the backstage mirror at Beijing's Liyuan Theater, an old Peking Opera venue especially popular among foreign travelers, Pourazar deftly applies white, red and black paint to his face, transforming it into the vibrant likeness of the mischievous Monkey King. "How time flies! Look at you, an old monkey now!" remarks an elderly from the opera troupe. "Indeed, I am now a white-haired Monkey King," Pourazar, 63, replies in Mandarin, his distinctive Beijing accent evident. Pourazar has spent the past three decades mastering Peking Opera, establishing himself as a rare foreign performer excelling in this traditional Chinese art, and earning the nickname "Western Monkey King" for his exceptional portrayal of the Chinese superhero from the classic novel "Journey to the West." Currently, he travels between China and the United States, serving as a cultural ambassador, introducing the art of Peking Opera to Western audiences, and offering a unique perspective of the art to Chinese audiences. "I want to be a bridge between cultures," he said, reflecting on his multicultural background. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT Pourazar's lifelong passion for Peking Opera began by chance. In 1993, 32-year-old Pourazar, then a computer animator, attended a performance at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall and was instantly captivated. "I was crying," he recalled. "I previously had a passion for various art forms, including acting, dancing, mime, and movement. But at that moment, everything else faded away. I saw the convergence of all these arts in Peking Opera." He went to the backstage right after the show and made friends with the Chinese performers. "We didn't speak each other's language, but they could see my passion," Pourazar said. With the help of the head of the Chinese troupe, Pourazar was enrolled at an opera school in Beijing. Just three months after his first exposure to Peking Opera, he left his life in Britain behind and moved to Beijing to train in the martial roles of the art. Starting as an adult was not easy, as Peking Opera is a complex blend of vocal performance, mime, martial arts, dance and acrobatics. "My classmates were all children," he said. "As an adult without any basic skills, it is very hard for you to practice the movements." In addition to the physical demands, mastering the Chinese language posed another hurdle. "I was constantly reciting the subtitles and songs, whether I was eating, bathing, walking, or even dreaming," Pourazar added. "Though there were some extremely painful days, I enjoyed every moment," he said. Initially, he focused on portraying ancient soldiers and generals like Wu Song and Lin Chong, before eventually transitioning to the iconic role of the Monkey King. LIFELONG COMMITMENT Pourazar believes that great art transcends languages. Over the years, he has devoted himself to introducing Peking Opera and Sun Wukong to international audiences, taking Chinese performers to perform in countries such as the United States, Britain and Malaysia. He has also been teaching courses and organizing workshops in the United States, bringing Peking Opera to curious Western learners. To better connect with Western audiences and learners, he adapted some classic plays such as "The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven" into English versions. "I changed the spoken parts into English and kept the original songs, and it became a success on the international stage," he said. "I am the most powerful spirit in heaven and earth," Pourazar exclaims, dressed in a signature yellow costume reminiscent of the Monkey King. As he recites the dialogues in English with the distinctive intonation of Peking Opera, he leaps, flips and executes movements that capture the playful nature of the mischievous monkey. Despite not being Chinese, his efforts bring the essence of the Monkey King to life. Over the past two decades, his captivating performances have introduced the enchanting character to numerous international audiences. "My young nephew, who lives in Turkey, has become so enamored with the Monkey King that he taught himself to perform this character," Pourazar said. "I love the Monkey King for his simplicity and the inner child that defines his character. His love for freedom and quest for longevity are also qualities that I respect," he said. "I believe this character resonates with people of different cultures." With an aim to enhance communication with Western audiences, he also adapted Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" into Peking Opera. "By presenting a story that the Western audiences are already familiar with, I hope to more effectively introduce them to the charm of Peking Opera," he said. In recognition of his contributions, Pourazar received the Great Wall Friendship Award from the Beijing government in 2014. Over the years, Pourazar has accumulated numerous injuries and health issues. His right knee now suffers from arthritis and edema due to excessive exertion during a recent Peking Opera workshop in California, yet he continues his efforts undeterred. "I rely on traditional Chinese medicine when I am unwell or injured," he said while sipping Chinese green tea from an insulated bottle. He said his love for Chinese culture extends well beyond the Peking Opera, encompassing Chinese calligraphy, painting, cuisine and Kung Fu. Despite his health challenges and advancing age, Pourazar remains committed to his artistic pursuits. He is currently working on two Broadway-style musical projects, both influenced by the performance traditions of Peking Opera. The first, Dream of Wukong, explores his personal journey of mastering Peking Opera, while the second, Dr. Jane Goodall, tells the story of the renowned ecologist and her extensive work with chimpanzees. "Cultural exchange should be reciprocal. I aim to blend my expertise in opera with my multicultural background to create enriching artistic experiences for the audiences," Pourazar said. Ghaffar Pourazar puts on Peking Opera costumes in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Ke) Ghaffar Pourazar poses for a photo before a Peking Opera performance in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Ke) Ghaffar Pourazar makes up before a Peking Opera performance in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Ke) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Justin Baldoni's lawyer has claimed "leaked" text exchanges about Blake Lively "lack critical context". Justin Baldoni's lawyer has hit back at Blake Lively The 40-year-old actor-and-director is being used by his 'It Ends With Us' co-star, who has accused him of sexual harassment and launching a "social manipulation" campaign against her to "destroy" her reputation, and his legal representative has now issued a new statement, in which he hit out at the former 'Gossip Girl' actress for using "dubious PR tactics'. Lawyer Bryan Freedman told Us Weekly in a statement: TAG PR operated as any other crisis management firm would when hired by a client experiencing threats by two extremely powerful people with unlimited resources. The standard scenario planning TAG PR drafted proved unnecessary as audiences found Livelys own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful, and responded organically to that which the media themselves picked up on. Its ironic that the New York Times, through their effort to uncover an insidious PR effort, played directly into the hands of Livelys own dubious PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges that lack critical context the very same tactics shes accusing the firm of implementing." Blake filed her lawsuit on Friday (20.12.24) and her claims were made public by the New York Times the following day, revealing references to "thousands of pages of text messages and emails". While it was reported the actress had obtained them through a subpoena, Baldoni's lawyer has claimed they were leaked. But a member of the 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' star's own legal team told Us Weekly: The subpoena disclosed and referenced in the Complaint was served on Jonesworks LLC. The internal documents referred to in the Complaint were produced subject to that subpoena. We expect that further details regarding the subpoena process will be disclosed during discovery. Among the alleged text messages referenced in the suit include a publicist working with Baldoni - who also directed 'It Ends With Us' - and the studio writing to a crisis management expert: He wants to feel like she can be buried. The documents also alleged this plan went well beyond standard crisis PR, and Baldoni's team suggested a tactic known as astroturfing", which is defined as "the practice of publishing opinions or comments on the internet, in the media, etc. that appear to come from ordinary members of the public but actually come from a particular company or political group." In the paperwork, Baldoni is accused of having set the narrative for the social media campaign", citing a post about Hailey Bieber that had "accused another female celebrity of bullying women. Baldoni wrote in an accompanying text: This is what we would need. A scenario planning document allegedly stated: Our team can also explore planting stories about the weaponisation of feminism and how people like Taylor Swift, have been accused of utilizing these tactics to bully into getting what they want. Blake - who has also accused Baldoni of making crude comments and adding sex scenes and nudity to the script - alleged her co-star "became concerned" when nearly all cast members chose to appear in public separately from Mr. Baldoni given his on-set behaviour" so changed his own social media strategy. Her lawsuit stated: After the Films premiere, Mr. Baldoni changed his Instagram profile, cancelled lighthearted social media posts, and instructed his team to look for survivors reactions and support all in an effort to quickly shift his own public narrative to focus solely on survivors and domestic violence organisations." In the wake of the lawsuit being filed, Baldoni's lawyer branded the allegations completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious and accused Blake of trying to "fix her own negative reputation". Ready-made garment (RMG) exports (Chapters 61 and 62) from Bangladesh increased by 12.34 per cent to $16.117 billion between July 2024 and November 2024, the first five months of fiscal 202425 (JulyJune), according to provisional data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). This marks an increase from $14.346 billion during the same period in fiscal 202324. Woven exports marginally outpaced knitwear garment exports in growth. During the first five months of the current fiscal, exports of knitwear (Chapter 61) rose by 12.23 per cent to $8.945 billion, compared to $7.970 billion in the corresponding period of fiscal 2023-24. On the other hand, woven apparel exports (Chapter 62) increased by 12.48 per cent, totalling $7.171 billion, compared to $6.375 billion during the same period, as per EPB data. Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports surged 12.34 per cent to $16.117 billion in July-November 2024, compared to $14.346 billion in the same period of 2023. Woven apparel exports grew 12.48 per cent, outpacing knitwear's 12.23 per cent rise. Home textiles increased by 5.03 per cent, with RMG, accessories, and home textiles comprising 82.60 per cent of total exports. Home textile exports (Chapter 63, excluding 630510) experienced a growth, increasing by 5.03 per cent to $326.83 million, compared to $311.19 million during the same period in the last fiscal. Collectively, exports of woven and knitted apparel, clothing accessories, and home textiles constituted 82.60 per cent of Bangladeshs total exports, amounting to $19.906 billion for the period. Exports of cotton and cotton products, including yarn, waste, and fabrics (Chapter 52), rose by 17.23 per cent to $265.55 million during the period under review, compared to $226.52 million in the same period of the last fiscal. The new regime of Bangladesh had earlier revised export data downwards, according to which, RMG exports from the country decreased by 5.22 per cent to $36.151 billion in fiscal 202324 (July 2023 to June 2024). According to the EPB, RMG exports in fiscal 2022-23 amounted to $38.142 billion, compared to the previously reported figure of $46.991 billion. RMG exports were recorded at $42.613 billion in fiscal 2021-22 and $31.456 billion in fiscal 2020-21. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Christmas is here! Watching a good holiday movie with a cup of hot chocolate, surrounded by your loved ones is inarguably one of the best ways to celebrate. If youre over the tropey rom-coms, here are some great animated Christmas movies to watch.Dr Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) is an animated holiday classic directed by Chuck Jones. It revolves around the iconic Grinch, a grumpy, green creature who dislikes Christmas and all the holiday cheer in Whoville. Bent on ruining their holiday, he disguises himself as Santa Claus and steals all the Christmas presents, decorations, and food. When the citizens of the town still celebrate Christmas despite their losses, the Grinch realises that Christmas goes beyond materialistic things like gifts and is actually about love and togetherness. He eventually embraces the spirit of the holidays.Produced by Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion animated musical. The film has a separate fan base of viewers who enjoy Halloween just as much as Christmas. It follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town who stumbles upon Christmas Town. Soon he's fascinated by the holiday and decides to take over Christmas. He does this by kidnapping Santa Claus. Of course, chaos ensues as his plan quickly falls apart. From the art to the hilarious storyline, there's a lot to enjoy in this holiday classic.This animated film by Satoshi Kon is an underrated gem. Set during the holiday season, the plot follows three homeless people living in Tokyo - Gin, a middle-aged man, Hana, a former drag queen, and Miyuki, a teenager who ran away from home. When the trio discovers an abandoned baby girl in the trash on Christmas Eve, they embark on a challenging journey to find the babys parents. As they face their own troubles and tumultuous pasts, they form an unexpected familial bond with each other. The heartwarming film is about love and the beauty of human connection. It's funny, emotional enough to be a tear-jerker and captures the holiday spirit perfectly.The Polar Express is inarguably one of the best animated Christmas movies. The film is based on the children's book by Chris Van Allsburg that follows a young boy who boards a mysterious train called the Polar Express bound for the North Pole on Chirstmas eve. During his journey, he meets other children and goes on a magical adventure. He goes on to learn valuable lessons about belief, hope, and the magic of Christmas. The film remains a holiday classic.We all love a good story about a cynic turning into a believer with the sheer power of the holiday spirit. A Christmas Carol gives us just that. The motion-capture animated film based on Charles Dickens's classic novella of the same name follows Ebenezer Scrooge (voiced by a perfectly cast Jim Carrey) cold-hearted businessman who hates Christmas. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner and three spirits: the Ghosts of Christmas' Past, Present, and Future. The spirits show Scrooge the consequences of his actions. Through the ghostly experiences, he learns the importance of generosity, compassion and most importantly, the meaning of Christmas.Another film that gets the brief of inventive storytelling is Arthur Christmas. The animated holiday film revolves around Arthur, Santa Claus' clumsy yet good-hearted son. When he discovers that one childs gift has been missed during Christmas Eve deliveries, he embarks on an adventure to deliver the gift using his grandfathers old sleigh. However, he is not alone. With some help from his brother Steve and a loyal elf, he's ready for his mission. The film has a sweet message about how special every child is.zIn a genre filled with predictable storytelling and re-hashing of Santa Claus' story, Sergio Pablos' Klaus is an inventive take on the myth of Santa. The story follows Jesper, a spoiled postman who is assigned to a remote, cold town, called Smeerensburg in the North Pole to set up a postal service. Here, he meets Klaus, a mysterious toymaker who isn't much of a talker. The two form an unlikely bond and together, they take up the mantle of delivering toys to the town's kids during the holidays. The film slowly unfolds the legend of Santa Claus and the result is a story about kindness and the power of giving. Watch this if you're over the cookie-cutter Christmas movies.This one's for the sci-fi lovers out there. LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special is an animated film set after the events of The Rise of Skywalker. In it, Rey, Finn, and the gang celebrate Life Day, the Wookiee holiday, on Chewbaccas home planet which is the equivalent of Christmas. When Rey gets a crystal that allows her to travel through time and space, she gets embroiled in hilarious encounters with key characters from across the Star Wars universe. By the end of the film, Rey and her friends, learn more about the Force and the meaning of found family. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Japan will on Wednesday see October results for its leading and coincident indexes, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.The leading index is expected to slip 0.3 percent on month after climbing 2.2 percent in September. The coincident is seen higher by 2.5 percent on month after rising 1.3 percent in the previous month.Japan also will see November numbers for producer prices, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 3.0 percent on year, up from 2.9 percent in October.Most of the region is off on Wednesday for the Christmas Day holiday, including South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.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. SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 2nd, VAPORESSO proudly launched its PURE POWER FOR ALL global ECO-Empowerment initiative-a powerful testament to its commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and promoting sustainable lifestyles worldwide. Anchored by the revolutionary ECO NANO SOLAR and the forward-thinking PURE POWER ACTION movement, this initiative seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technological innovation with impactful social action. Together, these efforts mark a pivotal step in the global transition toward clean energy and a more sustainable future. ECO NANO SOLAR-Revolutionizing Sustainable Vaping in the Industry At the heart of this initiative lies the industry's first solar-powered open-system vape-ECO NANO SOLAR. Crafted from 70% eco-conscious materials, this innovative device features a modular structure with interchangeable components, extending product life while promoting resource efficiency and long-term sustainability. This pioneering ECO innovation combines degradable photovoltaic technology with a recyclable modular design. Its solar panel achieves remarkable light-to-electricity efficiency and is over 80% biodegradable, advancing clean energy adoption while significantly reducing environmental impact. With the ECO NANO SOLAR, VAPORESSO sets a new standard for sustainability in the vaping industry, inspiring a broader shift toward eco-conscious practices and paving the way for a greener future in vaping and beyond. PURE POWER ACTION: Bridging Online Engagement with Real-World Impact The PURE POWER ACTION movement, as a key part of the PURE POWER FOR ALL initiative, engages participants worldwide through a series of interactive online activities designed to build momentum for clean energy advocacy. From simple actions like clicking to show support to vibrant community discussions on sustainable living, each activity amplifies the reach of this global movement. Together, these efforts inspire eco-friendly habits, encourage the exchange of ideas, and foster collective commitment through initiatives like the Pure Living Proposal. By empowering individuals to take small, meaningful steps, the movement unites participants in creating a ripple effect of change that transcends geographic boundaries, all while boosting the Pure Power Level-a key measure of progress. As the Pure Power Level reaches new milestones, the initiative transitions from online engagement to tangible offline impact. Clean energy solutions, including solar-powered innovations, are introduced into vape stores worldwide, offering users hands-on opportunities to experience the convenience and benefits of renewable power sources. These offline activities, supported by the collective efforts of participants, not only bring sustainability to the forefront of the vaping industry but also demonstrate how individual contributions can culminate in meaningful, real-world changes. Through this seamless integration of online and offline efforts, VAPORESSO underscores the importance of unified action in driving the global transition toward a brighter tomorrow. A Greener Tomorrow Begins Today With PURE POWER FOR ALL, VAPORESSO demonstrates how ECO innovation and forward-thinking movement can lead to meaningful global impact. The groundbreaking ECO NANO SOLAR stands as a powerful benchmark for ECO innovation, inspiring the adoption of cleaner, more responsible practices in the vaping industry. At the same time, the PURE POWER ACTION initiative fosters a ripple effect of positive change, uniting individuals and communities in a shared mission to embrace sustainable living and advance clean energy solutions. Together, through collective effort and shared commitment, VAPORESSO is not only shaping the future of the vaping industry but also contributing to a healthier, more sustainable world. For more details about the PURE POWER FOR ALL movement and ECO NANO SOLAR, please visit: https://www.vaporesso.com/activity/pure_power_for_all. Together, we create a brighter, cleaner future for all. About VAPORESSO VAPORESSO was founded on the belief that each action is an endeavor to achieve excellence. Our unwavering commitment to surpassing the ordinary has propelled us to become the leading vaping brand globally. We embody a vision where our technology and values merge, crafting a better, cleaner, and more enjoyable life for all. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2587532/VAPORESSO_CARE_PURE_POWER_FOR_ALLL.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2011704/Vaporesso_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pure-power-for-allvaporessos-global-movement-to-drive-clean-energy-solutions-and-sustainable-living-302339064.html Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - December 25, 2024) - Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, announced its win at the 18th edition of the Aviation Business Middle East Awards 2024, earning the prestigious Cabin Crew of the Year title. This recognition highlights Saudia's unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and elevating the guest experience. The Cabin Crew of the Year award celebrates the professionalism, dedication, and personalized care provided by Saudia's cabin crew, whose service consistently redefines global hospitality standards. The team, consisting of exceptional Saudi talent alongside a diverse international community, embodies authentic Saudi hospitality, reflecting the Kingdom's warmth, generosity, and respect. Saudia's crew ensures guests enjoy a seamless and enriched travel experience. Saudia wins Cabin Crew of the Year at the 18th Aviation Business Middle East Awards 2024, highlighting its dedication to exceptional service and global hospitality standards. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9108/235063_aviation%20business%20awards.jpg Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Guest Experience Officer at Saudia, expressed his pride in the recognition, stating: "This recognition for our cabin crew is a testament to the passion, professionalism, and commitment of our team. At Saudia, enhancing the guest experience is our mission, and this award by one of the region's most respected aviation publications highlights our leadership in delivering world-class service." "Saudia's cabin crew exemplify the essence of Saudi hospitality, combining warmth, generosity. We are honored to represent the Kingdom on the global stage and will continue striving to elevate the travel experience for our guests." Saudia cabin crew has consistently demonstrated excellence among global industry peers. Most recently the airline was honored with the Editorial Award for Best Airline Cabin Crew at the Business Traveler U.S. Awards 2024. Saudia also showcased its operational excellence by ranking first globally for on-time performance (OTP), as reported by Cirium. Saudia has recently announced the largest investment in its history to enhance and elevate the guest experience. This ambitious initiative includes the adoption of advanced technologies through Saudia's AI-powered Travel Companion and a comprehensive retrofit of its existing and new fleet. Guests will benefit from high-speed in-flight internet and upgraded seat-integrated screens. Additionally, Saudia is undertaking its most extensive fleet development and modernization program, with 130 new aircraft set to join its fleet in the coming years, reaffirming its commitment to connecting the world to the Kingdom. The Aviation Business Middle East Awards is an annual event that celebrates excellence in the Middle East's aviation industry. The awards recognize outstanding contributions from airlines, airports, and service providers across categories such as innovation, sustainability, customer service, and operational efficiency. The event serves as a premier platform for industry leaders to network, exchange insights, and discuss the future of aviation in the region. -Ends- About Saudia Group Saudia Group is one of the largest aviation conglomerates in the MENA region. The Group drives industry development with its 13 subsidiaries, and offers world-class air transport, cargo services, ground services, logistics, maintenance, catering, private aviation, real estate, training, and medical services. The mission of Saudia Group is to inspire people to go beyond borders with a purpose that is rooted in unlocking human potential and connecting the world in ways never thought possible. The group is committed to reshaping the aviation ecosystem in the MENA region and beyond, by embracing innovation and a customer-centric approach. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/235063 SOURCE: SAUDIA LONDON, Dec. 25, 2024. It's not just a collection of standalone apps but a seamlessly integrated platform combining advanced developments in one environment. At its core is Verum Messenger, revolutionizing communication and financial operations. Yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg: behind the messenger lies an entire ecosystem of unique products, each playing a key role in reshaping digital reality. Verum Messenger: Communication and Security Verum Messenger is more than just a messaging app. It's a multifunctional platform focused on user safety and convenience. Key features: Verum AI : An integrated artificial intelligence for data search, analysis, and planning. : An integrated artificial intelligence for data search, analysis, and planning. VPN : One-click data encryption and anonymity. : One-click data encryption and anonymity. E-SIM: Internet access in 150+ countries. Verum Coin: The Payment Backbone of the Ecosystem Verum Coin ensures fast and secure transfers within and beyond the ecosystem . It's used for service payments and instant low-fee transactions, both inside and outside the Verum ecosystem. BitCoinPay Trade: Secure Cryptocurrency Exchange BitCoinPay Trade offers secure trading and a wide selection of cryptocurrencies . Transactions are protected by advanced encryption methods, eliminating the risk of asset loss or theft. The platform provides access to major cryptocurrencies. Crypto Bank: Reliable Crypto Wallet Crypto Bank offers users a secure storage solution for digital assets. Designed for those who actively work with cryptocurrencies and value financial security, the service fully supports Verum Coin and other major cryptocurrencies, ensuring reliability and ease of use. Verum Pay: Integrating Cryptocurrencies into Business Verum Pay is an innovative solution to make and receive payments with a cryptocurrency for businesses. Verum Pay is actively utilized within the Verum ecosystem, enabling users to pay for goods and services with Verum Coin. Verum Exchange: Currency Converter and Mining Verum Exchange is a currency converter with integrated Verum Coin mining capabilities, allowing users to earn cryptocurrency on their devices. E-SIM Applications: Revolution in Connectivity Mobile E-SIM applications, World E-SIM , Euro E-SIM , Canada E-SIM , London E-SIM , USA E-SIM , Ukraine E-SIM , Balkan E-SIM , Africa E-SIM ) provide internet access in 150+ countries, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. Verum VPN: Data Protection A highly efficient Verum VPN ensures robust data encryption, making it ideal for protecting personal information online, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi networks. Verum AI: Artificial Intelligence at Your Fingertips A smart assistant Verum AI with extensive functionality . AI employs powerful algorithms for communication, analysis and creativity, adapting to each user's needs. Idea generation and skill development with no censorship. Verum Runner: A Crypto Game with Real Earnings Verum Runner is a crypto game enabling users to earn Verum Coin in real-time. This game motivates players to not only have fun but also gain real financial benefits. Verum Ecosystem changing approach to communication, finance and security in the modern world. All ecosystem products work in perfect synergy, delivering unparalleled user experiences that ensure privacy, security, and convenience every step of the way. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f25feaca-9a98-418a-8846-2871db98fec1 CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday.The yen fell to more than a 1-month low of 163.96 against the euro, from an early high of 163.35.Against the Canada and the U.S. dollars, the yen slid to a 6-day high of 109.71 and a 5-day low of 157.51 from early highs of 109.20 and 156.99, respectively.The yen edged down to 197.77 against the pound and 175.07 against the Swiss franc, from early highs of 196.87 and 174.43, respectively.Against the Australia and the New Zealand dollars, the yen dropped to 98.26 and 88.96 from early highs of 97.83 and 88.53, respectively.If the yen extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 166.00 against the euro, 112.00 against the loonie, 159.00 against the greenback, 200.00 against the pound, 178.00 against the franc, 101.00 against the aussie and 92.00 against the kiwi.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. DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 19, 2024, JETOUR officially opened a new 12,000-square-meter spare parts warehouse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, enhancing after-sales services for Middle East users. This marks a crucial step in JETOUR's global after-sales service expansion, reflecting its ambitious global plans and commitment to users worldwide. While rapidly advancing its globalization strategy, JETOUR has continuously strengthened its global after-sales service capabilities. In the Middle East, through establishing offices, showrooms, and dealership networks, JETOUR has offered a long-term warranty up to 5 years or 150,000 kilometers and has developed professional technicians to quickly respond to users' demands. The opening of the new spare parts warehouse will further enhance JETOUR's after-sales services in the Middle East and beyond. It is known that JETOUR's new spare parts warehouse features a strategic location, close to key transportation hubs in the Middle East, namely, the Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport, ensuring that spare parts can promptly meet market demands and providing strong spare parts support for Gulf countries as well as African region in the future. Additionally, JETOUR has established in-depth cooperation with multiple international shipping companies and freight forwarders, constructing an efficient logistics network for economical and rapid delivery of spare parts, breaking geographical barriers for global service. Furthermore, the spare parts within the warehouse are finely categorized and stored, with an inventory exceeding 20,000 different parts, ensuring efficient supply management and a prompt response to users' maintenance needs. In the Middle East, JETOUR has demonstrated robust overall performance. It led Chinese SUV brands in the UAE market share and ranked high in Kuwait and Qatar. JETOUR T2 and DASHING have become popular, winning numerous awards, demonstrating JETOUR's product strength and recognition from media and customers. JETOUR has created an astonishing "JETOUR Speed" with its rapid development momentum worldwide. From January to November 2024, it sold 502,367 units, up 83.9% year-on-year, achieving global sales of 1.46 million units in 75 months. Currently, JETOUR has over 2,000 sales and service networks in 65 countries, providing convenient services. In the future, JETOUR's globalization strategy is more ambitious. By 2030, JETOUR aims to establish 19 factories globally, targeting 80 markets with annual overseas sales of 1.1 million units, enhancing global operational capabilities and local value chain management. The implementation will further strengthen JETOUR's competitiveness and demonstrate its commitment to high-quality travel options for customers worldwide. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2587269/image.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/jetour-enhanced-after-sales-service-in-the-middle-east-with-a-large-new-spare-parts-warehouse-302339082.html Trial of Fillmore man for Richard Macias murder to end this week By Peggy Kelly Santa Paula News The trial of a Fillmore man charged with gunning down two Santa Paulans and leaving one dead on Jan. 3, 1997 finally got underway last week in a Ventura County courtroom. Jaime Arias, now 25, had been sought since he fled the scene of the shooting that left Richard Macias Jr., 19, shot once fatally in the back, and his brother, Jesse Duenas with serious wounds from multiple gunshots. The shooting occurred on the 800 block of East Santa Paula Street in a normally quiet neighborhood.According to testimony at the trial, Macias had visited an ex-girlfriend, upset because he believed she was partying too much and not taking care of their 2-year-old son. Once he arrived at the residence of Annette Chavez, he found her with her boyfriend, Arias, and several other people.According to Arias attorney, Macias started the fight that led to the shooting. But prosecutors claim that Macias was running from Arias when he was shot, falling on the sidewalk across the street from Chavezs residence.Arias then turned his .22-caliber handgun on Duenas before taking off in Macias car, which had been left at the curb with the motor running. . .Arias set the car on fire near the Santa Clara River at Hallock Drive before fleeing.Arias didnt surface until he was arrested on unrelated charges in the Palm Springs area in February 1998; he had reportedly spent time in Mexico before reentering the United States.Arias is charged with murder, attempted murder, carjacking, robbery and arson. Deputy Public Defender Howard Asher told jurors in his opening remarks that there is no question that Arias shot Macias and Duenas, but the level of culpability of the defendant only goes as high as voluntary manslaughter.Prosecutors are asking for a second-degree murder conviction, which carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. If convicted on Ashers claim of voluntary manslaughter, Arias could receive a maximum sentence of 11 years.The first day of the trial, Macias mother, Gloria Venegas of Santa Paula, cried as she was questioned by Deputy District Attorney Jim Ellison. Venegas told the jury that the last time she saw her son, a popular graduate of Santa Paula High School who was working at Kmart at the time of his death, was at dinner shortly before he left the house.The trial with Superior Court Judge Ken Riley presiding, is expected to go to the jury this week. Language: Hindi and Malayalam Director: Kalees Cast: Varun Dhawan, Wamiqa Gabbi, Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff and Rajpal Yadav As we draw the curtain of conclusion of 2024, the last Bollywood movie of the year is filled with action, romance, emotion and all that you need for a complete entertaining film. Hopefully this movie will give the numbers at the box-office that Bollywood desperately needs. Its a remake of Atlees 2016 Tamil film Theri. Filled with Atlee style, Varun Dhawans Baby John is one of the most anticipated films of 2024. You can call this the best action film, but is that what the audiences need? The first half an hour the film is a bit of a stretch, then it gradually picks up. Varun Dhawan is a true mass hero whom we cannot fail to ignore. But the problem with this film is when you overdose the film with too much thrill, you stop relishing it. The father-daughter relationship of Khushi (Zyanna) and Baby John (Vaun Dhawan) is impressive. The movie has a decent backstory too. Advertisement A still from Varun Dhawans Baby John Baby John starts with John DSilva (Varun Dhawan), the owner of a bakery and a single dad to Khushi (Zara Zyanna) who drops her daughter to school every day. Khushi is late to school every single day. Tara (Wamiqa Gabbi) is her teacher, but both Tara and John has another identity and a backstory and that is the central point of the story. But the real actor who has nailed the role of a villain is Jackie Shroff whom we cannot fail to ignore. He portrays the role of a repulsive looking minister who uses his power for his misdeeds. He kidnaps young girls on their way to school and uses them for flesh trade. He has all the qualities of a bad man with not even a tiniest bit of conscience and his son is a pedophile who rapes and then burns them alive. A still from Baby John film Baby John is no doubt engaging, but what the film lacks is crisp storytelling. All the performances are decent. But if you really love the smell of blood and the giggling of gun, this is indeed a film for you. The movie is pumped up with immense mass moments. Engaging and entertaining, but lacks fine storytelling which is the main requirement for an immersive film. And in no way is it a family movie and sometimes you may feel that it is a incomprehensible mess. Varun Dhwan has done a good job as an action hero, the show stellar is undoubtedly Jackie Shroff, but Wamiqa Gabbi is hugely underused in the film. the biggest surprise indeed is Salman Khans cameo with his trademark swag. Making a masala film is also an art and when you have a tough competition from Pushpa 2 which is still reigning the big screens. The biggest low was the two hours 40 minutes runtime. Advertisement Baby John is Presented by Jio Studios, A For Apple, Cine1 Studios is released in Cinemas Near You. Rating: 3 out of 5 WATCH Baby Johns trailer here: Malaika Arora, who recently broke up with Arjun Kapoor, was previously married to actor-filmmaker Arbaaz Khan. They parted ways and officially divorced in 2017. In a recent interview, Malaika shared how being financially independent is important and keeping finances separate from partners after marriage. Independent rakho baba (Be independent). Jo tera hai voh tera hai, jo mera hai voh mera hai (What is yours is yours, and what is mine is mine). I mean, when you get married or youre with someone, you try to infuse you know, try to fuse a situation where you want to make everything one. But I feel its very important to have your own identity, Malla told while talking to Curly Tales. Advertisement Its good that youre doing things together but that doesnt mean you kind of give up your entire identity and take on someone elses. As it is youre taking on somebody elses last name, right? So I think the least you can do is hang on to your own bank account," she added. Speaking about facing criticism on he relationships and life choices, she earlier told GlobalSpa magazine, In the best way I can. There are times when you feel things dont bother or affect me, but of course they do. She added, I have also figured out a way to deal with it, get strong about it and not let it pull me down, govern me or get the better out of me. I have figured out a way to insulate me to all of it. Yes, its part and parcel of our lives, there is constantly something, criticism, trolling but you just need to block out the noise, the negativity and move on with whatever is positive in your life. Advertisement One of the many Christmas traditions that has been losing its charm over the years is Christmas cards. Here is the history of Christmas cards and some other traditions that have been lost over time read more The 19th century produced many holiday customs. However, many of them are now losing its charm, such as Christmas cards. Representational image/Pixabay Its a common seasonal refrain: Christmas just isnt like it used to be. This is not a new complaint. History shows that Christmas traditions are just as subject to change as any other aspect of human societies, and when customs change, there are always some who wish they could turn back the clock. In the 1830s, the English solicitor William Sandys compiled a host of examples of Britons bemoaning the transformation of Christmas customs from earlier eras. Sandys himself was especially concerned about the decline of public carolling, noting the practice appeared to get more neglected every year. He worried that this neglect was indicative of a wider British tendency to observe Christmas with less hospitality and innocent revelry in the 19th century than in the past. Advertisement Yet the 19th century also produced new holiday customs. In fact, many of the new Christmas practices in Sandys time went on to become established traditions themselves and are now the subject of nostalgia and fretted over by those who fear their decline. Take, for example, the humble Christmas card. My research shows that these printed seasonal greetings borrowed from the customs of the past to move Christmas into a new age. The tradition of Christmas cards Annual sales and circulation of Christmas cards have been in decline since the 1990s. Laments over the potential death of the Christmas card have been especially vocal in the United Kingdom, where the mailing of Christmas greetings to family and friends via printed cards was long considered to be an essential element of a British Christmas. Indeed, historians Martin Johnes and Mark Connelly both argue that throughout the 20th century, the Christmas card was viewed as just as essential a part of Britains distinctive blend of holiday traditions as children hanging stockings at the end of their beds, Christmas pantomimes, and the eating of turkey and Brussels sprouts. Yet, as these same historians are quick to note, at one time Britons did none of these things at Christmas. Each of these traditions became an element of the customary British Christmas only during the second half of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th. This makes them all relatively new additions to the countrys holiday customs, especially when viewed in light of Christmas more than 2,000-year history. Christmas cards during the Industrial Revolution The custom of mailing printed Christmas cards began in the middle decades of the 19th century and was a product of the industrial revolution. It was made affordable by new innovations in printing and papermaking and more efficient modes of transportation such as the railway. The development of this new tradition was also facilitated by Parliaments introduction of the Penny Post in 1840, which allowed Britons to mail letters to any address in the United Kingdom for the small price of a penny stamp. Advertisement Most historians date the Christmas cards arrival to 1843, the same year in which Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol. In that year, the inventor and civil servant Henry Cole commissioned the artist John Callcott Horsley to design a card to help Cole handle his Christmas correspondence more efficiently. Printed versions of Coles card were also made available for sale, but the high price of one shilling apiece left them outside the bounds of affordability for most of the Victorian population. Coles experiment, however, inspired other printers to produce similar but more affordable Christmas cards. The use of these cheaper cards began to spread in the 1850s and had established itself as a holiday tradition by the final decades of the century. Advertisement A Victorian invention While the Christmas card may have seemed like an entirely new invention to Victorian senders and receivers, the first Christmas cards design was actually influenced by other, older British holiday traditions. As historians Timothy Larsen and the late Neil Armstrong have demonstrated, Christmas status as an established holiday meant that new Christmas customs developed during the 19th century needed to connect with, supplement or replace already existing traditions. The Christmas card was no exception to this recorded pattern. In 1843, many Britons bemoaned the disappearance of a variety of Old English Christmas customs. Foremost among these were traditions of Christmas hospitality, including Christmas and New Years visiting, when family, friends and neighbours went to each others homes to drink toast and offer best wishes for the holiday and the coming year. It is unclear whether these ongoing debates inspired Coles decision to commission his 1843 Christmas card. Pixabay Scholars argue popular belief in these traditions depended on a mixture of recalled reality and constructed fiction. Foremost among the latter were the popular stories depicting old English hospitality at Christmas by the American writer Washington Irving, published in the 1820s. In fact, Britons regularly invoked Irvings accounts of Christmas at the fictional country house, Bracebridge Hall, when debating the changing character of their nations Christmas observances. Advertisement Regardless of these old customs historical reality, they nevertheless came to feature prominently in discussions regarding the supposed disappearance of a range of community-level Christmas observances, including feasting, caroling and public acts of charity. All of these, it was believed, were endangered in an increasingly urban Britain characterised by class tensions, heightened population mobility and mass anonymity. A blend of tradition and innovation While it is unclear whether these ongoing debates inspired Coles decision to commission his 1843 Christmas card, the illustration Horsley designed for him alluded to them directly. The card features a family framed by trestles adorned with holly and mistletoe, accompanied on either side by charitable scenes involving the feeding and clothing of the poor. The center of the card and the symbolic center of Horsleys Christmas vision however, is the family of three clearly defined generations enjoying a collective feast, including the classic English Christmas pudding. Advertisement They face the viewer, their glasses raised in a toast, directly above a banner wishing them a A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The central visual imagery of the card as a paper visitor to the home of the recipient replicates the social act of toasting associated with the older custom of holiday visits. Christmas decorations in came into existence in the 18th century. Pixabay In fact, Horsleys design invoked many of the same elements featured in Irvings stories. This is not surprising, given that in later life Horsley recalled the impact of reading Irvings depictions of the Christmas at Bracebridge Hall as a boy, and how he and his sister Fanny had been determined to do our best to keep Christmas in such a notable fashion. The old English hospitality makes a comeback Early Christmas cards favoured similar imagery associated with the Old English Christmas of carolers, acts of charity, the playing of country sports, games such as blind mans bluff, copious greenery, feasting and the toasting of Christmas and the New Year. These Christmas cards were thus novel, industrial products adorned with the imagery of British Christmases past. The development, and ultimate triumph, of the Christmas card in Victorian Britain demonstrates how nostalgia was channelled into invention. The Christmas card did not revitalize the traditions of Christmas and New Years visiting; it offered a paper replacement for them. Industrial production and transportation transformed the physical visitor into a paper proxy, allowing more people to visit many more of the homes of others during the holiday season than they ever would have been able to in person. The desire to hold on to one element of an older, supposedly declining Christmas tradition thus proved instrumental in helping to create a new holiday tradition in the midst of unprecedented changes in the character of communications and social relations. Today, a similar context of social and technological changes has caused some to predict the death of the Christmas card. The history of the 19th century suggests, however, that should the tradition die, whatever replaces it will thrive by drawing selectively on the Christmas customs of the past. Christopher Ferguson, Associate Professor of History, Auburn University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Its been a decade since India is observing Good Governance Day on December 25. Multiple initiatives have been taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to bring transparency in the governance. Read more to know why today is observed as Good Governance Day and what all have changed in the last 10 years read more Every year December 25 is observed as Good Governance Day or Sushasan Divas. Designated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, the day has become an occasion to pay tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and also appreciate the measures the country has been adopting towards ensuring good governance. Why does India celebrate Good Governance Day? Good Governance Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Vajpayee who was born on December 25, 1924 in Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior. He was the first leader of the BJP to have served as Indias Prime Minister for three times - briefly in 1996, for 13 months in 1998 and 1999, and full five-year term from 1999 to 2004. Advertisement His tenure saw transformational initiatives including the Kisan Credit Card, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and the National Rural Health Program. Good Governance Day aims to promote awareness and educate citizens of the country about government duties as well as activities. It also instills good governance as a practice for Indian civil servants. The goal to observe this day is to bridge the gap between the public and the government by promoting active participation from both. The day is also commemorated to guarantee that the citizens of the country are treated equitably by the government and that they get utmost opportunity to avail the benefits of a host of government services. Since coming to power in 2014, one of the biggest achievements of the Modi-led government at the Centre is its ability to deliver good governance to the people of the country in the remotest and most backward of regions and ensuring last mile delivery of schemes despite challenges. It has been a decade since Good Governance Day is being observed and during this time, the governments commitment to transparency, innovation, and people-centric policies have redefined governance in India. 2,000 obsolete laws scrapped On the eve of the Good Governance Day, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh outlined transformative governance reforms implemented under PM Modis leadership. Dr Singh said nearly 2,000 obsolete rules which had lost relevance with the passage of time and which were proving detrimental to ease of working and timely disposals were scrapped to simplify governance. Advertisement Nearly 2000 outdated rules and regulations have been scrapped to simplify governance and make it more citizen-friendly," the Union Minister said. These outdated rules were proving detrimental to the ease of working and timely decision-making. Their removal is a major step toward creating a more citizen-friendly administrative framework, the minister further said. Feudalistic rule scrapped Dr Singh further said that within a few months after assuming the prime ministerial post in May 2014, the DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training) scrapped the feudalistic rule which was a rather dubious legacy of the British empire and allowed the youth the freedom of self-attestation instead of requiring a gazetted officer to attest the documents. This sent out a message across the country that now there was a government in place which had the capacity to trust the youth of the country, he said. Transparency in job recruitment Dr Singh further highlighted another significant reform of the Modi-government and said the PM in his Independence Day address gave a call for abolishing interviews in recruitment to lower-level posts in order to ensure transparency and this was implemented in 2016. This step was aimed at eliminating subjectivity and favouritism in the hiring process, ensuring greater transparency and fairness. Pension rules simplified The minister further pointed out that a number of reforms have been introduced under PM Modis regime to simplify the Pension Rules, especially those pertaining to senior citizens and family rules for divorced daughters. These reforms highlight the governments commitment to providing dignity and ease of access for the elderly and vulnerable groups. Advertisement Integration of cleanliness into governance Among the most visible transformations has been the integration of cleanliness into governance, turning what might have been dismissed as an administrative detail into a national movement. Cleanliness is now a hallmark of governance practices", Dr Singh said, as he recalled how the cleanliness drive began with building toilets and evolved into cleaning up government spaces and work places. He went on to reveal that that through efficient management of scrap material and obsolete equipment, the government had reclaimed over 643 lakh square feet of office space and earned Rs 2,364 crore for the national exchequer. The transformation is visible in government offices that were once cluttered and now serve as models of cleanliness and efficiency, he said. Development of North East The minister also commended the significant strides made in the North East region of India under the leadership of PM Modi. Under PM Modis leadership, his frequent visits, infrastructure development, and socio-economic programs transformed the north east region into a model of development, Dr Singh said. Advertisement From bridges and highways to digital connectivity, the North East has seen transformative progress. This reflects PM Modis vision of equitable development, he further said. The Union Minister also highlighted significant developments in connectivity and said, Under Modi jis leadership, the North East now enjoys unparalleled connectivity." Visionary Prime Minister Dr Singh attributed the success of these initiatives to the leadership of PM Modi, who he described as a visionary unifier. Under his guidance, we have seen the convergence of cleanliness, transparency, and efficiency in governance. These reforms are not just about better systems but also about building trust and creating a government that works for its people, Dr Singh said. A man tried to immolate himself today in front of the parliament building, but was stopped by the police personnel on the spot read more A man tried to immolate himself outside the new parliament building, officials told CNN-News 18 on Wednesday (December 25). The police personnel on the spot doused the fire and took the person to the hospital. As the year is coming to an end, a new Islamic force has emerged, and the Middle East could see Turkey and Israel confronting each other in Syria read more The Tinderbox Explodes At some level it is bizarre, unbelievable that Israel, a country facing existential threats, was surprised for the second time at the same place after 50 years. Egyptian and Syrian regular troops had surprised Israel on the Yom Kippur day of October 7, 1973. Commemorating this day, the Gaza-based Hamas, carried out a brutally violent attack, smashing through the supposedly impregnable Israeli barriers. The Hamas attackers were well equipped, well-armed, mobile and seemed to know where to go as they picked up their quarries. Advertisement In about six hours Hamas had slaughtered more than 1,200 men, women and children, including 46 Americans and citizens of more than 30 countries, and kidnapped more than 250 men and women. The carnage was horrendous by all accounts and intelligence failure was the headline on the channels, media and political opposition. Meanwhile, it seemed inexplicable that the much-vaunted Israeli defence system known to be capable of instant and forceful reaction had remained paralysed during the Hamas orgy of violence. The Israeli Air Force did not fly, the counter-terror forces did not emerge; there were no drones flying in. The instant narrative was that Hamas were able to carry out their horrendous attack because the security agencies were caught napping. Yet somehow, this general belief of total intelligence failure seemed unreal. It seemed to many as if the Israeli state had disappeared. No one really knows what happened. It is not easy to accept that the entire Israeli security system the Mossad, Aman and Shin Beth had completely failed to pick up any intelligence about the massive raid being planned by Hamas. Intelligence agencies do not act on their own intelligence especially when foreign powers are involved or when counteraction lies outside the countrys boundaries. There have been political decisions that do not accept intelligence assessments or those of the defence forces. Intelligence is ignored or on occasions even doctored. It was not fair to conclude that inaction was because of intelligence failure even though it might seem so. US-Israel relations are very close and there is a steady exchange of intelligence between their intelligence services. The massive American intelligence apparatus of 17 agencies, including the NSA and CIA, with their multi-billion-dollar budget, covers the Middle East minutely, especially the volatile areas surrounding Israel. Earlier in the summer, American authorities had issued a travel advisory cautioning their citizens in Russia about an impending terror attack in Moscow. They did not issue any such warning to American citizens in Israel ahead of the October 7 attack. It is not known if they had the intelligence about Hamas plans and shared it with the Israelis. Nor did the British. Advertisement Also recall the Egyptians had passed on some intelligence to the Israelis but perhaps it was discarded or was not very specific. Does this imply that all American, British and Israeli intelligence agencies had been simultaneously blindsided? It is difficult to accept that the worlds best intelligence services had been blinded simultaneously. Therefore, most probably it was a political decision to ensnare the Hamas into Israel by reducing security presence on the border for a few months, pretend indecision and divisiveness, react slowly when the Hamas took the bait. Hamas action created an appropriate narrative for Israel to hit back ruthlessly till the complete physical destruction of Hamas all over Gaza. Advertisement Israel needed a strong enough narrative to hit back to attack places like hospitals, schools and other public buildings, which the Hamas was using as a cover for its arsenals and command structures. Merely launching pre-emptive attacks on Hamas in Gaza were an inadequate deterrent. Hamas would keep coming back at them. the credo in the corridors of Israeli security policy must have been that Hamas had to be demolished completely. The Israelis conceivably had intelligence for a long time about the use of hospitals by Hamas as arsenals and as command headquarters and the various tunnels that had been built. Ehud Barak, former Prime minister pointed out, that it was well known that the bunkers under the Al Shifa hospital were built by the Israelis but for years had been used as a command post. Tunnels moving north-south were the most lethal for Israel. Their destruction required hitting hospitals, schools and such. For that a narrative was needed and the Hamas carnage became the much-needed narrative. Probably the scale of Hamas atrocities was a surprise. Advertisement The Middle East Reshaped Netanyahu and Hamas have had a long and tortuous relationship dating back ever since he became prime minister for the first time in 1996, defeating Shimon Peres by a narrow margin. Speaking to the NPR (National Public Radio) in November 2023, Netanyahu (prime minister since 2009) stressed Israel had to eliminate Hamas to avoid further disaster. But once we defeat Hamas, we have to make sure that theres no new Hamas, no resurgence of terrorism this was his theme. When Netanyahu came back to power in 2009 Israeli media reported it was Netanyahus policy to keep Hamas alive to preserve his own rule. Qatar began to finance Hamas in 2012, and Netanyahu started this in 2018, despite opposition by the security establishment and $30 million in cash crossed the Rafah crossing every month till October 2023. Apparently, it was done to weaken the Palestinian Authority, but it worked differently. Advertisement Eventually Yahya Sinwar, who had planned the attack was the first Hamas leader killed by the Israelis. Israelis began to target not only Hamas leaders but also Hezbollah. Leaders assassinated including Ismail Haniyeh, when he was a state guest in Tehran in July 2024. Haniyeh had been visiting Iran to attend the swearing in of the new Iranian president and was a state guest. The Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah was killed in Beirut in September. Earlier, Fuad Shukr, a founder member of Hezbollah, was killed in an air strike in July. In March, an airstrike killed Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas military commander closely associated with the October Hamas plan. In July, a massive Israeli airstrike killed Mohammed Deif, Sinwars closest aide after several unsuccessful attempts. Quite obviously, Israeli intelligence and defence forces had specific intelligence and capabilities to take out the targets, thus reestablishing their professional credentials. Until the time that Israel was retaliating only in Gaza, and Israeli reaction was seen as part of a massive revenge against the Hamas. Once the attacks spread into Lebanon and against the Hezbollah with an occasional strike against Iran, and later the Houthis in Yemen, it meant that there was a larger game plan. The war is now a fight to the finish. Hezbollah was defeated in Lebanon, and Syria has been defeated by a conglomerate of Islamic terrorists, much in the pattern of the ISIS in Iraq in 2014. Clearly a synchronised attack by Islamist terrorists, with Turkey and Israel and the US, surely keeping a benign eye, puts the October 7 failure in a different context. The Israeli Airforce wiped out the Syrian Airforce and Army has captured more territory in the Golan Heights. A regime change had taken place in Syria where the new ruler was an Islamic terrorist, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. Despite having bounty of $10 million on his head and being a known terrorist, Turkey, the US and Israel helped him establish a government of terrorists in Damascus. At some stage one could even conclude that this was, yet another proxy multilateral Islamic force put together by the US after their successful arrangement with the Afghanistan Mujahedeen against the Soviets. Taliban, Al Qaeda and ISIS were subsequent incarnations of the same theme. A Long Shadow of History To control oil flows and the geopolitics of the Middle East, US engagement from after WWII involved propping up despots and monarchs that toed the American line. When leaders like Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi fell out of favour or adopted a mind of their own, they were removed and replaced. Numerous regime changes supported forever wars that advanced American economic and strategic interests. This a region critical to containing Russia south of the Caucuses traditionally, and Chinas expanding sphere of influence more recently. American activity in the Middle East was not random. General Wesley Clark, a former NATO commander had learnt soon after 9/11, that the US had plans to take out seven countries in the Middle East as part of a grand five-year plan. These were Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Iran. The plans for six have been executed and only Iran is left. The neo-con hardliners have been at work since the fall of the Soviet Union. According to William Pfaff, a well-known author and columnist, writing in 2005, a new bureau of Reconstruction and Stabilisation had been constituted in the State Department for organising the reconstruction of countries where the US deemed it necessary to intervene to convert them into market democracies. The bureaus had 25 countries under surveillance as possible candidates for Defence Department deconstruction followed by State Department reconstruction. Either way, the US economy gained. There are as many outside forces in Syria adding to the troubles and a heterogenous insurgent force now pretending to be liberators today. The US support for Israel has enabled an aggressive posture in the region. For the moment, Russia and Iran are bystanders. Turkey is on the side of the insurgents who include Al Qaeda/ISIS clones like the HTS, with their well-known views on supremacy of Islam. The Free Syrian Army is backed by the West, Turkey and the Gulf countries. The Syrian National Army is also backed by Turkey, other Al Qaeda affiliates, the Salafists, the Uighurs in the Turkestan Islamic Party, some Iranian backed militias and the Kurds and their affiliations. In a recent interview with a Lebanese channel, Al Jadeed, one of the HTS spokespersons, made it quite clear that women had a very limited role in their governance and societal system. The presently favoured Islamist group, HTS, could morph into something else for use elsewhere as an extension of global jihad, as in the past. Similarities with the Afghan jihad and the Taliban are evident. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and Al Qaeda are examples of how Islamists groups morph. Recall, Osama bin Laden had been an old ally during the Afghan War and helped build the tunnels in Khost, Afghanistan until he became a villain in 2001. Soon after Osama was killed in 2011, his successor Zawahiri seemed amenable to American overtures. This had prompted Jake Sullivan, Foreign Policy Advisor to Hillary Clinton in February 2012 to exult to her that Al Qaeda was on their side in Syria. The ISIS in Iraq and Syria in 2014 was a sudden amalgam and Al Qaeda had in the past morphed into Al Nusra. One will have to see how various alignments and loyalties work out in Syria as they have changed in the past in the Middle East. American interests gave the world the first Islamic jihad in Afghanistan, followed by radical Islamist militias like the Taliban. Any deal of a joint operation with a terrorist/insurgent organisation has grave implications. It legitimises the terrorist apparatus. It acts as an inspiration. It provides resilience to other terrorists that can work out a deal. For the present, secularism in Syria is dead; its future is uncertain and minorities in the country are unsafe. The choice could be between Al Aqsa or the Wailing Wall; Erdogan is already talking about Jerusalem being their city as Israel increases its footprint in Syria. This new Syria-based jihadi conglomerate could be used later elsewhere, in Central Asia, for instance. Today Jolani may look dapper in a tie and blazer, but he remains a radical Islamist who believes in the ultimate global conquest by Islam and is willing to fight for that goal, mostly many thousands of kilometres away from American shores. Quite apparently, the world has not yet heard the last word on Syria, and Iran is yet to be. The year is coming to an end and wars abound in Ukraine, Israel-Lebanon-Syria-Yemen, Islamist extremists are clearly visible and triumphant, and the Middle East could see Turkey and Israel confronting each other in Syria. Chaos seems to be the strategy of global powers. Welcome to 2025. The writer is the former head of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), and an advisor to the Observer Research Foundation, an independent public policy think tank in New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Iran is neither pursuing a nuke, according to US intel, nor is it enriching uranium beyond 60 per cent read more In a scathing op-ed published in The New York Times in March 2015, John Bolton slammed Barack Obama for negotiating the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and called for bombing Irans nuclear reactors. In the column, headlined To Stop Irans Bomb, Bomb Iran, the former US ambassador to the UN wrote: The inescapable conclusion is that Iran will not negotiate away its nuclear programme. Nor will sanctions block its building a broad and deep weapons infrastructure. Calling for attacking the N-sites, he wrote: The inconvenient truth is that only military action like Israels 1981 attack on Saddam Husseins Osirak reactor in Iraq or its 2007 destruction of a Syrian reactor, designed and built by North Korea, can accomplish what is required. Time is terribly short, but a strike can still succeed. Advertisement Around four years later, Donald Trump sacked Bolton, then the US national security adviser (NSA), ironically for his hawkish stance on Iran. While the president considered easing sanctions to meet Irans then-President Hassan Rouhani, Bolton was dead against it. Trumps first Cabinet had war hawks, including Bolton. However, Trump 2.0 is packed with rabid anti-Iran hawksMarco Rubio, Mike Waltz, Pete Hegseth and Mike Huckabeewho want an extreme hardline stance against Tehran. According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Trumps transition team is seriously considering striking Irans nuclear facilities, like Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, to stop Tehran from building nukes. The president-elect has discussed the danger of Iran building an N-bomb and a potential strike with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu several times. Netanyahu, claiming since 1992 that Iran is on the verge of manufacturing a nuke, is emboldened by Trumps return and feels that his plan for destroying Iranian N-sites will come to fruition. Both Obama and the current US president, Joe Biden, were against it. According to _ The Times of Israel_ , the Israeli Air Force wants to destroy Irans nuclear plants and also feels that Tehran could build a nuke to replace its earlier deterrence of Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria. The dangerously insane option, along with crippling economic sanctions, is being considered after the massive Israeli blow to Hamas and Hezbollah and the overthrow of Tehrans staunch ally and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Advertisement Four people familiar with the planning told WSJ that the transition team has zeroed in on two options. The first option is to send more firepower to West Asia and sell the 13,600-kg bunker-busting GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which can target Irans underground nuclear facilities, to Israel. The second option is to threaten Iran with military action to stop it from building nukes. Uranium, plutonium and nukes Natural uranium, consisting mostly of around 0.7 per cent uranium-235 (U-235), essential for nukes, and 99.3 per cent uranium-238 (U-238) isotopes, cant be directly used for nuclear weapons. U-235 must be enriched to increase its concentration into a form usable in nukes. Advertisement A simple nuke needs 25 kg of 90 per cent enriched uranium, according to the IAEA. Therefore, the higher the level of enrichment, the smaller the amount of nuclear material needed to make a nuke which will be smaller and lighter and easier to deliver. The Little Boy nuke dropped on Hiroshima used uranium. When the JCPOA was signed, Iran was already enriching uranium at Natanz and Fordow by using 18,000 first-generation IR-1 centrifuges and 1,000 second-generation IR-2 centrifuges, respectively. These centrifuges spun uranium in gas form at a very high speed to separate the heavier U-238 isotope from the lighter U-235 isotope. Advertisement IAEA estimated that Iran could build a nuke in one or two months and 8-10 nuclear bombs in total considering the technology and its stockpile of around 7,000 kg of 5 per cent enriched uranium and around 200 kg of 20 per cent enriched uranium. Plutonium-239, produced in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators when uranium is irradiated with neutrons, can also be used to build nukes. Weapons-grade plutonium contains more than 93 per cent plutonium-239 and less than 7 per cent plutonium-240 by weight. For example, North Korea produces plutonium at its Yongbyon reactor. The Fat Man nuke dropped on Nagasaki used plutonium. Before the JCPAO, Iran was building a plutonium heavy-water reactor in Arak. Advertisement Under the nuclear deal with P5+1, Iran agreed to reduce its stockpile of uranium by 98 per cent, restrict uranium enrichment to 3.67 per cent, decrease the number of centrifuges at Natanz to 6,104 for the next 10 years, stop enrichment at Fordow for 15 years and fill the Arak reactor with concrete in exchange for ending the Westen nuclear-related sanctions. Subsequently, Iran shipped 25,000 pounds of enriched uranium out of the country, dismantled and removed two-thirds of its centrifuges, filled the Arak reactor with concrete and provided unprecedented access to the IAEA to its nuclear facilities and supply chain. However, Iran didnt breach the limits despite Trump pulling out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposing the sanctions. Tehran started breaching the limits and removing the restrictions slowly a year later. IAEA reports add fuel to fire Iran denies pursuing nukes. However, enriching uranium up to 60 per cent purity isnt required for civil nuclear power generationthe reason the West is alarmed. In a confidential report shared with UN members this month, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said that Iran is dramatically speeding up uranium enrichment up to 60 per cent purity at Fordow. Tehran is also enriching uranium up to 60 per cent at Natanz. Today, the agency is announcing that the production capacity is increasing dramatically of the 60 per cent inventory, Grossi said on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain. The increase in the enrichment rate of the material being fed into two interconnected cascades of advanced IR-6 centrifuges at its Fordow plant will boost the production of 60 per cent enriched uranium to more than 34 kg a month, he added. In an earlier confidential report in November, the IAEA said that Iran had 182.3 kg of 60 per cent enriched uranium as of October 26, an increase of 17.6 kg since its August report. The overall stockpile of enriched uranium was 6,604.4 kg, a rise of 852.6 kg since August. However, there is no evidence of Iran enriching uranium beyond 60 per cent purity. An analysis of IAEAs quarterly reports on November 19 and August 29 by the Institute for Science and International Security is almost the same except for the number of nukes it can produce, the quantity of enriched uranium and the number of centrifuges: Iran can produce more weapon-grade uranium (WGU) since the IAEAs last report due to increased stocks of enriched uranium and an enlarged advanced centrifuge capacity, according to both reports. Irans stocks of enriched uranium and its centrifuge capacity combined are sufficient to make enough WGU for almost 10 nukes in one month, 13 in two months, 14 in three months, 15 in four months and 16 in five months, per the November report. Irans stocks of enriched uranium and its centrifuge capacity combined are sufficient to make enough WGU for 9 nuclear weapons in one month, 12 in two months, 13 in three months, 14 in four months and 15 in five months, per the August report. Both reports conclude that with Irans growing enrichment experience and using only a portion of its stock of 60 per cent highly enriched uranium and only four advanced centrifuge cascades, Iran could produce its first quantity of 25 kg of WGU in one week or less. This breakout could be difficult for the IAEA to detect promptly if Iran delays inspectors access. Iran enriching uranium up to 60 per cent is not new. It has been doing that since April 2021 but not beyond 60 per cent. Moreover, Iran agreed to tougher monitoring at the Fordow after the IAEAs December confidential report and agreed to increase the frequency and intensity of the implementation of safeguards measures at Fordow and is facilitating the implementation of this strengthened safeguards approach, the IAEA said in the latest confidential report to member states. In November, two other IAEA confidential reports showed further Iranian cooperation. Iran offered to cap the stock of uranium enriched to up to 60 per cent at around 185 kg and agreed to allow four more experienced enrichment inspectors after barring most IAEA inspectors in 2023. The Iranian offers show that its aware that Trump would adopt extreme measures to curb its nuclear programme. No evidence of Iran pursuing nukes In October 2003, Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued an oral fatwa forbidding the production and use of WMDs. In August 2005, the fatwathe production, stockpiling and use of nukes forbidden under Islamwas cited in an official statement by Iran at an IAEA meeting in Vienna. An attack on Irans nuclear facilities is illogical and extremely dangerous if its still cooperating and not enriching uranium beyond 60 per cent purity despite Trump pulling out of the deal. Moreover, the argument for a potential strike on Iranian nuclear facilities falls flat due to the lack of evidence of Tehran building a nuke. Khamenei cant be taken for his word. But neither theres proof of Iran building a nuclear bomb nor American intelligence agencies have evidence of Iran pursuing a nuke. At The Cipher Briefs 2024 Threat Conference in Sea Island, Georgia in October, CIA director William Burns cautioned that Iran is in a much closer position to produce a bombs worth of enriched material for a single weapon but the CIA doesnt see evidence today that such a decision (pursuing nukes) has been made. Under the JCPOA, Iran would have taken more than a year to build a nuke. Now, its probably more like a week or a little more to produce one bombs worth of weapons-grade material. So, the risks have increased, he warned. However, the CIA doesnt see evidence today that the supreme leader has reversed the decision that he took at the end of 2003 to suspend the weaponisation programme, he added. A year earlier, Burns said the same thing, We dont believe that the supreme leader in Iran has yet made a decision to resume the weaponisation programme. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) also doesnt have any evidence of Iran building a nuke. In its November report, the DNI states: The Intelligence Community continues to assess that as of September 26, 2024, Iran is not building a nuclear weapon. However, the DNI too, like the IAEA, states that Iran has continued to increase its stockpiles of 20 per cent and 60 per cent enriched uranium, manufacture and operate an increasing number of advanced centrifuges. Assuming a hypothetical situation, the DNI states that Iran will enrich uranium up to 90 per cent or threaten to withdraw from the NPT in the face of additional sanctions, attacks or censure against its nuclear programme. Per the US assessment, Iran will more likely use covert facilities to produce the requisite fissile material for a nuke. However, a March Congressional Research Service (CRS) report states: Neither the US government nor the IAEA have publicly described any evidence that Iran is conducting covert nuclear activities. Even the 2022 US Nuclear Posture Review concludes that Iran does not today possess a nuclear weapon and we currently believe it is not pursuing one. More than a decade before the recent US intel finding no evidence of Iran building a nuke and three years before the JCPOA, Obamas defence secretary Leon Panetta told CBS News Face the Nation, Are they (Iran) trying to develop a nuclear weapon? No. Time needed to build a nuclear bomb The big question is how long will Iran take to build an N-bomb? Producing WGU is one thing but building a deliverable nuke is another. According to nuclear experts, Iran would take months or a year to build a deliverable nuke. Only advanced metallurgy and engineering can machine WGU into the core of an atom bomb. The IAEA reports only mention the increase in 60 per cent enriched uranium and the number of centrifuges, not atomic purification, engineering, manufacturing and testing. Besides, Iran would need to test the complete warhead rigorously and explode the bomb underground. The CRS report also states Iran has not mastered all of the necessary technologies for building such weapons. Besides, a US State Department official told CRS in an April 2022 email that Iran would need approximately one year to complete the necessary weaponisation steps. The CRS mentioned former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milleys March 2023 testimony in which he said that Iran would need several months to produce an actual nuclear weapon. Even the IAEA reports suggest that Iran does not yet have a viable nuclear weapon design or a suitable explosive detonation system. Echoing the assertion of nuclear experts, CRS said that Iran may also need additional experience in producing weapons-grade HEU metal for use in a nuclear weapon is first cast and machined into suitable components for a nuclear core. Attacking Irans N-sites will be foolhardy Hinting at the possibility of pre-emptive strikes on Irans N-sites, Trump, _ TIME_ s 2024 Person of the Year, told the magazine in a wide-ranging interview on November 25 that anything can happen; its a very volatile situation. It isnt the first time Trumps aides have suggested the reckless idea. In early 2020, Trumps foreign policy advisers twice suggested attacking Irans nuclear plants if he lost the election. After he lost the election, Trump considered missile strikes in response to provocations against American interests in the region. Milley stopped him. If you do this, youre gonna have a fuc*ing war, he said. In November 2020, Trump convened an Oval Office meeting and asked senior aides about the attack options against Natanz, where, according to an IAEA report, the uranium stockpile was 12 times larger than permitted under the JCPOA. Milley, V-P Mike Pence, secretary of state Mike Pompeo and acting-defence secretary Christopher C Miller warned that a strike could trigger a broader conflict. After Iran fired around 200 missiles at Israel on October 1 following the assassination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, Trump warned that the world was on the brink of World War 3 and said that Tehran was in check under his presidency. Therefore, attacking Iranian N-plants during his second presidency would contradict Trumps claim and could escalate to a full-blown conflict. Iran has already suffered a terrible blow and its influence in West Asia has considerably decreased after the weakening of Hamas and Hezbollah and the toppling of Assad. A strike on Irans N-facilities would only compel Tehran to pursue nukes. Iran is already cornered. Cornering it further by striking its nuclear plants would trigger a chain reaction with Iranian attacks on American forces in the region. It would be unwise of Trump to be goaded by Netanyahu to attack Iranno American interests would be served. Trump pulled out of the JCPOA, which ensured that Irans nuclear programme remained peaceful. If Trump wants to stick to his non-interventionist policy, he should negotiate with Iran, not ignite a new war. The writer is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Pakistan has reportedly carried out several airstrikes in neighbouring Afghanistan, killing at least 15 people, including women and children. Local media reports said that the toll is likely to rise and rescue works continue read more Afghan nationals at a camp in Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Source: Representational Image | International Rescue Committee (IRC) | Reuters. At least 15 people, including women and children, were reported to have been killed in a series of airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Barmal district of Afghanistans Paktika province late on Tuesday night. Local media quoted sources as saying that the toll is expected to rise. According to a report by The Associated Press, in one of the rare airstrikes carried out by Pakistan, it targeted multiple hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan. Quoting four security officials, the report said that the airstrikes dismantled a training facility and killed some insurgents. Advertisement A spokesperson of the Taliban Ministry of Defence, Enayatullah Khwarazmi, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that civilian people, mostly Waziristani refugees, had been killed in the Pakistani airstrikes on Tuesday. Several children and other civilians were martyred and wounded in the attack, he further said, though no official casualty figures have been provided so far. A report by Afghanistan-based Khaama Press quoted sources as saying that at least 15 bodies, including women and children, have been recovered, and the death toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue. The Pakistani airstrikes have caused widespread destruction, Khaama Press report said, adding that it would further escalate tensions in the region. Second such attack since March The attack on Tuesday was second such on alleged hideouts of Pakistani Taliban since March, when Pakistan carried out intelligence-based strikes in the border regions inside neighbouring Afghanistan. Victims mostly were refugees from Waziristan Though Pakistan says its target were hideouts of Pakistani Taliban, AP report quoted the Afghan Defence Ministry as saying that the bombing targeted civilians, including women and children. Most victims were said to be refugees from the Waziristan region. They are civilians who had been displaced by military operations in Pakistans tribal areas. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers this a brutal act against all international principles and blatant aggression and strongly condemns it, the Afghan Defence Ministry said. Pakistan targeted 7 villages in Afghanistan As per Khaama Press report, Pakistani airstrikes targeted seven villages, including Laman, where five members of a family were killed. The report quoted local sources as claiming that Pakistani jets were responsible for the bombings. Local media reports indicate that the Murg Bazaar village in Barmal was also destroyed, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Taliban vows to retaliate The Talibans Ministry of Defence has vowed to retaliate following the airstrike on Barmal. Condemning the attack the ministry said that defending their land and sovereignty is their legitimate right. Pakistani officials have been silent about the airstrikes and are yet to officially confirm about them. Advertisement Islamabad often claims that the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), use Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan, a charge Kabul has denied. However, the Pakistani Taliban has increased its attacks on Pakistani forces over the recent months, with Pakistan accusing the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter to these militants. Pakistan, meanwhile, maintains that many TTP commanders and fighters have fled to Afghanistan, where they are reportedly being protected by the Afghan Taliban in border provinces. With inputs from agencies. The year 2024 was a rollercoaster ride for India in terms of the country handling diplomatic tensions with different countries across the world. From Canada to China, India successfully navigated through bilateral crises this year read more The year 2024 was nothing short of an eventful 365 days. A number of global phenomena shaped the year for the better or worse. From losses to victories to twists, this year unfolded in ways that were sometimes predictable and other times not. India successfully got through another year of maintaining its stand on the world stage in 2024. The path, however, was not free of hiccups. The country did witness diplomatic ties go sour with a few countries but stormed every weather to protect its principles. Advertisement As the clock ticks closer to the end of 2024, heres a look at five bilateral crises that India managed this year: India-Canada Ties between India and Canada have been strained since the pre-COVID era. But 2024 was the year went their ties hit rock bottom. The reason: Death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was murdered in 2023 and in 2024, Ottawa accused India of employing hitmen to kill him on Canadian soil without providing any hard evidence. Three Indian nationals were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to kill Nijjar. Later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that evidence showed that Indian government agents were involved in Nijjars death and that their activities threaten public safety in Canada. In October, Canada expelled six diplomats over the murder allegations. India replied to Ottawas move by recalling its high commissioner Sanjay Verma and other Indian diplomats from the country. The Khalistani issue is still a point of contention between the two countries and ties between the two can only be hoped to get better in the coming year. India-US New Delhis sore problem, the Khalistani issue found its way to the US as well in 2024. Back in October, the Federal Bureau of Investigation accused Indian agents of being involved in a botched plot to kill Khalistani terrorists and Sikh for Justice (SFJ) Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Pannun, a US citizen, has made several incriminating statements against India and has threatened to attack the Indian Parliament and blow up India-bound flights to get his secessionist point across. The FBI will not tolerate acts of violence or other efforts to retaliate against those residing in the U.S. for exercising their constitutionally protected rights," FBI Chief Christopher Wray said at the time. Advertisement Earlier this year, a former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav was charged for allegedly overseeing the plan to kill Pannun. Another Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has also been charged in the case. India responded to the accusations by sending its own investigative team to Washington in October to probe Pannuns assassination plot. India-Maldives Relations between India and Maldives went through a rollercoaster ride in 2024. First, the island countrys President Mohamed Muizzu centred his election campaign around the India out rhetoric which irked New Delhi. The two countries have gone back on forth on several issues including the economy, policies and Males bonhomie with China. Indians make up more than half of Maldives tourists but for a country that depends on tourism, it could not help but vex India again. In January, three government ministers made derogatory comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The incident triggered a public outcry that led many Indians to boycott Maldivian tourism. As a result, the three officials were later fired from their posts. Advertisement A few months later, Muizzu made an official visit to India in an effort to mend ties, work on differences and get India to invest more in Maldives. India approved a $400 million and a 30 billion rupee ($357.35 million) currency swap agreement, Modi said, adding that India was willing to provide extensive help to the Maldives to develop infrastructure. India also extended emergency financial support to the Maldives by subscribing to its $50 million treasury bill at the request of Muizzus government, days after China agreed to strengthen trade and investment in the Indian Ocean nation. India-Bangladesh In a span of just a few months, Bangladeshs government crumbled like a house of cards. It started with student protests which slowly turned so widespread that it led to the fall of Indias long-time ally Sheikh Hasinas administration. Hasina sought refuge in India after she fled from Dhaka as protestors stormed into the prime ministers residence. Years of discontentment over her rule capitalised into the fall of her Awami League government. Advertisement With Hasinas ouster, came a flurry of problems for the southeast Asian country, one of them being its depleting relationship with India. Under the former prime minister, minorities, especially Hindus, were relatively safe in Bangladesh. However, under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, the situation for Hindus in Bangladesh turned for the worse with many facing religious persecution. Things came to a head in November when a Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested for allegedly desecrating the Bangladeshi flag. Protests ensued after the monks bail was denied and during these demonstrations many Hindus were killed, many temples were destroyed and many people were wrongfully detained. Advertisement The Indian Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attacks on Hindu temples and deities in Bangladesh, describing them as a systematic pattern of desecration. India urged Bangladesh to take strong measures against extremist elements to ensure the safety of its Hindu community. India has also halted most visa issuances to Bangladeshi nationals, except for medical emergencies, and has withdrawn many of its citizens involved in infrastructure projects in Bangladesh due to safety concerns. Nevertheless, with a desire to keep relations stable, the two sides have engaged in diplomatic talks with foreign secretaries from India and Bangladesh meeting in Dhaka to discuss the current situation. India-China The year 2024 was actually good for India and China relations. After years of animosity, the two countries reached a breakthrough to put an end to the constant skirmishes along the Indo-China border. In October, both countries reached a pivotal agreement to de-escalate tensions along their disputed border along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This accord facilitated the disengagement of troops from critical friction points, notably in the Depsang Plains and Demchok regions, effectively restoring patrolling rights to the status quo prior to the 2020 confrontations. After successfully pulling back their respective troops from the border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first formal bilateral meeting in five years during the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, highlighting another point of strengthening ties between the two countries. Additionally, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval engaged in high-level talks in Beijing, marking the resumption of the special representatives dialogue mechanism after a four-year hiatus. Syrias civil war, which began in 2011 after Assads crackdown on anti-government protests, has killed more than 500,000 people. Tens of thousands remain missing, and the full extent of mass graves and extrajudicial killings is still unknown read more 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, according to residents, after the ousting of al-Assad, in Najha, Syria. File image/Reuters A suspected mass grave outside Damascus may contain the remains of detainees held under former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and fighters killed during the countrys civil war, a prominent rescue group and an activist said on Wednesday (December 25). Located in a walled area near the Baghdad Bridge, approximately 35 kilometers from the capital, the site revealed rows of graves more than a meter deep. AFP reported the presence of white bags inside some graves, stacked with names and numbers written on them. One bag contained a human skull and bones. Advertisement Abdel Rahman Mawas of the White Helmets rescue group said the site was likely a mass grave. We think this is a mass grave we found an open grave with seven bags filled with bones, Mawas told AFP by telephone. He said the bags were moved to a secure location for DNA testing and urged people to avoid disturbing the site. The site is located less than 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Saydnaya Prison, infamous for extrajudicial executions, torture, and forced disappearances under Assads regime. Diab Serriya, from the Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Saydnaya Prison, said the grave was first identified in 2019 based on testimony from a defected intelligence official. Satellite imagery indicates the site has been in use since 2014. Serriya suggested the grave might contain detainees and both regime and opposition fighters killed in the conflict. The bags of bones were likely brought from other graves, he said, cautioning that identifying those buried could take years. Allegations of mass killings The discovery adds to allegations of mass killings during Assads presidency. Last week, Mouaz Moustafa, head of the US-based Syrian Emergency Task Force, claimed a mass grave in al-Qutayfah, 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Damascus, contained the bodies of at least 100,000 victims. Its a very conservative estimate, Moustafa said, adding that the dead likely included foreigners, including US and British citizens. He identified five mass graves in Syria over the years and believes more remain undiscovered. A legacy of atrocities Syrias civil war, which began in 2011 after Assads crackdown on anti-government protests, has killed more than 500,000 people. Tens of thousands remain missing, and the full extent of mass graves and extrajudicial killings is still unknown. Residents near the site in Adra denied knowledge of its existence. Mohammed Ali, a municipal council official, said the area was a restricted military zone, making it off-limits to civilians. Assads ousting earlier this month by an Islamist-led rebel alliance has intensified efforts to uncover the wars atrocities, but the process of identifying and documenting victims remains a long and painful road. With inputs from agencies Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants. A recent friendly fire incident in the Red Sea, where a US Navy ship mistakenly shot down a fighter jet, shows the ongoing dangers of modern warfare despite advanced technology and heightened military precautions read more On December 22, 2024, a serious incident occurred in the Red Sea when two US Navy pilots were mistakenly shot down by a US Navy ship, the USS Gettysburg. The pilots, flying from the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier, were operating in the area when the USS Gettysburg fired at their jet. Luckily, both pilots ejected from their F/A-18 Super Hornet jet and were rescued alive, with only one pilot suffering minor injuries. This incident highlights the ongoing risks in modern warfare, even with advanced technology. Advertisement A Red Sea scare This friendly fire incident is one of the most serious in over a year for the US military. Central Command confirmed that the USS Gettysburg mistakenly fired on a US Navy fighter jet that had just taken off from the USS Harry S Truman. The pilots were unharmed, but the incident shows the dangerous and often chaotic nature of operations in the Red Sea, despite the presence of US and European naval forces patrolling the region to prevent attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The event brings attention to issues that lead to friendly fire, such as the fast pace of military operations, miscommunications between branches of the military and the limitations of even the most advanced weapons. Friendly fire isnt just a rare accident. Its a serious problem that affects military forces everywhere, especially in tense combat zones. A pattern of incidents According to Matija Seric in Eurasia Review, friendly fire incidents have been part of warfare for centuries. One of the earliest and most well-known cases happened in 1758 during the French and Indian War. British forces, led by Colonel George Washington, accidentally attacked their own troops in poor visibility, resulting in 13 deaths. This was one of the first recorded cases of friendly fire caused by misidentification. Moving to the 20th century, the scale of warfare made friendly fire incidents more common. Both World Wars had many examples. In World War II, the Allies experienced several cases of mistaken attacks. In one well-known incident, German planes accidentally bombed German ships in the North Sea in 1940. According to Warfare History Network, during the Battle of Tobruk, Italian anti-aircraft fire shot down an Italian plane, killing several important figures, including Italo Balbo, the governor of Libya. Advertisement The Vietnam War made friendly fire an even bigger problem. US soldiers fought in dense jungle, which made it hard to tell the difference between enemies and allies. Around 5 per cent of all casualties in the Vietnam War were caused by friendly fire showing just how risky misidentification could be in such chaotic conditions. The Gulf Wars in the 1990s and 2000s saw a big change in friendly fire incidents due to the rapid advancement of military technology. The First Gulf War was a key turning point, as new technologies like advanced weapons, night vision and precision-guided missiles were widely used. Advertisement However, these improvements also led to more friendly fire casualties. In the 1991 Gulf War, 24 per cent of US military casualties were caused by friendly fire, a shocking statistic that showed how complex modern warfare had become. According to Matija Seric in Eurasia Review, 77 per cent of US military vehicles destroyed in the war were accidentally hit by US or allied forces. This trend continued during the Iraq War (2003-2011), where the challenges of fighting in cities, guerrilla tactics and quick changes in battle plans led to many cases of misidentification. One tragic example happened during the 2003 invasion, when US A-10 aircraft mistakenly attacked British armoured vehicles, killing one British soldier and injuring several others. The pilots were later cleared of wrongdoing, but the incident showed how dangerous miscommunication and poor identification systems can be. Advertisement 2019 friendly fire in Kashmir On February 27, 2019, a Mi-17 V5 helicopter was mistakenly shot down in a friendly-fire incident near Srinagar, killing all six people onboard. This occurred on the same day that Pakistans Air Force launched jets to target Indian military sites in Jammu and Kashmir, following Indias airstrike on a terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan. Friendly fire incidents, where one side mistakenly targets its own forces, are not rare in areas of high tension. The 2019 incident highlighted several critical issues, such as the confusion that can arise during rapid escalations of conflict and the challenges of accurately identifying targets in real-time during combat. The recent US Navy incident in the Red Sea serves as a reminder of how easily military forces can mistake allies for the enemy and how such accidents continue to occur in conflict zones around the world. Advertisement Modern warfare and the dangers of technology As warfare becomes more high-tech, one might think friendly fire incidents would decrease. But in reality, the technologies designed to make military operations more precise often lead to more friendly fire casualties. The use of long-range weapons, drones and automated targeting systems can make it harder to identify the enemy correctly. Problems like miscommunications and software errors can easily cause mistakes resulting in deadly outcomes. According to the US Naval Institute, the Gulf Wars showed this issue clearly: while technology improved targeting accuracy, it also introduced new risks due to system limits, lack of proper training and the confusion of war. Modern weapons and tracking systems are faster than humans can react, which makes it easier for soldiers to fire on targets without fully confirming who they are. In the Red Sea, the US military uses complex radar systems and satellites to track enemy movements and protect allies. However, in the fast-moving environment of a combat zone, even the most advanced systems can fail. The USS Gettysburgs accidental attack on the F/A-18 Super Hornet is a reminder that friendly fire remains a real risk, despite the progress made in military technology. Pakistan has played down chatter about US President-elect Donald Trumps interest in Pakistan after his incoming envoy for special mission Richard Grenell demanded the release of Imran Khan in a post last month. Read more to find out why read more With days of Donald Trumps inauguration inching closer, Pakistan looks uncertain about how its ties with the US may unfold under the second term of the Republican leader. The uneasiness seems apparent in the way Pakistan has responded to the comments made by Trumps nominated envoy for special mission Richard Grenell last month. Grenell demanded the release of Imran Khan, the former Pakistan prime minister jailed for more than a year. Advertisement Grenell on November 26 posted, Release Imran Khan on his social handle on X, which created a lot of chatter in Pakistans political circles. Now, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs adviser has responded to Grenells remarks as Trump nominated him as his special envoy for global missions on December 15. Pakistan PM Sharifs Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah spoke on the behalf of the government, saying it would not accept any pressure from the new US administration even if it be about negotiation on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) or release of its founder Imran Khan. Sanaullah further said that any intervention made by the US would be considered as interference in our sovereignty. We would not work under pressure from Donald Trump [] if any intervention is made then we would consider it as interference in our sovereignty, he said. Sanaullah was responding to a question on potential pressure from the incoming Trump administration days after its loyalist Grenells post on X demanding release of Imran Khan who has been serving his prison sentence in Adiala jail since August last year. Trump, who will assume office on January 20, 2025, picked Grenell as envoy for special missions. Advertisement Meanwhile, a report by Middle East Eye quoted several leaders from Imran Khans PTI claiming that the expectation of potential support from the incoming Trump administration has put pressure on the Sharif-led Pakistani government and its military. Several factors, including the persistent protests by party supporters and fears of external pressure from the incoming US administration, amplified by the efforts of the partys overseas chapter in the US, have compelled the government to initiate meaningful dialogue with us, the report quoted a PTI core committee member, who requested anonymity to speak freely, as saying. Sanaullah said that Pakistan has experienced ups and downs in its bilateral relationships with the US. He also asserted that Islamabad would not accept anything that might go against its national interests. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. The central span of a 533-meter (583-yard) bridge that links the cities of Estreito in Maranhao state and Aguiarnopolis in Tocantins state gave way as vehicles were crossing above the Tocantins River on Sunday afternoon read more Brazilian state and federal authorities were assessing on Tuesday the risks of water contamination after trucks carrying sulfuric acid and agricultural pesticides plunged into a river on Sunday in a deadly bridge collapse. The central span of a 533-meter (583-yard) bridge that links the cities of Estreito in Maranhao state and Aguiarnopolis in Tocantins state gave way as vehicles were crossing above the Tocantins River on Sunday afternoon. The Maranhao state government and the Tocantins fire department confirmed three more deaths in separate statements on Tuesday, raising the death toll to four, and with more than 10 people still missing. Advertisement Rescue divers had halted their efforts on Sunday after finding that trucks transporting sulfuric acid had plunged into the river. We are waiting for specific institutions to collect and analyze the water so that we, along with 25 divers, can dive to retrieve the victims that are on the bed of the Tocantins River, Maranhao fire brigade Colonel Magnum Coelho said. According to Brazilian water regulator ANA, three trucks carrying a total of 76 metric tons of sulfuric acid and about 25,000 liters of agricultural pesticides plunged into the river. In a statement on Monday evening, the agency said it was monitoring the risk of contamination together with Maranhaos environmental secretary, and said that water samples would be collected from the Tocantins River. It was not immediately clear if the chemicals were leaking, and if so by how much. Even though we still dont have final analysis results on pollution, the Environment Ministry identified that the water pH was normal, Maranhao state Governor Carlos Brandao told TV channel CNN Brasil on Monday. State and federal authorities have told cities that could be affected by the incident to avoid collecting water from the Tocantins River. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is visiting China to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the issue of seafood trade, which China suspended last year, is expected to be discussed read more Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is arriving in Beijing on Wednesday (December 25) to hold talks with Chinese FM Wang Yi. (Photo: AP) Talks on seafood trade are expected to be on the agenda on Wednesday when Japans foreign minister visits China, Japans largest export market for aquatic products until Beijing placed a blanket ban in protest against Tokyo releasing treated radioactive wastewater into the ocean. It would be Takeshi Iwayas first visit to the Chinese capital since he became Japans foreign minister in October and he is scheduled to hold talks with Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi and meet other Chinese officials. Advertisement A major sticking point in bilateral trade has been Japans Fukushima nuclear plant wastewater discharge. Beijing had strongly opposed and condemned Tokyos decision on that and tightened inspections on Japanese goods in response. China imposed a full ban in August last year after Japan began releasing the treated radioactive water but both governments reached an agreement in September that would set a path toward restarting seafood shipments from Japan to China. Nikkei reported this week that China was contemplating lifting the import ban on Japanese seafood. But China still wants reassurances from Tokyo that it would fulfil its commitment to setting up a long-term international monitoring arrangement and allowing stakeholders such as China to conduct independent sampling and monitoring of the treated water. With sufficient monitoring, China will adjust relevant measures and gradually restore imports that meet standards and regulations, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. The one-day visit follows an agreement between leaders of both countries that they will work towards a mutually beneficial strategic relationship, strengthening communication at various levels. Relations between the neighbouring countries are in a critical period of improvement and development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said last month when he met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru. Advertisement Xi said both should be partners, not threats. Trade partners with close economic and investment ties but rivals in security and territorial claims, China-Japan ties are complicated with long-standing geopolitical disagreements and historical wartime sensitivities. The first Japanese foreign minister to visit since April last year, Iwaya may raise his countrys concerns about Chinese military activities around Japan as well as regional issues including North Korea. Japan expressed grave concern last month over North Koreas security alliance with Russia in which North Korea stands to gain advanced military technology and combat experience. Ukrainian and allied assessments show Pyongyang has sent around 12,000 troops to support Russias war in Ukraine. Ukraine warned this week that North Korea could send more personnel and equipment for Moscows army. Advertisement On less testy topics, China could prod Japan for reciprocity in visa policies. China last month expanded its visa-free arrangements to include Japan until the end of 2025, restoring a policy that was suspended during the pandemic. The country, which has been adding countries to its visa-free list, also extended the stay period from 15 days to 30. Japanese citizens were able to enter China without a visa for up to 14 days before COVID-19. Japan has not decided on a reciprocal move but China has said it hopes Japan would work towards improving people exchanges between the two countries. Congos mineral-rich central and eastern regions have long grappled with illegal mining operations and the involvement of armed groups read more Excavators and drillers at work in an open pit at Tenke Fungurume, a copper and cobalt mine 110 km (68 miles) northwest of Lubumbashi in Congo's copper-producing south. File image/Reuters Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have released 14 of the 17 Chinese nationals detained last week on suspicion of operating an illegal gold mine, officials said late Tuesday (December 24). The men, now en route to China, were arrested alongside Congolese and Burundian nationals after failing to produce proper documentation during a crackdown on unlicensed mining in South Kivu province. South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki expressed shock over their release, alleging the miners owed the government $10 million in unpaid taxes and fines. Advertisement The raid targeted a site where about 60 Chinese nationals were present, and officials detained 17 believed to be in charge, authorities said. China remains silent The Chinese Embassy in Kinshasa has not commented on the release. Burundis embassy stated it was still awaiting updates from its representative in Bukavu, South Kivus capital. South Kivus acting mines minister, Bernard Muhindo, said the governments goal is to regulate mining operations. The idea is not to go on a manhunt, but rather to clean up the mining sector so that reliable partners can work properly and legally, Muhindo told reporters. Congos struggle around mining Congos mineral-rich central and eastern regions have long grappled with illegal mining operations and the involvement of armed groups. The country boasts vast reserves of cobalt, copper, and gold but struggles to curb exploitation by unlicensed companies and militias. The eastern provinces, marked by dense forests and rugged terrain, host numerous industrial and artisanal mines. Many are controlled by militias and worked by enslaved laborers, including children, according to government reports. More than 250 local and 14 foreign armed groups are active in eastern Congo, often fighting over mining operations and resources, the governments stabilisation agency said last year. Neighbouring nations, including Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, have also been drawn into the regions conflicts over the past three decades. Competition for control of mines and resources has fueled ongoing violence, particularly near the border with Rwanda. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The courts decision is expected to heighten tensions between Pristina and Belgrade, as the February elections will mark another test of Kosovos fragile political landscape read more Kosovos Prime Minister Albin Kurti arrives for a bilateral meeting as part of a series of meetings with EU-Western Balkans leaders at the European Council in Brussels. File image/AP A special court panel on Wednesday (December 25) overturned a decision by Kosovos election body to deny registration to the largest Serb party, allowing it to participate in the upcoming national elections. The Electoral Panel for Complaints and Submissions ordered the Central Election Commission (CEC) to certify the Serb List party and its candidates for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 9, 2025. The Central Election Commission is ordered to certify the political entity Serb List and the candidates for the elections for the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, the panel said in its ruling, which was shared with the media. Advertisement Allegations of non-recognition The CEC had refused on Monday to certify the Serb List, accusing the party of not recognising Kosovos statehood and operating as if it were part of Serbia. The party, which has the backing of the Serbian government, appealed the decision. In a statement following the courts ruling, the Serb List said it had fulfilled all legal procedures and described the ban as politically motivated, alleging it was carried out under orders from Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Political tensions over Serb influence Kurti, who has been critical of the Serb List, condemned the party on Tuesday for its ties to Serbia. Politically, the Serb List is the most loyal branch of the ruling party in Serbia representing the wide scope and high degree of Serbias interference in Kosovos internal affairs, Kurti said. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade has refused to recognise it. Serbia continues to politically and financially support Kosovos Serb minority, encouraging the maintenance of separate schools and health systems aligned with Serbian policies. The courts decision is expected to heighten tensions between Pristina and Belgrade, as the February elections will mark another test of Kosovos fragile political landscape. Mediators are currently in Qatar to mediate a truce deal between Israel and Hamas. However, according to a report by Kans, Hamas officials are resisting pressure from mediators to tweak the agreement 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 Israel has not received the list of hostages to be released under a potential ceasefire deal that Hamas was supposed to provide. On the other hand, Hamas on Tuesday said that new conditions laid down by Israel are delaying the Gaza ceasefire deal agreement. Mediators are currently in Qatar to mediate a truce deal between Israel and Hamas. However, according to a report by Kans, Hamas officials are resisting pressure from mediators to tweak the agreement. Advertisement Channel 12 News reported that Israeli officials believe Hamas aims to secure a dramatic achievement in the negotiations before releasing the list. No additional details were provided. Hamas is effectively backing down from the softening that led to the renewal of the talks and is once again demanding an Israeli commitment to end the war at the end of the comprehensive deal as a condition for implementing its first phase, Israeli daily Hayom cited officials as saying. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers on Monday that some progress had been made in negotiations to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, more than 14 months into the war. Everything we are doing cannot be disclosed. We are taking actions to bring them back. I wish to say cautiously that there has been some progress, and we will not stop acting until we bring them all home, Netanyahu said in parliament. I want to say to the families of the hostages: We are thinking of you and we will not give up on your loved ones, who are our loved ones as well. Last week, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said progress had been made. Advertisement The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions, the groups said after they held talks in Cairo. With inputs from agencies Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, have taken place in Doha in recent days, rekindling hope for a truce deal that has proven elusive read more Einav Zangauker, center, mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker takes part in a protest following a Hamas video release of Matan making an emotional plea for his release and describing the conditions he and other hostages face in Gaza after being seized in the October 7 attack, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on December 7, 2024. AP Hamas accused Israel on Wednesday of imposing new conditions that it said were delaying a ceasefire agreement in the war in Gaza, though it acknowledged negotiations were still ongoing. Israel has made no public statement about any new conditions in its efforts to secure the release of hostages seized on October 7, 2023. Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, have taken place in Doha in recent days, rekindling hope for a truce deal that has proven elusive. The ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations are continuing in Doha under the mediation of Qatar and Egypt in a serious manner but the occupation has set new conditions concerning withdrawal (of troops), the ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of displaced people, which has delayed reaching an agreement, the Palestinian militant group said in a statement. Advertisement Hamas did not elaborate on the conditions imposed by Israel. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told parliament that there was some progress in the talks, and on Tuesday his office said Israeli representatives had returned from Qatar after significant negotiations. Last week, Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups Islamic Jihad and the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement that a ceasefire agreement was closer than ever, provided Israel did not impose new conditions. Efforts to strike a truce and hostage release deal have repeatedly failed over key stumbling blocks. Despite numerous rounds of indirect talks, Israel and Hamas have agreed just one truce, which lasted for a week at the end of 2023. Negotiations have faced multiple challenges since then, with the primary point of disagreement being the establishment of a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. Another unresolved issue is the governance of post-war Gaza. It remains a highly contentious issue, including within the Palestinian leadership. Israel has said repeatedly that it will not allow Hamas to run the territory ever again. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal last week, Netanyahu said: Im not going to agree to end the war before we remove Hamas. Advertisement He added Israel is not going to leave them in power in Gaza, 30 miles from Tel Aviv. Its not going to happen. Netanyahu has also repeatedly stated that he does not want to withdraw Israeli troops from the Philadelphi Corridor, a strip of land cleared and controlled by Israel along Gazas border with Egypt. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamass unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, during which militants seized 251 hostages. Ninety-six of them are still being held in Gaza, including 34 the army says are dead. The attack resulted in 1,208 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Advertisement Israels retaliatory campaign has killed at least 45,361 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territorys health ministry that the UN considers reliable. A day after sending a note verbale to the Indian government to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladeshs interim government led by Muhammad Yunus spelt out its next step if response is not received within natural time' read more Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh said it will wait for the response for a certain time from the Indian government on its formal request to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and if nothing is received within natural time, it will serve a note of urgency. On Monday (December 23), the foreign ministry of Bangladesh, through its mission in New Delhi, had sent a Note Verbale to the Indian government, seeking the repatriation of Hasina for judicial proceedings in Bangladesh Earlier on Monday, under the extradition treaty between the two neighbouring countries. Advertisement India and Bangladesh had signed an extradition treaty in 2013, which was later amended in 2016, providing a legal framework for such requests. We informed the Indian government through a Note Verbale (diplomatic note) that we want her (Hasina) back for the judicial process, Touhid Hossain, the advisor on foreign affairs in Bangladesh interim government in Dhaka said. On August 5, in the wake of a mass uprising against her Awami League government, Hasina fled from Bangladesh and flew to an Indian Air Force base onboard a military aircraft. Next step On Tuesday (December 24) evening, Bangladeshs foreign ministry spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam was asked during the weekly briefing about Yunus governments next step to bring back Hasina, to which he said: The diplomatic note was served on Monday. As far as I know, there has been no response from India in the government channel. We wont make any comment in this regard right now. Rather, we will wait for Indias response. Our next course of action will be decided based on that response. As far as I remember there is no time limit in the extradition treaty. So we have to wait for the response from the Indian government. We will wait for a certain time. There is a natural time to respond to anything. If we dont get any response within that time, we will serve a note of urgency. We will let them know that we are expecting a response in this regard. The note was served only yesterday (Monday). So its difficult to talk about the next step right now, Rafiqul further said. Dont speculate Referring to the issue as sensitive, the Bangladeshs foreign ministry spokesperson said: I think there is no opportunity for you or me to comment on such a sensitive issue during normal time. The government of the two countries will decide on this as soon as they feel it is the right time. We should not speculate anything in this regard right now. India confirms receiving note verbale On Tuesday, Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: We confirm that we have received a Note Verbale from the Bangladesh High Commission today in connection with an extradition request. At this time, we have no comment to offer on this matter." Charges against Hasina in Bangladesh According to a report by Dhaka Tribune, Hasina is accused in over 100 cases and faces a number of charges, including murder, mass killing and crimes against humanity over killings during the July uprising that led to her fleeing on August 5. Also her close aides, several leaders of her party - Awami League - and activists had been implicated in multiple criminal cases in Bangladesh, including corruption, murders, abductions, crimes against humanity, and genocide. On November 26, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued arrest warrants against Hasina and 45 others in connection with alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July-August protests against the Awami League government. The ICT was set up by Hasina-led Awami League government in 2009 to investigate and prosecute the suspects for the genocide committed by people, who had been loyal to the Pakistan Army, during the 1971 war for liberation of East Pakistan into Bangladesh. Advertisement Where is Sheikh Hasina? On August 5, shortly before mobs stormed into her official residence Gana Bhavan in Dhaka, Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and some of her aides hurriedly boarded a military aircraft and had flown to Indian Air Force base at Hindon near New Delhi. Hours after her arrival, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar had said that Hasina had on very short notice sought the approval of Prime Minister Narendra Modis government to come to India for the moment. Back then, it was speculated that she might leave for Norway, Finland, or the United Kingdom shortly, but Hasina and her entourage continued to stay in India. Yunus-led interim government took charge of Bangladesh on August 8 and days after it began requesting India for Hasinas extradition. On December 9, when Indias Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka, Bangladeshs interim government conveyed to him its displeasure over the statements Hasina made from India and requested for her extradition. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. In his Christmas Eve message, Pope Francis urged the world to think of ongoing wars and conflicts and find the courage to deliver hope to those affected by adversities read more As millions remained displaced, hungry, and in hope that a bomb would not find them in conflict zones across the world, including in Palestinian territories where Jesus Christ was born, Pope Francis in his message on the Christmas Eve called for hope and courage to right the many wrongs in the world. At St Peters Basilica in the Vatican City, Francis urged Christians across the world to think of the wars, of the machine-gunned children, of the bombs on schools or hospitals. The remarks came as Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, next door to Jesuss birthplace of Bethlehem in West Bank, continue to kill many just like Russian bombs zero in on Ukrainian civilians on a near-daily basis. Advertisement Recalling Jesuss story, whose father Joseph was a carpenter, Francis said that you do not need to be of high birth to make a difference in the world. The hope is not a happy ending but rather a promise to be welcomed amid suffering and sighs and a summon not to tarry, to be kept back by our old habits, or to wallow in mediocrity or laziness but to right the wrongs, said Francis. Hope calls us, as Saint Augustine would say, to be upset with things that are wrong and to find the courage to change them. Hope calls us to become pilgrims in search of truth, dreamers who never tire, women and men open to being challenged by Gods dream of a new world where peace and justice reign, said Francis. Stressing that everyone has the means to make a change, Francis said it is peoples duty of bringing hope wherever hope has been lost, lives broken, promises unkept, dreams shattered and hearts overwhelmed by adversity. Francis further said, We are called to bring hope to the weary who have no strength to carry on, the lonely oppressed by the bitterness of failure, and all those who are broken-hearted. To bring hope to the interminable, dreary days of prisoners, to the cold and dismal lodgings of the poor, and to all those places desecrated by war and violence. Advertisement As the Catholic Church observes the Jubilee, which normally comes once every 25 years, Francis urged the world to cancel debt of the developing nations. Francis said, The Jubilee calls us to spiritual renewal and commits us to the transformation of our world. A time of jubilee for the poorer countries burdened beneath unfair debts; a time of jubilee for all those who are in bondage to forms of slavery old and new. Nearly 25 years ago, a similar call by former Pope, late John Paul II, led to a movement that led to the cancellation of $130 billion of debt in the next 15 years. Advertisement New Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani has said that Iran, one of the primary backers of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, should not spread chaos in Syria and must respect Syrians will read more The portrait of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani is pictured on the back of a car in the coastal Syrian city of Latakia, on December 10, 2024. (AFP) Syrias newly appointed foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, told Iran on Tuesday not to spread chaos in Syria but to respect the Syrian peoples will and the countrys sovereignty. In a post on X, Shibani said: Iran must respect the will of the Syrian people and the countrys sovereignty and security. We warn them from spreading chaos in Syria and we hold them accountable for the repercussions of the latest remarks. He did not specify the remarks he was referring to. Advertisement In a televised speech on Sunday, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Syrian youth to stand with firm determination against those who have orchestrated and brought about this insecurity. We predict that a strong and honorable group will also emerge in Syria because today Syrian youth have nothing to lose. Their schools, universities, homes, and streets are unsafe, Khameini said. He added: Therefore, they must stand firmly with determination against the planners and executors of insecurity and prevail over them. Syrian rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8 after a 13-year civil war. Iran spent billions of dollars propping up Assad during the war and deployed its Revolutionary Guards to Syria to keep its ally in power. Assads overthrow is widely seen as a major blow to the Iran-led Axis of Resistance political and military alliance that opposes Israeli and U.S. influence in the Middle East. Six hostages Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino were killed by Hamas after they were shot dead read more The walls of Jerusalem's Old city are projected with pictures of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, a year after the deadly October 7 attack in Jerusalem. Reuters An internal investigation by Israel has revealed that actions by its military forces might have played a role in the killing of six hostages in Gaza in August this year. Six hostages Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino were killed by Hamas after they were shot dead. The deaths of the hostages sparked public outrage with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets demanding the government reach a ceasefire deal that will potentially see the release of the remaining hostages. Advertisement What has the probe found? In late August, after troops found the six hostages bodies in an underground shaft in Rafah, the military said they were killed just before soldiers reached them. Netanyahu said at the time that the six were executed with a bullet to the head. The military probe into their deaths found that Israeli ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists decision to murder the six hostages, the army said in a statement on Tuesday. The probe added that based on the investigation, the hostages were murdered by gunfire from Hamas terrorists while Israeli forces were operating in the Tel al-Sultan area. It also said that Israels chief of the general staff concluded that this was a painful and tragic event, with the extremely difficult outcome of the brutal murder of six hostages by Hamas. Time to bring back all hostages The army probe has renewed a push to reach the Gaza ceasefire deal. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group responded to the armys statement by calling for action to bring back all remaining hostages. The time has come to bring back all the hostages. We need a deal that will ensure the return of all hostages within a quick and predetermined timeframe, it said in a statement. Meanwhile, Hamas and Israel traded accusations on Wednesday over delays in finalising a ceasefire and hostage release agreement for Gaza, despite continued efforts by mediators to broker a deal in the latest round of negotiations. With inputs from AFP Donald Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton has given a scathing critique of the US-President elect, warning that a second term could lead to significant international issues read more John Bolton, former national security adviser and longtime foreign policy hardliner, has delivered a scathing critique of Donald Trumps approach to governance and decision-making, warning that a second term for the former president could bring about significant international crises. Speaking to The Guardian, Bolton described Trumps claims of being uniquely capable of preventing a third world war and resolving global conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine as typical Trump: its all braggadocio. He warned that Trumps lack of focus, interest in facts, and coherent strategy makes the risk of a crisis of the 19th century variety much higher if he were to return to the White House. Advertisement The world is more dangerous than when he was president before, Bolton said. The only real crisis we had was Covid, which is a long-term crisis and not against a particular foreign power but against a pandemic. But the risk of an international crisis is much more likely in a second Trump term. Given Trumps inability to focus on coherent decision-making, Im very worried about how that might look," he further said. Boltons critique of Trumps leadership Bolton, who served as Trumps national security adviser (NSA) from April 2018 to September 2019, detailed his frustrations with Trumps approach to governance. He criticised the former president for his decision-making process, which he said was driven by personal relationships and neuron flashes rather than a deep understanding of national interests. He doesnt have a philosophy, doesnt do policy as we understand that, he doesnt have a national security strategy, Bolton said. His decisions are like an archipelago of dots. You can try and draw lines between them but even he cant draw lines between them," he further said. Bolton added that Trumps disregard for the national security briefing process and his emphasis on personal relationships with authoritarian leaders like Chinas Xi Jinping, North Koreas Kim Jong-un, and Russias Vladimir Putin posed significant risks. He doesnt know much about foreign policy. Hes not a big reader He thinks he looks the other guy across the table in the eye and they make a deal and thats whats important, Bolton said. Trumps personal rapport with autocrats, according to Bolton, underscores a troubling lack of situational awareness. If you put everything on the basis of personal relations and you dont understand how the person youre talking about on the other side views you, thats a real lack of situational awareness that can only cause trouble. Advertisement Growing confidence, increasing risks Bolton warned that a second term could see Trump become even more erratic and disruptive than during his first tenure. He now feels more confident in his judgment having been re-elected, which will make it even harder to impose any kind of intellectual decision-making discipline, he said. Trump has also raised concerns with recent provocative statements, including threatening to take back the Panama Canal, calling for the US to buy Greenland, and suggesting Canada become the 51st state. Kim Darroch, former British ambassador to Washington, described the prospect of a second Trump term as like a 24/7 bar-room brawl. Bolton agreed, adding that Trumps foreign policy instincts could lead to dangerous outcomes. For example, Trump has claimed he could end Russias war on Ukraine within a day. Bolton expressed concern that such an approach might result in compromises detrimental to Ukraines sovereignty. He wants this off the table which strongly implies he doesnt care on what terms. And thats very dangerous for Ukraine. Advertisement America First & beyond Under the banner of America First, Trumps foreign policy during his first term often leaned toward isolationism, non-interventionism, and trade protectionism. While Bolton admitted he agreed with a lot of Trumps decisions, he noted that they lacked coherence and were often the result of impulsive judgment. Bolton, who has advocated for hawkish policies including military action against Iran and North Korea, dismissed the notion that Trumps approach aligns with the traditional Republican foreign policy outlook. Theres a liberal Democratic blob thats pretty problematic but the Republican party remains essentially Reaganite in its outlook. Trump is an aberration and, when he leaves the political scene, the party will snap back, he argued. Dangerous appointments? Bolton also criticised some of Trumps potential picks for key positions in a second administration, including Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Kash Patel as FBI director. These are really dangerous Gabbards opinions belong on a different planet, he said. As the possibility of another Trump presidency looms, Boltons warnings serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences for U.S. foreign policy and global stability. Were in the grips of Trump for four more years, he cautioned, and a lot of damage could take place during that period. Advertisement A passenger aeroplane belonging to the Azerbaijan Airlines has crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan. At least 38 people have likely been killed in the incident read more Emergency specialists work at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan December 25, 2024. Reuters A passenger aeroplane has crashed in Aktau area of western Kazakhstan. Kazakhstans deputy Prime Minister said more than 38 people are likely dead. The Kazakhstan ministry said at least 32 survived the crash. It was an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet, flying from Azerbaijan to Russia. The Kazakh authorities said the plane had 67 people on board 62 passengers and five crew members. A Reuters report said the ill-fated Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 had flown hundreds of miles off its scheduled route to crash on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea. It also quoted Russias aviation watchdog as saying that it was an emergency that might have been caused by a bird strike. Advertisement Officials examining the mishap did not immediately explain why it had crossed the sea, but the crash came shortly after drone strikes hit southern Russia. Drone activity has shut airports in the area in the past and at least one airport there was closed on Wednesday morning, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, videos claiming to show the incident of the crash surfaced on social media and over the internet. Videos showed the plane descending rapidly before bursting into flames as it hit the seashore, and thick black smoke then rising. In some of the videos, bloodied and bruised passengers could also be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact. #BREAKING: Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane en route from Baku to Grozny crashes near Aktau, Kazakhstan. pic.twitter.com/tyzeqhCVyM Firstpost (@firstpost) December 25, 2024 The aeroplane belonged to the Azerbaijan Airlines and was flying from Azeri capital Baku to Grozny in Russia, according to AFP. A plane doing the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau. It belongs to Azerbaijan Airlines, Kazakhstans transport ministry said on Wednesday (December 25). The AP quoted the airlines as saying that the aircraft crashed while making an emergency landing. Advertisement Of the 62 passengers, 37 were Azeris, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three were Kyrgyzstani citizens, the news agency quoted the airlines as saying. The vast majority of Indians at 61.5% believe that if China was not in the clutches of the Communist Party and was instead governed by a more democratic multi-party system, the India-China relations may well have been better, according to a survey by the Takshashila Institution read more Most Indians believe that if China were not in the clutches of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the ties would have been better, according to a survey. Even though India and China have reached an understanding regarding the border stand-off in eastern Ladakh, the tensions in the bilateral relationships are far from over even the border stand-off is far from over as multiple friction points remain unresolved. Moreover, China remains Indias biggest strategic challenge and containment measures, such as blocking Chinese investments, and responses, such as engagement with like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region under various frameworks, are not going to stop. Advertisement It is in such backdrop that Takshashila Institution conducted a survey of Indians perception of China. The survey also found that Indians believe that even if Chinese President Xi Jinping is to be replaced by someone else tomorrow, the relationship would not see much change as the stressors in the relationship are fundamentally woven into the CPC-run Chinese regime. Vast majority of Indians hold CPC responsible for poor ties: Survey The Takshashila survey, titled Pulse of the People: State of India-China Relations, found that a vast majority of Indians at 61.5 per cent believe that if the Chinese political ecosystem were more democratic with multiple political parties, the India-China relations may well have been better. However, as China has a single-party rule of CPC, the relations are the way they are. The influence of the CPC is such that it goes beyond individual leaders. Even as President Xi Jinping has emerged as the most powerful Chinese leader since the foundation of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), who has bared his intention to establish China as the global hegemon, most Indians dont believe that some other leader who may not be as much of a hardliner as Xi would mean that India-China ties would be better. Only 22.9 per cent Indians believe that India-China relations would be better if someone other than Xi led China, according to the survey. Such a finding indicates that there is a belief that the trajectory of the relationship between the two rising neighbours is bound to be difficult regardless of the leader in power in Beijing, noted the reports co-authors Manoj Kewalramani, Anushka Saxena, and Amit Kumar in the report. When asked if ties would be better if someone other than Xi ruled China, 46.6 per cent could not say anything with certainty and 22.9 per cent said the relations could even be worse. This result may be based on the assertion that China continues to remain under CPC rule, and follow a party-state model of governance, with the supreme leader at the center of decision-making. In fact, the second-most number of respondents (30.5 per cent) argue that if another leader were at the helm of affairs, assuming the CPC continued to exercise supreme authority, India-China relations would not be more stable, noted the co-authors. Advertisement Indians want to stand up to Chinese red lines, build ties with West When it comes to red lines that China does not want the world to cross, most Indians believe India should not respect Chinese concerns, according to the survey. On Tibet, one of the biggest Chinese red lines, the vast majority of Indias at 64 per cent believe that India should defy Beijing and recognise the next Dalai Lama appointed by the Dharamshala-based Government-in-Exile of Tibet. The view on another red line, Taiwan, was somewhat nuanced understandably because understanding of Taiwan is still quite nascent in popular Indian consciousness. The survey found that more than a quarter of Indians at 28.7 per cent believe India should support the United States logistically in case of China-Taiwan conflict and 54.4 per cent believe India should play the role of peacemaker, encouraging diplomacy and negotiations toward a peaceful resolution. Advertisement As for how India should deal with China, Indians overwhelmingly believe at 69.2 per cent that if forced to choose, India must align closely with the US-led West and not with China and Russia, who have increasingly formed an anti-West bloc with fellow authoritarian regimes of North Korea and Iran. As for the way forward, the survey found that Indians favoured strengthening military posture and deterrence (41.2 per cent) and at the same time resuming high-level political dialogue (31 per cent) to manage the ties. As for the stressors, the majority at 54.4 per cent believed the boundary dispute was the biggest stressor, followed by Chinas increasing inroads into Indias neighbourhood (26.6 per cent), the trade imbalance in favour of China (9.3 per cent), the India-US close ties (4.9 per cent), and China-Pakistan nexus (4.9 per cent). Advertisement Pope Francis message came after Russia struck Ukraine on Christmas day, targeting the countrys energy grid and injuring several people across Kyiv and Kharkiv read more Pope Francis waves on the day he delivers his traditional Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi speech to the city and the world from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, December 25, 2024. Reuters Pope Francis raked up the Russia-Ukraine war in his annual Christmas message as he called for talks between the two warring parties to end the almost 3-year-long conflict on Wednesday. Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peters Basilica to thousands of people in the square below, the pope said: May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine! He also called for gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace. Advertisement Pope Francis message came after Russia struck Ukraine on Christmas day, targeting the countrys energy grid and injuring several people across Kyiv and Kharkiv. The 88-year-old Francis, celebrating the 12th Christmas of his pontificate, called for an end to political, social or military conflicts in places including Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. While the Popes message of peace for Ukraine resonated across the world, Francis was criticised by Ukrainian officials this year when he said the country should have the courage of the white flag to negotiate an end to the war with Russia. In his Christmas Eve message too, the Pope urged Christians across the world to think of the wars, of the machine-gunned children, of the bombs on schools or hospitals. Francis, who has recently grown more critical of Israels military campaign in Gaza, describing it last week as cruelty, also renewed his call for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Hamas war and for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas. He called the humanitarian in Gaza extremely grave and asked for the doors of dialogue and peace (to) be flung open. Francis opened a Holy Year for the global Catholic Church on Tuesday evening, Christmas Eve, which will run through Jan. 6, 2026. A Catholic Holy Year, also known as a Jubilee, is considered a time of peace, forgiveness and pardon. Advertisement On Wednesday, the pope said the Jubilee year should be a time for every individual, and all peoples and nations to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions. With inputs from agencies Oboronlogistika and SK-Yug, a company LSEG lists as part of the group and the ships direct owner and operator, declined to comment on the sinking. Both entities were under sanctions by the United States in 2022 for their ties to Russias military, as was the Ursa Major read more The Russian cargo ship that capsized in the Mediterranean Sea after an explosion was a terrorist attack, the vessels state-owned company said on Wednesday. The Oboronlogistika company, which belongs to the Russian defence ministry, said it thinks a targeted terrorist attack was committed on December 23, 2024, against the Ursa Major, it said in a statement cited by Russian news agencies, without indicating who may have been behind the act or why. Advertisement On Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that 14 of the 16 crew members were rescued and brought to Spain, while the remaining two were still missing. Oboronlogistika and SK-Yug, a company LSEG lists as part of the group and the ships direct owner and operator, declined to comment on the sinking. Both entities were under sanctions by the United States in 2022 for their ties to Russias military, as was the Ursa Major. Unverified video footage of the ship heavily listing to its starboard side with its bow much lower down in the water than usual was filmed on Dec. 23 by a passing ship and published on Russias life.ru news outlet on Tuesday. While the cause of the blast remains unknown, Russian transport investigators announced they had opened a probe into the incident over possible maritime safety violations, without giving details. According to the survivors account, the cargo ship was carrying empty containers in the hold and two cranes on deck, the Spanish rescue service said. The Ursa Major entered the Mediterranean along with four other Russian ships including three warships, Russian independent news website The Insider reported earlier this week. Last week, Oboronlogistika released a press statement accompanied by photos of a ship in port, announcing its mission to transport an exceptionally large and heavy cargo to Vladivostok: cranes weighing 380 tonnes each and hatch covers for icebreakers weighing 45 tonnes each. Advertisement With inputs from agencies This was the 13th large-scale strike on Ukraines energy system this year, the latest in Russias campaign targeting the power grid during winter read more Ukrainians wearing traditional clothes take part in a Christmas Eve procession in Lviv on December 24, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP Ukraine woke up to the sound of air raids instead of bells and carols on Christmas on Wednesday after Russia launched a barrage of missile attacks targeting the countrys energy grid. Energy Minister German Galushchenko announced that electric supply would be rationed to mitigate the effects of large-scale Russian ballistic and cruise missile attacks. This was the 13th large-scale strike on Ukraines energy system this year, the latest in Russias campaign targeting the power grid during winter. Advertisement Engineers were working to repair the system, but Ukraines DTEK energy company said the attack severely damaged the equipment of thermal power plants, and regional officials reported power cuts. Christmas morning has once again shown that nothing is sacred for the aggressor country, said Svitlana Onyshchuk, the head of the Ivano-Frankivsk region. She said part of the region was without electricity at a time when we celebrate one of the greatest religious holidays the bright Christmas. Meanwhile, Russian air strikes across Ukraine also forced the people of Kyiv to spend their Christmas morning in metro stations where they took shelter. In Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv, a massive missile attack has left at least six people injured, the mayor said. Inhumane attacks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday denounced an inhumane attack from Russia. Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones. The target is our energy system, Zelensky said. The air force shot down over 50 missiles, Zelensky said. Unfortunately, there are some hits. As of now, there are blackouts in several regions, he said. Meanwhile, the Christmas Day attack targeted central Dnipropetrovsk, whose governor Sergiy Lysak said Russia was trying to destroy the regions power system. Lysak said rescue operations had been completed on the site of a strike on Kryvyi Rig, which killed one person and wounded 17 others the day before. Advertisement With inputs from AFP At least 3,700 tons of heavy oil were spilled when a storm caused one Russian oil tanker to split in half and the other to run aground. More than 10,000 workers have been mobilised to clean up the spill 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 Authorities in Russias southern Krasnodar region declared a region-wide emergency Wednesday (December 25) as oil continued to wash ashore 10 days after two tankers were damaged in a storm, spilling fuel into the Black Sea. The December 15 storm caused one vessel to split in half and the other to run aground, releasing oil that has coated beaches near Anapa, a popular summer resort, and harmed marine life including seabirds, dolphins, and porpoises. Advertisement At least 3,700 tons of heavy oil were spilled, although the actual volume could be higher, according to Greenpeace Ukraine. Governor expands emergency response Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratiev elevated the response from a municipal-level emergency to a region-wide crisis due to the ongoing pollution in the Anapa and Temryuk districts. Initially, according to the calculations of scientists and specialists, the main mass of fuel oil should have remained at the bottom of the Black Sea, which would have allowed it to be collected in the water, Kondratiev wrote on Telegram. But the weather dictates its own conditions, the air warms up and oil products rise to the top. As a result, they are being carried to our beaches. Cleanup challenges More than 10,000 workers have been mobilised to clean up the spill, which has disrupted the area and drawn sharp criticism of the aging tankers involved. A crisis center coordinating the cleanup said divers had located the bow of the Volgoneft-239 tanker underwater and would investigate potential leaks once weather conditions improved. In total, more than 256 square kilometres of the coastal area have been surveyed and 25 tons of oil-water sludge collected, the same centre said. In a video message addressed to the Russian president and prime minister on Tuesday, volunteers said that local authorities in Russias Krasnodar region did not have the means to clean up the oil spill, according to CNN. Advertisement Cleanup efforts are expected to continue as authorities work to mitigate environmental damage. With inputs from agencies Public outrage has been fuelled by allegations of corruption and substandard work on infrastructure projects, many of which involve Chinese state companies read more Hundreds of university students gathered in Serbias capital on Wednesday (December 25) to demand accountability for a train station roof collapse that killed 15 people in the northern city of Novi Sad last month. The students blocked a major intersection in Belgrade for 15 minutes before marching to the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, where they symbolically left letters urging Chief Prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac to take action. Students expect you to fight for law and justice, without political abuse or corruption, read one of the messages. Protesters chanted, Fulfill the demands, while waving banners featuring red handprints, as a symbol of their claim that authorities have blood on their hands. Advertisement Nationwide protests over tragedy The November 1 incident, which occurred after a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad train station collapsed following renovation work, has sparked seven weeks of protests across the country. Fourteen people, aged 6 to 74, died at the scene, and a 15th victim succumbed to injuries weeks later. Public outrage has been fuelled by allegations of corruption and substandard work on infrastructure projects, many of which involve Chinese state companies. Prosecutors have arrested 13 people in connection with the collapse, including a government minister, whose subsequent release has raised doubts about the transparency of the investigation. Students lead the charge Students have blockaded nearly all state university faculties for over a month, refusing to back down despite government promises of subsidies and housing loans for young people. Their protests have drawn widespread support from professors, farmers, actors, and others. Last Sundays student-led demonstration in Belgrade was one of the largest in recent years. Police estimated attendance at 29,000, but an NGO specialising in crowd counts claimed the number was three times higher. Authorities respond to pressure Dolovacs office responded Wednesday, inviting a student delegation to a meeting. However, the governments response has largely focused on defusing unrest through economic incentives, with President Aleksandar Vucic promoting favourable loans for young people to purchase apartments. Vucic, who has been accused of curbing democratic freedoms while formally pursuing European Union membership for Serbia, faces mounting criticism amid the unrest. Students say their demands go beyond financial assistance, calling for accountability and systemic reform to prevent further tragedies. This isnt just about Novi Sad, one protester said. Its about fighting corruption and building a better, safer Serbia. With inputs from agencies The damaged Santa Cruz Wharf is seen after the section of the pier fell into the ocean during high surf the previous day, in Santa Cruz, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle City leaders and concerned residents have for years grappled with, and at times battled over, how best to protect Santa Cruzs historic wharf, which partially collapsed following a winter storm on Monday. After a tsunami slammed into the California coast in 2011, causing an estimated $15 million in damage to boats and docks in Santa Cruz alone, city leaders embarked on a plan to modernize and retrofit the wharf against future damage. The effort, though, spurred backlash and a lawsuit from residents who wanted to preserve the historic character of the West Coasts longest pier, which evolved from a workplace for shipping and fishing to a city-operated tourist hub of restaurants and gift shops. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Now, back-to-back years of destructive winter storms have left Santa Cruz and other coastal California towns with millions of dollars of damage to historic piers and wharves. Without the piers, towns and beachside businesses lose out on revenue from visitors strolling off the pier and down nearby streets. But repairs often pose enormous costs. The Santa Cruz wharf was in the midst of a $4 million repair project when its end section broke off and floated away, along with a public bathroom atop the structure, officials said. Climate change has been bringing on more intense storms coupled with sea level rise. And with that, the city continues to face growing challenges that threaten Santa Cruz infrastructure and coastline in general. That includes the wharf, Michelle Templeton, Santa Cruzs assistant city manager, said Tuesday. The damaged Santa Cruz Wharf is seen Tuesday after a section of the structure fell into the ocean during high surf the previous day. Stephen Lam The Chronicle The 110-year-old wooden wharf extends just over half a mile into Monterey Bay, where its held up by 4,445 Douglas fir piles that weather damage from salty waves, seaborne debris and increasingly severe winter storms. On average, the city must replace 10 to 30 timber piles each year, according to city documents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a report for a January 2024 City Council meeting, Santa Cruz city staff noted that it is extremely challenging, impractical, and not cost effective to replace pilings that are currently underneath buildings on the wharfs west side. In 2016, the city had proposed another plan: create a below-deck walkway wrapping around the wharfs western side, creating new space for pedestrians while providing the piles a buffer against incoming waves. The plan would have extended the wharf in some new places and added new buildings including one directly atop the section that collapsed. Opponents of the additions, assembled under the name Dont Morph the Wharf, sued in late 2020, arguing the city hadnt done a proper environmental review of the plan. The city countered that the new Westside Walkway was necessary to mitigate damage from waves during storms, as it would extend past the current wharf and act as a break for waves, preventing them from hitting the wharf and the buildings on it, protecting the pilings on the west side of the wharf and providing additional lateral stability. But Dont Morph the Wharf claimed the walkway would obstruct the nesting of coastal birds, while one of the new buildings would require moving windows through which visitors can watch sea lions. A judge ruled in their favor in 2022, and the City Council approved a revised plan this past January that cut the new 40-foot building and walkway. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Yanet Cortez, left, and brother Manny, of Los Angeles, watch the waves near the Santa Cruz Wharf on Tuesday, the morning after a section of the wharf collapsed into the Pacific Ocean. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle City officials in charge of the renovation plan did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday about whether they believed their proposal might have prevented the collapse. Gillian Greensite, a leader of Dont Morph the Wharf, said in an interview Tuesday that the collapse was a shock, but that her groups litigation did not prevent the city from reinforcing and repairing the wharf. The walkway was proposed in an area that was not affected by the collapse, she noted. She hopes the city investigates how repairs were being handled at the time of the collapse. Approval of the plan wasnt necessary for the city to get funding for repairs. In 2021, the city received a $620,000 federal grant to replace 50 pilings and refurbish other parts of the wharf. Santa Cruz has been consistently reinforcing the piers infrastructure to safeguard against future storms, Templeton, the assistant city manager, said Tuesday. The end section that collapsed was under construction and has been closed since the beginning of the year due to storm damage last winter, Mike Godsy, Santa Cruzs superintendent of parks, said Tuesday. The parks department operates the wharf for the city. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Much of the wharf including the end portion that floated away Monday dates to the piers original construction in 1914. From the 1950s through 2008, new additions widened the wharf. Storm damage witnessed within the region on January 5, 2023, and documented in archival plans from 1982-1983 storms is substantial evidence of the type of damage that must be mitigated, particularly as storms intensify with climate change, city staff wrote about the project in materials for a January 2024 council meeting. Staff wrote that Dont Morph the Wharfs unwavering demands regarding the wharf and the litigation and plan revisions that followed led to roughly three years of delay in plan implementation. The City Council on Jan. 9 approved an alternative to the plan that removed the walkway and the new 40-foot-tall building. The council said it did so on the basis that the city didnt have the funding for the Westside Walkway and that more study of alternatives for defensive structures was needed. While I like the Western Walkway, Im also going to support this because I think its time that we move on, said Vice Mayor Renee Golder at the meeting. We just need to protect the infrastructure and move forward with the deferred maintenance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A man moves from approaching waves in Santa Cruz on Tuesday, near a section of the Santa Cruz Wharf that collapsed a day earlier into the Pacific Ocean. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle On Tuesday, the wharf was closed indefinitely, and Godsy said city officials were focused on ensuring the safety of the area before considering the future of the wharf. The three city workers swept out to sea with the end of the pier had all been rescued, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department. Several other California coastal towns have been dealing with storm damage to their beachfronts. The end section of Pacificas pier has been shut down for the past year after damage from a winter storm. Capitola also shut down its wharf for several months earlier this year to rebuild after historic waves overwhelmed the wharf and flooded seaside businesses. It reopened in September. As tensions rise in the South China Sea, China prepares for a legal showdown with the Philippines defying their challenges read more (File) A China Coast Guard ship (R) is deploying water cannon at the Phillipine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Datu Pagbuaya (L) near Scarborough Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea on December 4, 2024. AFP The South China Sea dispute is one of the biggest global conflicts today, involving overlapping claims from multiple countries. At its centre are Chinas broad claims, marked by the nine-dash line, which are challenged by nations like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. This dispute is about more than just territoryit affects regional peace, international laws, and global power struggles. Who owns South China Sea legally The 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague marked a significant moment in the South China Sea dispute. According to the South China Morning Post, the PCA declared that Chinas nine-dash line claims had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Advertisement The ruling upheld the Philippines sovereign rights over areas within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including Scarborough Shoal and parts of the Spratly Islands. It also determined that some features claimed by China were reefs or rocks, not islands capable of generating extended maritime zones. Furthermore, the tribunal found that Chinas large-scale land reclamation and construction activities had caused severe harm to the marine environment violating its obligations under UNCLOS. Despite this decision, China outrightly rejected the ruling, refusing to take part in the arbitration process and continuing its activities in the contested waters. China pushes, the Philippines pushes back Manila has taken a stronger stance against Chinas actions under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. According to the Financial Times, Andres Centino, the Philippine presidential assistant on maritime concerns announced plans to file a foolproof, solid case against Beijing. Manilas potential legal actions could include sovereignty claims, environmental lawsuits and cases addressing harassment of Philippine vessels. These efforts, as reported, may draw significant international attention and support, especially given the precedent set by the 2016 ruling. Tensions have also risen in the disputed waters. In August alone, there were six confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coastguards near Scarborough Shoal and Sabina Shoal, areas within the Philippines EEZ but claimed by China. Advertisement Al Jazeera reported incidents involving vessel ramming, water cannon use and physical altercations highlighting the conflicts intensity. While Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the Philippines of illegal intrusions, Manila insisted its actions complied with international law. Its also about geostrategic games The South China Sea is important not only for regional politics but also for global trade and resources. With an estimated $3.4 trillion in annual trade passing through its waters, the region is a vital economic route. Additionally, the South China Sea is rich in fishing resources and has large untapped hydrocarbon reserves including about 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Advertisement Control over this region would give China major economic and strategic benefits such as energy security and the power to block foreign military forces from entering the area. The United States, under a mutual defence treaty with the Philippines, has taken a more active role in the dispute. Washington has promised to defend Philippine vessels and personnel against attacks in the South China Sea, a position that China sees as provocative. China ready for legal battles as well As reported by the South China Morning Post, Zheng Zhihua, an associate professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, stressed the need for China to develop top legal experts who can represent the country in international courts. He warned that the Philippines new arbitration efforts could draw more global attention to Beijings actions, which could weaken Chinas position. Advertisement While the 2016 PCA ruling is a major decision supporting international law, it is difficult to enforce because of Chinas refusal to follow it. For the Philippines and other countries involved, using legal channels is one way to challenge Chinas control, but it comes with the risk of making tensions worse. Investigators probing Yoon had ordered him to appear for questioning at 10 am (GMT 0100) on Wednesday, a demand he rejected read more South Koreas suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol refused a summons to appear for questioning on Christmas Day, the second time he has defied investigators demands in a week. Investigators probing Yoon had ordered him to appear for questioning at 10 am (GMT 0100) on Wednesday, a demand he rejected. Yoon, a former prosecutor, also failed to attend a hearing he was summoned to last Wednesday, giving no explanation for his absence. The conservative leader was stripped of his duties by parliament on December 14, following a short-lived martial law declaration that plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades. Advertisement Yoon faces impeachment and criminal charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty, in a drama that has shocked democratic South Koreas allies around the world. The Corruption Investigation Office is expected to decide in the coming days whether to issue a third summons or ask a court to grant an arrest warrant to compel Yoon to appear for questioning. He is being investigated by prosecutors as well as a joint team comprising police, defence ministry, and anti-corruption officials, while the Constitutional Court deliberates on the impeachment motion passed by parliament. If upheld by the court, which is required to deliver its ruling within six months of the impeachment, a by-election must be held within 60 days of the courts decision. Former president Park Geun-hye was impeached under similar circumstances, but she was investigated only after the Constitutional Court removed her from power. South Koreas opposition said Tuesday it would hold back a decision to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo until later in the week. The opposition Democratic Party earlier said it would introduce an impeachment motion against Han to protest the interim leaders refusal to sign into law special bills to investigate Yoon. Advertisement In a major embarrassment to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the Mauritian government has essentially rejected the deal reached earlier this year regarding the Chagos Islands read more The new government in Mauritius has put the deal over Chagos Islands with the United Kingdom in jeopardy. In a historic deal announced in October, the British and Mauritian governments agreed that the UK would hand over the sovereignty of Chagos Islands, a cluster of some 60 islands around 1,000 kilometres from Indian subcontinent, to Mauritius and secure a 99-year lease for the strategic US-UK military base at Diego Garcia, which is located on one of the islands of the archipelago. Advertisement Weeks after the deal was announced, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, who presided over the negotiations of the deal, lost elections in a landslide defeat. The new government of PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam ordered a review of the deal soon after taking over the administration and last week announced that it has essentially junked the deal. Ramgoolam on Tuesday (December 24) said that there were certain things in the deal that he could not accept. After Ramgoolam ordered the review and submitted a counter-proposal, the British government submitted its response which is under review by the Mauritian government, according to BBC News. The stand-off with the Ramgoolam government over the Chagos Islands deal is a major embarrassment for British PM Sir Keir Starmer, who is already dealing with unpopularity at home amid worsening economic crisis the British economy registered 0 per cent growth in the July-September quarter. The Chagos Islands deal also generated criticism in the UK as the Conservative Party saw it as a betrayal of British and security interests in the hugely important Indo-Pacific region. The British are quibbling on small amount, says Mauritian Deputy PM While the Mauritian government has not made its problems with the deal public, the leaders have indicated the dispute is about the money. Under the terms of the deal announced in October, the UK would pay Mauritius annually for the next 99 years for the lease as well as fund infrastructure development in the Indian Ocean nation. Deputy Prime Minister Paul Berenger has said that the terms are not good enough for his government. This base [at Diego Garcia] existed on our land, on our territory but not only it is [about] our sovereignty. There are some things you cant accept if youre a true patriot. They are trying to make us sign and they are quibbling on a small amount, said Berenger, according to The Daily Telegraph. Advertisement Ramgoolam has also conveyed his de-facto rejection of the deal to the outgoing Joe Biden administration of the United States, which is party to the deal as it jointly operates the Diego Garcia military base. In a call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Ramgoolam said he did not agree with certain things in the deal. I made him understand that we do not agree with certain things contained in the agreement concluded on October 3 by the former Mauritian prime minister. [I] informed him that we have made a counter-proposal which will be transmitted to him, said Ramgoolam to his MPs after the call, as per The Telegraph. Advertisement The newspaper reported that Ramgoolam was referring to the money that the UK would provide Mauritius, conveying to Blinken that Mauritius was not okay with the amount negotiated in the deal in October and wanted more. That would be in line with his previous statements. Previously, the newspaper had reported that Ramgoolam had rejected the terms of the deal by saying it would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect. Mauritius seeking a better bargain with UK To be sure, Ramgoolam is not walking out of the deal but is driving for a better bargain. Earlier this month, he told the parliament that the government remained committed to the deal but on better terms. During the discussions, 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, said Ramgoolam, according to BBC. Advertisement Following the exchange of proposals, a delegation of senior British officials including led by Harriet Mathews, the Director General for Africa, the Americas, and Overseas Territories at the Foreign Office, visited Mauritius. The specifics of the discussions were not made public. The BBC quoted a spokesperson for Starmer as saying that the government continues to work with Mauritius to finalise the deal. We remain confident the agreement is in both sides interests and will continue to work with the new Mauritius government to finalise the deal. Weve always said well engage with the new administration in order to finalise the deal, the spokesperson told BBC. Advertisement The Chagos Islands deal has come under great criticism from the Conservative Party in the Opposition. Shadow Defence and Foreign Secretaries James Cartlidge and Dame Priti Patel slammed the Starmer government for surrendering the islands and also to pay for the privilege of doing so. Contrary to major policy decisions, such as the support for Ukraine in the war with Russia, the Chagos Islands deal does not have bipartisan consensus in the UK. Even though the Foreign Office had negotiated the deal for two years through the previous premier Rishi Sunaks term, his Defence Secretary Grant Shapps had blocked the deal as the arrangements were a shocker. It surrenders sovereignty and pays for the pleasure! Thats why I stepped in to block this disastrous deal, said Shapps in October. Shapps further called the deal weak and deeply regrettable. This is absolutely appalling. Surrendering sovereignty here creates read across to other British bases. Its a weak and deeply regrettable act from this government, said Shapps. The newly established Islamist-led government, which took control after toppling Assad on December 8, claims to have uncovered massive quantities of captagon at former government sites, including manufacturing facilities read more Captagon is a powerful stimulant that can cause addiction, aggression, and severe physical side effects. Representational Image/Pixabay Authorities in Syria have burned a significant cache of drugs, including one million pills of captagon, a banned stimulant that became a major export under the regime of ousted president Bashar al-Assad, officials said Wednesday (December 25). The stockpile, which also included cannabis and tramadol, was set ablaze at a former government security compound in Damascus Kafr Sousa district. A member of the security forces, identified only as Osama, said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle drug networks linked to the Assad regime. Advertisement Captagon production flourished during Syrias 13-year civil war, turning the country into what analysts have dubbed a narco state. The amphetamine-like stimulant flooded black markets across the region, with Saudi Arabia as a key destination. Drugs, smuggling, and a shadow economy The security forces of the new government discovered a drug warehouse as they were inspecting the security quarter, said Hamza, another security official. Authorities destroyed the stockpile to protect Syrian society and disrupt smuggling routes tied to Assad family businesses, he added. The newly established Islamist-led government, which took control after toppling Assad on December 8, claims to have uncovered massive quantities of captagon at former government sites, including manufacturing facilities. Experts have long accused Maher al-Assad, Bashars brother and a military commander, of orchestrating Syrias captagon trade, which became a financial lifeline for the regime during the war. Why Captagon is dangerous Captagon, originally developed in the 1960s as a medical drug, is a powerful stimulant that can cause addiction, aggression, and severe physical side effects. In recent years, its production has surged in Syria, with the trade estimated to be worth billions of dollars annually. The drugs widespread availability has destabilised the region, prompting crackdowns by neighbouring countries like Jordan, which has seized large quantities of captagon along its border with Syria. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The bombing occurred at four locations in Afghanistan, Deputy Spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said on Wednesday, adding that six people were also injured read more Bombardment by Pakistani army in Afghanistans eastern Paktika province on Tuesday killed at least 46 people, most of whom were children and women, said the Afghan Taliban, vowing to retaliate against their neighbour. The bombing occurred at four locations in Afghanistan, Deputy Spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said on Wednesday, adding that six people were also injured. Pakistani government and military officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Afghanistan considers this brutal act a blatant violation of all international principles and an obvious act of aggression The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered, said Enayatullah Khowrazmi, the spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense. Advertisement The neighbours share a strained relationship, with Pakistan saying that several of the militant attacks that have occurred in its country have been launched from Afghan soil - a charge Afghan Taliban denies. Their relationship was further complicated in March when the Taliban accused Pakistan of carrying out two air strikes on its territory, killing five women and children. Pakistan acknowledged at the time that it had conducted intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations in Afghanistan but did not specify the nature of the operations. After arriving at the scene in Worcestershire, police officials made attempts to resolve the situation by engaging the man over several hours read more Christmas Eve turned awry in the United Kingdoms Redditch after police shot a man dead following several hours of negotiation. The West Mercia Police was called on Tuesday afternoon to a property in Fownhope Close, Redditch where a man was found yielding a knife. After arriving at the scene in Worcestershire, police officials made attempts to resolve the situation by engaging the man over several hours. However, the knife-yielding man was shot dead in the evening by armed police and was pronounced dead shortly after. Advertisement We do not underestimate the shock and concern this may cause the local community and I want to reassure residents that we are following all appropriate procedures, this included making an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as is mandatory and right, West Mercia Polices assistant chief constable Grant Willis. We will support their investigation, which will include providing all information we hold, including body worn camera footage, he added. A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, prompting an investigation to be launched. With millions flowing in from corporations, Trumps inauguration is shaping up to be the most expensive in US history read more The relationship between big businesses and political leaders isnt new, but companies are now engaging more with President-elect Donald Trumps upcoming inauguration. Just four years ago, after the January 6 Capitol attack, many of the same companies strongly condemned the attack and promised to rethink their political donations. Big companies like Ford, General Motors, and Bank of America publicly announced they would stop or review their donations, especially to those who questioned the 2020 election results. Advertisement Now, with Trump set to return to the White House after the 2024 election, many of these companies are ready to donate to his inauguration fund. This marks a big change in how businesses interact with politics. This article looks at the reasons behind these donations, the motivations for them, and what this shift might mean for corporate Americas future relationship with Trumps administration. Resurgence of corporate donations After the Capitol invasion, corporate America stepped back and reconsidered its political actions. Many companies, like Goldman Sachs, AT&T and Stanley Black & Decker promised to stop or rethink their political donations especially to those who opposed certifying the 2020 presidential election results. The business world appeared to distance itself from the political chaos surrounding Trumps presidency and the aftermath of the Capitol attack. As The Wall Street Journal reports, several major corporations even stopped PAC donations altogether, signalling a shift toward a more cautious and neutral approach. However, many of these same companies are now rushing to support Trumps inauguration, marking a big change. Companies that had paused donations are now contributing to Trumps inauguration fund at record levels. Ford, Toyota, and Intuit each donated $1 million, while the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) made a similar contribution. Other big donors include General Motors, Bank of America and AT&T, all of which had distanced themselves from Trump after the Capitol invasion. This shift highlights a trend where corporate leaders are eager to align with the incoming administration regardless of the political turmoil that once caused them to take a more cautious stance. Why are companies donating to Trumps inaugural fund? As NBC News explains, many companies now supporting Trumps inauguration fund are in industries that could benefit from his pro-business policies. For example, big automakers like Toyota and Ford likely expect benefits like lower tariffs or better trade deals under the new administration. Similarly, pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Eli Lilly, which have had concerns about Trumps policies, now hope to improve their relationship with the administration and get a more favourable regulatory environment. Also, corporate leaders know that their donations arent just about money, they help them build connections with key decision-makers in the new administration. Many companies see the inauguration as a chance to meet Trump and his team. Advertisement The Wall Street Journal reported that several CEOs have already visited Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to talk about policies and build relationships. For these companies, the $1 million donation is not just a political gesture but an investment in future US policies that directly affect their industries. Role of corporate influence in politics Corporate Americas involvement in political funding has often been criticised for creating a pay-to-play system. As The Wall Street Journal pointed out, inaugural donations, unlike campaign contributions or donations to super PACs, are not subject to the same regulations. There are no limits on how much individuals or companies can donate to inaugural committees, meaning large sums can be given without the same level of scrutiny that comes with campaign financing. This loophole lets companies gain influence with the incoming administration without facing the political costs or risks of supporting a candidate during an election. Advertisement The scale of these donations is huge. Trumps inaugural fund is expected to exceed the $107 million raised for his first inauguration in 2017, with some estimates suggesting this years fund could go beyond $150 million. This would make it the largest inauguration fund in US history, surpassing even President Barack Obamas 2009 inaugural fund, which raised $53 million, according to ABC News. These huge donations are not just about supporting a ceremonial event; they are a strategic move by corporate leaders to win favour with the incoming administration and secure a place in the policymaking process. The Political calculus behind the donations Corporate leaders are well aware of the political risks and rewards tied to their donations. Bloomberg reports that some companies, especially in tech and finance, have made large donations to Trumps inaugural fund after initially staying away from supporting his first inauguration. Companies like Jeff Bezos Amazon and Mark Zuckerbergs Meta, for example, are now major donors, even though there were tensions between their companies and Trump in the past. The reason behind these donations is clear: they want to build a relationship with the incoming administration, especially given the increasingly unpredictable political climate. Advertisement The growing influence of corporate donations also highlights a broader trend in US politics, where money plays a key role in shaping policy. Unlike traditional PAC donations, inaugural contributions are seen as less controversial and more about gaining access to important political figures, which makes them an appealing choice for companies looking to influence future policies. Long-term impact of corporate donations While the immediate impact of these donations may bring short-term benefits for corporate donors, the long-term effects of this trend could be significant. As NBC News noted, these donations reflect a broader shift in how corporations are engaging in politics, a trend that is likely to continue beyond the 2024 election. By supporting Trump, these companies are signalling their commitment to his policies, such as deregulation, tax cuts and creating a more business-friendly environment. This alignment could influence not just the political landscape but also how corporations approach public policy in the future. However, as corporate contributions to political campaigns and inaugural funds keep increasing, concerns about the influence of money in politics are likely to grow. Advertisement The return of corporate donations to Trumps inaugural fund highlights the increasing role of money in American politics. While such donations are not unprecedented, the scale and intensity of support for Trumps second inauguration mark a significant shift in the relationship between business and politics. Azerbaijan Airlines said the Embraer 190 aircraft, with flight number J2-8243, had been flying from Baku to Grozny, the capital of Russias Chechnya, but had been forced to make an emergency landing approximately 3 km from the Kazakh city of Aktau read more A drone view shows the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan December 25, 2024. Source: REUTERS. Many feared dead in a plane crash near Kazakhstans Aktau airport on Wednesday. The incident occurred when Azerbaijani airlines Embraer 190 aircraft with 67 passengers and five crew on board was enroute Grozny, the capital of Russias Chenchnya, from Azeri capital Baku. The ill-fated aircraft reportedly requested an emergency landing approximately 3 kms from Aktau after it had been rerouted due to fog in Gronzy. The Kazakh authorities have confirmed 32 survivors from the plane crash. Advertisement Why the plane had to make emergency landing? Russias aviation watchdog, in a statement, said that preliminary information suggested the pilot had decided to make an emergency landing after a bird strike. Kazakhstans emergency ministry said that the aircraft, belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines, had circled the airport multiple times before the crash. 32 people survive the crash Kazakhstans emergency ministry said 32 of those onboard the aircraft survived the crash. More than 20 of them were hospitalised for treatment of the injuries suffered during the crash. BREAKING: Azerbaijan Airlines flight traveling from Baku to Grozny crashes in Aktau, Kazakhstan, after reportedly requesting an emergency landing pic.twitter.com/hB5toqEFe2 RT (@RT_com) December 25, 2024 Five are admitted in intensive care, a report by AFP quoted the health ministrys regional department saying in a statement. THE AZERBAIJAN AIRLINES PLANE, FLYING FROM BAKU TO GROZNY, CRASHED IN KAZAKHSTAN What is known so far: There were 62 passengers and 5 crew members on board 6 people survived the crash The crash was caused by a collision with a flock of birds 52 rescuers and 11 https://t.co/W9QESu2HBl pic.twitter.com/kq44HC5H2F Sputnik (@SputnikInt) December 25, 2024 Videos going viral on social media show the plane, which was operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, bursting into flames as it hit the ground and thick black smoke then rising. Also Read: Kazakhstan: Plane crashes in Aktau, authorities say 60 killed The Kazakhstan emergencies ministry said in a statement that fire services had put out the blaze and that survivors were being treated at a nearby hospital. Advertisement First video has appeared from the crash site of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan's Aktau. The plane was traveling from Baku to Grozny, and reportedly requested emergency landing before the tragedy happened. pic.twitter.com/PTi1IWtz1w RT (@RT_com) December 25, 2024 The cause of the crash is yet to ascertained with the authorities in Kazakhstan saying that they had begun looking into different possible versions of what could have happened, including a technical problem. Advertisement The Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied territory, launched a rare crackdown earlier this month that has sparked one of the worst armed confrontations between Palestinians in years read more Armored Palestinian security vehicles are seen on the road as Palestinian forces mount a major raid against militants in the Jenin refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. AP Gunfire has rung out for days from the West Banks Jenin refugee camp. But this time, its not Israeli forces that are facing off against armed groups. It is the forces of the Palestinian Authority clashing with Palestinian gunmen. The Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied territory, launched a rare crackdown earlier this month that has sparked one of the worst armed confrontations between Palestinians in years. The authority says it wants to bring law and order to whats long been a hotbed of militancy and a place where it has little control. Advertisement Its ability to contain armed groups there will reverberate far beyond the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority wants to position itself to take over governance in Gaza once the war there ends. But confronting Palestinians at a time when many view the authority as a subcontractor for Israel could deepen divisions in Palestinian society. Here is a look at the days of fighting between Palestinians in the West Bank: Fighting rages on the streets and at least 5 are dead Earlier this month, security forces for the Western-backed Palestinian Authority stormed into Jenin refugee camp, a restive militant stronghold, and began a crackdown against armed groups. Fighting has raged in the streets of the camp, and armored cars are seen patrolling. Palestinian security forces have taken over part of a hospital, using it as a base and shooting from inside, according to the United Nations. At least one militant from the Islamic Jihad group and three security force members have been killed, including a captain in the intelligence services whose death was announced Wednesday, according to the Palestinian forces. About 50 people have been arrested. At least two uninvolved civilians have been killed and some wounded. The fighting prompted the main U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, to suspend its services, including schooling. The violence has disrupted safe access for Palestinians to other services, including water and health. It also has complicated the restoration of services destroyed in previous Israeli raids of the camp. Advertisement The Jenin refugee camp explained The urban, built-up refugee camp in the northern West Bank houses Palestinians whose families were displaced in the 1948 war surrounding Israels creation. It has long been a center for Palestinian militancy and a bastion of armed struggle against Israel. The militant groups Islamic Jihad and Hamas operate freely there, and its streets are regularly lined with posters depicting slain fighters as martyrs for the Palestinian cause. The Palestinian Authority, which administers the main Palestinian population centers of the West Bank as part of interim peace agreements with Israel from the 1990s, has little presence in Jenin. Many people view the Palestinian Authority forces with suspicion and see them as serving Israels interests because of security coordination that has facilitated Israels own crackdowns on Palestinians. Advertisement The refugee camp and the adjacent city of Jenin have long been targets of Israel in its stated bid to stamp out militancy. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has sparked a wave of violence in the West Bank, Israel has raided or carried out airstrikes in Jenin multiple times, killing dozens and leaving heavy destruction. Palestinian health officials say Israeli raids throughout the West Bank since Oct. 7, 2023, have killed more than 800 Palestinians. Israel says most of these are militants, but youth throwing stones and people not involved in confrontations have also been killed. The PA raid is meant to restore order but its also linked to postwar Gaza Advertisement According to Brig. Gen. Anwar Rajab, the spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, the raid is meant to impose law and order and restore peace and security. The troops were focused on eradicating Iran-backed groups that were trying to incite chaos and anarchy, he added. The raid will end when those goals are reached, according to the security forces. But the raid is also shining a spotlight on the Palestinian Authoritys ability to impose order and security in a restive area. With no clear vision for who will administer postwar Gaza, the raid could convince skeptics that the authority has what it takes to rule the Palestinian enclave. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is considering an agreement with Hamas that would create a committee of politically independent technocrats to administer the Gaza Strip after the war. The committee would report to him. Advertisement The Biden administration sees a rehabilitated Palestinian Authority as the best option to govern and secure postwar Gaza. The U.S. has for years invested heavily in training the Palestinian security forces, and the administration has seen its re-entry into Gaza, after being routed by Hamas in 2007, as a feasible replacement for Hamas, whose rule Israel has sought to end with the war. Israel rejects this idea, seeing the Palestinian Authority as too weak to be able to contain Hamas. It says it will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza. The incoming Trump administration has not yet laid out its vision for postwar Gaza, but Trumps first term was overwhelmingly supportive of Israels positions. For Palestinians, the raid highlights and deepens their internal divisions Palestinians are not strangers to divisions within their society, with the most prominent the rift between Hamas and Abbas Fatah party. The parties fought bloody street wars in Gaza before Hamas forced Fatah out of the territory, and the sides have failed to reconcile since. Since then, the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority has tried to diminish Hamas influence in the West Bank, often with Israels help. Reeling from the yearslong internal rift, Palestinians have staged general strikes and protests calling for unity. But the raid could deepen the perception of the Palestinian Authority as a facilitator of Israels whims and potentially undermine any popular support for it to return to effectively rule Gaza. A report by the New York Times says that America had been recruiting, training and paying militias to help its forces fight off the Taliban as they inched closer to taking over Afghanistan. However, these militias were known for torturing innocent Afghan people read more When the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021 prompting the sudden and dramatic exit of the US military, Donald Trump blamed Joe Biden for the disaster and Biden, in turn, criticised the Afghan military for giving so easily. Now, an investigative report by the New York Times has found that Washington had laid the groundwork for its defeat long before the Afghan soldiers laid down their arms. The report claims that America had been recruiting, training and paying militias to help its forces fight off the Taliban as they inched closer to taking over Afghanistan. However, these militias were known for torturing innocent Afghan people by killing them in vendetta, razing entire villages and kidnapping them for ransom. Advertisement Northern Afghanistan, which was the first to fall, was the region where these hirings began. NYT conducted over 50 interviews in Kunduz that show " how American support for the militias spelled disaster, not just in the province but also across the rest of northern Afghanistan." How the militias grew in power The US had started recruiting militias during the early years of its war in Afghanistan. It planned to capitalise on local resistance to the Taliban by training groups of men and often creating armed forces under the garb of police. Most of these efforts proved problematic. Militias quickly became too powerful to disarm. Although they fought against the Taliban, they spent even more time battling one another, creating the chaotic civil war conditions that had originally enabled the Talibans rise to power in the 1990s. Frustrated by the predatory behaviour of these militias, some Afghans began viewing the Taliban as protectors and eventually joined the insurgency. Afghan govt loses control With the growing animosity toward the militias, the US Embassy in Kabul sent a diplomatic cable to the States in 2009 urging the government to control the rise of militias. By then, the Afghan government had no power over the militias who continued their atrocities on local people. NYT spoke to the families who fell victim to the horrors meted out by the militias. They reported that forced conscription was widespread. Men who refused to join a militia were often killed, while those who declined to pay taxes faced accusations of supporting the Taliban and were frequently imprisoned. The militias would label anyone they didnt like Taliban, and then abuse them so much they had no choice but to join the Taliban, said Mohammad Farid, a shopkeeper who said he was imprisoned for refusing to pay to one of the militia leaders. Although the Americans did not orchestrate the abuse, they provided the government with billions of dollars in cash and weapons, which officials used to recruit and arm militias. To the villagers, this appeared to be an American initiative, making the Taliban increasingly seem like a more appealing alternative. Advertisement Militias join Taliban The tables turned soon and the situation transpired into a chaotic time that cost both the American forces and the Afghan government. After assuming office in 2014, former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani vowed to tackle the militia problem with America by his side. However, the militias, who were now maligned in public, shifted their hatred toward the Afghan government and even began joining the Taliban, the group they once fought against. Sensing an opportunity, Taliban commanders began secretly contacting militia leaders, spreading distrust by claiming that the government saw them as enemies. The split between the militias was crucial for us, said Hesmatullah Zalmay, a Taliban commander in Kunduz. What happened after US left? After the US forces left and the Afghan military laid down their weapons in 2021, some of the most infamous warlords and criminals responsible for the suffering in Kunduz and other regions who ultimately aided the Taliban more than they opposed themdisappeared without facing a final battle or trial. Advertisement A section of the Santa Cruz Wharf that collapsed into the Pacific Ocean is seen at an estuary intersecting the San Lorenzo River amid heavy surf on Tuesday. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle What was once a non-operating restroom at the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf has unexpectedly become a tourist magnet after it washed up on the beach. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle People gather to watch a section of the Santa Cruz Wharf that collapsed into the Pacific Ocean amid heavy surf on Tuesday. What was once a non-operating restroom at the end of the wharf has unexpectedly become a tourist magnet after it washed up on the beach. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle What was once a non-operating restroom at the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf has unexpectedly become a tourist magnet after it collapsed into the Pacific Ocean on Monday and washed up on the beach. The detached structure, now stranded at an estuary intersecting the San Lorenzo River, has drawn crowds eager to snap photos and selfies, adding a surreal twist to the regions recent maritime drama. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The collapse, triggered by large swells, not only took down the restroom but also sent debris, construction machines and three workers plunging into the sea. Quick-acting rescue teams pulled two workers from the churning waters, while a third made it to safety on his own. People gather to watch a section of the Santa Cruz Wharf that collapsed into the Pacific Ocean amid heavy surf on Tuesday. Stephen Lam The Chronicle Remarkably, no businesses on the wharf were damaged, though the structure itself, along with the surrounding area, has sustained significant harm. Santa Cruz officials announced the wharf would remain closed until further notice as they assess the damage. The collapse occurred at an active construction site where piles and decking were being replaced, a process already underway due to ongoing repairs to the aging wharf. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There were a lot of different variables that provided really the perfect situation for it to collapse, said Mike Godsy, the citys superintendent of parks, at a news conference Tuesday. People gather to see a section of the Santa Cruz Wharf that collapsed into the Pacific Ocean amid heavy surf on Tuesday. What was once a non-operating restroom at the end of the wharf has unexpectedly become a tourist magnet after it washed up on the beach. Stephen Lam/Associated Press While the destruction has caused significant damage to the Santa Cruz Harbor estimated between $15 million and $18 million local surfers and spectators wasted no time in flocking to the beach to witness the unusual sight. As the sun broke through the clouds, the fallen restroom became a quirky symbol of natures power and the citys resilience. Starbucks workers in Petaluma joined a nationwide strike organized by the workers union, Starbucks Workers United. Demian Bulwa/The Chronicle Employees at about a dozen Starbucks stores across the Bay Area walked off the job Tuesday as part of a Christmas Eve strike at locations across the U.S. to highlight what their union said are low wages, unpredictable scheduling and other unfair labor practices. The strike, which began Friday, had expanded to over 300 of the chains 10,000 company-operated U.S. stores as of Tuesday morning, with thousands of unionized employees participating in the planned work stoppage, according to the workers union, Starbucks Workers United. In an Instagram post, the union said that the strike is the largest carried out at the coffee chain since organizing began four years ago. Of the hundreds of Starbucks stores in the Bay Area, 16 are unionized under Starbucks Workers United, including locations in San Franciscos Inner Sunset and Castro neighborhoods. Other locations include two Oakland stores, a Berkeley store and a Petaluma store. A union representative estimated that about a dozen Bay Area stores participated in the strike. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In downtown Petaluma on Tuesday morning, workers picketed outside the store holding signs that read No contract, no coffee and Skeleton crews wont do. The union said they hoped to send a message to what they characterized as the chains unresponsive management. Were fighting for a living wage, fair scheduling, and accessible benefits at a time when Starbucks seems to prefer investing in CEO Brian Niccols $113 million compensation package, the union said in a statement. Representatives for Starbucks said around 170 of its 10,000 stores did not open as planned on Christmas Eve. Sara Kelly, an executive vice president, said the strike was expected to have very limited impact on the companys overall operations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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 Larry Robinson/The Daily Sentinel An aerial photograph of the Dolores River Canyon area taken Aug. 28 from a plane during a flight with EcoFlight to photograph and survey the area proposed to become a national monument. People with a shared love of the Dolores River region in Mesa and Montrose counties have different ideas about how it should be managed, as an emerging debate this year over a proposed national monument there revealed. Roasted Bok Choy and Tofu Asian Bowls, one of the most popular recipes by Amisha Gurbani this year. Amisha Gurbani/Special to the Chronicle We at the San Francisco Chronicle Food & Wine team were already working on our San Francisco by Season cookbook at the beginning of the year. All the while, our columnists Christian Reynoso and Amisha Gurbani kept pumping out tempting recipes week after week. That means, despite the books release just last month, most of their fantastic recipes from 2024 couldnt make the cut. Book or no, youve been cooking them. These are the 10 most popular new recipes we published this year, from a stunning upside-down cake to a weeknight-friendly Italian American classic. If you havent tried them all yet, bookmark this page for later. 10. Gurbani likes letting her oven do most of the work for dishes like her Roasted Bok Choy and Tofu Asian Bowls. After the tofu and bok choy are done baking, she cooks them in a sauce soy sauce, chili crisp, garlic, etc. and serves it all over rice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This eggplant dish comes together easily on the stove. Christian Reynoso/Special to the Chronicle 9. For an unfussy way to cook eggplant, try searing it in a pan until its golden and custardy. Then Reynoso makes a sauce in the same pan. Thats it. The only trick for his Easy Eggplant With Oregano, Garlic and Vinegaris buying small, slender eggplants, such as Japanese eggplants. No sad desk salads here. Christian Reynoso / Special to the Chronicle 8. This Gribiche Egg & Snap Pea Salad features the typical ingredients youd find in the French sauce, including mustard, capers and egg. Reynoso gives the egg a starring role, though, with a soft-boiled jammy texture, and tosses everything with lettuces. This upside-down cake features persimmons arranged on top and in the batter. Amisha Gurbani / Special to the Chronicle 7. When the Bay Area is overflowing with persimmons, make Gurbanis Upside-Down Persimmon and Ginger Cake. It uses Hachiya puree in the cake batter and Fuyu slices on top, along with flavor bursts like cardamom, ginger and browned butter. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Creamy Greek yogurt forms the base for roasted broccolini and radishes, which get doused with zippy salsa verde. Amisha Gurbani/Special to the Chronicle 6. You dont just have to eat radishes raw. Gurbani roasts them to bring out their sweetness in her bright and zippy vegetable side, Roasted Broccolini and Radish with Salsa Verde. The vegetables and herbaceous sauce are layered with creamy Greek yogurt and pistachios for crunch. Savory, Sweet, Briny and Spicy Cauliflower Pasta is inspired by a Zuni Cafe dish. Christian Reynoso/Special to the Chronicle 5. The name says it all: Savory, Sweet, Briny and Spicy Cauliflower Pasta. Reynosos recipe is a riff on a dish he used to cook at Zuni Cafe, and it relies on flavor-packed pantry staples like tinned anchovies, capers and chile flakes. Sour cream gives these blueberry muffins extra richness. Courtesy Christian Reynoso 4. Reynoso was inspired by the enormous muffins at Costco for his Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins. His are more tangy and lemony, with a crackly sugary top. He also includes advice for using frozen blueberries, so you can make them all year round. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This butternut squash soup gets a boost of flavor from garam masala. Amisha Gurbani/Special to the Chronicle 3. Gurbani tosses cubes of butternut squash with garam masala for an easy flavor boost in her Roasted Butternut Squash Soup With Pistachio Dukkah. But what makes this creamy soup so special is the crunchy topping, a mix of toasted pistachios, sesame seeds and spices. Take advantage of Meyer lemon season with this citrusy, buttery loaf cake. Christian Reynoso/Special to the Chronicle 2. A lemon-poppy seed loaf cake? Delicious, yes, but not terribly exciting. Reynosos Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Cake, however, turned many heads this year thanks to his bold choice to chop up lemons whole before folding them into the buttery batter. And Meyer lemon lends a more nuanced citrus flavor. Roasted Mushroom Chicken Marsala is rich and comforting winter fare. Christian Reynoso/Special to the Chronicle 1. The Chronicle recipe readers kept returning to more than any other this year was Reynosos Roasted Mushroom Chicken Marsala. His version of the Italian American classic is faster, thanks to letting the mushrooms roast in the oven while you sear the chicken cutlets. A touch of soy sauce adds more depth of flavor. Fri Friday 50 /34 Snow showers in the morning. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s. M/V Ursa Major ex-Sparta III The Ursa Major (Latin for "Big Bear" or Big Dipper") motor vesel, the largest dry cargo ship in the Oboronlogistics fleet, is a universal dry cargo ship of the Ro-Ro/Lo-Lo class (horizontal and vertical loading), designed to transport various classes of cargo: general cargo (including oversized), containers and rolling equipment (cars, Euro trucks, etc.). The cargo hold can accommodate packaged cargo, equipment, containers and other property weighing up to 1.2 thousand tons. The cargo deck can accommodate up to 120 units of rolling, wheeled or tracked equipment, and the open deck can accommodate more than 405 twenty-foot containers in five tiers. The vessel is equipped with two cranes with a lifting capacity of 350 tons each, which positions it as a Heavy Lift Cargo Vessel. It develops a speed of 14 knots. The length of the vessel is 142 m, the width is 23 m, the draft is 7 m. "Ursa Major" has significant experience in project transportation in Asia and in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The design of the dry cargo ship is optimal for transporting heavy construction machinery and equipment, various metal structures, pipes, wind generators, etc. Ship cranes allow for prompt unloading, including on an unequipped shore. The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in international waters between the Spanish autonomous community of Murcia and Algeria as a result of a deliberate sabotage operation; the enemy regularly practiced various sabotage scenarios. This opinion was expressed to TASS 24 December 2024 by military expert, program director of the Academy of Political Sciences, senior research fellow at the Institute of Latin America of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Stepanov. "The destruction of the flagship of the Oboronlogistics company fleet at the current stage leaves no doubt about the deliberate sabotage by the enemy. It is known that the enemy, as part of regular NATO exercises in the Baltic, as well as maneuvers of the US 5th Fleet in the Persian Gulf, regularly practiced various scenarios of sabotage at maritime infrastructure facilities, as well as against surface ships using autonomous combat systems," Stepanov said. According to him, such attacks in civilian maritime communications are practically impossible to track - "this is de facto an untraceable method of sabotage." "In light of recent statements by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas "about the readiness to board the Russian tanker fleet" - the destruction of Oboronlogistics assets is a completely acceptable method of a new maritime hybrid war for them," the expert believed. According to The Maritime Executive, an explosion occurred in the Ursa Major's engine room at around 12:30 local time 24 December 2024. The bulk carrier was heading east in the Strait of Gibraltar at the time. The publication reports that a Spanish Navy ship, a Spanish rescue ship, and the Russian bulk carrier Sparta came to the aid of the distressed vessel. The operator of both Russian vessels is Oboronlogistics. In April 2024, Oboronlogistics reported the redeployment of Ursa Major from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea for its summer deployment on the St. Petersburg-Kaliningrad route. In the spring, the vessel was dry-docked as part of its regular inspection; repairs were planned for the power plant, main engine, auxiliary machinery, shaft line, rudder propeller complex, crane equipment and hull. On 20 December 2024, Oboronlogistics reported that Ursa Major had set off on another voyage to the Far East with project cargo 380-ton port cranes each for the expansion of the terminal in Vladivostok and 45-ton hatch covers for the construction of new icebreakers. Ursa Major set off with a large project cargo as part of the implementation of state tasks for the development of port infrastructure and the Northern Sea Route (Northern Sea Route, NSR). The port cranes were loaded on board the vessel simultaneously by two of Ursa Major's own ship cranes. The lifting capacity of each ship crane is 350 tons, together they lift cargo up to 600 tons. To ensure the stability of the vessel when performing cargo operations with oversized cargo, containers were loaded on the lower deck in advance as additional ballast. The complex cargo operation was carried out entirely by the ship's crew. Oboronlogistics has extensive experience in carrying out sea project transportation. This type of delivery is used to transport heavy oversized machinery and equipment. Some news outlets, including Mediazone, cited open-source information in reporting that the sunken dry cargo ship was actually heading to Syria, where the Kremlin-loyal regime of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown earlier this month, to help evacuate a Russian military base. In connection with the sinking of the Russian dry cargo ship Ursa Major in the Mediterranean Sea, the Kaliningrad Investigative Department for Transport of the Western Interregional Investigative Department for Transport of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation opened a criminal case on the grounds of a crime under Part 3 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (violation of traffic safety rules and operation of water transport, resulting in the death of people through negligence). "According to preliminary data, on the afternoon of December 23, 2024, an incident occurred in the Mediterranean Sea on a vessel flying the flag of the Russian Federation, which led to its subsequent sinking. The ship's crew left the ship in a lifeboat and reported the incident to rescue services. The fate of two crew members who were at the epicenter of the incident is currently being determined," the statement said. Investigators from the Investigative Committee, including in cooperation with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will organize a range of investigative actions aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the incident. "Oboronlogistics" has extensive experience in carrying out sea project transportation. This type of delivery is optimal for transporting heavy machinery and equipment (electric transformers, cranes, pipes, wind generators, etc.). With Russia is actively implementing a state strategy for the construction of infrastructure facilities in the Arctic and abroad, Oboronlogistics specialists offer their potential clients unique solutions for the integrated transportation of heavy and oversized cargo. Successful operations in the project sea transportation market require vessels that are not only large-tonnage, but also have reliable, powerful and in-house crane equipment that can be used during complex loading and unloading operations, including on unequipped shores in the absence of port infrastructure. The optimal vessel for carrying out marine project transportation is the flagship of the Oboronlogistics fleet, Ursa Major (translated from Latin as Big Dipper), on which preventive maintenance of crane equipment was carried out in November 2024 before the vessel sets off on a new long-term voyage with heavy cargo to the Far East. In the context of sanctions restrictions, maintenance and repair of cranes manufactured by Liebherr was becoming a very difficult task. As part of the import substitution program, Oboronlogistics specialists, together with Russian manufacturers and foundry specialists, created technical conditions for the manufacture of analogous spare parts for Ursa Major ship cranes, which allowed them to continue their operation and receive all the necessary classification documents from regulatory authorities. M/V Ursa Major is a universal dry cargo vessel of RO-RO/LO-LO (horizontal and vertical loading) class, designed for transportation of general and project cargo, as well as containers and rolling equipment. The vessel is equipped with two powerful cranes with a lifting capacity of 350 tons each, which positions the dry cargo ship as a Heavy Lift Cargo Vessel. The length of the vessel is 142 m, the width is 23 m, the draft is 7 m, the deadweight is about 10,000 tons, the speed is 14 knots. Previously, Ursa Major was used on the Oboronlogistics container line St. Petersburg - Kaliningrad, as well as on project voyages to Asia, the Middle East and the Northern Sea Route. In the summer of 2024, the vessel underwent scheduled maintenance in the dock. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 24 December 2024 - Day 1035 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 248 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance into the depths of Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. Russian zagarbniki made one missile strike on the territory of Ukraine, 12 air strikes, dropping 29 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, more than 640 kamikaze drones were deployed for impressions and carried out about four thousand shells on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian enemy five times without success stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the area of Vovchansk and Vyskoi Yaruga. For today, Ukrainian units have destroyed 45 Russian occupiers in this direction and wounded 46 more, also damaged 11 BPLAs, three cars and three units of special equipment of the Russian occupier. In the Kupians komu direction, Russian forces carried out offensive actions near Petropavlivka, Kolisnikivka, Zagrizovoy and Lozova. Ukrainian defenders have stopped 15 Russian attacks, eight more continue so far. In the Lyman direction Russian invaders 25 times attacked the positions of Defense Forces near Druzhelyubivka, Green Grove, Novoyegorivka, Makiyivka, Terniv, Torsky and in the direction of Grigorivka. Four clashes are still ongoing. In the Sivers komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled one assault of the Russian occupation troops near Bilogorivka. In the direction of Kramators komu, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions near the Time Yar and in the direction of Stupocok. Defense forces stopped seven attacks of the zagarbnikiv, two clashes continue. In the Toretsky direction, Russian forces made 15 attempts to advance on the positions of Ukrainian units near Toretsk, Friendship and Dachny, at the moment the battle is being sharpened. On the Pokrovsky direction, since the beginning of this day, Russian forces 54 times attacked in the areas of Vozdvizhenko, Mirolubivka, Promenya, Fox, New Labor, Dachenka, Shevchenko, Vovkovogo and Novovasilivka. Ukrainian defenders repelled 47 assault actions of the Russian enemy, seven boezitknen are still sharpened. Today, according to preliminary data, 261 Russian occupants were defecated in this direction, 133 of them - irrevocably. The car and the antenna connection were also destroyed. In the Kurakhiv direction, Russian forces made 34 attempts to break through Ukrainian defense near the settlements of Petropavlivka, Shevchenko and in the area of Kurakhovoye. Twenty-four clashes completed, ten more to go. In the Vremivs komu direction, Russian forces 33 times attacked Ukrainian units near Uspenivka, Amber, Konstantinopol sky, Konstyantinopol, Spillway, Rozdolny, New Mosquito, Novosilka, Great Novosilka and Watchman. Ukrainian soldiers repelled 22 assault actions of the Russian enemy, battles continue. In the Pridniprovsky direction, troops of the Russian zagarbnikiv twice unsuccessfully tried to push the Defense Forces units out of their occupied positions. Took the losses and stepped back. The operation is ongoing in the Kursk region. At the moment, the Defense Forces have repelled 28 attacking actions of the Russian zagarbnikiv, the fights continue. There are no special changes in the rest of the directions. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces defeated armed formations of one mechanised brigade of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Liptsy and Volchansk (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 troops, three motor vehicles, and four 122-mm D-30 howitzers. The Zapad Group of Forces' units improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one assault brigades of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades close to Dvurechnaya, Zagryzovo, Kopanki, Ivanovka (Kharkov region), Novoyegorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic). Three counter-attacks launched by AFU assault units were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 380 troops, three pickup trucks, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, two U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns, one Bukovel-AD and one Anklav-N electronic warfare stations. The Yug Group of Forces' units improved the tactical situation along the front line and hit formations of three mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, and one airmobile brigade of the AFU near Serebryanka, Seversk, Druzhkovka, Konstantinovka, Chasov Yar, and Kurakhovo (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by an AFU assault unit was repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 250 troops, one armoured personnel carrier, two motor vehicles, and one 152-mm D-20 howitzer. The Tsentr Group of Forces' units continued advancing into the depth of the enemy's defences and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, two territorial defence brigades, and one national guard brigade close to Krasnoarmeysk, Udachnoye, Zverevo, Andreyevka, Dzerzhinsk, Shcherbinovka, Shevchenko, and Novoolenovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Ten AFU counter-attacks were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 585 troops, one tank, one infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured personnel carriers, including one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, one Kozak armoured fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, and one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer. The Vostok Group's units captured more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on formations of one motorised infantry brigade, one mechanised brigade of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades near Vremevka, Konstantinopol, Neskuchnoye, Razliv (Donetsk People's Republic), and Temirovka (Zaporozhye region). One counter-attack launched by an AFU assault unit was repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 160 troops, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Msta-S howitzer, and one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system. The Dnepr Group of Forces' units improved the tactical situation along the front line and defeated manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade of the AFU and two territorial defence brigades close to Nikolskoye, Pridneprovskoye, and Yantarnoye (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 65 troops, three motor vehicles, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces struck infrastructure of military airfields, ammunition and UAV depots, as well as engaged clusters of the enemy's manpower and military hardware in 146 areas. Air defence units shot down four U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 65 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 650 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 38,420 unmanned aerial vehicles, 590 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,967 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,504 MLRS combat vehicles, 19,969 field artillery guns and mortars, and 29,469 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 fire damage on formations of one heavy mechanised brigade, five mechanised brigades, three air assault brigades, one marine brigade, and four territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Aleksandriya, Viktorovka, Zaoleshenka, Kubatkin, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Martynovka, Nikolayevka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Novaya Sorochina, Sverdlikovo, and Cherkasskaya Konopelka. Four counter-attacks of enemy assault detachments were repelled. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted losses on AFU manpower and hardware close to Guyevo, Kositsa, Kruglenkoye, Kurilovka, Loknya, Malaya Loknya, Makhnovka, Russkoye Porechnoye, Staraya Sorochina as well as Basovka, Belovody, and Zhuravka in Sumy region. The AFU losses were more than 200 troops, one armoured personnel carrier, one armoured fighting vehicle, one electronic warfare station, and five motor vehicles. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 43,510 troops, 253 tanks, 194 infantry fighting vehicles, 136 armoured personnel carriers, 1,316 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,179 motor vehicles, 324 artillery guns, 42 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 13 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 80 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 28 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, seven armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims against Immutable resulting from allegations that Immutable may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So what: If you purchased IMX tokens you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31342 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. What is this about: On November 1, 2024, Immutable revealed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had filed a Wells Notice to Immutable over its sales of IMX tokens. Immutable believes the SEC are targeting the listing and private sales of IMX in 2021. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BricklayerDAO is setting a new standard in the intersection of blockchain technology and real estate. Frustrated by the limited returns and lack of control in traditional real estate investment, Nick and Denis founded a platform that merges the flexibility of blockchain technology with the stability of real estate investment trusts (REITs). Their extensive experience in commercial real estate, spanning a collective 30 years and encompassing billions in transactions, has paved the way for an innovative model. This model not only reduces barriers to entry for institutional-grade real estate but also empowers investors by providing unprecedented levels of participation. At its core, BricklayerDAO operates on two tokens that drive its ecosystem: MRTR, a utility token central to governance, and BRCK, a value token directly tied to real-world assets (RWAs). Nick explains this model, Our dual-token system is designed to ensure robust engagement and transparency while empowering holders to influence investment strategies directly. MRTR tokens give stakeholders a voice in governance through staking and voting, with innovative quadratic voting mechanisms that balance power between large and small holders. At the same time, $BRCK tokens derive their value from tokenised real-world assets, such as industrial warehouses leased by Fortune 50 companies on long-term agreements, offering the community a cash flow-backed and tangible investment opportunity. The DAOs governance system is designed with meticulous attention to community-driven decision-making. From idea formulation to final implementation, members contribute at every stage, with proposals rigorously vetted through forums, temperature checks, and voting. Further, BricklayerDAOs operations are underpinned by a commitment to efficient capital reserves. Fiat accounts, maintained in local jurisdictions for operational requirements, are transparently monitored through blockchain oracles, bridging the gap between traditional and digital economies. Virtual assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, are managed through the Quarry, the platforms digital mining network, contributing to the steady growth of reserves while offering stability in volatile markets. This dual-exposure strategy enables BricklayerDAO to balance growth and liquidity effectively. Denis highlights, What truly sets BricklayerDAO apart is the seamless integration of PropTech innovations with decentralised finance. By tokenising real estate assets and utilising Chainlink oracles, we bridge the gap between off-chain value and blockchain technology, creating a transparent and efficient system that redefines how real estate investments are managed. By acquiring and managing both traditional and tokenised real estate, BricklayerDAO opens institutional-grade opportunities to a global audience without compromising on diligence or asset quality. Its acquisition strategy prioritises industrial assets with high-credit tenants, maximising rental yields while supporting long-term value appreciation for BRCK holders. Central to the DAOs mission is its tenant-friendly approach, designed to reduce costs and nurture flexibility for occupiers. Partnerships with key stakeholders create an equitable real estate ecosystem that aligns the interests of investors and tenants. Through the Bricktop A.I real estate assistant tool, BricklayerDAO simplifies opportunity identification and asset management, integrating data-driven insights to optimise site selection, leasing, and market positioning. The Masonry (MSRY) NFTs add a unique dimension to the ecosystem, offering members benefits ranging from early access to services and fee discounts to boosted governance influence. Available in four rarity tiers: Clay, Granite, Marble, and Special, these NFTs reward active community participation while promoting loyalty. BricklayerDAOs Kiln mechanism further incentivises engagement by linking NFT distribution to $BRCK token purchases, ensuring alignment between token value and user benefits. BricklayerDAOs entry into the market also marks a significant step in preparing the real estate industry for a new era of blended assets. By advancing Web3 technologies, the DAO provides real estate vendors with tools for efficient, transparent, and globally accessible transactions. Its efforts are shaping the gig economys role in property management and investment, allowing real estate professionals and on-chain enthusiasts to engage in every facet of RWA transactions. Nick shares his enthusiasm, Launching BricklayerDAO is a monumental step for us, and were genuinely thrilled to bring this vision to life. Weve built this platform with a strong foundation of trust, transparency, and innovation, ensuring that it serves the best interests of the market and its participants. We are dedicated to building the worlds most verifiable RWA value offering ecosystem on-chain. Denis adds, This isnt just about creating a platform; its about setting a new standard for real estate and blockchain integration. Were committed to delivering value and opportunity in good faith to our investors, the community, and the broader industry, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future. BricklayerDAO invites investors and real estate professionals to join this transformative journey. As it continues to redefine property investment, the DAO offers not only a platform but a community, a space where collaboration and innovation pave the way to a more inclusive and efficient real estate ecosystem. Also, the MRTR presale is now live, and wed love for you to participate! Dont miss out. Click here to buy your tokens today! You can stay up-to-date with BricklayerDAO by following them on social media platforms such as X , Discord , LinkedIn and Instagram ___________________________________ For media inquiries, please contact: Contact Person Name: Stuart Alldus Designation: Head of Investor Relations Email: stuart@bricklayerdao.com About BricklayerDAO: BricklayerDAO is a groundbreaking platform that merges blockchain technology with real estate investment, offering a decentralised approach to property transactions. By tokenising real-world assets and empowering stakeholders through governance, BricklayerDAO creates a transparent, accessible, and community-driven ecosystem for the future of real estate and blockchain integration. ___________________________________ Disclaimer: This content is provided by BricklayerDAO. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/989a9e0a-f557-4c97-9f1d-45c52558400a New enrollments under the Affordable Care Act are on pace to trail last years record numbers by as many as a million as the outgoing Biden administration confronts upheavals in the program. Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press New enrollments under the Affordable Care Act are on pace to trail last years record numbers by as many as a million as the outgoing Biden administration confronts upheavals in the program. Donald Trumps election to a second term as president has cast uncertainty around the future of the health law. In addition, the Biden administration implemented cumbersome policies to reduce fraudulent enrollment and is combating a lawsuit that aims to block immigrants who lack legal residency from buying insurance under the program. So far, the number of new and returning enrollees using healthcare.gov the federal marketplace that serves 31 states is below last years. New enrollments were just over 730,000 in early December, compared with 1.5 million at the same time last year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad To give consumers in federal marketplace states more time to enroll, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services extended to Dec. 18 the deadline to sign up for coverage that starts Jan. 1. (The Jan. 15 deadline is for coverage that would begin Feb. 1.) Also in flux is a rule issued by the Biden administration allowing for the first time enrollment in ACA coverage by people brought to the U.S. as children without immigration paperwork, known as Dreamers. The Biden team was granted a temporary stay on Dec. 16 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit regarding a Dec. 9 order by a federal judge in North Dakota. That district court judge had ruled in favor of 19 states that sought to block the Biden administrations Dreamers directive. Without a stay, the decision in that case, Kansas v. the United States, effectively bars those who have qualified for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in the 19 states from enrolling in or getting subsidies for ACA plans. It does not appear to affect enrollment or coverage in other states, lawyers following the case have said. A final decision on the temporary stay was expected any day now. If granted, it could allow Dreamers to continue enrolling while the governments appeal of the district court ruling is heard, which is unlikely to occur before Trump takes office. In its court filings, the Biden administration argues that not granting a stay would be very disruptive in the middle of open enrollment, causing the federal government to incur costs in retooling its marketplace to reflect the change, and notifying those who have already enrolled that their plans are canceled. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The original case was filed in August in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota and is being heard by District Judge Daniel Traynor, who was nominated in 2019 by then-President Trump. Previously, the federal government estimated that about 100,000 uninsured people out of a half-million DACA recipients might sign up for 2025 coverage. In its new filing, the government says 2,700 have enrolled in those states that brought the suit and use the federal marketplace. The Biden administration rule, finalized in May, clarified that those who qualify for DACA would be considered lawfully present for the purposes of enrolling in plans under the ACA, which are open to citizens and those who are called lawfully present immigrants. The federal lawyers argue that North Dakota has not proved it would be harmed by the rule, so it has no standing to bring the case. North Dakota argued that it incurs costs for approximately 130 DACA recipients who live in its state, and that it would not have those expenses if they were barred from enrolling in the ACA and thus decided to leave the country. An exodus is unlikely, the federal government argued. The legal brief also questioned North Dakotas calculation that it incurs costs of $585 to issue drivers licenses to the DACA recipients and about $14,000 annually to educate at least one DACA member or dependent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad DUBAI, United Arab Emirates and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The leading online travel marketplace, WINGIE, experienced a remarkable growth in 2024, with bookings doubling compared to 2023. It reflects the increasing demand for travel, supported by data showing a steady rise in bookings, heightened traveler activity, and growing consumer confidence in global mobility. WINGIEs data revealed an average basket amount of $191, with Cairo emerging as the most popular destination, accounting for 28% of total bookings. Riyadh followed with 14%, Jeddah with 11%, Dammam with 10%, and Dubai with 7%. The busiest travel routes included Riyadh to Jeddah, which claimed 14% of bookings, followed by Jeddah to Cairo at 12%, Jeddah to Riyadh at 10%, and Cairo to Jeddah at 9%. This year also saw incredible value for budget-conscious travelers. The most affordable ticket was priced at just $7.95 for a Tashkent to Samarkand flight, while the most expensive reached $11,562 for a Jeddah to London route. Solo travel emerged as a dominant trend, with 74% of users opting to travel alone, while the remaining 26% traveled in groups of two or more. Booking behavior highlighted a preference for one-way tickets, which 57% of travelers chose, while roundtrip tickets accounted for 43%. Wingie also provided insights into its user demographics. Men represented 63% of its customers, with women making up 37%. Additionally, 90% of its travelers were adults, 8% were children, and 2% were infants. As a trusted platform connecting people with their dream destinations, WINGIE continues to lead the way in offering seamless and affordable travel experiences. About Wingie Enuygun Group Wingie Enuygun Group is a leading travel marketplace in the MENA region, specializing in flights through its platforms wingie.com, sa.wingie.com, wingie.ae and enuygun.com. The company offers a comprehensive range of travel products including flights, hotels, rental cars and bus tickets. Recognized for its innovation, Wingie Enuygun Group is at the forefront of the MENA online travel space, pioneering technological advancements and driving digital transformation within the industry. Wingie leverages advanced AI technology to provide a seamless user experience, featuring virtual interlining for flights and a diverse array of airline tickets and travel content. The platform is available in six languages, employs over 400 people, and attracts approximately 200 million visitors annually, reaffirming its position as a premier choice for travelers. Contact: marketing@wingie.com LONDON, Dec. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In times of technological transformation, Verum creates a harmonious ecosystem that unites cutting-edge technologies . Its not just a collection of standalone apps but a seamlessly integrated platform combining advanced developments in one environment. At its core is Verum Messenger, revolutionizing communication and financial operations. Yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg: behind the messenger lies an entire ecosystem of unique products, each playing a key role in reshaping digital reality. Verum Messenger: Communication and Security Verum Messenger is more than just a messaging app. Its a multifunctional platform focused on user safety and convenience. Key features: Verum AI : An integrated artificial intelligence for data search, analysis, and planning. : An integrated artificial intelligence for data search, analysis, and planning. VPN : One-click data encryption and anonymity. : One-click data encryption and anonymity. E-SIM: Internet access in 150+ countries. Verum Coin: The Payment Backbone of the Ecosystem Verum Coin ensures fast and secure transfers within and beyond the ecosystem . Its used for service payments and instant low-fee transactions, both inside and outside the Verum ecosystem. BitCoinPay Trade: Secure Cryptocurrency Exchange BitCoinPay Trade offers secure trading and a wide selection of cryptocurrencies . Transactions are protected by advanced encryption methods, eliminating the risk of asset loss or theft. The platform provides access to major cryptocurrencies. Crypto Bank: Reliable Crypto Wallet Crypto Bank offers users a secure storage solution for digital assets. Designed for those who actively work with cryptocurrencies and value financial security, the service fully supports Verum Coin and other major cryptocurrencies, ensuring reliability and ease of use. Verum Pay: Integrating Cryptocurrencies into Business Verum Pay is an innovative solution to make and receive payments with a cryptocurrency for businesses. Verum Pay is actively utilized within the Verum ecosystem, enabling users to pay for goods and services with Verum Coin. Verum Exchange: Currency Converter and Mining Verum Exchange is a currency converter with integrated Verum Coin mining capabilities, allowing users to earn cryptocurrency on their devices. E-SIM Applications: Revolution in Connectivity Mobile E-SIM applications ( Verum E-SIM , World E-SIM , Euro E-SIM , Canada E-SIM , London E-SIM , USA E-SIM , Ukraine E-SIM , Balkan E-SIM , Africa E-SIM ) provide internet access in 150+ countries, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. Verum VPN: Data Protection A highly efficient Verum VPN ensures robust data encryption, making it ideal for protecting personal information online, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi networks. Verum AI: Artificial Intelligence at Your Fingertips A smart assistant Verum AI with extensive functionality . AI employs powerful algorithms for communication, analysis and creativity, adapting to each users needs. Idea generation and skill development with no censorship. Verum Runner: A Crypto Game with Real Earnings Verum Runner is a crypto game enabling users to earn Verum Coin in real-time. This game motivates players to not only have fun but also gain real financial benefits. Verum Ecosystem changing approach to communication, finance and security in the modern world. All ecosystem products work in perfect synergy, delivering unparalleled user experiences that ensure privacy, security, and convenience every step of the way. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f25feaca-9a98-418a-8846-2871db98fec1 New Delhi, Dec. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the latest study from Astute Analytica, the France residential fan coil unit market is projected to hit the market valuation of US$ 100.62 million by 2033 from US$ 62.73 million in 2024 at a CAGR of 5.39% during the forecast period 20252033. France residential fan coil unit market remains positive as the country's GDP is expected to grow by 2.3% in 2024, driving increased investment in residential construction and renovations. Furthermore, the trend of smart home technology integration is expected to accelerate, with 35% of newly installed fan coil units projected to feature smart capabilities by 2024. The aging population in France, coupled with the rising demand for climate-controlled environments, will continue to fuel the adoption of residential fan coil units. In 2024, the total number of residential air conditioning installations is forecasted to reach 7.8 million units, up from 7.2 million in 2023. Correspondingly, the number of houses equipped with air conditioning is expected to grow to 5.3 million by the end of 2024. Request a Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/france-residential-fan-coil-unit-market The French government's focus on energy efficiency and sustainability will also shape the future of the residential fan coil unit market. Manufacturers are investing in the development of eco-friendly and low-noise models to comply with the country's stringent regulations. This shift towards energy-efficient solutions is expected to drive the demand for advanced fan coil unit technologies, further enhancing the market's growth potential. Additionally, the construction sector is projected to rebound, with public construction activities showing resilience, which will likely lead to increased installations of HVAC systems in new builds. The HVAC market in France, valued at approximately US$ 5.97 billion in 2023, is anticipated to surge significantly, reflecting a broader trend towards sustainable living. As consumer preferences shift towards energy-efficient and technologically advanced solutions, the market is poised for robust growth, with manufacturers adapting to meet evolving consumer demands and regulatory requirements. Key Findings In France Residential Fan Coil Unit Market Market Forecast (2033) US$ 100.62 million CAGR 5.39% By Configuration 2 Pipe Fan Coil Unit (55.6%) By Model Ceiling Mounted (67.4%) Top Drivers Increasing adoption of air conditioning in French households Growing demand for energy-efficient and smart home technologies Rising investment in residential construction and renovations Top Trends Integration of fan coil units with smart home systems Shift towards eco-friendly and low-noise fan coil unit models Increasing popularity of ductless and mini-split fan coil unit systems Top Challenges Stringent energy efficiency regulations and emission standards Competition from alternative HVAC solutions, such as heat pumps Ascendancy of Two Pipe Fan Coil Units in France Become An Innovative Solution for Modern Homes, Poised to Control Over 55% Market Share Two pipe fan coil units have solidified their dominance in the French residential fan coil unit market by providing flexibility and operational efficiency that is unmatched by competing systems. These units excel in adapting to varying heating and cooling needs without the complexity of additional piping. A recent report highlights that over 80% of homeowners are satisfied with the quick transition capabilities of two pipe systems, enabling them to effectively manage indoor climates. With a significant number of new residential buildings adopting these units, about 60% of architects now prefer specifying two pipe systems due to their streamlined design, which meets the demands of contemporary living. The preference for two pipe fan coil units in the residential fan coil unit market can also be attributed to their low environmental impact and high energy efficiency. With rising energy costs, consumers are increasingly drawn to solutions that promise long-term savings. Current statistics reveal that two pipe systems consume 15% less energy than traditional HVAC setups, showcasing their effectiveness in maintaining cost-efficient operations. Moreover, around 70% of consumers report a decrease in energy bills after switching to two pipe units, making them an economically viable choice. Enhanced insulation technologies incorporated into these units further contribute to their energy-saving capabilities, with new models achieving up to 25% better heat retention than previous versions. Moreover, technological advancements have made two pipe fan coil units more appealing to tech-savvy homeowners. Many of these systems are now equipped with smart thermostats and remote control options, allowing users to monitor and adjust their environment effortlessly. A survey conducted among French homeowners found that nearly 65% of respondents value smart features in their HVAC systems, reflecting a shift towards integrated home automation. As the demand for sustainable and intelligent living spaces continues to rise, two pipe fan coil units are poised to maintain their leading position in the market, underscoring their role as a forward-thinking solution for modern residential needs. Ceiling-Mounted Residential Fan Coil Units is the Preferred Choice for Urban Living in France, Set to Capture Over 67% Market Share In the competitive landscape of residential fan coil unit market in France, ceiling-mounted fan coil units have emerged as the preferred choice for urban dwellers in France, thanks to their unmatched versatility and design advantages. As urban populations grow, the need for efficient space utilization has never been greater. Ceiling-mounted units, which occupy minimal floor space, have become essential in modern apartments and homes. Recent findings indicate that over 77% of architects recommend ceiling-mounted units to clients seeking to maximize living areas while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Additionally, approximately 82% of homeowners appreciate the unobtrusive nature of these installations, allowing for greater freedom in interior design. The operational benefits of ceiling-mounted fan coil units in the residential fan coil unit market further bolster their market dominance. These systems are engineered to deliver superior airflow and comfort compared to wall-mounted or floor-standing alternatives. Data shows that users experience a 30% improvement in air circulation efficiency, which contributes to a more stable indoor temperature. The quiet operation of these units also resonates with consumers, as 90% report a preference for ceiling-mounted solutions over noisier options, especially in noise-sensitive environments like bedrooms and living rooms. This focus on comfort and tranquility has solidified ceiling-mounted units as the go-to choice for family living spaces. Apart from this, the integration of advanced technologies in ceiling-mounted systems has significantly influenced consumer preferences in the residential fan coil unit market. Many models now feature energy-efficient components and smart home compatibility, which appeal to environmentally conscious buyers. Statistics indicate that around 68% of consumers are more likely to purchase ceiling-mounted units if they come with energy-saving technologies. Furthermore, these units can reduce energy consumption by up to 20% when paired with energy-efficient controls, making them an attractive option for those looking to lower their carbon footprint. As the demand for stylish, efficient, and technologically advanced HVAC systems continues to grow, ceiling-mounted fan coil units are set to remain at the forefront of the French residential market. Ask For Customization @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/france-residential-fan-coil-unit-market Highly Fragmented France Residential Fan Coil Unit Market: Top 10 Players Control Less than 40% The French residential fan coil unit market is populated by a mix of established brands and emerging players. Major manufacturers such as Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, and Carrier dominate the market with their extensive product lines and strong distribution networks. Their presence is bolstered by a robust reputation for quality and innovation. However, numerous smaller companies also contribute to the fragmentation, including Sodeco, Teddington, and various local installers. This diverse landscape means that while major players hold significant market share, opportunities exist for new entrants to cater to niche segments and regional preferences. Market entry for new players can be challenging due to the established presence of these larger brands, but there are still viable avenues for growth. Companies can focus on energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions, which align with France's stringent regulatory standards aimed at enhancing sustainability. Additionally, the rise in consumer preference for smart home technologies offers a lucrative opportunity for FCU manufacturers to integrate IoT capabilities into their products, providing enhanced control and efficiency. This focus on innovation can help new entrants differentiate themselves and capture market share from traditional players. Furthermore, key revenue pockets in the residential fan coil unit market exist in the growing demand for retrofitting existing buildings with modern fan coil systems, especially in urban areas where improving energy efficiency is crucial. The French government's initiatives to promote sustainability in residential buildings create an encouraging environment for investment in FCUs. Additionally, the increasing trend towards personalized climate control solutions allows players to tap into custom installations, expanding their offerings and enhancing profitability. By targeting these opportunities, both established brands and new entrants can navigate the fragmented market and capitalize on evolving consumer demands. Top Players in France Residential Fan Coil Unit Market Carrier Corporation Daikin Europe N.V. Haier Group Corp. Hitachi Ltd. Johnson Controls, Inc. Midea Group Trane Europe Trox Group Other Prominent Players Market Segmentation Overview: By Configuration Two pipe fan coil unit Four pipe fan coil unit By Model Type Wall Mounted Floor Standing Ceiling Mounted Inquire more about this report before purchase: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/inquire-before-purchase/france-residential-fan-coil-unit-market About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us. Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube New Delhi, Dec. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Saudi Arabia deep well submersible motors market is projected to hit the market valuation of US$ 23.28 million by 2033 from US$ 16.93 million in 2024 at a CAGR of 3.60% during the forecast period 20252033. Deep well submersible motors are heavily utilized across Saudi Arabia due to the countrys unique geographical and climatic challenges. With 38% of its 2.25 million square kilometers covered by desert, Saudi Arabia faces extreme water scarcity, as it lacks permanent surface water sources like rivers or lakes. Groundwater, therefore, becomes the primary water source, with deep aquifers being heavily relied upon in the deep well submersible motors market. The countrys arid climate, high temperatures, and minimal rainfall exacerbate water scarcity, leading to high evaporation rates. In 2019, Saudi Arabias total water demand reached 17.4 billion cubic meters (BCM), with agriculture consuming 72% of this, 90% of which comes from groundwater aquifers. Urban water use accounted for 3,493 million cubic meters (MCM), with 35% sourced from groundwater, while the industrial sector used 8% of the total demand. These figures highlight the critical need for efficient water extraction technologies like deep well submersible motors. Request Sample Copy @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/saudi-arabia-deep-well-submersible-motors-market The efficiency and reliability of deep well submersible motors make them indispensable in Saudi Arabias water management. These motors are designed to extract water from deep aquifers, which is essential in regions like Jawf, Tabuk, Eastern, and Qassim, where over 95% of irrigation relies on non-renewable groundwater. Their energy efficiency, durability, and ability to operate continuously in harsh environments make them ideal for Saudi Arabias conditions. Unlike jet pumps, which are inefficient for deep wells, or solar-powered pumps, which can be inconsistent due to weather conditions, submersible motors provide a continuous and reliable water supply. Additionally, their adaptability to varying depths and flow rates ensures they meet the diverse needs of agriculture, urban water supply, and industrial applications. Government initiatives further drive the adoption of the deep well submersible motors market in the country. As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabias National Water Strategy emphasizes sustainable water management and conservation. The governments focus on regulating agricultural water use and promoting efficient technologies aligns with the capabilities of deep well submersible motors. Their role in ensuring water security is critical, especially as the country continues to face growing water demand and limited renewable water resources. These motors not only address immediate water needs but also support long-term sustainability goals in one of the worlds most water-scarce regions. Key Findings in Saudi Arabia Deep Well Submersible Motors Market Market Forecast (2033) USD 23.28 million CAGR 3.6% By Motor Type Water- Filled Motor (63.13%) By Application Irrigation (46.37%) By End Users Agriculture (39.75%) By Power 5 HP - 10 HP (39.30%) Top Drivers Government investment in water infrastructure projects to support Vision 2030 goals. Agricultural sector expansion requiring efficient groundwater extraction solutions. Technological advancements enhancing motor efficiency and lifespan. Top Trends Increasing adoption of energy-efficient and smart submersible motors. Growth in desalination projects utilizing submersible technology. Integration of Internet of Things (IoT) for remote monitoring of well systems. Top Challenges Depleting groundwater levels necessitating deeper wells and more powerful motors. High operational costs due to energy consumption and maintenance. Environmental regulations limiting groundwater extraction rates. Cutting-edge Technology and Environmental Safety Boost Water-Filled Motor Preference, Projected to Control over 63% Market Share The surge in demand for water-filled motor in Saudi Arabia deep well submersible motors market is significantly influenced by technological advancements and environmental considerations. Water-filled motors have evolved with superior engineering designs that enhance their durability and efficiency in harsh underground conditions. They are constructed with advanced corrosion-resistant materials that withstand the high salinity levels often found in Saudi Arabian groundwater. This makes them more reliable and longer-lasting compared to oil-filled motors. For instance, industry analyses up to 2021 indicated that water-filled motors could operate efficiently for extended periods with minimal maintenance, saving costs for end-users in the long run. Environmental safety is another critical factor propelling the preference for water-filled motors in Saudi Arabia deep well submersible motors market. Unlike oil-filled motors, water-filled variants eliminate the risk of oil leaks that can contaminate groundwatera vital resource in the arid regions of Saudi Arabia. The protection of groundwater from pollution is a national priority, and using water-filled motors aligns with the country's environmental regulations and sustainability goals. The avoidance of potential environmental fines and the commitment to ecological preservation make water-filled submersible motors an attractive choice for industries and municipalities focused on responsible resource management. Infrastructure Development Spurs Demand for 5 HP - 10 HP Submersible Motors, to Hold Over 39% Revenue Share The substantial consumption of 5 HP - 10 HP in deep well submersible motors market in Saudi Arabia is driven by the country's aggressive infrastructure development and expanding small to medium-scale agricultural activities. These mid-range motors are ideal for new residential communities, commercial complexes, and small farms requiring efficient water solutions. The government's initiatives to enhance urbanization and develop rural areas have led to a surge in construction projects, each necessitating reliable water supply systems. Developers and contractors prefer 5 HP - 10 HP motors for their balance of adequate power and energy efficiency, ensuring consistent water delivery without excessive operational costs. In the agricultural sector, these motors support the irrigation needs of smallholder farms that form a significant portion of Saudi Arabia's agricultural landscape. They are powerful enough to access necessary groundwater levels while being cost-effective for farmers with limited resources. The simplicity and reliability of these motors make them suitable for regions where technical expertise may be scarce. The government's support for boosting local food production has further incentivized farmers to adopt these motors, enhancing agricultural productivity and contributing to the overall demand in this power range. Advanced Irrigation Systems Drive Dominance of Submersible Motors in Agriculture Industry With over 46% Market Share The prominence of irrigation applications in Saudi Arabia's deep well submersible motors market is significantly shaped by the adoption of advanced irrigation technologies. Farmers are increasingly implementing modern systems like drip and pivot irrigation, which require dependable and efficient water pumping solutions provided by submersible motors. These technologies optimize water usage, crucial in an arid country, and enhance crop yields, making submersible motors indispensable in contemporary agricultural practices. Moreover, government initiatives encouraging sustainable water management have spurred investments in efficient irrigation infrastructure. Programs offering subsidies and technical support for modern irrigation have led to widespread upgrading of agricultural practices. Submersible motors, capable of accessing deeper water tables, ensure a consistent water supply despite surface water scarcity. This reliability is critical for high-value crop production, positioning irrigation as the leading application and reinforcing the motor market's revenue from this segment. Ask For Customization @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/saudi-arabia-deep-well-submersible-motors-market Agriculture Sector's Growth Initiatives Propel Submersible Motor Demand Ahead of Other Sectors The agriculture sector's substantial contribution to the Saudi Arabian deep well submersible motors market is anchored by strategic initiatives to expand domestic food production. The government's Vision 2030 emphasizes agricultural development to achieve food security and reduce import dependence. This has resulted in significant investments in farming infrastructure, including the drilling of new wells equipped with advanced submersible motors. The ability of these motors to access deep aquifers enables the cultivation of previously arid lands, aligning with national objectives. In contrast to industrial, residential, and commercial sectors, agriculture's reliance on groundwater is more pronounced due to the necessity of irrigation in crop production. The sector's expansion in the deep well submersible motors market naturally leads to increased demand for submersible motors. Additionally, efforts to introduce sustainable farming practices have encouraged the adoption of energy-efficient motors. These not only reduce operational costs for farmers but also contribute to environmental conservation efforts. The combined effect of economic incentives, technological advancement, and critical water needs solidifies agriculture's leading position in the submersible motor market. Saudi Arabia Deep Well Submersible Motors Market Key Players: Grundfos Wilo SE Xylem Inc. KSB SE & Co. KGaA C.R.I. Pumps Ebara Corporation Kirloskar Group Other Prominent Players Key Segmentation: By Type Oil-Filled Motor 4" Oil-Filled Motor 6" and above Oil-Filled Motor Water- Filled Motor 4" Water-Filled Motor 6" Water-Filled Motor 8" and above Water-Filled Motor By Power 5 HP - 10 HP 10 HP - 15 HP 15 HP - 20 HP Above 20 HP By Application Irrigation Water Supply Others By End User Residential Agriculture Commercial Industrial By Provinces Riyadh Makkah Medina Tabuk Jeddah Dammam Rest of Saudi Arabia Looking for expert insights? Request an online presentation of the report from our analyst @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/speak-analyst/saudi-arabia-deep-well-submersible-motors-market About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us. Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube New Delhi, Dec. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the latest study from Astute Analytica Research, the Saudi Arabia light commercial vehicle modifiers market was valued at US$ 1,457.04 million in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 2,945.24 million by 2032 at a CAGR of 7.39% during the forecast period 20242032. The Saudi Arabian LCV modifiers market presents a promising landscape propelled by economic growth, technological advancements, and expanding industrial sectors. The government's Vision 2030 plan, with investments exceeding $2 trillion, has spurred unprecedented demand for customized transportation solutions. In 2023, the market value of LCV modifications reached $1.5 billion, with projections indicating a growth rate of 8% annually over the next five years. The infrastructure sector alone contributed to 25,000 LCV modifications, highlighting substantial revenue opportunities. Emerging technologies are redefining the modification industry. The integration of telematics and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions into LCVs has seen over 5,000 vehicles equipped with advanced fleet management systems in 2023. These technologies enhance operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs by an average of $5,000 per vehicle annually, and improve safety. Electric and hybrid LCV modifications are gaining traction, with $300 million invested in EV technologies and over 2,000 vehicles modified for sustainable operations. Download Free Sample Copy @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/saudi-arabia-light-commercial-vehicle-modifiers-market Revenue pockets are expanding in light commercial vehicle modifiers market. The cold chain logistics market, valued at $10 billion, has driven the modification of 7,000 refrigerated LCVs to support pharmaceuticals and perishables. E-commerce growth, with online sales surpassing $10 billion in 2023, has increased demand for customized delivery vehicles, accounting for 15,000 modifications. Opportunities also exist in the burgeoning gig economy, where 3,000 LCVs have been modified for ride-sharing and mobile services. The potential for growth is immense as modifiers align with market needs. Companies are investing in research and development; for instance, Al-Futtaim Motors allocated $50 million to innovation in modification techniques. Emerging technologies like autonomous driving features are being explored, with $200 million earmarked for pilot projects. The focus on sustainability and efficiency positions the market favorably, ensuring competitiveness on a global scale. Key Findings in Saudi Arabia Light Commercial Vehicle Modifiers Market Market Forecast (2032) US$ 2,945.24 million CAGR 7.39% By Type Overall Modification (64.08%) By Vehicle Type Light Commercial Trucks (35.25%) By End Users Logistics and Delivery Services (26.12%) By Application Safety Enhancement (25.06%) Top Drivers Economic diversification under Vision 2030 boosting customized LCV demand. Surge in e-commerce requiring specialized delivery vehicles nationwide. Infrastructure expansion increasing need for modified construction LCVs. Top Trends Growing adoption of electric and hybrid LCV modifications. Emphasis on advanced safety features in vehicle customization. Integration of telematics and IoT in modified LCVs. Top Challenges Regulatory complexities delaying modification approvals. Supply chain disruptions affecting availability of parts. High modification costs limiting accessibility for SMEs. Light Commercial Trucks are the Backbone of Saudi Arabias Expanding Industrial and Trade Landscape In Saudi Arabias light commercial vehicle modifiers market, light commercial trucks have become the backbone of industrial and trade operations in 2023. Their dominance is driven by increasing requirements for durable, multi-functional vehicles in key sectors such as mining, retail, and energy. Over 70,000 light trucks were sold in 2023, with brands like Mitsubishi Fuso and Ford Ranger witnessing record demand. These trucks are extensively modified to meet industry-specific needs, including the addition of flatbeds, cranes, and insulated cargo compartments for specialized operations. The mining sector, which saw a $200 million boost in 2023 due to new exploration projects, has utilized 9,000 modified trucks for equipment transport and site operations. Similarly, Saudi Arabias retail sector, which added 500 new supermarkets and hypermarkets in 2023, has invested in 12,000 modified trucks for efficient inventory distribution. The Kingdoms expanding energy sector has deployed 8,000 trucks with tank modifications for petroleum and chemical transport. The adaptability of light trucks in the light commercial vehicle modifiers market has also played a role in supporting agricultural exports, which reached 7 million tons in 2023. Over 6,000 trucks were customized with refrigeration units to ensure the freshness of produce during transport. Additionally, the construction industry, which added 2,000 new commercial projects in 2023, has relied on 10,000 modified trucks for material delivery. Modifications like reinforced axles, all-terrain tires, and fuel-efficient engines are frequently applied to enhance performance. Wherein, technological upgrades are also a key focus. Over 7,500 trucks were equipped with load-monitoring sensors to prevent overloading, while 5,000 were fitted with driver-assist technologies for improved safety. The rising demand for customized light trucks reflects their critical role in facilitating Saudi Arabias economic growth, making them indispensable for industrial and trade operations. Safety Enhancement Redefining Light Commercial Vehicles in Saudi Arabias Competitive Market Safety innovations have redefined the li light commercial vehicle modifiers market in Saudi Arabia. With road safety becoming a national priority under Vision 2030, businesses are integrating cutting-edge safety technologies into their fleets. Over 30,000 LCVs were equipped with advanced safety features in 2023, making this the fastest-growing segment in the market. These modifications include adaptive headlights, emergency braking systems, and 360-degree camera setups for enhanced visibility. The logistics sector has seen significant adoption, with 12,000 vehicles upgraded with collision prevention systems to ensure accident-free operations. The healthcare industry, which added 500 mobile health units in 2023, has prioritized safety by incorporating anti-rollover technology in 3,000 vehicles. Additionally, fireproof materials and emergency evacuation systems have been installed in 4,000 vehicles used in the oil and gas industry to safeguard against hazardous conditions. Driver-focused technologies are also gaining traction in the light commercial vehicle modifiers market, with 9,000 vehicles equipped with fatigue monitoring systems to prevent accidents caused by drowsy driving. Saudi Arabias education sector has modified 2,500 school transport vehicles with child safety locks and automatic emergency brakes. Furthermore, 1,500 LCVs used in public transportation were installed with passenger-alert systems to ensure safe boarding and departures. In the e-commerce sector, where timely delivery is essential, over 6,000 vehicles were upgraded with lane-keeping assistance and real-time tracking systems to minimize accidents and delays. Safety modifiers have also been applied to 5,000 refrigerated trucks transporting perishable goods, ensuring secure and stable transit. In 2023, the Kingdom introduced new safety compliance standards, pushing over 20,000 vehicles to undergo mandatory upgrades. Inquire more about this report before purchase: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/inquire-before-purchase/saudi-arabia-light-commercial-vehicle-modifiers-market Logistics and Delivery: Driving Growth in Saudi Arabias Light Commercial Vehicle Modifications The logistics and delivery sector continues to drive the demand for light commercial vehicle modifiers market in Saudi Arabia. In 2023, Saudi Arabias logistics market hit $23 billion in value, fueled by rapid e-commerce growth and regional trade expansion. Over 40,000 LCVs were modified for logistics and delivery purposes, reflecting the sectors dominance in the market. One of the most common modifications is the installation of automated loading and unloading systems, applied to over 9,000 vehicles to improve efficiency and reduce turnaround times. Additionally, 7,000 vehicles were equipped with cargo compartment extensions to accommodate larger shipments. Climate-controlled modifications were added to 6,500 vehicles for temperature-sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals, which saw a 20% increase in demand in 2023. Saudi Post, the Kingdoms largest postal service, introduced 4,000 modified LCVs with advanced tracking systems to enhance delivery accuracy. Private courier companies, which processed over 100 million packages in 2023, added 8,000 vehicles with route optimization software. Furthermore, free trade agreements signed in 2023 have driven 3,500 LCV modifications for cross-border transportation, including customs clearance technology. Sustainability has also become a focus in logistics in the light commercial vehicle modifiers market. Over 2,500 electric LCVs were modified with extended battery ranges and fast-charging capabilities to support green delivery initiatives. The agriculture sector, which exported 5 million tons of produce in 2023, utilized 3,000 LCVs modified with multi-temperature zones for mixed cargo. Additionally, 1,500 vehicles were customized with anti-theft systems to protect high-value shipments. The rise of same-day delivery services has led to 5,000 vehicles being modified with high-speed engines and lightweight materials for faster transit. With 1,000 new warehouses constructed in 2023, fleet operators are investing heavily in vehicle modifications to streamline operations and meet growing demand. This sectors dominance highlights the critical role logistics and delivery play in Saudi Arabias economic transformation. Top Players in Saudi Arabia Light Commercial Vehicle Modifiers Market Stellantis Isuzu Carrier Modef Luxury For Development Cars Est. Modacar Middle East Customs Other Prominent Players Market Segmentation Overview: By Type Overall Modification Local Modification By Vehicle Type Light Commercial Bus & Van Light Commercial Trucks Micro Van & Truck Chassis Cabs By Application Performance Improvement Appearance Change Safety Enhancement Comfort Improvement Others (Such as Refrigeration Unit Modification, Utility Enhancement, etc.) By End User Government Agencies Retail Sector (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets) Construction Sector Logistics and Delivery Services Healthcare Sector Education Sector (Schools/Universities) Hospitality and Tourism Others Ask For Customization @ https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/saudi-arabia-light-commercial-vehicle-modifiers-market About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us. Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube SHANGHAI, Dec. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On December 19, UnionPay International (UPI) and the Lao National Payment Network (LAPNet) launched the QR payment interoperability collaboration in Shanghai. Mr. Dong Junfeng, Chairman of UPI, and Mr. Manolith Soumphonphacdy, Chairman of LAPNet, attended the ceremony. From now on, users of the UnionPay App, Chinese e-wallets integrated with the UnionPay MobileWallet Connect Service, and international UnionPay partner wallets can scan the Lao QR code to make payments to local merchants. Mr. Larry Wang, CEO of UPI, and Mr. Sisamone Srithirath, CEO of LAPNet, signed the collaboration agreement on behalf of the two organizations. Mr. Dong said that in recent years, central banks in Southeast Asia have been accelerating the development of local QR payment networks and driving bilateral and multilateral cross-border QR payment linkages. In line with this trend, UnionPay has been actively promoting payment connectivity between China and Southeast Asia. This new project with LAPNet marks the latest milestone in UnionPay's efforts to pursue cross-border interoperability and will significantly improve the mobile payment experience for users of the UnionPay-powered wallets in Laos. In the future, UnionPay will continue to use its strengths to promote people-to-people exchanges between China and Southeast Asian countries and contribute to payment development in Asia-Pacific. Mr. Soumphonphacdy said that this partnership with UPI represents yet another important achievement of the two parties' efforts to enhance collaboration on cross-border payments and digital financial services between Laos and China. The payment linkage is critical for facilitating Lao's trade and exchanges with China and with other ASEAN countries. LAPNet looks forward to working with UPI to accelerate the rollout of this collaboration, driving financial and payment innovation within the region to the benefit of more residents and businesses in the two countries. At present, almost all POS terminals and ATMs in Laos support UnionPay cards, and UnionPay is the international card brand that is most widely used by local residents. As Lao residents increasingly shift to QR payments, UnionPay International has ramped up its efforts to expand QR payment coverage. This partnership with LAPNet sees the integration of UnionPay's QR specifications into the Lao QR, Laos's national QR code standards, linking the two QR networks in a rapid and extensive manner for mutual acceptance, and enhancing the user experience of e-wallets in cross-border mobile payments. With this collaboration, which is based on the network interoperability model, all Lao QR merchants can easily support UnionPay's mobile payment products after updating their payment codes without any additional technical upgrade. Users of the UnionPay App, Chinese e-wallets integrated with the UnionPay MobileWallet Connect Service, and international UnionPay partner wallets can scan the Lao QR and make easy payments. In the future, new QR merchants in Laos will accept UnionPay by default. Going forward, UPI and LAPNet will work to enable Lao residents to pay with home banking apps at UnionPay QR merchants in China. Once users link their physical UnionPay cards or activate digital cards in the Lao wallets, they will be able to pay by scanning the UnionPay QR code in countries and regions where UnionPay QR acceptance is available. Lao residents will thus have a better experience when they pay with mobile devices during outbound travel, especially in China. Since last year, UPI has launched or has been working on payment linkages with local switches from 18 countries or regions outside the Chinese mainland. Currently, over 8.6 million merchants in 46 countries and regions outside the Chinese mainland accept UnionPay QR payments, offering more convenient and diverse options to consumers. Media Contact: Ms. Zhu Tel: 86-10-63074558 Source: UnionPay International Beijing, China, Dec. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 experts and scholars around the world to explore the global significance of "Hehe" culture from various perspectives. This is the third piece of the series. The Chinese nation has a long and profound pursuit of peace, and Chinese culture is characterized by deep-rooted ideas about harmony. The Chinese people have always harbored sincere aspirations for a better, peaceful world, and have been practitioners of "beating swords into plowshares" for thousands of years. The Chinese phrase "beating swords into plowshares" expresses the people's desire to lay down their weapons in pursuit of peace and serves as a warning to mankind not to bring about war again, as maintaining peace is what truly deserves our efforts. Gunpowder was first invented by the Chinese. It was originally used for fireworks to honor the gods rather than for making bullets for warfare, unlike in Europe. China has demonstrated to the world that technological advancement is meant to foster a safer world rather than to inflict harm. Why was gunpowder, invented in China, not used for warfare? This stems from the Chinese nation's values and ideals of peace, harmony, and coexistence, which are manifested in China's Hehe culture. The Chinese nation does not have a genetic predisposition for invading others or seeking hegemony; rather, the quest for peace is the enduring aspiration of the Chinese people. The ancient Chinese military treatise The Art of War states, "The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected." Its core message is to approach war with caution and, whenever possible, to avoid it altogether. The concepts of "harmony is to be prized" and "harmony in diversity" have been passed down through generations, becoming deeply ingrained in the spirit of the Chinese people and reflected in their actions. Historically, China was once one of the most powerful countries in the world, yet it did not leave behind any record of colonization or foreign invasion. In modern times, the Chinese people have suffered greatly from invasion and war, leading them to deeply appreciate peace and recognize the urgency of development. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country has never initiated any wars or conflicts and has never occupied even a square inch of another's land. Following the reform and opening-up, China has dedicated itself to promoting world peace, significantly reducing its military personnel by over four million. China's development from poverty to becoming the world's second-largest economy was not built on charity from others, much less on military expansion or colonial exploitation, but rather on the hard work of its people and the maintenance of peace, which has contributed stability and positivity to a tumultuous international landscape. The increasing strength of the Chinese military represents a growing force for world peace. As Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed, China is "a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order." The Chinese military not only provides strategic support for safeguarding overseas interests but also increasingly takes on the mission of maintaining world peace. The stronger the Chinese military becomes, the more effectively it can deter war and bolster peace, thereby reinforcing global stability and development. China has become the largest troop contributor to peacekeeping operations among the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping assessments. From 2008 to 2024, the Chinese military has dispatched 46 escort task forces to the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia, actively participating in international disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. Whether on the front lines of disaster relief or in defense of peace, the presence of the Chinese military is prominent in many issues of shared concern within the international community. China has the best track record with respect to peace and security, and is the only country in the world that has pledged to "keep to a path of peaceful development" in its Constitution. A large nation with over 1.4 billion people that adheres to a path of peaceful development itself constitutes a stable and powerful force for maintaining world peace. What the Chinese military offers on the world stage is security rather than threat, and opportunity instead of challenge. It has faithfully implemented concepts such as the Global Security Initiative and the idea of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese military seeks its own security while championing collective security, promoting the establishment of multilateral security cooperation mechanisms, and putting into action a new vision for common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. From bilateral to multilateral engagements, from regional waters to distant seas, and from "going out" to "bringing in," China has hosted a number of military diplomatic events, including the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Western Pacific Naval Symposium, and the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum. In this way, China has maintained frequent exchanges with high-level militaries from different countries, established defense and security consultation mechanisms with neighboring countries, and collaborated with all parties to address various international and regional security challenges. Moreover, the Chinese military is taking on increasingly significant responsibilities and playing a more vital role in maintaining global peace and regional stability. Regardless of how times change, the Chinese military will always be standing fast as a disciplined force for peace and justice. It will actively fulfill its responsibilities and obligations commensurate with China's international standing, provide more public security products for the world, and contribute to building lasting peace and universal security for a better future. The ability to fight enables one to prevent war. Without the pursuit of conflict prevention, the capacity to engage in combat could easily devolve into militarism and external aggression. Conversely, without the strength to fight, the desire to halt war becomes nothing more than wishful thinking. Hence, it is crucial to maintain strategic clarity regarding the potential risks of warfare and to leverage military strength in crisis management and war deterrence. Only through this can we effectively deter war and decisively prevail in any potential conflict. The author is a researcher at the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the People's Liberation Army National Defense University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn Company: Global Times Contact Person: Wang Wenwen Email: wangwenwen@globaltimes.com.cn Website: globaltimes.cn Telephone:13810630137 City: Beijing Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of KISS PR or its partners. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. KISS PR makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. VICTORIA, Seychelles, Dec. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are honored to announce that JOC (Japan Open Chain) has been listed on XT. JOC/USDT trading pair is opened in Main Zone(web3.0). Please take note of the official go-live schedule: Deposit: Opened Opened Trading: 11:00 on December 23, 2024 (UTC) 11:00 on December 23, 2024 (UTC) Withdrawal: 11:00 on December 24, 2024 (UTC) About JOC(Japan Open Chain) The Japan Open Chain (JOC) is a blockchain project designed to create an open, decentralized infrastructure to support a wide range of applications across various industries. The platform is focused on providing scalable and secure solutions that empower businesses and individuals, particularly in Japan, to develop and implement decentralized applications (dApps). By leveraging blockchain technology, JOC aims to enhance transparency, reduce reliance on traditional centralized systems, and offer users a secure and efficient environment for transactions and data management. The project is built to handle high transaction volumes quickly, addressing the scalability issues many blockchain networks face today. JOCs primary focus is on the Japanese market, where it seeks to foster blockchain adoption by providing businesses and startups with the tools needed to integrate blockchain into their operations. While the project is rooted in Japan, its open-source nature and emphasis on interoperability mean that it can easily connect with other blockchain ecosystems, enabling seamless collaboration across different platforms. The Japan Open Chain is driven by a community-focused approach, encouraging active participation from developers, businesses, and users to contribute to the platforms growth and evolution. The listing of JOC on XT is a key milestone for the Japan Open Chain project, enhancing its visibility and liquidity. This move provides global access to the project, opening up new opportunities for both institutional and retail investors. It also highlights XT's commitment to supporting innovative blockchain projects and expanding its offerings to meet diverse user needs. Website: https://www.japanopenchain.org/ Blockchain Browser: https://explorer.japanopenchain.org/ Whitepaper: https://www.jbfd.org/en/joc-whitepaper About XT.COM Founded in 2018, XT.COM now serves nearly 8 million registered users, over 1,000,000+ monthly active users, and 40+ million users in the ecosystem. Our platform supports 800+ high-quality tokens and 1000+ trading pairs, offering various trading options such as spot trading, margin trading, and futures trading. As the worlds first social-infused digital asset trading platform, XT.COM is dedicated to providing a secure, trusted, and intuitive trading experience. Our mission is to empower users to explore the infinite potential of blockchain technology. XT Exchange Bella Wei Listing@xt.com JOC(Japan Open Chain) marketing@japanopenchain.org Disclaimer: This content is provided by XT exchange. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider.The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5431613-3e2d-434a-91af-23059d24667f Lyft has filed a lawsuit against the city of San Francisco, alleging it was overcharged by $100 million in taxes over the past five years. The company says its drivers should be considered customers, not employees. Lyft Lyft has filed a lawsuit against the city of San Francisco, alleging it was overcharged by $100 million in taxes over the past five years. The company says its drivers should be considered customers, not employees. Lyft Lyft Inc. has filed a lawsuit against the city of San Francisco, alleging it was overcharged by $100 million in taxes over the past five years. According to court documents, the ride-hailing company argues that the citys tax calculations wrongly included driver compensation as part of its revenue. In the complaint filed Friday, Lyft claims that from 2019 to 2023, San Francisco based its tax assessments on the total fare paid by passengers, instead of the companys actual business model. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lyft considers drivers as its customers, the company states in the lawsuit filed in California state court and first reported by Bloomberg. Accordingly, Lyft recognizes revenue from rideshare as being comprised of fees paid to Lyft by drivers, not charges paid by riders to drivers. Lyft does not treat drivers as employees for any purpose. Jen Kwart, a spokesperson for the San Francisco City Attorneys Office, told the Chronicle on Tuesday, We will review the complaint and respond accordingly. The legal battle is part of a broader, ongoing debate about how gig economy companies like Lyft and Uber should be taxed, given their reliance on independent contractors rather than traditional employees. Lyfts lawyers argue that San Franciscos tax methodology is distortive and will grossly overstate Lyfts gross receipts, making the company pay far more than its fair share of taxes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lawsuit points out that neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor federal tax authorities consider driver compensation as part of Lyfts revenue. Lyft is now seeking refunds for overpaid taxes, along with interest and penalties. The case, Lyft Inc. v. City and County of San Francisco, is currently being heard in California Superior Court in San Francisco. Vancouver, Dec. 24, 2024 - Bolt Metals Corp. ("Bolt" or the "Company") (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (FSE: A3D8AK), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company, is pleased to announce the successful closing of the first tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of Quebec Flow-Through Shares ("QFT Shares"). The Company issued a total of 4,125,000 QFT Shares at a price of CAD$0.16 per share, raising aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$660,000. The QFT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act")). The gross proceeds from the Offering will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" that are "flow-through mining expenditures" (as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)) related to the Company's Northwind Property, Urban-Berry Greenstone Belt, Quebec. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four (4) months plus one (1) day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid finder's fees to certain qualified non-related parties totaling C$39,600 and 247,500 broker warrants (each a "Broker Warrant"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at C$0.16 for two (2) years from the date of issue, in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange"). Stock Options and Restricted Share Unit Grants The Company also announces that it has issued 1,500,000 Restricted Shares Units (each, an "RSU") and 2,300,000 stock options (each, an "Option") to members of management and consultants of the Company in accordance with the Company's equity incentive plan. Each RSU is exercisable for a period of five (5) years at no additional cost and the RSUs will vest on issuance and are subject to a standard four (4) month and one (1) day hold period. Each Option is exercisable for a period of five (5) years to acquire one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") at a price of $0.11 per Share, being the closing price of the Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange on December 23, 2024. The Options will vest in four equal tranches on the date of grant, three (3) months, six (6) months, and nine (9) months after the date of the grant. All Options are subject to a standard four (4) month and one (1) day hold period. About Bolt Metals Corp. Bolt Metals Corp. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality precious and base metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Based in Vancouver, BC, Bolt's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification including; Northwind, gold project in the heart of the Windfall Gold Camp, Quebec; Soap Gulch, a copper SEDEX project in Montana, and Switchback, a copper-silver project located in British Columbia. Bolt trades on the CSE Exchange under the symbol BOLT, the OTCQB Exchange under the symbol PCRFC and in Germany under the WKN A3D8AK. Bolt Metals Corp. Branden Haynes - Director and CEO (604) 817-1595 info@boltmetals.com Reader Advisory This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward?looking information". The words "may", "potential", "should", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions, are intended to identify such forward?looking statements. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding use of proceeds from the private placement and the payment of finder's fees. Investors are cautioned that any such forward?looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward?looking statements. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved or disapproved this news release. Chinese police solve over 5,200 criminal cases in Yangtze River protection campaign Xinhua) 09:23, December 25, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police have solved more than 5,200 criminal cases and dismantled over 710 criminal gangs as part of a nationwide campaign to protect the Yangtze River, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Tuesday. Launched in February this year, the campaign targets illegal activities in the Yangtze River Basin, including illegal fishing, unauthorized sand mining, and unlawful behavior that poses a threat to water transport logistics. The initiative is part of a broader effort to safeguard one of China's most vital water systems, said Luo Ji, an official with the ministry, noting that such law enforcement operations have been ongoing since 2020, and have consistently yielded positive results. One notable aspect of this particular campaign was a special six-month operation launched in April, targeting crimes related to water transport logistics. During this period, law enforcement authorities successfully solved more than 300 criminal cases, including incidents of ship fuel theft. The total financial value involved in these crimes reached around 320 million yuan (about 44.52 million U.S. dollars). The ministry plans to refine its law enforcement strategy by integrating professional expertise, advanced mechanisms, and big data analytics amid its continuous efforts to foster the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Luo said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) San Francisco Fire Department Station 18 is the winner of this years firehouse decoration contest. Courtesy of Jonathan Baxter San Francisco Fire Department Station 18 at 1935 32nd Ave. is the winner of the 2024 firehouse decoration contest. Courtesy of Jonathan Baxter San Francisco Fire Department Station 18 at 1935 32nd Ave. won the firehouse decoration contest this year. Courtesy of Jonathan Baxter There was snow in the Sunset District on Monday night, as a fire station transformed itself into a wintery forest and won the San Francisco Fire Departments annual station decorating contest. Scores of stations from the Financial District to the Mission and Haight-Ashbury have been decorating for the last five years, after the department responded to the San Francisco Chronicle column calling for a return of the departments popular 1940s contest. The original contest lasted from 1948 to 1950, with fire stations outfitted like Christmas presents and one station borrowing live animals from a local slaughterhouse to create a manger scene. The contest ended abruptly after San Francisco taxpayers voted down a firefighters cost-of-living increase. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Station 18 at 1935 32nd Ave. won for the first time, with lighted Christmas trees on the roof, a snowy forest, a blue-light canopy and a block party bringing together local small businesses and schools. Last years winner, Station 39 on Portola Drive, came in second place in the 2024 contest, followed by Station 7 in the Mission District, and Station 40 between Golden Gate Heights and West Portal. San Francisco Fire Capt. Jonathan Baxter said Station 18 planned the decorations months in advance and was one of several stations to plan a block party. They brought the community together to share good stories, make good memories and new friends, Baxter said. The station split its $2,000 prize, provided by the SF Fire Credit Union, between the People of Parkside Sunset merchants association and the City Surf Project. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Samsung Galaxy S25 family is widely believed to be officially announced on January 22, with multiple rumors and a leaked teaser all mentioning that date. But that's just when they get unveiled - you may also have been wondering when exactly they will become available in stores. Luckily, a new rumor from Samsung's home of Korea now brings us just that: a purportedly leaked release date for the company's next flagship smartphone lineup. And it's February 7, apparently. Do however keep in mind that this is a Korean report, and as such February 7 over there could very well be February 6 where you live - the January 22 announcement is actually taking place on January 23 in Korea because of time zone differences. Pre-orders will start on January 24, the report goes on to claim (and we assume this means January 23 for the US and Europe). Pre-orders might ship early, allowing people who pre-ordered to be the first ones to enjoy their brand new Galaxy S25 device. Interestingly, this report also seems to claim that the Galaxy S25 Slim will become available at the same time as the other members of the family, contradicting earlier reports that said it would be released later in the year even if it will be announced in January with all the other S25s. Source (in Korean) | Image source Xiaomi launched the Pad 7 in China in October, and on January 10, it will introduce the tablet in the Indian market. This revelation comes from Amazon.in, which set up a promo page for the Xiaomi Pad 7 on its website. It doesn't reveal the specs and features of the Pad 7 launching in India, but the images suggest the Chinese brand will also launch the Bluetooth keyboard and stylus for the Pad 7 in India. The Indian Xiaomi Pad 7 was spotted on Geekbench earlier this month with the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC, Android 15, and 12GB RAM - the same specs as the Chinese Pad 7. Assuming the Xiaomi Pad 7's Indian model shares the specs with its Chinese counterpart, it will come with an 11.2" 144Hz LCD of 3,200x2,136-pixel resolution, up to 256GB storage, 13MP primary camera, 8MP selfie camera, and stereo speakers. Keeping the package up and running would be an 8,850 mAh battery with 45W charging support. Xiaomi also launched the Pad 7 Pro in China, but it might not come to India since the Pad 5 Pro and Pad 6 Pro weren't launched in India. You can head here for a detailed specs comparison of the Pad 7 and Pad 7 Pro. Source The bezel-less phone is still a dream, even though screen bezels have gotten progressively smaller over the past few years. Apple has reportedly been working with Samsung Display and LG Display on a bezel-less iPhone screen for many years already, but it's still not close to production. Originally, Apple wanted to release a "zero-bezel" iPhone in 2025 or 2026. A new report from Korea today states that even a release in 2026 currently isn't likely. That's because the technology just isn't there yet. Apple apparently wants to keep a flat screen but have it angled into the sides - a quad micro curve design we gather. That concept has gained a lot of steam recently with Chinese smartphone makers, but the report regarding Apple likens what the company wants to do to the design of the Apple Watch's screen. Either way, Apple doesn't want to curve the screen enough that there's distortion on the edges. The company seems to have a very specific idea about what it wants, but unfortunately it looks like this can't yet be implemented in mass production, so the dream of a zero-bezel iPhone will probably have to wait until at least 2027 to be realized. Source (in Korean) The entry kiosks at Lassen Volcanic National Park are covered in snow on April 2, 2023. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle The snowiest place in California is not at a ski resort in Lake Tahoe. And its not close to Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevada, the highest point in the contiguous United States. According to a Chronicle analysis of snowfall data over the past 16 seasons, its actually just south of Lassen Peak in Shasta County, around Bumpass Mountain. An average of about 45 feet of snow falls there each year. No other area is even close. Only other locations near Lassen Peak reach over 40 feet. The map below shows average annual snowfall across California, down to a resolution of about 2 miles. The area around Lassen Peak stands out in dark blue on the map darker hues indicate more snow. Areas in gray reflect places that typically dont get snow. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Loading... The data shows that the snowiest region south of Sacramento is near Dorothy Lake, straddling Mono and Tuolumne counties, with 39 feet of snow per year on average. The snowiest place in Southern California is in the San Bernardino National Forest, around Poopout Hill, with just under 9 feet. The snowfall statistics come from the National Weather Services National Gridded Snowfall Analysis tool. This tool calculates snowfall across the contiguous U.S., offering a level of geographic detail that cant be obtained from the hundred or so snow stations located in California. The estimates are based on calculations involving direct observations, National Weather Service precipitation estimates, climatological snow-to-liquid ratios and forecast models. Several feet of snow can be seen at Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe on Jan. 17, 2023. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle How California mountains affect snow The combination of Lassen Peaks elevation and geographic orientation contribute to the areas high snow numbers, explained Katrina Hand, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services Sacramento office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Places at high elevation in California often receive extra precipitation because the mountains force air to rise. As air cools, moisture is squeezed out in the form of rain and, if its cold enough, snow. Lassen Peak also faces storms fueled by atmospheric rivers, streams of water vapor in the sky. These storms can dump large amounts of rain and snow on California. A gap in the coastal mountains at San Francisco Bay can allow large amounts of moisture to flow inland during an atmospheric river, said Michael Anderson, state climatologist with the California Department of Water Resources, by email. This moisture can, in turn, fuel storms that end up hitting Lassen Peak. Winds blowing parallel to the Sierra can provide an added boost. These winds are not always present, said Anderson, but when they are present, they provide additional lift to storms going into the Lassen region. Truck driver Harry Singh of Seattle tries to dig out from snow to free up his big rig after being stuck overnight in Weed (Siskiyou County) on Nov. 20. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Mount Shasta, to the northwest of Lassen Peak in Siskiyou County, averages less snow per year at around 31 feet. Thats despite the mountain rising to over 14,000 feet, which is notably higher than Lassen Peaks elevation of 10,457 feet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Topography could be one reason. California storms generally travel from west to east from the Pacific. For the Sierra Nevada and Lassen Peak, in the Cascade Range, that means storms traverse the relatively flat Central Valley before slamming into mountains. By contrast, other mountains come between the Pacific Ocean and Mount Shasta. That could mean moisture is squeezed out of storms before they make it to the towering peak. A pedestrian walks along in the snow in Weed (Siskiyou County) on Nov. 20. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle This topography is why the weather systems that generally produce more snow on Mount Shasta come from the south, said Tim Daldrup, a meteorologist with the weather services office in Medford, Ore. You get upslope in that area, and thats what kind of wrings out all the moisture from the air, Daldrup said. And it comes down in snow when its cold enough. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Haiti - News : Zapping... Reactions to the attack on the General Hospital The Prime Minister's Office : "All our thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones, following the attack https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43918-haiti-flash-bloody-inauguration-at-the-general-hospital-videos.html on December 24 against the largest hospital in the capital, which caused deaths and injuries among our compatriots. We are fully committed to supporting them and providing them with all the necessary support in these difficult times. Securing the premises, prosecuting those responsible for this heinous crime and quickly reopening the HUEH. The health and safety of citizens are among the Government's top priorities." Presidential Transitional Council : "What happened today [Tuesday], Christmas Day, at the General Hospital, where people, journalists and police officers were victims, is unacceptable. We express our sympathy to all the victims' families, particularly to the PNH and all journalists' associations. We guarantee that this act will not remain without consequences." Ralph Youri CHEVRY, new President of the Interim Executive Council of Port-au-Prince : "I condemn in the strongest terms the tragedy that occurred at the State University of Haiti Hospital, where police officers and journalists were victims. This tragic event illustrates once again the seriousness of the current security situation. The Interim Executive Council is committed to responding without delay to this unacceptable tragedy. Concrete and reinforced measures will soon be taken to guarantee the safety of citizens and prevent such tragedies in the future. We also call for collective mobilization to restore a climate of peace and justice." Me Andre Michel : "We strongly condemn the criminal attack by armed gangs on the occasion of the ill-timed reopening of the General Hospital on Tuesday, December 24. The political and police authorities will bear the moral responsibility for this new tragedy for having endangered the lives of peaceful citizens by acting carelessly. Responsible authorities do not have the right to lead people to the slaughterhouse. What is this business of reopening a hospital in an area totally controlled by gangs ? This is nonsense ! All our sympathies to the victims, especially the police officers and journalists who were victims at their workplaces! No dialogue with the Gangs ! No negotiation with the Gangs ! This is our position." Flooding, heavy toll Persistent torrential rains have caused major flooding in 4 departments (North-West, Grande Anse, Nippes, North), impacting roads, homes and crops. Flood report (Dec. 20, 2024) provisional assessment : - 13 deaths - 15 injured - 1 missing - 16,515 houses flooded - 501 destroyed - 101 damaged Delmas : fireworks prohibited The Municipal Administration of Delmas informs the inhabitants of the municipality, with reference to article 4 of the decree establishing the state of security emergency decreed by the Government, that it is strictly forbidden to use fireworks. Consequently, any person violating this ban is liable to sanctions. Embassies and Consulate closed : Consulate of Haiti in Cayenne : On the occasion of the end-of-year and New Year holidays, the Consulate General of Haiti in Cayenne (French Guiana) informs the general public and the Haitian community in particular that its offices will be closed from January 24 to 5, 2024. Consular services will resume at regular hours on Monday, January 6, 2025. Embassy of Canada in Haiti : The Embassy of Canada in Haiti will be closed on December 25 for the celebration of Christmas and on December 26 for the day after Christmas. Embassy of Haiti in Canada : The Embassy of Haiti in Canada wishes to inform the public that its premises will be closed from Tuesday, December 24, 2024 to Friday, January 3, 2025 inclusive. For any consular emergency, please contact us consulaire@ambassade-haiti.ca / info@ambassade-haiti.ca HL/ HaitiLibre Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. Surfers ride huge waves at the world-renown surfing spot Mavericks on Monday after a recent storm. Waves rose to around 30-feet high. Courtesy Jack Persons Thick fog enveloped the world-renowned surfing spot Mavericks on Monday when surfer Chase LaRue stepped on the beach. Waves at the iconic surfing spot just up Highway 1 from Half Moon Bay were massive and LaRue wasnt going to miss out on catching a bomb like the ones breaking on the shore. Pretty righteous conditions out there, he told the Chronicle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Righteous, indeed: A storm that plowed through Northern California this week wreaked havoc up and down the coast, especially in Santa Cruz where monster waves destroyed part of the famed Santa Cruz Wharf. But the storm also created the perfect conditions for 30-foot (or higher) waves off the coast, attracting daring surfers like LaRue from across the region. National Weather Service meteorologist Roger Gass didnt mince words about how dangerous conditions remain on the coast and cautioned that people should just stay out of the water. Its very dangerous we really dont encourage people to enter the water, even if they are experienced swimmers, he said, adding that if people are going to the beach, they should stay at a safe distance. We dont recommend people being on rocks and jetties and piers right now, Gass said. Be on solid ground well away from the coastline. Surfers rode mammoth waves at Mavericks on Monday. The waves were recorded as the fifth tallest since 2008. Courtesy of Kyle Hulse Still, dozens of surfers could be seen walking through the muddy trail up to the Mavericks shore on Monday as spectators donning binoculars and steering drones watched on just a short hike up a small hill near the beach what some said was the perfect vantage point for the action. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some drone pilots couldnt believe what they were watching. I am starting to get nervous watching these guys with the size of these waves, said Jack Persons of San Francisco. My heart is beating out of my chest just watching these guys from my drone. But for LaRue, it was the thrill of a lifetime. Felt the flow, felt the rhythm, LaRue, a surfer from Santa Cruz, said after dipping into the Pacific. It was pulling me into position. The swell started filling in, and eventually, a nice solid peak came my way, and then I stroked into it and scored it. It was a moment LaRue could only describe as next level. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gass said a weather buoy floating off the coast near Point Sur recorded a 27.9-swell about 7 p.m. Monday evening, with expected 25-foot to 35-foot breaking waves through Tuesday afternoon. The swell was subsiding, Gass said, but it was already one for the record books: These were the fifth-tallest recorded waves since 2008. The weather service said Mondays waves were considerably higher than predicted. When its happening its almost like a big relief, LaRue said of riding the waves. I am actually more scared in the days leading up to my session. I am biting my nails, holding my breath, and it is such a relief when a wave finally comes and I know I can stroke into it. Ryan Curry contributed to this article. Wednesday December 25, 2024 Ethiopia is dismayed by the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia, which makes allegations against the Ethiopian forces for the incident in the town of Doolow, Somalia. Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement today that Ethiopia is dismayed by the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia on 23 December 2024, which makes allegations against the Ethiopian forces for the incident in the town of Doolow, Somalia. These third parties are intent on destabilizing the Horn of Africa and are perennial spoilers of peace in the region. They should not be allowed to frustrate the commitment of the two countries to peace as expressed in the Ankara Declaration.The Government of Ethiopia will continue working with the relevant agencies of the Federal Government of Somalia to prevent similar incidents, the statement noted.Ethiopia values and upholds its commitment to revitalize and deepen the fraternal relations between the two countries in the spirit of the Ankara Declaration.The resolve and courage of the leaders of the two countries will also continue to bolster the bilateral partnership and broader regional cooperation. December 24, 2024: Russian efforts to create a national intranet failed. If it worked, it would mean that the Russian internet would only be used by people in Russia and unavailable to those outside Russia. What Russia did learn from this failed national intranet project was that they could isolate internet users in specific regions. This is what was done recently to the Moslem majority regions of Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia in the Caucasus. This was not a complete shoot-down because some software engineers in and outside the intraneted areas found ways to communicate past the intranet obstacles to the worldwide web. This meant deceiving VPN software and introducing Tor routers, For users inside the blocked regions this was a relief. To the software engineers who made it happen, it was a good hack. This effort involves plugging the many holes created in a prior intranet by those who want to maintain access to the world-wide web. When Russia invaded Ukraine the second time in 2022, the West imposed economic sanctions that included making Russian access to the global internet more difficult. This did not work because, while Russia was officially sanctioned, they still could obtain electronics and other items via internet-based smugglers. Russia needed these items to keep their economy going and to produce weapons that required imported components. Despite their realities, in 2019 the Russian parliament passed a Sovereign Internet law that created an Internet infrastructure that restricted Internet use within Russia by confining most Internet users within Russia to web sites within Russia and funneled all Internet traffic from Russian users through Russian censors who would screen traffic for forbidden activity, particularly soldiers of civilians posting pictures and video of military operations to social media. Those who backed this plan were told that such a plan was technically impossible and would reduce Russian internet users to the sort of local intranet found in North Korea. The North Korean approach ensures that only a select few users have access to the worldwide Internet. But even in North Korea civilians found ways around that. Moreover, North Korea has a primitive and much less productive economy that can function without free access to the global Internet. The Russian economy could not function with such restricted Internet access, something China has discovered and is still trying to overcome with their multi-billion dollar Great Firewall of China project. The Russian legislators were outraged at the inability of the military to halt these often embarrassing leaks of military information via the Internet despite numerous efforts to deal with the problem. Legislators proposed simply making it illegal to post military information on the Internet and prosecute violators. Military experts pointed out that this would be ignored or evaded by many military personnel and would make it even more difficult to recruit Russians for the military. Russian Internet officials point out that the technical aspects of this proposed law would be impossible to implement and passing a law would not change that. The Russia-only Intranet law was adopted in 2019 and proved to be useless. Russian civilians as well as government and military personnel continued to do whatever they wanted on the internet despite the new censorship law. What sparked this effort to censor the Russian internet was how easily Russians found out about what the military was really doing in Syria and, after the first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, in Ukraine. The Russian military was breaking a lot of Russian laws, and promises to the Russian people, in order to keep operating in Ukraine and Syria. Earlier efforts to impose rules to plug these leaks failed. For example in mid-2018 Russia ordered bases where Russian forces operate in Syria, including major ones like Hmeimim airbase and the naval facilities at the port of Tartus, to jam signals used by cell phones capable of handling 2G and 3G speeds. All Russian personnel have been ordered to only use older cell phones without cameras and GPS. These orders were issued in February 2018 after several ISIL attacks using fixed wing and quadcopter UAVs. These mass attacks were made possible by using the features and capabilities of modern cell phones. This ban also sought to solve another problem that has long caused headaches for Russian propagandists as well as military commanders. That is, the new law sought to, and failed, to make it more difficult for Russian civilians and military personnel to post sensitive or embarrassing information on the Internet. The 2018 ban only slowed down the battlefield information leaks because the Russian soldiers and civilian contractors still had their smartphones for taking pictures and writing email to the friends and family back home. Whenever they got into a jamming free zone they could and did, send that material or post it to social media sites where most of these leaks tended to appear. Jamming made improvised mass attacks by cheap commercial drones carrying explosives more difficult to carry out against the Russian airbase Hmeimim that was located near the Syrian coast. Several such attacks occurred between the end of 2017 and early 2018, causing two deaths and a lot of property and equipment damage. Improved air defenses and airstrikes against the Islamic terror groups responsible seemed to play a larger role in halting the attacks but intel sources and interrogations indicated the jamming helped. What happened in Syria was unusual because normally it was the Russians who were exploiting cell phone technology on the battlefield although the information leaks because of Russian troops with cell phones has long been a problem, but not as serious as enabling aerial attacks on major bases. Cell phones have become a major intelligence problem in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine as well. For example, in late 2017 the Russian backed Donbas rebel government in eastern Ukraine sentenced a local man to ten years in jail for distributing a cell phone photo via Twitter that showed Russian Army vehicles and other equipment in the rebel-controlled half of Donbas. Russia denied they had troops there but it had been an open secret because of cell phones, Internet access and most Ukrainians there wanted the Russians gone. Sending this fellow to prison and publicizing it was expected to make the population less ready to do this sort of thing. Little changed as the leakers became more proficient at leaking without getting caught. In 2019 the Russians had been in Donbas since 2014 and, from mid-2015 until Russians second, bigger, invasion in February 2022, Ukraine became a secondary operation for Russia with Syria, the rest of the Middle East plus North Korea demanding more attention. This made it easier for Ukrainians to document the presence of Russian troops inside Donbas. This was possible because Donbas had cell phone service and a lot of people in Donbas took pictures and shared them. Although the Russian soldiers in Donbas were supposed to remove all identifying items from their uniforms, not all the troops did that completely. They were not supposed to spend too much time socializing with the locals but did anyway and often shared those experiences on Internet-based social networks. Russia denied everything and, since Russia had state-controlled mass media, most Russians saw only the official version of who was in Donbas, not the reality. While Russia decreased military support for their forces in Donbas Russia continued using Ukraine as a test site for new Cyber War tactics and techniques. Thus by the end of 2016 Ukraine accused Russia of employing hackers to insert trackers into cell phones used by Ukrainian military personnel fighting in Donbas. Ukraine also found evidence of the same or similar hackers, usually civilian groups working as contractors for the Russian government going after numerous government and commercial networks in Ukraine. Some of these hackers were also identified as going after targets in the United States. The hacking of Ukrainian military personnel cell phones is believed to have been the cause of several recent accurate and fatal attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas. The hackers made it possible to track the location of the phone owners and accurately fire shells at them. These capabilities had already attracted the attention of the U.S., which was supplying Ukraine with military equipment and technical assistance. American and NATO electronic warfare experts paid close attention to what the Russians were up to in Donbas and the cell phone hack was not unexpected. When it did arrive it was scrutinized and dissected. Russia considers any such revelations as harmful to Russian military capabilities. There is some truth to that, but worldwide it should be noted that even the most oppressive and proficient police states like China, North Korea and Cuba have found that the need for an operational Internet is more than one that is crippled. As long as there is any freely available wireless communications in a country, some of your citizens will risk the most severe penalties to get access to the world-wide web and share what they found. Russia legislators did what legislators often do; passed a law, declared the problem solved and then tried to ignore contrary evidence for as long as they could. Russia lost, the internet won and life went on. December 25, 2024: Russias ability to continue the Ukraine war is being compromised due to catastrophic mismanagement of its railway system. This emerging situation is so dire that cutoffs of service to vast areas, starting with Siberia east of Irkutsk to the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk, to save the rest of Russia next year may happen next year. Russian railways account for about 43 percent of all transportation in Russia, and most of its east-west transport. The present rate of loss of rail cars and engines to worn-out axle bearings is so bad that that the Russian economy may come to a standstill and collapse in 1-2 years. One of the key issues here is rail transport of coal, which is declining fast but essential for electric power production. Running trains with worn-out axle bearings causes them to derail and damage tracks such that movement of trains with effective bearings is not possible until the wrecks are cleared and the rail beds are repaired. Such accidents have recently become significant problems. The degree of this problem is clouded because the Russian army has taken scores of thousands, perhaps more than a hundred thousand, rail cars out of service for use as storage of their cargos. It takes time and manpower to both unload them for local storage and then reload them for local transport. Its faster and takes less manpower to unload the rail cars once, directly from the rail cars onto trucks for local delivery. Plus the Ukrainians keep blowing up the unloaded cargo sites. The Russian army has no use for rail coal cars so the decline in rail transport of coal is a good proxy for the proportion of rail cars out of service due to worn-out axle bearings. It is difficult to distinguish rail cars deadlined for worn-out bearings from those with adequate bearings which the Russian army has deadlined as storage for their cargos. Plus there is probably some to considerable overlap between the two. The rail bearing problem arose for two reasons. The first was termination about 35 years ago of the old Soviet apprenticeship system of training manual labor specialists like rail axle bearing repackers, without creation of a new training system. This resulted in the age cohort of workers able to repack the old-style rail axle bearings aging out to the point that 90% are gone. This was not seen as a problem because the Russians planned on converting all their rail engines and rail cars to the new system of rail axle coil bearings around 2030 when the last bearing repackers retire. This didnt happen because of Western sanctions for the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. All modern rail axle coil bearings are produced in NATO countries. China produces its own rail axle coil bearings, but those arent anywhere near as good as Western ones, and China hasnt sold any to Russia because of the sanctions. The Western coil bearings the Russians bought prior to 2022 are starting to wear out and the old bearings which require repacking have increasingly few personnel capable of doing that. It is not possible for Russia to simply import rail cars from elsewhere because of the unique Russian rail gauge, which is wider than that of all other countries save other former Republics of the old Soviet Union, all of whom Russia has promised to conquer next if it wins the Ukraine war. Fixing this problem will take many years even if the war ends immediately and will actually grow increasingly worse for several years before the collapse levels off. Onset of horrific mass starvation with mass refugee flows is likely after three years and would involve the 75 million population Stans (Central Asia) in addition to Russia. Nothing is being done because Putin doesnt want to hear about it. The long-range implications of a Russian railway collapse are worse. Few of the many millions who successfully flee to countries with food will ever return. Russias oil and gas exports will cease due to lack of maintenance on the pipelines conveying those to the West. by Austin Bay December 24, 2024 The Great Drone Hysteria first afflicted New Jersey and New York -- with maybes from Maryland and Virginia. Then California and Nevada residents reported odd airborne night lights -- flickering, hovering, then disappearing. Airplanes, helicopters and/or authorized drones flying in the night sky? The WhatEverTheyAre -- these lights and noises in the night sky have persisted for give or take seven weeks? Ground-bound Americans well beyond New Jersey are disturbed. Our federal government? Initially, the response went like this: "Don't fret -- nothing to worry about." BUT. Complaints from state governors, numerous senators and congressional representatives led (or forced) the Federal Aviation Administration to issue drone flight restrictions over poor old New Jersey. On Dec. 23, I checked the FAA website. I counted 23 ground locations in New Jersey where drone flights are now restricted through Jan. 19 or 20. Still, the FAA maintains (like other Biden administration spokes-bureaucrats) that there's nothing to dread much less sweat. BUT. During my research, I found an FAA Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued Dec. 18 that says the government (presumably the federal government) "may use deadly force" against "unmanned aircraft" (i.e., drones) in the designated restricted areas if the unmanned aerial WhatEver presents "an imminent security threat." Which leads reasonable citizens to ask reasonable questions. How do you (the observer) know the aerial unidentified is unmanned? (Perhaps a thermal imager cued for human body heat?) How do you know the unidentified presents an imminent security threat? (Does it have a machine gun? Is it a flying bomb? Or a Chinese spy balloon?) As for downing the object, would a state trooper or local deputy sheriff (or me, an armed citizen who was once a GI) count as a government agent authorized to use deadly force? We delay. We call the cops. We call the Pentagon. Higher authorities need more information. I'm by Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas. You're outside Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, South Dakota. The drones pass right over us. They're both the size of a two-seat Cessna and they carry bombs with small, smart, cheap and individually targetable munitions. In the next 45 seconds, the drones fly over the air bases. Their munitions disable a half-dozen B1B Lancer strategic bombers -- six at each airbase. Who launched the drones? A cartelista paid $200,000? A graduate student majoring in Marxist economics? The Big Picture: The two short-range and inexpensive tactical drone air strikes launched from U.S. soil have severely damaged American strategic offensive air power. Meanwhile, Communist China launches an attack on Taiwan. Have I written a novel? No. I've written a first strike war scenario that utilizes already available technology. The scenario is a type of "inside attack" that genuinely threatens the U.S., an attack launched within or close to U.S. borders (offshore?) that would likely evade long-range and medium-range detection -- fancy words for space-based satellite sensors and airborne and ground-based radars designed and deployed to detect attacks by large aircraft (bombers) and missiles (think ICBMs). Replicate the attacks on the Abilene and Rapid City airbases seven dozen times across the Lower 48. Target power stations, power transmission lines, key rail and interstate bridges and military communication sites. Hawaii, Guam and Alaska aren't exempt. Definitely target Guam's air and missile sites and the strategic anti-missile missile field outside of Fairbanks. The "close-in" assaults include human terrorist attacks around the Pentagon. And why not an assault by Tren De Aragua Venezuelan gangsters on the Cheyenne Mountain NORAD/NORTHCOM/U.S. Space Force Facility in Colorado? After all, it's not that far from Aurora, Colorado, where TDA already has at least 100 well-armed gangsters. The Big Picture: The U.S. military response to the Chinese attack on Taiwan stalls. Fantasy? Four years ago, I'd say yes. But after the Ukraine War's demonstration and development of drone capabilities, after the brutal mayhem wrought by illegal migrants throughout the U.S., after the revelation of Communist China's multiple connections to Mexican drug gangs and human traffickers -- no, not fantasy, but a recipe for hybrid war as a prelude to major war in the western Pacific. China ready to expand practical cooperation with BRICS members, partners: foreign ministry Xinhua) 09:28, December 25, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work with other BRICS members and partners to expand practical cooperation in various fields, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday. Mao made the comments at a daily press briefing after Russia announced the list of BRICS partners on Monday. The establishment of the category of BRICS partners is a result of the BRICS summit in October in Kazan, Russia. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Uganda have finally been designated as BRICS partners after the summit, Mao said. She noted that this is further important progress in the development of the bloc, following its historic expansion last year. "The representativeness of the BRICS mechanism has been expanded further, and its appeal and influence have become more prominent, making it an increasingly important platform for the promotion of unity and cooperation for the Global South," she said. BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- five major emerging markets with considerable economic potential. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) New Delhi, Dec 25 (UNI) Retirement fund manager Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) added 13.41 lakh net members during the month of October 2024, as per official data released on Wednesday. "This signifies increased employment opportunities and heightened awareness of employee benefits, bolstered by EPFOs effective outreach initiatives," said a release from Ministry of Labour & Employment. As per the official data, EPFO enrolled around 7.50 lakh new members in October 2024. At 5.43 lakhs members, the 18-25 age group accounted for 58.49% of the total new members added in October 2024 indicating that most individuals joining the organized workforce are youth, primarily first-time job seekers. The payroll data highlighted that approximately 12.90 lakh members exited and subsequently rejoined EPFO during the month of October this year. These members switched their jobs and re-joined the establishments covered under the ambit of EPFO and opted to transfer their accumulations instead of applying for final settlement thus, safeguarding long-term financial well-being and extending their social security protection. Gender-wise analysis of payroll data unveils that out of the new members added during the month, around 2.09 lakhs are new female members. State-wise analysis of payroll data denoted that net member addition in the top five states/UTs constitutes around 61.32% of net member addition, adding a total around 8.22 lakh net members during the month. Of all the states, Maharashtra led by adding 22.18% of net members during the month. The states/UTs of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Haryana, Telangana and Gujarat individually added more than 5% of the total net members during the month. "Month-on-month comparison of industry-wise data displays significant growth in the members working in establishments engaged in the industries viz. road motor transport, electronic media companies in private sector, banks other than nationalised banks etc. Of the total net membership, around 42.29% addition is from expert services (consisting of manpower suppliers, normal contractors, security services, miscellaneous activities etc.)," the official release said. UNI NK CS1519 Iran welcomes desire of Armenia, Azerbaijan to conclude peace treaty Foreign Ministry 14 Mar 2025 | 2:48 PM Tehran, Mar 14 (UNI) Iran welcomes the desire of Armenia and Azerbaijan to conclude a peace treaty, this is an important step towards establishing peace, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said on Friday. see more.. U S ramps up sanctions on Russia's oil, gas, banking sectors 14 Mar 2025 | 2:44 PM Washington, Mar 14 (UNI) The United States is tightening restrictions on Russia's oil, gas and banking sectors by limiting their access to U.S. payment systems, according to CBC News. see more.. Myanmar to compete in 2025 Sepak Takraw World Cup 14 Mar 2025 | 2:40 PM Yangon, Mar 14 (UNI) Myanmar will compete in the 2025 Sepak Takraw World Cup in Bihar, India from March 20 to 25, the Myanmar Sepak Takraw Federation said Friday. see more.. 600 Afghan drug users reintegrate with families after recovery 14 Mar 2025 | 1:24 PM Kabul, Mar 14 (UNI) At least 600 drug users have recovered and reintegrated with their families after receiving medical treatment in a rehabilitation center in south Afghanistan's Kandahar province, the local media outlet TOLOnews reported on Friday. see more.. Jerusalem, Dec 25 (UNI) Col. Ayub Kayouf of the Israel Defense Forces was injured on Wednesday when an explosion hit an armored vehicle on the West Bank, the IDF said. The vehicle was hit during a counterterrorism operation near the city of Tulkarem, the Israeli military said, adding that the commanding officer of the Judea and Samaria Division, Brig. Gen. Yaki Dolf, was also in the vehicle at the time of the explosion. "The Commander of the Menashe Regional Brigade [Kayouf] was moderately injured and was evacuated to receive medical treatment. His family has been notified. The rest of the passengers in the vehicle did not get injured," the IDF said on Telegram. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue to conduct raids in the West Bank to prevent terrorist attempts. Since October 2023, the Israeli military has detained more than 6,000 suspects in terrorist activities. It is believed that about 2,300 of the detainees have ties to the Palestinian movement Hamas. UNI SPUTNIK GNK Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean between Spain and Algeria following an engine room explosion, Russia's foreign ministry confirmed. Fourteen crew members were rescued and transported to the Spanish port of Cartagena, while two remain missing. According to Russian news agency Interfax, the ship departed St. Petersburg 12 days ago. Its owner stated that the vessel was en route to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East, carrying two cranes weighing 380 tonnes each for the port. However, this destination has not been independently verified. Before the Ursa Major sank, Spain's maritime rescue agency, Salvamento Maritimo, reported that 14 crew members were found on a lifeboat and safely transported to Spain. Shortly afterward, a Russian warship arrived at the scene to oversee the rescue operation. The Ursa Major was in the same Mediterranean area as another sanctioned Russian vessel, the Sparta, when it encountered trouble. Both ships had been seen traveling through the English Channel last week, reportedly under escort. Earlier this month, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) claimed that Sparta was heading to Russia's naval base in Tartous, Syria, to retrieve military equipment following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. On Monday, a Kremlin official stated that Russia was in discussions with Syria's new leadership regarding the future of its two military facilities, addressing both diplomatic and military concerns. The Ursa Major's owner, Oboronlogistika, has been involved in transporting cargo to Tartous, though reports indicate Sparta was en route to Port Said in Egypt on Tuesday. According to marine transport monitoring site LSEG, the Ursa Major's automatic identification system (AIS) had been set to Vladivostok as its destination since December 11. The ship's last recorded visit to Tartous was in July. On Monday, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported that the Sparta had experienced a breakdown off the coast of Portugal, but the issue was subsequently resolved. Confusion arose because the Ursa Major was previously known as Sparta III, making it unclear which vessel the Ukrainians were referencing. Complicating matters further, the Sparta faced additional difficulties a week earlier in rough seas off Brittany in northwestern France. According to Radio France Inter, the Russian cargo ship initially failed to respond to French communications on December 17 but later acknowledged it was experiencing technical problems. Moscow, Dec 24 (UNI) A Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean between Spain and Algeria after an explosion in the engine room, Russia's foreign ministry has confirmed. Ursa Major, built in 2009, was placed under sanction after Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine in 2022 because of the ship owner's role in delivering cargo to the Russian military. It said 14 members of the crew had been rescued and taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena but that two others were missing, according to a BBC report. A freshman student, enrolled at George Mason University, was detained by the FBI for alleged plotting to commit a terrorist attack on the Israeli consulate in New York City. The Egyptian student, Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan, had instructed an undercover FBI informant to commit the attack. According to the criminal complaint reported by The Times of Israel, he gave the informant step-by-step bomb-making instructions as well as advice on escaping to ISIS territory after committing the attack. Hassan further encouraged the informant, pretending to be interested in joining ISIS, to produce a "martyrdom video" and livestream the attack. Hassan ran several social media accounts calling for extremist ideologies, such as support for ISIS, al-Qaeda, and Hamas. After being informed about one of these accounts, the local authorities notified the FBI. The FBI established communication with Hassan through an informant on social media and messaging applications that led to discussions in which Hassan provided jihadist propaganda and discussed several attack strategies. He recommended attacking Jewish facilities and eventually settled on the Israeli consulate, where he advised on surveillance and armament preparation. How a Freshman Student Wants to Attack an Israeli Consulate in NY The complaint disclosed that Hassan directed the informant to make the bomb more lethal by adding aluminum ball bearings as shrapnel. NY Post revealed that he also suggested using an assault rifle as a substitute weapon and made it clear that he wanted the attack to be broadcast live to maximize its effect. On December 17, the freshman student was arrested and charged with offenses related to the distribution of information about explosives and weapons of mass destruction. In response, the Israeli Consul-General Ofir Akunis sent their thanks to US security services for thwarting the attack. Akunis described it as a seriously damaging blow to Israel's sovereignty, especially if it ended up being successful, and a reminder of the struggle against terrorism worldwide. To date, the US Justice Department has not commented on the case. 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 Oscar-nominated Dont Look Up director Adam McKay has said he wouldnt be surprised to see Wicked banned in America given the countrys current political trajectory. McKay, 56, made the bold assumption on X/Twitter on Monday (December 23), calling Part 1 of Jon M. Chus blockbuster smash, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made. I know Part 2 swings back to the center a bit, he said of the second half of the musical epic coming to theaters on November 21, 2025, but Part 1 is nakedly about radicalization in the face of careerism, fascism, propaganda. Responding to a surprised commenter who said they hadnt seen Wicked yet because they thought it looked more like American fantasy, franchise-wringing and CGI fare, McKay said: I think youll be shocked. If America keeps going on the track it is I wouldnt be surprised to see the movie banned in 3-5 years. He went on to compare Wicked to a handful of 20th-century classics, including The Sound of Music, Citizen Kane, Bridge on the River Kwai and The Searchers, as well as newer fare such as The Hunger Games, which he labeled incredibly left wing. Whats really striking about Wicked Part 1 is that its coming out NOW when America has never been more right wing and propagandized, he added. And yes, I know the theatrical production and the book are much older so part of the timing is a coincidence but still Adam McKay says he wouldnt be surpriesd if America bans Wicked in 3-5 years ( Getty Images/Universal Pictures ) Replying to one critic who shared a picture of a hand touching grass, The Big Short director retorted: Yeah, Im so crazy for thinking films, books or music could ever get banned in the U.S. He included a link to an article outlining every Texas school district book ban. They banned dozens of songs after 9/11 including Imagine by one of the Beatles, McKay noted. In a separate response to a user mocking him for suggesting that the movie would be banned nationwide, the Step Brother director said: Jesus dude. You really think Im 100% saying the movie will for sure be banned to the point where no one can ever see it? The idea of shutting down non profits at the Presidents discretion is in motion. Things r changing fast. Earlier this month, Chus record-breaking adaptation of the Broadway hit about two witches who forge an unlikely bond was briefly pulled from Kuwait cinemas, with a number of local outlets speculating the ban was due to the films LGBTQ+ casting. McKay is well-known for directing political movies. His latest picture was the 2021 star-studded doomsday satire Dont Look Up, which followed two astronomers who embark on a media campaign to warn mankind of an incoming meteor set to destroy Earth. He also directed the 2018 political satire Vice about former U.S. president Dick Cheney. 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 Ryan Reynolds has reprised the role of Deadpool in his first post since his wife, fellow actor Blake Lively, filed a lawsuit accusing Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment. Lively has been publicly supported by many Hollywood stars after she accused her It Ends With Us co-star and director of sexually harassing her during filming and of arranging a smear campaign against her in the run-up to the hit movies release earlier this year. In Livelys lawsuit, she claimed she was zoned out by the media in a coordinated effort to destroy her reputation, noting that the emotional impact of the fallout on her was extreme. The actor said the negative press also affected her husband, Deadpool actor Reynolds, whom she married in 2012, and their four children. While Reynolds has not addressed the furore directly, he hinted at a difficult time in the post, which saw him appear in character as the Marvel antihero for a short clip that co-starred Wonder Woman actor Lynda Carter. In the caption, he suggested that recent experiences had eaten away at him, calling it a time where he really didnt feel like putting the suit on. The video was made to raise awareness of his campaign with Lively on behalf of Sick Kids Hospital, a charity for children. According to Reynolds, he and Lively will match donations of up to $500,000 that were made before Christmas Eve. open image in gallery Ryan Reynolds reprised Deadpool role for campaign video shared days after Justin Baldoni lawsuit ( Instagram ) On Monday (23 December), he wrote: Its almost Christmas Eve. Last day to donate to @sickkids. @blakelively and I are matching any donation to $500k 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 This organisation is a sanctuary for so many kids and their parents traversing the unimaginable. Referring to the video, he said: Thank you @rowlandbb for directing this amazing little piece during a time I really didnt feel like putting the suit on, and he also thanked Carter for her time, grace and talent. open image in gallery Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively ( Getty Images ) Livelys initial complaint against Baldoni, which was filed with the California Civil Rights Department and is the precursor to a lawsuit, is the culmination of months of speculation from fans and the media, after rumours of a rift between the pair overshadowed its promotion. Legal documents seen by The Independent as well as an investigation by The New York Times accuse Baldoni and associates of a targeted effort to destroy the actor and drag her in the media, which Lively says has caused her severe emotional distress. open image in gallery Baldonis lawyer called the allegations against him categorically false ( Getty Images ) Lively filed a legal complaint on Friday in which she claimed that a meeting took place in early January to address the hostile work environment that had almost derailed the film. She accused Baldoni and lead producer Jamey Heath of repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior, including unwanted improvised kissing from Baldoni. According to the complaint, the actor had a number of requirements in order for her to continue work on the film, which included no more mention of Baldonis pornography addiction and no more showing nude videos or images of women to Lively and/or her employees. Baldonis lawyer has called all claims against him categorically false. 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 Christopher Nolans next film project will be an adaptation of the ancient Greek epic poem The Odyssey. One of the most significant works of early literature, it is attributed to the poet Homer and is believed to have been written in the eighth century BC. It is a mythical tale following the Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he journeys home after the Trojan War. It was previously confirmed that the film will feature an all-star cast, including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyongo, Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Studios said: Christopher Nolans next film The Odyssey is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homers foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026. It is not the first time The Odyssey has been adapted for the screen. Kirk Douglas played Ulysses (the Latin name for Odysseus) in Mario Camerinis 1954 film Ulysses. The 1905 short silent film The Mysterious Island by Georges Melies is based on scenes from The Odyssey. Christopher Nolan and Matt Damon promoting Oppenheimer' ( Noam Galai/Getty Images for Universal Pictures ) The epic poem has also provided the inspiration for several films that transposed the heroic tale to different times and settings, including Cold Mountain, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. Earlier this year, Nolans longtime producer and wife Emma Thomas teased the forthcoming feature in an interview with Empire. I would say its very exciting, she said. This is the moment where the possibilities are sort of limitless, we havent started thinking practicalities, or anything. 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 Oppenheimer was so absurdly successful and we feel like we have an opportunity. Nolans 2023 film Oppenheimer was based on the life of nuclear bomb inventor J Robert Oppenheimer and won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director. The film was also the directors third highest-grossing to date (behind The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises), thanks in part to a social media phenomenon incongruously pairing the film with the colourful doll comedy Barbie. In a four-star review of Oppenheimer, The Independent film critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote:Oppenheimer is Christopher Nolans best and most revealing work. Its a profoundly unnerving story told with a traditionalists eye towards craftsmanship and muscular, cinematic imagination. Here, Nolan treats one of the most contested legacies of the 20th century that of J Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy), the father of the atomic bomb as a mathematical puzzle to be solved. 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 suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol did not respond to a second summons from the governments anti-corruption authorities, who are investigating his short-lived martial law decree imposed earlier this month. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials had summoned Mr Yoon for questioning on Christmas Day, but he failed to appear, marking the second time he has ignored their summons after doing so last week. Mr Yoon did not appear for questioning as of 10am local time and the South Korean agency said it would continue to wait for the suspended president on Wednesday. On 3 December, South Korea was thrown into political turmoil when then-president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, prompting troops to surround the parliament. He was subsequently impeached by the parliament as authorities began investigating allegations of rebellion related to the martial law decree. Investigators are continuing to seek Mr Yoons cooperation, summoning him on Christmas Day despite his repeated refusals. The agency would reportedly need to review the case of Mr Yoon imposing martial law in the country further before seeking an arrest warrant against him. open image in gallery Protesters call for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in front of National Assembly on December 14, 2024 in Seoul ( Getty Images ) He also ignored a summons on 15 December from prosecutors investigating the martial law declaration. As of now, the police, prosecutors, and the corruption investigation office have all launched probes into Mr Yoon and other officials over potential abuse of power, charges of insurrection, and crimes related to the recent declaration of martial law. South Korea: South Korean consumer market hit hard by political turmoil Mr Yoons repeated actions to avoid questioning by authorities have led to the opposition calling for his arrest, and criticism citing a potential destruction of evidence. It is also counter to the suspended presidents own words earlier this month that he would not evade legal and political responsibility for his actions just days after the martial law declaration. open image in gallery Protesters demonstrate against President Yoon on December 21, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea ( Getty Images ) Police have so far arrested Mr Yoons defence minister, police chief, and several military commanders. It is unclear what investigators can do if he continues to reject their demands to question him. However, insurrection is one of the few charges for which a South Korean president does not have immunity. Mr Yoon is willing to present his views during legal proceedings related to the martial law declaration, Reuters reported, citing a lawyer advising the suspended 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 A Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistans Paktika province reportedly killed at least 46 people, mostly civilians, including children, according to Afghan Taliban spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat. Six more people, mostly children were wounded in the region, Mr Fitrat said, according to AFP. Barmal district of Paktika was bombed by the Pakistan Army late today. Most of civilians whom are Waziristani refugees, were targeted, and a number of civilians including children were martyred and injured, the Afghani ministry of defence said in a statement. Security officials, speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the airstrike targeted a training facility in Paktika province, bordering Afghanistan, with the aim of killing insurgents. Local residents told the AP that at least 13 people were killed, adding that the toll could be even higher. Meanwhile, Mohammad Khurasani, the spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has claimed a toll of 50 people, including 27 women and children. MoD reaction to Pakistani army's brutal bombing in Paktika Barmal district of Paktika was bombed by the Pakistan Army late today. Most of civilians whom are Waziristani refugees, were targeted, and a number of civilians including children were martyred and injured as a result pic.twitter.com/bf5o7yk7Sn - (@MoDAfghanistan2) December 24, 2024 The TTP is a separate group and a close ally of the Afghan Taliban that seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 as US and Nato troops withdrew from the country after 20 years of war. Countries across the world have been hesitant to recognise Afghanistans Taliban government due to the harsh measures it has imposed since its takeover, especially in restricting the rights of women and minorities. Afghanistans ruling Taliban government denounced Tuesdays attack, calling it an act of aggression in violation of all international principles, claiming most of the victims were refugees from the Waziristan region. Pakistani Army soldiers give a uniform and national flag to the father of soldier Umar Hayat, one of the 16 soldiers killed in a militant attack at a checkpoint in the Makeen area of the Upper South Waziristan district ( EPA ) The Islamic Emirate will not leave this heinous act unanswered; rather, it considers it its right to defend its territory and sovereignty, Afghanistans ministry of national defence said. Pakistans government and military officials did not immediately comment on the alleged attacks. The latest incident follows an earlier air strike by Pakistan on Afghanistans border that killed eight civilians in March. Pakistan Launches Strikes On Suspected TTP Targets In Afghanistan Since the Talibans takeover, Afghanistans border tensions with Pakistan have escalated. Islamabad has accused Taliban authorities of harbouring militant fighters and allowing them to strike Pakistan allegations which Kabul has denied. While Pakistan has experienced several militant attacks in the last two decades, there has been a marked uptick in recent months. Islamabad has accused the Taliban of not doing enough to curtail militant activity across the shared border an accusation that the Afghan Taliban denies, claiming it does not encourage attacks on any country. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hundreds of American Humvees have been left to rust in scrapyards across Afghanistan, three years after the US abandoned the trucks so emblematic of its military campaign in the country to the new Taliban regime. New satellite images from former Nato and US bases in several Afghan provinces show the US-made vehicles dismantled and hollowed out, with their parts haphazardly strewn around open-air garages and compounds. The US forces tried to dismantle or destroy much of their machinery, from aircraft to computer systems, in the last weeks of their chaotic pull-out from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. But much still fell to the Taliban in August 2021 when the US-trained Afghan military crumbled and surrendered to the Islamist militants, according to US defence officials. The Pentagon says US forces left behind military equipment worth over $7.2bn at the time. Glimpses of this leftover military hardware are occasionally seen at Taliban events, such as a grand parade held by the Taliban at Bagram airbase in August to mark their three years in power. open image in gallery Taliban military helicopters fly to celebrate the third anniversary of Talibans takeover of Afghanistan ( AFP via Getty ) Images from the immediate aftermath of the pull-out showed Taliban militants seizing US-supplied firepower, including guns, ammunition, helicopters and other modern military equipment. The Independent has analysed images from Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Khost and Ghazni which show Humvees, along with other military and heavy vehicles such as rangers and army tracks that were given by the American armed forces to the Afghan National Defence Security Forces and police authorities before the fall of Kabul in August 2021. The majority of these Humvees are seen in images from the two power centres in Afghanistan Kabul and Kandahar with several in the backyard of the Kabul International Airport. Most of the Humvees in Kandahar are also seen at the now-abandoned US military-run airbase near the Spin Boldak road. open image in gallery A satellite view from 2019 of Humvees and other military vehicles parked at the Kandahar airbase, the main point for the Nato forces inside Afghanistan ( Screenshot: Google Earth Pro ) open image in gallery The same place as seen this year, under Taliban control ( Screenshot: Google Earth Pro ) Contrasting the available images from 2019 and 2020, when the US and Afghan forces jointly managed the bases, with images from now, under the Taliban regime, shows the poor state of these vehicles. open image in gallery A satellite view of of destroyed Humvees and other military vehicles in Kandahar this year ( Screenshot: Google Earth Pro ) open image in gallery The same place in June 2019 ( Screenshot: Google Earth Pro ) Qais Alamdar, an open source intelligence researcher and analyst, confirms to The Independent that at least 20 geolocated coordinates from Afghanistan show abandoned Humvees, as well as other armoured vehicles, trucks and tanks. The comparison [of images] from before the Taliban took over shows that they are no longer able to upkeep this expensive Nato machinery, and there are several reasons for it including the maintenance and expensive fuel to run them, he says. In the first few months of their takeover, the Taliban were using these Humvees alongside pick-up trucks to patrol parts of Afghan provinces, but over the years they seem to have junked them by the dozen, Mr Alamdar says. open image in gallery A satellite view of neatly parked Humvees and other military vehicles near Kabul International Airport in 2019 ( Screenshot: Google Earth Pro ) open image in gallery The same place in June 2024 ( Screenshot: Google Earth Pro ) Besmillah Taban, former general director of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) under the Ashraf Ghani government, says the fuel to run Humvees is more expensive and the spare parts to repair them are impossible to get outside of US and European markets. Its not just the fuel, which guzzles five to six times more than an average vehicle, but you cannot find even a small part of the Humvee in the Afghan bazar. You have to order from the United Arab Emirates. The maintenance of the Humvee is turning out to be costly and, frankly, out of the budget for the Taliban, he says. The Talibans local leaders now seem to have switched to using motorcycles to carry out patrolling, especially in areas like Baghlan and Badakhshan, he says. Mr Taban, who worked in Kabul near the places where the Humvees have been disposed of, says the mechanics who worked for Nato forces are now in the US or other parts of the world, and afraid to return to Afghanistan. Even if you manage to buy a spare part or fix a Humvee in such dire conditions, you can do it for 10 to 12 Humvees, not 100 or 200 Humvees, Mr Taban says. As a result, the Humvees are now a mere showpiece of stolen American equipment, stationed at border checkpoints in the country. In a rare show of force, a column of Humvees was used to guard the procession at the funeral of the senior Taliban minister Khalil Haqqani, who was killed in a suicide bombing attack last week. Sources present at his funeral told The Independent that a convoy of around 30 to 40 Humvees was placed in a line at the burial in Paktia province. open image in gallery Humvees are seen parked during the funeral ceremony of Khalil Haqqani ( AFP via Getty ) In the absence of spare parts, the Taliban is cannibalising these Humvees, says Lynne O'Donnell, journalist and analyst on Afghanistan. The satellite images showed several Humvees that appeared to have been broken down or hollowed out completely. Pointing to how the Taliban was able to fix Black Hawk helicopters and other US military aircraft that they flew in Afghanistan, she says the US trained the Afghan military to repair and maintain the billions of dollars worth of materiel that was transferred to the republic to build its military capacity. The US spent around $83bn to develop and sustain Afghan security forces from 2001 to 2021, according to reports from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, which oversees American taxpayers money spent on the conflict. Ahmad Zia Saraj, who served as Afghanistans spy chief from 2019 to 2021, says there is a concern that the Taliban will be able to raise funds by selling off parts of former US military hardware on the black market via neighbours like Pakistan and Iran. As soon as the Taliban took over the depots of the ministry of defence, they were looted, they stole a lot of things, weapons, ammunition, and these spare parts of these vehicles, and all of them were sold in the black markets of Pakistan, he says. open image in gallery An Afghan national army Humvee drives past a US army Black Hawk helicopter in Kandahar ( AFP via Getty ) Soon they will just sell these Nato vehicles like scrap and of course, the market will be Pakistan and how Pakistan will use it later on, he says. This year's ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting award goes to Illinois State University. The award, from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, honors colleges and universities that lead in nonpartisan efforts to increase student voter participation. This year, 471 institutions throughout the country were designated an ALL IN Most Engaged Campus, indicating a strong commitment to civic engagement and community involvement. According to Illinois State, ISU President Aondover Tarhule acknowledged that voter engagement was at the core of what ISU represented. He credits the Center for Civic Engagement and other campus units that helped to create an action plan leading to record turnout. More than 3,500 people voted early in McLean County at ISU's Bone Student Center. On Election Day, 3,233 did likewise. These figures indicate the highest ever turnout since the opening of the polling station, with all registered voters being accommodated. Leading initiatives by the CCE and Associate Director Paige Buschman, ISU's work includes voter registration support, ballot education, and programs raising awareness about the vote process. The university uses TurboVote, a straightforward tool to register to vote, engaging nearly 1,400 students from July to November. This shared work also earned ISU its Highly Established Action Plan Seal as part of ALL IN campuses across the year so far. Dr. Katy Strzepek, the CCE director, expressed appreciation to the Voter Engagement Coalition and many volunteers for their commitment to educating students. Their efforts made ISU a leader in nonpartisan democratic engagement. Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, said that institutions like ISU set the bar for developing student voter participation around the country. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge engages over 1,075 colleges and universities to collectively enroll 10.8 million students across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. ISU still continues to intentionally engage more students to be active players in democracy. 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 Jeremy Clarkson has admitted he was wrong about his new pub after being warned over how difficult it is to make money in the hospitality industry at the moment. The former Top Gear and Grand Tour host opened The Farmers Dog in August, paying less than 1m for the property formerly known as The Windmill, in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire. The popular reception for the pub echoes the success of Clarksons Diddly Squat farm shop, which attracts tourists from across the country due to its prominence in his Amazon series Clarksons Farm. However, in an article for The Times, the 64-year-old shared some of the honest experiences he has had just a few months after opening the venue. Clarkson claims that despite being warned about the high number of pub closures in the UK, how hard it would be to make money by having only a British food menu and finding staff post-Brexit, he believed itd all be fine. I was wrong, he says before going on to describe in detail an accident that one of his customers had in the toilets. No amount of festival visits would prepare you for the horror of what had been produced at the Farmers Dog, Clarkson writes. It was everywhere and in such vast quantities that no ordinary plumbing or cleaning equipment would even scratch the surface. He then admits that he had to hire chemically trained hazmat engineers to deal with the problem. Clarkson says it is galling to see how much effort is required to make so little money on the farm, adding: Its worse at the pub. The customers are coming. Theres no problem there. But turning their visits into a profit is nigh-on impossible. On top of this, Clarkson also expands on the problems he has had with the pubs Christmas tree, beer, turkeys for the festive season and even the neon Farmers Clubhouse sign he has outside. However, despite saying that everything is a total disaster he does end on a positive note, claiming that top chef Marco Pierre White was bowled over by how good the food is. He concludes by saying: And its warm and theres a fire and the staff are friendly and young and happy. Its a proper, traditional pub. By which I mean youll love it, and Ill lose a fortune and develop a skin disease from the stress of running it open image in gallery People queued outside The Farmers Dog on the day it reopened ( PA Wire ) When he first opened the pub Clarkson said it was the next best thing after he couldnt open a restaurant on his farm. We wanted to have that restaurant on the farm last year and we couldnt, and pubs, they are all for sale, he said. So, we thought instead of building a restaurant we would buy a pub. open image in gallery Jeremy Clarkson outside his pub ( PA ) Clarkson has faced backlash over the years from locals in West Oxfordshire when he has attempted to expand his Diddly Squat farm project. Some residents were concerned that the pubs existence would cause local traffic issues because it is located next to the busy A40. But Oxfordshire County Council has said it has been working closely with Clarkson and his team to reduce the likelihood of traffic issues ahead of the opening. 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 Luigi Mangione, the man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, became an unlikely fashion influencer after his appearance in a Manhattan courtroom. The 26-year-old was attending his arraignment hearing on Monday (December 23) where he faces 11 counts in New York, including first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, second-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, and multiple weapons offenses. However, all eyes appeared to be on his burgundy sweater. Mangione was wearing a white-collared shirt underneath the sweater in addition to light grey slacks and orange shoes at the courthouse. While fans first thought his sweater was a $1,000 Maison Margiela sweater, it was later determined that Mangione was wearing the washable Merino crewneck sweater from Nordstrom. The sweater was previously available for $89.50 according to the Nordstrom website, but it is currently on sale for $62.65 with 30 percent off. The sweater comes in six other colors aside from the burgundy one, which is no longer available. No fing way the sweater Luigi Mangione wore to court today is sold out, one person pointed out on X/Twitter on Monday. The Independent has contacted Nordstrom for comment. Magiones burgundy sweater was on sale for $62.65 instead of the original price of $89.50 ( AFP via Getty Images ) In court, Mangione had pled not guilty to all of his charges as his attorney Karen Agnifilo told Judge Gregory Carro about her concerns that he would not receive a fair trial because of the amount of security around in addition to New York City Mayor Eric Adamss presence. They are literally treating him like he is some sort of political fodder, like some sort of spectacle, Agnifilo said. He was on display for everyone to see in the biggest stage perp walk Ive ever seen in my career, it was absolutely unnecessary. Hes been cooperative with law enforcement... There was no reason for the NYPD and everybody to have these big assault rifles. It was perfectly choreographed, and what was the New York City Mayor doing at this press conference, your honor? That just made it utterly political, she continued. The judge then assured Agnifilo that they would carefully select a jury while the next court date is set for February 21. Earlier this month a pro dancer on Dancing with the Stars joked about having Mangione on the next season of the show. Ezra Sosa, who was partnered with convicted felon Anna Delvey during the most recent season, posted a TikTok with a photo of Mangione in the background. He finna be my partner season 34, he captioned the video. Make this a requirement, youll only take partners who have been arrested, one person wrote in the comments section. 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 Despite being stranded thousands of miles from Earth, NASA astronauts Sunita Suni Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore are embracing the holiday spirit aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In a post shared by NASA on Instagram, Williams, alongside fellow astronaut Don Pettit, donned red Santa hats for a cheerful portrait. Another day, another sleigh, the post captioned the December 16 snapshot of Williams and Pettit flashing smiles while speaking on a ham radio in the ISSs Columbus laboratory module. Don Pettit and Suni Williams, Expedition 72 flight engineer and commander, pose for a fun holiday season portrait. The festive image sparked curiosity among followers about the unexpected holiday attire. Where did the Santa hats come from if theyve been stuck up there for months and only planned a short trip? One commenter asked, Seems an odd unnecessary to have on hand Another added, Eight-day mission, happened to have Santa hats. NASA astronauts Sunita Suni Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore embraced the holiday spirit with some festive gear aboard the ISS ( Instagram ) Where do the hats come from??? You went up for a planned 8 days in the SUMMER!!!! Why do you have Christmas hats????? Someone else ranted. Williams and Wilmore left Earth on June 5 on what was supposed to be an eight-day mission to test that spacecraft but after suffering problems before and during its launch, the Starliner ran into more on its way to the space station, and they are still not back almost eight months later. Others on Instagram pointed out that there were reasonable explanations for the festive headwear. Yall do realize there are other ppl on the ISS and there are space agencies that send supplies to the ISS, one user wrote, while another added: How do people not realize theres resupply missions and theyve prob had those up there. The astronauts boarded the ISS in November, just ahead of Thanksgiving. Though Williams and Wilmore couldnt be with their families for the holiday, they made the most of their celebration in orbit. During an interview with NBC Nightly News on November 27, Williams revealed that she, Pettit, astronaut Nick Hague, and three Russian cosmonauts joined the duo for the holiday meal. We have a bunch of food that weve packed away that is Thanksgiving-ish, she said. Some smoked turkey, some cranberry, apple cobbler, green beans and mushrooms and mashed potatoes. While the astronauts were expected to return to Earth in February 2025, NASA recently announced further delays. Their replacements at the ISS will not launch until March or April, pushing their return date back once again. Despite the unexpected extension, Williams assured concerned followers that they are faring well. Were feeling good, working out, eating right, she said earlier this year. We have a lot of fun up here, too. So, you know, people are worried about us. Really, dont worry about us. 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 Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George took centre stage on Christmas morning as they joined the Prince and Princess of Wales on their traditional walk to the church service on the familys Sandringham Estate. The three grinning children held hands with Kate and William as they walked past throngs of well-wishers on the way to St Mary Magdalene Church. George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, were all dressed in matching navy coats, with cheery Charlotte sporting a dark green bow in her hair. Kate was also colour-coordinated with her children, wearing a green coat and hat for the occasion. The family looked in good spirits as they paused to speak to the on-lookers who had been waiting to see the royals walk to the church. Some had arrived to bag their spots on Christmas Eve and camped out overnight. open image in gallery The Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, the Prince of Wales, and Prince George attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk ( PA ) The family, including the King and Queen, gathered for a photo outside the church. They were greeted by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams before they headed inside, with the national anthem being sung before the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful. Charlotte was pictured waving to the crowds as she clutched a bunch of white roses and a Cadburys chocolate selection box. George had also been gifted a white teddy bear and some Cadburys chocolates. open image in gallery The Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte ( Aaron Chown/PA ) Earlier this year, William described the past year, in which his wife and father were treated for cancer, as brutal. He said that 2024 has probably been the hardest year in my life and a dreadful experience. He was pictured smiling outside the church on Christmas morning holding the various chocolates that his children had collected from royal fans. open image in gallery Princess Charlotte waves to on-lookers ( AFP via Getty ) open image in gallery Prince William and his children are pictured outside church on Christmas morning, clutching gifts from well-wishers ( AFP via Getty ) Other royals who attended the Christmas Day service included the Princess Royal, and Princess Beatrice, along with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and stepson Christopher Woolf. Beatrice wore a coat from the Net-A-Porter for The Kings Foundation collection, designed by students from the foundations modern artisan education programme. open image in gallery Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Christopher Woolf ( Aaron Chown/PA ) open image in gallery Queen Camilla clutches flowers on her way to church ( Reuters ) Lady Sarah Chatto, the daughter of the late Princess Margaret, also attended, as did Zara Tindall, with her daughter Lena Elizabeth Tindall. Absent was the Duke of York, who has recently been in the news for his connections to an alleged Chinese spy. Andrew had joined the family at church for the last two years in succession, but was said to be preparing to spend Christmas Day with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York this year. open image in gallery Prince Louis, Prince George, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte following the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church ( Aaron Chown/PA ) open image in gallery King Charles speaks with Reverend Canon Dr Paul Williams, as Queen Camilla, Catherine, Princess of Wales, William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte leave the church ( Reuters ) They were expected to spend Christmas at Royal Lodge, the home they share in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire. Members of the public who gathered outside St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham listened to the service and were handed orders of service so they could follow along. After the service, which lasted around 45 minutes, members of the royal family spoke to some of the visitors. open image in gallery Princess Anne looks round as she hold a bouquet of flowers after attending the Christmas day service ( AP ) open image in gallery The Duchess of Edinburgh attending the service with her husband the Duke behind her ( Aaron Chown/PA ) Karen Maclean, from North Lincolnshire, spoke with both Charles and Kate and gave the princess a hug. The 73-year-old, who is retired, said she had had 20 years of cancer and spoke about the disease with the King and his daughter-in-law after their own health issues this year. We just had a little talk about cancer, really, said Ms Maclean. Ive met the King before. He said to me I can remember you, Im thinking What!, like many years ago? She said that Charles and Kate seemed very well actually, considering what theyre going through. She added after hugging Kate: What a privilege. 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 The U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a high-risk recall for approximately 7,485 pounds of raw Italian pork sausage products produced by Impero Foods & Meats, Inc., a Baltimore-based establishment. On Friday, December 20, the FSIS designated the recall as Class I, describing it as a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. The affected products are labeled Old World Italian Sausage and were distributed to retailers and food service locations in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. They were packaged in 10-pound white cardboard boxes containing plastic bags, with rope or link handwritten on the case. The establishment number EST. 10827 is printed inside the USDA mark of inspection. FSIS warns that some sausages may have been sold at deli counters without labels or identification, increasing the risk of unintentional consumption. The recall was initiated because the products were produced without federal inspection, a violation of food safety regulations. FSIS discovered the issue during routine surveillance activities, identifying that the facility operated under a suspended grant of inspection during the production period from October 3 to December 19, 2024. 2024 has seen an unexplained rise in ( Alamy/PA ) This grant is legally required for facilities producing meat, poultry, or egg products to ensure compliance with safety, labeling, and animal welfare standards. FSIS is concerned that some products may be in refrigerators or freezers of homes, stores, and restaurants, the agency said, urging consumers and businesses to discard or return the affected items. Jerry Vitale, owner of Impero Foods & Meats, told Newsweek: We followed the FSIS recommendation and voluntarily recalled any products that [were] out in commerce. The products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase. As of December 20, 2024, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products; however, FSIS advises anyone experiencing symptoms to contact their healthcare provider. 2024 has seen an unexplained rise in food recalls. Last week, certain bags of Lays Classic Potato Chips were recalled due to an undeclared ingredient that could cause a life-threatening allergic reaction. In September, Lactaid Milk was recalled in 27 states due to concerns about possible allergen contamination. And that same month, a popular macaroni and cheese brand, Resers Fine Foods, recalled two products sold across five states over concerns of potential bacteria contamination. 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 King Charles III is expected to use his annual Christmas message to highlight health workers, at the end of a year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer. His King's Speech, which will be broadcast in the afternoon on Christmas Day, was recorded at Fitzrovia Chapel in London, which was part of the now-demolished Middlesex Hospital where his first wife, Diana, opened Londons first dedicated ward for those with AIDS. The building is richly decorated in a Gothic Revival style featuring more than 500 stars in a gold leaf ceiling. I assume that this space, being one of calm reflection, but also thinking about health, about care, about the medical profession, would make it a pretty apt choice, said Carla Whalen, chair of the Fitzrovia Chapel Foundations board of trustees. The broadcast is watched by millions of people in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. In keeping with the Kings desire to go into the community, he tasked the team organizing the broadcast with finding a site away from the royal estate. It's a rare occasion when the monarch's Christmas message is not recorded from one of the royal residences, notably Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. The last time his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, recorded her message outside the royal estate was in 2006. The criteria were clear: the building had to have health connections, a strong community presence and a place of solace and reflection for those with faith or none. This is the kings third Christmas speech since he ascended the throne after the queen died in September 2022. It is the first since he was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February. His treatment forced him to step away from public appearances for two months. The 76-year-old monarch has slowly returned to public life in recent months and was in good spirits on a tour of Australia with his wife, Queen Camilla, in October. It's been a difficult year for the royal family. A few weeks after Charles began treatment, the Princess of Wales announced her own cancer diagnosis, which sidelined her for much of the year as she underwent chemotherapy. In a voiceover for the broadcast of her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, which was recorded this month but broadcast on Tuesday evening, Kate reflected on the love and support that she has received. The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others," she said. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences." Meanwhile, Camilla has had a lingering chest infection in recent weeks and hasnt been able to attend certain events, including last months remembrance service for fallen service personnel. The royal family, including Prince William and Kate and their three children, will be spending Christmas Day at the Sandringham Estate in eastern England. Charles' brother Prince Andrew is not expected to be there, according to U.K. media, in a bid to spare the royal family from further embarrassment following the revelation that a suspected Chinese spy with business ties to the Duke of York was barred from the U.K. because of concerns he poses a threat to national security. 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 government-commissioned panel of experts on Wednesday largely supported Japan's new energy policy for the next few years that calls for bolstering renewables up to half of electricity needs by 2040 while maximizing the use of nuclear power as the country seeks to accommodate the growing power demand in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization targets. The Industry Ministry presented the draft plan for final review by the panel of 16 mostly pro-nuclear members from business, academia and civil groups. It calls for maximizing the use of nuclear energy, reversing a phaseout policy adopted after the meltdown crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in 2011 that led to extensive displacement of residents and lingering anti-nuclear sentiment. The plan is due to receive Cabinet approval by March after a period of consultation and will then replace the current energy policy, which dates from 2021. The new proposal says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japans energy supply in 2040, up from just 8.5% last year, while expanding renewables to 40-50% from 22.9% and reducing coal-fired power to 30-40% from nearly 70% last year. The current plan set a 20-22% target for nuclear energy, 36-38% for renewables and 41% for fossil fuel, for 2030. Demand for low-carbon energy, such as renewables and nuclear, is growing because of the demand from data centers using AI and semiconductor factories around the country. Industry Minister Yoji Muto, who attended Wednesdays panel meeting, said Japan must strengthen its energy security by not relying too much on a single source. How we can secure decarbonized energy determines Japans future growth, Muto said. It's time to stop discussing a choice between renewable energy and nuclear power. We should maximize the use of both renewables and nuclear. Japan has set a goal of achieving net zero emissions of climate-warming gases by 2050, and a 73% reduction by 2040 compared to 2013 levels. The draft energy plan places renewables as the main power source and calls for development of next-generation energy source, such as solar batteries and portable solar panels. It outlines a number of risk scenarios, including a possibility of less-than-expected investment and cost reduction in renewables. However, some experts said the plan lacked a feasibility outlook for 2040 or a roadmap for the phaseout of fossil fuels. The plan also calls for acceleration of the restarts of reactors that meet the post-Fukushima safety standards, and proposes construction of next-generation reactors -- at plants where existing reactors are being decommissioned. Still, to achieve the 20% target, all 33 workable reactors in Japan must be back online, with only 14 back in service after the Fukushima disaster. Given the current pace of safety checks by the nuclear regulation authority, experts say meeting the target would be difficult. Despite criticisms and skepticism about its feasibility, Japan still sticks to its pursuit of developing advanced reactors and a struggling spent fuel reprocessing program to achieve a complete nuclear fuel cycle. 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 Belfast Parkrun broke its course participation record on Christmas Day, as almost 800 festive runners crossed the finish line. Hundreds descended on the Stormont estate in east Belfast for an event that has become a seasonal favourite in the local running calendar. There were Father Christmas hats and elf ears aplenty at the start line, as young and old set off around the picturesque course for the ninth outing of the special Christmas Day Parkrun. Festive music playing through loudspeakers reverberated around the estate, while crowds of supporters cheered the runners as they passed. The Stormont event was one of a number of Parkruns in Northern Ireland on Christmas Day. The previous course record at Stormont was 776 participants, set on New Years Day a few years ago. On Christmas Day a total of 790 finished the run. Such was the size of the bumper crowd that organisers had to record the times of dozens of runners manually in the closing stages, as they only had 720-time tokens to hand out to finishers. One of those taking part was Deirdre Fitzpatrick, a member of the Ormeau Runners club in south Belfast. What better way to start Christmas than to come out for a run with all your friends, she said. Its been unbelievable. There are over 750 people running here today, which shows how much running has grown and thats because its so important to all of us. Event director Alison Canning said the record number of participants demonstrated the enduring popularity of running. Its been a record-breaking morning, she said. The most weve ever had in the past is 776 on a New Years Day a few years back. So its absolutely amazing to see so many people start their Christmas morning with us here. She added: Weve all abandoned our dinner preparations and the Lego building and I think its because running and park running in general is so popular. The atmosphere here is just amazing with all the costumes and the Santa hats. Everybody just likes to get out and spread a bit of Christmas spirit. 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 Christmas Day bonanzas of gift giving, festive feasts and wrapping paper cause the average Britons greenhouse gas emissions to spike by 23 times. Emissions generated by each adult by all the travel, gifts, energy, decorations, food, drink and waste associated with the climax of the annual carnival of consumerism amount to 513kg of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), The Guardian reported. The average daily emissions of a UK adult are about 22kg CO2e. The papers analysis lays bare the climate impact of Christmas festivities, celebrated by hundreds of millions of people in the wealthiest parts of the world. And the analysis gives ammunition to critics who have long argued the festive season has been hijacked by major corporations to promote mass consumption. open image in gallery Christmas presents were the biggest driver of a spike in emissions in the festive period ( Getty Images ) Melanie Nazareth from Christian Climate Action told the paper: We have been deliberately sold a vision of Christmas that is based on material consumption. We are constantly bombarded by advertising and media that tells us that if we arent spending money on things, we are not doing Christmas properly. This is destroying the whole meaning of Christmas as well as destroying the planet. Christmas is a celebration of love and if we love people, if we care about the baby born today, the greatest gift we can give them is a livable planet. This is not just about our individual gift-giving, although we all have a responsibility to take action where we can. Retailers and manufacturers have the power to create change and they need to think beyond making bigger profits to think about their impact on the planet. The biggest contributor to the spike in emissions was gifts, accounting for more than 93 per cent, according to ClimatePartner, which conducted the research. It said the average adult buying 20 gifts for family and friends would contribute a mammoth 479kg CO2e. open image in gallery Santa Claus is also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or Santa ( EPA ) Electronics were the worst kind of gift by carbon emissions, with tech such as laptops and games consoles making up around half of each persons gift-related emissions. Asad Rehman, the director of War on Want, which campaigns on the climate and poverty, told The Guardian: Rich corporations and their billionaire owners have once again gone big on Christmas advertising to push ordinary people into spending more than they or the planet can afford transforming Christmas into a season of environmental excess. Corporate giants relentless drive for profit over planet or people is pushing millions of ordinary people struggling to feed their families and heat their homes into deeper debt and overconsumption of the planets resources. Yet the main culprits of excessive consumption are the top 1% who have not only grabbed most of the worlds wealth, but whose carbon footprint is more than the poorest 50% of the worlds population. That is hurtling us towards climate catastrophe, whilst trashing the limited resources of our planet that are critical to protect our societies. Other Christmas activities pale in comparison to gift-giving, with travel for average Britons making up just 2.7 per cent of their Christmas day total, while decorations make up just 2.4 per cent. ClimatePartner UK managing director Richard Hill said: Whilst this is a time of celebration, gifting and abundance, this analysis gives us a better understanding of the impact Christmas has on our carbon footprint, which can be significant. The good news is there are now so many ways we can be more carbon-conscious such as buying preloved gifts, or buying a little less food to minimise waste. There is no reason we cant be kind and generous to the planet as well as our loved ones this holiday season. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A man has been charged with murdering a London Underground worker after an incident in east London earlier this month. Ayodele Jamgbadi, 28, was charged with murder and affray after the alleged attack on 61-year-old Elizabeth Line assistant Jorge Ortega on 4 December. Mr Jamgbadi was originally charged with grievous bodily harm after the incident in Ilford, east London, but the charges were amended on Tuesday. Mr Jamgbadi, of Kingston Road, Ilford, is next due to appear in custody at Inner London Crown Court on 7 January. The RMT union said Mr Ortega was one of its members who worked as a customer experience assistant for MTREL, which runs the Elizabeth line. open image in gallery Jorge Ortega was a customer experience assistant for Elizabeth line operator MTREL (Transport for London/PA) ( PA Media ) He was taken to hospital after suffering severe head injuries in the attack at about 8.50pm on 4 December, but later died. His family described him as the most loving person, the kindest soul you could have the pleasure of meeting. His son said: Everyone who has met our dad or who has ever worked with him over the years will tell you this. He had a brilliant mind, enjoyed cooking, loved drawing, and was highly skilled in art. He was an amazing family man and would always put other people first. He loved his grandchildren, and in turn, they adored our dad. RMT General secretary Mick Lynch added: We are deeply saddened by the passing of our member, who died following an attack while at work. The whole union sends its condolences to their family, friends and colleagues at this awful time and everyones thoughts at RMT are with them. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X that the incident was absolutely tragic and said nobody at work should face violence. Nobody should have to face any violence at work and certainly not something as shocking as this, he wrote. My thoughts are with the victims family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time. 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 As the royal family prepares to gather at the Sandringham estate for their annual Christmas festivities, it seems unlikely that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be joining them. The last time Harry and Meghan spent Christmas with the royal family was in 2018, making this the sixth consecutive year they have been absent from the Norfolk celebrations. Instead, the couple is expected to mark the holiday at their Montecito home in California, joined by Meghans mother, Doria Ragland, and their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. Reports suggest no invitation was extended to the Sussexes for the Sandringham festivities, where the King, Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their family, will reunite. However, Harry has previously shared that some royal Christmas traditions live on in his own family. Among them is the custom of opening presents on Christmas Eve, a nod to the cherished ritual in Sandringhams White Room. open image in gallery It is believed the couple will spend Christmas with their children and Meghans mother in California ( Courtesy of Archewell ) In his memoir Spare, Harry reflected on his familys first Christmas Eve in the United States in 2020. He wrote: We took Archie to find a Christmas tree. A pop-up lot in Santa Barbara. We bought one of the biggest spruces they had. We brought it home, set it up in the living room. Magnificent. We stood back, admiring, counting our blessings. New home. Healthy boy. It was Christmas Eve. We FaceTimed with several friends, including a few in Britain. We watched Archie running around the tree. And we opened presents. Keeping to the Windsor family tradition. In a recent interview with Marie Claire, Meghan spoke of the joy they find in building new traditions as a family. open image in gallery Meghan said her favourite Christmas ritual is trimming and decorating the tree with Archie and Lilibet, I love the holidays, she shared. Archie and Lilibet are now three and five, so every year it gets better. She added: At first, I think as a mom with children, youre just enjoying having them there, but theyre not understanding everything thats happening yet. But now were at the age where I just cant wait to see it through their lens every year. Meghan described their festivities as including a great meal followed by games and fun, like any other family. Meanwhile, King Charles continues the tradition of hosting Christmas at Sandringham, following in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who presided over the estates festive gatherings since 1998. open image in gallery They last joined the Sandringham festivities in 2018 ( Getty Images ) Harry and Meghans last royal Christmas appearance in 2018 included the memorable walkabout where they were photographed alongside the Prince and Princess of Walesa scene emblematic of a very different time. Over the years, Harry and Meghans relationship with the royal family has grown increasingly strained. Since stepping back as senior royals in 2020, they have publicly detailed their negative experiences within the institution through interviews, a Netflix series, and Harrys memoir, Spare. Signs of reconciliation appeared earlier this year when Harry flew to London to meet his father after King Charless cancer diagnosis. However, Meghan has not returned to the UK since Queen Elizabeth IIs state funeral in 2022, further underscoring the ongoing distance. 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 few days of festive Christmas cheer helps to alleviate the winter blues brought on by the colder darker months, data which tracks the nations mood has suggested. YouGovs weekly happiness tracker, which has collected data from summer 2019 to now, shows that people really are hit by seasonal sadness as the days grow shorter. People in Britain are 5.2 per cent less happy, on average, in the winter compared with the summer, The Times reported. However a few days of festive merriment puts a temporary halt to the state of melancholy, boosting the nations mood by as much as 10 per cent. 45 per cent of people said they were happy over winter last year, but that jumped to 54 per cent over the two-week Christmas period. open image in gallery Skaters in festive fancy dress, some as Santa or Father Christmas, attend a Christmas-themed SantaSkate through central London, on Oxford Street, on December 14, 2024. ( AFP via Getty Images ) open image in gallery A dachshund wearing a festive coat takes part in the Christmas Hyde Park Sausage Walk in Hyde Park, central London ( AFP via Getty Images ) Overall Brits are much happier in summer, where 50 per cent reported being happy. The difference between happiness in summer and winter was, on average, 5.2 per cent. People are 7.8 per cent more happy in Christmas, compared to the rest of winter, according to YouGovs data. YouGovs weekly survey also tracks how bored, lonely, stressed, inspired, optimistic and content people say they are. In recent years, the height of boredom has been in March 2020, when the first lockdown was announced, and January 2021, when another lockdown was put in place. open image in gallery For the first time in 900 years, girls join choristers as they take part in a photocall at St Paul's Cathedral ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery King Charles III records his Christmas message at the Fitzrovia Chapel ( Getty Images ) Stress has hovered around 40 per cent for the past five years, but there was a jump to 47 per cent in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic lockdowns. People reporting that they felt scared also dramatically increased around that time, jumping from 10 per cent to 28 per cent on the 23 March 2020. Loneliness also peaked at 21 per cent in January 2021. Matthew Smith, the head of data journalism at YouGov, told The Times: If youre looking at other [moods on the tracker], youve obviously got scared showing a big change around the time of Covid, and then also the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Its very clear that at Christmas there is a spike in happiness and an equivalent dip in stress and frustration. However he qualified the boost, saying: Happiness doesnt necessarily spike until after Christmas. Thats the period when most people are actually off. It does seem to be that each year post-Christmas is when people have started to feel a lot better, rather than Christmas itself. open image in gallery A boy pictured at the annual Christmas Eve meat sale at Smithfield Market on December 24, 2024 in London, England. ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery A child looks at a house decorated with Christmas lights in North London ( AFP via Getty Images ) YouGov has also surveyed people to find out what they like most about Christmas, with the most common answer being spending time with loved ones at 35 per cent. Nine per cent of people said that food and drink was their favourite thing about Christmas, and eight per cent chose goodwill and festive cheer. 10 per cent said that their favourite thing about the holiday was having time off, and 12 per cent said they dont like anything about Christmas at all. When asked what they dont like about the festivities, one in five Britons said that Christmas was being too commercialised, and one in six highlighted the cost of the holiday. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Bishop of Newcastle has criticised the Archbishop of Yorks Christmas Day sermon as empty words after he said the Church of England must repent and be changed. Stephen Cottrell said that the Church must kneel in penitence after a turbulent year in which senior leaders apologised for their handling of historic allegations of abuse. Following his service on Wednesday, Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley took to social media to give her verdict, saying: The Archbishop of York says this today: Right now, this Christmas, Gods Church itself needs to come again to the manger and strip off her finery and kneel in penitence and adoration. And be changed. Empty words. I have no words more than that to describe their meaning. Following the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is to effectively become the temporary leader of the Church of England next month. Dr Welby stood down in November after a damning report exposed a conspiracy of silence about the abuse of children and young men perpetrated by barrister John Smyth. Mr Cottrell has also had to apologise this month over the handling of a sexual abuse case while he was Bishop of Chelmsford. With Dr Welby out of public view this Christmas and not delivering the 25 December sermon, focus shifted to Mr Cottrells speech from York Minster. open image in gallery The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell during his enthronement as the 98th Archbishop of York ( PA ) He said in his sermon that the needs of others, including victims of abuse and exploitation must be put first and challenged people not to just talk about justice but act to change things for the better. Earlier this week, Mr Cottrell acknowledged things could have been handled differently after revelations that a priest at the centre of a sexual abuse case was twice reappointed under him while he was serving as bishop of Chelmsford. Victims of David Tudor have branded Mr Cottrells response to the case insulting and upsetting and suggested that his resignation or being forced out of his leading role in the Church was inevitable. The archbishop said he was deeply sorry that we were not able to take action earlier, insisting that he had acted at the first opportunity that was legally available. Dr Hartley was among those who criticised Mr Cottrell after his apology. open image in gallery Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley ( AFP via Getty Images ) In his Christmas Day sermon, Mr Cottrell said: Right now, this Christmas, Gods Church itself needs to come to the manger and strip off her finery and kneel in penitence and adoration. And be changed. At the centre of the Christmas story is a vulnerable child; a vulnerable child that Herods furious wrath will try and destroy, for like every tyrant he cannot abide a rival. The Church of England the Church of England I love and serve needs to look at this vulnerable child, at this emptying out of power to demonstrate the power of love, for in this vulnerable child we see God. open image in gallery The Archbishop of York (pictured) told congregants that the Church of England needs to kneel in penitence this Christmas ( PA ) If youre in love, show me. If you have love in your hearts, embody and demonstrate that love by what you do. This is what we learn at the manger. Put the needs of others first those who are cold and hungry and homeless this Christmas. Those who are victims of abuse and exploitation. Those who, like the little holy family, have to flee oppression and seek refuge in a foreign land. Referring to the musical My Fair Lady, he pointed to the example of Eliza Doolittle who he says is utterly exasperated by the empty promises. Referencing a message for the world, Mr Cottrell raised the importance of deeds over words, adding: Dont just talk about justice, dont just talk about service, dont just talk about love. Show me. Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin gave the sermon at Canterbury Cathedral in place of Dr Welby and spoke of the birth of Jesus as a triumph of light and hope over fear and darkness. The bishop, who visited Calais in recent days to meet asylum seekers and volunteers supporting them, said: The story of Christmas is todays story still costly, continuing to reflect vulnerability and the pain of rejection; the pain that comes with repeatedly knocking at the door of the inns of our lives and hearing the words, There is no room. open image in gallery Archbishop of York Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell and Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby walking through Westminster ( PA ) The story of Christmas is todays story, relevant to the thousands of people in pain due to being abused, dislocated, in refugee camps, fleeing violence, war, climate change, famine. Meanwhile, Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft reflected on a difficult and eventful year here on planet Earth, as well as in the Church. He said: Weve seen a crisis of confidence in many of our institutions, including in our own Church. We need to pause and take stock at Christmas time. Underneath all of these crises and difficulties, we find a simple question. What does it mean to be human, to live well, to build a good society? Dr Welby announced last month that he would resign, after initially declining to do so, in the wake of the Makin Review, which concluded that barrister John Smyth the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church might have been brought to justice had Dr Welby formally reported him to police in 2013. The process to replace Dr Welby is expected to take months, with an announcement about a new archbishop of Canterbury possible in autumn 2025. Snuck under a rich green awning on a picture-perfect street in north London, Home Kitchen is softly lit with a gentle buzz. The surrounding streets Primrose Hills candy-coloured townhouses flanked by sycamore trees and winding paths that lead to intimate views over the city skyline are steeped in storytelling. Here, the place Sylvia Plath described as the last word in London Bohemia, tales become chronicles baked into local history. In September, on the other side of a large dining window on Regents Park Road, another such story began. Home Kitchen is not just another London restaurant. Its fine dining, yes seasonal plates, designed by two-time Michelin-star winning chef, Adam Simmonds; gorgeous pairing wines that delight alongside his tasting menu. But, the chefs behind the plates, the waiting staff and the kitchen help, have their own stories to tell, too. All staff employed there have been recruited from the homeless community, and their work now fuels this non-profit, an initiative that seeks to break the vicious cycle of insecure housing; the first of its kind in the world. Even Simmonds, for all his achievements, understands how crucial the initiative is and how easy it is to become vulnerable, for all kinds of reasons from experience. He was lucky to be taken in by his family when a devastating cocaine addiction rendered him unable to pay his rent. He doesnt underestimate the importance of second chances, nor the stigma that can come with being stereotyped. open image in gallery The incredible dishes are cooked up and served by those struggling with insecure housing ( Home Kitchen ) The idea came from one of its directors, Alex Brown, founder of Soup Kitchen London, and Michael Brown, chief executive of Asociat. Michael realised that business can and should be kinder and inclusive, and two years ago they began a crowdfunding campaign to make that happen. Its a fitting tribute that the initial 350,000 they raised in donations would help raise the bar of community action, with an additional 210,000 borrowed from a philanthropic social-impact fund. All staff are either homeless or vulnerable and at risk of homelessness. They are paid the London living wage (13.85 per hour). They are also supported in training, building skills, careers and education. Prices are fixed diners pay just 75 for a five-course tasting menu, or 45 for lunch. Its ambitious, highly commendable and raises the bar for social initiatives that work. So far Home Kitchen has received effusive reviews from the New York Times and The Spectator; its been featured on the Today programme on the BBC with Fred Sireux popping in for a visit. The Mayor of Chicago has dined there and dispatched a team to consult with them to set up a similar initiative in the US city. The space is quickly becoming a hub for the socially-conscious elite. Which is fitting, given its history. open image in gallery Award-winning head chef Adam Simmonds designed each delicious dish ( Michael Cheetham Photography ) The building has long been an icon in the borough. It first opened its doors in 1978 as Odettes Restaurant, a cool hub that was soon a beacon for Londons beautiful people. In the creative boom of the following decades, musicians, artists and media became Odettes regulars. By the 1980s, it had quite a celebrity following, Michael explains. The original founder who isnt actually called Odette, but Simone is still their landlady to this day. Shes still around shes in her 90s, but shes sharp as a pen, he adds. When they signed their 14-year lease with her, she came over for a little tour, Michael explains. She was walking around, pointing at tables. Paul and Linda McCartney would come in regularly, she told us, all throughout the 1980s, and she showed us the table they would always sit at. On the table opposite was where Mick Jagger would sit with whoever he was dating at the time, she added. McCartney and Jagger would often be in at the same time. Another notable diner was the 1960s photographer David Bailey, the Gallagher brothers ate there too when Primrose Hill was in its peak Nineties era. A speakeasy-style wine bar that stretches out under the pavement, Michael explains, is still there, though were not yet using it. Back in the day, those in the know could stay late, drinking until the wee hours of the morning, unbothered. Still, Odettes was relatively unassuming it wasnt until Bryn Williams was appointed head chef in 2006, and bought the restaurant two years later that it underwent a transformation of sorts, and became the darling of national food critics. Williams seasonal, produce-led style of European cooking caught their attention, alongside tourists and locals. They were known for their extensive wine list and pared-back ingredients, in a more contemporary setting. When it closed its doors in May this year, anticipation of what would come next grew. If it was a lot to live up to, Home Kitchen has certainly met expectations. While critics have enjoyed the food, the restaurants softer aesthetics elegantly nod to the buildings history. Low lighting with mid-century style chairs (fittingly) feels homely. Staff are warm and friendly, and many are already achieving promotions and recognition despite having just three months of experience in the industry. Many have found new confidence and a sense of family in the Home Kitchen and, despite there inevitably being issues to overcome from time to time some have come across issues with their temporary housing, which Michael and the team have helped solve they finally have a structure that they can build upon. open image in gallery A glamorous interior and michelin chef serving up delicious dishes ( Home Kitchen ) In the New Year, Home Kitchen will undergo some tweaking. The lunch menu, for example, will be more flexible to allow diners with less time to enjoy it, Michael says. Theyre also crowdfunding again to fund two full-time salaries of star staff in the coming quiet months Lily, a young mother and Iranian refugee who fled persecution now leads the front of house team, and Mimi, a talented pastry chef forced to leave home at a young age. While theyve had a busy few months and a flurry of global attention, their mission means they have higher costs than other restaurants from the get-go. We pay London living wage, we subsidise travel and educational qualifications, for example, Michael says. And we have also made sure that our staff are on full-time contracts, whereas the standard is zero-hours unstable contracts in the catering industry. Michael and the four other directors are running and managing the restaurant voluntarily, but hope that profitability will allow them to step back somewhat in the year ahead. In the meantime, over Christmas staff will take a well-earned break. Then, next year, the staffs new cycle, away from the scourge of housing and job insecurity, will begin: opening up the restaurant, learning, working, finding opportunities where there once appeared to be none. Home Kitchen promises to be the gift that keeps on giving. Home Kitchen is 130 Regents Park Rd, London NW1 8XL 020 7183 6155 To book a table go to: https://homekitchenlondon.org/ Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The King has used his Christmas address to pay tribute to the selfless doctors and nurses who provided strength, care and comfort during cancer treatment for himself and the Princess of Wales. In his annual message to the nation and Commonwealth, Charles offered his heartfelt thanks to the medical teams who supported him and his family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness. Speaking from Fitzrovia Chapel, a former London hospital chapel, he also spoke of his deep sense of pride at how communities responded to the riots following the fatal Southport stabbings of three young girls. open image in gallery King Charles III during the recording of his Christmas message at the Fitzrovia Chapel in central London. ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire ) Here is the full text of the Kings Christmas broadcast: Earlier this year, as we commemorated the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, the Queen and I had the enormous privilege of meeting, once again, the remarkable veterans of that very special generation who gave of themselves so courageously, on behalf of us all. Listening to these once-young service men and women touched us deeply as they spoke of their comrades, drawn from across the Commonwealth, who never returned and who now rest peacefully where they made the ultimate sacrifice. Their example of service and selflessness continues to inspire, across the generations. During previous commemorations we were able to console ourselves with the thought that these tragic events seldom happen in the modern era. But, on this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere pose a daily threat to so many peoples lives and livelihoods. We also think of the humanitarian organisations working tirelessly to bring vital relief. After all, the Gospels speak so vividly of conflict and teach the values with which we can overcome it. The example that Jesus gave us is timeless and universal. It is to enter the world of those who suffer, to make a difference to their lives and so bring hope where there is despair. open image in gallery He also reflected on the Southport riots and conflicts in the Middle East and Europe As the famous Christmas Carol, Once In Royal Davids City reminds us, Our Saviour holy came down to Earth from Heaven, lived among the poor and mean and lowly and transformed the lives of those he met, through Gods redeeming love. That is the heart of the Nativity Story and we can hear its beat in the belief of all the great faiths in the love and mercy of God in times of joy and of suffering, calling us to bring light where there is darkness. All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical. The degree to which we help one another and draw support from each other, be we people of faith or of none is a measure of our civilisation as nations. This is what continually impresses me, as my family and I meet with, and listen to, those who dedicate their lives to helping others. I am speaking to you today from the Chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital in London now itself a vibrant community space and thinking especially of the many thousands of professionals and volunteers here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth who, with their skills and out of the goodness of their heart, care for others often at some cost to themselves. open image in gallery ( REUTERS ) From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed. I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement. On our recent visit to the South Pacific to attend the Commonwealth summit, I was reminded constantly of the strength which institutions, as well as individuals, can draw from one another. And of how diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provides strength, not weakness. Across the Commonwealth, we are held together by a willingness to listen to each other, to learn from one another and to find just how much we have in common. Because, through listening, we learn to respect our differences, to defeat prejudice, and to open up new possibilities. I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when, in response to anger and lawlessness in several towns this summer, communities came together, ot to repeat these behaviours, but to repair. To repair not just buildings, but relationships. And, most importantly, to repair trust; by listening and, through understanding, deciding how to act for the good of all. open image in gallery Prince George, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, and the King and Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in June (Jonathan Brady/PA) ( PA Archive ) Again, listening is a recurrent theme of the Nativity story. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, listened to the Angel who revealed to her a different future full of hope for all people. The message of the Angels to the shepherds that there should be peace on Earth in fact echoes through all faiths and philosophies. It rings true to this day for people of goodwill across the world. And so it is with this in mind that I wish you, and all those you love, a most joyful and peaceful Christmas. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy King Charles and Queen Camilla have been joined by Prince William and Kate on Christmas Day as they take part in the festive walkabout at the royal familys Sandringham estate. The royal couples, accompanied by several other family members, greeted well-wishers outside St Mary Magdalene Church, where they attend the festive morning service. William walked hand in hand with Charlotte, and Kate who wore a green coat and hat, smiled at the crowds. Their appearance will be followed by the kings 2024 Christmas message from Fitzrovia Chapel in central London which will be aired at 3pm. open image in gallery Prince William, Kate and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire ) open image in gallery Kate receiving flowers from well-wishers outside St Mary Magdalene ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire ) The first people in a queue of well-wishers waiting to see members of the royal family walk to church arrived on Tuesday and camped out overnight. Retired chef John Loughrey, 69, from Wandsworth, south London, said he and Sky London travelled by train to Kings Lynn then took a bus, arriving at Sandringham in Norfolk at 7.30pm on December 24. We had sleeping bags with us and a heat pad, Mr Loughrey said. It was a bit damp last night. We came here for Catherine. Shes been an inspiration the last year what shes been through. We want to support her and her family. open image in gallery Royal fans gather outside the Sandringham estate to wait for the King and Queen ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire ) About 45 members of the monarchy and their guests are expected to gather at the Norfolk estate on Wednesday, which has been the traditional Christmas meeting place for the Royals since 1988. However, Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson are not among the attendees this year after the disgraced prince made headlines this month when it emerged he had been a close confidante of alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo. Businessman Tengbo had paid visits to Buckingham Palace and had been invited to the Duke of Yorks birthday but was later banned from entering the UK on national security grounds. The former couple took the decision to stay away from the Kings traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham in a bid to avoid further embarrassment for the royal family. open image in gallery Prince Andrew will not be attending to avoid further embarrassment for the royal family ( Joe Giddens/PA Wire ) Since stepping down from royal duties in 2019 in the wake of his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Andrews appearance at Sandringham was one of the only rare occasions he would be seen with the royal family. He had attended on both occasions in the last two years, and also joined the late Queen and his siblings in 2019, just months after his disastrous interview with BBC Newsnight while led him to step back from public roles. Among those celebrating at Sandringham will be his daughter Princess Beatrice, who will be attending after changing her travel plans due to medical advice, it is understood. open image in gallery Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi pictured with his son Christopher Woolf ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire ) Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting their second child due in early spring and were planning on spending the festive period overseas with the princess in-laws. But she has received medical advice and been guided not to travel long distances. The royal baby will be a little brother or sister for the couples three-year-old daughter Sienna, and Mr Mapelli Mozzis son and Beatrices stepson, eight-year-old Wolfie. Beatrices sister Princess Eugenie and her family are planning on spending Christmas with her in-laws. For royal fans, the Sandringham walk to church offers the opportunity to greet Prince William and Kate, as well as their three children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine and Prince Louis, six. open image in gallery The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attending the service with their children and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence ( Aaron Chown/PA Wire ) Earlier this year, William described the past year, in which his wife and father were treated for cancer, as brutal. He said that 2024 has probably been the hardest year in my life and a dreadful experience. Others who have joined King Charles and Camilla include Princess Anne, her daughter and son-in-law Zara and Mike Tindall, their children, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Wessex, and their two children. Meanwhile, Prince Harry is set to enjoy the festive period in California with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children. The couple have not celebrated Christmas at Sandringham since 2018, and have rarely been pictured with the royal family since departing for the US in 2020. 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 said he would be willing to help incoming ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson negotiate with the Trump administration. Labour peer Lord Mandelson has indicated he believes the Reform UK leader, a friend of Donald Trump, could serve as a link between the British government and the Republican president-elect. Downing Street would not be drawn on whether Sir Keir Starmer would like Lord Mandelson to work with Mr Farage, saying when asked only that the prime minister had already started to begin to build a relationship with president-elect Trump. But No 10 insiders have made clear Mr Farage will not be being used as a bridge between Sir Keir and Mr Trump. I am no fan of any of the people in the Labour Party, but if it is in the national interest I have always thought I could be a useful asset if they want to use that but if they dont, more fool them Nigel Farage Mr Farage has previously offered to use his relationship with Mr Trump and his team to act as a bridge between them and the UK government. He told The Telegraph he would be willing to work with people in the Labour Party if it was in the national interest. I am no fan of any of the people in the Labour Party, but if it is in the national interest I have always thought I could be a useful asset if they want to use that but if they dont, more fool them, the Clacton MP said. Mr Farage said he could help with talks on trade, tariffs, intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism because a lot of the members of the presidents cabinet are friends of mine, and many of them long-term friends. He said: I know these people, and in terms of trade, in terms of defence and in terms of intelligence, the US is our most important relationship in the world forget Brussels. Nigel Farage and Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy with Elon Musk at Mar-A-Lago ( PA ) He said free trade deal talks were likely to be done sector by sector. I would help even if it is to the governments benefit because it is in the national interest. But they are so split they might not want to take up my offer. Lord Mandelson will take up the role in early 2025. His trade experience is seen as a strength amid concerns over what the second Trump presidency could mean for the UK, with the Republican politician having pledged to introduce wide-ranging tariffs. However, the Labour grandees past remarks about Mr Trump who he once described as little short of a white nationalist and racist may yet plague attempts to foster close US-UK relations. 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 Rural LabourMPs will be targeted in a fresh wave of protests next month over inheritance tractor tax hike for farmers, it has emerged. Critics of the move in Rachel Reevess budget in October have announced a national day of action organised by the National Farmers Union (NFU). Demonstrations including tractor rallies are expected to take place on January 25 in communities away from Westminster, with roadside banners also being put up along main roads to catch MPs eyes as they travel over Christmas, The Times reported. open image in gallery The changes have sparked mass protests ( Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire ) At the Budget chancellor Ms Reeves ended inheritance tax exemptions for farms worth more than 1m, although in some cases that threshold could be as high as 3m. The tax change means previously exempt farms will be hit with a 20 per cent levy on farming assets worth more than 1m, with critics saying it will force family farmers to sell up and rip the heart out of Britains countryside. The move has led to mass protests from farmers who claim the death dues could force them to sell off land which could have been in a family for generations. And NFU president Tom Bradshaw said farmers would not give up in the fight against the destructive policy. Announcing the latest wave of protests, he said: There is too much at risk: our families, our future, our heritage and the undermining of the very sector that produces a safe, secure supply of British food. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves announced the change in October ( Kirsty OConnor/Treasury ) This date will give everyone that wants to an opportunity to support family farms from right across the UK, to show unity and strength and for farmers and growers to speak as one in our call for government to stop the family farm tax. We are so grateful to members of the British public for their ongoing support on this issue. The 25th is not just a day for the farming community to show unity but anyone who believes Britains family farms, and the high-quality food they produce, deserve to be better valued and supported. The planned demonstrations will take place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Ms Reeves has said the policy would stop the super rich buying up agricultural land to avoid inheritance tax, but asked about the changes by senior MPs on the Liaison Committee, Sir Keir said it wasnt aimed at a particular group of individuals. He added: "What we tried to do with the regime we put in place was to protect the family farm, putting in a high threshold for inheritance tax for farms, which means that if you take the figures on the estates for farms, the vast majority of them are unaffected by the changes we put in place. "But we werent aiming at a particular group." Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Princess of Wales has hugged and spoken with a cancer patient after attending the royal familys traditional Christmas Day church service following her own brutal year with the disease. Kate, alongside her husband the Prince of Wales and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six joined the King and Queen as they walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church, past a crowd of well-wishers. Some had camped overnight to catch a glimpse of the royals walking to church in Norfolk. Following the service, which lasted about 45 minutes, Kate hugged 73-year-old Karen Maclean from North Lincolnshire, who said she had had 20 years of cancer, as she spoke with both the princess and Charles about the disease. Ms Maclean said: We just had a little talk about cancer, really. Ive met the King before. He said to me I can remember you, Im thinking what!, like many years ago? She said that Charles and Kate seemed very well actually, considering what theyre going through. She added after hugging Kate: What a privilege. William walked hand in hand with Charlotte while Kate, who wore a green Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen coat and hat, smiled at the crowds. Also in the walking party was the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi attended the service after she changed her travel plans due to medical advice during her pregnancy. Absent was Beatrices father, the Duke of York, who has been dogged by links to an alleged Chinese spy. Andrew, 64, had joined the family at church for the last two years but was expected to be spending Christmas Day with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York this year at Royal Lodge, the home they share in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire. The first people in a queue of well-wishers waiting to see members of the royal family walk to church on Christmas Day arrived on Tuesday and camped out overnight. Retired chef John Loughrey, 69, from Wandsworth, south London, said he and Sky London travelled by train to Kings Lynn then took a bus, arriving at Sandringham at 7.30pm on Christmas Eve. We had sleeping bags with us and a heat pad, Mr Loughrey said. He continued: It was a bit damp last night. We came here for Catherine. Shes been an inspiration the last year what shes been through. Mr London, 64, from Paddington, central London, said: If youre a royalist and you love the royals you do anything. The royals who walked to the service were greeted at the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. They headed inside and the national anthem was sung before the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful. William has described the past year, in which his wife and father were treated for cancer, as brutal. He said 2024 has probably been the hardest year in my life and a dreadful experience. 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 customer at an impasse with Capital One over a disputed debt is facing a half-decade in federal prison after allegedly vowing to assassinate those executives he held responsible for having ruined his life. In a December 12 email, Houston, Texas resident and budding beef jerky impresario Taylor Bullard told the banks collections agency that he had already paid the amount in question and that they were chasing him in error, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed upon his arrest eight days later. Call me before I show up to one of their locations with a machete and gasoline, Bullard wrote, according to a screenshot of the email included in the affidavit. You have ruined my ability to buy a home. Im 34 with a 100k+ job and its time I target the people and companies that have ruined my ability to live the life I deserve. I will be coming after your executive team personally. Please call me before I do things that are unforgivable and will make your executive team question their life choices. Thank you, Taylor Bullard The affidavit says Bullard sent the note in response to an email from Capital One urging [him] to create a payment plan to resolve his approximate $543 debt with the company. FBI agents traced the senders IP address back to Bullards home, and subpoenaed his email records from Google, according to the affidavit, which was obtained by Court Watch and shared with The Independent. Bullard requested a court appointed attorney, but no one is yet listed on the docket. A phone number Bullard provided the court in his release papers went straight to voicemail on Wednesday. A request for comment sent via email to Capital One was met with an out-of-office auto-response lasting until January 2. open image in gallery When an unnamed corporation raised Taylor Bullards ire in 2017, he threatened to release anthrax at one of its events and/or kill himself in public, according to the FBI ( Getty Images ) Investigators dug into Bullards past and found at least three previous threats to corporations he felt had wronged him, the affidavit goes on. In 2017, it says Bullard emailed an unnamed company, for an unspecified offense, to say he planned to release anthrax at one of their events and/or kill himself in public. The FBl questioned Bullard at the time, and he told agents that he wanted attention, wanted to see the companies sweat, and did not intend to hurt himself or others, according to the affidavit. In 2022, at odds with an unnamed financial institution, Bullard left a voicemail with customer service, threatening to go to an openbranch with an AK-47 and shoot up the drive through [sic], as well as damage an ATM, the affidavit states. That same year, Bullard threatened Carvana with mass violence after claiming the online auto dealer sold him a defective vehicle, according to the affidavit. The companys name is redacted in court filings, but several postings in which Bullard relayed his promises to exact revenge are still viewable on social media. Im going to drive the lemon you sold me through your front doors in Friday off i10 in Houston, Bullard wrote in one. Be ready for chaos a**holes[.] @Carvana you will know what you did to me whether you fooking want to or not, he wrote in another. You r***d me and sold me a lemon[.] A third read, F***ing call@me or its all over for your sales team in Houston[.] open image in gallery Taylor Bullard threatened mass violence on Carvana after the online dealer allegedly sold him a lemon ( Getty Images ) However, a review of Bullards social media activity shows him taking a very different tone with Starlink, the Elon Musk-owned satellite internet provider. In one 2022 message posted on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter and also owned by Musk, Bullard posted a screenshot of a service request with a subject line reading, Data speeds are zero, and asked, politely, for an update. Howdy!! Happy Sunday, can someone please give me a more accurate estimate or help me escalate my order? the message said. Ive been waiting 2 years almost to install a line of site antenna and increased single coverage but Ive cripple [sic] myself while waiting on Starlink promises for so long. Can someone please help me estimate or am I completely on my own? In a follow-up message, Bullard invoked Musks brother, a Starlink executive, writing, Please help me through the appropriate channels, Im not afraid to approach Kimbal to get this mess sorted out and gift yall some grassfed jerky and steaks. Thanks, Taylor Corporate America has been in a state of high alert following the December 4 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. After a multi-state manhunt, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was arrested for Thompsons murder and is now facing both state and federal charges. When Mangione was caught, he was carrying a gun similar to the one used to kill Thompson, as well as a short manifesto. The US Marshals Service arrested Bullard in Houston on December 20. He was charged with one count of sending threatening interstate communications, which carries up to five years in prison, and released on $25,000 bond. Bullard will be tried in Virginia, where Capital One is headquartered. Bangladesh's largest railway officially opens across its entire line to traffic Xinhua) 09:32, December 25, 2024 A man takes selfies with his child in front of the first train of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) at Dhaka station, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec. 24, 2024. (Xinhua) DHAKA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- With the first train decorated with colorful balloons and ribbons arriving at Dhaka station, Bangladesh's largest railway Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) officially opened across its entire line to traffic here Tuesday. The PBRLP, one of the significant projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Bangladesh, was built by the China Railway Group Limited (CREC) and funded by the Export-Import Bank of China. The railway, known locally as the "Dream Road," stretches approximately 170 km. Following its opening, travel time between the capital Dhaka and the southwestern city of Jashore will be reduced from the original 10 hours to just three hours. Additionally, the railway is expected to significantly boost economic development in the regions along its route, directly benefiting a population of 80 million and driving Bangladesh's economic growth by 1.5 percentage points. "This is a happy moment for us as Bangladesh enters new railway connectivity via Padma Bridge," Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Railway, said at the opening ceremony. Md. Fahimul Islam, secretary of the Ministry of Railways, said that this commercial operation of this new train is not just the beginning of a new segment, but opens a transformative chapter in the history of Bangladesh railway. "We are grateful for the collaboration of China, whose financing and well-structured construction have been instrumental in implementing this project," the secretary said, adding "This project highlights the friendship between our two countries, mutual respect, shared goals, and vision for sustainable development." For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said that PBRLP is a good example of China-Bangladesh economic and trade cooperation. "China is willing to continue to carry out follow-up cooperation with Bangladesh on the project, to bring greater economic and social benefits to the railway." China is willing to continue to do its best to support Bangladesh's development and work with Bangladesh to advance cooperation in railway and other infrastructure construction, Yao said. "China will continue to encourage Chinese enterprises to make deep contributions in Bangladesh, assist Bangladesh in achieving industrial upgrading and export diversification, and make more contributions to deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and improving the well-being of the Bangladeshi people," said the Chinese ambassador. The rail link, which started construction in July 2018, has passed through the Padma Bridge, the largest of its kind in Bangladesh, built by the China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group. It will serve as a vital channel that connects Dhaka and more than 20 districts in the southern area of Bangladesh, and will also be an important part of the trans-Asian railway network to promote regional connectivity and economic development of Bangladesh. The first train of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) is pictured at Dhaka station, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec. 24, 2024. (Xinhua) People taking the first train of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) arrive at Dhaka station, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec. 24, 2024. (Xinhua) People are pictured inside a train of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) at Dhaka station, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec. 24, 2024. (Xinhua) People board a train of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec. 24, 2024. (Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 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 Bryan Kohberger, the man suspected of killing four University of Idaho college students, was also investigated for an earlier home invasion, according to a new report. Body camera footage shows police responding to a burglary near the University of Idaho a year before the four students were stabbed to death in 2022, ABC News reports. The woman who was home said a masked intruder, who was silent the whole time, entered her bedroom with a knife. She fought him off and her roommate quickly called 911, but the suspect was never caught, according to ABC News. I heard my door open, and I looked over and someone was wearing a ski mask and had a knife, and so I like kickedtheir stomach and scream super loud, and they like flew back into my closet and then ran out my door and up the stairs, the woman told ABC News. Kohberger is no longer a person of interest in the home invasion, police said ( AP ) Less than two weeks after becoming a suspect in the murder of the students, Kohberger was named as a person of interest in the previous, eerily similar, home invasion, according to ABC News. When you look at the Idaho murders, one of the things detectives and agents did almost immediately is, are there other cases in the area that might have some similarities, Brad Garrett, an ABC News crime & terrorism analyst, told the outlet. For example, fingerprints, DNA, hair samples, anything that you could either biologically or genetically or fingerprint wise, link this suspect to that particular burglary. The victim described the home invader as 53 to 55, while Kohberger is 6 feet tall. Kohberger is no longer a person of interest in the break-in, police told ABC News, though the suspect remains at large. Kohberger, a former Washington State University criminology student, is accused of killing University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, at their off-campus home in Moscow in November 2022. He was arrested and charged with the murders around six weeks later. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial is set to begin in August. An Ada County judge recently ruled he can face the death penalty if convicted of the murders, despite his attorneys arguing such a sentence would be unconstitutional. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch has dementia and late-onset Alzheimers that may leave him incompetent to stand trial for the sex trafficking charges hes facing, his lawyers said in court documents filed in New York on Monday. Lawyers for Mike Jeffries, 80, said in the filing that they questioned the former CEOs attentiveness, competency and focus, according to NBC News. The Michael Jeffries who presented himself did not even come close to resembling a masters degree-educated individual, who was just nine years earlier, the chief executive officer of a publicly traded company, the filing reads. Brian H. Bieber, one of his attorneys, questioned Mr. Jeffries competency to rationally assiston a sustained and consistent basiscounsel in connection with the possible factual and legal defenses to the allegations he was facing. Jeffries was examined by a neuropsychologist in October and it was determined that he likely has dementia with behavioral disturbance, Alzheimers disease and Lewy body dementia. open image in gallery Mike Jeffries was examined by a neuropsychologist and it was determined that he likely has dementia ( AP ) The neuropsychologist said that cognitive impairments, including impaired memory, diminished attention, processing speed slowness, and ease of confusion means Jeffries would not be capable of assisting his attorneys, according to the filing. His legal team argued in the filing that a competency hearing is necessary to determine if he can face sex charges. A competency hearing is scheduled for June. Jeffries, who was CEO of the popular clothing chain from 1992 to 2014, was arrested in October on sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges. The former CEO and his romantic partner Matthew Smith, along with James Jacobson, operated an international sex trafficking and prostitution business from 2008 to 2015, according to a federal indictment. The alleged trafficking enterprise was used to locate, recruit, and coerce young men into engaging in sex acts at parties. These sex events took place across the world in locations like the Hamptons on Long Island, New York City and hotels in England, France, Italy, Morocco and Saint Barthelemy, according to the indictment. open image in gallery Jeffries has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and prostitution charges ( AP ) Jacobson allegedly traveled throughout the United States and internationally to recruit and interview men for the Sex Events, according to the indictment. He also allegedly put potential recruits through tryouts, where they performed sexual acts on him. Prosecutors said in court papers that the men were induced by force, fraud and coercion to engage in sex parties in which they were sometimes directed to wear costumes and endure painful erection-inducing injections. In addition to Jacobson, an exclusive set of household staff also facilitated the alleged trafficking, and have been accused of securing physical spaces for sex events and transporting men to and from the gatherings. Jeffries pleaded not guilty to one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution. He was released on $10 million bond with a judge ordering that he be confined to home detention with GPS monitoring and prohibiting him from traveling without the proper approval. Jacobson also pleaded not guilty and was released on bond. But Smith, a dual U.S.- British citizen, was initially detained after prosecutors raised concerns that he might flee the country. open image in gallery Jefferies, who took over as CEO of Abercrombie in 1992, led the companys transformation into a mainstay of early 2000s teen culture ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Earlier this month, Smith, 61, was released on a $10 million bond with conditions including home detention and GPS monitoring. He pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and prostitution charges. Under the terms of the bail agreement, Smith will turn over his passport and he and Jeffries will be limited to $125,000 in monthly withdrawals from a trust set up for their benefit. Jefferies, who took over as CEO of Abercrombie in 1992, led the companys transformation into a mainstay of early 2000s teen culture. He left Abercrombie in 2014, and the Ohio-based company said in a statement posted on Instagram that it was appalled and disgusted by the allegations against him. 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 Hawaii crime boss who died in federal detention this month was killed by an opioid overdose, Honolulus medical examiner said Tuesday. Michael Miske, 50, died of toxicity of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl, the medical examiners office said in a statement. The death appears to have been accidental but the case is still under investigation, it added, and an autopsy report will likely take at least another 30 days. It's not clear how Miske got ahold of fentanyl or para-fluorofentanyl while at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. Para-fluorofentanyl is a synthetic opioid that appears in illicit drugs and is more potent than fentanyl. The Bureau of Prisons did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Miske was found unresponsive at the lockup on December 1. Efforts by staff and emergency medical responders failed to save him, the agency said. He was convicted in July on 13 charges including racketeering conspiracy, murder in the aid of racketeering, and kidnapping resulting in death. He was accused of orchestrating crimes that included the kidnapping of a 72-year-old accountant who owed a debt, the release of a toxic chemical into a rivals nightclubs and the killing of his late sons best friend. The conviction entitled the government to take control of up to $28 million in Miskes assets, including boats, houses and artwork. He was scheduled to be sentenced on January 30. The Bureau of Prisons operates 122 federal lockups across the country. It has suffered a series of incidents and crises in recent years, from rampant sexual abuse and other criminal misconduct by staff to chronic understaffing, escapes and high-profile deaths. In August an inmate and two other people were charged with conspiring to mail drugs to a penitentiary in California, where a mailroom supervisor died after opening a letter that prosecutors said was laced with fentanyl and other substances. 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 Two people were stabbed in New York Citys Grand Central 42nd Street subway station on Christmas Eve in separate attacks. Both victims were taken to hospital and are in stable condition following the attacks in the busy Midtown station, the NYPD confirmed. At around 10.15p.m. on Tuesday, a 42-year-old man was knifed on his left wrist following a reported argument with the assailant on the stairs of the southbound entrance of the station. The suspect fled up the stairs where he got into an argument with a woman, 26, and stabbed her in the neck near the stations turnstiles, according to the New York Post, citing police and law enforcement sources. Witnesses managed to alert police as the suspect fled up an escalator after the second attack and he was arrested at the scene. Police recovered a knife, sources told the Post. No charges have been filed yet. open image in gallery Two people were stabbed in a subway station and taken to hospital on Christmas Eve (file image) ( Getty Images ) Graphic images from the scene showed blood on the floor as police guarded the area. A person of interest has been taken into custody and the investigation remains ongoing, the NYPD confirmed in a statement to The Independent. The suspect has been arrested previously for assaulting a police officer, criminal mischief and fare beating, sources told the Post. The shocking incident follows the recent horrifying death of a woman on the citys subway system after she was set alight. Authorities are reportedly struggling to identify her due to the severity of her burns. The woman was asleep on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday when a man set her on fire in a reportedly random attack. Police have struggled to pull fingerprints from the victim, leading to a delay in the identification process, prosecutors and sources also told the Post. open image in gallery Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, is accused of setting a woman on fire on the subway in a separate incident ( AP ) The man accused of her murder, Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, appeared at an arraignment hearing in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Tuesday afternoon. The court heard the suspect used a shirt to fan the flames as the woman burned to death. The suspect is due back in court on Friday. The crime and the graphic video of it that ricocheted across social media deepened a growing sense of unease among some New Yorkers about the safety of the subway system. Overall, according to authorities, crime is down in the transit system this year when compared to last year. Data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority shwed a decline of six percent in major felanies between January and November of this year compared to 2023. Murders are on the up, however, with nine killings this year through November compared to five in the same period last year. 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 man accused of lighting a woman on fire on a New York City subway and fanning the flames as she burned to death has been indicted on state charges, while authorities are yet to publicly identify the victim. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was hit with murder and arson charges on Friday in a Brooklyn court, though he waived his right to a court appearance and remains in custody until his arraignment next month. Authorities allege Zapeta who federal immigration officials say is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally calmly approached the woman aboard a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn on Sunday morning and set her clothing ablaze. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Sunday described the case as one of the most depraved crimes one person could possibly commit against another human being. Heres the latest: What do we know about the suspect? Zapeta was taken into custody on Sunday December 22, hours after police disseminated images of a suspect in the womans death. Police said three high schoolers called 911 after recognizing the person in the image, and officers found him on another subway train in the same gray hoodie, wool hat, paint-splattered pants and tan boots. Zapeta told investigators that he had drunk a lot of liquor and did not know what had happened. However, he did later identify himself in photos and surveillance video showing the attack. open image in gallery Sebastian Zapeta, 33, was arrested after being identified by members of the public following the harrowing incident on December 22 ( via REUTERS ) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Jeff Carter said Zapeta is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally after he had been previously deported to Guatemala in 2018. It is unclear when and where he reentered the U.S., Carter said. He was arraigned in Brooklyn criminal court on Tuesday, appearing before a judge while wearing a white jumpsuit. He did not speak. Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg, during Tuesdays court hearing, alleged Zapeta lit the womans clothing on fire and then fanned the flames using a shirt. Rottenberg added that under interrogation Zapeta claimed he didnt know what happened, noting that he consumes alcohol. But he alleged that Zapeta identified himself to interrogators in images of the attack. A Brooklyn address for Zapeta released by police matches a service center for Samaritan Daytop Village, which provides housing and substance abuse support. The organization did not respond to a request for comment. On Friday December 27, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced that Zapeta had been indicted on charges incuding first degree murder, second degree murder and arson. Gonzalez said that state charges had been brought to ensure that the maximum penalty could be sought for the heinous crime. open image in gallery Zapeta was indicted on state charges including murder and arson on Friday, though waived his right to appear in court ( AP ) Zapeta waived his right to appear at the hearing, and will be held at New Yorks Rikers Island complex until his arraignment on January 7. At this time the full indictment will be unsealed. What do we know about the victim? The victim had not been publicly identified as of Tuesday. An NYPD spokesperson said earlier in the day that an identification was still pending at this time. Police have described her only as a woman. Tisch said at a press conference on Sunday that the victim was in a seated position at the end of the train car when she was set on fire. Joseph Gulotta, the departments chief of transit, added that police dont believe the suspect and the victim knew each other, and that they did not interact before or during the incident. On Friday, Gonzalez said a lot of work was going into identifying the victim, but she was still unkown. It's a priority for me, for my office [and] for the police department to identify this woman so we can notify her family of what had happened to her, he said. A vigil for the woman was held by community leaders at the Stillwell Avenue Train Station F Line in Coney Island on Thursday. Civil rights Leader Reverend Kevin McCall said: Were calling on the police commissioner, the governor, and the mayor. The slogan in this city is, if you see something, say something. But no one said nothing. No one did nothing. They just watched this young lady burn on fire alive. Homeless lives matter. She was burnt up so bad that police couldnt even identify who she is. open image in gallery A vigil for the unideintified woman took place at the Stillwell Avenue Train Station F Line in Coney Island on Thursday ( FNTV ) What kind of police presence is there on the subway? Police patrol the New York City subways, and there is a vast network of cameras in stations and in all subway cars. But the sheer size of the subway system 472 stations with multiple entry points and millions of riders each day makes policing it logistically difficult. On Sunday, officers were at the station but were patrolling a different platform. They responded after seeing and smelling smoke coming from the fire. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier this year directed members of the states National Guard to assist with random bag checks at certain stations. Is crime up on the subways? Violent incidents on the subway and in stations often put people on edge, partly because many New Yorkers take the train multiple times a day and often have their own experiences with uncomfortable interactions in the system. Broadly, crime is down in the city transit system this year compared to the same period in 2023. Data compiled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority shows a 6% decline in what the agency calls major felonies between January and November of this year and 2023. At the same time, murders in the transit system are up, with nine killings this year through November compared to five in the same time frame last year. High-profile incidents on the train often attract national attention and further unnerve passengers. Daniel Penny, a military veteran who placed an agitated subway rider, was acquitted of homicide this month. When you have these incidents, it overshadows the success and it plays on the psyche of New Yorkers, said New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a Monday interview on PIX 11, noting that many high-profile incidents in the transit system involve people with mental health issues. The Associated Press contributed reporting. 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 One person is dead and five are injured after a boat exploded in a Florida marina. The incident was caught on camera just before 6 p.m on Monday. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to multiple 911 calls reporting the explosion at the Lauderdale Marina. After one boat exploded, the fire that originated from the vessel spread to a second. Three out of five victims were transported to nearby hospitals with traumatic injuries. The two others were transported as well but its unclear what their conditions were. Divers searched the water for one person who went missing after the blast. That person was later confirmed deceased, officials with the Broward Sheriffs Office told NBC News. Multiple agencies are investigating the cause of the explosion, including the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Broward Sheriffs Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the US Coast Guard, the outlet reported. It wasnt immediately clear what caused the blast. Once the vessels are removed from the water and examined, authorities will be able to determine what happened, fire officials said. Footage of the incident was caught on EarthCam set up at the marina. It shows the moment the boat exploded and people running around in the aftermath. One woman whose family was on a boat behind the one that exploded told NBC News she thought the incident sounded like a firecracker going off. We saw a lot of smoke, Maria Sanz told the outlet. I was screaming, screaming, screaming, and they told us we had to get out right away. Still, her family tried rescuing people from the water, even when the fire spread to her familys boat. My cousin was kneeling in front of the boat, so I ran to her and I saw that she was holding on to a girl, and the girl was kind of drowning, Sanz told NBC. She was trying to put her head up so she wouldnt drown. When Sanz turned around, she saw another victim in the water and tried to throw him a rope, according to the outlet. I saw that a guy was kind of fighting, trying not to drown, she continued. I got off the boat, ran to the dock and started throwing a rope and I was screaming. Thats when the fire neared her familys vessel. It started coming towards us, so the front part and side were starting to get on fire while we were still trying to get these people out of the water, said Sanz. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President-elect Donald Trumps net worth ballooned from $2.5 billion to $6.1 billion during a year marred by legal struggles and assassination attempts. Trumps majority stake in his social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (TMTG), the parent company of Truth Social, was the main driver of this growth. The president-elect began the year with a net worth of about $2.5 billion, according to Forbes. That was a decrease from his previous term in the White House when it reached $4 billion. His net worth was not as volatile before he became the owner of a publicly traded company, the outlet noted. Trumps net worth rose quickly from $2.3 billion to $6.4 billion just a day after the parent company of Truth Social went public, with his legal struggles pushing down his net worth between the beginning of the year and March. Shares in the company rose after the merger between Digital World Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company, and TMTG. After the company had been publicly traded for two days, Trumps net worth reached $7 billion. On April 16, Trumps net worth slumped to one of its lowest levels of the year, when the share price of TMTG decreased for several days. But, by the end of the month, the share price was on the rise again, with Trump increasing his stake in the company, and his net worth hit $7.6 billion. Trumps net worth reached its highest point of all time $8.1 billion in early May. It stayed above $5 billion for the duration of the month, reaching $8 billion once more on May 14. Coincidentally, this was the same day a jury found Trump liable for the sexual abuse of writer E Jean Carroll, granting her $5 million in damages. Days before, adult actor Stormy Daniels took the stand in the hush money trial which led to 34 convictions for Trump for falsifying business records. The day after his conviction in late May, Trumps net worth decreased by $300 million to $7.5 billion. On July 14, Trump survived an attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania. The following day, TMTG saw a surge, increasing his net worth to $6.1 billion. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump smiles during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on December 22, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. His net worth fluctuated heavily during 2024 ( Getty Images ) By September 13, Trump revealed that he wasnt going to sell his TMTG shares as a lockup period that stopped him from selling was coming to an end, with his net worth increasing by about $200 million to $3.9 billion. The rise came after a drop in his net worth following his much-criticized debate performance against Vice President Kamala Harris. As the betting odds of a Trump victory in the election grew, and TMTG shares rallied, Trumps net worth reached $8 billion again in late October. Winning the election led to Trumps net worth reaching $6.2 billion the following day, with it remaining above $5.1 billion for the rest of November, according to Forbes. During Trumps initial month as president-elect, his net worth reached $6 billion by December 9. It was $6.51 billion as of December 16. It changed slightly as of December 20 when Trump put his full stake in a trust. Trumps assets were worth $6.1 billion as of December 23, putting him in 530th place of the worlds wealthiest people, according to Forbes. His wealth is mostly connected to the share price of TMTG. With a 60 percent stake, hes the largest shareholder. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Joe Biden spent Christmas Eve signing 50 bills into law, including one piece of legislation supported by Paris Hilton and another designating the bald eagle as the U.S. national bird. The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, backed by Hilton, a socialite and activist, is designed to hold teenage treatment centers and care facilities accountable. Hilton spent time on Capitol Hill promoting the measure. This month, the Senate voted unanimously to support the bill, and it passed the House by a vote of 367 to 33. Biden signed the law Tuesday. Hilton, meanwhile, has expressed interest in possibly becoming an elected official. Biden also signed legislation, sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, and Minnesota Reps. Brad Finstad and Angie Craig, making the bald eagle the official bird of the U.S. Bald eagles are a historical symbol of the United States representing independence, strength, and freedom, the bill states, also noting that the bird remains the leading insignia for all branches of the United States military. The co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center, Preston Cook, who helped push for the legislation, said in a statement earlier this month that the Bald Eagle has symbolized American ideals since its placement on the Great Seal in 1782. "With this legislation, we honor its historic role and solidify its place as our national bird and an emblem of our national identity," he added. US President Joe Biden speaks during a holiday visit to patients and families at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 20, 2024. Biden signed 50 bills into law on Christmas Eve ( AFP via Getty Images ) Among the other bills signed on Christmas Eve was the Stop Campus Hazing Act, which creates disclosure regulations at federally funded universities, requiring them to report on campus hazing incidents in their annual security reports. On-campus fraternities and sororities often take part in hazings as part of their pledging proceedings. North Carolina State University has found that more than half of college students take part in some kind of hazing. Biden signed two bills renaming local post offices in honor of community leaders in Texas and California. A post office in Bastrop, Texas will be renamed after Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh, a CIA intelligence officer and Army soldier who spent more than 50 years serving the U.S. Meanwhile, a post office in San Francisco, California, will be renamed after the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The president also signed a number of bills to rename federal buildings, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs community clinic in Lynchburg, Virginia, which is now the Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic, The Hill noted. The Veterans Affairs medical center in Tulsa, Oklahoma was renamed after the late Sen. Jim Inhofe. 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 How much did you pay to have your daughter raped? Your wife and daughter will pay for the trip with their bodies. If you cross into Texas illegally, you will regret it forever. These slogans are among the blunt and at times graphic messages the state of Texas is paying an estimated $100,000 to install on billboards across Mexico and Central America in the coming weeks, in the hopes of deterring future illegal immigration. Were here to expose the truth, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said at a recent press conference about the plan, calling it tough medicine. There is a largely unspoken sexual assault crisis impacting women and children, children migrating to the Texas border, Rose Luna, the CEO of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, added at the event. We applaud the state in recognizing the silent crisis and for acknowledging and elevating this very serious yet hidden issue. The billboards are part of Texass larger, controversial effort to pursue its own state-level immigration enforcement actions, which are typically the province of the federal government. open image in gallery Texas Governor Greg Abbott has spent over $11bn fortifying the state to stop immigration ( Getty Images ) The state has spent over $11 billion building border walls, busing migrants to Democratic cities, and surging state troops to the border, part of what Abbott has declared is an effort to fend off an invasion of immigrants that gives him special emergency powers. Some observers argue these billboards, which will be translated into four languagesSpanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russianare telling migrants what they already know, which is that traveling to the U.S. to cross the border often carries the risk of sexual violence and buse from coyote guides across the border to cartels to Border Patrol agents themselves. There seems to be a misunderstanding on two counts, University of California Davis migration and trafficking expert David Kyle toldThe Washington Post. First, that if migrants only knew the dangers, they wouldnt take the risks. Second, we also seem to have a lack of awareness [of] the depth of the challenges in their home communities. Moreover, even if people dont attempt an illegal crossing, they still face high risks merely heading to the U.S., where they can legally request asylum by presenting themselves to federal officers. open image in gallery Migrants face risk of sexual violence on both sides of the border, data shows ( AP ) A Reuters investigation in 2023 documented a spike in sexual violence against migrants in border cities like Reynosa and Matamoros, and data suggests women are making up an increasing percentage of those found dead at the border. And making it inside the U.S. is sadly no guarantee of safety either for immigrants. In July, the Department of Justice sued a Texas nonprofit, accusing it of a pattern of sexual abuse against unaccompanied immigrant children held in their custody. Texass border crackdown has joined a Biden administration thats sought to tighten immigration in its final months in office. The president placed limits on asylum over the summer, which observers say has brought border-crossings down. Meanwhile, recently released data shows that Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported more than 271,000 people over the last fiscal year, the highest level since 2014. 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 re-emergence of Donald Trumps territorial ambitions related to Greenland has added another strange new wrinkle to the presidential transition process. And while its highly unlikely that the president-elect will have any success in convincing the governments of either Greenland or Denmark to sever the ties between the European country and its autonomous North American territory, its worth looking into the process of how the U.S. acquires new territories and how that territory could be classified. Greenland has been tied to Denmark politically and culturally for more than a century. Perhaps not recognizing the strength of those ties, the United States has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring the land and its people; the first push by U.S. politicians to purchase Greenland began in 1867, led by then-Secretary of State William Seward. Little has changed since then. There is no serious interest in the population of Greenland to join the U.S., and there never has been. Close ties between the U.S. and the Danish government dating back to World War II have led to a limited but enduring American presence on the island, however, in the form of Pituffik, an air/space military installation now operated by the U.S. Space Force. The site is one of the U.S.s most important early-warning missile defense systems. Its the strategic military and economic interests compounded by two-thirds of the territory falling within the Arctic Circle that makes the island so attractive to Trump and other U.S. politicians over the years. So what would Greenlands acquisition actually look like? Donald Trump has yet to take office for a second term, but is already stressing US relationships with allies around the globe. ( Getty Images ) Were Denmark and Greenland to suddenly reverse all opposition to the latter joining the U.S., the process would involve a treaty between Denmark and the U.S. That treaty would require ratification by two-thirds of Congress and a signature by the president before taking effect. But Greenland would not become a state automatically. The U.S. controls several territories that have not made sustained (successful) pushes for statehood: American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Were Greenland to be purchased by the U.S. or admitted otherwise, it would become a U.S. territory until a separate statehood process took place. Statehood was last granted to Hawaii in 1959, more than 60 years after the territory was first annexed by the United States following a coup backed by the U.S. military. The territory of Hawaii became the nations 50th state after successive statehood bills were put forward and died in Congress before finally reaching President Dwight Eisenhowers desk. Eisenhower signed the bill, which was then ratified by a statehood vote on the island. In the modern era, Puerto Rico is the most active among the remaining U.S. territories in pushing for statehood. A majority of voters backed statehood in a referendum on the November ballot, though there is no serious movement yet in Congress behind the issue. The District of Columbia, too, has pushed for statehood; Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser is a strong advocate for the nations capital to be admitted as a state, rather than having its affairs managed by Congress. While both developments would be unlikely under a GOP-controlled Congress and White House, the latter is a near-impossibility over the next four years given the strong liberal bent of the Districts voting population. Were Greenland to be hypothetically admitted as a territory through purchase or diplomatic arrangement, it too would face a congressional battle over statehood. Unlike a treaty vote, it would require simple majorities in both chambers to pass (with the caveat that it would have to avoid a Senate filibuster, requiring 60 votes). The islands voters would then have the final say. As competition with China and Russia is expected to ramp up due to a warming Arctic, Greenland could remain in the spotlight for some time. More likely than not, however, the discussion in the immediate future will center around the damage the incoming president could do to U.S. relationships around the world with his dreams of territorial expansion and an America First foreign policy. 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 rattled North American diplomatic relations over the weekend with a threat to retake the Panama Canal, two and a half decades after the US transferred control of the vital global trade route to Panama. In a series of posts on Truth Social, the president-elect accused the country of ripping off the US. Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way, Trump wrote. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US. Panamanian officials have pushed back against the threats, with President Jose Raul Mulino saying in a Sunday statement that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone belongs to Panama, and will continue to do so. The dispute over the canal is just the latest chapter of Trump drama in Panama. Before and throughout his first term in the White House, a high-profile Trump hotel project in the country was a seemingly unending source of scandal and financial problems, ranging from a partners bankruptcy to money-laundering allegations to long-running legal battles. open image in gallery Trump has threatened to go back on a treaty and reassert US control over the Panama Canal ( AP ) In 2011, Trump and his business partners cut the ribbon on the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower, a 70-story, sail-shaped skyscraper that loomed large over Panama City and the Trump Organization itself. The tower, which was first conceived way back in 2005, was Trumps first international hotel venture and one of the tallest buildings in Latin America. Trump capital didnt go towards building the development itself, but the tower used the Trump name for branding, and companies controlled by the Trump Organization would manage the property, which contained a casino, hotel rooms and condos. Even in the early days, the project seemed doomed, with one of Trumps partners defaulting on debts soon after the tower opened and later filing for bankruptcy. Ricardo Martinelli, president of Panama at the time of the opening, has since been convicted of money-laundering and has taken shelter inside the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama. open image in gallery Trump opened his first international hotel venture in 2011 in Panama City with the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower ( AFP/Getty ) Subsequent investigations from news outlets alleged that one of the main brokers who sold units in the tower, Alexandre Ventura Nogueira, met repeatedly with Ivanka Trump while working on the project and did business with organized crime figures who may have used the properties for money-laundering, earning the tower the nickname Narco-a-Lago, a play on Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The Trump Organization was not the owner, developer or seller of the Trump Ocean Club Panama project, the Trump Organization said after the money-laundering allegations. Because of its limited role, the company was not responsible for the financing of the project and had no involvement in the sale of units or the retention of any real estate brokers. The company told Reuters it never had any contractual relationship or significant dealings with Nogueira. open image in gallery Trump later fought for control of the Panama City tower with a developer who bought out the majority of units ( Wikipedia ) Nogueira fled Panama on bail while awaiting trial on unrelated fraud charges, and spoke to reporters as a fugitive in disguise in Europe. At one point, as Ocean Club condo owners objected to the Trump teams management practices and sought to fire the company, accusing them of overspending and taking excessive bonuses. Trump responded by suing, demanding $75m for wrongful termination. open image in gallery A key broker on the Trump Panama project may have sold units to organized crime figures who used properties as vehicles for money-laundering ( Getty ) The litigation was settled in 2016 the same year Trump was elected president but the drama around the tower didnt end there. 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, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team, told The Independent in a statement. Unlike most politicians, President Trump didnt get into politics for profit hes fighting because he loves the people of this country and wants to make America great again. In 2017, businessman Orestes Fintiklis bought hundreds of units inside the hotel-condo portion of the building for between $20m and $25m from one of the towers bankrupt developers, making him the controlling owner. He helped lead owners of units in the building in calls to sever their relationship with the Trump companies managing the development. The Trump Organization accused Fintiklis of violating the terms of his original acquisition deals for the units, saying he agreed not to interfere in the Trump teams management of the hotel. By the following year, as Fintiklis sought to assume what he argued was majority ownership of the tower, shoving matches broke out between his employees and remaining Trump Organization staff. In one incident, the Trump team allegedly barred the new owners from entering a room with computer servers and CCTV monitors, prompting the owners group to allegedly shut off power to the room. Panamanian President calls out Trump for trying to take credit for building Panama Canal Fintiklis accused the Trump companies of shredding documents and hastily building walls to lock the new owners out of certain areas, while the Trump Organization accused the Fintiklis group of thug-like, mob-style tactics. In a 2018 suit filed in New York federal court and amended multiple times since, Fintiklis and his company Ithaca Capital Partners accused Trump companies managing the Panama tower of intentionally evading taxes related to their role overseeing the development, allegedly saddling the new owners with millions in liability when an alleged 2018 audit uncovered the shortfall, the suit claimed. Later filings accused the Trump managers of understating employee salaries to reduce potential social security tax payments and painting the buildings finances in a false light before Fintiklis was bought in, which the company denied and called completely false. To the extent any taxes were to be withheld, the Trump Organization told The New York Times in 2019, they were the responsibility of the new owners, the company said. The Trump Organization added it did not evade any taxes. open image in gallery Trumps name has since been pried off the sign outside the signature Panama project The complaints also accused the Trump companies of mismanaging the tower and letting it fall into disrepair, as wings of the skyscraper sat virtually empty. At the time, the Trump Organization said the fight had nothing to do with the president of the United States. A Panamanian court eventually ruled in Fintikliss favor in the ownership dispute, and a workman pried the silver Trump name from the sign outside the Panama tower in 2018. Ithaca appears to have dropped its suit against the Trump companies in 2021, according to federal court records viewed by The Independent. The Independent has contacted Ithaca and the Trump Organization for comment. The tower is now a JW Marriott, but the Trump name is clearly not leaving the headlines in Panama any time soon. 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 An international investigation has begun into how an Embraer 190 passenger jet with 67 people onboard crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people but leaving 29 survivors Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243, which had been flying from Baku to Grozny, the capital of Russias Chechnya, crash-landed instead a few kilometres short of Aktau airport. It was the first fatal accident anywhere in the world involving a passenger jet in 2024. Unverified video footage of the crash showed the aircraft descending apparently with control problems and hitting the ground where it burst into flames. Children were among the survivors being treated at a nearby hospital, authorities said in a statement. Some of the videos posted on social media showed survivors dragging fellow passengers away from the wreckage. Russias aviation watchdog a preliminary investigation indicated the pilot decided to change landing site after a collision with birds. But Reuters news agency noted that the plane had diverted from an area of Russia that Moscow has recently defended against Ukrainian drone attacks. The news agency quoted Richard Aboulafia, an analyst at consultancy AeroDynamic Advisory, who also raised doubt over a bird strike. You can lose control of the plane, but you dont fly wildly off course as a consequence, he said. However, Azeri president Ilham Aliyev said that it was too soon to speculate on the reasons behind the crash, and said bad weather in Grozny had forced the flight to divert. open image in gallery Emergency specialists work at the crash site in Kazakhstan ( Kazakhstan's emergency situation ministry/AFP ) Mr Aliyev said: The information provided to me is that the plane changed its course between Baku and Grozny due to worsening weather conditions and headed to Aktau airport, where it crashed upon landing. Commercial aviation-tracking websites monitored the flight as it flew north on its scheduled route along the west coast before it disappeared. It then reappeared on the east coast, where it circled near Aktau airport before crashing into the beach. Kazakh officials said those aboard the plane included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhs and three Kyrgyzstan nationals. Five of the 67 were crew. Transport prosecutor, Timur Suleimenov, told a briefing that the planes black box, which contains flight data to help determine the cause of a crash, had been found, Interfax reported. President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences, while Mr Aliyev decided to return home from Russia where he had been due to attend a summit. Unfortunately, Azerbaijans President Aliyev was forced to leave St Petersburg [where he had a summit]. Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. We deeply sympathise with those who lost their relatives and friends in this plane crash and wish a speedy recovery to all those who managed to survive. open image in gallery Emergency workers at the crash site in Kazakhstan ( Kazakhstan's emergency situation ministry/AFP ) Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, expressed his condolences in a statement and said some of those being treated in hospital were in an extremely serious condition and that he and others would pray for their recovery. Kazakhstani, Azerbaijani and Russian authorities said they were investigating the crash. Embraer said in a statement it is ready to assist all relevant authorities. Azerbaijan Airlines suspended all its flights from Baku to Russia's Chechnya until the investigation is finished, Russias state TASS news agency reported. 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 Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, Vladimir Putin has faced persistent opposition not only in Western capitals but also inside his own country. For Russians though, criticising the president comes at a cost one Salavat Abylkalikov knows all too well. Abylkalikov, 38, a former professor at one of Russias most prestigious universities, says he was compelled to flee Moscow last year to escape being conscripted to fight in the Ukraine war, and protect his wife and daughter from harm and separation. The war, which started nearly three years ago, has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians and Russians and made an estimated six million people refugees. Russia has suffered the biggest brain drain since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, says Abylkalikov, who now lives in exile in the UK. Abylkalikov is one of 400 academics from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine who, since the start of the war, have fled or sought help to leave from the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), a British charity that assists foreign scholars looking to escape dangerous places or situations. Nearly 300 of the academics are from Ukraine the highest number of requests for support from scholars in a European country since the 1930s. open image in gallery Salavat Abylkalikov with his wife ( Sourced by The Independent ) Speaking to The Independent from his new home in England, Abylkalikov recalls escaping the clutches of police trying to round up men for conscription. When mobilisation started in Russia, I was actively teaching. But every day when I went to the university, I was afraid that they would catch me. There were no rules of exception for the science and academic community. So in the centre of Moscow, as I was approaching a metro station, I could see police waiting to catch hold of men like me, he tells The Independent. For a scholar opposing the war, the professor recalls, I faced serious risks, including potential criminal prosecution, dismissal from work, and possible attempts at forced conscription into the war against Ukraine. He says he became increasingly uncomfortable with the atmosphere at his university, where some people openly backed the war. At home, his wife grew more stressed by the day. After four years of marriage, Abylkalikov and his wife were expecting their first child in December 2022, just after Putin mobilised military reservists, widening the pool of men eligible to fight in the war. In Russia, there have been documented cases of children being separated from parents because of their anti-war and opposition activities, Abylkalikov says, adding that he didnt want such a fate to befall his family. open image in gallery Salavat Abylkalikov with his wife and daughter ( Sourced by The Independent ) For he and his wife, he says, life in Moscow became hell. As he continued telling students that war was not good for Russia many, he says, understood this the university appointed a Putin loyalist named Sergey Karaganov as the dean of his department. Karaganov openly backed the war and argued that Moscow could attack a Nato nation. Just before he left Moscow in the summer of 2023, a student at the university became a casualty of war, a life cut short by Putins so-called special military operation. Taras Konstantinovich Alekseev died heroically while performing his military duty, a university obituary read. He was 20 years old. The war now at his doorstep, the professor asked Cara for help and the charity helped get him to the UK. open image in gallery Salavat Abylkalikov and his wife now live in England ( Sourced by The Independent ) Abylkalikov, who is now a visiting researcher in humanities and geography and environmental sciences at Northumbria University, says the Kremlin is playing Russian roulette with the lives of young men. Russian volunteers heading to war are offered substantial one-time payments, ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 rubles, as well as monthly salaries of about 2,500 rubles. In the case of disability, they are compensated with 40,000 rubles. In the event of death, the payment to their families is reportedly around 70,000 rubles, he says. The payments arent uniform and depend on where the recruit comes from. The majority of the mobilised men reportedly come from small villages, industrial towns, and poor republics. Signing up for military service earns them thousands of rubles as opposed to the 300-400 rubles their jobs offer, he explains. The gamble, however, comes with the risk of death. Yet, they are often willing to take this Russian roulette gamble, and in many cases, their families are willing to support this decision, he tells The Independent. Research earlier this year by The Bell, an independent Russian website, found that 650,000 Russians had fled the country since the Ukraine war began. While some of them have since returned, Abylkalikov says academics like him are not going back any time soon. As the war grinds on with no end in sight, Cara is urging the international community to save the scholars affected by the deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War. The need for international support to protect the worlds greatest minds has never been more pressing, Caras executive director, Stephen Wordsworth, says, calling for support to provide safe haven to scholars under siege. 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 large-scale Russian missile and drone attack targeting Ukraines energy system on Christmas Day has been condemned as inhumane by president Volodymyr Zelensky. Half a million people were left without heating in Kharkiv in temperatures just a few degrees above freezing, as blackouts were reported in Kyiv and other regions. At least one person was killed and six others wounded in the attack, described by one Ukrainian energy chief as Vladimir Putins state-sponsored terrorism. The massive attack came as Ukraine officially celebrated Christmas on 25 December for only the second time, in a move to reduce the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, which celebrates on 7 January. It provoked outrage from outgoing US President Joe Biden who vowed to deliver more weapons to Ukraine after sending hundreds of air defence missiles in recent months. The Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace and safety, he said. Mr Zelensky said more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and over 100 attack drones were used to strike Ukraines power sources. Nearly 60 missiles and 54 drones were shot down, according to Ukraines air force. Follow our blog for the latest updates open image in gallery Rescuers of Ukraines State Emergency Service work to put out a fire in a private house after a drone strike in Kharkiv ( Sergey Bobok/AFP via Getty ) Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice not only of targets but also of timing and date. Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Mr Zelensky said. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine. Mr Zelenskys comments were echoed by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who paid tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people ... in the face of further drone and missile attacks from Putins bloody and brutal war machine, with no respite, even at Christmas. The prime minister added: As we go into the new year, it remains vital that we redouble our resolve to place Ukraine in the strongest possible position to end Russias illegal aggression against the Ukrainian people. Mr Biden also released a statement condemning the outrageous attack by Moscow, while promising to continue a surge in weapon deliveries to Ukraine. Washington has committed $175 billion in aid for Ukraine - although it is uncertain the flow will continue under Donald Trump, who becomes president next month. Mr Biden said: I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraines position in its defense against Russian forces. Having spent Christmas Eve near the battlefields of the Kharkiv region reporting on Ukrainian drone operators destroying Russian military targets, The Independents Askold Krushelnycky described the attack. Two hours after I returned to my hotel I was awoken at 6.30am on Christmas morning by the Russian military attacking civilian targets in Kharkiv, he said. The city, in eastern Ukraine, is so close to the border that Russias missiles, glide bombs and drones, that attack Kharkiv most days, often hit their targets before the air-raid sirens have time to sound. Russias defence ministry said it had conducted a large-scale strike on what it claimed were critical energy facilities supporting Kyivs military-industrial complex. Ukraines energy minister German Galushchenko warned that restrictions on the countrys electricity supply were in place as a result. A thermal power plant was struck, prompting Ukrainians to take shelter in metro stations, with the military launching a nationwide air alert in response to Russian cruise missile launches. Ukraines air force said missiles were fired at the eastern Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Poltava regions. open image in gallery Rescuers evacuate a local resident from a residential building heavily damaged during a Russian missile attack on Christmas Eve ( Reuters ) The strikes wounded at least six people in the city of Kharkiv and killed one in the Dnipropetrovsk region, local governors said. Mr Krushelnycky said: I was woken by a loud bang which was followed in the next minutes by at least four more explosions and then a little while later by yet another. Since then air raid alarms have been sounding frequently and the sound of emergency vehicles sirens has provided the audio backdrop all Christmas Day. The hotel where I am staying informed me when I first stayed in it last year that they had no basement and, therefore, no air raid shelter of their own but there was one, a short dash away, available to guests. The air raid sirens can sound in the capital, Kyiv, and other large Ukrainian cities multiple times. In Ukraines second-largest city, Kharkiv, its a rare day they dont sound multiple times. So most Ukrainians dont rush to the shelters when the alarms sound or, in places like Kharkiv, even when there are distant explosions. Dnipropetrovsk governor Serhiy Lysak said the fatality occurred in an attack on regional power facilities. Since the morning, the Russian army has been massively attacking the Dnipro region. It is trying to destroy the regions power system, he said. Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov reported massive missile fire, adding: A series of explosions rang out in the city and there are still ballistic missiles flying in the direction of the city. Stay in safe places. open image in gallery Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Vladimir Putin had deliberately chosen to attack on Christmas Day ( EPA ) Ukraines largest private energy company DTEK said its generating facilities were attacked, with power equipment seriously damaged, in the 13th large-scale assault on the energy sector this year. We appeal to every ally of Ukraine to end this state-sponsored terrorism now by giving our armed forces the air defence ammunition they need to protect essential energy infrastructure, DTEK chief executive Maxim Timchenko said. Russia has intensified attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector since spring, damaging almost half of its generating capacity and causing prolonged blackouts. open image in gallery Ukrainian troops prepare to fire a mortar towards Russian troops ( Reuters ) The US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said: Russias Christmas gift to Ukraine: more than 70 missiles and 100 drones, directed at Ukrainian families celebrating in their homes and the energy infrastructure that keeps them. For the third holiday season, Russia weaponises winter. The latest attack came just a day after at least one person was killed and 15 injured in Mr Zelenskys hometown of Kryvyi Rih after a ballistic missile struck an apartment building in the central Ukrainian city. The monsters landed a direct hit on a four-storey residential block with 32 apartments, said local military chief Oleksandr Vilkul. Additional reporting by news 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 In the two years since its formation, Ukraines 13th National Guard Brigade called Khartiya has gained a reputation not only for prowess in battle but also for its culture of respect and innovative approach to technology. Khartiya helped to halt Russian forces who launched a surprise incursion last May that threatened to overwhelm Kharkiv, from where many of its original members come. The brigade was deployed to confront the Russian incursion around the village of Lyptsi, north of Ukraines second-largest city, last June; the forested area has since been a pivotal battleground. And it was there last week that Khartiya announced it had fought a battle for the first time using only drones both unmanned aerial vehicles and robotic ground vehicles that sprayed the enemy using remote-control machine guns and laid anti-tank mines, inflicting large casualties and preventing a Russian attack without the loss of a single Ukrainian life. The brigades spokesperson, Sergeant Volodymyr Dehtyarev, said Khartiya is committed to creating a new Ukrainian army using Nato standards of training that, unlike the Soviet-style hierarchical structures that still linger in many parts of the Ukrainian military, show respect for every member of the fighting force and use education and discussion to cultivate, rather than suppress, individual initiative. open image in gallery Drone being prepared for a bombing run near Lyptsi ( Askold Krushelnycky ) He said that the brigade had particularly benefited from British training that emphasised the need for every soldier, of whatever rank, to be able to take part in the planning of a mission or battle and, if necessary, to take over leadership from a superior rank. On Christmas Eve, The Independent was taken in a four-wheel-drive vehicle to one of Khartiyas drone units covering a section of the brigadess trenches and bunkers in the Lyptsi area. After leaving the highway northwards from Kharkiv, our vehicles headed along country roads and largely deserted villages cloaked in fog as the temperature dipped toward freezing. Along the way, we visited two bases where Khartiya brigade members were resting for a few days before returning to the front lines. open image in gallery Carolers visit troops on Christmas Eve near Kharkiv ( Askold Krushelnycky ) As in many other European countries, Ukrainians have their main festive meal on Christmas Eve rather than 25 December. Dinner traditionally consists of 12 dishes, one for each of the disciples. All 12 courses were not a practical proposition in the spartan conditions of the village houses being used by the resting soldiers. But the brigade provided some dishes while the soldiers themselves prepared others. An essential ingredient of the traditional Ukrainian Christmas meal is kutia, an ancient sweet dish of grains, honey and poppyseed. Dehtyarev, accompanying The Independent, distributed some. The mood was subdued but not sad. A company commander with the call sign Czech said: Of course tonight everybody is thinking about the families they have left behind. I have a wife and a girl aged 18 and a boy 14 years old. I miss them and this is the third Christmas I will not be with them. But I have to be here as long as is needed and I know my family understands that. open image in gallery Makalatura guides a Vampire to its target in Lyptsi ( Askold Krushelnycky ) Czech said he and his men spent seven days at the front followed by seven days rest. Many of the Ukrainian soldiers have occupied trenches and tunnel networks abandoned by Russians they have driven out. Others they have dug themselves. In a pattern repeated everywhere along the front lines, small groups of Russians, sometimes brought close to Ukrainian lines in armoured personnel carriers, or riding off-road bikes or quad vehicles, try to press forward despite horrendous losses. Ukrainian and western sources estimate Russias losses are around 1,200 dead or wounded daily, with often more than 1,500 casulaties. Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his generals are indifferent to the high losses because Putin has eliminated all opposition voices so there is no political blowback for him. Czech said: The fighting is intense and the enemy is sometimes only 25 or 50m away. We can see them. There is no let up and after seven days everyone needs a rest. On a night like this, were also thinking about our comrades that have been killed and will never see their families again or those who have been badly wounded. open image in gallery Drone unit member Bandera ( Khartiya Brigade ) One of the brigades chaplains, protestant Pastor Oleksandr, visited the bases talking with those who wanted to speak with him and leading a short prayer meeting. A family of four, dressed in traditional costumes, also visited the bases to sing carols. Moving along narrow roads that had been turned to mud, Dehtyarev drove The Independent to a concealed location that is home to a drone unit. As the fairy lights on the Yuletide tree in their bunker twinkled in the closing minutes of Christmas Eve, two soldiers, working above ground, adorned a large Vampire drone with a deadly 20-pound bomb intended to deliver a lethal greeting behind the Russian lines. The black, lorry wheel-sized drone with six propellers is called Vampire because it is equipped with a thermal imaging camera allowing it to operate by night. The two soldiers worked using red lights that are less visible for an enemy to spot and which bathed the scene in a bizarre, almost festive glow. Controlled by a third member of their unit, the Vampires propellers churned the air generating a surprisingly loud, intimidatory clatter as it lifted off the ground, momentarily hovered, and then swung toward its target in the battlegrounds around the village of Lyptsi. open image in gallery Khartiya company commander Czech ( Askold Krushelnycky ) Inside the bunker, everyone watched as Vampire was guided by an operator called Sova owl, in Ukrainian using a tiny joystick to keep the drone on course, plotted in blue on one of three screens. Two other screens showed a different version of the map with information about the drones height and speed. But the skies over Lyptsi this Christmas Eve were murky with low clouds and fog. The target was a Russian bunker, spotted earlier by another unit operating reconnaissance drones. However, the camera showed the flashes of tracer bullets as the Russians, alerted by the noise of the Vampires propellers, tried to down the unmanned craft with machine gun fire. Sova released the bomb around 20 minutes past midnight and into Christmas Day as the monitors showed the drone was precisely above its target. This is only the second Christmas since Ukraine adopted the modern Gregorian calendar that celebrates Christmas on 25 December rather than 27 January. Even without direct sight of the bunker, Sova was confident some of the Russians 130ft below the drone would not live to see the remainder of Ukrainian Christmas Day, let alone the Russian one. The units commander, with the call-sign Makalatura, explained there had been unusually fierce battles raging all day on Christmas Eve as waves of Russian troops accompanied the Khartiya Brigade section he is responsible for protecting. He said that usually, his unit launched planned attacks against targets that had been spotted by reconnaissance drones and scheduled for bombing days or even weeks before by the Khartiya Brigades headquarters. But on Christmas Eve he had sent Vampire drones on three unplanned flights in support of his fellow Khartiya brigade members whose positions had been in danger of falling to Russian forces. In between lethal bombing runs, Makalatura said they use the Vampires to fly food, water and other supplies to their comrades in outposts where deliveries by vehicles on the ground are suicidally vulnerable to the Russians own formidable drone forces. The third member of the unit calls himself Bandera. Like the other two, he is in his early twenties and like them was thinking of family and friends far away. He said: My wife and I had a child three and a half months ago, a girl. Ive only seen her briefly once. And like most of the Ukrainian soldiers The Independent spoke to, Bandera longs for the war to end but only on terms that guarantee Ukrainian independence and security. We have to make sure that my child and her generation dont face another future Russian war. A few hours after The Independent returned to Kharkiv on Christmas morning the city was hit by at least six missiles as part of an intense aerial attack affecting much of Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force said Moscow had launched more than 180 missiles and drones which caused many casualties and had targeted energy-generating facilities. Moscow said it had carried out a massive strike with long-range precision weapons and strike drones. 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 heroic family-run animal sanctuary has defied the odds by working around the clock to save hundreds of animals suffering in Gaza during a year of intense Israeli bombardment. Sulala Animal Rescue volunteer Saed Al-Err says he has helped care for hundreds of animals, including dogs, cats, horses and donkeys, since Israel invaded the Gaza Strip in October last year. Despite having almost no food and facing a shortage of medicine since the outbreak of war, Mr Al-Err, 26, and other volunteers work through Christmas, as well as Jewish and Islamic holidays, to rescue the vulnerable animals. When the war started, the need to help animals only increased. So our strength increased, because this is our duty, he told The Independent. We have lost count of the animals we have tried to help. We receive phone calls around the clock from people every day in the Gaza Strip. We see a lot of animals injured under the rubble of war. They have also often been in car accidents or have been hurt by people. open image in gallery Sulala Animal Rescue volunteers treat a dog at a clinic in Deir al-Balah in October 2024 ( Mahmoud Abu Hamda/Sanctuary Doc ) But there is almost no animal food left in the Gaza Strip, and the little food that is left with sellers is sold at astronomical prices. We are also running out of the medicine we had before the war, and it is a lot more difficult to buy now because it is very expensive. Many Palestinians had to abandon their pets while fleeing the conflict as millions of people were displaced multiple times across the territory some animals were even left at the Egyptian border as people were evacuated. The sanctuary was forced to leave hundreds of dogs in a shelter with the doors open and some food before evacuating south earlier this year, Annelies Keuleers, a translator for the organisation, said. open image in gallery Saed Al-Err, the charitys founder, and his son Aeed, prepare medicine at the Sulala Animal Rescue clinic in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, in October ( Mahmoud Abu Hamda/Sanctuary Doc ) Its really challenging and stressful and especially for them, not knowing how many more times they will have to move and refusing to go without the animals, Ms Keuleers said. Theyre looking for a more permanent place to move south, but they have to take all the animals with them, she added. As the rescue faced further displacement and lack of essential supplies, it called on the Israeli government to allow animal food and medicine into Gaza as part of an international group of animal rescue organisations. In Defence of Animals, an American animal welfare campaign group, published an open letter to the Israeli Knesset and members of the war cabinet urging them to allow rescuers to help the animals. open image in gallery A cat is treated at the clinic ( Mahmoud Abu Hamda/Sanctuary Doc ) However, the organisation is yet to receive a single response from the Knesset despite sending over 30 other emails to the parliament, it said. The sanctuary was set up in 2006 by Mr El-Arrs 50-year-old father, Saeed El-Arr, after he says he saw government officials encouraging the killing of stray animals. He embarked on a nine-month training course in Russia and registered Sulala in Gaza city as an official charity to work as a dog, cat and donkey shelter. open image in gallery An injured donkey is treated for a face wound at the Deir al-Balah clinic in October ( Mahmoud Abu Hamda/Sanctuary Doc ) Our entire family loves animals and takes care of them. This is because of our father and Sulalas director and founder, Saeed Al-Err, Mr Al-Err said. We were founded on this principle. The strength comes from the heart. We cannot stop this work for one minute. This is how we were raised. We will continue saving animals until our last breath, he said. The war began when Hamas militants invaded Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Since then, Israels air and ground offensive has killed more than 45,200 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Israel and Hamas have accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts as the two sides inch closer to a deal that could wind down the 14-month war in Gaza. It emerged last week that a ceasefire deal which would also see Israeli hostages freed was believed to be close, after months of deadlock while Israels 14-month war in Gaza continues to rage. The Independent previously reported that the truce being discussed would last for an initial 60 days, with Israeli forces likely to pull out of city centres in Gaza and the coastal road but stopping short of the complete withdrawal for which Hamas has consistently demanded. In a new statement, Hamas said: The occupation has set new conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of the displaced, which has delayed reaching the agreement that was available. However, in a more positive tone, the militant group said the negotiations mediated by Qatar were progressing in a serious direction, and insisted that it was showing flexibility during the talks. But Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu hit back on Wednesday to accuse the Palestinian militant group of lying. The terrorist organisation Hamas is lying again, Mr Netanyahus office said in a statement, accusing the group of reneging on the understandings already reached, and continuing to make it difficult for the negotiations. Nevertheless, Israel will continue tirelessly in its efforts to bring home all of our hostages, Mr Netanyahus office said. open image in gallery Benjamin Netanyahus office accused Hamas of lying in its latest statement ( AP ) Mr Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israeli negotiators including senior personnel from Mossad, Shin Bet and the Israeli military were returning from Qatar for internal consultations following a week of significant negotiations. According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 45,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began on 7 October, triggered by Hamass cross-border incursion which left 1,200 people dead and saw some 250 people taken hostage. Around 90 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes, while some 60 living hostages, mainly Israelis, are believed to be still in captivity in Gaza as well as the bodies of 35 others. However, an Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post on Tuesday that Hamas has yet to deliver the list of hostages who are alive, warning that without it, its impossible to reach a deal. He claimed that Mohammed Sinwar, brother of slain Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar, was refusing to hand the list over. The US, Qatar and Egypt, who are leading mediation efforts, have in recent weeks described a greater willingness on both sides to wrap up a deal with both the Biden administration and US president-elect Donald Trump signalling that they want a deal complete before his inauguration on 20 January. open image in gallery A Palestinian man walks with children in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on 24 December ( AFP via Getty Images ) White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told Fox News last week: 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. Weve been in this position before where we werent able to get it over the finish line. According to his spokesperson, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz told Israeli parliamentarians last 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. A senior Palestinian official involved in the negotiations also told the BBC last week that talks had reached a decisive and final phase, and were centred around a three-phase plan which would see civilians and women soldiers still held hostage in Gaza released in the first 45 days. Meanwhile, Israeli forces kept up military pressure on Gaza. Medics said Israeli military strikes killed at least 24 people across the Strip on Wednesday. One of the strikes targeted a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza Citys suburb of Sheikh Radwan, they added. The Israeli military said it struck a Hamas militant operating in the area of Al-Furqan in Gaza City. Several Palestinians were also killed and wounded in the Al-Mawasi area, an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, where the military said the strike targeted another Hamas operative operating there. The ministry of health in the Hamas-run Gaza said Israeli forces continued to besiege the only three hospitals, barely operational in the northern edge of the enclave, surrounding Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia. The Israeli army forced officials at the Indonesian hospital to evacuate patients and staff on Tuesday and continued to operate in the vicinity of the nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital. They also ordered that hospital evacuated but officials there refused, citing risks to dozens of patients. Additional reporting by Reuters 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 Kremlin has sought to dismiss reports that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assads wife is seeking a divorce, after the couple were forced to flee to Russia. As his brutal regime in Damascus fell this month with a shock takeover by rebel forces, putting an end to the Assad dynastys half-century grip on power, the dictator escaped to Russia, which had been a key ally in helping to uphold his rule during 13 years of bloody civil war. Several media reports have suggested that his British-born wife Asma al-Assad has been seeking a divorce and wishes to leave Moscow. She is severely ill with leukaemia, report The Telegraph, with the cancer reappearing after a period of remission. The Assads have not commented on the reports. But the Kremlin denied this week that Ms Assad was seeking to separate from her husband. Asked about the claims which also suggested that Assad had been confined to Moscow and had his property assets frozen Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov insisted they did not correspond to reality. Born in the UK in 1975 to parents originally from Syria, Ms Assad grew up in Acton and quit her job as an investment banker in 2000 to marry Assad, who himself trained as an eye doctor in the London before returning to Syria following the death of his elder brother. She had previously been treated for breast cancer, and in 2019 announced she was free of the disease after a year of treatment. open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images ) Asked about reports that Ms Assad could be seeking to return to London, Downing Street indicated that she would not be welcome in the UK. Pointing to remarks by foreign secretary David Lammy this month that Ms Assad is a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK, a No 10 spokesperson said: I think we have always said that we dont comment on individuals in relation to this. But more broadly you will have seen that we have very tough sanctions in place against the Assad family and the former regime, which remain in place. The British sanctions already imposed on the Assads include a travel ban and asset freeze. The speculation comes as Syria reels in its newfound freedoms and from the horrors emerging from the Assad regimes brutal prisons, where hundreds of thousands of people are feared to have been killed as a result of torture and mistreatment. open image in gallery People gather during a celebration called by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) at the Umayyad Square, after the ousting of Syrias Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus ( Reuters ) While the toppling of the Assad regime has been welcomed by Western nations as an end to years of repression, concerns remain that sectarian violence could yet again become an issue in the country. Syrias victorious Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda, has vowed that the country will be for all people, not just Sunni Muslims, and that it will protect minorities, including the Christian community. Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Syria this week after foreign fighters burned down a Christmas tree in the centre of the country, sparking concerns about sectarian violence. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Yellowstone arrived on our screens almost seven years ago, but in November 2024 the conclusion of the Duttons whirlwind story finally arrived, with the second half of the fifth and final season finally being released. The first half of the fifth season aired in November 2022, tormenting Yellowstone fans with a tantalizing two-year wait before the final part of the story would run. While Yellowstone star Kevin Costner, who played ranch owner John Dutton, announced earlier this year that he had decided to leave the show, the final part promises to continue the story of the Dutton family. The shows creator, Taylor Sheridan, has led and developed the characters through everything from hair-raising moments to deeply heartbreaking events, yet one element that has remained steady among the shows chaos and drama is Dutton Ranch itself. In the show, the events playing out on Dutton Ranch are set in the modern day with some throwbacks to the late 19th and early 20th century in spinoffs in Montana. open image in gallery The ranch in the series is emblazoned with a large Y on the front of one of the barns ( Yellowstone/Paramount ) Read more: I went on the Graceland tour that allows you to get closer to Elvis than ever before Viewers will identify the property as Dutton Ranch, easily recognized by the giant Y plastered on the front of one of the barns that stays up all year round even when the film crew isnt there yet to locals, it is known under a different name: Chief Joseph Ranch. When it was not being used as the setting for Paramounts Yellowstone television series, the property is a working, family-owned cattle ranch, nestled between the striking Trapper Peak mountain summit and the Bitterroot River valley. The ranch also has guest cabins and is accepting reservations for stays from 3 March until 30 September 2025. Those who want a chance to experience the ranch firsthand can call to book for a three-night minimum stay in the cabins. Stays at the lodge itself are not possible as it is now a family home. The accommodation is two 1916 self-catered cabins on the ranch, nicknamed after Lee Dutton and Rip Wheeler, who each spent time in the cabins in the show, but in real life, they once housed domestic staff who worked for those living in the main lodge. The cabins come with beds, bathrooms, kitchens and a living space, decked out floor-to-ceiling with different shades of wood and logs stretching across walls. Lee Duttons cabin can sleep up to eight guests, costing $1,400 per night for up to four guests, then $50 per night per each additional guest. Rip Wheelers cabin can also sleep eight, with a $1,700 charge per night for up to four, with a $50 per night per each additional guest. A guided tour of the ranch is included in the reservation, the website says, as well as opportunities to fish on one mile of ranch property bordering the Bitterroot River. If you are planning to arrive at the ranch via horse, horses may be pastured or corralled from $25 per day for two horses. Shane Libel and his family have owned and operated the ranch since 2012, but while Libel says the show creates a fairly accurate picture of todays American Western lifestyle, their everyday lives are a far cry from the melodramatic events that haunt the Duttons. open image in gallery The exterior of the stone lodge ( Yellowstone/Paramount ) We dont brand anybody who works for us, Libel told TV Insider in 2022, referencing John Duttons choice to brand his employees with a Y (and occasionally using it as punishment). Although I had a young man working for me who was scared to death I was going to do that because hed seen the show. The frame of the lodge has a large stone shell and giant timber logs, while the roof is from one single, gigantic tree and adorned with Tiffany lamps that date back to when the property was built. In the series, Dutton Ranch is witness to plenty of drama and the same can be said for Chief Joseph Ranch in real life. open image in gallery The ranchs lodge and barns was built in the early 1900s ( Yellowstone/Paramount ) Read more: Inside the US desert city that defined Hollywoods golden age where big adventure meets foodie dream Before there was ever a film crew or even a ranch for that matter the lands were previously inhabited for hundreds of years by the Salish Native American tribe, Chief Joseph Ranchs website says. Today, the Bitterroot Salish, along with the upper Pend dOreille and Kootenai tribes, with over 7,000 tribal members, live on or near the Flathead Reservation further upstate. The land upon which the cabin now stands also became significant due to the trail that ran through it. The Nimiipuu people who make up the Nez Perce tribe, annually travelled the trail south to reach bison hunting grounds in the Big Hole Valley. This historic trail winds over the ranch just west of the Lodge and funnels down to where the barns are now located. In September 1805, the trail was also used by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, military men who led an expedition to the western position of the country after the Louisana Purchase. They entered the northern Bitterroot Valley and followed a trail used by the Native American tribes during their expedition. open image in gallery Chief Joseph led his people on a flight from the US Army in 1877 ( NPS ) However, the ranch lands were not always a place of expedition and discovery. War broke out between the US Army and a band from the Nez Perce tribe after they were forced to give up their ancestral lands and move to a reservation. The non-treaty Nez Perce were forced on a 126-day journey that spanned over 1,170 miles and through four different states in the summer of 1877. The leader of this Nez Perce band, Chief Joseph, led his people across the ranch in his flight from the US Army during this time, the ranch says. By 1880, the 2,500-acre property became homesteaded by settlers, and was originally known as the Shelton Ranch, before businessman William S Ford, along with federal judge Howard Clark Hollister from Ohio, bought the ranch for a summer hideaway in 1914. open image in gallery The grand stone fireplace inside the main lodge ( Yellowstone/Paramount ) The 6,000-square-foot log structure, along with three large barns, was built under the name the Ford-Hollister Lodge by 1917. Since then, the ranch has had a string of different owners who used it for various purposes such as a dairy operation and herding cattle. In the early 1950s, the Ford-Hollister Ranch was sold and renamed the Chief Joseph Ranch in honour of the Nez Pence chief. One of the past owners was Native American entrepreneur Mel Pervais who restored the ranch to its former glory after parts of it fell into dereliction. Today, the ranch is owned by a family who have made it their home, but over the past seven or so years, it has temporarily been transformed into Yellowstones Dutton Ranch. open image in gallery The Chief Joseph ranch is a working, family-owned farm in Montana ( Yellowstone ) The family said they are honoured that Paramount chose their ranch to film such a culturally-impactful series. Ill tell you whats extraordinarily humbling: sitting in my living room watching this show that is filmed in my house, and the show is watched by millions and millions of people worldwide, Libel added to TV Insider. I sit there and realize that, to millions of people, my house is quintessential Montana. Read more: Brisket, beaches and Disney a road trip from Mississippi to Alabama Blake Lively attending the UK gala screening for It Ends With Us (Ian West/PA) A publicist has filed a lawsuit against her former client Justin Baldoni, his production company and his current publicity team, days after Blake Lively accused them of orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Stephanie Jones, who owns PR company Jonesworks, has accused Baldoni of breaching his contract which required him to pay 25,000 dollars (19,940) a month after he allegedly left the firm a few months into a year-long contract. Baldoni moved to work with publicist Jennifer Abel, who left Jonesworks to start her own publicity firm, according to the lawsuit. Justin Baldoni attends the world premiere of It Ends With Us (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Ms Jones is also suing Ms Abel who she claims went around her to arrange for Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios to hire crisis PR manager Melissa Nathan who is also named in the lawsuit and launch a smear campaign against Lively. It comes after Lively filed a legal complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment on the set of It Ends With Us, as well as embarking on a multi-tiered plan with his team to damage her reputation. Bryan Freedman, a lawyer representing all defendants, previously described the claims in the Lively complaint as completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious, adding that the studio made the decision to proactively hire a crisis manager prior to the marketing campaign of the film. The legal action from Lively featured text messages from Ms Abel in which she and other members of Baldonis publicity team talk about how to bury Lively. The new lawsuit reveals that Ms Jones forensically preserved messages on Ms Abels company-issued Jonesworks phone which were given to Livelys lawyers after they issued a subpoena. Blake Lively attending the UK gala screening for It Ends With Us (Ian West/PA) A spokesperson for Ms Abel described the lawsuit as retaliatory behaviour from Ms Jones after Baldoni and Wayfarer choose to leave with her. Meanwhile, in a statement given to the PA news agency, Ms Jones lawyer Kristin Tahler said the lawsuit was a necessary step for her to recover the reputation she has worked decades to establish. The lawsuit comes after US actor and director Baldoni had the Voices of Solidarity Award revoked. Baldoni had received the award earlier this month from charity Vital Voices, which honours remarkable men who have shown courage and compassion in advocating on behalf of women and girls. The charity said the alleged disturbing conduct detailed in Livelys legal action was contrary to the values of Vital Voices and the spirit of the award, adding we have rescinded this award. It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoovers novel, is about a womans pursuit of a loving and healthy relationship. Lively plays lead character Lily Bloom and Baldoni is her love interest Ryle Kincaid amid a backdrop of domestic violence. A representative for Baldoni has been contacted for comment. Its one of the most popular Christmas films of all time, but Love Actually didnt exactly warm Hugh Grants heart when he saw it for the first time. The British actor famously starred as UK prime minister David in Richard Curtiss festive 2003 rom-com, alongside Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Keira Knightly, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman and Billy Nighy. The film follows 10 different stories that depict love in a variety of ways, with many of the characters interlinked as the plot develops in the weeks ahead of Christmas. In a 20th anniversary special that aired in 2002, Thompson, who had worked with Grant on a number of occasions, revealed how he reacted after the cast watched the finished version. Hugh came up behind me as we were walking out and said, Is that the most psychotic thing weve ever been in? she recalled. A sheepish-looking Grant then asked: Did I say that? He ended up repeating his initial verdict during the interview, calling Love Actually a bit psychotic and Richard [Curtis] on steroids. But the thing is with him, what you have to remember is when he writes about love, he means it, Grant added. And that is quite rare. Hugh Grant as a fictional prime minister in Love Actually. Photo: LMK Media In the movie, Grants character David falls for Downing Street staff member Natalie, played by former EastEnders star McCutcheon. The Paddington 2 actor described shooting one notorious scene, in which David dances around No 10 to The Pointer Sisters hit Jump (For My Love) as absolute hell. There was this dance written and I thought, Thats going to be excruciating and it has the power to be the most excruciating scene ever committed to celluloid, he recalled. I certainly dreaded filming it and Richard [Curtis] kept saying, Dont you think wed better rehearse the dancing scene and Id say, Uh yes Ive just got to learn some lines... my ankle hurts today. So it was never rehearsed. He continued: Imagine youre a grumpy 40-year-old Englishman, its seven in the morning, youre stone-cold sober and its like, OK Hugh, if youd just like to freak out now. It was absolute hell. Andrew Lincoln and Keira Knightley in 'Love Actually'. Photo: Peter Mountain Meanwhile, his co-star Firth remembered him making a terrible fuss about doing the scene but confirmed: It did delight everybody and I think its the highlight of the film for a lot of people. In the same 20th anniversary special, asked if there were any parts of the film that made him wince, Curtis replied: There are things that you would change, but thank God society is changing. My film is bound in some moments to feel out of date. The lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid. He added that the love he sees people share in real life makes him wish my film was better. It makes me wish Id made a documentary just to kind of observe it, he said. Curtis recently released a new festive film, That Christmas, an animated feature starring the voices of Nighy, Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Guz Khan and Jodie Whittaker. Church leader says conflict on our own island showed dialogue is important to build reconciliation and any hope for peace The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland has said he is deeply saddened by the closure of the Israeli embassy in Dublin and described the move as a setback for Ireland and a setback for Israel. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Archbishop Eamon Martin encouraged everyone who has influence to work very diligently to try to restore and heal this issue. Israels foreign ministry announced on December 15 that it had ordered the closure of its embassy because of what it called extreme anti-Israel policy by the Irish Government. Israels foreign minister Gideon Saar said: Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel. He claimed Irelands actions and antisemitic rhetoric were rooted in the de-legitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state. However, Archbishop Martin said: I do not feel that Irish people are antisemitic. Describing the criticism as emotional language, he added, we quite simply abhor the death and destruction that is going on at the moment. We know that this particular episode began with a horrific terror incident of October 7, 2023 attacks and the taking of hostages. These are human beings with families and friends, and they are held in goodness-knows what kind of conditions. However, he said the Irish Government had taken a strong stance which he believes is supported by the large majority of people here, that we must speak out when we see a relentless bombardment and the destruction of a particular population. What has been happening in Gaza is a merciless use of weapons in the destruction of infrastructure including health, homes, schools the things that people need to live. We look on almost powerless at the way innocent children, women and civilians appear to be living in complete terror, he said. Referring to the complete breakdown of law and order in Gaza he warned that humanitarian aid is not getting to people who need it, according to Trocaire, the Catholic bishops development agency. I feel the Irish Government has been correct in using every vehicle of international pressure and diplomacy to try to get a ceasefire, the release of all the hostages, and full access for essential humanitarian aid. Our message to Israel must remain consistent their behaviour is something that we cannot in any way support, Dr Martin said. He regrets the closure of the embassy because of the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in solving issues of conflict. In our own conflict on this island, we have seen how important dialogue was in order to build reconciliation and any hope for peace, he said. Calling on all sides to redouble their efforts for a ceasefire and to allow humanitarian aid in and the rebuilding of the Gaza communities, he said: I really do feel that we shouldnt give up hope, and we should be relentlessly seeking a solution. Speaking about Christmas and next years jubilee of hope in the Catholic Church, which Pope Francis formally opens on Christmas Eve in Rome, Dr Martin said: I think people are in need of an injection of hope. We are living in a world of a huge amount of violence, war and aggression. We are living in a world of the displacement of people, with families on the borderline of survival from Gaza to Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, all of these places where we see the worst of humanity. The message of hope encourages us to remind ourselves that we are basically good people, that we have a lot of opportunities to bring joy, build peace, show harmony and love. So many people at Christmas time draw on the best of themselves. They reach out to neighbours. There is a huge outpouring of love, generosity and charity towards the poor, for example, through the collections for St Vincent de Paul Society, Crosscare and so many local initiatives. However, he believes one of our greatest challenges is the scourge of addictions. The incoming administrations programme for government needs to tackle this cancer in Irish society which is destroying so many families and workplaces, and is an immense cost to our health services, and has a huge impact in terms of mental health, Dr Martin said. Addiction, he warned, was adding to the complications of family life and often translated into aggression such as some of the awful violence that we are seeing in our communities at the moment violence against women and violence against children. The church leader also spoke about assisted dying. He expressed disappointment at the way that the Dail seemed to be rushing to adopt what [the bishops] believe was a flawed report of the Oireachtas Committee [on Assisted Dying] just before it broke up for the election. It gave me some consolation to see that none of the parties appeared to be making the introduction of assisted dying in Ireland a manifesto issue. Therefore, I feel that none of the parties actually have a mandate now to proceed on this issue, he said. He expressed concern over the slippery slope and how the issue invariably gets expanded and increased as time goes on as seen by the experience of other countries. It is something we should reflect long and hard about, he said. Last October, the Irish bishops published a pastoral letter on immigration titled, A Hundred Thousand Welcomes? based on the Gospel imperative towards welcoming the stranger. You will notice always that extreme voices will often equate immigrants, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, and label everybody who is a stranger as somebody who is not welcome. That is something we would reject as church people, he said. We still have a huge number of Irish people going to other countries and finding new opportunities for work. We would be rightly appalled if they were to be treated any way that is less than welcoming. I think the fact that some of the more extreme people were not elected to seats in the Dail is certainly noteworthy. However, there is still a large number of people who voted for people with extreme views, and those voices are still there in our communities. Dr Martin appealed for more dialogue and conversations about the building of capacity. The bishops, he stressed, recognise that communities are rightly concerned whenever they feel under huge pressure for basic essential facilities like access to health, doctors, medical services, school places and even basic infrastructure like housing and a suitable place to live. I think people would be calling on the new government to enact a lot of the promises that have been made in regard to additional housing, proper health services on the ground in communities, and resourcing communities to be welcoming. Even though the government appears to be well resourced in terms of money, it is also about having the capacity to build the necessary number of houses in terms of engineers, labourers, plasterers and skilled workers. Sadly, we are exporting a lot of our young people who have these skills, and we are heavily reliant on our migrant communities to provide these essential skills, not just in construction and development, but also in our medical services and in our hospitality services. Festive cheer as families welcome loved ones home at Dublin Airport Gardai are urging people to drive safely over the festive period as 2.5 million Christmas revellers undertake journeys by car, boat, plane and train. An astonishing total of one million people have arrived back to Ireland from overseas between December 18 and 24 - many defying the travel chaos inflicted by storms in the UK. With Holyhead still undergoing repairs after the damage inflicted by Storm Darragh, UK-based travellers have resorted to other ferry routes and even last minute flights to get back to Ireland. For many, the journey was complicated by high winds over the weekend which hit flight departures from many UK airports - and even forced the delay of some ferry services replacing the Holyhead routes. Such has been the eleventh hour demand for flights that some one-way departures from the UK to Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports have soared to over 500. Ellen Merry is welcomed home from New York by her Mum Una and her dog Oreo at Dublin Airport Arrivals. Photo by Steve Humphreys Ireland is now witnessing its busiest festive season for over a decade. Travel conditions are expected to prove largely ideal over Christmas week with very mild weather and no forecast of snow or ice. Bookmakers now rank Ireland as having only a remote chance of snow on Christmas Day - to the relief of those facing long road journeys. Cork, Kerry and Dublin are ranked at odds of just 14/1 for snow on December 25 - with Belfast slightly better odds at 10/1. Even Scotland's northerly city, Aberdeen, is ranked at only 5/1 for snow on Christmas Day. Met Eireann said Ireland will instead have a week of relatively mild albeit wet and cloudy weather. Gardai, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and road safety charities pleaded with people undertaking Christmas travel to slow down, allow extra time for journeys and never to use drink or drugs when driving. Revellers have been urged that, if they plan to go out socialising, to book a taxi, use public transport or organise a designated driver. Katie O'Connor is welcomed home from Sydney Australia by sisters Rachel and Aine all from Faranfore Co Kerry at Dublin Airport Arrivals. Photo by Steve Humphreys Particular emphasis will also be paid to speed in urban areas this Christmas with strict enforcement of the new 30kmh speed zones. RSA officials also urged people to conduct winter safety checks on their vehicles with particular emphasis on tyres, headlights, indicators and windscreen wipers. A total of 171 people have died on Irish roads so far this year - nine fewer than for the same period in 2023. Gardai stressed that they will be mounting their biggest Christmas road safety campaign of recent years with random checkpoints, speed monitoring and random checks for drink and drug use. The Christmas travel period ranks as one of the most dangerous times of the year on Irish roads with a traditionally high rate of fatalities and serious injuries in collisions. An estimated one million Irish people will make road journeys of 20km or more over the festive period. Road safety group, PARC, warned that the priority for every driver this Christmas should be to arrive safely with their passengers at their destination. Ellen Merry is welcomed home from New York by her Parents Eunan and Una and her brother John and her dog Oreo at Dublin Airport Arrivals. Photo by Steve Humphreys The next ten ranks as a hectic period for Irish airports, bus and rail stations and ports. Dublin Airport confirmed that it expects to handle more than 1.4 million passengers over the festive period From December 18 to January 16, an average of 75,000 passengers will travel through the airport each day. December 22/23 proved the peak 24 hour period of the entire Christmas travel season with a whopping 102,000 - 110,000 passengers arriving and departing from Terminals 1 and 2. The next busiest day will be Friday, December 29, when the peak New Year's Eve travel period gets into full swing. Both Shannon and Cork Airports are enjoying their busiest seasons in years. Cork celebrated its three millionth passenger last week - and will achieve its best passenger traffic for over 16 years. Both Dublin and Shannon reported particularly strong bookings on North American routes, in part thanks to the strength of the US dollar against the Euro. Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann, Iarnrod Eireann and Luas also expect record passenger numbers with extra services being provided this year to facilitate shoppers and those travelling home for Christmas. Bus Eireann said it expects to handle 500,000 passengers from December 21. Irish Ferries confirmed strong bookings for services which run right up until Christmas Eve. Ianrod Eireann urged all intending rail passengers to book well in advance for peak services given demand over the Christmas and New Year period. The Indo Daily: Why is even the mention of water charges like playing with fire for politicians? Anna and Elise Maher enjoying a walk in Clontarf as Christmas day swimmers change after their dip Wayne and Amy Brennan with children Ruby and Oliver enjoying the Christmas day swim in Clontarf. Photo: Mark Condren Anna and Elise Maher walking while swimmers emerge from the Christmas day swim in Clontarf. Photo: Mark Condren There was a festive atmosphere around Clontarf, Dublin, as queues of people in Santa hats and reindeer ears waited their turn to take to the water. It was an unseasonably mild day for festive swimmers, with air temperatures around 11C when they jumped into the water from 10.30am on Christmas morning. Taking the plunge at the Christmas day swim in Clontarf. Photo: Mark Condren Swimmers in Dublin courageously took to the chilly waters for a charity Christmas swim in Clontarf Hundreds were at Clontarf for the annual Christmas swim, with mild temperatures and sunshine encouraging all into the water. Along with the swimmers, there were plenty out walking their dogs or going for a run, many in Christmas jumpers and other festive clothes. It may have been a mild day outside but the water was still chilly with tea, coffee and hot whiskey on offer before and after the swims. Thousands took to Dublin's shores for a festive dip, including at the famous Forty Foot in Sandycove, Dun Laoghaire and Portmarnock. Charity swims were held right across the country, from Salthill in Galway city and Inchydoney beach in Co Cork, to Lahinch in Co Clare, and Banna Strand in Co Kerry. The swim at Clontarf is organised every year by the Clontarf Yacht and Boat club to raise money for the RNLI. Among those in the water was Dublin woman Gillian Prior, who did the swim this year to raise money for Pieta House. She was joined by her sister Bernice and her daughter Jade, who is home for Christmas from Sydney. Ms Prior has been taking part in 12 Dips in December this month, an annual campaign in aid of the suicide prevention charity. It was very cold when we jumped, but the water is actually lovely when youre in it, its really refreshing and its such a beautiful morning. Im doing this for Pieta House, to help them save lives and support people who are struggling and anyone thats been affected by suicide, Ms Prior said. Aoife Lawlor was braving the cold with her sons girlfriend Sophia Amaral, who is spending her first Christmas in Ireland having come from Atlanta, Georgia. "Shes Brazilian, so shes being particularly brave getting into the water, Ms Lawlor said of Ms Amaral as the pair came out of the sea. There was a flurry of frantic towelling off as Helen Doogue, a volunteer for the RNLI, explained how the Clontarf fundraising branch started. She was one of three members of Clontarf yacht club who were rescued by the RNLI in an incident several years ago. Some time afterwards, the RNLI asked the group if they would be interested in helping to start a fundraising branch. She said her family has had many interactions with the RNLI over the years and added: "We're delighted to say we owe them a debt." The 2024 swim marks Helen's 50th year of involvement with the Clontarf fundraising branch - with only one year relocated to the Clontarf Baths because of the tides. She has witnessed all sorts of conditions, including the breaking of ice at the top of the slip. This year though, she said it was a "doddle" - even when compared with a message from Thailand, where she said friends were sipping mojitos after a lifeboat swim. "We're nearly at that stage here," she said - as hot whiskeys were prepared for those who needed to warm up. Mayhem last Christmas has promoted a warning to those visiting one of Australia's favourite 4WD beaches Chaotic scenes at Goolwa Beach have prompted a rethink by council of how vehicles can access the popular spot. Source: ABC/Advertiser Aussies are being reminded not to disobey road rules when they descend onto popular four-wheel-drive beaches this festive season. It comes after a popular South Australian beach was left with years of damage after a chaotic Christmas rush which prompted a major rule change last year and has now prompted council to rethink 4WD access. Every year, visitors descend onto Goolwa Beach, an hour's drive from Adelaide, to soak up the sun and enjoy time with loved ones on the beach. But irresponsible drivers including those without 4WD capabilities put beachgoers at risk and damaged delicate sand dunes. It prompted the state government to introduce a default speed limit of 40km/h and 25 km/h when passing or within 50 metres of a person on all South Australian beaches. Drivers ignoring road rules by speeding face hefty $5,000 fines as well as risk losing demerit points. "Its important to remember that the Australian road rules apply on our beaches so that not only includes abiding by these new speed limits, but wearing seat belts, giving way, driving to the left and adhering to relevant blood alcohol limits," a Department for Infrastructure and Transport spokesperson told Yahoo. ADVERTISEMENT South Australian police echoed the views of the transport authority, adding that "speeding on beaches is dangerous, reckless and poses a risk to the community as well as causing damage to the environment. "We ask members of the public to contact the police assistance line on 131 444 if they see any dangerous driving behaviours," a spokesperson told Yahoo. Only 4WD vehicles are allowed on Goolwa beach but Christmas festivities in recent years has caused significant damage. Source: ABC Changes 'need to be made' to 4WD beach access To celebrate the festive period, excited holidaymakers trying to get onto the beach, packed the roads, leading to major traffic jams last year. A minor collision on the access road to the beach on New Year's Day caused a standstill both on the sand and along the main road entering the beach. ADVERTISEMENT The "huge backlog" sparked concerns the high traffic load would soften the sand and lead to some vehicles getting bogged. As a result heavy machinery was brought in to shift and pack down sand as cars sat idle. Now, Alexandrina Council has admitted that "changes need to be made" to access the beach. "Visitors should also be aware that the vehicle access track to the beach is open to 4WDs only and there are no recovery services for bogged vehicles," Acting Chief Executive Officer Tash Hunt told Yahoo. "There can be long queues for the beach access track at peak times. "Despite the warning signage on entry, sometimes motorists without the correct vehicle, equipment or 4WD experience become stuck and block the track entirely, much to the frustration of other users. ADVERTISEMENT Council has spent the past year working with state agencies to come up with "alternative options" to manage vehicle access to the beach. "These organisations are not a point in our discussions where we can consult with the community about these proposed options, but we all recognise that changes need to be made," she said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Wexford Womens Refuge has sent a message to anyone experiencing domestic violence or abuse youre not alone, call our number and if youre in immediate danger contact the gardai. Figures show that there has been a rise in domestic violence this year across Ireland. According to figures released by Garda National Protective Services Bureau, there has been a 9 per cent increase in the number of contacts to gardai in relation to domestic violence this year. Furthermore, over 61,000 domestic abuse related contacts were received by An Garda Siochana to date in 2024. Director of Services of Wexford Womens Refuge Catherine McCurdy said early intervention is key to tackling this issue, starting with being taught at preschool level. This is in the psyche, the term gender based violence, the very idea, Im not sure much has changed to be honest with you from the 1920s to the 1930s, if you look at all the cases through the years where women have been killed. Early intervention is about beginning this process and teaching from birth, really and truly. "Women are equals, girls are equals. Its actually not okay to feel that a woman belongs to you, that whole psyche needs to change and it needs to be taught. Barriers have to be removed as well and there needs to be more creche spaces for children so women can go back to work. Financial abuse is very large and its very easy for women to be exposed to financial abuse if she doesnt have childcare or access to her job, said Catherine. Catherine explained that Christmas can be one of the quieter times at the refuge as women tend to stay at home to keep the peace. However, January is then the busiest time of year for the service. Children go back to school and women decide in the New Year that they've had enough and thats when wed have the most calls. The homeless crisis at the minute is not helping the situation, we work very closely with our colleagues at Wexford County Council and theyre doing their very best but there just isnt the housing there and women know that, said Catherine. Catherine highlighted the various solutions the Government can provide to tackle these issues such as education, pathways for women to return to work to be financially independent and accessible childcare. Catherine is hopeful that the Governments new Zero Tolerance policy and the establishment of a new agency which is specifically for domestic, sexual and gender based violence will help to tackle these issues. She also believes the refuges outreach service needs to be expanded, to be more accessible. Every Monday, the Womens Refuge rent a room in Gorey Family Resource Centre. To get in touch with the service, contact their Outreach Worker Niamh Casey on 1800 220444. Call the gardai or 999, if youre in immediate danger. The actor on being morbid, national pride and the souvenir he stole from the Father Ted set Ardal OHanlon is an actor, author and comedian from Co Monaghan. He first appeared on our screens as Dougal in Father Ted. He lives in Dublin with his wife Melanie. They have three children. The EastEnders two-episode Christmas special served up a double dose of drama, which saw Nigel Bates return to Albert Square and Cindy Beale knocked out by an anonymous assailant with a shovel. Nigel, played by Paul Bradley, returns to the soap after almost three decades away, having left in April 1998 with his adopted daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix), moving to Scotland to be with partner Julie Haye (Karen Henthorn) and her son, Josh Saunders (Jon Lee). Cindy, played by Michelle Collins, has been in the BBC soap on and off since 1988, returning from France with husband Ian Beale for her most recent stint in Walford in 2023. The characters dramatic storyline began earlier in the episodes when Lauren Branning reveals she has a recording of a conversation that lifts the lid on Cindys affair with Junior Knight (Micah Balfour). The audio reveals Cindy talking to David Bates, Ians half brother who she once cheated on him with, and telling him that she had settled for Ian describing him as the easy path. Cindy also further reveals that she loves Juniors father George Knight, who she was once married to. Confronting Lauren about the recording, Cindy asks her what she wants, to which she replies: I want to watch you suffer, thats enough for me. Lauren, played by Jacqueline Jossa, then drops a bombshell that she has gifted the audio as a secret Santa present to someone special, with Ian eventually unwrapping the USB, which had a note on it that read: Play me for festive fun for all. Ian, played by Adam Woodyatt, thinking it was a festive playlist, began playing the audio in the Queen Vic to a shocked Christmas gathering. After hearing the audio, Ian throws a glass and punches Junior in the face and guests at the Christmas party scatter. Georges wife Elaine Knight (formerly Peacock), played by Harriet Thorpe, questions him on his feelings for Cindy and accuses him of being besotted with her, to which he replies: My own son, cheating with my wife (talking about Cindy). She then slaps him, and tells him you can settle for her. 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 Elaine and George have been in a relationship since working in Marbella together off-screen, with Elaine returning to the soap with him in 2023 and the couple marrying in November this year. George was previously married to Cindy prior to his first appearance in the soap in 2023, when she lived in Spain under the assumed name of Rose Sawyer, after being placed under a witness protection programme after informing on her cellmate. Later in the special, Cindy attempts to persuade Ian to stay with her, but just as it appears the two are about to kiss, he tells her almost, before throwing her out of the house. Left on her own, Cindy attempts to get on the tube, which is closed, and starts walking to get a taxi. An unseen character is seen picking up a shovel and the episode ends with Cindy being knocked unconscious. During the festive special, EastEnders also paid homage to this years Oasis reunion announcement, with two posters hanging in the Queen Vic. The episodes also featured some of the happenings in the Mitchell household, with Phil (Steve McFadden) discovering that Nigel has ended up homeless after splitting with Julie Haye. 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 After bumping into Nigel on a walk, Phil tells him: Tonight youre staying with me, Ill get a pizza on. At the same time, Nigel is seen receiving a text from Julie, which reads: Please come home. During his first appearance in the soap, Nigels biggest storylines saw him fall in love with his video shop employee Debbie Tyler (Nicola Duffett), before she is killed in a hit and run accident, and strike up a friendship with Dot Cotton, who saw him as the son she never had. At school, Nigel was best friends with Phil and his brother Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp). This years festive episode was split into two parts, with the first airing before the Call The Midwife and Gavin And Stacey Christmas specials, and the second part airing after the final episode of the BBC sitcom. Nigel Bates has returned to EastEnders for the first time in 26 years in the soaps Christmas Eve episode. The character, played by Paul Bradley, was seen at the community centre where Yolande Trueman, played by Angela Wynter, was volunteering during Tuesdays episode. Nigel left the BBC soap in April 1998 when he and his adopted daughter Clare (Gemma Bissix) left Albert Square to start a new life in Scotland with his partner Julie Haye (Karen Henthorn) and her son Josh Saunders (Jon Lee). Nigel Bates with Phil Mitchell (Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron/BBC/PA) The BBC said Nigel will be reunited with his childhood best friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) on Christmas Day. Bradley, 69, said: Im thrilled and honoured to be back as Nigel. Despite it being such a long time ago, I still get recognised as Nigel in the street. Returning has been great as Im so familiar with many of the faces at EastEnders, and they are a very friendly bunch. Its fantastic to work with Steve McFadden again Im a huge admirer of his work, and he sets the bar really high. Im having a really good time. During his first run in the show, his characters biggest storylines saw him fall in love with his video shop employee Debbie Tyler (Nicola Duffett) before she was killed in a hit-and-run accident, and strike up a friendship with Dot Cotton, who saw him as the son she never had. At school, Nigel was best friends with Phil and his brother Grant (Ross Kemp). EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: Its fantastic to welcome Paul Bradley back as Nigel Bates, a character much loved by long-time EastEnders viewers. Theres a lot of mystery about Nigels situation and why hes here alone, which will be revealed in the coming weeks. Phil has never needed support more than he does this Christmas, so were excited to reunite these two old friends. Coronation Street villain Richard Hillman has returned to the soap after more than 20 years as part of Helen Worths exit storyline as Gail Rodwell (formerly Platt). Played by Brian Capron, Richard appeared in a dream Gail was having on the eve of her wedding to Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson), urging her not to go ahead with it, in the Christmas Eve episode. Richard is expected to return on Christmas Day, with Gail seen battling with her emotions as she faces her tumultuous past while contemplating her future in the scenes which were recorded in secret. His return comes as 73-year-old Worth prepares to leave the ITV soap after 50 years in the role. Richard Hillman appeared in one of Gails dreams on the eve of her sixth wedding (Danielle Baguley/ITV/PA) On returning to the cobbles, Capron, 77, said: It was a lovely experience, theyve written a very clever scene. Its a very tricky thing to bring a character back from the dead but I think the writers thought very carefully about how to do it and theyve come up trumps. For me its got the right kind of dark humour which there always was with Richard Hillman, which I love, but also a slight hint of menace. I thought they balanced it perfectly. The character exited the soap in 2003 when he drove off with his captive step-family in a Ford Galaxy, plunging it into a canal, but while his family members survived, Richard drowned. It came after Gail denounced their marriage after finding out about a number of murders, attempted murders and fraudulent dealings he had undertaken. On working with Worth again, Capron added: I think we have a very special relationship, which is why the Hillman storyline worked out so beautifully. I never wanted it to look like he was a really bad, horrible person, so we worked very hard on making it a very loving relationship. Brian Capron returning to the Coronation Street set (Danielle Baguley/ITV/PA) It gave a lot of dimension to the character, thanks to Helen, so it was great to be back with her for the day. His exploits included leaving his business partner Duggie Ferguson (John Bowe) to die after a fatal accident and murdering his ex-wife Patricia (Annabelle Apsion) with a shovel when she attempted to expose his dealings. During his time in Weatherfield, he also swindled his neighbours Jack (Bill Tarmey) and Vera Duckworth (Liz Dawn) out of their life savings in an investment scam, and kidnapped Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden). Richard also unsuccessfully plotted to kill his mother-in-law Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) by setting her house on fire. He also murdered Audreys co-worker Maxine Peacock (Tracy Shaw) with a crowbar, after using it in an unsuccessful attempt to murder Norris roommate Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire), and framed Sarah Platts ex-boyfriend Aiden Critchley (Dean Ashton) for the crimes. Richards return comes after Worths exit storyline was thrown into uncertainty after Sean Wilson who played her ex-husband Martin Platt returned to the show briefly but announced his departure from the soap for personal reasons, with the actor later claiming he was axed when a historic assault allegation emerged, which he denies. He was replaced by Thomson, with the 55-year-old actor claiming Worth was a joy to work with. Anti-government forces drive in city of al-Rastan in Syria's west-central province of Homs on December 7, 2024, on their way to the city of Homs. (Photo by Aref TAMMAWI / AFP) (Photo by AREF TAMMAWI/AFP via Getty Images) Syrian police have imposed an overnight curfew in the city of Homs, state media reported, after unrest there linked to demonstrations that residents said were led by members of the minority Alawite and Shiite Muslim religious communities. Missouris longest-serving female prisoner, serving life for murdering her husband, is released Patty Prewitt was serving a life sentence for the 1984 murder of her husband in Holden, Missouri Andrea Cavallier UK Independent Wed 25 Dec 2024 at 20:00 A woman who spent 40 years behind bars for her husbands 1984 murder has been released from prison just in time to spend Christmas with her family. Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 3 OTT release date is finally set. The show, which has been going on for a long time now, has been impressing people with its 6th season. Netflix revealed that Season 6 Part 3 would be available for streaming in 2025 in a new trailer hinting at the series' conclusion. The announcement was accompanied by a brief teaser that honored the legacy of the entire Karate Kid universe, not just the series. Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 3 will be released on Netflix on 13th February 2025. The teaser was shared with the caption, This may be the end, but were not good at goodbyesbecause COBRA KAI NEVER DIES! The final episodes of the greatest karate saga of all time arrive on February 13th, 2025, only on Netflix. Plot It is a follow-up to Robert Mark Kamen's original The Karate Kid movies. Starting with his choice to reestablish the Cobra Kai karate dojo and the resurgence of his previous feud with Daniel, Cobra Kai revisits The Karate Kid story from Johnny's perspective. Three parts, each with five episodes, make up season six. July 18, 2024, saw the release of part one, and November 15, 2024, part two. Cast and crew In addition to Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Mariduena, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Jacob Bertrand, Gianni DeCenzo, Peyton List, Vanessa Rubio, and Dallas Dupree Young, the series stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, who return to their respective roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence from the film series. Kove Martin Thomas Ian Griffith also reprise their roles. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. In time for Christmas 2024, Nate Bargatze has returned with a comedy special called Your Friend, Nate Bargatze on Netflix! Yesterday, the special was made available on the streaming service and it made many laugh uncontrollably. After his daughter introduced the comic, the audience applauded for many minutes as the act got underway. Fans who watched the comedy special as soon as it came out, could not help but praise Bargatze thanks to his on point punches and comic timing. Heres all that people have to say about the comedian after his Netflix special. Fans review Your Friend, Nate Bargatze After the comedy special released on Netflix, devoted fans started sharing how they have always loved Nate. They mentioned that Bargatze brings an element to the table that nobody else does. One wrote, His ability to find humor in everyday situations is what sets him apart from other comedians. His ability to find humor in everyday situations is what sets him apart from other comedians. Faiza Writes (@Nayyyer23) December 24, 2024 Another added, Nate is one of the best comedians we have currently. Is this Nate's funniest bit yet? Sedef Uludag (@sedefuludagg) December 24, 2024 A third went on to add, This is one of the funniest stand up shows Ive watched in awhile. This is one of the funniest stand up shows Ive watched in awhile Tee NY (@Thel2670) December 24, 2024 Bargatze performed for small audiences for years until becoming well-known in 2019 with his first comedy show on Netflix, The Tennessee Kid. He went on to host Saturday Night Live, start The Nateland Podcast, and film four more specials over the course of five years. The comedian is now preparing for the start of his Big Dumb Eyes World Tour in April 2025. He will visit more than 60 locations in the Middle East, Europe, and North America. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Squid Game season 2 OTT release date is almost here and fans are brimming with excitement. The show which had an incredible first season, is coming back with a brand new part with a lot more to offer this time. It is a South Korean dystopian survival thriller horror web series tat keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its twists and turns. As Squid Game season 2 release date is approaching, here are three key details you need to know. Squid Game Season 2 OTT release date Squid Game Season 2 will be released on streaming platform Netflix on 26th December 2024. What to expect Player 456 returned with a new resolution in mind, having given up traveling to the United States three years after winning Squid Game. With fresh players gathering to compete for the 45.6 billion won prize, Gi-hun plunges back into the intriguing survival game and begins a new life-or-death round. As the tenacious detective on his own mission, Wi Ha-jun is returning in the character of Hwang Jun-ho, according to Netflix, propelling the story along. Meet the cast Several members of the Squid Game cast, including Wi Ha-jun, Gong Yoo, Lee Jung-jae, and Lee Byung-hun, will be returning. As a group of new characters, Squid Game Season 2 will feature impeccable newbies Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-uk, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, Jo Yu-ri, and Won Ji-an. Players Gi-hun, Player 456 Myung-gi, Player 333 Dae-ho, Player 388 Gyeong-seok, Player 246 Hyun-ju, Player 120 Yong-sik, Player 007 Geum-ja, Player 149 Jung-bae, Player 390 Jun-hee, Player 222 For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Dense patterns made by sand bubbler crabs at Kewarra Beach north of Cairns. Source: John Brock If youre lucky enough to get down to the beach this summer, youll probably notice evidence of a tiny elusive crustacean. Most people never see the sand bubbler crabs that live in burrows along the shoreline and have only seen the purposeful patterns they leave behind. One Aussie author and photographer has become captivated by the mesmerising installations they leave on the sand as part of their highly refined feeding process. During his travels, John Brock has snapped their short-lived creations in Byron Bay, Cairns and Darwin. Ive taken many photographs of their designs and some of them are amazing. Every single one is unique but its wiped clean every six hours during tidal movements, he told Yahoo News. ADVERTISEMENT The creation and destruction of sand bubbler crabs is something Brock is philosophical about. Their designs are lost forever, but theyll produce another one, he said. One of the most impressive 'designs' Brock has captured was taken at Kewarra Beach north of Cairns. It shows the work of dozens of crabs across the golden sand, with each one forming a pattern similar to the petals of a flower or a newly formed crystal. Another image taken at East Point Beach in Darwin shows a single crab burrow next to a more simplistic pile of sand balls being swallowed by the tide. Want to know more about our weird and wonderful world? Subscribe to our newsletter. Sand bubbler crab patterns at Byron Bay resemble seaweed. Source: John Brock How do the crabs create balls of sand? Sand bubbler crabs wait out the high tide in a burrow that contains a bubble of air, but after the water recedes they wander around the surface to feed. This specialised process involves filtering the sand through their mouthparts in search of microorganisms and discarding the unwanted grains in lines along the sand. ADVERTISEMENT Peter Davie, the curator of crustaceans at Queensland Museum explained to Yahoo theyre important in keeping the beaches clean by digesting and processing organic detritus in the sand. Every time the tide comes in, the beach is being replenished with organic material and it mixes into the sand, he said. Open sandy beaches are very nutrient-poor, which is why they need to process large volumes of sand to get enough food to live on. There are over 20 recognised species of sand bubbler crab around the world, including this on photographed in Malaysia. Source: Getty Are the patterns completely random? One of the few people to study what drives the formation of sand bubbler crab patterns is Jane Prince, an Honorary Research Fellow and the University of WAs School of Biological Sciences. ADVERTISEMENT She was involved in a 2010 study that examined a species living at Cable Beach in Broome. They found there was nothing random about the way the patterns were formed, and several factors were influencing their design. They recorded the crab exiting its burrow and making a groove in the sand. It would continue to place the balls in a straight line along the groove until its gill chamber was empty this internal reserve of water is what allows it to breathe on land. After the crab returned to its hole to replenish itself, it would begin a new line, usually in the same direction as the last. By radiating out their pattern of balls, they've always got a fresh supply of sand with food in it," Prince said. Predators were another factor that influenced the size and shape of the crab's creations. The whole idea of running back to a central burrow means its never too far away from safety. It can go back to the burrow when it's disturbed by predators. And thats mostly wading birds, particularly red-capped plovers, so if they see those or a human, theyll immediately run back into the burrow, Prince told Yahoo. ADVERTISEMENT So if theyre continually disturbed by predators then the lines wont go as far. East Point Beach in Darwin is home to sand bubbler crabs. Source: John Brock Another impact on the shape of patterns is the density of the crabs, and thats because they dont like to run across the lines of their neighbours. Surprisingly this behaviour isnt driven by the crabs being territorial, instead it's about avoiding sand thats already been filtered and denuded of nutrients. There wouldn't be any point in crossing over. So you tend to get discrete patterns that arent interwoven. There are specific boundaries, and you can trace which area belongs to each crab, Prince added. Sadly the projects research leader died, and the sand bubbler crab study ran out of money. Since then there has been little investigation into its pattern-making, and questions about where it chooses to create its burrow remain unanswered. Documenting crabs leads to bigger life lesson Brock interest in crabs remains a hobby. His professional life has focused on plants, and hes the author of Native Plants of Northern Australia, 2022. The beach has been a place of escape and wonder, particularly the intertidal zone, where he loves to "beach roam" for weathered objects like shells, stone and wood. ADVERTISEMENT Rather than pick them up, I thought why dont I just photograph them and leave them on the beach for everyone to enjoy, he said. His wanderings around the intertidal zone are what led him to the bubbler crab. While hes yet to make any scientific observations about the species, by documenting them hes learned valuable lessons about life. To see these patterns to look at them and preserve them is just mesmerising. Theyre creating brilliant art without it actually being art, he said. It's nature's art, and many of us have seen this in various ways, in flowers and leaf patterns. Sand bubbler crabs are something tiny and ephemeral. And these little creatures are another reason to look after the beaches and do better when it comes to protecting nature. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. The Anambra State Police Command has raided a notorious criminal camp in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area, recovering 19 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Commands spokesman, confirmed in a press statement issued on Wednesday that the operation occurred early on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. In the early hours of December 24, 2024, a joint security operation led by the Nigeria Police Force and comprising the military, civil defence, and Anambra vigilante operatives successfully dismantled a criminal camp located in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area, Ikenga stated. Advertisement Ikenga stated that the operation led to the demolition of several makeshift structures and left fleeing suspects severely injured, with gunshot wounds as they escaped. READ MORE: NAFDAC Confiscates N3.8bn Worth Of Unregistered Food Products In Lagos The operation resulted in the destruction of several makeshift structures within the camp, the recovery of 19 unexploded improvised explosive devices and inflicted significant injuries on fleeing suspects, Ikenga added. The operations success stemmed from reliable intelligence on the gangs activities and details obtained from suspects detained during ongoing police efforts across the state. The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Nnaghe Itam, praised the coordination between security services and public vigilance, emphasising the necessity of ongoing collaboration to preserve safety during and after the Christmas season. In light of this development, the Commissioner of Police strongly urges all proprietors of private and public hospitals to immediately report any individual presenting with bullet wounds or injuries of a suspicious nature to the nearest police station, the statement read. CP Itam emphasised the importance of this method in tracking down fleeing suspects and preventing additional criminal activities. The Anambra State Police Command assures the public of its unwavering commitment to maintaining security dominance through sustained patrols and targeted operations aimed at ensuring a peaceful Yuletide season for all, the statement concluded. Nollywood actor and comedian AY Makun has responded to rumours suggesting he was criticizing female colleagues after sharing his frustrations about the lack of support from male actors. The comedian, who recently premiered his film The Waiter, had expressed his disappointment on social media over the absence of backing from his male counterparts. This prompted online speculation that his comments were aimed at female Nollywood stars who have recently reached major achievements. Advertisement In a bid to clear the air, AY Makun took to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, clarifying that his post was never meant to target or undermine the success of women in the industry. He reiterated that he fully supports them and encourages their continued progress. READ MORE: The Highest Money Ive Gotten From TikTok In A Day Is N10m Peller He explained his frustration with male colleagues, pointing out that it is discouraging to see actors neglecting the films they are paid for, only to promote other projects instead. He tweeted, And i repeat, WEY TIN MAN DO MAN? Begging your fellow male actors to join you in promoting your film shouldnt be a big deal. Especially when i have always been doing the same for everyone. Do you know how frustrating it is to pay actors who end up promoting other films and abandoning the one that they are in EVEN with signed contracts?. My last tweet has nothing to do with the hardworking women who are winning in the industry as they all have direct my support and encouragement to date. MEN SHOULD ALSO SUPPORT MEN. SEE POST: Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has appealed to Christians in the country to embrace peace unity, especially during festive period. In a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Tuesday, Atiku urged Nigerians to emulate life of Jesus Christ. He said: Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, extends heartfelt Christmas felicitations to the Christian community in Nigeria as they celebrate the 2024 commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Advertisement In his message, Atiku implored Nigerians to embrace a life of love and unity, drawing inspiration from the joyous spirit of the Christmas season. He urged citizens to be guided by compassion and selflessness, encouraging them to cherish the significance of Christmas as a time for reflection and togetherness. Speaking further, Atiku berated President Bola Tinubus administration over economic challenges facing the country. He said: The Waziri Adamawa, however, did not shy away from pointing out the failure of current political leaders to make the necessary sacrifices for the nations collective good. He condemned the lack of leadership, which has resulted in widespread suffering and preventable deaths across the country. Yet, despite these grave challenges, Atiku appealed to Nigerians to remain united, to embrace one another with love, and to confront the root cause of their struggles, poor leadership. With love and unity, there is no obstacle too great to overcome. Let us, therefore, come together to share love and joy with all people of goodwill. The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has appealed to Nigerians that challenges facing the country should not be the reason for engaging in wrong things. Bishop Kukah noted that despite hardship, caused by bad government, Christians should always remember that they are light of the world. Speaking in his Christmas message on Wednesday, the cleric noted that citizens cannot continue to blame constitution, judiciary, security agents or other public servants for the corruption in the society. Advertisement He noted that Christmas offers Christians a time for deep personal reflections on the values and virtues of the Christian witness. READ MORE: Bishop Kukah Backs FG Over Tax Reform Bills, Calls For Proper Communication Kukah said: I appeal to Christians not to forget that we are the light of the world, the city on the hill that cannot be hidden. Christians must not allow the structural weaknesses, the foibles and failures of the Nigerian state, to become an excuse for doing wrong. We cannot continue to blame the Constitution, the Judiciary, the Police, or other public servants for the corruption in our society. We swore to be faithful to Christ at baptism before we encountered the Constitution. The Constitution is a human instrument with limitations and flaws. However, the Word of God is a divine command and inerrant. Good Christians have the laws of God written in their hearts (2 Cor. 3:3) They need no other law. A comprehensive work plan to secure our nation, with clear datelines, must be put in place. Insecurity is the first child of corruption. We cannot win the war against insecurity without addressing the issues of unemployment and violent religious extremism which create the conditions for violence. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Yusuf Dingyadi, has tasked President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his administrations approach to the nations challenges. Yusuf, in a statement on Wednesday, cited widespread suffering, insecurity and poverty among Nigerians, due to Tinubus tough policies. He emphasised the need for a more compassionate and effective approach to governance. Advertisement Yusuf said: President Tinubus government is more interested in introducing policies that thrive on creating much agony, suffering and suppressing Nigerians. Our people are more impoverished and lacking clear focus about the unity, cohesion in the country. Even those vocals activists have now compromised by becoming a tool for political propaganda against the innocent common Nigerians. Majority of members of the national Assembly has now abandon ways to help and improve lives of Nigerians, becoming more burdens to the survival of ordinary Nigerian. READ MORE: Christmas: Lets Renew Our Hope, Were On Path To Restoration Tinubu Tells Nigerians The current system has led to increased suffering and burden on the citizens, with many struggling to make ends meet. After two years of President Bola Tinubus administration, there has been no significant improvement in the lives of Nigerians. Instead, those who were expecting relief have found themselves among the victims of this hardship. Specifically, people in the northern regions, particularly in states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, and Kaduna, who were once self-sufficient in food production, can no longer feed themselves due to the deteriorating security situation. This has disrupted their farming activities, which were previously done for commercial purposes. We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action, but so far, his efforts have been ineffective. Its like trying to catch fish in a river without showing someone how its done. As leaders, you should demonstrate how things are done so that people can follow and benefit. President Bola Tinubu has advised Nigerians to learn to manage amidst the current economic challenges. Speaking during his first media chat since becoming President, Tinubu shared a personal anecdote to drive home his point. He said on Monday, People are learning management. A friend used to brag to me that he has five Rolls Royce. The other time I saw him in his Honda Accord. He said thats where you put me. I told him I did not put you there. Advertisement READ ALSO: No Scripted Questions For Tinubus Media Chat Reuben Abati Reveals But he said it was because of fuel prices that he could no longer maintain five limousine-type vehicles. It is not negative to learn to manage. Switch off the light to control your electricity bill. Let us learn to manage. Tinubus comments come on the heels of the petrol subsidy removal, which has led to a significant hike in petrol prices across the country. The President has faced criticism for his administrations handling of the economy, but he remains adamant that his policies will ultimately benefit Nigerians. Despite the backlash, Tinubu has also refused to downsize his cabinet, which boasts 48 ministers, the highest since Nigerias return to civilian rule in 1999. Edo State Police Command has re-arrested an ex-convict, identified as John Agbontean over alleged armed robbery. In a statement by the Commands Spokesman, Moses Joel Yamu, disclosed that the suspect was apprehended in connection with a robbery incident at the Restoration Gospel Ministry, located at number 11 Oviasuyi Street off Ogiemwenke in Benin City. Yamu stated that Agbonteans arrest came two days after he had served a jail term for another crime. Advertisement The police Spokesman added that security operatives recovered a cut-to-size gun from the ex-convict. READ MORE: Two Dead, Four Injured In Edo Road Crash He said: On 22/12/2024 at about 1145hrs, following a distress call that armed robbers were operating at Restoration Gospel Ministry, situated at no. 11 Oviasuyi street off Ogiemwenke in Benin-City. Operatives of Saint Saviour Divisional Headquarters immediately mobilised to the scene where one John Agbontean 35yrs was arrested with a cut-to-size gun while attempting to rob the church. Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed being an ex-convict that gained his freedom from Oko Prison, Benin-City on 19/12/2024. He stated that he and his accomplice, one Ola whose surname is unknown now at large, conspired to rob the aforementioned church of the proceeds from the Churchs end-of-year harvest thanksgiving where he was arrested in the process, while his accomplice narrowly escaped arrest. A former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has faulted President Bola Tinubu for saying that he is not interested in probing military spending under his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. It was learnt that during a media chat on Monday, Tinubu said that he wont be investigating military expenditures under Buharis government. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, the former lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central, said that doing that was tantamount to rewarding larceny and corruption. Advertisement He said: When you find yourself in this position, especially with a nation facing these critical issues like ours, you still have to go backward and see how public funds that were looted have been recovered and I think we have been doing that with what has happened in the CBN the last time. READ MORE: No Regret Over Removal Of Subsidy Tinubu Insists But when one of the panelists questioned him (Tinubu) about the looting, the mismanagement of security and defense forces under the Buhari administration, which he needs to probe, I think he made it clear that he is more interested in moving forward than moving backward. Its a bit contradictory; you can move backward in CBN but you cant move backward in security. I believe that what should have been is that if he is being provided with evidence that shows that there are clear cases of corruption, he would move to recover public funds. That is what the answer was supposed to be. If you say that whatever happened in the past has gone, it is more like rewarding larceny which he has done by saying he is not going to go back. Speaking further, Mr. Sani called on Nigerians to hold President Tinubu responsible over the state of the nation. He said: He (Tinubu) should be held responsible for what has happened under his government. He has economic reforms. He has started, there are lots of pains, Nigerians are suffering but it is a fact all over the world and in history: economic reforms have never been popular with the citizens. The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has appealed to Christians in Abuja to obey Gods commandments, especially during festive season. This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media, Olalere Olayinka. Wike, also sympathised with families of the stampede victims who lost their lives on the 22nd of December, 2024, during palliative distribution. Advertisement The former governor of Rivers State, urged residents of FCT to be keep hope alive, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubus government will soon make things better for everyone. READ MORE: Christmas: Lets Renew Our Hope, Were On Path To Restoration Tinubu Tells Nigerians He said: I congratulate all residents of the Federal Capital Territory for the grace of celebrating another Christmas. It is my prayer that the good Lord who made this possible will ensure that we all celebrate many more Christmas in good health. Once again, I also sympathise with families of victims of the recent stampedes in Abuja. I pray that God in His infinite mercies will grant them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. With the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, things will keep getting better. The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, has blamed government over recent tragic events that happened in Oyo, Anambra States, including Abuja. Speaking on Wednesday, in his Christmas message, the cleric noted that the stampedes are a metaphor for the situation of desperation that citizens have been thrown into. Recall that 10 persons were killed on the 21st of December, 2024, while attempting to receive palliatives in Abuja. Advertisement On the same day, 22 people were also killed in Anambra State in attempt to collect food items distributed by Obi Jackson Foundation. Meanwhile, in Ibadan, Oyo State, 35 children were killed in a charity event organized by Agidigbo FM and Ex-wife of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, on the 18th of December, 2024. Reacting to the unfortunate incidents on Wednesday, Bishop Kukah said that the tragedies were avoidable. He added that government needs to work more closely with institutions that help to promote the common good of our society. Bishop Kukah said: The tragedies that occurred in Okija, Ibadan, and Abuja where innocent people lost their lives in stampedes at food distribution points are a metaphor for the situation of desperation that citizens have been thrown into. READ MORE: Demonstrate Good Leadership, End Insecurity, Poverty Affecting Nigeria PDP Chieftain Tells Tinubu The failures of government to respond concretely toward ending the horrible crisis of hunger and desperation has created the conditions for these avoidable tragedies. Citizens are lapsing into despair. It is the duty of government to ensure minimum dignity for our people. The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) is advocating for a 70-year retirement age for medical consultants. According to Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, MDCAN President, the association has been pushing for this demand, along with the universal application of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for medical lecturers. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, is expected to submit a memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) regarding the retirement age demand. Advertisement Additionally, Pate and the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, plan to submit a joint memo to the Presidential Committee on Salaries, advocating for the universal application of CONMESS. READ ALSO: Unpaid Salaries: Abuja Doctors Issue 14-Day Ultimatum To Wike, Say Theyve Become Abandoned Projects MDCAN had previously embarked on a seven-day warning strike in November to push for these demands. The strike was suspended after six days, following government intervention in a dispute over the Vice-Chancellor position at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Muhammad confirmed progress on the memos to Punch on Tuesday, stating, We have seen the draft of the memo and included our input, but I am unsure of its current stage with the ministers. They are in the process of submitting it to the Federal Executive Council for consideration. MDCANs next meeting is scheduled to take place from January 20 to 25, 2025, where further actions may be determined. The association also reiterated its demand for the harmonization of medical consultants retirement age to 70 years and for the universal application of CONMESS to all medical and dental officers. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raided a warehouse in Lagos State, confiscating unregistered food items. The agency disclosed on its X account on Tuesday that the items seized from the facility are valued at over N3.8 billion. NAFDACs Investigation & Enforcement Directorate raided a warehouse at Apongbon Oke Arin Market, following a tip-off about the sale of unregistered food products, NAFDAC said. Advertisement It added, Various unregistered items valued at N3,818,802,720 were seized during the operation, and the facility has been placed on hold pending further investigation. READ MORE: Fatal Road Crash In Abia Leaves Eight Dead, Two Injured NAFDAC revealed that the warehouse management has been called in for questioning, assuring that suitable penalties will be applied after the investigation concludes. The agency emphasized its dedication to protecting public health and enforcing regulatory standards, urging the public to stay alert during the festive season and report any suspicious activities to their nearest office. Elder statesman Bode George, on Tuesday, strongly criticized President Bola Tinubus recent media chat, stating that it lacked empathy and humanity. George expressed his concerns on Channels Televisions Politics Today program, emphasizing that the Presidents statements demonstrated a lack of understanding of the suffering of many Nigerians. He specifically mentioned the recent food queue stampedes that resulted in 67 deaths, highlighting the widespread hunger and anger in the country. Advertisement According to him, despite the Presidents claims of successful reforms, many Nigerians are becoming poorer, and businesses are collapsing. READ ALSO: Bode George Urges Tinubu To Reduce Petrol Price To N300 Per Litre During Yuletide It is getting worse by the day. Hunger doesnt believe in your talk, you gotta be real. Im surprised that there is no iota of somberness and humanity in the discussion. Why do you have a discussion in the first instance? he queried. George also called for the Tinubu administration to provide immediate palliatives to hungry Nigerians, who he believes have been impoverished by the current administrations policies. He further emphasized the need to reduce petrol prices to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnaper, identified as Chukwuma Obi, from Umuagu area of the state in connection with an alleged attempt kidnapping and extortion. It was gathered that the 32-year-old man, from Umuagu Village, Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, was apprehended on Tuesday by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugu-Ukwu. In a statement by the commands police Spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that Obi had demanded a ransom of N1.2 million through threats of abduction. Advertisement Ikenga said: The Anambra State Police Command has arrested Chukwuma Obi, a 32-year-old male from Umuagu Village, Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, in connection with an alleged case of attempted kidnapping and extortion. The suspect is accused of demanding a ransom of N1.2 million through threats of abduction. READ MORE: Properties Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Outbreaks Hit Anambra The victim reported receiving a menacing message from an individual claiming to be a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, threatening abduction unless the ransom was paid into a specified account. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and is currently assisting the police in identifying and apprehending other members of the gang involved in the criminal activities. Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed following some fire outbreaks which occurred in different locations in Anambra State. It was gathered that the unfortunate incidents happened between the period of Sunday and Tuesday. In a statement by the head of Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa on Tuesday, disclosed that the inferno erupted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka on Sunday. Advertisement Chiketa added that a similar development occurred on Tuesday, at a residential building on Nkisi Road Housing Gate, Fegge, Onitsha. The states fire service boss blamed affected people over carelessness and weather conditions. READ MORE: Stampede Death Toll Rises To 22 Anambra Police He said: Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call at 1210 hours (12:10pm) on Sunday, 22nd December, 2024 about a fire outbreak caused by bush burning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. A crew of Firefighters and firefighting equipment were deployed immediately to the scene, and they were able to contain the fire. The fire affected one of the buildings in the premises. The firemen departed the scene at 1620 hours (4:20pm) of the same day. Earlier today (Tuesday), at 0453 hours (04:51pm), Anambra State Fire Service attended and contained a fire outbreak at No. Nkisi Road Housing Gate, Fegge, Onitsha. No life was lost! Again, today (Tuesday), Anambra Fire Service at Awka contained a raging bush fire along Ekwueme Square Road, opposite XFit, preventing it from escalating to nearby properties. The distress call was received at 1349 hours (01:49pm) and the crew of Firemen on duty deployed immediately to the scene. The cause of the fire is unknown. No loss of lives and properties. The Firemen left the scene and returned to the station at 1441 hours (02:41pm) of the same day. Always clear the grasses around your surroundings. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed sadness over the excruciating poverty imposed on citizens by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, leaving many Nigerians unable to fully enjoy the Christmas season. National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, stated, The PDP laments that due to the abysmal level of poverty in the country, millions of Nigerians are no longer able to afford their daily meals, with most families not having the resources to travel to celebrate and bond with their loved ones as usual. Ologunagba in a Christmas message released on Tuesday noted that many Nigerians are stranded on dilapidated highways with no hope in sight, leading to a general sense of gloom and despondency. Advertisement READ ALSO: Properties Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Outbreaks Hit Anambra However, he urged Nigerians not to give up hope, saying, Our party, however, urges Nigerians not to give up hope or allow the sufferings they face at this time to make them lose sight of the blessings of Christmas and its message of hope and assurance of light at the end of the tunnel. The PDP spokesperson emphasized the importance of unity and love among Nigerians, saying, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urges Nigerians to use the occasion of this years Christmas to promote and strengthen the bond of love, unity, and care among themselves without regard to creed, class, or divisive considerations. He concluded by wishing all Nigerians a merry Christmas, while also acknowledging the challenges faced by the country. Christmas, the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, serves as a refreshing reminder of Gods eternal love to mankind and His willingness to grant divine solutions to every challenge of life, including the problems we face as a nation, he added. In a series of photos taken between 1976 and 1981 by Judith Sedwick, Sadie T.M. Alexander is signing a petition. Read more Artists have until Monday to apply to design a statue in honor of civil rights lawyer and economist Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander. The submission of qualifications is the first step in ensuring that the artist is considered for the competition. Advertisement Creative Philadelphia, the citys office that oversees public art, announced in November that there would be a statue honoring Alexander, a native Philadelphian who broke barriers in academia, economics, and the law, and fought for the civil rights of all Americans. The statue will be installed at Thomas Paine Plaza, outside the Municipal Services Building at 15th Street and JFK Boulevard. The call for artists noted: This public art competition is open to all interested artists or artist teams. Priority will be given to artists or artist teams who reflect the diversity of Philadelphia. In graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1921, Alexander became the first Black American to earn a Ph.D. in economics in the United States. She was also the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1927. The city held a Q&A meeting with more than two dozen artists on Nov. 25 to answer their questions about the project, said Valerie Gay, the citys chief cultural officer and executive director of Creative Philly. People were very interested in this project, and weve been receiving lots of positive feedback, Gay said. READ MORE: Philadelphia will honor Sadie T. M. Alexander, a pioneering civil rights lawyer and economist, with a statue The application includes two parts: a Submission of Qualifications and the Finalists Proposals. Only the first part is due by 11:59 p.m. Monday. As of Dec. 23, about 10 artists had applied. A selection committee will announce the finalists from among the applicants by Jan. 30. Those finalists will have until April 10 to submit their proposals for the statue. After time for the publics review of the proposals, the winning artist or team is expected to be announced by the end of May. The city expects the statue to be installed by fall 2026. Bill Allaire, a volunteer with the nonprofit Young Men and Women in Charge, helps participants Layee Dukuly and Sebastien Jean-Baptiste with an engineering project. The organization prepares young people for careers in the STEM fields. Read more Advertisement Londyn Chambers grandmother marvels at what her grandchild can do. Every time the 8-year-old has something in her hands, shes either taking it apart or putting it together. If something is broken, shell try to fix it, Loretta Hogue-Scott, of Norristown, said. And nine times out of 10, she does! As a kid, Richard Roberts III was the same way. Now, Roberts is the executive director of Young Men and Women in Charge, a West Chester-based nonprofit with the goal of inspiring young people like Londyn to pursue careers and good-paying jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Growing up in Phillys West Oak Lane neighborhood, Roberts knew Wednesday was trash day. So on Tuesdays, hed scour curbside bins for discarded radios, toasters, or motors anything he could fiddle with in his basement, trying to see how it worked. Roberts turned that fiddling into a career in engineering, and Londyn, who crosses paths with Roberts at the programs workshops on Saturdays at West Chester Universitys graduate building, figures on doing the same. I want to be an engineer, an engineer that creates things, she said, telling her grandmother that she plans to obtain a patent someday. (And yes, the third grader knows what a patent is, thanks to the program.) I just made a stroller out of cardboard and put the dog in it. Volunteers and staffers guide about 300 young people, third grade through high school, offering tutoring, mentoring, financial assistance, and a host of projects, including a major science fair every February. The program partners with local school districts, drawing young people from the William Penn, Upper Darby, Chester-Upland, Norristown, Phoenixville, West Chester, and Coatesville school districts. The Philadelphia participants attend Horace Howard Furness and Martin Luther King High Schools. The nonprofit also stays connected with about 150 alumni about half of whom are in college and getting scholarships provided by the group. An additional 500 kids in first grade through high school attend summer programs. A new pre-apprentice program will prepare 18- to 25-year-olds to enter the building trades. Roberts and his crew run a tight, disciplined program. Students are required to earn leadership development units by attending Saturday sessions, as well as weekly workshops at their schools. The workshops offer help with homework and the science fair project, along with sessions on additional skills such as financial literacy and basic coding. Students must record the number of hours they study. When they join, they must give permission for the organization to monitor their grades through their schools portals. The staff flags students whose grades are taking a hit. Participants in the nonprofits programs must also take part in community service. They memorize a credo that begins: I am a young scholar in charge. I am bold and strong. I will banish fear and doubt. For some, the fear comes in the form of shyness, but there was no room for shyness earlier this year when Faith Taylor, a ninth grader from Drexel Hill, was competing as part of the groups Math Counts team at a national meet in Atlanta. (The team won, by the way.) I was a really shy person, she said, taking a break from a Math Counts practice one Saturday earlier this month. My mom thought it would be a good idea for me to get out of my shell. Ive met a lot of new people. Ive gotten out of my shell and experienced a lot of opportunities. This is good, especially for people who are shy. They can get out of their comfort zone. Weve had to do some presenting, she said. I was like, I cannot do this, but I did it, and after I did it, I felt like I accomplished something. Keith Graymickens definitely accomplished something. In seventh and eighth grades, he was pulling Cs and Ds at school, he said. But last year, when Graymickens was a ninth grader at Furness in South Philadelphia, he earned all As. They forced me to get my grades better, he said. Theyll be on your butt about having low grades, and theyll tutor you. One Saturday earlier this month, he was working on his science project, figuring out how vinegar and salt could activate electricity in nickels and pennies with foil as the conductor. Participants memorize the nonprofits credo that begins: I am a young scholar in charge. I am bold and strong. I will banish fear and doubt. Graymickens wants to pursue a career in computer science, and dreams of being the first in his family to go to college. I want to make my family proud of me and go to college and get some money, he said. I can be a role model for other kids in my school. It was the same story all day long one Saturday earlier this month the young women working on science experiments in an office kitchen turned science lab, the young men figuring out how to construct a robotic claw able to grasp and lift objects. Inza Soumaro, 16, a student from the William Penn School District, looked up from working on the claw to explain how the nonprofit helped him gain more confidence. A lot of young people, he said, dont get the support or the courage or the push to succeed. But volunteers with the program give you that push and that courage and the belief that success is not just possible, but likely. Michelline Kho, 13, of South Philadelphia, didnt use to like science because she kept failing it. Chemistry that terrifies me, she said. She didnt like math much, either, but she was part of the nonprofits winning Math Counts team. She now considers herself good in both math and science. Nyla Dukes, 14, of Drexel Hill, marveled at how the nonprofits staff had kept better track of her grades than she or her parents did. They pushed her to succeed. It felt like they were really there to support me, she said. Shed like to pay it back. It gave me more motivation to help others to take time out to go to food drives and raise money. Seeing others happy makes me happy. Roberts, too. He remembers his father sternly summoning him from the basement. Roberts feared punishment. Instead, his father told him, Youre going to be an engineer. Roberts really didnt know what an engineer was. But he went for it, even though, he said, his high school counselors and teachers discouraged his ambitions. Roberts graduated with an engineering degree from Widener University in Chester. On campus, he bonded with other students of color, and later, with work colleagues of color for support and encouragement in a field that remains primarily white. I was one of those guys who hung in there, he said. The experience inspired him to start the nonprofit, so young people of color could be encouraged, not discouraged, from pursuing their ambitions. One of the features is that we try to place the kids in environments that there was no way that theyd be able to do on their own, Roberts said. The itinerary for an annual college tour includes an out-of-state school, so young people experience traveling. The group fields a team of math superstars for a Math Counts competition at the National Society of Black Engineers annual convention. In March, the team goes to Chicago. The nonprofit raises money for scholarships for college-bound students. To prepare them, the groups volunteers offer SAT prep courses, help applying for admission and financial aid, and host a career and college expo. Layee Dukuly, 16, an Upper Darby 10th grader, readily explains why caring people should donate to the organization. He starts by noting the upward trajectory of his grades from the 70s in mathematics to the 90s. My grades were pretty low, he said, finishing pizza before heading to the robotics lab. I needed help, and my cousin told me about this program. It helped me a lot. Math is easier for me, and Im starting to enjoy math. With his low grades, Dukuly had pretty much given up on the idea of college, but now I have a chance of going, he said. People who donate, he said, will be giving money to help people improve themselves, and isnt that good for society? Jane M. Von Bergen spent more than 25 years as a reporter and editor at The Inquirer. janevonbtheater@gmail.com This article is part of a series about Philly Gives a community fund to support nonprofits through end-of-year giving. To learn more about Philly Gives, including how to donate, visit phillygives.org. About Young Men and Women in Charge Mission: To empower and prepare economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented youth so they can pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, math, art, music, and entrepreneurship. Young people served: 950 Annual spending: $1.25 million in 2023 Point of pride: Watching the transformation in each young persons life. Proud of contributions from hundreds of volunteers and companies. You can help: Tutors and mentors are always needed. Help with special projects such as sorting contributions of technological and robotic equipment. Office help. Assisting at the science expo or the college and career expo. Support: phillygives.org/philly-gives/ Connect: West Chester University Graduate Center, 1160 McDermott Dr., West Chester Mailing address: P.O. Box 1954, West Chester, PA 19380, or online at ymwicfoundation.org What your Young Men and Women in Charge donation can do $50 provides one STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) kit $125 pays for a case of 25 science fair trifold boards $150 covers one night in a hotel room for two scholars at a robotics competition $200 covers rent on a 15-passenger van to bring students to Saturday sessions in West Chester $400 covers the fee for one scholar to attend Widener Universitys summer engineering camp Museums and youth organizations in Philly don't just offer programming at their facilities in person, but also offer at-home programming too. Read more Philly is home to a plethora of youth educational programs, organizations and renowned museums. But, what if you want to bring their lessons to your child at home? Well, they offer at-home activities too. The Inquirer spoke with the Academy of Natural Sciences, Free Library of Philadelphia and the Yes! And... Collaborative Arts to see how parents can bring some of their magic back home. Working this kind of learning and play into your family schedule can bring benefits to your child for years down the road, according to the educators interviewed for this article. They suggest always keeping activities open-ended and letting the kids lead where the activity goes. This means there shouldnt really be an end goal when exploring the sciences and arts with children. Dont be afraid to go down tangents during discussions and let imaginations run wild even if it doesnt make logical sense. Its all about creating a safe space and giving kids the autonomy to learn adults are just there to participate and guide when needed. And fun and educational activities dont have to be expensive. All three of these institutions offer free downloadable activities online. If youre at home and looking for stuff to do with kids, check out these resources from Philly organizations and museums. Advertisement Nature and science Talking about science can be fun and engaging because its something that intersects with day-to-day life. According to the Academy of Natural Sciences youth and family program director Mary Bailey, having conversations around science can be easy for parents too because its as simple as being open to asking, What if? about everyday topics. Kids learn the scientific method in school from a very young age, Bailey said. Even if they dont know that what theyre doing is science or the scientific method, you can talk about anything with them and keep asking questions, What do you observe? or What do you think might happen? If youre looking for science and nature activities to do at home with kids, look no further than the Academy of Natural Sciences online Science from Home activity guide. Here you will find dozens of activities to learn, create and have discussions with instructions and guided dialogue scripts. To check out and download activity guides, visit ansp.org/exhibits/science-from-home. Reading, critical thinking and discussions Preparing kids for their future is easier when they have an understanding of arts, history, and culture at a young age. Families looking to engage in a variety of topics history, science, technology, arts and literature should check out The Free Library of Philadelphias free reading challenge rewards program and their activity guides for kids to do at home. Both will provide families with enough to do an entire summer. This online platform and mobile app is provided through the Library and is home to monthly, seasonal and yearly reading challenges like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten or Black History Month with new challenges being added periodically. Besides reading books, challenges include watching videos about historical figures, learning about how the city works, and reading articles about the challenge topic. Its free to join and parents can easily sign up and navigate one account with the ability to set up profiles for their kids to keep track of reading at freelibrary.beanstack.org. You can also download the mobile app for iPhone and Android. Summertime is packed with fun, but what if you sprinkle a little learning in between? Reading Champs is a free library program geared toward encouraging kids to read, learn and engage in educational activities during the summer break. However, the activities are available for download all year long. Categorized by No Stuff Needed, Stuff Needed, Strictly Outdoors and more, theres bound to be an activity that works for you from Freeze Dancy Party and creating your own biographies to Philly Celebrity charade and inventing your own sport. Check out all that Reading Champs has to offer at readingchamps.org. Performing arts and creativity Yes! And... Collaborative Arts (YACA), a youth arts organization in Germantown, takes its organizational name to heart. In improvisational theater, performers make up the story as they go along requiring other performers to continue the flow of the performance this mentality is called Yes, and... This way of thinking really helps kids to understand the concept that our stories can be so much bigger and more interesting when we say, Yes, to each others ideas, but then we also get to add our own unique voice to it, said YACAs executive director, Christine Herrman. This collaboration between kids fosters skills that they will use throughout their lifetime. Fortunately, Yes And has an entire YouTube playlist full of instructional activity videos for kids to do at home almost 50 videos. Through these activity guides, kids will create their own family crest, draw a map of their own medieval quest, and so much more. Each video comes with a list of materials needed and the intended age for the activity. You can watch all these videos on YouTube at youtube.com/@YesAndCAMP. Check out the Yes! And... Anytime Art Grind playlist. Beijing (Gasgoo)- On December 24, Mr. Shao Mingfeng, Deputy General Manager of VOYAH, the premium new energy vehicle brand under Dongfeng Motor, announced at a media event that the company plans to launch more than four new or refreshed models in 2025, aiming for annual sales of 200,000 vehicles. COURAGE; photo credit: VOYAH VOYAH will accelerate development across branding, products, technology, distribution, services, and global expansion. In 2024, VOYAH achieved significant growth in a highly competitive market. From January to November, the company sold 73,561 vehicles, realizing month-on-month growth for seven consecutive months, and surpassing 10,000 units of sales for three consecutive months. This year, VOYAH expanded its lineup with the VOYAH FREE 318, the new VOYAH DREAM, and the VOYAH COURAGE, completing its presence in the SUV, MPV, and sedan segments. The company also advanced technological innovation with mass production of 5C supercharging, an 800V silicon carbide platform, and cutting-edge features like the Kunpeng intelligent driving system and Xiaoyao smart cockpit under its Tianyuan architecture (names all in Chinese pinyin). VOYAH is also making strides internationally with its "Let's VOYAH" global strategy, entering over 20 countries, including Italy, Spain, and Portugal. By 2030, the company aims to establish a presence on six continents, expand to 60 countries, build 500 sales and service outlets, and achieve cumulative overseas sales of 500,000 units. Starbucks (SBUX) has grown from a Seattle coffee shop into the world's dominant coffee chain over five decades by roasting, marketing, and selling specialty coffees and an ever-expanding assortment of other beverages, food, and branded products. These products are sold in more than 38,000 Starbucks stores around the world. It boasts that its beverages and other products are also available in more than one million supermarkets, convenience stores, airports, and hotels in 80 countries. But the company-owned stores in North America still deliver most of its income, accounting for nearly 90% of all revenue in its 2024 fiscal year. Key Takeaways Starbucks sells beverages, food, and other items in 80 countries. The company's sales are primarily derived from its North America segment. Starbucks focuses on international expansion and new products for future growth. Starbucks' Financials Starbucks' primary competitors are other specialty coffee shops. While Starbucks dominates the U.S. market, it faces increasingly tough competitors in international markets, including U.K.-based Costa Coffee, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola (KO), and China-based Luckin Coffee (LKNCY). For the 2024 fiscal year, Starbucks posted record consolidated net revenues of $36.2 billion, up 1% from the previous year. Its comparable store sales dropped by 2% both in North American stores and 4% in its international locations. Starbucks announced a new growth push in November 2023 called the Triple Shot Reinvention with Two Shots. The plan included more efficient U.S.-based stores, continued global expansion, and more aggressive marketing of its Starbucks Rewards program. The company cited making "strong progress" in the initiative when it announced the creation of its geographic leadership structure in 2024 but made no distinct references to its financial viability. Starbucks' Business Segments Starbucks breaks out quarterly earnings for its company-owned stores, licensed stores, and other, such as product sales through partner retailers. For the 2024 fiscal year, all three of those segments remained relatively flat from the previous year. Overall net revenues for the quarter were $36.18 billion compared to $39.98 billion a year earlier. Company-Owned Stores: Starbucks' company-owned segment represents most of the company's revenue and includes all its stores worldwide. Net revenue for 2024 increased slightly on a year-over-year basis from $$29.46 billion to $29.76 billion. Starbucks' company-owned segment represents most of the company's revenue and includes all its stores worldwide. Net revenue for 2024 increased slightly on a year-over-year basis from $$29.46 billion to $29.76 billion. Licensed Stores: Starbucks does not own all of the stores that use its branding. Its licensed stores are a relatively small segment, bringing in $4.51 billion in 2024, which is relatively flat from the previous year. Starbucks does not own all of the stores that use its branding. Its licensed stores are a relatively small segment, bringing in $4.51 billion in 2024, which is relatively flat from the previous year. Other: This segment includes its branded products, packaged coffee, and ready-to-drink products sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. Revenue for the segment was down in 2024 from 2023 by 4.8%, bringing in $1.9 billion compared to $2 billion. Starbucks' Recent Developments The company announced a new leader after Laxman Narasimhan stepped down as chief executive officer (CEO) and as a Starbucks board member. Brian Niccol took the reins as the new chairman and CEO in September 2024. He was formerly CEO of Chipotle, the Mexican food chain. As noted above, the company announced a new leadership structure under its global brand in 2024, including: Michael Conway, who was appointed as CEO of Starbucks North America Brad Brewer, who was appointed as CEO of Starbucks international Belinda Wong and Molly Liu, co-CEOs of Starbucks China Howard Schultz, the company's founder, remains chairman emeritus. Unionization Starbucks has been involved in hundreds of labor disputes over its attempts to prevent the unionization of its retail employees. In early October 2024, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that then-CEO Howard Schultz made an unlawful and coercive threat when he told employees at a 2022 company event, "If you're not happy at Starbucks you can go work for another company." In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Starbucks in a suit brought by seven employees who were fired because of their pro-union activities. Employees at more than 500 Starbucks locations nationwide are unionized to date. How Starbucks Reports Diversity & Inclusiveness As part of our effort to improve the awareness of the importance of diversity in companies, we offer investors a glimpse into the transparency of Starbucks and its commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and social responsibility. We examined the data Starbucks releases to show you how it reports the diversity of its board and workforce to help readers make educated purchasing and investing decisions. The company's 2024 U.S. Workforce Demographics report indicates that 23.6% of its regional retail store vice presidents and 17.9% of its regional directors are Black, as are 11% of its district managers and 8.2% of its store managers. It says 53% of its regional vice presidents are female, as are 50% of its regional directors, 60% of its district managers, and 67.4% of its store managers. As of December 2024, the Starbucks board of directors had 10 members, three of whom are women. What Companies Are Starbucks' Biggest Rivals? Starbucks' biggest rivals are McDonalds, Dunkin' Donuts, and Tim Hortons. That's that coffee shop trade. Starbucks also is the top brand in packaged coffee, followed by Keurig Dr. Peppar Snapple Group, which sells the Green Mountain brand, and Lavazza, the family-owned Italian coffeemakers. Is Starbucks a Fairtrade Coffee Company? Starbucks is not a member of any of several fairtrade organizations that support farmers and their communities. However, Starbucks maintains its own Farmer and Coffee Equity (C.A.F.E.) practices that verify that the sources of its coffee adhere to high standards of workers' rights, water conservation, and biodiversity. Where Did the Name Starbucks Come From? You've never read Moby-Dick either? Starbuck was the name of the first mate on the ship Pequod in Herman Melville's classici novel. According to company lore, the founders chose the name because it evoked a sense of adventure. The Bottom Line Starbucks is in the midst of a growth plan that it calls its Triple Shot Reinvention with Two Shots. The plan has three focal points: cutting costs in its U.S.-based stores, expanding the reach of its Starbucks Rewards program, and opening more stores internationally. Update 8.21pm: Stephen Hogan, who had been missing from Hollyhill, Cork since Tuesday 24th December 2024, has been located safe and well. Original article 1.01pm: Gardai are seeking help in tracing the whereabouts of a man missing from Cork. Stephen Hogan, 50, was last seen in his home in Hollyhill on Tuesday evening. He is described as being about 5ft10in in height and of a large build, with grey hair and blue eyes. When Stephen was last seen, he was wearing blue jeans, a navy hoodie and white runners. He may be travelling in a grey Toyota Avensis 08C-registration car. Gardai and Stephen's family are concerned for his wellbeing. Anyone with information on Stephens whereabouts is asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021 494 6200, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. A former lady mayoress of Cork and fierce campaigner has died this Christmas morning, after a long battle with illness. Ursula Shannon (nee O'Keeffe), died at the age of 60 this morning, surrounded by her loving family. She leaves behind her husband, FF Cllr Terry Shannon, and their children. Adopted as a child in the UK, Ms Shannon was a fierce campaigner for adoption rights. She was born on February 18, 1964 in Paddington General Hospital, to an Irish mother who had been working in England since 1958. She was christened in Holy Redeemer Church, Chelsea, on March 15, 1964. Her birth father, also Irish, was from Galway. In written evidence to the UK parliament in November 2021, she said she was "trafficked to Ireland for adoption". In 2021, she was among many advocates who petitioned for the British Parliament to pass legislation regarding increasing rights for the adopted children of unmarried women between 1949 and 1976. In her petition letter, Ms Shannon wrote that adoption in many way starts with loss. A mother loses a baby, a baby loses its mother, its identity, its nationality, its citizenship, its family. As I was a baby, it seems I had no rights, no say, and it was strangers making these decisions, she had written. Addressing the members of the Parliament, she had noted that both governments turned a blind eye to the issue, which was historically known as the Irish problem. She wrote: I dont know how my mother was pressured into giving me up as she now has dementia, but I do know the girls were pressured, bullied, belittled, berated by people in power like social workers, nurses, nuns, and not forgetting in my case, the Catholic church, or as I like to refer to them .. the moral police without the morals. People say its societys fault but who were the people telling them it was wrong? Those spouting from the pulpit. Illegitimate children were born for many years before adoption came into the realm. Ms Shannon was able to eventually find her mother, but because of her condition, she was never able to have a conversation with her. Although, she had found some comfort. My mother at the start of her condition was found wandering around the streets looking for the baby. It warms my heart that she might have been looking for me, Ms Shannon had written. Pope Francis has kicked off the 2025 Holy Year, inaugurating a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome in a test of the popes stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. From his wheelchair, Francis knocked a few times and the great Holy Door of St Peters Basilica swung open on Tuesday. He was wheeled across the threshold as bells tolled across Rome and the choir inside the basilica began Christmas Eve Mass. In his homily, Francis said the Holy Year is an opportunity to relieve the debt of poor countries and commit to protecting the planet. The aim of the Jubilee, he said, is to bring hope to the interminable, dreary days of prisoners, to the cold and dismal lodgings of the poor and to all those places desecrated by war and violence. The ceremony inaugurated the once-every-25-year tradition of a Jubilee, in which the Catholic faithful make pilgrimages to Rome. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope, and he will underscore that message when he opens a Holy Door on Thursday at Romes Rebibbia prison in a bid to give inmates hope for a better future. This Christmas, at the beginning of the Jubilee Year, I invite every individual, and all peoples and nations, to find the courage needed to walk through that Door, to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions! #Christmas #Jubilee2025 Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 25, 2024 Francis has long incorporated prison ministry into his priestly vocation, and has made several visits to Rebibbia and other prisons during his travels. Security around the Vatican was at its highest levels following the Christmas market attack last week in Germany, the Interior Ministry said. Italian authorities were using extra police patrols and camera surveillance around Rome, while pilgrims faced metal detectors and other security checks to access St Peters Square via a reinforced police barricade passage. Francis, who turned 88 last week, went into the Christmas week and Jubilee launch with a cold that forced him to deliver his weekly Sunday blessing from indoors. Pope Francis opens the holy door marking the start of the Catholic jubilar year 2025 before presiding over the Christmas Eve Mass in St Peters Basilica at the Vatican (Vatican Media, HO/AP) But he appeared in fine form on Tuesday night. His health and stamina, already compromised because of his tendency to get bronchitis, are a concern given the rigorous calendar of events during the Holy Year. One of the highlights will be the canonisation of the teenage internet whiz Carlo Acutis, considered the first millennial and digital-era saint, during the Jubilee dedicated to adolescents in April. This week, Francis also delivered his annual Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) speech on Christmas Day from the loggia of St Peters Basilica. In addition to the outing at Rebibbia, he will celebrate New Years Eve vespers and a New Years Day Mass. The city of Rome entered the Jubilee with some trepidation. It has undergone two years of traffic-clogging public works upgrades of transportation, hospital emergency rooms and other vital services, testing residents patience. But only about a third of the 323 projects have been completed, and the city is already groaning under the weight of overtourism. Pope Francis waves before delivering the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for To the city and to the world) Christmas Day blessing from the main balcony of St Peters Basilica (Andrew Medichini/AP) Visitors have returned to Italy in droves following Covid-19, and the explosion of short-term holiday rentals has exacerbated a housing crisis. Some of Romes prized monuments have reopened recently, including the Trevi Fountain. And the main Jubilee project was finished just in time: a pedestrian piazza linking Castel St Angelo to the Via della Conciliazione, the main boulevard leading to St Peters Square, was unveiled on Monday. Vatican officials insist that Rome has a tradition of welcoming pilgrims and point to how past Jubilees have left their mark on the Eternal Citys urban and spiritual landscape. The Sistine Chapel was commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV for the Jubilee of 1475, and the big Vatican garage was built for the 2000 Jubilee under St John Paul II. Pope Boniface VII called the first Holy Year in 1300, and in recent times they are generally celebrated every 25 to 50 years. A Vatican gendarmerie officer salutes as Pope Francis prepares to deliver the Urbi et Orbi Christmas Day blessing from the main balcony of St Peters Basilica (Andrew Medichini/AP) Pilgrims who participate can obtain indulgences related to the forgiveness of sins that roughly amounts to a get out of Purgatory free card. Francis declared a special Jubilee in 2015-2016 dedicated to mercy and the next one is planned for 2033 to commemorate the anniversary of the crucifixion of Christ. The last regular Jubilee was in 2000, when St John Paul II ushered in the churchs third millennium. The one before that, in 1975, was notable because Pope Paul VI was nearly hit by falling plaster when he opened the Holy Door. The door was still behind a fake wall and Paul had used a ceremonial hammer to bang on it three times to open it. The fake wall now is removed well in advance. An Azerbaijani plane with 67 people onboard has crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors, a Kazakh official said. Deputy prime minister Kanat Bozumbaev disclosed the figures while meeting with Azerbaijani officials, the Russian news agency Interfax reported. The Embraer 190 was en route from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus when it was diverted and attempted an emergency landing three kilometres (1.8 miles) from Aktau, Azerbaijan Airlines said. The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan (Azamat Sarsenbayev/AP) Speaking at a news conference, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said it was too soon to speculate on the reasons behind the crash, but said that the weather had forced the plane to change from its planned course. The information provided to me is that the plane changed its course between Baku and Grozny due to worsening weather conditions and headed to Aktau airport, where it crashed upon landing, he said. Russias civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, said preliminary information showed that the pilots diverted to Aktau after a bird strike led to an emergency on board. According to Kazakh officials, those aboard the plane included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhs and three Kyrgyzstan nationals. Azerbaijans prosecutor generals office previously said that 32 of the 67 people on board had survived the crash, but told journalists that the number was not final. The Associated Press could not immediately reconcile the difference between the numbers of survivors given by Kazakhstan and Azerbaijani officials. Mobile phone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Other footage showed part of its fuselage ripped away from the wings and the rest of the aircraft lying upside in the grass. The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 lies on the ground in Aktau (The Administration of Mangystau Region via AP) The footage corresponded to the planes colours and its registration number. Some of the videos posted on social media showed survivors dragging fellow passengers away from the wreckage. Flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24.com showed the aircrafts altitude moving up and down substantially over the last minutes of the flight before impacting the ground. FlightRadar24 separately said in an online post that the aircraft had faced strong GPS jamming, which made the aircraft transmit bad ADS-B data, referring to the information that allows flight-tracking websites to follow planes in flight. Russia has been blamed in the past for jamming GPS transmissions in the wider region. Azerbaijan Airlines said it would keep members of the public updated and changed its social media banners to solid black. It also said that it would suspend flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as between Baku and the city of Makhachkala in Russias North Caucasus, until its investigation into the crash has been concluded. Azerbaijans state news agency, Azertac, said that an official delegation of Azerbaijans emergency situations minister, the deputy general prosecutor and the vice president of Azerbaijan Airlines were sent to Aktau to conduct an on-site investigation. The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 on the ground near the airport of Aktau (Azamat Sarsenbayev/AP) Mr Aliyev, who was travelling to Russia, returned to Azerbaijan on hearing news of the crash, the presidents press service said. He was due to attend an informal meeting of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a bloc of former Soviet countries founded after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in St Petersburg. Mr Aliyev expressed his condolences to the families of the victims in a statement on social media. It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured, he wrote. He also signed a decree declaring December 26 a day of mourning in Azerbaijan. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Mr Aliyev on the phone and expressed his condolences, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Speaking at the CIS meeting in St Petersburg, Mr Putin also said that Russias Emergency Ministry sent a plane with equipment and medical workers to Kazakhstan to assist with the aftermath of the crash. Kazakhstani, Azerbaijani and Russian authorities said they were investigating the crash. Embraer told The Associated Press in a statement that the company is ready to assist all relevant authorities. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese autonomous driving solution provider Hyperview (as known as Hongjing Drive) recently established its headquarters in Quzhou city, Zhejiang province, according to a post on the company's WeChat account. Photo credit: Hyperview As per the company's roadmap, Hyperview plans to leverage this new base to accelerate global business development, advance technology commercialization, and deepen its focus on intelligent driving solutions for commercial and passenger vehicles. Additionally, the company also aims to develop high-level intelligent hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks. Hyperview said it boasts comprehensive R&D capabilities in full-stack perception software, advanced driving, memory parking software, and automotive-grade autonomous driving computing platforms, with product lines covering all levels of autonomous driving from L1 to L4. By September this year, Hyperview had achieved mass production and deployment across 30 vehicle models from such automakers as SAIC Motor, Great Wall Motor, Chery, JAC Group, BYD, and HOZON Auto. In September this year, Hyperview announced the completion of its C1 financing round, raising hundreds of millions of yuan. Since its establishment in 2018, the company has raised funds across eight disclosed rounds, according to Chinese company information search platform Tianyancha. With the latest round of funding, Hyperview intends to intensify R&D of cutting-edge technologies such as BEV (battery electric vehicle) perception algorithms and integrated cabin-pilot-parking systems, as well as develop the next-generation ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) solutions to enhance product competitiveness and accelerate commercialization. Notably, Hyperview is actively working on a "second growth curve" and has launched the next-generation new energy intelligent heavy-duty trucks named "HyperTruck." The company has already partnered with heavy-duty truck manufacturers to produce and deliver these trucks for global markets. With the recent financing, Hyperview seeks to accelerate its strategic expansion into key global markets for new energy intelligent heavy-duty trucks, including partnerships with Saudi Aramco in the Middle East and Europe. This collaboration aims to promote the industrialization and widespread adoption of intelligent driving technologies. According to Dr. Liu Feilong, Founder and CEO of Hyperview, the company plans to carry out projects with Saudi Aramco in the Middle East, while also launching new initiatives in China. The Los Angeles Fire Department has 114 stations across the city and provides services to more than 4 million people in diverse areas ranging from urban landscapes to natural land. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- US electric vehicle maker Tesla's Shanghai Megafactory is anticipated to complete construction by the end of 2024, just seven months after breaking ground in May, marking a faster build speed than its Gigafactory, according to reports from local media outlets. On May 23 this year, Tesla and Lingang Group signed a procurement agreement for China's first batch of ultra-large commercial energy storage system, Tesla Megapack. The Shanghai Megafactory plans to start operation in the first quarter of 2025. It is expected to produce 10,000 units of large-scale commercial energy storage systems (namely, Megapack) annually, reaching a total storage capacity of nearly 40 GWh. The products will be supplied to the global markets. Megapack; photo credit: Tesla According to Tesla, each Megapack unit boasts a storage capacity exceeding 3.9 MWh, capable of powering 3,600 households for an hour. Over 200 units of Megapack can be assembled to form an energy storage plant, with an energy capacity of 1 million kWh, sufficient to supply a metropolis like San Francisco with six hours of power needs. Tom Zhu, Tesla's Senior Vice President, highlighted that the Shanghai Megafactory is Tesla's first energy storage facility outside the United States and marks another milestone investment in China over the past decade. "This factory signifies Tesla's global expansion in energy storage and underscores its pivotal role in the global energy transition," Zhu stated. Teslas Gigafactory Shanghai, adjacent to the Shanghai Megafactory, has exceeded an annual production capacity of 950,000 pure electric vehicles, serving as a core export hub within Tesla's global production network. The Palestinian health ministry has reported that a raid by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank has resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including two women. According to the Ramallah-based ministry, seven fatalities occurred in the Tulkarem refugee camp while one was reported in the nearby Nur Shams camp following a large-scale military operation early this morning. Among the deceased in Tulkarem were two women: Khawla Ali Abdullah Abdo, aged 53, and Bara Khalid Hussein, aged 30, as stated by the ministry. Eighteen-year-old Fathi Said Awda Ubaid was also reported dead, having sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen. The Israeli military, known for conducting frequent raids in the area targeting individuals identified as wanted militants, stated in a communication that they had eliminated a terrorist in close combat during the overnight operation in Tulkarem. It remains unclear which of the deceased Palestinians the Israeli statement pertains to. Residents of the Tulkarem camp reported that the raid involved bulldozers demolishing roads. Since the Hamas militants attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza and broader conflicts, hundreds of Palestinians and numerous Israelis have lost their lives in the West Bank. An Israeli soldier patrols the streets of Tulkarem during a raid that resulted in seven fatalities, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Patients evacuated from northern Gaza hospital, say medics The raids in the West Bank coincide with Israeli troops forcibly evacuating the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, with many patients making their way to another hospital located miles away in Gaza City, as reported by the territorys health ministry. The Indonesian Hospital is one of the few remaining operational hospitals in Gazas northern region, an area that has been under heavy Israeli military pressure for almost three months. Israel asserts that its operations surrounding the three northern Gaza communitiesBeit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and Jabaliaare aimed at targeting Hamas militants. In contrast, Palestinians accuse Israel of attempting to permanently depopulate northern Gaza to establish a buffer zone, which Israel has denied. Munir Al-Bursh, head of the health ministry in Gaza, reported that the Israeli army had ordered hospital officials to evacuate the premises yesterday before launching an incursion early this morning, compelling those inside to vacate. He also noted that two other medical facilities in northern Gaza, Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan Hospitals, have frequently faced assaults by Israeli forces in the region. The Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza Occupation forces have rendered the three hospitals non-operational due to repeated attacks that have damaged and destroyed parts of them, Mr. Bursh stated. Officials at these hospitals have thus far rejected Israels evacuation orders and have refused to leave patients unattended since the commencement of the new military offensive on 5 October. Israel claims to have been facilitating the delivery of medical supplies, fuel, and patient transfers to other hospitals within the enclave during this period, working alongside international agencies like the World Health Organization. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, mentioned their resistance to a recent military order to evacuate hundreds of patients, their companions, and staff, adding that the hospital has been under continuous fire from Israeli forces that have damaged generators, oxygen pumps, and parts of the building. We require your consent to load this rte-player content. We use rte-player to manage additional content that may set cookies on your device and collect data regarding your activity. Please review their details and approve them to load the content. Manage Preferences According to medics, Israeli forces have been operating in the vicinity of the hospital since yesterday. An Israeli security official characterized the area as a stronghold of Hamas. Kamal Adwan is situated at the center of the most complex fighting in Jabaliya, he explained. We are exercising extreme caution. Read more: Wartime Bethlehem prepares for a somber Christmas Famine imminent in northern Gaza, says Tanaiste A monitor for food insecurity has reported that a famine scenario is unfolding in regions of northern Gaza. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) has indicated that the area has reached IPC 5 levels of food insecurity, indicative of famine conditions. Addressing the issues of hunger, famine, and conflict in both Gaza and Sudan, Tanaiste Micheal Martin stated that both crises are man-made, arising from conflict, forced displacement, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and deliberate obstruction of humanitarian assistance. Mr. Martin emphasized that the likelihood of famine being imminent in northern Gaza is high. The continuing siege in northern Gaza is unconscionable, with a strong possibility that famine is imminent and humanitarian access severely restricted by the Israeli authorities, he stated. We call for an end to the ongoing military operation in Gaza, Mr. Martin added. Latest stories from the Middle East Meanwhile, a renewed effort by mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to cease hostilities and secure the release of Israeli and foreign hostages has gained traction this month, although no significant breakthroughs have been announced. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned yesterday that there has been progress in negotiations regarding hostages with Hamas, but he is uncertain about the timeline for results. Israeli and Palestinian officials have noted that the gaps between Israel and Hamas concerning a potential ceasefire in Gaza have narrowed, yet significant differences remain unresolved. A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of a woman who was set on fire on a subway train in New York City over the weekend. Authorities, including police and federal officials, have indicated that the man faces charges of murder and arson after allegedly igniting the woman on fire. According to police, the suspect was taken into custody approximately six hours after he reportedly used a lighter to ignite the clothing of a woman who seemed to be asleep on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn. He was officially charged with murder and arson yesterday, as confirmed by law enforcement. Subway employees and police officers utilized fire extinguishers to put out the flames engulfing the woman. Authorities noted that it seems there was no prior interaction between the attacker and the victim, whose identity has not been released. The suspect is currently in custody, and it is unclear whether he has retained legal counsel. He was apprehended on a subway train on Sunday afternoon, found with a lighter in his possession, police reported. He is expected to appear in court to face the charges against him. Subway employees and patrolling police officers acted quickly, using fire extinguishers to douse the flames that consumed the woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The depravity of this horrific crime is beyond comprehension, and my office is committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice, stated Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. This gruesome and senseless act of violence against a vulnerable woman will face the most serious repercussions. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, they plan to initiate removal proceedings against the suspect once he is released from New York custody, which could entail a lengthy prison sentence if he is convicted. One Dead, Eleven Injured in Attack on Ukrainian Apartment Building A ballistic missile strike on an apartment building in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih resulted in one death and 11 injuries, according to local authorities. Ukraine denounced the attack that occurred on Christmas Eve. The attackers struck directly at a four-storey residential building containing 32 apartments, stated Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the citys military administration, in a Telegram post. Regional governor Serhiy Lysak reported that one man, whose body was recovered from beneath the debris, could not be saved by paramedics. Governor Lysak shared images of rescuers sifting through a significant pile of rubble, helping an individual covered in dust and transferring them into an ambulance. There may still be individuals trapped under the debris, he remarked just before 6 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Irish time), over two hours after the missile strike. Kryvyi Rih, the birthplace of Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky, is a steel-producing city with a pre-war population exceeding 600,000. Located roughly 65 km from the nearest Russian-occupied area, the outskirts of Kryvyi Rih have been frequently targeted by Russian missile attacks throughout the conflict. While Russia maintains that it does not intentionally target civilians, thousands of lives have been lost since the beginning of its invasion in 2022. On Christmas Day, I like to recall the significance of Jesus and the nativity for Muslims. Ive talked about Rumi, Attar, and other mystics. Today it is Nezamis turn. The great Persian poet Nezami (1141-1209) was from the city of Ganja in northwestern Iran when it was ruled by the Seljuk Empire. That was the era of the Crusades and Richard Lionheart, though the Crusader kingdoms were far from Iran and Nezami only once left home, to see the king. In his Treasury of Mysteries, this Muslim poet refers to Christian themes several times. The most famous reference is an anecdote clearly rooted in folk culture, though it captures something of Jesus love for the despised humble folk (courtesans and tax-collectors). Here is my hurried, loose rendering: The feet of Christ, which traced the world, passed by a small market one day. A dog big as a wolf lay fallen. Like Joseph, the coat of its beauty was bloodied. A crowd of spectators gathered at the scene, like vultures circling the carcass. One said, This gruesome sight poisons the mind, the way a breath blows out a lamp. Another said, It is a pure blight It is blindness for the eye, a plague on the heart. All expressed their own opinion, heaping scorn each in turn. When came the turn of Jesus to speak, he eschewed blame and went straight to the truth of the matter. He said, How fine was its bodily form, and no white pearl can compare to its teeth. Unlike the others around him, Jesus is here depicted as finding something to admire even in the disgusting, putrid carcass of a dead dog, according to this mystical teaching story. Nezami goes on to advise people not to focus on the faults of others and preen about their own virtues. He warns against being too full of admiration for yourself when you look in a mirror. He says that decking yourself out in finery fresh as the spring is dangerous. Fate is out there, looking for prey to devour, and you dont want to attract attention to yourself. Here is an Iranian artists rendering of the scene from the Safavid period, early 1600s: Folio from a Makhzan al-asrar (Treasury of secrets) by Nizami (d.1209); verso: Jesus and the dead dog; recto: text: The tenth article. National Museum of Asian Art . Creative Commons 0. Nezami adds in Sufi fashion, The entirety of this world, old or new, is fleeting, and not worth two barley grains. Do not grieve for this world, but rise, sir, and if you do grieve, pour out some wine for Nezami. Nezamis story is an illustration of Matthew 7:3-5 3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbors eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your neighbor, Let me take the speck out of your eye, while the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbors eye. (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition). The Gospels also show Jesus as reminding people that they are in no position most of the time to judge others for their flaws, as when he defended the woman accused of adultery from being stoned in John 8:7 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition) Muslim poets and story-tellers told lots of anecdotes about Jesus that are not in the Gospels. He was a figure of wisdom and self-denial, and the Persian mystics used him to symbolize the potential of the soul for spiritual growth. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 25, Xiaomi EV announced through its official Weibo account strategic partnerships with NIO, XPENG, and Li Auto to collaborate on charging network interoperability. The hashtag "#Xiaomi Announces Partnership With NIO#" quickly trended on Weibo, sparking widespread attention. Xiaomi Groups founder, Chairman, and CEO Lei Jun also commented on this milestone collaboration with the three prominent Chinese new energy vehicle makers. Xiaomi SU7; photo credit: Xiaomi EV NIO and XPeng have been making great efforts to build their own charging infrastructures. As of December 24 this year, NIO has operated 4,206 charging stations and provides access to around 1,174,800 third-party charging piles across China. XPENG's network, as of December 19, includes over 1,830 self-operated stations and 9,370 charging piles. Meanwhile, Li Auto, a newer player in the charging ecosystem, has steadily expanded its network to 1,226 superfast charging stations and 2,115 preferred stations nationwide as of December 15. With this partnerships, Xiaomi EV's charging map now integrates over 14,000 NIO charging piles, more than 9,000 XPENG charging piles, and over 6,000 Li Auto charging piles. The network allows users to access real-time updates on charging status. However, service availability varies slightly: Li Auto only supports Xiaomi EV app scanning on selected piles, while XPENG offers plug-and-charge functionality. In March 2024, Lei Jun announced Xiaomi EV's plan to build its own supercharging network, gradually launching in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, featuring a 600kW liquid-cooled ultra-fast charging solution. However, in August, Lei Jun clarified that Xiaomi's primary focus remains on vehicle manufacturing, particularly optimizing the SU7's compatibility with public charging networks. Xiaomi EV highlighted that the SU7 has undergone over 70,000 charging tests with various service providers, resolving over 500 compatibility issues across over 200 different charging pile models, achieving over 99% compatibility with third-party infrastructure. In addition, Xiaomi introduced a home charging solution with features like "one-touch opening" and over-the-air (OTA) upgrades. This collaboration with NIO, XPENG, and Li Auto not only enhances the convenience of charging for Xiaomi EV users but also drives additional traffic to the charging networks of its partners, creating a win-win situation for all parties involved. By Oscar Berglund, University of Bristol and Tie Franco Brotto, University of Bristol (The Conversation) Climate and environmental protest is being criminalised and repressed around the world. The criminalisation of such protest has received a lot of attention in certain countries, including the UK and Australia. But there have not been any attempts to capture the global trend until now. We recently published a report, with three University of Bristol colleagues, which shows this repression is indeed a global trend and that it is becoming more difficult around the world to stand up for climate justice. This criminalisation and repression spans the global north and south, and includes more and less democratic countries. It does, however, take different forms. Our report distinguishes between climate and environmental protest. The latter are campaigns against specific environmentally destructive projects most commonly oil and gas extraction and pipelines, deforestation, dam building and mining. They take place all around the world. Climate protests are aimed at mitigating climate change by decreasing carbon emissions, and tend to make bigger policy or political demands (cut global emissions now rather than dont build this power plant). They often take place in urban areas and are more common in the global north. Four ways to repress activism The intensifying criminalisation and repression is taking four main forms. 1. Anti-protest laws are introduced Anti-protest laws may give the police more powers to stop protest, introduce new criminal offences, increase sentence lengths for existing offences, or give policy impunity when harming protesters. In the 14 countries we looked at, we found 22 such pieces of legislation introduced since 2019. 2. Protest is criminalised through prosecution and courts This can mean using laws against climate and environmental activists that were designed to be used against terrorism or organised crime. In Germany, members of Letzte Generation (Last Generation), a direct action group in the mould of Just Stop Oil, were charged in May 2024 with forming a criminal organisation. This section of the law is typically used against mafia organisations and had never been applied to a non-violent group. In the Philippines, anti-terrorism laws have been used against environmentalists who have found themselves unable to return to their home islands. Criminalising protest can also mean lowering the threshold for prosecution, preventing climate activists from mentioning climate change in court, and changing other court processes to make guilty verdicts more likely. Another example is injunctions that can be taken out by corporations against activists who protest against them. 3. Harsher policing This stretches from stopping and searching to surveillance, arrests, violence, infiltration and threatening activists. The policing of activists is carried out not just by state actors like police and armed forces, but also private actors including private security, organised crime and corporations. In Germany, regional police have been accused of collaborating with an energy giant (and its private fire brigade) to evict coal mine protesters, while private security was used extensively in policing anti-mining activists in Peru. 4. Killings and disappearances Lastly, in the most extreme cases, environmental activists are murdered. This is an extension of the trend for harsher policing, as it typically follows threats by the same range of actors. We used data from the NGO Global Witness to show this is increasingly common in countries including Brazil, Philippines, Peru and India. In Brazil, most murders are carried out by organised crime groups while in Peru, it is the police force. Protests are increasing To look more closely at the global picture of climate and environmental protest and the repression of it we used the Armed Conflicts Location Event database. This showed us that climate protests increased dramatically in 2018-2019 and have not declined since. They make up on average about 4% of all protest in the 81 countries that had more than 1,000 protests recorded in the 2012-2023 period: This second graph shows that environmental protest has increased more gradually: We used this data to see what kind of repression activists face. By looking for keywords in the reporting of protest events, we found that on average 3% of climate and environmental protests face police violence, and 6.3% involve arrests. But behind these averages are large differences in the nature of protest and its policing. A combination of the presence of protest groups like Extinction Rebellion, who often actively seek arrests, and police forces that are more likely to make arrests, mean countries such as Australia and the UK have very high levels of arrest. Some 20% of Australian climate and environmental protests involve arrests, against 17% in the UK with the highest in the world being Canada on 27%. Meanwhile, police violence is high in countries such as Peru (6.5%) and Uganda (4.4%). France stands out as a European country with relatively high levels of police violence (3.2%) and low levels of arrests (also 3.2%). In summary, while criminalisation and repression does not look the same across the world, there are remarkable similarities. It is increasing in a lot of countries, it involves both state and corporate actors, and it takes many forms. This repression is taking place in a context where states are not taking adequate action on climate change. By criminalising activists, states depoliticise them. This conceals the fact these activists are ultimately right about the state of the climate and environment and the lack of positive government action in these areas. Oscar Berglund, Senior Lecturer in International Public and Social Policy, University of Bristol and Tie Franco Brotto, PhD Candidate, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry CS Aden Duale has joined other Kenya Kwanza leaders in criticizing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Gachagua, who spoke in Naivasha on Sunday, sensationally claimed that President William Ruto is facilitating the sale of illicit brew in Mt. Kenya with the aim of reducing their numbers ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Gachagua stated that Ruto is doing this because he knows the people of Mt. Kenya will not elect him in 2027, as he betrayed them. However, in response, Duale termed Gachaguas remarks as unfortunate, irresponsible, and incitement. The Environment CS challenged the former deputy president to rise above ethnic politics and stop lowering the bar for good leadership. According to Duale, history will judge Gachagua if he continues with his current set of politics. "Gachagua, you were once the deputy president. This statement is unfortunate, irresponsible, incitement, and reckless. "History will judge you. Dont lower the bar for good leadership, raise above ethnic chieftains. Be a Democrat," Duale said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - CCTV footage has emerged showing how 22-year-old Peter Muteti, a social media influencer with a significant following on X, was abducted by suspected state agents in Uthiru Nairobi, on Saturday morning. The footage shows Muteti being abducted by two men in plainclothes while running errands outside a business premise They forced him into a car and sped off. His mobile phone was switched off shortly after the incident, and he has remained unreachable since. Mutetis girlfriend, Mary Wambui, who last saw him before he was abducted, said he had been living in fear after receiving threatening messages on X. The threats followed a post he made on Thursday afternoon featuring a picture of President William Ruto in a coffin, which some might consider offensive. Muteti deleted the post later that day, fearing for his safety. Watch the CCTV footage showing how he was abducted. If these abductions dont stop now, then we headed for a very rough patch in the coming days. This is a cctv footage as Peter Muteti got abducted by officers believed to be from @NPSOfficial_KE in Uthiru Mugi road, Dagoretti South. We call this out as @LawSocietyofKe pic.twitter.com/v69Hmb2iBz Wakili-Steven Mbugua (@WanjiruSteven) December 24, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - Controversial city car dealer Khalif Kairo is on the verge of shutting down his Kai and Kairo car yard along Kiambu Road after he was accused of conning clients. Kairos car yard was among the busiest along Kiambu Road and at one time, he bragged that he was one of the most sought-after car dealers in Nairobi. However, things went south for Kairo after several clients accused him of defrauding them. His car yard is almost empty after he lost clients, following endless scandals. Kairo admitted on X that 2024 was a tough year for him and claimed that he was taking a short break to devise a new strategy for the future. Below are photos taken at his car yard? The Kenyan DAILY POST. China vows to strengthen Yellow River ecosystem protection Xinhua) 09:35, December 25, 2024 Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, attends a meeting held during the 13th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has pledged more efforts to protect the ecosystem of the Yellow River, the country's second-longest river, which is known as the country's "mother river." The State Council and relevant departments will implement the strictest possible system for water resource protection and utilization along the river, Vice Premier Liu Guozhong said at a meeting held during an ongoing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee. At the meeting, lawmakers deliberated a report on the enforcement of the Yellow River Protection Law. The meeting was attended by Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. Liu pledged to improve the flood prevention and disaster mitigation system for the river basin, and to accelerate the transition to green and low-carbon development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has warned Kenya Power workers against laziness and poor service delivery to Kenyans. Speaking in Siaya County, Wandayi announced plans to conduct impromptu visits to Kenya offices across the country. He noted that the exercise to be undertaken next year will be aimed at ascertaining the level of service delivery to Kenyans. "As the New Year begins you are going to see radical changes and I will be making impromptu visits to Kenya Power offices across the country," the CS stated. "It is no longer going to be business as usual." According to the CS, it would no longer be entertained for lazy employees at the utility firm to derail the agenda of President William Ruto. He directed that the Kenya Power officials ought to respond to work on their response time for complaints raised by Kenyans regarding power issues. "Take your work seriously and respond to complaints by wananchi promptly. Address the issues being raised by Kenyans on a timely basis," Wandayi warned. "I will not condone or tolerate any form of excuse from the officers of Kenya Power. If you think that this work is too heavy for you." The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua hit out at President William Ruto, accusing him of facilitating alcoholism in the Mount Kenya region. Speaking during a church service in Naivasha on Sunday, Gachagua claimed that, despite having won the fight against alcohol and drug abuse in the region during his tenure as Deputy President, the President had undone his efforts. Gachagua alleged that the Interior Security PS was instructed by the President to open factories manufacturing cheap liquor and exclusively sell substandard alcohol in the Mt Kenya region. Jambo Ice Vodka is among the cheap liquor brands selling like hot cake in the Mt Kenya region. A bottle goes for Ksh 110 while a tot goes for as little as 15 bob. See photos. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has slapped the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) with a 21-day ultimatum to publish all complaints lodged against judges and their outcomes on their public website and other platforms. In the notice, CAJ also ordered the Judiciary to provide an analysis of the issues reported and their determination by submitting a compliance report. According to the notice, this order was prompted by a recent interview of Jacqueline Ingutiah, the Female Representative of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) on Spice FM which raised alarm on the flurry of complaints against judges that go unpunished. During the interview, a damning revelation was made that since the establishment of the JSC in 2011, a total of 935 cases against judges had been lodged. Of the 935 cases, 862 had been finalised, leaving a backlog of only 73 cases. However, a total of 772 complaints had been dismissed based on decisional independence. This translates to 82.5 per cent of all claims lodged. Due to the JSCs role in overseeing all complaints, the CAJ emphasised that adequate public disclosure regarding the outcomes of these complaints was crucial. The commission also referenced Article 35 of the Constitution, which grants all citizens the right to access information, and further outlined the information the JSC is required to provide to citizens within the next 21 days. Through Chief Justice Martha Koome, the CAJ urged the Judiciary to regularly publish detailed information, including the number of complaints or petitions lodged against judges. They are also required to outline the nature of the complaints, the timelines of the proceedings, the analysis based on hierarchy, division, and geographical location, and all determinations made to date. This order comes at a time when a section of senior counsels in the country, including former LSK President Nelson Havi, is calling for the resignation of CJ Koome citing corruption in the Supreme Court of Kenya. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has lambasted activist and civic educator Morara Kebaso for what he termed as misleading the younger generation. Taking to social media, Sudi dismissed Moraras disapproval of fellow activist Kasmuel McOure meeting President William Ruto on Sunday and accused him of purportedly fleecing Kenyans out of their hard-earned cash. Morara Kebaso, STOP misleading our children the Gen-Zs for your own selfish gains. Creating havoc and panic in the country instead of constructive criticism. We know you've been fleecing Kenyans and their hard-earned cash in the name of Activism. , Sudi wrote. "We see through your charadeyou are a mouthpiece for your paymaster and a willing pawn in his divisive agenda. FAKE ACTIVIST!" Pictures of Kasmuel in the company of Sudi and Ruto in Uasin Gishu surfaced online on Sunday, prompting many Kenyans to amplify accusations of betrayal against Kasmuel. Among them was fellow activist Morara Kebaso, who wrote: "Oh my God. Kasmuel, why? Whhhhyyyy? Arent these the same people who killed Gen Zs in cold blood and benefited from it? Why? Is it money? You should have started a business." "Kasmuel McOure, you have hurt Kenyans who believed in you in a way that you will never, ever imagine." Unperturbed by Sudis response, Morara fired back, reiterating that he had refused to be 'bought' by the President and that his mission was being funded by Kenyans who believed in his cause. He further accused the MP of misusing public funds, claiming he had no known source of income. Although Kasmuel and Morara started on similar paths as new-age activists, they both faced increasing opposition from fellow activists, who labelled them opportunists. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - Renowned political analyst Prof. Mutahi Ngunyi has urged members of the Kikuyu community to exercise caution moving forward, as many Kenyans perceive them to be entitled. In a social media post on Tuesday, Mutahi Ngunyi stated that other tribes in Kenya dislike the Kikuyu community, perceiving them as more entitled than others, and predicted that the 2027 presidential election would be 'anti-Kikuyu.'" He also predicted that during the 2027 election, Ruto would win by a landslide due to the anti-Kikuyu campaign Dear Kikuyus: "You Don't KNOW what you GOT until you lose it". "Tread CAREFULLY. Country is TIRED of Kikuyu PRIVILEGE and entitlement. "And 2027 will be an anti-Kikuyu ELECTION. This is HOW Ruto will win with a LANDSLIDE. "Take it OR leave it. Merry Christmas OR whatever! Ngunyi wrote on his Xpage. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, December 25,2024 - A section of lawyers from the Nyanza region has criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for alleging that President William Ruto is conducting a systematic genocide of the Kikuyu community through the use of illicit alcohol to reduce their numbers ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Gachagua further claimed that the state also ordered relevant government officials to allow the production, distribution, sale, and consumption of illicit brew in the region. The lawyers, led by their president Chabi Otieno, expressed concern over the remarks and termed the claims irresponsible and inciteful. Otieno said it was unimaginable that the government, tasked with protecting the lives of its citizens, would engage in such acts. Rigathis statement reeks of an admission that he was either involved in targeting citizens from his own region by commission or omission, he said in Homa Bay's Rangwe sub-county on the Eve of Christmas. Otieno called on investigating agencies to summon Gachagua to officially lodge his complaint and provide evidence for his claims, while at the same time urging him to desist from inciting the Mt Kenya region against the government, particularly from church pulpits. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, December 25, 2024 - President William Rutos government has arrested four young people for allegedly posting a controversial photo of the head of state posing in a casket. The four individuals - Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and a woman identified as Naomi - were reportedly abducted by men believed to be police officers acting on "orders from above." The whereabouts of the four are still unknown even as the government remains mute over increasing cases of abduction in Kenya. Here are the photos of the four Gen Zs who have been abducted over controversial photos of President William Ruto. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Xem them (Construction) - On December 4, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Viet Hung chaired a conference to appraise the report on reviewing the criteria for Cao Lanh City classification as a type II urban area. This includes plans to expand the inner-city area and assess the level of infrastructure development in the area proposed for ward establishment within Cao Lanh City, ong Thap Province. ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load China announced it was imposing sanctions on two Canadian organizations the so-called Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and Canada-Tibet Committee as well as 20 personnel from these organizations on Saturday in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law for their secessionist moves related to the country's Xinjiang Uygur and Xizang autonomous regions. The move comes after the Justin Trudeau government announced sanctions on eight former or current senior Chinese officials involved in what it alleged were "grave human rights violations" in Xinjiang and Xizang. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Monday that the sanctions had been imposed in order to safeguard the nation's sovereignty, security, and development interests, as well as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and organizations. Instead of providing any evidence to back up its claims, the Dec 10 readout of the Canadian government's announcement of the sanctions only serves to prove how deep-rooted Ottawa's hypocrisy and bias are when it comes to "human rights issues" related to China. Instead of offering solid support for the sanctions, the Trudeau government simply hyped up "reports" about "forced labor camps" in Xinjiang and "endured human rights violations" in Xizang. The Xinjiang and Xizang human rights smears are nothing but an ugly invention of some China hawks, who, to add credibility to their lies, collude with a handful of self-professed "victims", "survivors" and "witnesses" of "China's human rights violations", who are actually paid by the United States for their ready-made "testimony", as well as researchers, experts and reporters on Washington's payroll for that purpose. The defamation flies in the face of the truth on the ground: Both Xinjiang and Xizang have experienced their fastest socioeconomic development in history in recent years thanks to the stability, solidarity and prosperity they have enjoyed with the full support of the central authorities. Interestingly, on the same day that Canada announced the sanctions, US ambassador to China Nicholas Burns expressed the US' "deep concern" about China's "failure to live up to its international commitments to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms" in Xinjiang, Xizang, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. That Canada chose to announce its let-me-do-the-dirty-work sanctions that day largely stems from the Trudeau government's desperate desire to curry favor with Washington in fear of the incoming US administration making good on its tariff threats. If the Trudeau government had any genuine concerns about human rights violations, it should be condemning the US' unwarranted sanctions on Xinjiang and Hong Kong that have affected local people's livelihoods and economy. The secessionist institutions related to Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong that the US and Canada have funded, whether respectively or collectively, have proved to be the instigators of the chaos and social turmoil that have plagued these regions in the past few years. China's sanctions on these Canadian institutions and individuals are justified and necessary to protect its core interest and territorial and sovereign integrity, while the Canadian sanctions on the Chinese individuals constitute grave violations of China's internal affairs. Weaponizing human rights issues for geopolitical purposes is fundamentally against the principles of the global human rights cause. That the Trudeau government is resorting to it to appease the incoming US administration is another sign of its weakness. As the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said, Canada should stop interfering in China's internal affairs in any way and cease its political manipulation of human rights issues. By Lee Yeon-woo Conflicts over year-end wage increases have intensified in the financial sector, with the labor union of the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) announcing a general strike and the union at the Bank of Korea (BOK) expressing its support. According to the IBK labor union, the strike will take place on Friday, with 8,000 members expected to participate. This marks the first independently led strike in the union's history. "It will be a strike that paralyzes all branches," Kim Hyung-sun, head of the IBK labor union, said. "If the bank and the government fail to meet the demands of public workers, we will shut down banking operations with second and third strikes." The IBK labor union argues that the government sets wages 30 percent lower than those at commercial banks and fails to offer fair compensation. They emphasize that while IBK is classified as a public institution, its business model closely resembles that of commercial banks. The union also claims that overtime pay, totaling about 6 million won per employee, has not been provided. Under current regulations, the government determines the total labor costs public institutions can allocate annually and mandates that expenses remain within this limit. For IBK to meet the union's demands, it would need approval from both the finance ministry and the Financial Services Commission. However, officials are taking a cautious stance, as accepting the demands could disrupt the overall wage structure for public institutions. The labor union at the BOK, another public financial institution, has expressed its support for the IBK strike, viewing it as an opportunity to push for better working conditions for its own members. "We will stand in solidarity with the general strike to correct the discriminatory wages at IBK and recover unpaid wages," the union said in a statement. Meanwhile, the labor union of NH NongHyup Bank is also planning a large-scale rally on Friday. The union is demanding that bonuses be equivalent to 100 percent of base salary, while management has reportedly proposed a 50 percent payout. It remains uncertain whether the rally will escalate into a strike. However, given its potential to trigger labor disputes at other private financial institutions, the situation is expected to have a significant impact on the financial industry. The main obstacle lies in the current economic climate. While the public acknowledges the importance of fair wages and treatment, some have questioned whether strikes are appropriate at a time of economic uncertainty, as the country continues to recover from the effects of the failed attempt to impose martial law. By Kim Hyun-bin Ruslan Kairambayev, an employee at the Kazakh Embassy in Korea, has been named an Honorary Citizen of Seoul for 2024 in recognition of his heroic act of single-handedly extinguishing a car fire. According to the Seoul city government, last December, Kairambayev saw a fire on the hood of a vehicle as it was leaving the Kazakhstan embassy in Yongsan and rushed over to extinguish it. Using a nearby fire extinguisher, he put out the flames in about 20 seconds. The city said Kairambayev's action prevented the vehicle fire from escalating into a fatal accident. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Kairambayev's selection as part of a group of 16 foreigners from 14 countries honored for their significant contributions to the city. Since 1958, Seoul has been awarding honorary citizenship to exemplary foreigners and distinguished guests. Kairambayev's courageous act was highlighted during the selection process, which included nominations from embassies, public institutions, social organizations and endorsements from over 30 citizens between May 31 and June 28. The final selections were made after the Seoul City Council's thorough screening and approval. The honorary citizenship certificates were presented at a ceremony on Friday in the multipurpose hall of Seoul City Hall. Honorary citizens can also participate in Seoul city events and governance. "We sincerely thank Ruslan Kairambayev and the other 15 honorary citizens who have made Seoul a warmer and more vibrant city," an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government said. By Kim Hyun-bin Alia Al Mazrouei, United Arab Emirates minister of State for Entrepreneurship, shared insights on the UAE's entrepreneurial landscape and the growing collaboration between Korea and the UAE during her visit to the COMEUP 2024 event in Seoul. COMEUP is Korea's largest global startup event, which kicked off its two-day event on Dec. 11 in Seoul, under the theme of Innovation Beyond Borders. It brings together innovative startups, investors and stakeholders from the startup and venture ecosystem across more than 40 countries. Mazrouei, who attended last year's event as a CEO, expressed her excitement about returning as a minister. "I was here as a CEO, not as a minister, so I have a different hat today," she said during an interview with The Korea Times on Dec. 11 in Seoul, highlighting her dual perspective on the event. The minister outlined her primary objectives during this visit, emphasizing two key goals. "There has been a signing ceremony with both presidents in May 2023 for a unified SME (small and medium enterprise) Committee between Korea and the UAE," she explained. "We had our first bilateral meeting with the (Minister of SMEs and Startups) to agree on the way forward in supporting SMEs in both countries, focusing on policy, international trade and entrepreneurial support." Her participation in COMEUP 2024 was another significant highlight. "We have over 26 or 27 participants representing universities, governmental entities and development banks. The main reason here is to promote the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the UAE, supporting not only Emiratis but all residents," she said. "The participants here are not only local Emiratis; other nationalities also represent our entrepreneurship ecosystem." She detailed recent achievements, including the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with UAE-based and Korean entrepreneurs. "We've signed two MOUs with two UAE-based entrepreneurs and two Korean entrepreneurs. One involves digital collaboration with KP products from Korea, and the other focuses on technical microchips." Mazrouei elaborated on the UAE's comprehensive support for entrepreneurs, encompassing access to finance, market access and sector-specific support. "We try to unify the efforts done by the UAE for all entrepreneurs," she said. "Last month, we launched an entrepreneurship ecosystem called Riyada, which means pioneering, to unify all efforts and support entrepreneurs better." The minister emphasized the importance of changing mindsets, particularly among students. By creating an ecosystem with partners from the local and private sectors to boost entrepreneurship, especially when cooperating with universities. Mazrouei also shared her journey from the private sector to her current role, underscoring the UAE's commitment to women's empowerment. "Our leadership is very forward-thinking, providing support for women in various fields," she said. "We had our first female minister back in 2006, and today, we have female ministers, CEOs, ambassadors, pilots and even astronauts." "I graduated in 2001, worked in the oil and gas industry, and later moved to HR. My entrepreneurial journey started in 2010, and after various roles in the public sector, I was appointed as a minister in 2019. Life is a journey; embrace it and enjoy it." She offered advice to aspiring entrepreneurs to "Understand your market, be a risk-taker, and build your network. She added that these are the three most important things to thrive as an entrepreneur. "There are always challenges, but every challenge is an opportunity. I believe in listening to entrepreneurs to find solutions around their problems. Without difficulties, you won't be able to survive, she said. By Kim Hyun-bin The planned opening of the South Korean embassy in Cuba has been delayed, with officials now targeting early next year for its inauguration, later than the initial date set at the end of this year. The delay stems not from political reasons but from several logistics and material procurement challenges in Cuba. Efforts to secure office furniture and other necessary supplies for the new embassy have been hampered by ongoing shortages and difficulties in obtaining materials locally. Officials told Yonhap News Agency that frequent power outages and fuel shortages have significantly hindered logistical operations there, making it difficult to obtain even small items. Currently, South Korean diplomats and staff have set up a temporary office at a business trade center in Havana, which houses offices for Cuba's state-run telecommunications company and major airlines. The center is conveniently located near the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency office and several other foreign embassies. The South Korea-Cuba diplomatic relationship was officially established on Feb. 14 this year when both countries exchanged diplomatic notes at the United Nations in New York. Since then, the two nations have fostered closer ties, including the first meeting between their foreign ministers in September during the U.N. General Assembly. This new diplomatic relationship, however, drew immediate displeasure from North Korea, which has maintained brotherly ties with Cuba since they forged diplomatic relations in 1960. Since the establishment of South Korea-Cuba ties was announced, the North reduced its state media's coverage of Cuba. In late September, North Korean Ambassador to Cuba Han Su-chol visited Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel to deliver a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, emphasizing the importance of North Korea-Cuba relations. Despite these diplomatic tensions, South Korea is continuing efforts to establish a fully functioning embassy in Cuba, with the government reportedly requesting Cuba's cooperation to expedite the process. By KTimes Actor Han So-hee's mother was sentenced to a suspended prison term for operating multiple illegal gambling establishments, legal sources said Wednesday. Judge Kim Do-hyung of the Chuncheon District Court's Wonju Branch sentenced the actress's mother, aged 55, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension, along with 120 hours of community service, for charges related to the establishment of gambling venues. The 55-year-old was prosecuted for establishing seven gambling venues for profit between late January 2022 and late August 2023. At the time, Han's agency issued a statement, "This case is entirely unrelated to the actress and stems from her mothers personal actions. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this private matter." Prosecutors said that Han's mother coordinated with members of an illegal gambling site through Telegram, obtaining access and management codes to establish seven betting venues. She earned profits by collecting commissions based on total wagers and user losses. Operating out of Wonju, Han's mother employed "front men" to manage adult PC game centers under profit-sharing deals or worked with existing operators to enable illegal online gambling, including baccarat card games. Investigators found that she ran five venues in Wonju and one each in Ulsan and Gyeongju, South Gyeongsang Province. The court pointed out that Han's mother continued to manage and operate gambling sites despite having been fined 5 million won ($3,800) in 2023 for similar offenses. "Although the exact profits she gained are not clearly detailed in the records, the structure of the operations and profit-sharing arrangements indicate that the amount is likely substantial," the court said. Han's mother, who had been detained in September, was released immediately following the suspended sentence ruling. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of one year and six months but have appealed the ruling, calling it "unduly lenient." The appeals trial will proceed at the Chuncheon District Court. 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. By KTimes The individual who blocked a military vehicle with his body during the Dec. 3 martial law declaration revealed his identity online, Tuesday. The man shared Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myungs message seeking him on his X account, confirming, "I am the person in the video." The incident took place during an operation to control the National Assembly, where the citizen's bravery became a symbol of resistance. "Although I now feel the fear I didnt notice then, Ive been comforted by the support from others," he said. Earlier, main opposition party leader Lee expressed his admiration for the citizen's courage and requested, "Please find out who this person is." Lee had shared footage from The Washington Post, which showed the events unfolding near the National Assembly during the early hours of the martial law declaration. In the video, a man wearing a black jacket approached a moving military vehicle and stopped it by placing his hands on it. Prompted by this act, other citizens joined in, eventually halting the vehicle. Reflecting on the event, the man said, "I only thought about stopping the vehicle and ran toward it when I saw it moving. I would like to thank everyone who stood together all night to protect the National Assembly. Lets change this unjust politics and safeguard democracy." He shared additional footage filmed through a smartphone, showing four citizens standing in front of the military vehicle, blocking its path. "I felt safe because of those who immediately joined in after I stopped the vehicle. I am truly grateful," he said. 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. By Kim Hyun-bin As Korea moves toward becoming an ultra-aged society, an increasing number of workers are voicing strong support for the raising of the retirement age or the implementation of reemployment policies, citing worries about financial stability after retirement. According to a recent survey conducted by the business network service Remember, 88.3 percent of workers expressed their approval for extending the retirement age or adopting reemployment strategies. The survey, which included responses from 514 employees across sectors such as information technology, finance, manufacturing, service and retail, revealed widespread support for policies that would allow workers to remain employed beyond the current retirement age, which is typically set at 60. The survey, conducted in collaboration with polling organization Southern Post, was carried out from Nov. 7 to Nov. 12. Among the respondents, the majority regardless of age advocated for continued employment options. Support was particularly strong among workers in their 40s and 50s, with 92.2 percent and 90.2 percent, respectively, in favor of retirement age extension and reemployment options. Even among respondents aged 60 and above, all were supportive of such policies. The primary reason for this support was due to concerns surrounding the issue of financial stability after retirement. Nearly one-third (33.7 percent) of those in favor cited "worries about life after retirement," while 30.8 percent believed they still had the ability to continue working. Other factors driving support included the ongoing decline in the working-age population (20.3 percent) and the rising retirement age (15 percent). On the other hand, 9.1 percent of respondents opposed extending the retirement age or implementing reemployment policies, with concerns about reduced labor productivity topping the list of reasons. Nearly 49 percent of opponents cited decreased productivity, while 31.9 percent worried about fewer job opportunities for young people. The survey also asked respondents about the acceptable extent of wage reductions for older workers if the retirement age was to be extended. Half of those surveyed (48.2 percent) agreed that wage reductions would be necessary, with the most common acceptable reduction ranging from 10 to 20 percent of their salary. A smaller portion (21.8 percent) indicated they could accept a reduction of up to 30 percent, while 8.4 percent were willing to accept a wage cut of more than 40 percent. However, 12.1 percent of respondents stated they would not accept any wage reductions. Liberal, conservative religious groups hold separate political gatherings By Lee Hae-rin Tens of thousands of people held rallies in Seoul over the Christmas holiday to call for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law, while others organized separate gatherings opposing his ouster. Marking the major Christian holiday, liberal and conservative Christian groups joined the rallies to express their support or opposition to the political conflict. The progressive Jinbo Party held a rally in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, on Christmas Day, Wednesday. The participants called for Yoon's resignation, criticizing his second refusal to accept a summons for questioning on the day. Their gathering was met with another rally organized by a far-right civic group, New Freedom Union. Its members denounced the impeachment motion and called for Yoon's return to duties. Police stationed buses to separate them and prevent potential clashes. Also, a coalition of civic groups, including Catholic believers calling for a world without discrimination, the LGBTQ+ community, and supporters of anti-discrimination laws, held a rally near Myeongdong Cathedral in the evening. Under the slogan of "All I want for Christmas is Yoon Suk Yeol's resignation," the participants marched through Euljiro and Jongno to the Constitutional Court, which is reviewing the impeachment case. On Christmas Eve, an estimated 100,000 people, according to organizers, gathered in the Gwanghwamun area of downtown Seoul to demand Yoons impeachment. Dubbed the "Merry Impeachment Christmas Democracy with Light Sticks Concert," the rally featured live music performances by indie musicians and a choir group organized by the victims and bereaved families of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster. In one corner, a group of webtoon artists, the bereaved families of the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush disaster, and other civic groups set up tents to share food, hot drinks, and other items with the participants. The participants gathered at the rally site with various cheering sticks. As in previous rallies in Yeouido, they sang and danced to K-pop songs such as Rose's "APT.," Girls' Generation's "Into the New World," and BTS's "Dope." After the rally, they marched to the Constitutional Court. Meanwhile, the president's supporters held their own rallies to oppose his impeachment. On Wednesday morning, Sarang Jeil Church, led by conservative pastor Jun Kwang-hoon, hosted the "2024 Christmas Celebration National Service" near Gwanghwamun Station. Jun, an outspoken supporter of Yoon, has supported the president's martial law declaration and denounced the impeachment. The church said some 6,000 people took part in the street service. On the previous day, two conservative groups also held protests in front of the Donghwa Duty Free Shop in downtown Seoul and near the Constitutional Court nearby, respectively, to speak up against Yoons impeachment. The organizers said each rally attracted 1,000 and 300 participants. Operations of all Chungju hydrogen buses halted after first such incident in Korea By Jung Min-ho The explosion of a hydrogen bus in Chungju, a city located in the center of Korea, has raised safety concerns about the fuel type, which is often viewed as a safe and sustainable energy source for the future of transportation. An official at the city's charging station and two other individuals were injured in an explosion on Monday, as the vehicle was starting its engine after charging, causing the rear of the vehicle to be blown off. Investigators from relevant organizations, including the Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS), began to look into the case immediately, prompting the city's authorities to suspend operations of all 18 hydrogen-powered buses. According to the KGS and industry experts, this is the first such incident in Korea since the introduction of commercial hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) more than 10 years ago. Data shows that was the first explosion involving an HFCV. Hydrogen is a safe energy source, but there is no 100 percent, a KGS official told The Korea Times, Tuesday. The incident will be carefully and thoroughly investigated to find out what exactly caused it. In an HFCV, hydrogen is stored in a high-pressure tank and mixed with oxygen from the air in a fuel cell to generate electricity, which powers the vehicle's electric motor. Based on the location where the explosion occurred, experts said the tank, which is installed in the upper or lower part of a hydrogen bus, was probably not the problem. The part is where the fuel cell stack is located. But for now, it is too early to state anything conclusively, given that too little is known about the case, one said. The bus, manufactured by Hyundai Motor, began operations in August 2022. Officials stated that the driver was en route to an auto repair shop that day after the "F" (fault) icon had appeared on the dashboard on Dec. 21. We will faithfully cooperate with the investigation to find the exact cause of the accident, the company said in a statement sent to The Korea Times. This incident underscores the challenges and safety considerations that come with adopting new energy technologies in transportation, as seen with the adoption of electric cars whose lithium-ion batteries raised safety worries after major fire incidents in recent months. As of October, 36,989 HFCVs were registered for operation in Korea, up from 29,623 in 2022 and 893 in 2018, according to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The government aims to increase the number of HFCVs operating on the nations roads to 300,000 by 2030 as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Industry experts also expressed concerns over the possible ramifications of the incident at a time when Hyundai, one of the market leaders, is expanding its hydrogen business overseas. This all adds to the concerns regarding U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps return to power. During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly expressed his skepticism about HFCVs safety. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, there are 18,300 passenger hydrogen vehicles on U.S. roads, with no reports of explosions or fatalities from these vehicles in the past 10 years. By Lee Hae-rin Dear Mr. President! Here are university students' handwritten letters to you! Happy end of the year! Some 500 Christmas cards written and sent by Korean university students to President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, central Seoul on Christmas Eve. Contrary to the cheerful message written on the cover of the envelope, the cards inside all contained criticisms of Yoon regarding his brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. The National Coalition of University Students for Impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol announced Tuesday that the group had sent the cards to the president's official residence via the Hannam-dong Post Office in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Monday morning. The cards were collected during a student rally held on Dec. 21. The group also shared a confirmation message from the postal office verifying that the envelope was delivered to the presidential residence. The acceptance of the seemingly innocuous mail starkly contrasted with the presidents recent refusal to accept official documents from the Constitutional Court and the summons sent by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. "President Yoon has declined to accept all documents related to the impeachment trial by the Constitutional Court and the police's summons, yet he willingly received gifts and flower wreaths from his supporters on his birthday, Dec. 18," the group pointed out. Some of the cards sent read, "You can't beat democracy" and "Pay for your sins and go to prison." Another letter sent to the president read, What right do you have to live comfortably in the presidential residence? It continued, While you sleep in a warm room and take hot showers, we spend sleepless nights on the streets, unable to even change clothes. Since the impeachment motion passed at the National Assembly on Dec. 14, Yoon has refused to receive documents related to the impeachment trial sent by the Constitutional Court. Additionally, Yoon has not responded to the investigative agency's request for him to appear for questioning. President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to appear before a joint investigation team for questioning Wednesday, defying its summons for the second time over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Yoon did not appear at the office of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, as requested by 10:00 a.m. on Christmas Day as part of a joint investigation into his botched declaration of martial law on Dec. 3. Later in the day, the CIO told reporters it had not received any contact from Yoon's side as of 6 p.m. and confirmed he has failed to comply with the second summons request. Yoon has not yet submitted a notice of attorney appointment either, it added. Yoon, who faces charges of abuse of power and being an insurrection ringleader, has been identified as a suspect in the joint investigation of the CIO, the police and the defense ministry's investigation unit. He did not comply with the CIO's first summons last Wednesday. The team is expected to decide as early as Thursday on further possible measures, such as sending a summons for the third time or seeking an arrest warrant. On Tuesday, Seok Dong-hyeon, Yoon's lawyer, said Yoon places a priority on the Constitutional Court proceedings on his impeachment and that he plans to issue a statement on his position on the trial after Christmas Day. The fate of Yoon's presidency has been handed to the Constitutional Court after the National Assembly impeached him on Dec. 14. The court will hold its first pretrial hearing on Yoon's impeachment Friday. The CIO is expected to take its next steps by taking into account this week's hearing, as well as Yoon's planned statement. A CIO official, however, said the impeachment trial would not have a "decisive" impact on the anti-corruption body's next steps, noting it would merely be a factor to be considered. Regarding the possibility of seeking an arrest warrant for Yoon, the official said it would be a "far distant" step, considering the circumstances. "An arrest warrant seems like something far distant. There are many things to be considered," the official said, clarifying that nothing has so far been decided. (Yonhap) By Anna J. Park The revelations surrounding President Yoon Suk Yeol's close inner circle and their alleged connections to shamanistic practices are both unsettling and deeply troubling. As more behind-the-scenes details emerge about Yoon and his confidants' secret efforts to push for a martial law declaration, it has been revealed that several key figures involved in the planning are connected to practices rooted in fortunetelling, superstition, and mysticism shocking many people. One such figure is Noh Sang-won, a former commander of the Defense Intelligence Command and, according to reports, a key figure in the Dec. 3 martial law plot. Following his dishonorable discharge from the military back in 2018 for sexually harassing a female officer, Noh reportedly became involved in activities related to divination and shamanism. While it remains unclear whether he underwent the process of "shinerim or spiritual calling (a shamanistic ritual) to become a traditional shaman himself, Noh jointly established a fortunetelling business with another shaman. In mid-December, during a police search of the fortunetelling business operated by Noh in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, they also discovered a handwritten notebook containing about 60 pages of materials related to the failed martial law plans. The notebook included phrases such as "National Assembly blockade" and listed names of many individuals politicians, journalists, religious leaders, labor union members and even judges. Despite Noh already running his own divination business, he frequently traveled some 170 kilometers to visit another shaman to seek guidance about his own fate and whether "the plan" he was preparing with others would succeed. "Noh Sang-won is very skilled in reading fortunes himself, but he often came to see me because I am a shaman who has received a spiritual calling," the female shaman said in a recent media interview. According to her, Noh visited her place more than 30 times from February 2022 to January 2024. Noh once showed her the picture of former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, another key figure in the martial law debacle, and asked: "I'm trying to create something with him. Do you think this person will not betray me if I stay with him until the end?" These disclosures also bring to light suspicions that had surfaced even before Yoon became president that he and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, were heavily reliant on fortunetellers and shamanistic rituals. Jeon Seong-bae, a self-proclaimed Buddhist monk and shaman, is another shamanistic figure. Jeon, better known as Geon Jin, was involved in Yoon's presidential campaign during the 2022 election. He also previously served as an adviser at Covana Contents, an arts company run by the first lady. According to various media reports, Jeon has known Yoon since he was prosecutor general, with the first lady introducing him. Jeon reportedly told his close associates that he helped Yoon make the final decision to run for president and took on the role of mentor. "Whenever Yoon needs to make a decision or resolve an issue, he asks for my advice, and I provide him with the answer," Jeon reportedly said to his friends. Before joining Yoon's presidential campaign, Jeon established a temple in a private residence in southern Seoul, where he conducted shamanic rituals, including fortunetelling and other ceremonies. He also held various external roles, such as secretary general of the Ilgwang Jogye Order, a group unrelated to the mainstream Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Despite his claims of being a Buddhist monk, his practices are said to be highly superstitious and diverge significantly from traditional Buddhist teachings. His presence became widely known to the public after he was charged by prosecutors in mid-December for allegedly having received illegal political funds in 2018. The prosecution is investigating whether he received the money as a bribe, while Jeon said the money was given as "prayer fees." Shaman Cheon Gong also claims to have advised Yoon to run for the presidential race. During the then-opposition People Power Party's presidential primary debate back in October 2021, Yoon, then a candidate, admitted to having met Cheon Gong when asked if he knew him. Later in the same month, Cheon Gong stated during an interview with YTN that Kim Keon Hee contacted him first and they met. He said Yoon also came to the meeting and thats how they became acquainted. He added that he met the couple a few times but noted that they do not meet often anymore. Yet, he claimed that he directly advised Yoon about his decisions regarding resigning from the post of prosecutor general and joining the presidential race. Cheon Gong regularly uploads his lectures on YouTube, and the content of these lectures sometimes aligns with the actions of the Yoon administration, fueling suspicions that he might still wield some influence. According to various media reports, the first lady has long been deeply immersed in divination and fortunetelling practices. The most recent report by a local media outlet about her superstitious beliefs was related to the controversy of her acceptance of a luxury Dior bag from a pastor. According to the report, the first lady sent a message to a well-known psychic in December 2023 and asked, "Am I going to prison?" Political broker Myung Tae-kyun, who has sparked significant controversy surrounding the presidential couple in the latter half of this year, once described the relationship between Yoon and Kim as "a 5-year-old blind warrior carrying a crippled shaman (referring to Kim) on his shoulders." The remark left listeners questioning the true meaning behind the phrase "crippled shaman." While personal reasons may underlie their fixation on fortunetelling, shamanism and divination, their dependence on such practices exceeds what is typical, raising concerns. "It's common for major politicians, especially presidential candidates, to engage in some superstitious practices. However, in the case of Yoon and Kim, the extent was unusually extreme," a political commentator, on the condition of anonymity, told The Korea Times. "Lacking prior political experience and suddenly ascending to the presidency appears to have driven them to overly focus on predicting the future, intensifying their reliance on superstition." 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Police said Wednesday they were questioning the commander of a military armored unit on suspicion of participating in preparations for the brief imposition of martial law this month. Police summoned Brig. Gen. Koo Sam-hoe, commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade, over his alleged attendance of a meeting of former and incumbent military and defense officials at a fast food restaurant in Ansan, southwest of Seoul, on Dec. 3 the day of the martial law declaration. Koo has been accused of attempting to mobilize a tank unit during martial law. At the restaurant, Koo allegedly plotted preparations for martial law with Noh Sang-won, a former commander of the Defense Intelligence Command, whom police arrested last week. (Yonhap) By Park Gi-hyun With just a few days left in 2024, many of us are already thinking about plans for the year ahead. While were facing an unprecedented political upheaval and being swept into chaos, its important to remain steadfast and focus on our own paths forward. Now is the time to reflect on how weve navigated this year both wisely and unwisely and to make bold plans for the year to come. I have two things Id like to share. I can honestly say I finished this year strong, thanks to my determination and willingness to embrace exciting challenges. Instead of giving up, I completed the Spanish language proficiency test. The hectic schedule at the start of the year often tempted me to quit, and at times, I wanted to walk away from the exam. But each time, I reminded myself that this would be my last chance, and I didnt want to regret not trying. As a working mom of two elementary school students, early in the morning was the only time I could find time to study. About a month and a half before the exam, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. at least four times a week to study. It was tough, but I pushed through. The test results havent been released yet, but no matter the outcome, Im incredibly proud of myself for staying committed and not giving in to circumstances. I learned valuable lessons about resilience and strength during challenging times. Yes, I finished this year strong. Now, I have big news for next year. In January 2025, my family and I will be relocating to Uzbekistan! My husband has been assigned to manage the regional office there as an expatriate. OH MY GOD! Uzbekistan! the land where the Great Silk Road once passed through, with rich history in every corner! In the beginning, it was not an easy choice to make since moving to a new country involves a series of worries. This is especially true for a country we are unfamiliar with. Starting a life from scratch in a new country is a great challenge and making a move with the children seems demanding. Now, my family is determined to explore Uzbekistan, the nation where ample opportunities and excitement await us. So, the second chapter of my life begins starting from the first month of 2025. I wish those reading my piece today to be inspired, challenged and energized by my achievement this year and the move I make next year. I will keep sharing my life in the hidden gem of Central Asia, Uzbekistan! "Goodbye 2024 and, hello 2025!" The writer (faith0906@gmail.com) is keen to explore the world outside the office and loves to weave a story of our daily lives. Reform election watchdog to safeguard democracy The National Election Commission (NEC) is once again at the center of controversy. The election watchdog has come under fire for attempting to silence legitimate concerns about the integrity of election results and its vulnerable cybersecurity. The NEC also faced backlash for its decision to prohibit a banner criticizing Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition party. Both decisions became public and were ultimately reversed under mounting pressure, further damaging the commission's credibility. The NEC is grappling with a crisis of trust. Reforming the election watchdog is no longer sufficient it must undergo a complete overhaul to become a trusted institution capable of safeguarding election integrity. However, the NECs recent actions have cast doubt on its ability to regain public trust. Even more concerning is the NECs apparent lack of awareness regarding the gravity of its issues or how to address them effectively. In an attempt to clamp down on those who question election outcomes, the NEC proposed revising the Public Official Election Act to introduce severe penalties for anyone raising suspicions about early voting or election results. Under the proposed revisions, violators could face prison sentences of up to 10 years or fines of up to 30 million won ($20,560). On Dec. 20, NEC spokesperson Cho Dong-jin explained on a radio program that the election watchdog was working with the National Assemblys Public Administration and Security Committee to amend the law. He pointed out that the current law penalizes individuals who campaign against specific candidates but does not address those who question election results or spread conspiracy theories. The NECs proposed changes aim to close this loophole by making claims of election fraud punishable offenses, he said. This proposal sparked widespread public backlash, as many saw it as a threat to freedom of speech and association. In response to the criticism, NEC officials convened a meeting on Monday to discuss the measures potential repercussions and agreed to suspend the plan, according to media reports. The NEC has a long history of controversy. Earlier this month, President Yoon Suk Yeol cited election integrity as one of the key motivations for his brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. Following the decree, hundreds of troops were deployed to the NEC to secure its servers containing early voting data, in order to investigate whether election results had been compromised. The president was later suspended from his duties after the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach him. Read More Yoon's election fraud obsession sparks political turmoil But Cho Han-chang, a Constitutional Court justice nominee, disagreed. During a confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on Dec. 24, he claimed that various cases proved that the rigged election allegations are groundless. I understand that the Supreme Court ruled against the cases involving election fraud allegations. I personally believe the NEC is doing its utmost to prevent election fraud, he said. But some are still suspicious about election integrity. A public opinion survey revealed that nearly four out of 10 Koreans believe election fraud may have occurred in the past. A Hyundai Research-Weekly Chosun survey, conducted between Oct. 13 and 14 last year, found that 38.2 percent of people in the Greater Seoul area thought previous election results might have been manipulated through hacking. Interestingly, those most likely to suspect election rigging were people in their twenties and those over 60, with 41.8 percent and 43.9 percent of each group, respectively, voicing suspicions. These concerns were further fueled by a joint security checkup conducted by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the NEC, and the Korea Internet & Security Agency. The results were alarming: the NECs network was so vulnerable that a hacker hired by the NIS for a mock test was able to breach the system. The NEC is primarily responsible for the credibility crisis it now faces. Public skepticism grew last year when votes were recounted in several electoral districts, revealing signs of alleged irregularities. Activists posted images on social media of suspicious ballots found during the recount. One ballot, distinguished by its green-colored bottom, was nicknamed the "cabbage ballot." Meanwhile, another bundle of ballots, stuck together and appearing unusually fresh and free of creases, raised suspicions as if they had never been handled or used. The NECs explanations for these anomalies were insufficient to quell public suspicions about the integrity of the elections. Election integrity is the cornerstone of democracy and must be safeguarded at all costs. However, it remains uncertain whether the NEC can reform itself, rebuild public trust, and ensure the integrity of future elections. By Ko Dong-hwan The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) sent letters to its global counterparts, urging them to maintain their confidence in Korea's economy despite the recent political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law. The lobby group said, Wednesday, that its Chairman Ryu Jin sent the letters on Monday to 33 counterparts in 31 countries five in North America, seven in Asia, one in Central Asia, 14 in Europe, and six in the Middle East and Africa. Among the notified business groups are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Japan Business Federation, Confederation of British Industry, and Federation of German Industries. The move comes in response to concerns from the international community about the safety of doing business and investing in Korea, as the botched martial law and the president's impeachment have disrupted the country's global economic reputation. In the letters, Ryu assured the groups and their countries that the Korean economy is "in stable condition, thanks to Korea's robust fundamentals and high level of global trust." He emphasized that with ongoing efforts by the Korean government and companies to minimize the impact of the political fiasco, its impact on the national economy will be limited. The National Assembly has already begun working to support corporate activities, Ryu said, by passing revisions to tax laws to spur the governments investments in cutting-edge industries. The government is also considering new incentives to bolster investments from foreign companies and investors, the chairman added. Ryu also assured that Korean companies will proceed with their planned investments on the global stage. He added that they are swiftly adapting to the changing global trade environment in anticipation of U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps second term. The government and companies of Korea are coming up with their best solutions to minimize the aftermath of the recent political fiasco, Ryu said. We sincerely wish that Koreas trade with countries and business groups worldwide become even more revitalized than before. Earlier, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Chey Tae-won also sent similar letters to 128 business lobby groups worldwide and foreign ambassadors from 116 countries in Korea. Similarly, Korea International Trade Association Chairman Yoon Jin-sik sent letters to 237 counterparts in 68 countries. The government is making similar moves to address concerns about Korea's economic situation. Acting President Han Duck-soo appointed former Financial Services Commission Chairman Choi Jong-ku as a global financial partnership ambassador to represent Korea. The special envoy will be responsible for maintaining the country's economic diplomacy, Han said, promoting Korea's economic situation and future political directions to key nations and global credit rating agencies. Han added that he will also appoint another special envoy to gather global support for investments in Korea, with former U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) Chairman Jeffrey Jones expected to be named. By Nam Hyun-woo POSCO was once again named the worlds most influential steelmaker, a title it has held for 15 consecutive years, according to rankings by a global steel industry research firm. World Steel Dynamics, an analytics and research consulting firm, announced its 2024 World-Class Steelmaker Rankings last Sunday, selecting POSCO as the top player. In the rankings, POSCO claimed the highest overall score of 8.62 out of 10, after gaining the top score in five categories of technological innovation, processing costs, skilled labor, mergers and acquisitions and influence on downstream industries. World Steel Dynamics was established in 1999 and has been announcing the rankings since 2002. The rankings evaluate 35 steelmakers across the world in 23 categories including technological innovation, manufacturing volume and cost saving. The rankings serve as an important benchmark for evaluating the operational performance and future growth potential of major global steelmakers. POSCO said it is an achievement after overcoming challenging market conditions such as sluggish domestic demand, an influx of low-cost imported steel and stringent global trade environment. Following POSCO was Nucor of the United States and Nippon Steel of Japan. Among Chinese firms, BaoWu Steel was ranked No. 5. In April, POSCO was named a Sustainability Champion by the World Steel Association for the third consecutive year. At the Steelie Awards in October, the company achieved top honors in three categories: technological innovation, communications and education and training. Weflo's detection system replaces human labor By Ko Dong-hwan JEONJU, North Jeolla Province Troubleshooting mechanical defects in drones and air taxis must shift to robotic automation, rather than relying on human technicians sensory-based decisions, to ensure more time-efficient and error-free operations of future mobility, according to the head of Weflo, a startup specializing in technical solutions for the maintenance of advanced aerial mobility (AAM). Kim Yee-jung, CEO of the Jeonju-based company, has invested this year in designing the solution's concept models, building prototypes, and promoting it worldwide. He expects the company to start generating revenues next year. However, his more ambitious goal is to expand what he believes to be the worlds first technology of this type across the global AAM industry and dominate the maintenance market within the sector. Weflos technology, applicable to both drones and air taxis, centers on a "fusion sensor." This sensor scans the machines driving motor, electronic speed controller, and blades, checking for irregularities based on electromagnetic waves, noise, and vibration. By analyzing the results of the scan, which takes just seconds, the system can detect issues such as worn-out bearings, broken coils, or twisted axles. According to Kim, the predictive maintenance system boasts an accuracy rate of at least 98 percent. Checking for mechanical defects in these machines has traditionally been the job of human experts. They would put their hands on the blade and give it a few spins. Depending on how that spinning feels like, they would give out a verdict. It is same with other critical parts of drones or air taxis. They would take a close look but it all depends on the technicians job experience and physical condition that day, Kim said in his interview with The Korea Times at GroundX which is Weflos research and development facility in Jeonju. We cannot rely on human decisions. What if that technician was sick that day? Would his decision be trustworthy? What if there were like a hundred drones to inspect? That will take hours or even days. The contactless technology can take various forms, from a portable tripod-like scanner for drones (called Portable Verti-Pit) to a built-in scanner inside a drone maintenance pad (Verti-Pit), and even a scanner for slowly-moving automobiles in parking lots (VAIS). At a vertiport, which serves as a platform for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL), a dedicated maintenance section can scan air taxis shortly before or after each flight. Weflo refers to this as the Intelligent AAM Inspection (IAI) Platform, which the company is currently placing its biggest bet on. At GroundX, four VAIS are currently being tested in an outdoor parking lot, scanning vehicles in motion such as during a carwash for defects across the body and tires. The results are simultaneously transmitted to computers housed in a container booth next to the cameras for analysis and monitoring. Weflo has so far progressed furthest with drones. Under the project commissioned this year by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the company is building Verti-Pit maintenance pads for a network of delivery drone platforms nationwide. The drone network is scheduled for commercialization in 2027. Nine cities and counties, including Incheon, Busan, Jeju Island, and Seongnam in Gyeonggi Province, are part of the project. The network, which will connect both within and outside these areas, will consist of vertiports, maintenance/command centers, and delivery destinations. In total, around 150 infrastructure elements are planned, with 100 already completed. While different consortiums handle the construction of infrastructure, logistics operations, and drone control systems for the project, Weflo is solely responsible for drone maintenance. Once a drone parks itself atop Verti-Pit, fusion sensors installed inside the pad scans for possible defects, Kim said, showing Verti-Pit's prototype at GroundX. While the pad scans the drone with all four blades spinning at full-speed, sensor-connected computers show uptick movements indicating the flyers condition. Each pad is an assembled module. We can adjust each pads size and how many or where exactly we want fusion sensors inside the pad depending on which drone to inspect. IAI Weflos technologies culminate in the IAI Platform, currently a concept model that specializes in inspecting air taxis between flights. Kim promoted the platform at the Air Taxi World Congress in London earlier this month. He highlighted that the platform would enable vertiport operators to reduce pre-flight inspection time, ultimately shortening turnaround time for each flight and allowing for more air taxis to be operated. Airlines can also implement the platform in their hangars for more precise aircraft inspections, while air taxi manufacturers could introduce it to their end-of-line (EOL) process to significantly reduce plane testing time, he added. While the IAI is still in the design phase, it shares its core technology with Verti-Pit. I hope that the transport ministry's delivery drone network will eventually expand to include the IAI feature as well, Kim anticipated. For air taxi passengers, the improved maintenance will save enough time to ensure no wait for their flight. Kim targets the United States as Weflos largest market for IAI. Most globally renowned companies specializing in the AAM industry, such as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, are based there. Europe, on the other hand, has recently witnessed many companies in the industry going bankrupt. Kim believes that his company must make a breakthrough in the U.S. to effectively showcase its technological capabilities. In November, Weflo established its American subsidiary in Silicon Valley. The company is also currently engaged in "working groups" with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Within these groups, Weflo has proposed ideas including those involving the IAI platform to advance the global AAM industry. U.S. counterparts, along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are now considering developing Weflo's proposals into official regulations. "Georgia is witnessing the most active AAM industry in the U.S., so we have been focusing our efforts there. Next year, we plan to expand our influence and impress other U.S. states as well," Kim said. AAM planes, each costing hundreds of billions of won to build, must find ways to increase revenues as a form of public transit. What we (the working groups) have been discussing is how to save time, workforce, and costs when operating AAM for public passengers and determining what rate their service fare should be set at. I have been persuading them that IAI will help launch such services at a commercially viable level. Kim plans to further develop Weflos AAM maintenance technologies by making them applicable to a wider range of aircraft and equipment, including medium- to large-sized drones and electric VTOLs. The company is currently working to sell its technologies to Korean drone manufacturers so they can integrate the system into their EOL processes. According to Kim, this will save these companies time and effort by eliminating the need for separate flight tests. We have seen a series of disasters caused by electric vehicles' lithium battery explosions this year, raising concerns over the vehicles and increasing awareness of the batteries safety, Kim said. These incidents have underscored the importance of pre-flight inspections for drones and air taxis. I believe this will present an opportunity for our company to highlight our technologies. By Nam Hyun-woo SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won is urging the Supreme Court to promptly hand down rulings confirming his divorce from estranged wife Roh Soh-yeong, escalating multiple legal actions throughout this month. These actions are viewed as part of Cheys efforts to get legal acknowledgment of their divorce independently from the ongoing 1.38 trillion won ($945.7 million) property settlement case, so that SK Group can separate a number of affiliates related to Roh before Koreas antitrust authority comes up with next years watch list of conglomerates subject to tighter supervision. According to sources, Chey on Monday filed for a withdrawal of the divorce suit with the Supreme Court, because their divorce was already recognized in lower court rulings, and both Chey and Roh did not appeal those decisions, though they are still engaged in a legal battle at the top court because of property settlement. Also on Dec. 4, Chey requested the Supreme Court to issue a certification that their divorce was legally acknowledged because the divorce itself is uncontested and the ongoing legal process only focuses on property division and alimony. Cheys legal representatives said the chairman chose to withdraw the suit to clearly confirm the termination of their marriage, as some legal interpretations say a divorce takes effect only after the final ruling. This means that Cheys camp believes the top court can hand down a ruling on the divorce separately before concluding the property settlement case. Chey filed the divorce suit in February 2018, after failing to divorce by consent. Roh lodged a counterclaim in December 2019, accepting the divorce while demanding half of Cheys stake in SK Groups holding company in a property settlement. Both district and high courts accepted Rohs counterclaim, each ordering Chey to pay money in property settlement. The Seoul High Court in May ordered Chey to pay 1.38 trillion won, a 20-fold increase compared to the 66.5 billion won previously ordered by the lower court. The chairman appealed the ruling. Even if Chey drops his suit, Rohs counterclaim will still be under the Supreme Court review, meaning the legal battle over the property division will continue. However, it remains uncertain whether the court will confirm their divorce separately from the property settlement dispute, because the high court already dismissed Cheys previous request for a court confirmation on their divorce in June. Cheys legal representatives said in a statement that the camp's legal actions aim to clear Cheys legal records on his family relations, because there could be potential legal issues related to violations of the law for a person like Chey, who is recognized as a conglomerate head by the Fair Trade Act. Under the act, a person recognized as a conglomerate head is obliged to file with the Fair Trade Commission every year all data of affiliated companies or legal entities controlled by the same person and his family members. If their divorce is not accepted by the Supreme Court before next years deadline in March, SK Group has to file data of a number of legal entities related to Roh and her younger brother. Those entities include the Roh Tae-woo Foundation, which commemorates her father, the late former President Roh Tae-woo, and the East Asia Culture Center. Those entities are now gaining attention because Roh's camp claimed in the high court trial that her fathers slush funds contributed to her husbands asset accumulation, triggering allegations about funding sources of the foundations and controversies on the unethical ties between politics and corporate interests. Roh denounced Cheys efforts for a prompt court recognition of their divorce. Rohs legal representative said in a statement that confirming a divorce before rulings on property settlement would be "against the Constitutional spirit of protecting marriage and family life. Montenegro's Constitutional Court has dismissed an appeal lodged by Korean crypto mogul Do Kwon over a verdict on his extradition, a report said Tuesday. In a unanimous decision, the Constitutional Court rejected the appeal that Kwon lodged, citing legal issues, according to the Montenegro daily Vijesti. With the latest decision, the European country's justice minister is set to decide on whether Kwon will face trial at home or in the United States. Kwon appears more likely to be extradited to the U.S., given the justice ministry's stance on the case. Kwon, co-founder of the cryptocurrency firm Terraform Labs, is wanted both by Korea and the U.S., where he faces investigation and indictment on charges connected to the crash of the firm's TerraUSD and Luna coins in May 2022. He was arrested in Montenegro in March last year after being caught traveling on a fake passport. (Yonhap) Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza . The cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70 percent of Bethlehems income almost all from the Christmas season. The number of visitors to Bethlehem plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. A surge of violence in the West Bank, where more than 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis have been killed in militant attacks, has greatly stalled tourism. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war , access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been limited, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the Israeli economy to contract by 25 percent. In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad, he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they had been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water. We hope by next year at the same day wed be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem, said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman who prayed for the war to end. We dont feel happy. Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million residents spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. Elsewhere, worshippers found connection despite difficult times. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris celebrated its first Christmas Eve Masses since a devastating fire ravaged the medieval landmark in 2019. About 2,000 people joined an afternoon Mass one of four held on Tuesday including worshippers and other visitors marveling at the restoration of the recently reopened cathedral. Some American tourists in Paris crafted their trip to ensure they could attend Christmas Eve services at Notre Dame. They did such an amazing job, said visitor Aly Beinert. It looks beautiful. It blew us away." The Paris Archbishop symbolically reopened Notre Dames grand wooden doors on Dec. 7 with three resounding knocks, with guests including President-elect Donald Trump, U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britains Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In Saydnaya, Syria, a large crowd gathered near a historic monastery on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. The celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and its infamous prison, where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood by the illuminated tree some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky. This year is different theres happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ, said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as isolated incidents. At City Church in Madison, Wisconsin, lead pastor Tom Flaherty urged congregants at a candlelight Christmas Eve service to open their hearts to Gods grace and avoid drawing on anger, just eight days after a deadly shooting in the school on the churchs campus. Over the weekend, the congregation hosted a funeral for Rubi Patricia Vergara, the 14-year-old freshman killed when another student opened fire. A teacher was also killed and several others injured before the shooter shot herself and later died at a hospital, police said. American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. In Virginia, hundreds of sailors and their loved ones got an early Christmas present when the USS Cole docked at its home port in Norfolk after seven months at sea . Families bundled in coats and blankets, shed tears of gratitude and held signs bearing the sailors' names and photos. Volunteers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, answered calls Tuesday from curious children inquiring about Santa's location. At least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command each year to track Santa's whereabouts. NORADs beloved Santa tracking tradition has endured since the Cold War , when a Colorado newspaper mistakenly printed a phone number for Santa that connected kids to the joint U.S. and Canadian defense command. In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turron (nougat candy) to seafarers. The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodriguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbor. A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines Tuesday, but some saw the beauty in it. Im actually glad its falling, said driver Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas. (AP) VATICAN CITY Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday urged all people of all nations to find courage during this Holy Year to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia. The pontiff's Urbi et Orbi To the City and the World address serves as a summary of the woes facing the world this year. As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that he dedicated to hope, Francis called for broad reconciliation, even (with) our enemies. "I invite every individual, and all people of all nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions,'' the pope said from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to throngs of people below. The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peters Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing Gods mercy, which unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge. He called for arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine and in the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave, as well as Lebanon and Syria at this most delicate time. Francis repeated his calls for the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. He cited a deadly outbreak of measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the suffering of the people of Myanmar, forced to flee their homes by the ongoing clash of arms. The pope likewise remembered children suffering from war and hunger, the elderly living in solitude, those fleeing their homelands, who have lost their jobs, and are persecuted for their faith. Pilgrims were lined up on Christmas Day to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St. Peters Basilica, as the Jubilee is expected to bring some 32 million Catholic faithful to Rome. Traversing the Holy Door is one way that the faithful can obtain indulgences, or forgiveness for sins during a Jubilee, a once-every-quarter-century tradition that dates from 1300. Pilgrims submitted to security controls before entering the Holy Door, amid new security fears following a deadly Christmas market attack in Germany. Many paused to touch the door as they passed and made the sign of the cross upon entering the basilica dedicated to St. Peter, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church. You feel so humble when you go through the door that once you go through is almost like a release, a release of emotions,'' said Blanca Martin, a pilgrim from San Diego. "... Its almost like a release of emotions, you feel like now you are able to let go and put everything in the hands of God. See I am getting emotional. Its just a beautiful experience. Hanukkah, Judaisms eight-day Festival of Lights , begins this year on Christmas Day, which has only happened four times since 1900. The calendar confluence has inspired some religious leaders to host interfaith gatherings, such as a Hanukkah party hosted last week by several Jewish organizations in Houston, Texas, bringing together members of the citys Latino and Jewish communities for latkes, the traditional potato pancake eaten on Hanukkah, topped with guacamole and salsa. (AP) Bombardment by the Pakistani army in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province on Tuesday killed at least 46 people, most of whom were children and women, said the Afghan Taliban, vowing to retaliate against their neighbour. The bombing occurred at four locations in Afghanistan, deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said on Wednesday, adding that six people were also injured. Pakistani government and military officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "Afghanistan considers this brutal act a blatant violation of all international principles and an obvious act of aggression... The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered," said Enayatullah Khowrazmi, the spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense. A Pakistani official with knowledge of the matter, but declining to be named, told Reuters that Pakistan had carried out air strikes against a camp of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) Islamist militant group. TTP pledges allegiance to, and gets its name from, the Afghan Taliban, but is not directly a part of the group that now rules Afghanistan. Its stated aim is to impose Islamic religious law in Pakistan, as the Taliban have done in Afghanistan. A major TTP attack in Pakistan's South Waziristan area, which directly borders the location of the alleged camp targeted in Afghanistan, killed 16 Pakistani security personnel on Saturday. Afghanistan's defence ministry identified those killed in Pakistan's bombardment as "mostly Waziristani refugees" - indicating that they were from Pakistan's Waziristan territory. The neighbours have a strained relationship, with Pakistan saying that several TTP attacks that have occurred in its country have been launched from Afghan soil - a charge the Afghan Taliban denies. Their relationship was further complicated in March when the Taliban accused Pakistan of carrying out two air strikes on its territory, killing five women and children. Pakistan acknowledged at the time that it had conducted "intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations" in Afghanistan but did not specify the nature of the operations. (Reuters) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday denounced an "inhumane" attack from Russia, which launched over 170 missiles and drones on his war-torn country's power grid on Christmas Day, killing an energy worker. The country woke up at 5:30 am (0330 GMT) to an air raid alarm, shortly followed by air force reports that Russia had launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea. "Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones. The target is our energy system," Zelensky said. This was the 13th large-scale strike on Ukraine's energy system this year, the latest in Russia's campaign targeting the power grid during winter. Russia meanwhile said five people had died in Ukrainian strikes and a falling drone in the border region of Kursk and in North Ossetia in the Caucasus. Ukraine said its air force downed 58 out of 79 Russian-launched missiles. It did not, however, down the two Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles launched by Russia. Kyiv also said a Russian missile went through Moldovan and Romanian airspace, but Romania said it detected no such violation. "Unfortunately, there are some hits. As of now, there are blackouts in several regions," Zelensky said. Ukraine's DTEK energy company said the attack severely damaged equipment of thermal power plants. "Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered," DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko said, urging allies to send more air defence. The employee of a Ukrainian thermal power plant was killed in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, over which 42 missiles were shot down, governor Sergiy Lysak said. Lysak also said rescue operations had been completed on the site of a strike on Kryvyi Rig, which killed one person and wounded 17 others the day before. Engineers have restored power to consumers in the Ivano-Frankisvk region. "Christmas morning has once again shown that nothing is sacred for the aggressor country," Svitlana Onyshchuk, the head of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, said earlier. Ukraine is officially celebrating Christmas on December 25 for the second time. The government last year changed the date from January 7, when most Orthodox believers celebrate, as a snub to Russia. The Christmas day attack also targeted Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, located near the Russian border. The missiles had targeted the the city's boiler houses, thermal power plants and electricity facilities, mayor Igor Terekhov said, temporarily cutting power to 500,000 people. Kharkiv's governor Oleg Synegubov also said authorities had evacuated 46 people from the area of Borivske and Kupiansk. Moscow's forces are aiming to recapture the town of Kupiansk, which was occupied in the first year of the war. Ukraine recaptured it in September 2022 as part of a lightning offensive that saw its forces regain large swathes of the Kharkiv region. Outnumbered Ukrainian troops are on the back foot across the front line in the Kharkiv and Donetsk region further south, ceding ground to better-equipped Russian troops. Both sides are scrambling to gain an upper hand ahead of the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump, who boasted he would quickly end the war, raising fears that Washington may force Kyiv into a deal on Moscow's terms. Ukraine has been urging allies to send more aid to fend off aerial strikes and push back troops on the ground. "I am grateful to everyone who is working for the country, who is on combat duty, who is protecting our sky," Zelensky said. "Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas," Zelensky said. (AFP) Kamrup (Assam) [India], December 25 (ANI): Special Task Force (STF) of Assam police on Wednesday seized 20,000 Yaba tablets and arrested one person in the Amingaon area in Kamrup district of Assam, officials said. Pranab Jyoti Goswami, CPRO of Assam police said that source information was received at the STF, Assam that one Mustafa Rahman of Kakching district of Manipur had arrived from Manipur in the morning hours of Wednesday along with narcotics and would carry the same to a lower Assam district. Also Read | Mumbai Accident: 1 Dead, 3 Injured After Water Tank Burst in Siddhart Nagar's BMC Colony in Nagpada. "It was also informed that the accused would switch buses frequently to evade detection/arrest. Based on the input, a team of STF launched an operation and the accused was traced near the PWD, IB, Amingaon and 20,000 Yaba tablets were found on his shoulder bag. The same were seized in the presence of Magistrate and the accused was arrested," Pranab Jyoti Goswami said. Earlier in the day, STF arrested two more members of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), said Assam police. Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Man Obstructing Traffic Attacks On-Duty Cop With Stick in Malad, Case Registered. On December 21, the STF arrested eight members of ABT, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) terrorist organisation. The arrested individuals were sent to police custody for 10 days by a Guwahati court. Partha Sarathi Mahanta, IGP (STF), told ANI that the court had remanded them to 10 days' police custody. "All arrested 8 accused were produced before the court yesterday (December 19) and they have been remanded 10 days' police custody. We also seized 4 pen drives and other incriminating documents which we are analysing. Among the 8 arrested persons one is Bangladeshi national. All follow up actions are underway," Partha Sarathi Mahanta said. The Assam STF Chief also stated that the Bangladeshi national, identified as 36-year-old Md. Sad Radi alias Shab Seikh, is a resident of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. He entered India in November 2024 to spread their nefarious ideology and create sleeper cells among like-minded individuals across India, intending to initiate violent and subversive actions. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Aligarh (UP), Dec 25 (PTI) A Station House Officer (SHO) was on Wednesday suspended after a cow slaughter incident near Bidhan Nagar village triggered protests. A large group of demonstrators blocked National Highway 91, which connects Bulandshahr to Aligarh, for approximately two hours after the incident of cow slaughter. Also Read | Jaipur LPG Tanker Blast: 3 More Succumb to Injuries, Death Toll Rises to 18. The protesters demanded stringent action against the culprits, claiming this was the second such incident in the Gabhana area within two days. Senior police officials rushed to the site to defuse tensions and successfully persuaded the protesters to lift the blockade. Also Read | Uttarakhand Accident: 3 Dead, Several Injured As Bus Carrying 27 People Falls Into 1,500-Feet-Deep Gorge on Bhimtal-Ranibagh Road in Nainital, Rescue Operations Underway (Watch Videos). Talking to reporters, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Aligarh, Sanjiv Suman, assured strict action against those involved. "An FIR has been lodged and strong action will be taken against the culprits," SSP Suman said, adding that further disciplinary measures would be initiated against any police personnel found negligent in their duties. Gabhana SHO Gajendra Singh has been suspended, he said. He also highlighted the police's proactive stance against such crimes in the district over the past year, during which nine cases of cow slaughter were reported. "In all these cases, the culprits have been arrested, charged under the Gangsters Act, and their properties attached," 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) Port Blair, Dec 25 (PTI) Even after 20 years of the deadly tsunami of December 26, 2004, the devastation which killed more than 400 people and left nearly 3,000 missing, still haunts the residents of Campbell Bay and Car Nicobar in Nicobar district of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Located nearly 535 km away from Port Blair, Nicobar district suffered the maximum damage during the 2004 tsunami. Till today debris of damaged houses, defence quarters, schools, church and government establishments can send shivers down the spine of people. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 25, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. At Tamaloo village at Car Nicobar, signs of the large-scale devastation is still visible and every year Nicobarese tribes gather at 'Death House' - a separate community house where Nicobari tribes as a part of their ritual remember their friend, family and relatives who passed away. Tamaloo village headman, Paul Benjamin, recalled, "Post Christmas celebration, we were getting ready for prayers at the local church. It was a festive mood. Around 6 am, on December 26, 2004, we noticed the sea started receding nearly 3 km followed by high-impact tremors. The entire Island was shaking. We have never seen such nature's fury before. There was no warning system and minutes later I saw a monstrous wall of sea waves rushing towards us. We started running towards hilly areas to save our lives." Also Read | Shillong Teer Results Today, December 25 2024: Winning Numbers, Result Chart for Shillong Morning Teer, Shillong Night Teer, Khanapara Teer, Juwai Teer and Jowai Ladrymbai. He further said, "There was complete chaos. People were running for safety, buildings collapsed like packs of cards. Some people fainted due to high-density tremors. I rescued my wife who was trapped in the kitchen and all of us took shelter in a jungle in a hilly area. People were begging for rations to feed their children. We didn't have anything to eat. Whatever ration we had, we kept in for children and patients. Rest survived on coconut water for five-six days." As per government statistics, 269 people died while 583 went missing at Car Nicobar (nearly 274 km away from Port Blair), at Teressa Island, 54 died and six missing, at Chowra, 41 died and 17 missing, at Campbell Bay, 20 died and 520 went missing. At Katchal Island (in Nicobar district), the maximum number of persons went missing and the figure stands at 1,635. Only one person died in Katchal in the tsunami. At Kamorta and Trinket Islands (both in Nicobar district), 295 and 75 people are still missing. One each died from these two islands. In Nicobar district alone, nearly 387 people died and 3,131 went missing (presumed dead) in 2004. Speaking to PTI, Prahlad Singh, Gram panchayat Pradhan of Laxmi Nagar, Campbell Bay, said, "I lost some of my close friends in the tsunami. I was standing outside my house when I felt strong tremors. There was a jungle in front of our house and we could not see the sea. Then, I climbed up on a coconut tree and saw huge waves with ferocity gushing towards our island." A similar impact was also felt in South Andaman and Little Andaman which reported seven and 34 deaths respectively. No one went missing from South Andaman but 13 people went missing (presumed dead) from Little Andaman. "The most horrifying moment was when bodies started surfacing on the sea, they were decomposing fast and we were helpless. Some clung to a tree for hours and were later rescued. Somehow we managed to save our lives but till today tsunami continues to haunt us," Prahlad Singh said. That ill-fated day also abruptly ended Meghana Rajshekhar's playful world. She was the daughter of an IAF officer posted at Car Nicobar when the Tsunami took her parents and little brother away. Then, she was 12 years old and her father was a meteorologist with the Indian Air Force. She drifted in the sea on a wooden plank before she was rescued after two days. Speaking to PTI, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman district, Arjun Sharma said, "The scale of relief operations is particularly noteworthy, as evidenced by the total number of cases processed and the substantial amounts sanctioned and disbursed. The administration's systematic approach to categorizing and processing claims demonstrates a well-structured relief mechanism, despite facing various implementation challenges. Taking a lesson from the tsunami, now the administration here is fully prepared to handle such natural disasters in future with advanced technology." "We provided shelter to 823 affected families in South Andaman and 1,973 affected families in Little Andaman. We have also provided compensation to nearly 1,203 affected people who lost their land in South Andaman," 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) Kanpur (UP) Dec 25 (PTI) Another FIR has been registered against the Proivincial Police Services (PPS) officer Mohammad Mohsin Khan, accused of sexually exploiting an IIT research scholar, for criminal intimidation and defaming her, said police on Wednesday. IIT-Kanpur's PhD student alleged that the then Assistant CP (collectorganj) Khan threatened her of serious consequences and made objectionable posts with intent to defame her by levelling fake charges. Also Read | Delhi Metro Completes 22 Years of Operation: DMRC Says 'Its Mission To Transform Urban Transportation, Enhancing Quality of Life of Residents of Delhi NCR'. Assistant CP (Kalyanpur) Abhishek Pandey said one more FIR has been lodged against Khan, a 2013 batch PPS officer, and advocate Gaurav Dixit under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita and the Information Technology (IT) Act at Kalyanpur police station on Tuesday. The then ACP and the lawyer would be called for questioning if the need arise, Pandey added. Also Read | The Satanic Verses: Salman Rushdie's Controversial Book Returns to India After 36-Year Ban by Rajiv Gandhi, Selling at Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi (Watch Video). The ACP and his lawyer allegedly made a tweet and shared objectionable posts on social media platforms with intent to defame her. The IIT-Kanpur rape survivor has met senior officials, including Commissioner of Police, Akhil Kumar, who instructed the Kalyanpur police to lodge another FIR against the PPS officer and his advocate. She alleged Khan and his advocate levelled fake charge against her that she attempted to kill an infant. She further accused Mohsin and his advocate of misguiding the court and claiming she was already married, while she was never married. The victim stood firmly on her claims that Khan sexually exploited her under false pretence of marrying her. A five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional DCP (Traffic) Archana Singh was constituted to probe the matter, police said. The IIT-K scholar met the SIT members and provided them with the chat history allegedly showing that the ACP had made "indecent and lewd" remarks. Khan was transferred to police headquarters on December 12 after being booked for allegedly seeking "sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means. According to police, Khan had enrolled at IIT-Kanpur five months ago to pursue a PhD in cybercrime and criminology. While studying at the institute, he reportedly developed a relationship with the research scholar and promised to marry her after divorcing his wife. But later when the officer refused to fulfil his promise, the woman filed a complaint of rape. IIT-Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal had said in a statement, "As is well known now, a girl student of IIT-K has accused a police officer of sexual exploitation and filed a complaint. The institute is committed to provide all the necessary support to the student at this difficult time." (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 25 (ANI): The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), in collaboration with the National Quantum Mission (NQM) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), on Wednesday launched India's first Undergraduate (UG) Minor Program in Quantum Technologies. This initiative aims to prepare India's workforce for the quantum revolution, positioning the nation as a global leader in cutting-edge quantum innovation, the AICTE said in a statement. Also Read | Christmas 2024: PM Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Extend Warm Greetings on Christmas; Highlight Peace, Compassion and Unity. The UG Minor Program in Quantum Technologies is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by addressing the strategic and multidisciplinary needs of the quantum ecosystem. It spans four verticals: Quantum Computation and Simulation, Quantum Communication and Cryptography, Quantum Sensing, and Quantum Materials and Devices. The program was unveiled at an event attended by prominent dignitaries, including AICTE Chairman Prof. TG Sitharam, DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar, National Quantum Mission Governing Board Chairman Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, Prof. A.K. Sood from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Curriculum Drafting Committee Chairman Prof. Arindam Ghosh. Also Read | 'Lottery King' Money Laundering Case: Supreme Court Bars ED From Accessing, Copying Data From Santiago Martin's Laptop and Mobile Phones. Professor TG Sitharam, Chairman AICTE, highlighted the transformative potential of the program and stated, "Quantum technology will redefine computing, communication, and sensing. Through this curriculum, we aim to nurture a skilled workforce that can drive innovation and fulfil the goals of the National Quantum Mission. AICTE's initiatives, including mandatory internships and IDEA Labs, complement this endeavour to create a robust, quantum-ready talent pool." The program features a modular curriculum, allowing engineering students from their third semester onwards to select 18 credits from a pool of 30. It emphasizes project-based learning and interdisciplinary reach. "This curriculum, spanning all quantum verticals, ensures that quantum technology becomes a viable career path for students," said Prof. Arindam Ghosh, Chairman of the Curriculum Drafting Committee. The newly introduced quantum technology program boasts a flexible curriculum, enabling students to choose 18 credits from a pool of over 30, allowing institutions to tailor the program based on their available resources, the statement mentioned. Designed to have interdisciplinary appeal, the program is open to students from all engineering disciplines starting in their third or fourth semester. Its focus on project-based learning ensures practical application, equipping students with hands-on experience in this cutting-edge field. To support educators, Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) will be organized by the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and leading institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). These FDPs aim to train faculty members to deliver high-quality quantum education, ensuring consistency and excellence in program delivery. To foster a robust quantum-ready ecosystem, AICTE and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) will collaborate with institutions to establish state-of-the-art quantum technology laboratories. These labs will provide students with access to advanced tools, enabling them to gain hands-on expertise in real-world applications of quantum technology. In addition, expert-led FDPs and the development of dedicated textbooks specifically tailored for undergraduate quantum education will ensure long-term sustainability of the program. These initiatives reflect a commitment to nurturing a talent pool adept in quantum technologies, which are poised to redefine the future of innovation and industry. To ensure effective implementation, AICTE and DST will support institutions with dedicated faculty training programs, state-of-the-art laboratory setups, and UG-level textbooks. "This initiative addresses challenges like teacher training and infrastructure. Together with AICTE, we aim to launch the program in the next academic session," said DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], December 25 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Police have intensified their crackdown on drug peddling in the region, registering 94 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act this year, officials said on Tuesday. As part of their efforts, chargesheets have been filed in 64 cases, and 156 individuals have been arrested and produced in court. Also Read | Election Commission Rejects Congress Claims on Voter Turnout Discrepancies, Clarifies Data Process; Stands by Transparency in Maharashtra Assembly Elections. "Along with terrorism, there is a drug menace as well. J-K Police are relentlessly working against drug peddling and those involved. This year, we have registered 94 cases under the NDPS Act. Chargesheets have been filed in 64 cases, and 156 people have been produced in court. We have also seized properties worth Rs 4.5 crore," Srinagar SSP Imtiyaz Hussain said. On December 22, the Budgam Police attached properties worth Rs1.28 crore in four cases under the NDPS Act. The properties include a residential house and vehicles, such as a Mahindra Scorpio, Mini Truck, and Ashoka Leyland, owned by Muhammad Yaseen Dar of Sholipora Budgam. Dar is implicated in FIR Nos. 302/2020 and 134/2021. Additionally, in Chadoora, police attached land and a residential house worth Rs 63.7 lakh owned by Muhammad Ayoub Beigh, involved in case FIR No. 47/2024, officials said. Also Read | Dog Attack in Kerala: 88-Year-Old Woman Mauled to Death by Stray Dog in Thiruvananthapuram. On December 10, Awantipora Police seized property worth Rs3.30 lakh from drug peddler Jitender Singh. The property, a four-wheeler, was confiscated under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act for being acquired through illicit drug trafficking, they said. In October, Anantnag Police disrupted an interstate drug trafficking racket. Three individuals were arrested, and 413 bottles of Codeine Phosphate were recovered. The consignment, destined for Sopore and Srinagar, was intercepted at Doonipora Sangam, they added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thane, Dec 25 (PTI) The body of a 45-year-old man was found in a drain in Thane city of Maharashtra on Wednesday morning, civic officials said. The disaster control room here received a call at 9.16 am about the body being spotted in the drain at Raghunath Nagar in Wagle Estate area, Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said. Also Read | Gurugram: School Girl Blackmailed With Obscene Photos, Forced To Transfer INR 80 Lakh From Grandmother's Bank Account. Emergency response teams, including local fire personnel and the regional disaster management cell members, rushed to the site. It took them nearly an hour to retrieve the body from the drain, the official said. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 25, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. The deceased was identified as Sunil Jagdish Thakur, he said, adding the circumstances leading to his death were not yet clear. The body was sent to a government hospital for postmortem and a case of accidental death was registered, a police official said. A probe was on into the man's death, the police added. (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 25: A 52-year-old policeman suffered head injuries when a man obstructing traffic attacked him with a stick in Malad area of Mumbai, police said on Wednesday. The incident occurred Tuesday when Assistant Sub-Inspector Manik Sawant was patrolling Kachpada locality in Malad with his colleagues in a police van. Sawant spotted a traffic jam and got down to clear the road. He spotted a man intentionally blocking vehicles, an official said. Sawant pulled the man aside and instructed him to leave the spot. Enraged, the man threatened the policeman to kill him, picked up a stick and struck him on his head. Sawant lost consciousness and fell, the official said. Mumbai: 4 Arrested for Kidnapping Youth Over Mobile Dispute, Demanding INR 33,000 Ransom in Malads Malvani. "The accused fled the scene, leaving the stick behind. The other two officers in the mobile van immediately rushed Sawant to Tunga Hospital in Malad. He regained consciousness after treatment," the official said. Police identified the accused as Arun Harijan, a resident of Kachpada area, during the investigation. Mumbai Schoker: Minor Girl Dies, 3 Injured After Being Crushed by Water Tank Burst in Nagpada. Based on Sawant's complaint, a case was registered on the charge of attempt to murder under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). No arrest has been made, the official added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, Dec 25 (PTI) Some Muslim organisations have strongly condemned the renewed sale of Salman Rushdie's controversial book "The Satanic Verses" in India and appealed to the central government to reinstate the ban on it. Rushdie's book has returned to Indian bookshelves, 36 years after it was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1988. Currently, 'The Satanic Verses' is available at Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi-NCR. Also Read | Kalyan Girl Kidnapping-Murder Case: Main Accused, Wife Among 3 Arrested After 12-Year-Old Girl's Body Found in Maharashtra Village. In November, the Delhi High Court closed proceedings on a plea challenging the Rajiv Gandhi government's ban on the book's import. The court stated that the failure of officials to present the relevant notification from October 5, 1988, led to the assumption that the notification did not exist. Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor for the Uttar Pradesh unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (AM), expressed concern over the book's reappearance in India. Also Read | Sudden Death in Kota: Woman Collapses Abruptly and Dies in Husbands Retirement Party in Rajasthan (Watch Video). "If freedom of expression hurts someone's sentiments, it is a legal offence. 'The Satanic Verses' is a blasphemous book. Selling such a controversial book under the pretext of freedom of expression cannot be accepted in any form. It goes against the spirit of the Constitution," he told PTI. Rashidi added, "The foundation of India's Constitution allows for freedom of expression, but it does not grant anyone the right to hurt sentiments. Resuming the sale of 'The Satanic Verses' is an attempt at provocation. It is the government's responsibility to stop this. If the government allows it, it would amount to shirking its constitutional duties." He further remarked that Muslims regard Allah and the Prophet as dearer than their own lives and in such a scenario, the controversial book will never be tolerated. "We urge the government to protect constitutional values and reinstate the ban on this book as it hurts the sentiments of a large section of the population. The government has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, and banning this book is its duty," he said. A "limited stock" of the book has reportedly been available in Delhi's Bahrisons Booksellers in recent days. The content of the book and its author have faced massive backlash globally, with many Muslim organisations labelling it blasphemous. Maulana Yasub Abbas, general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, also criticised the renewed availability of the book, stating, "There is talk of lifting the ban after 36 years. On behalf of the Shia Personal Law Board, I appeal to the Indian government to ensure the ban remains firmly in place." "The book mocks Islamic views, insults Prophet Muhammad and his companions, and hurts sentiments. Allowing its sale poses a threat to the country's harmony. I urge the prime minister to impose a complete ban on this book in India," he said. Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, said in a statement, "The ban on The Satanic Verses had expired. Now, some publishers are planning to reprint the book in India. Back in 1988, Rajiv Gandhi's government immediately banned it, but now preparations are underway to reintroduce it in India after the expiration of the ban." "This book insults Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and several Islamic figures. Its content is so offensive that it cannot be repeated. Allowing this book in the market will disturb the nation's atmosphere. No Muslim can tolerate seeing this hateful book on any bookstore shelf," Razvi added. He demanded that the central government reimpose the ban and warned of significant protests from the Muslim community if the book becomes widely available. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 25 (ANI): Union Minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Tuesday said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will contest 2025 Bihar Assembly election under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. "In the 2025 Bihar Assembly election, the NDA will contest under the leadership of Nitish Kumar," Ranjan Singh told ANI. Also Read | Election Commission Rejects Congress Claims on Voter Turnout Discrepancies, Clarifies Data Process; Stands by Transparency in Maharashtra Assembly Elections. The ruling NDA did well in the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar. Apart from BJP, NDA in Bihar includes JD-U, LJP (Ram Vilas) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular). Nitish Kumar toppled the Mahagathbandhan government a few months before the 2024 Lok Sabha election and again formed an government with the BJP. Also Read | Dog Attack in Kerala: 88-Year-Old Woman Mauled to Death by Stray Dog in Thiruvananthapuram. BJP is senior partner in the NDA in the state. While BJP has 84 MLAs, JD(U) has 48 in the State Assembly. State BJP leaders have said that the asembly polls will be held under leadership of Nitish Kumar. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI (Photo/ANI) New Delhi [India], December 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his greetings to the people of the country on the occasion of Christmas while wishing for peace and prosperity. In an X post, the Prime Minister also shared highlights from a Christmas programme at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 25, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. "Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity," he wrote. "Here are highlights from the Christmas programme at CBCI," he added. Also Read | Shillong Teer Results Today, December 25 2024: Winning Numbers, Result Chart for Shillong Morning Teer, Shillong Night Teer, Khanapara Teer, Juwai Teer and Jowai Ladrymbai. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1871756588429815862 President Droupadi Murmu also wished the nation on Christmas, and wrote, "Merry Christmas to all! This special day reminds us of Jesus Christ's timeless teachings of love, kindness, and compassion." "On this joyous occasion, let us strive to spread happiness, promote equality and foster the spirit of unity in the society," she added. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1871756539041849545 Prime Minister Modi on Monday attended a Christmas program at the headquarters of the Catholic Church in India. The Prime Minister also interacted with key leaders from the Christian community, including cardinals, bishops, and prominent leaders of the Church. Notably, this is the first time a Prime Minister has attended such a program at the headquarters of the Catholic Church in India. Meanwhile, cities across India were beautifully adorned with lights on Tuesday night, creating a festive ambience for the Christmas celebration. Churches and markets were illuminated with vibrant lights, sparkling stars, and beautifully arranged Christmas cribs a day before the main holiday. The spirit of celebration was visible everywhere, with communities coming together to mark the joyous occasion. Churches were adorned with stunning decorations, creating a magical atmosphere that drew large crowds for prayer and reflection. Markets were bustling with activity as people shopped for Christmas trees, gifts, and festive treats, adding to the holiday excitement. Visuals of the celebrations are emerging from the different parts of the county. In Kerala's Ernakulam, St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral was beautifully decorated with lights, stars and Christmas cribs. Devotees sang hymns and carols in celebrations. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ghaziabad, Dec 25 (PTI) Police in Ghaziabad's Indirapuram area have arrested a man for allegedly posting fake news on social media about Union Home Minister Amit Shah's "demise", officials said on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Rohit (34), a resident of the Moradabad district in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested after a complaint was filed by BJP office-bearer Anil Sharma, they said. Also Read | 'Hanukkah Sameach': PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu Extend Hanukkah Greetings to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Jewish Festival of Lights. The complaint was lodged after Sharma saw the viral post on a Facebook page on Tuesday. An FIR was registered under relevant sections of the BNS, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Indirapuram) Swatantra Kumar Singh. Charges have also been invoked under provisions of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, he said. Also Read | Who Is Ram Saroop, Gay Serial Killer Who Killed 11 in 18 Months and Wrote 'Dhokebaaz' on 1st Victim's Back?. "The Indirapuram police acted promptly, and with the help of manual and electronic surveillance, arrested the accused near the Hindon River Barrage in Vasundhara Colony," Singh said. During inquiry, Rohit allegedly confessed that he had posted the fake news to increase the followers of his Facebook page, the officer said. Legal proceedings have been initiated against him, and further investigations are underway, he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Varanasi/Lucknow, December 25: Christmas celebrations were held on Wednesday with Bhojpuri carols at the Mahmoorganj Church in Varanasi. Here, carols are sung in Bhojpuri to make the church's services more accessible to the local community and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in a language people deeply connect with. The tradition, which began in 1986, draws a large number of faithful each year at the church, which is famously known as the "Bhojpuri Church". Little Rav, a resident of Varanasi, who has been attending the church's Bhojpuri carol service for years, shared, "Today is a day for rejoicing in church so that peace and love prevail. The love God has shown to us is what we wish to pass on to our family, friends, and community." Christmas 2024 Quotes: Celebrate the Holiday Spirit With These Thoughtful Messages, Greetings, HD Images, Wallpapers and Sayings With Friends & Family. Bhojpuri Church Celebrates Christmas With Carols in Local Language VIDEO | UP: 'Bhojpuri Church' in Varanasi celebrates Christmas with carols in local language. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/aqveInnIG5 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 25, 2024 He emphasised that the use of Bhojpuri helps bridge gaps and makes the messages of Christ accessible to all. "Bhojpuri is widely spoken here, and using the language in our hymns and prayers helps people relate better," he added. Shivpal, a lawyer from the city, also shared his thoughts, saying, "It felt great to see the birth of Jesus Christ being celebrated with carols in Bhojpuri. The spirit of the occasion was so much more touching in the language we all understand." Merry Christmas 2024: From Eggless Plum Cake to Chocolate Plum Cake, Must-Try Plum Cakes for the Festive Season. Father Andrew Thomas, the parish priest, addressed the gathered crowd in Bhojpuri, emphasising the importance of local language in making religious services inclusive. "Bhojpuri is not just a regional language but one that resonates deeply with the people here. Many cannot fully comprehend prayers in English, so conducting the services in their mother tongue helps them feel more connected to the message," Father Thomas told PTI Videos. He further mentioned that this church, which was established in 1986, continues to serve the community, holding regular Sunday masses and hosting other spiritual activities. The church had in special attendance women at the celebration, many of whom wore sarees and applied sindoor in adherence to local customs. Meanwhile, in Lucknow, Christmas celebrations at St. Joseph Cathedral in Hazratganj attracted a large number of visitors, including those of different faiths, adding to the festive atmosphere. "This year, the cathedral has organised a dance performance as well, which adds to the excitement," said Rakesh, a city resident who has been attending the cathedral's Christmas services for years. He noted, "In the past, there were huge crowds, but today, it feels more serene. We missed the larger crowd but the celebrations are still grand. I've come here today with my wife, sister, son, and daughter." Aarti, another visitor, shared her appreciation, saying, "It's such a beautiful programme. I came with my whole family to enjoy the Christmas festivities." Angel, a first-time visitor to the cathedral, expressed her delight at the experience. "The musical performances at the cathedral were simply mesmerizing," she said, indicating how the church's special arrangements made the event even more memorable for her. Anshika, a resident of Lucknow, was especially impressed by the overall festive vibe around the Hazratganj area. "The decoration around Hazratganj is really amazing this year. It's so well arranged, and the area feels so festive," she told PTI Videos. She also mentioned that this was her first time visiting the church for the Christmas service, and the experience was uplifting. With the large turnout, the roads in and around Hazratganj saw a crowd build-up, particularly near the cathedral. This caused significant congestion in the area, prompting increased police presence. Several officers on horseback were seen patrolling the streets to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and to keep the crowd under control. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bethlehem (West Bank), Dec 25 (AP) Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza. The cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists. Also Read | Iran Revokes Bans on WhatsApp, Google Play After 2 Years. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70 per cent of Bethlehem's income almost all from the Christmas season. The number of visitors to Bethlehem plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 1,00,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. Also Read | Christmas 2024: British Monarch King Charles III Likely To Focus on Healthcare Workers in His Traditional Christmas Message. A surge of violence in the West Bank, where more than 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis have been killed in militant attacks, has greatly stalled tourism. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war, access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been limited, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 1,50,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the Israeli economy to contract by 25 per cent. In the October 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad, he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they had been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water. We hope by next year at the same day we'd be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem, said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman who prayed for the war to end. We don't feel happy. Bethlehem is an important centre in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million residents spread across the Holy Land. There are about 1,82,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the US State Department. Elsewhere, worshippers found connection despite difficult times. Tourists flock to reopened Notre Dame Cathedral Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris celebrated its first Christmas Eve Masses since a devastating fire ravaged the medieval landmark in 2019. About 2,000 people joined an afternoon Mass one of four held on Tuesday including worshippers and other visitors marveling at the restoration of the recently reopened cathedral. Some American tourists in Paris crafted their trip to ensure they could attend Christmas Eve services at Notre Dame. They did such an amazing job, said visitor Aly Beinert. It looks beautiful. It blew us away." The Paris Archbishop symbolically reopened Notre Dame's grand wooden doors on December 7 with three resounding knocks, with guests including President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain's Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Syrians come together for rare moment of joy In Saydnaya, Syria, a large crowd gathered near a historic monastery on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. The celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and its infamous prison, where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood by the illuminated tree some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky. This year is different there's happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ, said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as isolated incidents. US families honour victims of church school shooting At City Church in Madison, Wisconsin, lead pastor Tom Flaherty urged congregants at a candlelight Christmas Eve service to open their hearts to God's grace. Happiness comes from what happens. Joy comes from a much deeper place, and it doesn't matter what's going on around you, Flaherty said. So number one, joy comes from God's love, and forgiveness. Eight days earlier, there was a deadly shooting in the school on the church's campus. Over the weekend, the congregation hosted a funeral for Rubi Patricia Vergara, the 14-year-old freshman killed when another student opened fire. A teacher was also killed and several others injured before the shooter shot herself and later died at a hospital, police said. Travel woes and family reunions in other US cities American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the US on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. In Virginia, hundreds of sailors and their loved ones got an early Christmas present when the USS Cole docked at its home port in Norfolk after seven months at sea. Families bundled in coats and blankets, shed tears of gratitude and held signs bearing the sailors' names and photos. Volunteers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, answered calls Tuesday from curious children inquiring about Santa's location. At least 1,00,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command each year to track Santa's whereabouts. NORAD's beloved Santa tracking tradition has endured since the Cold War, when a Colorado newspaper mistakenly printed a phone number for Santa that connected kids to the joint US and Canadian defense command. Spanish ministries bring seafarers holiday cheer In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turron (nougat candy) to seafarers. The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodriguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbour. Heavy snow hits the Balkans A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines Tuesday, but some saw the beauty in it. I'm actually glad it's falling, said driver Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington DC [US], December 25 (ANI): US President-elect Donald Trump in a series of social media posts has stirred controversy by expressing interest in acquiring Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal, citing national security and economic benefits. His remarks have drawn sharp rebukes from leaders in Denmark, and Panama. In the latest social media post, Donald Trump's son Eric Trump posted a picture depicting Trump purchasing Canada, Greenland and Panama Canal and wrote, "We are so back!!!" Also Read | Crypto Mogul Do Kwon's Appeal Rejected by Montenegro's Constitutional Court Over Verdict on His Extradition, Will Face Trial. https://x.com/EricTrump/status/1871376220115669456 Recently, Trump expressed interest in Greenland and said that American ownership and control of the territory is an "absolute necessity" for national security and global freedom. Also Read | Donald Trump's Policy Measures Could Pose Challenges to RBI's Plans for Monetary Policy Easing, Might Affect Timing of Interest Rate Cuts: Standard Chartered Bank Report. "For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Following Trump's remarks on Greenland, Rasmus Jarlov, a Member of Parliament in Denmark's opposition Conservative Party, said that "dictators" threaten to take control over other countries' territory. Sharing a post on X, Jarlov wrote, "Not sure whether it is a joke or not. But certainly not funny. One week Canada is threatened. Now Denmark. Greenland is Danish. It has been since 1380 and it will continue to be. This is undisputed, signed in rock in treaties and not open for negotiation at all. Dictators threaten to take control over other countries' territory. Free democratic countries do not." https://x.com/RasmusJarlov/status/1871096273694015556 Earlier on Monday, Trump also posted a cryptic message on Truth Social about the Panama Canal. He posted a picture with the flag of the US flying above the Panama Canal, resonating with his threat to Panama that he would not let the canal fall into the "wrong hands." He wrote, "Welcome to the United States Canal! The Panama Canal is considered a vital national asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America's economy and national security. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!" Following Trump's remarks on the Panama Canal, Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino responded to Trump and said, "Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging so." Earlier, Trump also created a stir by calling it a "great idea" for Canada to become the 51st state of the US, as Canadian leader Justin Trudeau faces a domestic political crisis linked to fears over a potential tariff war with Trump. "Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. "They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!" he added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Tehran, December 25: Iranian authorities have officially lifted the ban on WhatsApp and the Google Play Store, signalling a significant shift in the country's internet restrictions, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. The decision, which comes after a meeting with top government officials, marks a new phase in the easing of internet blockades that have restricted access to major global platforms for some time. On Tuesday, a meeting was convened with the participation of heads of all three branches of government, ministers, and members of the Supreme Council, where discussions focused on reviewing and adjusting policies surrounding internet governance and restrictions. Following the presentation of assessments from relevant authorities, the council approved changes to the existing internet restrictions. Iran Restores Access to WhatsApp and Google Play After They Were Banned Amid Protests. Sattar Hashemi, Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology, later took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the development, stating, "Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions with unity and collaboration. I extend my gratitude to the President, media, and activists for their efforts. We need this solidarity more than ever. This path continues." The move to lift the ban aligns with the Iranian government's broader approach to managing its digital landscape, emphasising the importance of regulated cyberspace governance while also stressing the need to support domestic platforms, reported the IRNA. The lifting of internet restrictions was one of the key promises made by President Masoud Pezeshkian during his presidential campaign, and this decision marks an early fulfilment of that commitment. Iran's Supreme Leader Says Syrian Youth Will Resist Incoming Government. However, despite the progress, the government has emphasised that its approach will continue to prioritise the development and use of local platforms alongside the reintroduction of global services like WhatsApp and Google Play, the IRNA reported. As these changes unfold, the broader impact on both local businesses and individual users is still to be fully assessed, but the easing of restrictions is a significant step forward for internet freedom in Iran. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, Dec 25 (PTI) A Pakistani minister on Wednesday defended the military trial of civilians, saying that such courts were competent to deal with the cases related to attacks on army facilities. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also urged the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan to refrain from politicising or disputing the issue of military trials. Also Read | 'Hanukkah Sameach': PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu Extend Hanukkah Greetings to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Jewish Festival of Lights. "When an attack is carried out on a defence institution or its property is set ablaze, it becomes the responsibility of the relevant authorities to apprehend the culprits. Just as railway police handle crimes on railway premises, military courts address offences targeting military assets. So, when attacks on military assets occur, the Military Act is enforced," he said while addressing a press conference. Tarar criticised Khan's party for using military courts as a political tool, aiming to create controversy around them. He clarified that military courts only handle cases involving attacks on defence establishments, citing incidents such as the attack on the Corps Commander's House in Lahore. Also Read | Pakistan Attack on Afghanistan: Taliban Say Airstrikes Killed 46 People in Paktika, Mostly Women and Children. The minister also criticised the PTI for changing its stance regarding trials of civilians in the military courts, recalling that during Khan's tenure, military court trials were praised. "The statements praising the military courts from PTI's leadership are still available on social media. Yet now, the same individuals are lobbying internationally against these courts, Tarar said. He assured that military trials adhere to fair trial principles and dismissed claims of injustice in military trials. The military courts tasked to hear cases of suspects involved in the attacks on military facilities on the May 9, 2023 protest last week sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms ranging from 2-10 years. Khan's party criticized the verdicts, arguing that military courts have no jurisdiction over civilians. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kabul, December 25: A series of Pakistani airstrikes on the Barmal district of Paktika province in Afghanistan has resulted in the death of at least 15 people, including women and children, with the toll expected to rise. The attacks, which took place on the night of December 24, targeted seven villages, including Laman, where five members of a family were killed, as reported by Khaama Press. Local sources claim that Pakistani jets were responsible for the bombings. Reports indicate that the Murg Bazaar village in Barmal was destroyed, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The airstrikes have caused severe civilian casualties and widespread destruction, further escalating tensions in the region. As recovery efforts continue, further investigation is required to confirm details and clarify responsibility for the attacks, Khaama Press reported. Airstrikes Target Suspected Pakistani Taliban Hideouts in Afghanistan. The Taliban's Ministry of Defence has vowed to retaliate following the airstrike on Barmal, Paktika. The Ministry stated that defending their land and sovereignty is their legitimate right, and condemned the attack, claiming that "Waziristani refugees" were among those targeted. While Pakistani officials have not officially confirmed the airstrike, security sources close to the military suggested that the attack was aimed at Taliban hideouts near the border. This comes amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly regarding the presence of Pakistani militants in Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has increased its attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months, with Pakistan accusing the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter to these militants, Khaama Press reported. Enayatullah Khwarazmi, a spokesperson for the Taliban Ministry of Defence, denied the Pakistani claims and posted on X (formerly Twitter) that "civilian people, mostly Waziristani refugees," had been killed in the airstrike. Khwarazmi added that "several children and other civilians were martyred and wounded" in the attack, though no official casualty figures were provided. Sources reported that at least 15 bodies, including women and children, have been recovered, and the death toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue. Afghanistan Welcomes Saudi Arabia's Decision to Reopen Embassy in Kabul. Pakistani Airstrikes Targets Multiple Locations in Afghanistan Pakistani airstrikes targeted multiple locations in the Laman and Margha areas of Barmal in Paktika province of Afghanistan close to the Pak-Afghan border; militant sources. Reports indicate casualties, including women and children. pic.twitter.com/Jeb4MgmI5B Saleem Mehsud (@SaleemMehsud) December 24, 2024 The Waziristani refugees are civilians who had been displaced by military operations in Pakistan's tribal areas. However, Pakistan maintains that many TTP commanders and fighters have fled to Afghanistan, where they are reportedly being protected by the Afghan Taliban in border provinces., Khaama Press reported. Tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have been building for some time, fuelled by the ongoing presence of TTP militants in Afghanistan. While Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of harbouring these militants, the Taliban insists it is not collaborating with the group. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chennai, December 25: An Anna University girl student was allegedly sexually assaulted and a 37-year old man, who sells biryani on the pavement, has been arrested for the crime, police said on Wednesday. The victim, a student of the varsity's College of Engineering, Guindy in her complaint said that while she was speaking to her male friend on December 23, 2024 at about 8 pm, behind a building on the college campus, they were intimidated by an unknown person, who sexually assaulted her. She lodged the complaint with the Kotturpuram All Women's Police Station and a case was duly registered, 4 special teams were constituted, and a probe was on, Greater Chennai city police statement said. "During investigation, based on scientific evidence, Gnanasekaran of Kottur (a neighbourhood near the college) has been arrested for this crime. The suspect has given a confessional statement. He is doing business by running a biryani shop on the pavement." Further, the police said they were probing whether he had been involved in other crimes. Investigation continued with the cooperation of the varsity's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Chennai Horror: Female Student Raped by 2 Men Inside Anna University, Male Friend Thrashed; BJP Demands Arrest of Accused. "On the university campus, CCTV cameras have been installed and security officials have been appointed." Police said appropriate action will be taken to enhance security for the students following consultations with university officials and that a 'joint security review,' will be undertaken. Anna University Registrar, J Prakash, said the varsity was extending full cooperation to the police in its investigation and the ICC also had commenced an inquiry. "The university administration is extending full cooperation for the police investigation," he said Meanwhile, the SFI and AIDWA staged a protest in front of the state-run varsity campus seeking action. According to one of the protesters, the student was allegedly sexually assaulted "inside the campus by two outsiders." The incident has also triggered strong political reactions. AIADMK general secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed shock and said it was "shameful" that the barbarity happened and that too in the reputed varsity premises. The leader of the opposition said the incident showed that the law and order situation had deteriorated further. He strongly condemned the DMK government, alleging women had no safety in educational institutions and workplaces. The perpetrators of the crime must be arrested and highest punishment must be ensured for them by the government. Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan hit out at the opposition for their attempt to "politicise" the incident. Chennai Shocker: Girl Student Sexually Harassed by Unknown Persons on Anna University Campus, Student Outfit Stages Protest. "Swift action is being taken. The offenders will be brought to justice," Cheziaan said. The action to be taken at the level of the university, will be decided, to prevent such incidents, the Minister added. DMK spokesperson A Saravanan said the incident was very unfortunate and it should not have happened. The police have swiftly acted, an FIR has been registered and the culprits will be brought to justice, he expressed confidence. "There should be no political arguments...let us not confuse these crimes with the law and order situation," he told PTI Videos. The ruling party's allies, the CPI and CPI(M) condemned the sexual assault and demanded stringent punishment for the culprits. The Marxist party urged the government to take appropriate steps to take on the anti-social elements and ensure safety for women in educational institutions and hostels. Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai also expressed shock and said the victim and another student were very much inside the campus when the incident happened. Alleging that CCTVs were not functioning at that time, he said the crime showed the "current status of law and order, the administration in Tamil Nadu." PMK founder leader S Ramadoss alleged that no one, other than offenders, had safety under the DMK's Dravidian model regime. "The people are witnessing all that are happening. People will give appropriate punishment to the DMK government at the right time." Thane, December 25: Police on Wednesday arrested the main accused in the alleged kidnap and murder of a 12-year-old girl from Buldhana district of Maharashtra, a day after her body was found in a village near her hometown Kalyan, officials said. Police also arrested a third wife of the main accused, Vishal Gawli, and another person. Gawli had some criminal cases, including property-related offences, registered against him, officials said. Gawli was nabbed by a team of Kalyan Police from Shegaon while stepping out of a salon after shaving his beard. "The main accused, Vishal Gawli, was apprehended from Shegaon in Buldhana district on Wednesday morning by Kalyan Police," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-III Kalyan) Atul Zende told reporters. He was at his in-laws' place in Buldhana. He was nabbed when he was stepping out of a salon after getting his beard shaved in a bid to conceal his identity, he said. Body of 12-year-old Girl Kidnapped from Kalyan Found. Police said Gawli's third wife Sakshi Gawli and another person were also arrested in connection with the crime. "Sakshi Gawli, who works in a bank, was arrested on Wednesday. She was produced before a local magistrate, who remanded her in police custody for two days," the police officer said. The girl was allegedly kidnapped from Kolsewadi in Kalyan on Monday afternoon when she was playing outside her house. Her body was found on Tuesday morning near Bhiwandi in Thane district. The motive behind the murder was not clear yet, the officer said, adding that the police have so far interrogated around 10 persons, including the relatives and friends of the accused. A police official earlier said they were waiting for the postmortem report and if rape is confirmed, other legal sections will be added to the case. An autorickshaw used in the crime has also been seized by police, he said. The official said police were examining various CCTV footages and also investigating whether more persons were involved in the crime. The probe is being conducted from all angles. Gawli was a resident of Kolsewadi and earlier some criminal cases, including property-related offences, were registered against him, the official said. "Our priority is to first put the accused behind bars and later take stock of all the cases against him," he said. Minor Boy Kidnapped in Thane; Cops Launch Search. Asked if the main accused, who had married three times, was a pervert, the official said a probe was also on in that direction. The girl's parents had lodged a missing person complaint at Kolsewadi police station in Kalyan on Monday evening after searching for her for several hours. Police initially registered an FIR under section 137 (kidnapping) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched a search to trace the girl. After the body was found, BNS section 103(1) (murder) was added to the case, Kolsewadi's senior police inspector Ashok Kadam told PTI. "We are waiting for the postmortem report and if rape is detected, other penal sections will be added to the FIR," Kadam said. Meanwhile, hundreds of locals with their mouths covered with black cloth took out a protest march in Kolsewadi area of Kalyan (East) and carried banners and placards demanding stringent action against the accused. Local citizens, most of them women, demanded capital punishment for the accused. BJP MLA Ravindra Chavan on Wednesday night demanded that the main accused be tried in a fast-track court and handed death sentence. "The Chief Minister has already clarified that persons with such mentality would be punished. The trial should be conducted in a fast-track court and the accused handed the death sentence. This is also the expectation of the citizens," he told reporters. Kalyan MP and Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde visited the family of the victim and consoled them. "This is the most unfortunate incident. The government will take all measures in the court to ensure that the accused gets a death sentence," he said. The birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, celebrated on December 25, honours the legacy of one of Indias most revered leaders. A visionary statesman, poet, and orator, Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India and left an indelible mark on the nation's political and cultural landscape. His birthday, also observed as Good Governance Day, is a reminder of his commitment to democratic principles and his enduring contributions to the nations progress. Good Governance Day 2024 is the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. On this day, we bring you Atal Bihari Vajpayee quotes, messages, sayings, images and HD wallpapers to honour India's visionary leader. Good Governance Day 2024 Date, History and Significance: All You Need to Know About the Day That Marks the Birth Anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not only a skilled politician but also a humanitarian at heart. His leadership was marked by policies that sought to uplift every section of society. From economic reforms to infrastructure development like the Golden Quadrilateral highway project, his initiatives transformed India into a more connected and economically robust nation. His ability to bridge divides and promote harmony earned him respect across party lines and among citizens. Vajpayees eloquence and poetry further set him apart. His speeches inspired millions, while his poetic expressions reflected his deep philosophical outlook and love for the country. His writings, such as "Meri Ekavan Kavitayen," continue to resonate with readers, capturing themes of nationalism, humanity, and hope. His ability to connect with people through words made him a leader who was not only heard but also deeply loved. On Good Governance Day 2024, share these Atal Bihari Vajpayee quotes, messages, sayings, images and HD wallpapers. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Quotes Atal Bihari Vajpayee Quotes (Photo Credits: File Image) Atal Bihari Vajpayee Quotes Atal Bihari Vajpayee Quotes (Photo Credits: File Image) Atal Bihari Vajpayee Quotes Atal Bihari Vajpayee Quotes (Photo Credits: File Image) Atal Bihari Vajpayee Quotes Atal Bihari Vajpayee Quotes (Photo Credits: File Image) Atal Bihari Vajpayee Quotes Atal Bihari Vajpayee Quotes (Photo Credits: File Image) As we celebrate Atal Bihari Vajpayees birth anniversary, we remember his vision of a progressive, inclusive India. His life and work remain a beacon of inspiration, urging us to uphold the values of democracy, good governance, and unity. This day serves as a tribute to his enduring legacy and a moment to reflect on the principles he championed for a better future. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 25, 2024 08:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Karthik Subbaraj's upcoming film with Suriya and Pooja Hegde has been officially titled 'Retro'. The actors announced the title on Christmas Day, sharing the title teaser on social media. 'Retro' is a gangster drama set for release in Summer 2025. In a shocking incident, a man tried to die by suicide by setting himself on fire near Parliament in Delhi on Wednesday afternoon, December 25. Delhi Police said that the man was rushed to RML hospital, where his condition is said to be critical at the moment. More details are awaited. Parliament Brawl: BJP MP Pratap Sarangi Accuses LoP Rahul Gandhi of Pushing Him, Congress Leader Dismisses Claim, Says They Blocked and Threatened Us. Parliament Suicide Bid Delhi | A man has tried to commit suicide by setting himself on fire near Parliament. He has been taken to RML hospital: Delhi Police More details awaited ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter (X), Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) A man was remanded in custody this Christmas Eve after he appeared in court charged in connection with the death of young mother Marguerita Sheridan, who died following a fatal collision in Rathkeale on Saturday. The accused, Danny ODonoghue, aged 42, of Lower Main Street, Rathkeale, County Limerick appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court shortly after 7pm this Tuesday. He is charged with five separate offences. Mr ODonoghue is charged with one count of dangerous driving causing the death of Ms Sheridan, aged 21, at Bank Place, Well Lane, Rathkeale, on December 21. The accused is also charged with one count of causing criminal damage to a set of steel gates at the same location on the same date. Mr ODonoghue is also charged with one count of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to another man - Patrick Sheridan - at Ballywilliam, Rathkeale on December 21. He faces one count of producing a machete during the course of making the alleged threat to Mr Sheridan. Mr ODonoghue is also charged with one count of causing criminal damage to Patrick Sheridans van at Ballywilliam, Rathkeale on December 21. Detective Garda Elaine OKeeffe, of Newcastle West Garda Station, gave evidence in court that she arrested Mr ODonoghue at 6pm this Tuesday for the purpose of charging him with the five offences. Detective Garda OKeeffe said Mr ODonoghue made no reply to all five of the charges. Inspector Liz Kennedy, prosecuting, said gardai were objecting to bail. However, Mr ODonoghues solicitor, Michael ODonnell, said he was not making any bail application. His client, who was wearing a black jacket, green shirt and navy trousers, did not speak during the short procedural hearing. Judge Alec Gabbett remanded Mr ODonoghue in custody to Limerick Prison to appear via video-link before Limerick District Court again on Friday, December 27. READ ALSO: ALERT: Gardai seek help in locating boy, 13, who has not been seen for several days Marguerita Sheridan, who gave birth to a baby boy three weeks ago, was critically injured when a vehicle allegedly struck a set of gates she was standing in proximity to in Rathkeale last Saturday afternoon. She was later pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick. Investigations into Saturday's incident are ongoing. Cllr Bernard Caldwell has called on Kildare Co Council to install a pedestrian crossing at Confey Cemetery in Leixlip. The politician raised the issue at the December meeting of the local Municipal District. Kildare County Council said that the development of any pedestrian crossing will be dependent on funding. The Council said the area in the vicinity of Confey Cemetery will be assessed by technical staff to determine what type of pedestrian crossing is appropriate. Donal Hodgins, Senior Engineer, Sustainable Transport and Traffic Management, added: "The delivery of any facility will be dependent on a future funding source being identified. Councillor Caldwell also asked the Council to provide any update from Waterways Ireland on the pedestrian entrance to the Royal Canal at Cope Bridge, Confey? The Council said the Transport Department made contact with Waterways Ireland in respect of the issue and they advised that are willing to come up with a solution to address the issue. The lands in question are outside the scope of the Part 8 for the Royal Grand Greenway and are in the ownership of Waterways Ireland. Hundreds of people have taken part in charity Christmas swims across Ireland. In Dublin, swimmers braved the cold water on an otherwise mild morning in Clontarf, where a picturesque sunrise featured bursts of gold, pink and red emerging behind the capitals famous Poolbeg Stacks. The colourful scene overhead was matched by families arriving in Christmas jumpers, swimming togs and outdoor changing robes. They were taking part in the annual Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club charity Christmas swim in aid of the RNLI. Santa hats were hurriedly replaced by swimming caps as toes were cautiously dipped into the sea amid scattered involuntary exclamations of ooh ringing out across Dublin bay. Others dived straight in while their friends and family, and a few pets, watched. Some observers, though, said they could never do it. There was a flurry of frantic towelling off as Helen Doogue, a volunteer for the RNLI, explained how the Clontarf fundraising branch started. She was one of three members of Clontarf yacht club who were rescued by the RNLI in an incident several years ago. Some time afterwards, the RNLI asked the group if they would be interested in helping to start a fundraising branch. She said her family has had many interactions with the RNLI over the years and added: Were delighted to say we owe them a debt. The 2024 swim marks Helens 50th year of involvement with the Clontarf fundraising branch with only one year relocated to the Clontarf Baths because of the tides. She has witnessed all sorts of conditions, including the breaking of ice at the top of the slip. This year though, she said it was a doddle even when compared with a message from Thailand, where she said friends were sipping mojitos after a lifeboat swim. Were nearly at that stage here, she said as hot whiskeys were prepared for those who needed to warm up. Lucy Winkelmann, who swims in Clontarf every day, said there was a lovely group of people involved, as she shared some cake that was given to her by a friend. It was very nice, everyone always brings something down. She said it was not so painful for those who did it regularly, adding that she was planning to take it easy for the rest of the day although that does include cooking Christmas diner. Sean Mulligan said the water was very cold, but that the mild accompanying weather made it a lovely day to do it. He said he was delighted to start a Christmas day tradition with Jill Owens and their 10-week old daughter Maisie as all three wore Santa hats. Asked if he would bring Maisie along sometime in the future, he said: Hopefully, maybe with a wetsuit on her, and added: Might get her mother in next year. Ms Owens added: Ill have no excuse next year. Swimmers from around the world also turned up. Andrea Guzman, from Colombia and now living in Artane, said she came down to share the sunrise with everyone and have a little swim. Through chattering teeth, she added that it was very, very cold. It was very different. Sea water in Colombia would be always warm, so it was nothing like that. But this gives you the energy for the cooking time, opening presents and you wont feel tired for the rest of the day. However, she noted that swimmers were planning to warm up with some coffee and perhaps that drop of whiskey too. Other sea swims had been organised across the island, including on Inchydoney beach in Cork and Blackrock Pier in Galway. Bocana Resources Corp. Provides a Corporate Update CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bocana Resources Corp. (TSXV: BOCA) (Frankfurt: VC1) ("Bocana" or "Company") announces it has received a letter of resignation from Mr. David Thompson from the Company's Board of Directors, effective December 20, 2024. Bocana and the Board of Directors appreciate all of the time and efforts that Mr. Thompson provided to the Company and wish him well in his other duties. The Board of Directors has unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Saleem Sarwar to fill the vacancy until the next annual meeting of the Shareholders, in accordance with the constating documents of the Corporation and the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the "ABCA"). Mr. Sarwar has over 23 years' experience in the commodities trading industry having started in 2001 working for Ransmile LLC, a Hong Kong based trading company. He spent time in Singapore, Beijing and Hainan Province, China working with Govt backed entities on selling refined oil products, where he was instrumental in structuring one of the largest upstream crude supply contracts between one of the Middle East major oil producers and Grupa Lotos SA, one of Poland's major oil refinery operators and station forecourt operators. In 2011, Mr. Sarwar was appointed Head of Trading at AMC in Dubai. The role involved leading a team of over 12 traders and support staff, trading refined oil products, metals, food stuffs with various cross global commodities companies and producers. Two years later, he was asked by the board of AMC, to develop several mining assets in East and Central Africa, specifically in Tanzania, Uganda and DRC. While there he oversaw mineral assaying, liaising with Govt bodies for mineral rights, mining operations, securing export permits and helping the company raise funds for the development of these assets. In 2018 he joined Elite Capital in London, as head of trading, reviewing complex trading structures. Subsequently, he started a medical healthcare company in the United Kingdom aimed at providing alternative healthcare solutions to healthcare operators in the UK and Europe. Helped develop the first Medical Cannabis balm to be approved for sale under prescription for pain management, arthritis and fibromyalgia in Europe. About Bocana Resources Corp. Bocana is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral producing properties. Bocana, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Huiracocha International Service SRL, currently holds a 100% working interest in the mineral properties known as the Escala area concessions located at the Department of Potosi, Sud Lipez Province, Bolivia as awarded by Comibol. Contact Information For more information on Bocana, visit: https://bocanaresources.com . For more information or interview requests, please contact: Timothy J. Turner ? Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information can be identified by words such as: "intend", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "approximately", "planning", "projected", "anticipate" and similar references to future periods. 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 Bocana, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but without limitation, statements pertaining to the AGM and any future corporate transactions or joint ventures. All statements included herein involve various risks and uncertainties because they relate to future events and circumstances beyond Bocana's control. Although Bocana has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements 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, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. 24 december 2024 at 16:50 News published onand distributed by: European Wellness Biomedical Group Announces New Klotho Research Initiative Led by Prof. Mike Chan HEIDELBERG, Germany, Dec. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- European Wellness Biomedical Group (EWBG) has launched a new research initiative focused on Klotho, a protein with transformative potential in longevity medicine. Led by Professor Dr. Mike Chan, this project will explore Klotho's role in combating age-related diseases and its ability to regenerate critical organs, including the brain, kidneys, and heart. Klotho, identified in 1997, is emerging as a key protein in longevity and regenerative medicine. It plays a pivotal role in regulating oxidative stress, mineral metabolism, and inflammation. The research will investigate how boosting Klotho levels could help address chronic conditions like neurodegenerative diseases, kidney failure, and heart disease, ultimately improving healthspan and extending lifespan. "Klotho represents the next frontier in longevity medicine," said Professor Mike Chan, Chief Scientist at EWBG. "Our research aims to understand how Klotho affects aging and how we can use it to treat chronic diseases that have long been associated with aging." Research Focus Areas The new initiative will focus on three primary research areas: Neurological health : Investigating Klotho's neuroprotective effects and its potential to slow cognitive decline in diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's . : Investigating Klotho's neuroprotective effects and its potential to slow cognitive decline in diseases like and . Kidney function : Examining Klotho's role in regulating mineral metabolism and its regenerative potential in treating chronic kidney disease (CKD) . : Examining Klotho's role in regulating mineral metabolism and its regenerative potential in treating . Cardiovascular health: Studying Klotho's influence on vascular function and its ability to prevent vascular calcification, a key contributor to heart disease. This research builds on existing collaborations at EWBG, where leading scientists focus on advancing Klotho-based therapies for regenerative health. Klotho: A Potential Breakthrough in Longevity Medicine Klotho is gaining attention for its ability to regenerate tissues and reverse damage caused by age-related diseases. Unlike NAD+, which primarily enhances cellular metabolism and energy production, Klotho offers a broader range of therapeutic applications, including tissue regeneration, cognitive function improvement, and cardiovascular health. As we age, Klotho levels naturally decline, leading to conditions such as cognitive decline, heart disease, and kidney failure. Research suggests that restoring Klotho levels can reverse the effects of oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular senescence, offering new treatment possibilities for a range of age-related diseases. Professor Mike Chan: Leading the Charge in Klotho Research Professor Mike Chan, a leading expert in stem cell therapy and longevity medicine, is spearheading this groundbreaking initiative at EWBG. His extensive experience in bio-regenerative medicine positions him as a key figure in exploring Klotho's potential to revolutionize the treatment of age-related diseases. Through FCTI, a subsidiary of EWBG, Professor Chan and his team are developing therapies that combine stem cell technology and Klotho proteins to stimulate tissue regeneration in the brain, kidneys, and heart. "By harnessing Klotho's regenerative properties, we hope to address chronic conditions that were previously untreatable," said Professor Chan. "Our ultimate goal is to improve quality of life and provide lasting solutions for those affected by aging-related diseases." The Future of Klotho in Longevity Medicine The future of Klotho-based therapies looks promising, with Professor Mike Chan and EWBG at the forefront of this innovative field. As more research is conducted, Klotho is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing longevity medicine, offering a new approach to treating aging and chronic diseases. The potential applications of Klotho are vast, from neurodegenerative disease treatment to kidney regeneration and cardiovascular health. With strong research partnerships, significant funding, and ongoing clinical trials, Klotho is poised to become a cornerstone of longevity medicine, transforming how we approach aging and disease. Professor Mike Chan's leadership ensures that this promising protein will soon offer new hope to those seeking longer, healthier lives. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2587407/Prof_Dr_Mike_Chan_talks_growing_importance_Klotho_anti_aging_medicine.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2362609/EW_COLOR_Logo.jpg 24 december 2024 at 20:00 News published onand distributed by: THE WINNERS of the Christmas in Limerick Merry and Bright Challenge have been announced, winning a total of 10,000 in prize money between them. This competition, which saw businesses, residents, and offices across the city and county transform their spaces into dazzling displays of holiday cheer, has come to a conclusion with Limerick City and County Council choosing five overall winners, all winning 2,000 each. Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, congratulated the winners and thanked the community for their participation. "I am delighted with the response to our call to make Limerick Merry and Bright this Christmas," he said. "The creativity and effort put into decorating homes and businesses has truly lit up all of Limerick. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who participated this year and I am already looking forward to seeing next years entries." READ ALSO: Shannon Airport gearing up for a busy festive period as passenger numbers surge The challenge was judged by Lisa Kearney from Rooney Auctioneers and Liam Dwan, general manager of Brown Thomas, who were both impressed by the high standard of entries. Lisa Kearney said: "It was wonderful to see the high standard of entries from across the city and county. The decorations were stunning, and it was a tough job to choose the winners." While Liam Dwan added that the displays have "added to the special atmosphere at this time of year". "It was a pleasure to judge the Christmas in Limerick Merry and Bright Challenge and I applaud all those who entered for their creativity and effort," he said. The list of winners of the Christmas in Limerick Merry and Bright Challenge is as follows: Best Christmas Shop Front - Limericks Historic City Centre was won by Coqbull, Thomas Street. The Best Christmas Shop Front Limerick County title went to Ela Maria, Newcastle West. The Limerick Christmas Tree Competition Georgian Quarter Shops/Office title was won by LPYMA, OConnell Street. The Limerick Christmas Tree Competition Residents in the Georgian Quarter went to Eva Birdthistle and finally, the Best Christmas House Decorations Limerick City and County winner was Vilmos Krizsan, Knockainey Co. Limerick. The winners were selected based on creativity, originality, overall visual impact, use of lights and decorations, theme consistency, and effort and attention to detail. LIMERICK City and County Council and Limerick Chamber are welcoming the phenomenal success of the Limerick Gift Card since its launch in November. With over 90,000 spent and 177 businesses signed up across the city and county, the initiative has already proven to be a powerful boost for local businesses and the community. And it has the power to do much more before the year is over. The Limerick Gift Card stands out as the perfect Christmas gift. It offers the recipient the freedom to choose from a variety of local businesses, ensuring they get exactly what they want. It also serves as an ideal last-minute gift, providing a thoughtful and practical solution for those in need of a quick yet meaningful present. The Limerick Gift Card, available as both a physical card and an e-card, was launched to encourage local spending and to support the vibrant business community in Limerick. The card can be used in a wide range of participating businesses, including retail stores, restaurants, and service providers, making it a versatile and convenient gift option. With zero commission for businesses to accept the card and no additional cost to the purchaser, every euro gifted will be a euro back in our local economy. By availing of the Governments Small Benefit Exemption, a Limerick Gift Card pre-loaded with up to 1000 is an ideal tax free gift from businesses to their employees, ensuring the value stays in Limerick. Local businesses that have supported the Limerick Gift Card with Corporate Orders include The Savoy Hotel, Texas Steak Out, Connolly Man, Arthurs Quay Shopping Centre (TCE Management Ltd. -Tiernan Properties), Gleeson Sports, Dell and Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel. Mayor of Limerick, John Moran commented: We know Limerick is at its best when we all come together behind a common purpose. The success of the Limerick Gift Card is a testament to the community's commitment to supporting local businesses. Every euro spent locally helps to sustain jobs and keep our economy thriving. I encourage everyone to continue supporting this fantastic initiative." READ MORE: Limerick community devastated as house fire claims life of local man while caring for his father Michelle Gallagher, CEO of Limerick Chamber, also highlighted the positive impact of the gift card: "The launch of the Limerick Gift Card has been a significant move for both the city and county. With 177 businesses now participating, the card offers incredible variety and convenience for consumers. The fact that over 90,000 has already been spent is a clear indication of the community's support for local businesses. This initiative not only boosts our local economy but also fosters a sense of community pride and solidarity." The Limerick Gift Card is part of the multi-award-winning Town & City Gift Card concept, which has been successful in various regions across Ireland. The initiative is backed by Limerick City and County Council and Limerick Chamber, with the aim of locking in spending within the local economy and attracting new spending to the area. Cards are available to buy online via the website here and in-person at Limerick Chamber, 96 OConnell St Limerick V94 YYP6. There is also a pre-load option: Pick up your card in-store physically and preload your preferred amount online. Pickup a Limerick Gift Card at: Angel Times, Shannon Street, Franklins Shoe Store, OConnell Street, Gleesons Spar, Catherine Street and Henry Street and Tadhg O'Connor stores in Adare, Rathkeale and Newcastle West. MAYOR of Limerick John Moran has launched the Show Me I.D - Be Age OK winter campaign, showing his support for the countrys largest responsible retail and hospitality training programme. The launch of the campaign comes as the schools break up for Christmas and hospitality is right in the middle of its busiest time of year. Retailers and hospitality staff across the country are encouraged to maintain high standards of compliance around age-restricted products. These include alcohol, tobacco products, lottery tickets and vaping products. Retail and hospitality staff are encouraged to complete the Show Me I.D - Be Age OK online training module, which quizzes users on potential situations they are likely to encounter in a trading environment. This includes questions on what best practice is when somebody looks underage, when a minor attempts to purchase an age-restricted product or when an unacceptable form of identification is provided at the point of service. Retail staff can easily access the module on a computer, phone or tablet. So far in 2024, there have been 459 module completions of the Show Me ID module. Any retail or hospitality staff member who completes the training module can enter a competition to win a 100 One4All gift card. The competition will be active until 6pm on Friday, January 17. Show Me I.D will run a concentrated social media campaign while the competition is active, to keep retailers up to date with proper sales practices for age-restricted products. Speaking at the launch last Wednesday, the Mayor said: "I am delighted to launch the Show Me ID Winter campaign here in Limerick. It is very welcome to see industry take the lead in raising awareness and ensuring better protection of vulnerable under age customers. This is an inventive way of combining digital education with awareness of laws surrounding age-restricted products. The ease with which it can be accessed by retail staff is key for the busy retail sector, at a time when following the laws around age-restricted products is more important than ever." READ MORE: PICTURES: Proud Rathkeale is 'open for business' this Christmas The Mayor added: "This is a very busy time of year for the hospitality sector both in Limerick and nationwide. Therefore, it is essential that all hospitality and retail staff are fully aware of the laws surrounding the sale of age-restricted products to ensure that they are followed. Initiatives like Show Me ID are vital to this, and the buy-in of the sector as a whole is really encouraging to witness." The Mayor added: "This is a very busy time of year for the hospitality sector both in Limerick and nationwide. Therefore, it is essential that all hospitality and retail staff are fully aware of the laws surrounding the sale of age-restricted products to ensure that they are followed. Initiatives like Show Me ID are vital to this, and the buy-in of the sector as a whole is really encouraging to witness." Jack Costello, Manager at the Locke Bar, encouraged staff to take up the module. He said: "I understand that we, as a well-known pub in Limerick, form a vital part of our community. As such, we have a responsibility to defend hospitality integrity and not sell alcohol to minors under any circumstances." He continued: "We make it clear to our staff that they must always ask for ID if they are unsure about serving anyone. We are delighted, therefore, that Show Me ID provides easily accessible online training for them. We encourage all publicans nationwide to encourage staff to take the training module. We highly recommend that all retail and hospitality staff in Ireland take this module to fully educate themselves on responsible sale, especially at such a busy time for the sector." This Christmas, the hospitality sector is especially advised to be vigilant. The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) is a strong supporter of the Show Me ID campaign. The summer 2023 campaign, for example, was launched by then-VFI President John Clendennen, who was recently elected as a Fine Gael TD for Offaly in last month's general election. From a silent flying object making its way towards the Belfast docks to suspicious sightings across the outskirts of the capital, there were three official reports of UFO sightings in Northern Ireland in 2024. While media in the US focused on reports of puzzling unidentified aircraft in New Jersey, it appears some believe we may have our own mysterious visitors. Responding to an Freedom of Information request by the PA news agency, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they had received three reports concerning UFOs across 2024. The first of the year came in early February with a caller in Crumlin telling the PSNI that on January 29 they had seen an object with eight to 10 lights along its perimeter. The next two came in the autumn, again both from the greater Belfast area. On October 18, a caller from the capital told the PSNI that around 11pm on the previous night, they had noted a flying object rising into the sky from the direction behind their house. They described: It has a vapour trail but made no sound at all. It had green and red flashing lights, and said it went over their house and out towards the dock area. The final report of the year came on October 27 from a caller in the Newtownabbey area. They told police that their wife observed a UFO through their camera in May, and said it has visited them every night since. They described it as a bright light with holes in the bottom. The PSNI said of each of the three reports from the year that they were noted for information by police, not indicating that any investigation had been carried out into any of the reported sightings. The number of UFO sightings has varied over the last five years, going from four in 2019, to six in 2020, eight in 2021, one in 2022 and no reported UFO sightings from January 1 to November 1 2023. However in 2023, there were two reported sightings of aliens and one reported sighting of strange lights. The Ministry of Defence previously recorded UFO sightings, but closed its UFO desk in 2009 after concluding that in more than 50 years, no received report had ever disclosed any evidence of a potential threat. Nick Pope, who previously investigated UFO reports for the MoD, said the figures sound staggeringly low, and said the MoD used to receive several hundred sightings each year before 2009. He said he believes many wont come forward with sightings because they fear they will not be believed. None of the sightings sound particularly spectacular, and the one mentioning red and green flashing lights and a vapour trail is clearly an aircraft, he said. The annotation on the FOI response stating noted for information by police is a polite way of saying the cops didnt take any further action, and thats quite understandable, because it really isnt their job. That doubtless explains the low numbers, because anyone seeing a UFO will realize this isnt really a matter for the police. Despite the MoD having axed their UFO project, many witnesses will think of UFOs as a defence and national security issue, and may still report sightings to the MoD. Alternatively, as theres a perception that the authorities are covering up the truth about UFOs, many witnesses may not bother to report what they see at all. Finally, the fear of not being believed or of being ridiculed may be another factor that explains the low figures. For all these reasons the number of actual sightings is doubtless much higher than the number of reported sightings. The recent drone incursions in the UK and the US have brought the issue of unexplained objects in the sky into fresh focus, so it will be interesting to see if this leads to an upsurge in reports. The Venus de Milo; Mona Lisa"; 250 skulls on a mirrored wall; a six-metre Tyrannosaurus rex. You can see all this and more at The Art of the Brick", a touring exhibition currently in Berlin. It is the work of Nathan Sawaya, a former lawyer. His chosen medium? Lego bricks. Lego guards its bricks jealously. Early in Mr Sawayas artistic career, the Danish toymaker sent him a cease-and-desist order. (Now a Lego certified professional", he builds with the firms blessing.) At Legos headquarters in Billund, in Denmark, master builders" work behind tinted windows, hidden from prying eyes. This year the EUs General Court ruled in Legos favour in a trademark dispute with a German company. We are the most reputable brand in the world, so we want to be super-careful with our reputation," says Niels Christiansen, Legos chief executive. When you are the worlds biggest toymaker, that reputation relies on keeping your customersyoung and oldenchanted. Mr Christiansen also believes it will depend on making Legos billions of plastic bricks in a way that is friendlier to the planet. Lego did not begin with plastic. Its founder, Ole Kirk Kristiansen, started the firm in 1932 as a maker of wooden toys, truncating leg godt, Danish for play well", to form its name. He patented his plastic bricks in 1958 (and died later that year). Two years on, after a fire destroyed its wooden-toy warehouse, Lego chose to stick with only plastic bricks. Lego nearly went under in 2003-04 after branching into too many areas, such as childrens clothes and dolls. Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, who became chief executive in 2004, sold its theme parks and refocused the firm on bricks and articulated minifigures". Under Mr Christiansen, who took over in 2017, Lego has continued to thrive, while most rivals have struggled with the toy businesss ever-shifting fads. Over the past 20 years the companys revenue has grown ten-fold, reaching DKr66bn ($9.7bn) in 2023 (see chart). A decade ago it became the worlds largest toymaker by revenue. Today its sales are greater than those of its two biggest rivalsMattel, creator of Barbie, and Hasbro, maker of Nerf gunscombined. In 2023 it opened 147 shops around the world, taking its total to 1,031, and built factories in America and Vietnam. Sales in the first half of 2024 were up by 13%, year on year, even as the global toy market shrank. In 2004 the company was loss-making; in 2023 its net profit was DKr13bn, implying an enviable margin of nearly 20%. Playing to win Can the toymaker maintain its success? We need to stay relevant for kids and adults," says Mr Christiansen. New sets keep coming; nearly half the products in its range in 2023 were released that year. The firm also makes more than 140 elaborate sets, some with thousands of pieces, for adult fans of Lego (AFOLs), who now account for one-fifth of sales. But competing with the online world for time is hard. On average, American children aged 8-12 spend 4-6 hours a day watching screens of various types, from smartphones to televisions, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. That is why in 2022 Lego invested in a partnership with Epic Games, maker of Fortnite", a popular video game, to build engaging digital experiences for kids of all ages". Their arrangement has proved lucrative. So far Legos attempts to find a green alternative to plastic, the companys other big challenge, have been less successful. Still, Mr Christiansen plans to make bricks entirely from sustainable material by 2032. Lego has started manufacturing some pieces with a new plastic made using renewable energy and recycled material. Renewable resin is up to 60% dearer than plastic made of fossil fuel, but Mr Christiansen says he is prepared to absorb the cost. By buying lots of it, he hopes to create a market for the material and push its cost down. He intends to reduce Legos carbon footprint by 37% by 2032 (compared with 2019) and be carbon neutral by 2050. Family ownership allows Lego to take the long view, Mr Christiansen says. (A foundation owns a quarter of the firm; the Kristiansen family owns the rest.) After 2032 the path to carbon neutrality will be steeper, he admits, but we serve kids"the inheritors of the planet. And, he surely hopes, tomorrows AFOLs. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Giray Fidan: Chinese classics never die 09:36, December 25, 2024 By Wu Sha, Yu Ying ( People's Daily Online Ankara is known to be a cultural center of Turkiye, and the ancient Ankara Castle overlooks a city that is filled with quaint houses, artisan shops, and historical museums. Giray Fidan, professor in the Department of Eastern Languages and Literatures at Ankara Hac Bayram Veli University, has been working on Chinese literature and history for the last 20 years. He believes in the power of literature in bringing readers together and hopes more scholars from both China and Turkiye will work on translation in the future, facilitating cultural exchanges between these two countries. Giray Fidan (Photo/Patrick Shead-Simmonds) As a sinologist, Fidan explained, "I am responsible for translating Chinese books faithfully and translation contributes to Turkish culture. It is very important to let Turkish readers understand the rich culture and history of China. There were two times more books in China compared to the entire globe in the 17th century. This knowledge does not just belong to China, but humanity as a whole. It is therefore important to translate Chinese literature into different languages, including Turkish." Fidan translated many Chinese classics, including "Zhuangzi", "The Analects of Confucius", and "Guiguzi", as well as some modern literature like "The Cat Country". One of Fidan's bestsellers was "The Art of War", and it sold over 400,000 copies and was reprinted 27 times; the 27th time just came out this summer. Currently, he is working on a translation of "The Dream of the Red Chamber", another Chinese classic. One of Fidan's most popular translations in Turkiye was "Dao De Jing". He said, "It is one of the most significant and influential Chinese classics in the world right now. My recent translation was based on Chen Guying's notes and has many detailed notes. This book is very comprehensive, bringing together almost 2,500 years of accumulated information and also includes a modern translation." For Fidan, classics never die. Classical texts offer us the foundations of a civilization. From this perspective, reading Chinese classics allows us to understand Chinese philosophy, which is a very different approach to the world and the universe. As an expert in the field of sinology, Fidan has been to many conferences in China. He explained that these conferences "bring together sinologists and translators from different countries, giving them an opportunity to work together. For example, the conference at the World Sinologist Center at Beijing Language and Culture University. Sinologists talk to each other about articles and papers that were just published and books that were newly translated." After Fidan translated Lao She's "The Cat Country", which was reprinted six times in Turkiye, he was approached by some Spanish and Latin American sinologists, who are interested in translating this book. Fidan values the cultural and intellectual exchanges between China and Turkiye highly. He said, "There are eight Turkish Language Departments in China and there are nine Chinese Language and Literature Departments in Turkiye. It is very important to further develop this intellectual relationship between China and Turkiye by encouraging Turkish people to learn Chinese and Chinese people to learn Turkish." He hopes that more Chinese students in the future will become scholars in Turkish, so that more and more Chinese scholars translate Turkish literature and Turkish classics into Chinese. He believes this is an important way to build bridges between China and Turkiye. Fidan stated, "Literature has universal value. When we think about some literary pieces from different parts of the world, we can understand universal things like human emotions or human affairs, although they are based on different cultural roots. This is why literature has a very important role in cross-cultural communication and fostering mutual understanding between different countries." (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) News / National by Staff reporter THERE are more than 7 000 living languages in the world, but Unesco predicts more than half will be extinct by the end of the century.IsiJahunda might be one of the tongues as the language is now only spoken by the diminishing elderly in Gwanda District.Zimbabwe was home to thousands of proud native Jahunda speaking people before white settlers arrived in the 1800s. To this Jahunda ethnic group, language meant much to them, it was a heritage, an identity and a source of pride. Today their language is in danger of going extinct and the Jahunda identity and heritage is vanishing from the face of the earth as only a few people who speak the language remain in Gwanda District.Residents of Gwanda District are known as amaJahunda because of a community of isiJahunda speaking people who settled in Gwanda and surrounding resettlements.IsiJahunda, a language that has similarities with isiLilima, Nambya, Kalanga and Venda languages, was the popular language in areas such as Nsimbi, Dobhoda, Mtandawenema, Nkulangugwe, Gwalanyemba, Switja, Mawana, Makobana, Zhukwi, Shabenyama, Paye and Bedza. The demise of isiJahunda can be traced back to the 1800s when the tribe merged with other ethnic groups, resulting in the dilution of the language. The coming of the whites made things worse.Saturday Chronicle visited some of the communities in Gwanda where it caught up with isiJahunda speaking elders who can be found in Garanyemba, Ntephe, Ntalale, Silonga, Halisupi, Zhokwe and Samloti.Ephraim Ncube (77) from Nsimbi Village said he was born in Makungubo, a resettlement area. In 1951 they were relocated to Nsimbi Village when he was six. Before they were resettled, his family used to mainly speak isiJahunda."Our parents and grandparents were still speaking isiJahunda even after we had relocated to the Nsimbi area. Whenever they would speak among themselves, they would speak in isiJahunda."When our grandparents died, the speaking of isiJahunda within the homestead became less although our parents still do but with a mixture of isiNdebele."When our parents died, isiNdebele became our main language although we knew isiJahunda. Before they were relocated, the isiJahunda speaking people were under Chief Senondo, who is today known as Chief Nhlamba," he said.Ephraim is convinced the displacement of the Jahunda community is the major reason for the death of isiJahunda."We have mountains and rivers that had isiJahunda names but they have been altered. For example, the Garanyemba area was originally known as Shibwenyemba which means a stone which looks like a soya bean. Sengezane area was originally knowns as Shangezi, Tuli River was known as Tukwi, Shashe area was known as Shayashe, Lubolahuto Mountain was known Lukonahuto which means the hill which overpowered the baboon," said Ephraim.Phineas Matshaya (68) from Garanyemba area said the death of their elders has caused the Jahunda language to dwindle. He said only elderly people could speak the language and the more they continued to die the more the language was dwindling.Matshaya said his age mates were young when the Jahunda community was resettled and they never got to use the language as their main language. He said most of them got married to Suthu or Ndebele speaking women which further crushed isiJahunda.Nsimbi village head Misheck Ncube (72) said he sometimes meets other isiJahunda speaking people during ward meetings. He said whenever they come together, they immediately start speaking isiJahunda. Misheck said had there been books written in isiJahunda then it would have helped preserve the language."The reason why as the isiJahunda speaking elders we can't pass on the language to our children is because it is also slipping from our lips. We have been exposed to other languages for a very long time which have overcome isiJahunda. In my case whenever I speak isiJahunda I end up mixing it with Shona because I stayed in Harare for a long time. The two languages are similar which causes me to mix them," he said.Misheck said they felt that they were losing their identity seeing their language dwindle. He said some people did not know the history of the Jahunda community and that they even existed. Misheck said today everyone staying in Gwanda Town was being referred to as a Jahunda yet they did not know the language.He said had the language been taught in schools then it could have been preserved and even passed onto future generations."It's important to preserve culture and heritage but unfortunately our identity as the Jahunda community is diminishing. In the next 20 years there might only be a handful of people who speak isiJahunda and in the next 30 years our language will be non-existent. By then the people who will be referred to as AmaJahunda will just be people who stay in Gwanda without knowing the language or its history," he said.Oliver Ncube (68) said it was difficult for them to uphold their language as they were being taught isiNdebele in school. She said their children were also taught isiNdebele which made it even more difficult.David Moyo (83) from Ntephe area said the name Jahunda was once used to refer to a place where the Jahunda community used to meet for meetings near a rock in what is now known as a Timber Farm. He said the name later spread and was used to refer to the entire community and their language was named after their meeting place.Moyo said the white people later came and changed the name of the place from Jahunda to Gwanda. He said while isiJahunda seemed similar to other languages, there is a distinct difference."When I recall, there was never a day when I heard my grandparents and great grandparents speaking in any language besides isiJahunda when they were speaking among themselves. They would shift to isiNdebele when someone else would join the conversation," he said.Renowned historian and author, Pathisa Nyathi said he traced the Jahunda community back to 1825. He said they were settled in what is known today as Gwanda Town and surrounding areas and in 1825 the Babirwa people joined them.He said the Ndebele speaking community later migrated and also settled in Gwanda.Nyathi, who is from the Babirwa clan, said isiJahunda has a dialect similar to Kalanga, Venda, Shona, Lilima, Talawundi and Nyayi. He said the mixture of Babirwa and the Jahunda community resulted in inter marriages and the beginning of the death of the language."isiJahunda language is becoming extinct as it has been overpowered by other languages. The Babirwa settled in Gwanda in 1825 and found the Jahunda community there meaning that they had settled before that time. The arrival of Babirwa during the time of migration affected the isiJahunda language.Their community became diluted and other languages dominated theirs. If you look at the names of places in Gwanda you will realise that some have isiJahunda names others indicate isiBirwa and others isiNdebele."In schools the language which was taught is isiNdebele which further weakened isiJahunda. When the white people took over the land and these ethnic groups were moved further, other languages remained strong but isiJahunda continued to fade," he said. India's six-year-old Agricultural Export Policy (AEP) is set for an overhaul as export destinations shift and the country's farm exports basket becomes more diverse, three people directly involved in the process said. The proposed review will attempt to enhance the competitiveness of Indian agricultural products, ensure compliance with global standards, and promote value-added products. It will also try to find ways to strengthen trade ties with emerging markets while sustaining strong relationships with traditional partners, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. "Our agricultural exports have been witnessing an increasing trend over the last five years. The policy needs to be reviewed to realign our export targets with changing market demands. The review process will begin in consultation with the agriculture ministry, and a timeline will be established," one of the three people cited above said. India ranked the world's eighth-largest agricultural exporter in 2023 despite a decline in exports from $51.12 billion in FY23 to $48.77 billion in FY24. Over recent years, changing global demand patterns, evolving trade partnerships and advancements in agricultural technology have contributed to a transformation in how and where agricultural products are traded. "We will assess the performance so far and identify the areas that need to be focused on," the second person said. Also read | Micro Amul: Are farmer-run companies the next big idea in Indian agriculture? The government introduced a comprehensive AEP in 2018 with the objective of doubling annual agricultural exports to $60 billion by 2022 and reaching $100 billion in subsequent years. However, agricultural exports in FY24 were $48.77 billion, down 8.19% from $53.12 billion in FY23. The decline is largely attributed to export restrictions on rice and wheat introduced to ensure domestic food security and stabilize local prices. Wheat export was banned in May 2022, while the export of non-basmati white rice was prohibited in July 2023. "The focus will be on processed food to target new market destinations. Organic products are also showing an increase in demand. Our export infrastructure also needs to be augmented to align with export targets," the third person said. India exports a wide range of agricultural products including rice, wheat, vegetable oils, fresh fruits and vegetables, pulses, spices, cashew nuts, marine products, sugar, coffee, processed fruits and juices, Ayush and herbal products, tea, dairy products, tobacco, poultry products and meat. India's top ten export destinations are the UAE, Singapore, Tanzania, Angola, Ghana, the Netherlands, Congo, Kenya, US and Haiti. Also read | Budget 2024: Agriculture likely to see major announcements Experts said the policy should focus on maintaining consistency in existing exports, and protecting farmers' interests. "The government should remove taxes on raw materials and allow traders to procure at least 50% of the produce, instead of the current 100% procurement requirement by the government," said Vijay Kumar Setia, director of Chaman Lal Setia Exports Ltd and former president of All India Rice Exporters of India. "This will help farmers receive better prices for their produce while ensuring the availability of stock for public consumption. Additionally, the government should implement a uniform tax on imported agricultural goods, rather than levying different percentages based on product quality, as this encourages under-invoicing and anti-competitive practices," Setia said. Queries emailed to spokespersons of commerce and agriculture ministries remained unanswered. "The government should prioritize the domestic market and consider the timing of crop arrivals from across the country in its export policy. Farmers grow their crops after facing numerous hardships; so, the policies should not be changed to favour international markets. For crops like onions, current actions are harming both consumers and farmers," said Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Also read | A 2 trillion cheque is getting ready for the agriculture ministry "In India, every crop is rain-dependent, and mechanisation is still limited. The government is promoting drip irrigation, but its coverage is only around 4-5%, which is insignificant. The policy should focus on the majority of farmers who are entirely dependent on rainfall," Lahoti added. "The policy must focus on promoting agricultural products from landlocked states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Commodities with high export potential, like onions and potatoes, should have a consistent export policy," said Satyen Yadav, an agribusiness professional and chairman of India Millet Initiative. New markets in Latin America, South America, and Scandinavian countries should be targeted. There should be a clear policy for promoting Indian millets, given their significant export potential," said Yadav. India is a leading producer of cereals, milk, sugar, fruits, vegetables, spices, eggs, and seafood, serving 17.84% of the world's population with just 2.4% of global land and 4% of water resources. Agriculture remains the backbone of the country, providing livelihoods for nearly 50% of the population. And read | Mint Primer | Workers flocking to farms: whats behind the data? Mumbai: Even as the Byjus saga continues to unfold in courts, the rest of the edtech sector has moved on. Existing players have used the past fiscal to recalibrate growth strategies--shutting down unprofitable verticals and doubling down in profitable niches. In short, the Indian edtech sector went through an overhaul in 2024 with the next few years expected to throw up newer winners. There was the crazy pop (in 2021) and then there was the Byjus period. Now we're just seeing companies with their heads down, executing, driving to profitable growth. That is now the mantra," Deborah Quazzo, managing partner of edtech-focused investor GSV Ventures, told Mint. As a result, investors have started reconsidering investments in edtech. According to data from analytics firm Tracxn, the sector's total funding surged from $245.8 million in 2023 to $608.9 million in 2024. Early-stage funding more than tripled, growing to $303.2 million this year, from $100.7 million in 2023. Similarly, late-stage funding surged nearly threefold, rising from $95.5 million to $263.3 million. Volumes went up as well. The number of early-stage rounds rose from 15 to 20 and late-stage from 6 to 10. This follows over two tough years for edtech, marked by waning investor confidence due to declining post-pandemic demand for online learning, a shift from growth to profitability, and the collapse of Byjus. Funding plummeted from its $4 billion peak in 2021, reflecting the industry's challenges. Edtech investors warming up The thawing funding winter for edtech seems to be favouring some. A large chunk of the increased funding was mopped up by industry leaders like Physics Wallah, which raised $210 million in September; Eruditus with a $150 million round in October; and upGrad which raised $60 million in the same month. Fuelling this surge is the buzz around potential initial public offerings (IPOs) these companies are gearing up for in the next 12 to 24 months. Physics Wallah is planning for a public listing in 2025, while upGrad will gear up for an IPO within the next two years. Meanwhile, Ashwin Damera-led Eruditus is planning to shift its domicile from Singapore to India for a potential stock market listing. The prospects of a flurry of exits have resulted in investors warming up to the idea of making further investments. In 2025, between further backing our existing investments in companies like Adda247, Sunstone, and Lead School, we are open to making more investments in the edtech sector," Sandeep Singhal, co-founder and managing partner of WestBridge Capital told Mint. The venture capital firm, however, did not make any primary edtech bets in the past two years. Singhal added that both the K-12 and undergraduate education segments in India are substantial, as families dedicate a significant portion of their income to their children's education. In the next 5-10 years, edtech will be one of the largest value creation sectors, both monetarily for companies' valuation and from the perspective of the value they bring to consumers." Also read | When schools drop out: Why edtech LEAD is struggling to find followers Some have even started. Earlier this month, Mint reported on Quazzo's GSV inking new deals in the Indian edtech sector. According to Varun Gupta, managing director and head SEA, digital and technology investment banking at Avendus, the pipeline for edtech is rebuilding on the back of sector leaders' performance and potential public listing. "Edtech is definitely seeing a renewed interest this year with two large rounds already announced and more logs in the fire... There are at least 3-4 good IPO candidates with strong profitability metrics for the next couple of years which is drawing investor interest in this space." Meanwhile, private equity players have also been more active in writing large cheques in select companies, signalling a growing interest in the intersection of education and technology as the sector matures. Were actively seeking management buyout opportunities in our focus sectors - financial services, consumer, education, software and automation," Gopal Jain, co-founder and managing partner at Gaja Capital, told Mint. The challenges in the edtech ecosystem have been overstated, said Jain, noting that the issues are confined to a few business-to-consumer (B2C) players with unsustainable unit economics and poor learning outcomes. Gaja Capital has previously invested in CL Educate, Educational Initiatives and TeamLease. Where's the money going Edtechs have started niching down especially in high-margin or under-penetrated areas like study abroad, and business-to-business upskilling, on the back of falling revenue growth in broader categories. New niches within edtech have emerged in 2024 where both newer startups and established companies have attempted to enter. Some of these niches are attracting investor interest. Also read | Indian edtech startups niche down into nursing, allied healthcare upskilling Dev Khare, partner at Lightspeed, told Mint that while the venture capital firm is excited about the growth of portfolio edtech companies like mental math startup Bhanzu and test prep Physics Wallah, he also sees significant potential in emerging niches. He is evaluating opportunities in non-certified skill development within areas like influencer training. In a country like India, where theres a strong aspiration for upward mobility, people want to learn and improve their prospects for such skills," Khare told Mint. Khare also believes that Indian companies targeting global markets and leveraging local talent for international audiences, are among opportunities Lightspeed will explore in 2025. The company has also made investments into vocational training in verticals like healthcare this year with Emversity. For GSVs Quazzo, investment opportunities lie within the intersection of artificial intelligence and education. AI right now is obviously all anyone's thinking or talking about, it should have a profound impact on education. We're spending a huge amount of time around the impact of generative AI on education," said Quazzo. Meanwhile edtech companies like Frontrow, Bluelearn and Stoa School shuttered operations. The sector is expected to witness some consolidation with profitable and well-capitalized players acquiring the ones struggling. There will be more acquisition activity as valuations settle to a level that buyers are willing to pay. There may be some companies that have not recovered really from the downdrafts and some of these weaker businesses might get pulled into other franchises," Quazzo said. New Delhi: Spurred by the approaching expiry of a transmission charge exemption, renewable power developers have begun to hasten completion of their projects. This has resulted in green power capturing nearly all of the 43% jump in new power capacity added in the April-November period this fiscal compared to the same period last fiscal. Latest data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) shows that renewable energy projectssolar, wind, small hydroadded 14.9 GW in April-November, nearly double the 7.53 GW green capacity added in the year-ago period. What pushed developers to commission their projects quickly was the approaching deadline of 30 June 2025 for the waiver of inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charges for renewable energy projects. ISTS charges are meant to be paid by power generators to the transmission company for supplying power to states other than where it is generated. Currently, ISTS charges are waived for 25 years for green projectssolar, wind, hybrid, battery energy, and pump storage projectsthat are commissioned before 30 June 2025. To be sure, several industry participants have been seeking an extension of the waiver. In July, Mint reported that the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) has requested that the government extend the waiver. Also read | Centre may increase green bond target by 25% to 25,000-26,000 crore next year to fund renewable energy projects Jatin Arya, associate director at credit ratings agency CareEdge, pointed to more reasons for the uptick in renewable capacity. First, there is a large pipeline of projectscurrently, 80-90 GW of projects are under implementation," he said, adding that the ISTS waiver is prodding several developers to prepone their projects. Another major factor is the buoyancy in the market, as there is huge investor and lender interest in the renewable energy space," Arya said. Overall capacity addition Overall, compared to 10.29 GW in April-November FY24, the comparable period this fiscal saw net addition of 14.72 GW of new power generation capacity, showed data from the CEA. Thermal power, including coal- and gas-based plants, saw a decline of 190 MW due to retiring of old projects in the April-November 2024 period. And large hydro projects witnessed a marginal 40 MW increase in capacity. The number was 30 MW in April-November of 2023. The slowdown in thermal capacity addition happened even though the Centre announced a plan in November 2023 to add 80 GW of new coal-based capacity by 2032. Last fiscal, the country had added 2.02 GW of thermal capacity. The renewable surge Arya of CareEdge said that low module prices and revival of financial condition of wind turbine generator (WTG) manufacturers have also helped in faster implementation of the projects. To be sure, wind power equipment manufacturers witnessed a downturn during 2019-2022 amid low tariffs due to reverse auctions, low investments and rising debt. These companies are now witnessing a revival and reporting improved financial results. Also read | Why thermal power is still key to meeting growing energy needs According to CareEdge, the country is expected to add about 27 GW renewable energy capacity in this fiscal (April-March), compared to 18.48 GW in FY24. The growth momentum is expected to continue as the second half of the fiscal usually witnesses better implementation of projects with the end of the monsoon season. Indias overall power generation capacity currently is 456.75 GW, out which 243.05 GW is thermal. Of the remaining 213.7 GW, renewable energy capacity is 158.55 GW and the rest comprises nuclear power and large hydro projects. The faster implementation of projects compared to the previous year has helped India cross the 200 GW mark, achieving more than 40% of its targeted 500GW of non-fossil power generation capacity by 2030. Vikram V., vice president and co-group head for corporate ratings at ratings agency Icra noted that by March 2026, the installed renewable capacity would stand around 250 GW. Also read | Mint Explainer: India's solar PV production goals and lingering worries about Chinese imports The large project pipeline and favourable solar PV module prices are expected to lead to an increase in installed renewable energy capacity in India to about 250 GW by March 2026 from the level of 201 GW as of September 2024," said Vikram. However, challenges remain on the execution front with respect to land acquisition and transmission connectivity. Also, delay in signing of PPAs (power purchase agreements) and PSAs (power supply agreements) post award of projects remains a major concern for the sector." Preparing for tomorrow As the ambitious deadline of 2030 for achieving 500 GW non-fossil capacity nears, the government is also looking at ways to accelerate project implementation. At a two-day conclave of the Union ministry of new and renewable ministry, where all stakeholders in the RE space were present along with representatives from state governments, union minister Pralhad Joshi announced that a dedicated task force with all stakeholders would be set up by the ministry in collaboration with the power ministry to achieve the goal of 500 GW. Also read | Indias clean energy sector sees surge in FDI while other sectoral investments decline The minister also emphasized on the need to install 288 GW of renewable energy capacity over the next six years, requiring a substantial investment of 42 trillion, including transmission infrastructure. On 13 December, Mint reported that the ministry, at its two-day conclave in Odisha, also suggested that state transmission companies raise funds through asset monetization or initial public offerings (IPOs) in a bid to set up the required infrastructure needed to carry the 500 GW of clean energy by the end of this decade. It keeps getting worse and worse," sighs Camry Tagoe, an activist in Accra, the capital. If you look at Google maps, Ghana has turned from green to brown." Over the past month Mr Tagoe has helped organise protests across the city that call for an end to galamsey", or wildcat gold mining. Long a way of getting by in the west African country, it has exploded in recent years, damaging forests and polluting water. The protesters blame politicians, many of whom own mining firms, for letting the practice get out of control. Galamsey is a crucial issue ahead of elections on December 7th. Ghana, the largest gold producer on the continent, exemplifies Africas new gold rush. The gold price has doubled since 2019, to a record high of more than $2,700 per troy ounce, promising higher margins for industrial miners but also encouraging more artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Nearly half of the roughly 1,000 tonnes of gold produced in Africa every year is mined in this way. It is the largest source of jobs in rural Africa, save for farming, so a sustained gold boom could mean higher incomes for some very poor people. At the same time it could damage ecosystems and peoples health. Much ASM is legal, but a lot is untaxed and unregulated. In a report in May Swissaid, an NGO, estimated that the amount of smuggled gold more than doubled from 2012 to 2022. Once again, African states are missing out on the full benefits of a commodity boom. The latest rush has several new elements. The first is the breadth of the irregularity: there are 12 countries, including Ghana, that each account for at least 20 tonnes of smuggled gold every year (see chart). The second is that, despite the artisanal label, a lot of ASM is fairly industrial, partly because of Chinese miners and their bulldozers and excavators. In Ghana some are infamous. Last year Aisha Huang, dubbed the galamsey queen", was sentenced to prison for mining without a licence, among other offences. View Full Image (The Economist) Another feature is the growth of Dubai as a refining hub. Gold exports from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) went up more than 60-fold between 2002 and 2022; gold is now the most valuable export from the UAE after hydrocarbon products. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, an NGO based in Geneva, argues that Dubais no questions asked" approach to African gold encourages illicit trade. In 2022 around two-thirds of the African gold imported into the UAE was smuggled from African countries, according to Swissaid. (The UAE says it is not accountable for other countries records and that it is adopting policies to curb money-laundering using gold.) Thousands of miles from the souks of Dubai, the gold rush is shaking up rural economies. Malian gold mines are sucking in workers from across the Sahel and, increasingly, northern Nigeria. In South Africa one industrial miner recorded 241% more incidents of illegal mining on its sites in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the same period the previous year. Some 10m people in sub-Saharan Africa work directly in ASM, several times more than two decades ago. Gavin Hilson, an expert on ASM based at the University of Surrey, argues that it is a lifeline for those in poverty. A mine is often the only place in Africa where you will find someone with a masters degree from Europe and an illiterate farmer." He adds: They all know the market price for gold. And even if you get 50% of that, you can pay school fees." Gold-mining and farming have long been complementary, with farmers topping up incomes in a lean season at mines or raising cash by leasing land. Yet, in Ghana as elsewhere, there is concern that the balance has been lost. Gold is often found in soils conducive to cocoa, the countrys third-largest export after gold and oil. The Ghana Cocoa Board, the countrys state-run buyer, says that galamsey is one reason why thousands of hectares of forests with cocoa have disappeared in recent years. The failure of successive governments to formalise ASM has encouraged unsound mining practices. The Ghana Water Company, a local utility, has warned that around 60% of Ghanas water bodies are polluted because of galamsey. Paul Ossei Sampene, a pathologist, says that the heavy metals used by miners are linked to miscarriages, stillbirths and birth defects. Gold also funds wars. Jihadists control mines across the Sahel. In eastern Congo gold is fought over by militias and exported via Uganda or Rwanda. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), one of two main belligerents in Sudans civil war, are partly funded by gold. Wagner, the Russian mercenary group that fought with the RSF, controls mines in the Central African Republic. Politicians have little incentive to curb mining. Members of Ghanas ruling party have financial interests in the sector. Officials benefit from charging vast sums for licences. Last year Gold Mafia", a TV documentary by Al-Jazeera, a Qatari channel, scared Zimbabwes ruling party enough for a bigwig to threaten to disconnect the satellite dishes of locals watching it. In Lesotho political parties have links with gangs that control access to abandoned mines in neighbouring South Africa. There have been various international efforts to make supply chains more transparent and encourage due diligence by buyers. Plenty of laws ostensibly regulate ASM. But in practice the mix of a light, meltable metal with a record price, willing buyers and weak African states means it has been hard to stop smuggling. While there is money to be made, there will be grey markets in the yellow metal. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Ltd. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com When I was a child, I had a Christmas ritual in Kolkata. My father would get Christmas and New Year cards galore at office. I would arrange them all over the living room, like a line of marching soldiers. Some years there were so many we had to hang them on a clotheslines like washing left out to dry. I loved those cardsthose images of fields covered in snow and cosy cottages with smoke coming out of their chimneys, Santa Claus with his reindeer, Christmas trees with all their bells and whistles. It never occurred to me to ask the obvious and rather awkward questions. Why was I sharing pictures of snowy fields in balmy Kolkata? Why did my father get more Christmas and New Year cards than Diwali and Bijoya? Why was Christmas with all its accessories, plum cakes, holly and candy canes, even part of my cultural makeup? What was I doing singing songs at school about snowmen, red-nosed reindeer and mangers? One year I even built a model with cardboard, baby Jesus and all, for a beloved teacher at my Jesuit school. As I grew up, Kolkatas excessive Christmas schmaltz would feel somewhat embarrassing. It was all so tinsel, so fake, so cotton-wool, as make-believe as Santa Claus. The burra sahibs might have left the city but colonisation had left us dreaming of a white Christmas. In later years it felt even tackier. Kolkata started having a full-fledged Christmas carnival, jingle bells and all. Park Street, the centre of nightlife, is festooned with Christmas lighting displays. There are Christmas carol festivals and snaking queues for plum cakes. Luxury hotels are advertising hampers with signature stollen, hazelnut dragees and plum pudding potted in jars. One of the hoary local clubs is sending out its Christmas lunch menussliced ham, grilled beckty fish with butter garlic sauce, roast turkey with blueberry sauce, pork chops with honey mustard sauce, plum pudding and yule log. Digestive pills are not included on the menu. As a boy I would look forward to these lunches. As an adult I avoid themthere is nothing appetising about seeing scores of adults pushing and shoving and trampling over each other for a slice of dry turkey meat. And no adult other than Santa Claus should wear Santa hats.There is nothing very attractive about a Santa hat selfie. And yet I somehow just cannot shake that Christmas feeling. The cheer in the city feels infectious, sometimes literally so. I remember the throngs of revellers flooding the street to gawk at the lights and take selfies in the middle of the covid pandemic. But much as we might scoff at the need to have plum cakes with candied fruit and the stick-figure mall-workers in oversized Santa suits, the feeling of good cheer is undeniable and in these bleak times, thats not something to scoff at. But the other thing I didnt realise while I memorised my Christmas carols, is that while we were trying to have as white a Christmas as possible in our south Kolkata homes, all over India Christmas was turning a more desi shade of brown. Also read: The loss of sound in our noisy lives After the publication of the anthology Indian Christmas, one of its editors Madhulika Liddle said growing up Christian in towns in states like Madhya Pradesh without big Christian populations, her family learned to have a jugaad Christmas. Their carols came in both Hindi and English and her mother would invariably twist them around a little bit. So instead of singing while shepherds watched their flocks by night, we would sing while shepherds washed their socks by night," she told me. And the food reflected the India they lived in. She had Christmas cake and gujiyas and shakarparas while for Christmas lunch, instead of obsessing about turkey and ham, they had chicken curry and mutton pulao and shami kebabs. Its an acknowledgement of the fact that Christmas, and for that matter any festival, is as much about holding on to traditions as it is about re-jigging them to match the worlds we live in. This version of Christmas is homegrown and marinaded in Indian traditions. Its not make-believe like my cotton-wool Christmas with its warm Jim Reeves songs. Old timers might roll their eyes at Kolkatas Christmas carnival and call it tacky. We might baulk at every bakery chain, big or small, coming out with its own line of rich Xmas cakes" while we, the true blue Christmas-wallas, swear by the old stalwarts like Saldanha or Nahoum. The NRIs who fly into town in winter, determined to re-live the Christmases of their parents in Bengal Club and Calcutta Club, might shake their heads and say the old Christmas spirit is missing as they stare aghast at the thousands of revellers on the street. But those thousands of visitors in Santa hats out to have a good time at the Christmas carnival and eat Xmas cake" are in their own way keeping an Indian Christmas alive. Its a Kolkata Christmas rather than a Calcutta Christmas haunted by the ghosts of Christmases past. And that is not a bad thing. In fact, these new boisterous mixed-up Christmases probably reflect the true spirit of Christmas better than the faux snow Christmases I grew up with. It is a Christmas spirit that accommodates all instead of telling those we deem different there is no room at the inn. As Jerry Pinto, the co-editor of Indian Christmas, said in an interview, if you think about it, the Christ child himself is a child in distress. He is under threat of his life. His parents are refugees and they are homeless. The capitalist institutions of the inn and the hotel will not give them refuge. So they take refuge in nature, they go back to the animals, the warm breath of cows and goats and donkeys is what warms the child." Thus it makes perfect sense that this year the ongoing Bengal Biennale in Kolkata is exhibiting the works of Madhvi Parekh in Kolkata at St James Church. On paper, Parekh, born in a village in Gujarat, well-known for using folk motifs and rangoli designs in her work, seems to be an odd fit for a 19th-century church in the heart of Kolkata. Her art blending folk idioms and Christian iconography depicts her take on The Last Supper and the journey of Jesus. Her Christs face is painted in tones of white, brown and yellow unlike the white figure on a cross that hung above the blackboard of my missionary school. Its a Jesus that is very much at home in India. Behind her Last Supper, rendered in grayscale, the open windows hint at temples and mosques outside. In the programme notes, curator Siddharth Sivakumar writes Parekhs fascination with Jesus transcends religion; for her, he is a musea figure of suffering and compassion whose story speaks across cultures." That, not mulled wine, is the real spirit of Christmas. Cult Friction is a fortnightly column on issues we keep rubbing up against.Sandip Roy is a writer, journalist and radio host. He posts @sandipr Also read: The Bengal Biennale makes its debut in Santiniketan New Delhi: Amid a growing policy push for mediation, legal practitioners have pushed for the urgent formation of a council comprising experts and policymakers to determine the rules and procedures involved in mediation. The idea of a mediation council isnt new. While the 2015 Commercial Courts Act created designated courts to resolve commercial disputes, with mediation playing a crucial role, the 2023 Mediation Act stipulated that a Mediation Council of India would create the rules for mediation and give mediators authority. The government planned to set up the Mediation Council of Indiacrucial to improving the ease of doing business in Indiaby the end of the year, as Mint reported on 25 June. But while certain aspects of the MCI, such as salaries, have been notified by the government, the council hasnt been established yet. Calls for the formation of a mediation council have grown louder following a proposed amendment to the Commercial Courts Act, which was published for public consultation on 8 November. Also read | Mediation to take centre stage in debt resolution As per the proposal, disputing parties should engage in mandatory mediation in commercial suits before appearing before a designated commercial court, even if they have secured an urgent interim relief in a dispute. Currently, parties that plead for and secure urgent interim relief can skip the mandatory mediation proceedings. Urgent interim relief refers to when a court stays further action against a disputed asset till it reaches a verdict. The proposed amendment is a clear step towards promoting mediation for resolving commercial issues, said P. Madhava Rao, registrar of Hyderabad-based Amika Arbitration and Mediation Council. The Mediation Council of India (MCI) was proposed by the Mediation Act of 2023 to institutionalise, license, and regulate mediation institutions in India. It is unknown where the MCI was established and operationalised," Rao said in the institutions recommendation to the Union law ministry as part of the public consultation on the amendment to the Commercial Courts Act. The MCIs powers would include overseeing the education, assessment, and certification of mediators through recognized institutes. It would also lay down standards for the conduct of mediators and recognize mediation service providers, as per the Mediation Act. Mediation: Speedier and cheaper The Union government has over the past year promoted mediation as an effective means of dispute resolution, especially in commercial suits. Speedy resolution of commercial suits is crucial as these include a wide array of disputestransactions of traders and merchants in the country, import-export, carriage of goods, construction contracts and tenders, franchising and distribution agreements, intellectual property, and insurancemaking this integral to the ease of doing business in India. Mediation is a cheaper and faster method of dispute resolution than arbitration, as per an office memorandum of the Union finance ministry dated 3 June, advising all government entities to resolve major procurement disputes via mediation or litigation over arbitration. Also read | Mint Explainer: How mediation can speed up insolvency dispute resolution The proposal to amend the Commercial Courts Act comes at a time when the disposal of commercial suits in the country is experiencing a turnaround. Over the last two years, more commercial suits were disposed than instituted, data from the National Judicial Data Grid showed, indicating a decrease in the pendency of commercial suits. In 2023 and 2024, for every commercial suit instituted, 1.01 and 1.03 suits were disposed, respectively, indicating that pending suits from previous years were also resolved. In both these years, more than 3.8 million such cases were resolved. This is much higher than the countrys record in earlier years. For instance, for every commercial suit instituted, 0.78 suits were disposed in 2021 and 0.98 in 2022. Currently, there are 66 commercial courts across the country in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. In May 2024, the DoP received an anonymous complaint alleging AbbVie Healthcare India flew 30 doctorsexperts in Botox and Juvedermto Paris and Monaco. It said the firm treated the doctors to extravagant pleasure trips under the guise of conferences", that AbbVie purportedly flew doctors to a medical conference held in these locations. The complainant also submitted a company sales and expense tracker, and the hotel vouchers and travel tickets of each doctor to back up their allegations. In total, AbbVie reportedly spent more than 1.91 crore on this trip, including flights and hotel reservations. What provisions of the law did this violate? DoPs order says AbbVie violated the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), which governs financial relationships between pharma companies and healthcare providers. It prohibits pharma firms from paying for healthcare providers (HCPs) travel, stay or other hospitality for conferences in India or abroad, or give them expensive gifts. An exception is if the HCP is a speaker at a conference. This law was amended in March 2024 to make compliance mandatory; earlier, it was voluntary. All HCPs must sign a self-declaration every financial year. Is taking doctors on trips a common practice? Yes. Pharmaceutical companies and industry associations frequently host seminars and conferences to help HCPs stay up-to-date with new medical products and tech. Pharma laws allow HCPs to attend such sponsored trips as part of Continuing Medical Education (CME), but with restrictions to prevent pharma firms from using money to influence them. What does AbbVie say in its defence? AbbVie made two arguments: the trips were held in February and March 2024, before the amended UCPMP came into effect, and the hotel and flights compensated the doctors for professional services. DoP was unconvinced and ordered the company to spend as much as they did on this trip to treat poor patients in government hospitals. An AbbVie spokesperson told Mint it was disappointed in the Department of Pharmaceuticals decision to find Allergan Aesthetics [an AbbVie company] in violation" of the UCPMP. How do others govern pharma-doc ties? The US, France, Netherlands and Australia have a version of Sunshine Acts that make it mandatory for pharma firms to disclose all financial transactions they have with HCPs, teaching hospitals and other medical facilities. This is made public, so patients can see which firms have spent how much on gifts, trips, and sponsorships for a doctor or physician. The UK held consultations to introduce a similar law. India bars pharmas from giving gifts to HCPs, or hosting seminars abroad but India does not have a Sunshine Act. Also read: AbbVie Eyes Selling at Least $13 Billion of Bonds to Fund M&A Famine has expanded to more areas of Sudan, an international panel monitoring global hunger said Tuesday, as hundreds of thousands of people face starvation in the war-ravaged nation. At least 638,000 people across five localities in Sudans Darfur and Kordofan regions are now suffering catastrophic hunger, which is equivalent to famine, according to the Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system, or IPC. The IPC, which brings together experts from the United Nations, relief agencies and research groups, projected that another five areas were likely to plunge into famine as soon as this month, while 17 other localities are under threat of famine. This marks an unprecedented deepening and widening of the food and nutrition crisis, driven by the devastating conflict and poor humanitarian access," the IPC said in comments shared alongside the report. Starvation and death are evident," it added. In total, 24.6 million peoplehalf of Sudans populationare experiencing food insecurity, the IPC said. That finding cements Sudans status as the worlds worst hunger hot spot, 20 months after a battle for power between two generals plunged the country into an all-out war. The U.N. and other aid groups have accused both Sudans military and its rival, the paramilitary-turned-rebel Rapid Support Forces, of obstructing the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian aid. Sudans Agriculture Ministry, which is controlled by the military, rejected the IPCs findings in a letter that was shared with diplomats and aid agencies ahead of the reports publication and which was viewed by The Wall Street Journal. The ministry said that the panel failed to correctly assess the countrys most recent harvest and questioned its ability to collect data in RSF-controlled territories. It also said humanitarian organizations werent delivering aid to millions of people in areas held by the military that they could easily access. The ministry said it was suspending its participation in the IPC system in response to the report, a step that is likely to make it even harder to determine the extent of Sudans hunger crisis. The IPCs Famine Review Committee determined in August that there was a famine in the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, which it estimated at the time was home to more than 500,000 people. Famine has now spread to several other camps of the displaced in Darfur, as well as parts of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan state, the committee said Tuesday. Formal famine declarations are rare and are based on specific criteria. Those include one in three children being acutely malnourished and at least two out of every 10,000 people dying from hunger-related causes a day. Over the past 15 years, the IPC has confirmed just four famines, including the current one in Sudan. The situation in Zamzam has deteriorated dramatically since August, with some local activists estimating that the number of dead children has tripled compared with previous years. Aid groups have struggled to deliver food due to heavy flooding during the rainy season and escalating clashes between the military and allies over the nearby city of El Fasher. In recent weeks, the camp itself has been shelled by the RSF, which grew out of the infamous Janjaweed militia that terrorized Darfur in the early 2000s. The shelling has killed dozens of people in Zamzam, including small children, according to local activists. Thousands of residents who had sought safety in Zamzam from the fighting in El Fasher and attacks on nearby villages are now once again on the run, weakened by months of lack of food and other basic necessities. Many are fleeing to areas that the IPC now says are already at risk of famine. Haja Ahmed Turko, a 20-year-old mother of three, fled to Zamzam from El Fasher earlier this year. Soon after, her 3-year-old son Adam was diagnosed with malnutrition at a clinic in the camp run by Doctors Without Borders. In early October, Adam started vomiting and suffering from diarrhea. His mother took him to another hospital, but doctors there werent able to save the little boy. I was sitting next to him until he died," Ahmed told a Journal reporter three days later. I did not expect him to go so quickly." Write to Gabriele Steinhauser at Gabriele.Steinhauser@wsj.com Earlier this year, a nine-member committee led by former president Ram Nath Kovind presented an 18,626-page report recommending simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections, popularly being referred to as One Nation, One Election. It also recommended local body elections within 100 days of Lok Sabha and assembly elections. There have been recent debates around the proposed One Nation, One Election bill, officially titled The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment Bill), 2024. If the bill is passed, voters across the country would be able to cast their votes to elect both levels of government (state and national) on the same day. The Union Territories Laws (Amendment Bill), 2024, would align the elections of the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry and NCT of Delhi. Through this reform, the government hopes to streamline governance, reduce election expenses and minimize disruptions in governance caused by frequent elections. Interestingly, this isnt a new idea. Simultaneous elections were held in India up till two decades after independencefrom 1952 to 1967. However, due to political instability, the premature dissolution of state assembles and a change in the countrys political fabric, the system of holding elections together was disrupted. Why simultaneous elections have support: Polls happening simultaneously can lead to a substantial reduction in financial costs. Under the current system, elections happen in some part of India or the other every year. This places a financial and administrative burden on the Election Commission (EC). The EC must repeatedly deploy resources that include security forces, election officials, polling infrastructure and electronic voting machines (EVMs), leading to a high cost burden. With synchronized elections, these costs can be reduced. Before every election, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is enforced, which restricts the government from announcing new projects, policies or welfare schemes during the election period. As elections occur throughout the year in different states, the MCC comes into effect frequently, delaying development work and decision-making processes. With the implementation of One Nation, One Election, the MCC would only be implemented once every five years, thus leading to a smoother execution of long-term policies and projects. Also, with elections happening one after another under the current system, there are chances of it leading to voter fatigue, with voters losing interest in the electoral process. Under One Nation, One Election, voters will have to cast their votes once every five years for both central and state representatives. This may renew enthusiasm in the election process and result in higher voter participation on the whole. Structural challenges: The implementation of One Nation, One Election poses significant challenges, as multiple polls taking place across the country would require massive logistical arrangements. Overseeing polling infrastructure such as EVMs, voter verification systems, security forces and election staff would be a difficult task in practical terms. The more substantive task, though, would be to make major amendments to the Indian Constitution and electoral laws. Key provisions such as Articles 83, 85, 172 and 356, which govern the terms of the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the dissolution of governments, would require big revisions. It is also important to consider what happens if the government at either the Centre or in some state loses its majority support before the House completes its five-year term. This would disrupt the synchronized election cycle. It would be a challenge to maintain the countrys common poll schedule in situations where the Lok Sabha or a state assembly is dissolved prematurely. In a diverse country like India, state elections often centre around regional concerns, local leaders and specific developmental priorities. Holding both Lok Sabha and state assembly elections together could shift the voters focus from local and regional issues to national ones, which could give an advantage to national parties. What lies ahead? Law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal had introduced the bills in Parliament. The bills have now been sent to a joint parliamentary committee to get a wider understanding after consulting with various stakeholders. The Joint Parliamentary Committee is scheduled to meet early next year and is expected to begin consultations with various stakeholders to gather their opinions on One Nation, One Election. Stakeholders would include members of political parties, former judges, senior advocates, current or former election commissioners, state assembly speakers and potentially also the general public. After that, the Joint Parliamentary Committee will review and approve the bills proposed amendments clause-by-clause. The committee will submit its report to the Lok Sabha speaker, who must then determine when it should be presented to the House. The proposed One Nation, One Election bill would bring about a major change in Indias electoral system. Therefore, it is important to understand its pros and cons in fine detail before its implemented in the country. The authors are, respectively, a researcher with Lokniti, a research program of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), and a professor at CSDS. As India steps into its Amrit Kaal, the world appears increasingly uncertain and fraught with unknown unknowns. While global challenges require nimble course correction, they must not deter us from aiming high and using the window of opportunity that India has got. In this context, economic thought needs to tune itself to Indias aspiration of becoming a developed economy by 2047 in the backdrop of a fluid global situation. Also read: Rethinking the purpose of economic policy Heres what may need the engagement of economic policy thinkers. First, as the world embarks on a new wave of technological evolution, we need policies to be devised that curb the widening of inequality it would bring. From drones to driverless cars, technology must remain an instrument in the hands of well-informed humans. We are functioning at a time when, unlike computer scientists, economists must use their humanness to navigate the era of machine learning. Second, while science is mostly studied in controlled environments, economists make their predictions in a rapidly changing world. Therefore, good economics is an art of designing policies that reduce the impact of uncertainty. We are facing heightened levels of it. Globally, firms have resorted to friend-shoring and re-shoring their supply chains to mitigate risks arising from geopolitical uncertainty. Policymaking under such uncertainty requires the provision of calibrated short-term buffers on the basis of high frequency data and policies designed for the long-term. India used both these levers of policy during the covid pandemic. On the basis of feedback from high-frequency data, targeted support was provided to the countrys needy in the short-term. Simultaneously, long-term policies were implemented, including the production-linked incentive scheme, Mission Life, National Hydrogen Mission and free trade agreements with Australia, Mauritius and others. Third, whenever a crisis hits, it is the least-insured who bear the brunt of it. This necessitates anticipatory policymaking as an insurance for inclusive growth. Covid will be etched in memory as a once-in-a-century event of global uncertainty. Nations across the world came to a halt in the face of the health crises. Preventing one in the future requires us to develop policy responses founded on healthcare research. There is a need to adopt models of healthcare suited to each countrys stage of development and demographic structures. Fourth, we need ways to leverage capital to fight climate change. This is especially important for developing economies that have little fiscal headroom. Countries must choose the kind of capital (private versus public) they want and the principal aim of green technology (climate adaptation versus mitigation). Under Indias G20 presidency, a two-part report on the reform of multilateral development banks specifically delved into the issue of channelling capital towards climate action. Fifth, economics is about human decision-making more than numbers or models. Thus, economic thinking needs to rise above forecasts and figures. In India, our social structures are evolving at a rapid pace. In less than a decade, we have transitioned from lacking basic sanitation facilities to achieving Open Defecation Free status. Holistic initiatives have targeted large-scale and efficient supply of housing, water and fuel to households. While the government can ensure the accessibility of public goods, how do we ensure their utilization within households? Academics can contribute by testing and devising behavioural strategies to nudge collectively responsible behaviour. Another example is that of our goal of financial inclusion, which has been nearly achieved. Further, with the unfolding of the digital revolution, there is ample scope to universalize financial literacy and investment behaviour, carefully steering peoples move away from physical savings to financial savings. Relatedly, how do we induce responsible saving behaviour in a young nation to prevent an ageing crisis in the second half of this century? Sixth, this is an opportune time to comprehensively take account of the multifarious issues women face in all walks of life and provide workable solutions. This is important not only from a humanitarian perspective, but also for economic efficiency. We must utilize the best talent for the nations progress. The 2023 Economics Nobel Laureate Claudia Goldin undertook an analysis of womens workforce outcomes in the US over a 200-year span. Academics of other nations can build a similar wide-ranged analysis suited to their unique social context. We need to ask: Is the world ready for this neo-empowered generation of women? If not, where do we begin? What is the lowest hanging fruit in the tree of gender equality? In the Indian context, this may be the logical next step of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao," a mass programme that has had a positive impact on girl-child survival and education. As Rabindranath Tagore put it: A mind all logic is a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it." Economic solutions must be driven by the kind of society we want to create, evolving with the needs of our times. These are the authors personal views. The authors are, respectively, officer, Indian Economic Service, and young professional, ministry of finance. Forgive us if we missed it, but we dont recall Donald Trump campaigning to invade Panama and retake its famous canal. But there was the President-elect on the weekend, threatening our Central American ally with punishment if it doesnt meet his demands. Our Navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, highly unfair, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to PanamaI say, very foolishly, by the United States," Mr. Trump told a crowd in Phoenix. This complete ripoff of our country will immediately stop." He added: We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question. Im not going to stand for it. So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly." *** Where did that come from? Did some shipping magnate whisper in Mr. Trumps ear? Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino quickly rebutted Mr. Trump and said Panama will defend its interests. Mr. Trump replied on Truth Social, Well see about that." So what is Mr. Trump proposing to doinvade? Make the Americas in the image of William McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt again? If we can introduce a few facts, Mr. Trumps claim that Panama is gouging Americans is unfounded. Every vessel, regardless of its flag, pays the same rate according to tonnage and type. Container ships, which carry finished goods, pay more than bulk carriers. About 75% of the total price is a toll and 25% is for services like tugboat or locomotive escorts. When the U.S. ceded the canal to Panama in 1999 under a treaty negotiated in the 1970s by Jimmy Carter, there was concern that the country couldnt run the vital transit way. But the Panama Canal Authority has done well by guarding its institutional independence from the government and running as a business. The canals budget is reviewed by its board of directors, the presidents cabinet and Panamas congress, and excess earnings are transferred to government coffers. But the canal authority is financially and managerially independent of the state. A third set of locks, which opened in 2016, was planned and built by the canal authority, not Panama. Lake Gatun is crucial to the canal operation, but it also supplies 60% of the countrys potable water, which takes priority over shippers. When an El Nino drought that started in June 2023 and lasted a year lowered the draft on the lake, the canal authority had to reduce sharply the number of daily transits. Jorge Quijano, a former Panama Canal administrator, told us that he estimates that the loss of revenue to the canal authority was about $1 billion. To remain competitive and help customers get their products to market, the authority adopted an online auction for express passes. Those willing to pay more got through the shipping lanes faster. Others either had to wait or use alternate routes around the Cape of Good Hope or through the Suez Canal. If Mr. Trump wants to put pressure on Panama prices, he should demand that the Houthis stop firing missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea. When the canal was in U.S. hands, it adjusted tolls to break even. But today the Panama Canal Authority cant depend on the U.S. government for maintenance or capital expenditures. Mr. Quijano says that building the one or two more reservoirs needed to mitigate water uncertainty could cost more than $2 billion. The authority has to think about its bottom line so it charges for the market value of the canal, measuring size, weight and demand. It holds a public hearing on toll increases, and in the past it has adjusted fees based on feedback. We doubt Mr. Trump knows much of this, and hes famous for popping off to grab attention and hit a nationalist theme. Perhaps hes concerned about Chinas spreading influence in Latin America, which is real and isnt in the U.S. interest. Two of the canals five cargo ports are run as a concession by Hutchison Whampoa, a publicly traded firm on the Hong Kong stock exchange, while three others are run by U.S., Singapore and Taiwanese commercial interests. Its hard to know how seriously to take Mr. Trumps broadsides. But threatening a takeover that would require an invasion may court more trouble than he imagines. Four years ago, dozens of companies denounced the invasion of the U.S. Capitol and pledged to withhold support from those who disputed the 2020 election results. Now, many of those companies are lining up to fund Donald Trumps inauguration. The Wall Street Journal has identified at least 11 companies and trade associations that are backing the inauguration, which is on track to be the most lucrative ever, after earlier pledging to suspend or reconsider political-action committee donations after Jan. 6. Ford, Intuit, Toyota and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America are each giving $1 million. Other major donors that made Jan. 6-related pledges include Goldman Sachs, General Motors, Bank of America, AT&T and Stanley Black & Decker. For Goldman, Intuit, Toyota and PhRMA, this marks the first time in at least a decade that they are supporting an inauguration fund. After Trump supporters invaded the Capitol in 2021 to protest the results of the presidential election, dozens of companies vowed to rethink their political contributions going forward. Some paused all donations. Others suspended donations to any lawmaker who voted against certifying the 2020 electoral college results. Some simply promised to factor integrity into their donation decisions going forward. Now, as corporate executives hurry to make inroads with an incoming president whose agenda will have sweeping ramifications for the business world, many of those pledges are a thing of the past. Most of the companies didnt comment on the reason for their donation, though some noted that they had given to inaugurations for decades regardless of party. Toyota pointed to a 2022 statement in which it said it was resuming PAC donations but wouldnt support those who incite violence. A PhRMA spokesperson said the company had announced a pause on our giving at the time and then subsequently added new criteria to guide our contributions." Corporate executives have been flocking to Mar-a-Lago, Trumps Florida resort, in the weeks since the election to meet with the president-elect and his team, in the hopes that building a relationship could make the incoming administration friendlier to their causes. Trump has met with the CEOs of Meta Platforms, Amazon, Google, Pfizer, Eli Lilly and others in recent weeks. Inauguration officials have told fundraisers that they are on track to raise more than the $107 million they brought in for Trumps first inauguration. President Bidens inauguration, in contrast, raised $61 million. Trumps 2017 inaugural fund received donations of $1 million or more from 18 companies, and this years fund is on track to outpace that, people familiar with the fundraising said. The Journal has identified 13 companies that gave $1 million or more so far. Donors who give $1 million or raise $2 million from others receive six tickets to a series of events in the days leading up to the inauguration, including a reception with cabinet appointees, a candlelight dinner" with Trump and Melania Trump and a black-tie ball. Trump aides have said that the fundraising isnt even really about drawing in money anymore: It is a means for extracting a mea culpa from corporate America for its shunning of Trump. One Trump aide rolled his eyes about tech billionaires making a pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago" and cutting $1 million checks for the inauguration as if that would patch up prior offenses. While many companies that paused donations after Jan. 6 had since resumed their givingincluding to lawmakers who objected to the 2020 election resultsthe rush to fund the inauguration is a sign of how far corporate America has swung in anticipation of Trumps return to the White House. People just really want to move forward and move on. The election results were very clear," said a representative at one of the companies that is changing course and contributing to the inauguration. Consultants have been advising companies that it is in their interests to support the inauguration and secure a meeting with Trump. The old saying is, if youre not at the table, youre on the menu," said Kevin Madden, a longtime Republican strategist who said he advises his corporate clients to be proactive in getting involved in policy discussions. Theres going to be a lot of work being done in 2025 and 2026, and the process starts now." The president-elect appears to be reveling in the outreach. EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND!!!" he posted on Truth Social last week. Some Republican strategists have also been instructing companies to scrub their websites and corporate policies of language that favors Democratsincluding pledges they made to pause donations after Jan. 6. Some companies news releases in the wake of the invasion of the Capitol are no longer online, including a letter from then-Stanley Black & Decker CEO Jim Loree condemning the invasion of the Capitol and vowing to use our voice to advocate for our democracy and a peaceful transition of power." Stanley Black & Decker said it is donating $1 million, a major increase from the $25,000 it gave to Trumps first inauguration. Many of the companies donating to the inauguration stand to see their industries substantially affected by the incoming administration. They range from automakers like Toyota that would be affected by new tariffs, to pharmaceutical interests that are unnerved by Trumps selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, to Big Tech companies that Trump allies have accused of censorship and monopolistic behaviors. The cryptocurrency trading platform Kraken donated $1 million, a spokeswoman said. Kraken Chairman Jesse Powell and CEO Arjun Sethi met with Trump throughout the campaign and have met with him since the election. Among the priorities they discussed: ending regulations by enforcement" and ending the refusal by some banks to take crypto companies and their founders. Cryptocurrency exchange platform Coinbase, whose CEO met with Trump last month, donated $1 million to the inauguration. Kara Calvert, Coinbases vice president for U.S. policy, said the company committed to backing Trumps transition and inauguration before the election and said the company is eager to work with the most pro-crypto administration in U.S. history." Trump has vowed to ease the regulatory burden on crypto, and the crypto world is hoping that he and Congress will deliver on the industrys longstanding goal of getting rules that treat it differently from Wall Street. Eric Trump earlier this month retweeted a meme after the election of a bitcoin flag flying over the White House. Intuit, the tax-software maker, is donating $1 million to the fund after not backing either of the last two inaugurations. Shortly after Trumps election, the companys shares declined on a report that the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency was considering making a free tax-filing app. While the companys CEO has said he doesnt think the Trump administration would invest resources into such a project, he has said he is personally engaging" with the new administration and eager to partner on areas like a simplified tax code. Intuit said that its expanded participation in the democratic process" reflects its growth as a company" and the policy issues that affect its consumers and said it has had a decadeslong commitment to bipartisan advocacy." The pharmaceutical industryfor whom Kennedy as HHS secretary is a worst-case scenariohas sought to improve its relationship with the Trump team. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, PhRMA CEO Stephen Ubl and Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks were among the pharmaceutical executives who met with Trump and Kennedy for dinner at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month. Pfizer said it plans to donate to the inauguration. The company also gave to the previous two inaugurations. The trade group PhRMA said it is donating $1 million to Trumps inaugural after not giving to either of the last two inaugurations. Some of the donors compete with Musks various businesses. Musk has become one of Trumps closest advisers and has had a seat at the table for transition meetings, worrying competitors that Musks companies could benefit from proximity to the president-elect. Jeff Bezos, for instance, recently dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and Amazon made a $1 million contribution to Trumps inauguration. In addition to founding Amazon, which could be hit by tariffs, Bezos founded Blue Origin, a space exploration company that counts Musks SpaceX as one of its largest competitors. Some donors are substantially boosting their inaugural donations from previous years. The telecom company Charter Communications, which gave $350,000 to Bidens fund and $250,000 to Trumps 2017 fund, is donating $1 million this time. Uber, which gave $1 million to Bidens, donated $1 million to the inauguration, in addition to another $1 million from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. Trumps 2017 inaugural fund came under investigation by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, who probed whether the committee misspent some of the money it raised and whether some of the committees top donors gave money in exchange for access or policy concessions. Two donors to the fund pleaded guilty to charges related to their donations, including one who funneled $50,000 from a Ukrainian oligarch into the committee. Write to Rebecca Ballhaus at rebecca.ballhaus@wsj.com, Dana Mattioli at dana.mattioli@wsj.com, Shalini Ramachandran at Shalini.Ramachandran@wsj.com and Maggie Severns at maggie.severns@wsj.com While we saw what ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and others could do, the increasing capabilities of logical reasoning in generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) models will enable them to operate more autonomously with more reliable outputs. This will translate into AI systems that can handle multiple systems, optimising interactions to deliver more sophisticated and accurate responses. Such GenAI agents can find their way into industries such as healthcare, law and financial services. Can there be personalized GenAI agents next? GenAI based wearables such as Metas Ray-Bans and Solos AirGo Vision could create a new market segment for more companies, and some may well make it available to mass-market consumers. Satellite Connectivity: India's reforms in foreign direct investment, telecommunications and space policy are paving the way for satellite communications with ubiquitous and affordable connectivity, especially in remote and rural areas, said Sandeep Arora, vice president and industry platform leader for telecom at Capgemini India. The initiatives have opened the sector for international players like SpaceXs Starlink and Amazons Kuiper even as Indian origin global players like Eutelsat-OneWeb and Jio-SES prepare to launch their services. Theyre waiting for the spectrum allocation policy which will be the decider for them. For consumers, the service will be niche and hence priced as premium. Fixed Wireless Access: FWA is emerging as an alternative to fibre broadband. Indian consumers find FWA as good as fibre with satisfaction levels near fibre, particularly in markets like US, where its often used as a backup connection, said Jasmeet Sethi, head of Ericsson ConsumerLab. FWA is ideal for in-home, non-mobile broadband, and satellite internet is useful for outdoor activities or travel. No Fold?: While smartphones are getting smarter with GenAI, not all brands are eager to bring out foldable devices. Apple and Xiaomi, for instance, do not have a fold device in their portfolio, and as Xiaomis chief marketing officer Anuj Sharma says they arent keen on it. Even though foldables are getting thinner (around 10mm), they're still essentially two devices combined, and the soft screen required for folding makes it vulnerable to damage. Good foldable devices are still niche. Spam no more: In 2024, Indias telecom regulatory authority clamped down on spam messages and phone calls with some success. Telcos also joined the fray and introduced solutions on their own, notably Airtel which built in a spam detection software. In 2025, theres going to a focus on weeding out spam through tools that help detection, blocking and complaints to the telcos and the regulator. The government, too, has prioritized removal of spam to prevent financial fraud that stems from this channel. Herring Herring is a year-round favorite in Poland, particularly on Christmas Eve, with popular recipes including fillets in oil or cream, often served with salads or potatoes. Credit : PINTEREST KFC Christmas Dinner in Japan In Japan, enjoying a KFC meal has become a popular Christmas tradition, with families often placing orders in advance for their festive feast, thanks to a successful marketing campaign. Credit : Pinterest Body found in wheel well of United Airlines plane upon arrival in Hawaii On Sunday, 8 December the people of Syria and people across the world celebrated the fall of the infamous Assad Regime. A day that many thought would never come had now arrived, one that was hard fought for. Now, more than a decade on from 25 March 2011 that saw the beginning of the revolution, a 12-day offensive beginning on 27 November just two weeks ago led to the fall of Bashir Al-Assad. For many Syrians, this victory was seen far from their homeland, away from their loved ones and families. Many people have left the country in the past 13 years in the hopes of a better and safer life. Osama Zarzour is one of these people. He has lived in Longford for the past three years but has lived in many places since leaving his home in Idlib, Syria, in 2004. He has lived in Dubai, Turkey and now Ireland in the two decades since he left home. Now, in a matter of weeks the day he and many others have been waiting for has finally come. Also Read: Gardai issue Longford and nationwide appeal over smishing fraud It was like a dream day, said Osama, describing what he felt on after hearing the news. I could not believe what was happening, the regime was tough and was supported by big forces like Russia and Iran. Under the table, we believe he was supported by Israel and the US, he remarked. He was supported by powers around the world, maybe the geopolitical map has changed, and thats what allowed the revolution to succeed. It was a dream day, we didnt believe it until now, he said, Osama was elated, while he was speaking through the phone, his joy was palpable as was his relief. It was clear how long he had waited for this moment to arrive. Also Read: Uninsured driver who ran into a Longford house after he spotted Gardai hit with fine While he is far from his home in Syria he plans to visit as soon as possible, alongside his wife and daughters who are in Turkey currently while he works here in Ireland through an employment contract. As said above, Osama left Syria in 2004 just two years after he graduated from University. He was given a job by the government in the Irrigation Projects Department. After a year there he had to leave due to corruption he witnessed while on the job. Osama described the corruption within the organisation, I had to take bribes, I had to be on a team that took bribes, I didn't accept that so I left the country. Osama is a civil engineer. While in that job he was expected to cut corners and tell no one. Also Read: Longford campaign aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and promote responsible nightlife They said that I have to be involved in this, I have to reduce the quality control process. If they said the diameter of something was to be 1000 millimetres but only put 900 I should accept this, I could not do that because I would be a liar. It would have been a breach of the professional conduct of what I had studied, it would have been a breach of my principles and my religious principles, which are very important to me. On Monday, Israel announced they intended to double the size of their occupation at Golan Heights. They then launched a bomb strike so powerful it measured a 3.1 on the Richter scale. Its not a surprise for us, explained Osama, Israel is taking advantage and that is very bad, we are freeing the country from the old regime and they bomb us. Also Read: Longford winter wonderland: Sleigh bells ring at Lisryan Santa dash They dont have the right to bomb another country and theyre already occupying Palestine and killing the Gazan people. In 2004 after leaving Syria Osama then moved to Dubai. He remained in Dubai for 12 years. During this time Osama became more active in the Syrian revolution via social media. He would do this through online activism on Syrian Facebook groups dedicated to speaking out against the regime. I participated in the revolution, he said, In every city in Syria they form pages on Facebook for each City. Also Read: Longford County Council is first local authority in country to be presented with Amber Flag Generally there are big pages for the overall news for the whole country. Osama explains how he and other activists would speak out on these pages against Assads regime. After his comments were found by the Dubai government (where he lived at the time), he was brought in for questioning. After a lengthy interrogation, he was then sent home. Then told to leave the country in 48 hours. One of the major focuses following the victory in Syria is freeing those who have been imprisoned throughout the lifetime of the regime. Sednaya is one of the prisons being searched. It is dubbed 'the human slaughter house' and is located just outside of Damascus. It has been a place of nightmares and loss for so many people over the past decade. Osama is one of these people. His cousin's son was sent to Sednaya. It has been confirmed however that he did not survive the torment of the prison and died there. Also Read: Irish father leaves baby in car for eight hours before rushing to Garda station I am in the Facebook group with his father. He said I hope my son will be found in Sednaya, and I hope he will be there, recalled Osama. He put up a post three or four days ago that read, My son is gone. This story is beyond the story of Sednaya, beyond any one person, the pain is the pain of the whole people. In the last few weeks when the regime fell in Damascus, I was talking to my wife and my eldest daughter and we were so happy, and we were also crying. There was huge pain and happiness, exceptional happiness. I cannot believe my joy for the fall of the regime is the same joy as my daughter coming into the world, he concluded. Syria's liberation is bittersweet there is freedom but there is also loss, for many families this past two weeks have seen their dreams come true, or confirmed their worst fears. Since 2011 more than 100,000 people are thought to have disappeared in Syria. Now, with the excavation of mass graves they may finally be brought home. There is still joy in the hearts of the people however, Osama shared a lyric he and his sister have been singing to each other over the phone over 5000 km apart. Also Read: Met Eireann issues pre-Christmas storm warning with brutal conditions to hit Ireland He also explained that relationships that were once strained we're bridged almost immediately. My brother-in-law, two months ago we didn't speak, but he was shouting, Osama when are you coming to visit? They are dancing there, they are putting on songs we normally sing during the revolution, he recalled. The song means; Raise your head up, you are a free Syrian now. 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. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: December 25 2024 First-Ever School Student Fundraising Effort supports construction of new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Hospital. (L to R): Mr. and Mrs. Boyd with son Cameron; William Schmidt, middle school science teacher at Laurel Hill School; Dr. Jerry Cozine, associate head of Laurel Hill School; Nihan Chiquinquira with daughter Sophia; Danielle San Giovanni with daughter Giules and other friends. Credit RMHC NYM Laurel Hill School students and families gathered at Stony Brook Childrens Hospital recently to present a check for $3,245 to Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro (RMHC NYM), raised during their 30 Miles in 30 Days fundraiser. Spearheaded by the Laurel Hill School Student Council and the National Junior Honor Society, the initiative encouraged participants to walk or run 30 miles in 30 days during November 2024, fostering both community involvement and physical activity. Families formed teams and rallied support, fundraising on behalf of their children to exceed the initial $500 goal. The effort culminated in one of the first third-party fundraisers supporting the construction of the new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook, inspiring the community and showcasing the power of local collaboration. I am always looking for ways to help the community, and when I found out about the Ronald McDonald House being built at Stony Brook Hospital, I thought this could be a meaningful way for our students and families to make a difference, said William Schmidt, who led the initiative. Thanks to the incredible support from families and the SuperMoms who formed teams, we raised over $3,000, far beyond our initial goal of $500. I look forward to making this an annual event and surpassing this years total. The funds raised will directly support the construction of the new Ronald McDonald House, which will provide families of critically ill children a place to stay close to Stony Brook Childrens Hospital. This effort highlights the profound impact that schools and local communities can have in advancing charitable causes. We are so grateful to Willie and Laurel Hill School for fundraising to contribute to our effort to build a Ronald McDonald House in Stony Brook, Matthew Campo, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro. This is the first school fundraiser for our Stony Brook project and a great example of how the community comes together to make a difference. About Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro provides a home away from home for families with children receiving medical care. The organization supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families across the region. About Laurel Hill School Located in East Setauket, NY, Laurel Hill School is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, leadership, and community service in its students. Through initiatives like this fundraiser, Laurel Hill continues to inspire students to become compassionate and engaged members of society. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: December 25 2024 New Yorkers should never have to worry about their personal information being misused or falling into the wrong hands, Governor Hochul said. Ahead of the holidays, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a legislative bill package designed to strengthen protections for the personal data of consumers. During the holiday season, companies, offices and organizations statewide, experience higher levels of fraudulent activity involving consumer data and information. With this series of bills newly signed by the Governor, New York continues its commitment to protecting consumer data and safety both online and offline from dangerous activity. New Yorkers should never have to worry about their personal information being misused or falling into the wrong hands, Governor Hochul said. With this legislative package, we are taking bold action to hold companies accountable, strengthen protections, and give consumers the transparency and security they need and deserve. My administration will continue to lead the fight to protect privacy, combat fraud, and ensure every New Yorker can live and work with confidence in an increasingly digital world. Legislation S895B/A6789B requires social media companies to post terms of service for each social media platform owned or operated by the company in a manner reasonably designed to inform all users of the social media platform of the existence and contents of the terms of service; and also requires social media companies to submit to the attorney general certain terms of service reports; and provides remedies for violations. State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, With white supremacy, antisemitism, islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ hatred and anti-AAPI violence all on the rise, social media companies must ensure that their platforms dont advance disinformation and hate-fueled violence. The current social media landscape makes it too easy for bad actors to promote false claims, hate and dangerous conspiracies, too often leading to violence like January 6 and the rise in antisemitism and islamophobia we have seen in the aftermath of the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel. Im proud that the Stop Hiding Hate Act, which Assemblymember Lee and I wrote in partnership with the ADL, is now law. This act will require social media companies to report their moderation policies to the NYS Attorney General for public inspection. This will help boost accountability and transparency for social media companies who currently face far too little regulation, and create a safer social media environment for all. Assemblymember Grace Lee said, Social media companies have created an environment where hate and disinformation spread like wildfire. Algorithms that prioritize the most attention-grabbing posts often amplify hateful language, giving it a massive platform. These companies have a responsibility to protect users from this hate, but have failed to do so. The Asian community was deeply affected by this phenomenon during COVID, as hateful conspiracy theories spread online, fueling real-world hate crimes. The Stop Hiding Hate Act ensures greater accountability and transparency on social media, requiring companies to clearly outline the steps they are taking to eliminate hate on their platforms. It will provide critical protections for all users online and hold these platforms accountable to the public. I am proud to have worked with Senator Holyman-Sigal and the ADL to make New York only the second state in the nation to pass this important legislation and have it signed into law. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this legislation into law and protecting New Yorkers from online harm. Legislation S2376B/A4737B strengthens protections of medical and insurance information from identity theft. State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said, By expanding the definition of identity theft to include medical and health insurance details, we are taking a crucial step forward in safeguarding New Yorkers' personal and medical information. This legislation will help ensure that the privacy and security of every New Yorkers sensitive health data is better protected, giving people peace of mind knowing that their medical information is just as safe as their financial records. Assemblymember Charles D. Lavine said, This bill will help combat the growing problem of medical identity theft which until now, leaves hundreds of thousands of victims each year with few avenues for assistance. Thank you Governor Hochul, for continuing to protect New Yorkers. Legislation S5615/A2833 requires better security features in devices procured by the government by directing state agencies to require procurement of personal computing goods, services and solutions meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework. State Senator Kevin Thomas said, I thank Governor Hochul for signing this important legislation strengthening NYS procurement practices among State agencies to help prevent cyberattacks. Cyber security attacks cost business and government billions each year, we need to take all available measures to combat this growing problem. Utilizing best practices that have been adopted by the U.S. Government is an important step in protecting the data of our residents. Assemblymember Steve Otis said, In August of 2023, Governor Hochul released NYSs Cybersecurity Framework identifying the ongoing steps state government, business, and individuals need to take to keep pace with the ever-evolving cybersecurity threats. This legislation is consistent with New Yorks leadership on cyber-threats by making sure state agency purchasing is consistent with the up-to-date work of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards. Governor Hochul and Senator Thomas have been great partners with the Assembly in understanding and acting on these crucial technology issues. Legislation S2659B/A8872A provides that a business must provide notification of a data breach within 30 days of such breach; includes the department of financial services to the list of entities that must be notified of a data breach that affects any New York resident. State Senator Leroy Comrie said, This bill marks a significant step forward in protecting New Yorkers personal data and ensuring transparency from businesses in the event of a data breach. By requiring notification within 30 days and including the Department of Financial Services as a key entity to be informed, this law strengthens consumer protections and enhances accountability. I commend Assemblyman Sayegh for working with me to get this passed and Governor Hochul for signing it into law. This package of bills will go a long way in safeguarding the privacy of New Yorkers. Assemblymember Nader Sayegh said, I am proud to sponsor this crucial piece of legislation to protect consumers across New York State. Now more than ever consumers have very sensitive digital data stored by others. This law will require any business or individual owning or licensing computerized data containing private information to disclose a data breach within 30 days of its occurrence. Legislation S5703B/A1035B prohibits the use of social media websites for debt collection. State Senator Kevin Parker said, I want to thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her leadership and my Senate colleagues for their support in advancing this critical legislation. I am grateful to Governor Hochul for signing it into law. Debt collectors should not have the ability to invade the personal privacy of New Yorkers through online platforms or social media. With this law, we are protecting New Yorkers from these intrusive and inappropriate tactics, reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding their privacy in the digital age. Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn said, Social media has become the Wild West of the Internet for fraudsters and bad actors to steal our money; threatening our safety and causing irreparable damage, but New York is leading the nation in fighting back by enacting sweeping online safety legislation. Debt collectors and bad actors have had the leeway to harass vulnerable New Yorkers on social media, often through threats and manipulation exploiting personal information. Further, even legitimate debt is often being 'collected' from the wrong person on social media, due to the anonymity of these platforms. I thank Governor Hochul for signing the vital bill (S5703B/A1035B) I sponsored with Senator Kevin S. Parker that ensures legitimate debt collection is done through safer, well-established methods, while protecting millions of New Yorkers from potential abuse and harassment. Legislation S1759B/A1057C relates to how online dating services handle fraudulent members; and requires certain disclosures and regulations. State Senator James Skoufis said, Americans lose billions each year to scams, and dating sites are often used to target those looking to connect. This new law permits online dating platforms to disclose to its users when someone they've been in contact with has been previously banned or when someone they've previously been in contact with has since been banned. Having this fuller picture can help New Yorkers make informed decisions about with whom they want to invest their time. I'm pleased the Legislature recognized the changing social landscape and I thank the Governor for signing this common sense bill. Assemblymember Clyde Vanel said, The romance scam industry is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that preys on vulnerable groups, including the elderly. This legislation is an important step forward in protecting New Yorkers from these heartless schemes by ensuring that online dating services inform New York members when they have interacted with fraudulent accounts. I commend Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership in signing this bill into law and demonstrating her commitment to safeguarding all New Yorkers from fraudsters. Cacaos successful expansion throughout Boston has stemmed from the owners' dedication to keeping their Caribbean culture alive through chocolate. The acclaimed chocolate shop draws inspiration from Perla Rosarios familys cacao farm in the Dominican Republic. Rosario, the companys co-owner, spent her childhood summers on the farm. She still has family there and visits often. Pictures from the farm adorn the walls of Cacaos newest location in Downtown Boston. The store, which opened in September, marks Cacaos third joining its Newton and South End locations. The new shop is also in the same building where Rosarios mother worked as a janitor for two decades. My mom did janitorial work in this very building for over 20 years, Rosario said in a press release For me its definitely a full circle moment! The concept for Cacao was equally inspired by Rosarios husband, Leo Baez, who grew up around cashew farms in the Dominican Republic. After meeting in Boston, the couple decided to open the first Cacao in Jamaica Plain in 2018. However, that location closed in 2021. But that didnt stop the husband/wife duo from moving forward. Cacao opened in Newton at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Meanwhile, the South End location opened this past April and the Downtown location soon followed. This expansion still surprises Rosario and Baez, who never imagined running a chocolate cafe. They originally thought Cacao would just be a retail shop. Instead, its blossomed into a cafe thats often put in the same league as chocolate establishment L.A. Burdick. Being compared to someone in that caliber that has been around for so long is an honor in itself, Rosario said. I think is a great complement to be compared to such a great company that has the kind of longevity they have, Baez added. Cacao has received praise from chocolate connoisseurs and media outlets alike. Boston Magazine included Cacao on its list of Where to Find Greater Bostons Greatest Hot Chocolate in 2019. The outlet also included Cacao in its Ultimate Guide to Boston Chocolate in 2023 and list of The 10 Best Places to Buy Chocolate in Boston in 2021. In addition, both the Newton and South End locations have a near 5-star rating on Yelp and Google. Great place and service! They made a beautiful coffee and hot chocolate for my wife and I, a Google review from September of the Newton location reads. The croissant and chocolate cake were amazing. This is our new favorite coffee shop! A Yelp reviewer, who visited the South End store in December, said they tried Cacaos pumpkin spice hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookie. The pumpkin flavor was subtle but not overpowering which was nice. The hot chocolate was not too hot and did not burn my tongue or anything. The drink was not overly sweet or rich, which made it easy to finish over time, the reviewer wrote. The chocolate cookie was delicious. It was not too sweet and had a good amount of chocolate chips present. I did find it a little too salty, but I enjoyed the contrast of flavors present throughout the cookie. Cacaos hot chocolate stands out because of its signature blend of high-quality chocolate and warm spices. Rosario, who began taking chocolatiering classes in 2018, said it took six months for the business to land its final recipe. Other beverages on Cacaos menu include coffees, lattes, teas and more. Cacao also sells tons of decadent treats from chocolate-covered nuts and bonbons to truffles. The sweet shop has also ventured into savory territory, with the addition of sandwiches at the South End and Downtown locations. An example includes Cacaos Dominican Ham and Cheese Melt, which is inspired by the Dominican classic. The sandwich is made with grilled ham, cheddar cheese, red onions, and tomatoes. The sandwich is drizzled with a chipotle aioli thats then toasted on a panini press for melty and crisp finish. Cacaos Downtown Boston location is at 64 Broad St. The cafe is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Jim Koch, who first brewed Samuel Adams beer in his home and built a craft beer empire, has a succession plan for when his time as chairman of the Boston Beer Company comes to a close. Koch will pass control of Boston Beer to his wife, Cynthia Fisher, a healthcare entrepreneur who sits on the company board, the couple told the Wall Street Journal in an article published Wednesday. Sam Adams was a brewer and a patriot, said Fisher, a board member since 2012. You can look at me as the alewife. In this photograph released by Dogfish Head brewery and Samuel Adams, Dogfish Heads Sam Calagione, right, and Samuel Adams Jim Koch, left, pose for a picture in Washington on June 6, 2011 (Nick Wass/AP Images for Dogfish Head and Samuel Adams)AP IMAGES FOR DOGFISH HEAD AND S Koch, 75, brewed the first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager in his kitchen, based on his great-great grandfathers beer recipe that he found in his parents attic in 1984, he told the Journal. Though he is not Boston Beers chief executive, Koch remains deeply involved in the company and controls top-level decisions with his voting shares, according to the paper. He also tastes each batch of beer before it is bottled. The company went public in 1995. Today, its market value is $3.5 billion, down from $12 billion in 2020. Kochs voting power will eventually pass to Fisher, 63, though he has no plans to retire soon, the Journal reported. The couple has been married for more than 30 years. Fisher founded ViaCord, a cord blood stem cell banking business in 1993 and sold it for $300 million in 2007, the Journal reported. Her recent work included founding two advocacy groups pushing for pricing transparency in healthcare. She told the paper she expects Boston Beers innovation with different beverages to continue as Americans' drinking preferences change. Beyond its beer, the company brews the Truly hard seltzer brand and Twisted Tea alcohol-spiked iced tea. Luisa Sparrow, a fifth and sixth grade special education teacher in Boston, is dedicated to making sure everyone in her classroom and the wider school community feels included. Sparrow sits on the inclusion planning team at the Oliver Hazard Perry School where she teaches, and started an inclusive Cooking Club where general education students and students with intellectual disabilities can learn to make tasty snacks together. This passion for embracing everyone is what led to the Wilmington resident being selected as the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year by the state Executive Office of Education. We try to focus on activities that can help students in my class and students in the general education class build relationships, she said in an interview. I think relationships are a huge foundation for students feeling comfortable taking risks. Sparrow has been teaching for 16 years, starting in 2005 as a Teach for America member in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas after getting her bachelors degree in human development from Cornell University. She didnt start out in special education, instead teaching science. The special education class in the school where she worked at the time was located across the hallway from her own classroom. The teacher for that class saw some of the activities Sparrow was doing with her students and asked if she could share some of them with him. I said, Why dont you just bring your class in, and we can do it together? she said. And that worked really well. For the special education students who participated in activities with her own students, Sparrow said they began to see their science standardized test scores go up. This made her realize how much the combined classes helped students grow. Sparrow attended Harvard Graduate School of Education for her masters degree in education with a focus in language and literacy. After finishing her graduate degree, inspired by one of her professors, she made the full switch to special education. During her career, Sparrow has taught in Texas, Delaware, Pennsylvania and even Costa Rica, but has been at the Perry School for eight years. Her class is made up entirely of students with intellectual disabilities, but they get the chance to work with general education students throughout the week on projects and in inclusive homeroom classes. The Cooking Club meets every other week and uses visual recipes that include photos alongside each step so students with a range of reading abilities can participate. Her team is also always looking for more ways to make the school community even more inclusive. We definitely want to do more, Sparrow said. Theres a lot of room to grow, for sure. Were not thinking, OK, this is it. Outside of school, Sparrow serves as an on-call reader for teachers pursuing their National Board Certification and as a Teach Plus senior policy fellow. She also works with youth in the foster care system and with seniors documenting their life stories. Sparrow is the 63rd Massachusetts Teacher of the Year and the eighth to come from Boston Public Schools. She will automatically be nominated as the states candidate for the National Teacher of the Year program. Ms. Sparrow is an example of the exceptional educators we have in Massachusetts who go above and beyond to support all of their students and foster an inclusive learning environment, said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler in a statement. Two people were killed early Christmas morning when a fire broke out at a multi-family home in Acushnet, authorities said Wednesday. The victims were believed to be a man and a woman in their 80s, according to a statement from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. On behalf of the Acushnet Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the victims family and loved ones, Acushnet Fire Chief Thomas Farland said in a statement. This is a heartbreaking day for them and our community. Responding to multiple 911 calls, members of the Acushnet fire and police departments arrived at 34 Garfield St. just before 2 a.m. Wednesday, where they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-and-a-half-story home. One resident had escaped the burning home after a neighbor saw the fire and pounded on the door. But three others were missing, firefighters learned. Firefighters entered the home, where flames had caused major structural damage and partially collapsed the roof. They found two residents dead inside, the Department of Fire Services said. The remaining missing resident, firefighters were later told, was out of the country traveling. Witnesses and first responders told investigators did not hear the sound of smoke alarms when they arrived at the home, the department statement said. It took more than an hour for firefighters to bring the flames under control. One firefighter was brought to a hospital for evaluation but is expected to recover, according to the department. The states Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is charged with formally identifying the victims and determining the official cause of their deaths. Officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation by the Acushnet Fire Department, Acushnet Police Department, Massachusetts State Police investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshals office, and members of the State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorneys office, with help from the Department of Fire Services Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit. Our hearts go out to the family at a time of such terrible loss, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in a statement. Weve seen too many tragedies this year. Please, if you do one thing today, talk to the people you care about and be sure they have working smoke alarms on every level of their homes. The Fairhaven Fire Department and Mattapoisett Emergency Medical Services provided mutual aid to Acushnet first responders during the fire. They also received support from Providence Canteen, a nonprofit that assists first responders during emergencies. A South Boston woman, who authorities said is infamous for stealing packages, was charged Tuesday afternoon after the Boston police say they caught her with bags of unopened packages. Boston police said while they were delivering toys to children in South Boston, a police cadet spotted Kerry Flynn, 34, a suspected package thief. Flynn had two bags stuffed with unopened packages, police said. She also had several outstanding warrants for her arrest on shoplifting and receiving stolen property charges. Flynn will be arraigned in South Boston Court after she was charged with larceny from a building in connection with the package theft, police said. The Houston Astros have had a busy offseason that included trading Kyle Tucker and signing Christian Walker. Despite spending his nine-year career in Houston, Alex Bregman remains a free agent. And while Bregman wanted to return to the Astros, general manager Dana Brown revealed contract talks stalled, which led to them exploring other options. The way I view it right now is Paredes is going to play third base and Walker is going to play first base, Brown said, via ESPN. Bregmans still a free agent I thought we made a really competitive offer, showing that we wanted him back, but we had to pursue other options. We couldnt just sit there. We locked in Paredes early in that trade, knowing that he could play third or first, and then when the opportunity to add another bat came up, we just jumped on it. When the Astros traded Tucker they acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes. Without a contract for Bregman, Brown and company elected to see what else they could get to address the position. Bregman has been linked to teams this offseason including the Boston Red Sox. Bregman could play shortstop or third for Boston, but the Red Sox have Rafael Devers to man the corner position. At one point the Red Sox were believed to be potentially prioritizing Bregman after Juan Soto signed with the New York Mets. The Red Sox have made moves this offseason including trading for Garrett Crochet and signing Walker Buehler. But they still have some holes to fill in their lineup and Bregman could fill that void. Most Massachusetts residents woke Wednesday morning to a measurable amount of snow covering the ground from storms over the last week. For some areas, it was the first White Christmas defined as having at least 1 inch of snow on the ground Christmas morning in multiple years. According to National Weather Service records, Boston last reached that mark in 2019, with exactly 1 inch of snow depth. A meteorologist in the agencys regional office in Norton confirmed the figure Wednesday, though snow depth maps published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, show the citys last Christmas Day snow cover in 2017. That year marked Bostons last snow on Christmas Day 2.9 inches though there is disagreement on whether it qualified as a White Christmas since snow began falling after 7 a.m. A snow depth map published by NOAA on Wednesday showed widespread snow cover across the Bay State, excluding some areas south of Boston and on Cape Cod, from Fridays storm and some snow Tuesday. The deepest remaining snow was in Greater Boston and the states northwestern corner. Snow cover across the Northeast on Christmas Day 2024. (NOAA).NOAA Many communities saw light snow Tuesday, led by just over 2 inches in parts of Western Massachusetts, according to the weather service. Meteorologists expect a dry Christmas Day across the region, with temperatures reaching the mid-to-upper 20s in Western Massachusetts and low-30s in eastern and central areas of the state. On the South Shore, South Coast and Cape Cod, temperatures could push into the upper 30s. Clouds are expected to clear gradually, though Cape Cod and the Islands will likely stay overcast, the weather service said. Good morning - Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from the staff! Although the Cape and Islands are looking at overcast for much of the day, decreasing clouds early elsewhere will lead to sunny and dry conditions. Looking at seasonable temperatures today! pic.twitter.com/gVVmHOl8BM NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) December 25, 2024 The Cape and Islands are expected to remain generally dry Wednesday night, but could see light snow showers or snow mixed with a light freezing drizzle, the weather service said. Elsewhere, the agency forecast a clear and cold night ahead of a mostly sunny Thursday. SPRINGFIELD Health New England has awarded $250,000 in grants to five local organizations in recognition of recently retired Dr. Mark Keroack, former president and CEO of Baystate Health and chair of the insurers board. Mark Keroack, former president and CEO of Baystate Health, at the roundtable discussion at Baystate Family Advocacy Center in Springfield on Jun. 27, 2023. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican, File) Keroack served in these roles for about 10 years. 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31 decembre 2024 jusquau vendredi 03 janvier 2025Communique du Ministere du Bien-etre de La Famille: Fermeture des crechesCommunique du National Emergency Operations CommandAvertissement de fortes pluies pour Maurice ( 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 flammesThe 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024Recrutement de personnel de cabine dEmirates Airlines a Mauriceblink by Emtel annonce les 10 premiers gagnants de la 2 edition de sa campagne blink & WinMerck Foundation Chairman and First Ladies share their partnership journey in Transforming Patient Care Landscape[Video news] Message de fin dannee de Paul Berenger[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 27 decembre 2024Avis de fortes pluies en vigueur a AgalegaSarat Lallah retrouve la MT Towerle Premier ministre a rendu hommage au Dr Manmohan Singh,Revocation de lInformation and Communication Technologies (Registration of SIM) Regulations 2023Amaresh Singh Ramlugan, nomme president du Conseil dAdministration de la MBCDecisions du Conseil des Ministres du 27 decembre 2024Apercu du temps pour Rodrigues du 28 au 31 decembre 2024Apercu du temps pour Maurice du 28 au 31 decembre 2024 A man is due to appear in court this Christmas Eve after he was charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident in Rathkeale, County Limerick last Saturday. The man, aged in his 40s, is due to appear before a special sitting of Limerick District Court at 7pm this Tuesday in relation to the incident which resulted in the death of mother-of-one, Marguerita Sheridan. The man had been detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a garda station in County Limerick having been arrested on Monday. A van believed to have been involved in the serious incident was also recovered and will now be subject to a technical examination. READ ALSO: ALERT: Gardai seek help in locating boy, 13, who has not been seen for several days Gardai continue to appeal for any witnesses to this incident to come forward. Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the Rathkeale area in Co. Limerick between 11:30am and 1:00pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Rathkeale Garda Station on 069 63222, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Investigations are ongoing. by Tanya Gazdik , December 23, 2024 Nordstrom will be acquired by members of the family and El Puerto de Liverpool, a Mexican real estate and department store company that has owned a stake in the retailer since 2022. Nordstrom, one of the countrys oldest department stores, said Monday that it would be taken private reaching an agreement after months of speculation over a potential buyout of the business, according to The New York Times. Department stores have struggled to find their footing as e-commerce continues to eat away at their market share. Nordstrom has fared better than its competitors, in part because of its favorable real estate and higher income clientele, but even it has faced challenges. The sale price is well below the $78 a share that Nordstrom fetched in public markets about a decade ago. advertisement advertisement Including debt, the deal values Nordstrom at $6.25 billion, the company said in a statement. Nordstroms founding family tried taking the retailer private in 2018 at $50 per share, but the board said that was too low of a price, according to CNN Business. Mondays announcement marks a stunning decline from the companys pre-pandemic peak with its stock worth roughly half since then. Shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock. Thats about 42% higher than its closing price on March 18, when news of a potential sale was first reported. We think approval of the offer at the increased price is a near-certainty given the boards approval, high (roughly 43%) ownership of the buyout group, and apparently solid financing, according to Morningstar. The only roadblock to closing is the need for approval by most of the independent shareholders, but this appears to be a formality as we are not aware of any opposition. While a change in ownership does not automatically remedy all the department store's problems, it will allow the family and their backers to take a long term view of the business and make necessary investments and changes away from the short-term scrutiny of public markets, writes Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, in a note to clients. "Nordstrom has, by no means, been one of the weakest performers in the department store space, Saunders says. However, neither is it the business that it once was, and a lot of change and investment is needed to remedy recent missteps with merchandising, operations and store standards. The family have the talent and ability to enact change as does El Puerto de Liverpool. They will likely run the business as a retailer rather than as some kind of financial play thing which, in our view, is a very positive thing for the long term health of the brand. The announcement comes as retailers and department stores have struggled to retain customers. "Macys this year said it would close 150 stores and shift focus to its luxury brands, including Bluemercury and Bloomingdales and its smaller Bloomies locations, according to The Washington Post. The parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue said in July it would acquire Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion. Other retailers have turned to bankruptcy court, most recently the Container Store, which filed for Chapter 11 protection in Texas over the weekend as demand wanes for its storage and organization wares. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 24, 2024 An organization founded by former vice president Mike Pence is asking the Supreme Court to allow enforcement of a law that will ban TikTok in the U.S. unless the company separates from China-based parent company ByteDance. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed Monday, Advancing American Freedom and a coalition of other TikTok critics argue that the law is necessary to prevent the Chinese government from manipulating public opinion. If a quarter of Americans are getting news from TikTok, what that platform chooses to show, and how it chooses to show it, has the potential to massively impact how Americans think about the world, the organizations argue. Among other arguments, they groups say China could use TikTok to influence elections in the U.S., adding that the European Union is currently investigating TikTok's possible role in Romania's recent presidential election. advertisement advertisement It is well-known that China's government exploits Chinese companies to access Americans' data, including for purposes of espionage, the organization contends. Even more important in the case of TikTok, however, is how China's government exploits Chinese internet companies for overseas political interference through propaganda, misinformation, and censorship. The Pence-founded group and allies are asking the court to reject a challenge by TikTok and users to the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R. 7521). That law, passed earlier this year, will prohibit app stores and websites from distributing TikTok unless it's sold by ByteDance by January 19. The statute provides that the U.S. president can extend that deadline by three months, but President Joe Biden, who will still be in office on that date, hasn't yet indicated whether he will do so. The measure was largely driven by fears that the Chinese government may be able to access data about TikTok's users, and to use the app to sway public opinion. TikTok, which has an estimated 170 million U.S. users, along with a group of content creators challenged the law, arguing it amounts to unconstitutional censorship. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the measure earlier this month, ruling that even though the law will affect people's ability to communicate, it's justified by national security concerns. TikTok and content creators are now appealing that ruling to the Supreme Court. The civil rights groups American Civil Liberties Union, Electronic Frontier Foundation and Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University are siding with TikTok. They argue that even if the law is framed as targeting covert manipulation by China, it's still an unconstitutional content-based restriction on speech. The record is clear that the governments concerns about covert manipulation are at bottom concerns about propaganda -- i.e. about Americans access to the perceived content and viewpoints presented on TikTok, the groups wrote. They added that the Supreme Court in 1965 previously invalidated a law that would have restricted the Postal Service from delivering foreign communist propaganda. The Supreme Court has scheduled arguments for January 10 -- nine days before the law is slated to take effect. by Teresa Buyikian , December 24, 2024 When people think of popular British imports in the United States, they typically think of U.K. fashion houses or disgruntled royals, not fast food -- outside of the occasional fish and chips. But one UK chain known for its Proper Pizza is bringing its British ways, and food, to Florida next year. PizzaExpress announced this week the chain has signed a licensing agreement to open locations in Florida. Founded in 1965, the London-based chain boasts over 470 locations in 12 countries, but stated plans to reach 1,000 restaurants globally by 2030. The brand is bringing more than its food to American palates. Pizza Express is also known for live music venues with cocktail service, which will be part of U.S. locations as well, per the announcement. The chain is also known for its black and white striped-clad team (a reference to Venetian gondoliers), marble tables and open kitchens with Pizzaiolos (pizza chefs). advertisement advertisement "This is a full circle moment to bring a brand I've loved and grown up with in London to a new market eager for an elevated pizza experience," said U.S. franchise partner Vik Patel, CEO and president of Purple Square. "This concept has the potential to resonate with U.S. consumers in a truly unique way. Walking into a PizzaExpress location is a one-of-a-kind experience, designed to welcome everyonewhether you're bringing the kids out for a slice or soaking in the energy of live music." Originally founded by entrepreneur Peter Boizot in the Soho area of London, the chain took original inspiration from live jazz clubs. The brand now operates six live venues, which have featured artists such as Ed Sheeran, Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones. There is also a PizzaExpress record label, PX Records. The chain is still deciding exactly where in Florida the locations will be, but they will feature full-service live and "live light" music venues. Tel Aviv Universitys study uncovers that ancient copper mining in Timna Valley had limited environmental and health impacts, challenging old beliefs about industrial pollution. Trusted Source Pre-roman copper industry had no polluting impact on the global environment Go to source Trusted Source New Study Challenges Long-Held Assumptions About King Solomons Kingdom Ancient copper production sites show surprisingly low levels of pollution, with minimal impact on workers' health. #medindia #environmentalhealth Health Impact of Ancient Copper Production Sites Advertisement Advertisement Pre-roman copper industry had no polluting impact on the global environment - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-80939-5) According to the Bible, King Solomon's Mines were a treasure trove of wealth and prosperity, said to supply the ancient world with vast quantities of copper. For centuries, this legendary site has captivated historians and archaeologists alike, as it was believed to be central to the flourishing kingdom of Solomon. However, a groundbreaking study by researchers fromis now challenging conventional beliefs about the impact of this ancient copper industry ().Their findings suggest that not only did it have minimal effect on workers' health, but it also posed no significant risks to modern residents living near the site. Through detailed geochemical surveys of copper production sites in the Timna Valley, dating back to the 10th century BCE, the researchers have revealed that copper production caused limited and localized environmental pollution , with no evidence of harm to the health of past or present inhabitants. This research adds a surprising new layer of understanding to the environmental legacy of one of historys most enigmatic industries.The study was led by Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef, Dr. Omri Yagel, Willy Ondricek, and Dr. Aaron Greener from the Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, Chaim Rosenberg School of Jewish Studies and Archaeology, Tel Aviv University. The paper was published in the prestigious journalWe inspected two major copper production sites in the Timna Valley, one from the Iron Age and King Solomons era and another nearby that is about 1,500 years older, says Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef. Our study was very extensive. We took hundreds of soil samples from both sites for chemical analyses, creating high-resolution maps of heavy metal presence in the region. We found that pollution levels at the Timna copper mining sites are extremely low and confined to the locations of the ancient smelting furnaces. For instance, the concentration of lead the primary pollutant in metal industries drops to less than 200 parts per million just a few meters from the furnace. By comparison, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines industrial areas as safe for workers at 1,200 parts per million and residential areas as safe for children at 200 parts per million.The new study contradicts a series of papers published since the 1990s about pollution caused allegedly by the ancient copper industry. We demonstrate that this is not true. Pollution in Timna is very restricted spatially, and its likely that only those working directly at the furnace suffered from inhaling toxic fumes, while just a short distance away, the soil is entirely safe. Moreover, the match we found between the spatial distribution of copper and lead concentrations in the soil further indicates that the metals are trapped in slag and other industrial waste - which keeps them from leaching into the soil and affecting plants or humans.Our findings align with several recent studies from the Wadi Faynan region in Jordan, which also point to very low levels of pollution. Timna and Faynan are ideal sites for this type of research because they have not been disturbed by modern mining, as happened in Cyprus for example, and thanks to their dry climates the metals in the soil are not washed away. In Faynan, a team led by Prof. Yigal Erel of the Hebrew University examined 36 skeletons of people who lived at the mining site during the Iron Age, and only three showed any trace of pollution in their teeth. The rest were completely clean. We now present a similar picture for Timna.In addition to the geochemical survey, the TAU archaeologists also conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature, pointing out that hypotheses about global pollution during the pre-Roman period lack solid evidence.There was a trend in the 1990s, which presented ancient copper production as the first instance of industrial pollution, explains Dr. Omri Yagel, a leading researcher in the current study. Such statements grab headlines and attract research grants, but they unnecessarily project modern pollution problems onto the past. Moreover, the research literature tends to use the term pollution to describe any trace of ancient metallurgical activity, and this has led to the mistaken assumption that metal industries were harmful to humans from their earliest beginnings which is patently untrue.Even when metal production was large-scale, becoming integral to human civilization, it was the toxic lead industry that caused global pollution, not necessarily other metals. A 1990s study argued that traces of copper found in Greenland ice cores had traveled through the atmosphere from sites like Timna. This claim, however, has not been corroborated by any subsequent study. As researchers confronting the severe environmental challenges of our time, such as climate change, we often tend to search for similar problems in the past or assume that environmental harm has been an inevitable consequence of human activity since the agricultural revolution. However, we must be cautious. While we might label a few pieces of slag on the ground as 'pollution,' we should not confuse this localized waste with regional or global environmental pollution.Source-Eurekalert Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, spreads via contact with infected people, animals, or materials. Trusted Source Mpox Go to source Trusted Source Africa: 13,769 Mpox Cases, DRC Remains Most Affected New #mpox variant (clade 1b) is spreading. First seen in DRC in Sept 2023, it's more dangerous but poorly understood. Cases reported in several countries. #publichealth Mpox - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mpox) The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the monkeypox (Mpox) () epidemiological situation in Africa, citing high case counts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, and Uganda.According to the latest report of the WHO, Africa has seen 13,769 confirmed cases across 20 countries as of December 15, including 60 deaths. The most affected country continues to be DRC, with 9,513 confirmed cases detected. While the DRC, the outbreak's epicenter, has seen a relatively stable epidemic trend in recent weeks, WHO still warned that the plateauing and declining trends should be interpreted cautiously, given possible reporting delays.Cases of this clade 1b strain have since been reported in several countries, including Sweden and Thailand. "Geographical expansion of clade 1b mpox virus (MPXV) continues to be reported outside the DRC," the WHO said, noting that eight countries outside of Africa have detected the strain."Much remains to be understood about the transmissibility and sustainability of transmission of the clade 1b MPXV," said the WHO, which specified earlier that the mortality rate of the clade 1b MPXV was estimated at 3.6 percent, much higher than previous strains.In mid-August, the Africa CDC declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of continental security. Shortly afterward, the World Health Organization also announced the viral disease as a public health emergency of international concern, marking the second time in two years it has activated its highest level of global alert for mpox.Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is a rare viral disease typically transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets and other contaminated materials. The infection often causes fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes.Source-IANS ISLAMABAD (AP) The United States and the United Kingdom have expressed concern over convictions imposed by Pakistani military courts to 25 civilian supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan over their alleged involvement in riots last year. The convictions had previously also been criticized by the European Union and domestic human rights activists. The United States is deeply concerned that Pakistani civilians have been sentenced by a military tribunal for their involvement in protests on May 9, 2023. These military courts lack judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees, the State Department said in a statement on Monday. It asked Pakistan to respect the right to a fair trial and due process. The Foreign Office in London said that while the U.K. respects Pakistans sovereignty over its own legal proceedings, trying civilians in military courts lacks transparency, independent scrutiny and undermines the right to a fair trial. It added: "We call on the government of Pakistan to uphold its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The statements were referring to the violence that erupted after Khans arrest in Islamabad in May 2023. The former premier was ousted through a no-confidence vote in the parliament in 2022, and he was convicted of corruption and sentenced in August 2023. Since then, he has been behind bars. Khans popular opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, is in talks with the government to secure his release. Responding to the growing international criticism, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday that the country is "fully committed to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations. In a statement, it said Pakistans legal system was in consistent with international human rights law, and the verdicts by the military courts had been made under a law enacted by the parliament and in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It said Pakistan will continue to engage with the international partners, including the European Union to uphold the international human rights law, without any discrimination and double standards. The 25 supporters on Monday received prison terms ranging from two years to 10 years, which the army in a statement warned acted as a stark reminder for people to never take the law into their own hands. The PTI has rejected the convictions of civilians, demanding they should be tried in the normal courts if they were involved in the riots. Without mentioning international criticism of the convictions, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday accused the PTI of hiring foreign lobbying groups to run campaigns against Pakistan." Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs government has accused Khan of masterminding the violence, a charge he denies. Earlier this month, Khan and dozens of others were indicted by a civilian court on charges of inciting people on that day, when demonstrators attacked the militarys headquarters in Rawalpindi, stormed an air base in Mianwali in the eastern Punjab province and torched a building housing state-run Radio Pakistan in the northwest. MUSKEGON, MI - A small nonprofit in Muskegon is creating a path to independence for young adults aging out of the foster care system. Michigan youth leaving foster care are considered one of the most vulnerable populations and can face homelessness. Jeff and Katie Steele through their nonprofit Kids Belong have been on a mission to help them with housing. The couple have been foster parents for 13 years. Related: Teens who age out of foster care to get homes of their own with family support In 2020, Jeff Steele bought a five-acre plot of land. On one side, he built a home to accommodate him and his wife and 15 kids, ranging in age from 18 months to 21. The family includes four biological children, seven adopted, two under legal guardianship and two exchange students. On the other side of their home is a row of four duplexes. Steele, with the help contractors and volunteers, built eight units for young adults exiting the foster care system to have their first independent renting experience. Jeff and Katie Steele, through their nonprofit Kids Belong, are building a duplex, shown behind them, to house young people aging out of foster care. Their hope is to build a few duplexes housing young people on the property next to their own home. (Image provided by Jeff Steele) Weve had kids come through our home and struggle, weve watched them leave and struggle, Steele said, adding that there are some programs for kids aging out of foster care, like group homes, that help develop life skills. Theres a lot of kids that are not right for this program... thats a better fit for them, he said. Where those programs struggle is when theyre done, where do they go? Each unit is 550 square-foot with one bedroom, one bathroom, kitchen and laundry appliances. Steele also furnishes each unit with a bed, couch and kitchen supplies that are intended to be kept by the tenant at the end of their two-year lease. The Steeles have already had two tenants. How it works is a young adult aged 18 to 24 is signed to a two-year lease with the agreement that rent starts very low, at $350 per month, and gradually increases to a market rate rent by the end of the two years. Steele also collects a monthly program fee and deposit that he plans to give as a deposit for the tenants next apartment or living situation. The Kids Belong housing is located in a neighborhood on Shonat Street near Marquette Avenue in Muskegon.Kayla Tucker Steele said these young adults could be coming from a busy foster home, an unhealthy family arrangement, a group home or countless other situations that are seen by those in the foster care and adoption system. They are in a position where finding a place to live is really hard at 18 and you dont have parents to co-sign for you, Steele said. He said it is challenging to apply to get an apartment without a credit history, rental history, often no work history and no drivers license without a car. These are all obstacles for kids coming out of foster care., he said. The housing units, located on Shonat Street near Marquette Avenue, are in walking distance of Muskegon Community College and Baker College. The homes are also near multiple bus stops and a plethora of businesses to work at on Apple Avenue. Related: Baker College announces new director of undergraduate business programs Steele provides essential pieces of furniture - like a bed and couch - for the unit, with the intent that the tenant can take it with them later.Kayla Tucker Tenants must be working to earn money but could also be going to school as well. Steele works with the young adults as a varied mentor - with finances, social situations, life choices, job connections and many other situational challenges. He has a budget meeting with them every month and looks at their pay stubs and savings. The housing has more rules in place than a traditional apartment. For example, there are no overnight guests allowed, no alcohol or drugs. They dont sign in and out, Steele said. I tell them, Theres going to be strings attached because this is a really good deal. The goal is, at your next apartment, theres no strings attached to that one. At that point, you are independent, youre an adult, you know how to do it. Over the 13 years, the Steeles have fostered 80 kids. They, along with two other couples, created the nonprofit Kids Belong after realizing the gaps in support within the foster family community. They hold events for the foster family community and support them during the holidays by providing Easter baskets and, this year, 600 Christmas stockings to families. A lot of it is just about taking something off your plate, Steele said. Thats just one big project that you dont have to do now for your ten kids that you wouldve had to do, and that just makes it easier on everybody. Steele said he learned lessons from his first tenant in the first few months. Part of its just also learning how to be a tenant, theyve never been a tenant before, he said. The work of the program is paying your bills. Kids Belong raised $730,000 from private and church donations to build the property - it cost about $150,000 to build each duplex, Steele said. A benefit to living next door is that all the tenants living in the Kids Belong housing are always welcome to Steeles house for dinner, or if they need anything. Were the support family thats on-site, Steele said. We do dinners at the house, and we invite the kids who live here to come. When we have events and we have stuff going on, were outside doing things, we invite them to come and hang out and just be a part of what were doing. An office and counseling space, as well as a temporary housing space for kids in emergency placement to stay with a volunteer, are what the Steeles envision for the future of the property. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. Huseyin Bagci: Connectivity is in the interests of all countries 09:46, December 25, 2024 By Wu Sha, Yu Ying ( People's Daily Online Ankara, Turkiye's capital, is a unique blend of modernity and rich historical roots, as well as a hub of Turkish culture, politics, and history. Turkish-Chinese relations in recent years have expanded rapidly through economic cooperation, social exchange, and cultural dialogue. Huseyin Bagci, professor of international relations at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, showed strong confidence in the Chinese-Turkish partnership and looked forward to witnessing more collaborations between the two countries. Bagci said, "For China, Turkiye is the western neighbor. From Europe, we are on the east, but from China, we are on the west. Chinese-Turkish relations in recent years particularly have reached a level that is unique in our history. Top-level visits, top statements, and economic investments from both sides. There is also a new type of intellectual relations between the two sides." Huseyin Bagci (Photo/Patrick Shead-Simmonds) As one of the co-founders of Ankara Global Advisory Group, Bagci shared his vision of the group. "We want to bring Turkiye and China together, starting from political developments to cultural and educational exchanges. So far, we have good relations with Chinese institutions, universities and think tanks." In May this year, Bagci and his colleagues visited China for 10 days and went to five universities and four institutes, including Fudan University, Shanghai University, and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "We enjoyed sharing intellectual ideas and talking about economic, political, environmental, and migration issues. We came to a common understanding on several points that will lead us to work together to provide peace and harmony for a community of a common destiny." Bagci also shared some highlights from his meetings in China. "Concerning the political crisis from Central Asia to the Middle East, we talked a lot about how to act together and provide peace. We also discussed environmental issues like how to work together to solve climate change. Turkiye is one of the countries that needs renewable energy, a clean environment, and clean water, which will require both Chinese technology and Chinese economic cooperation. Both countries can not only make profit together but also help other countries in their regions to deal with problems together." Bagci highlighted that the Chinese style of development is different from that of the 18th and 19th centuries. Instead of being a form of exploitation, it is to help countries in need to deal with challenges and difficulties. "I have seen many developments in this respect. Since 2014, I participated six times in the Belt and Road policy discussions in Shanghai. The Belt and Road Initiative is sticking to its original target of bringing infrastructural changes to countries in need, letting people achieve a better life faster and avoid conflicts." Bagci considers the Belt and Road Initiative a representation of the spirit of a new era that is focused on cooperation, and is based on dialogue between countries. "We did not have connectivity before. We had ideological confrontation and separation. But now connectivity is in the interests of all countries." When talking about the Turkish path of modernization, Bagci remarked, "The Turkish modernization process remains a Western-style modernization. But Chinese modernization provides new advantages, and we have to look at the East. Our education is too Eurocentric, and our minds are Eurocentric. Looking at Asia enriches our way of interpreting and seeing the world." He shared that, "I have visited China 12 times up until now and these experiences enriched me intellectually. I saw the Chinese way of development and transferred it to Turkiye via television, radio and conferences. We can learn a lot from the Chinese style of modernization." Bagci said, "I have been in 120 countries already and my first visit to China was in 1995 and my last visit was in May this year. So, I can see how China has changed over the last 30 years. I am a witness of the Chinese modernization process and I see it through history." When discussing the rising partnership between China and Turkiye, Bagci emphasized, "We should continue to work together. More maneuver room politically, economically, and culturally. We should not be afraid of this openness and new developments in the globe. The bilateral relations between China and Turkiye are not only in trade terms, but also in culture, arts, and educational developments. More and more students in Turkiye are learning Chinese, more Chinese publications, and an increased presence of China in cultural intuitions. Equally, Turkiye is now more present in China." (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) Flight tickets for many routes from HCMC to northern and central provinces or cities for the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday have sold out. Vietnam is set for a nine-day holiday break from Jan. 25 to Feb. 2, 2025. Statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority show that flights from HCMC to provinces like Quang Binh and Thanh Hoa, or cities such as Pleiku (Gia Lai Province), Tuy Hoa (Phu Yen Province), Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh Province), Vinh (Nghe An Province), and Hue (Thua Thien-Hue Province) between Jan. 22-26 are fully booked. The HCMCHanoi route is less crowded, with flight booking rate only exceeding 80% on Jan. 25. Meanwhile, only 5-30% of tickets for flights from provinces and cities to HCMC have been sold, which is common for Tet. Return flights to HCMC are also fully booked from Jan. 30 to Feb. 7, when the holiday wraps up and people go back to work. In contrast, only 20-50% of the seats have been sold for flights from Hanoi to popular tourist destinations like Da Nang city, Phu Quoc and Lam Dong Provinces Da Lat city. Ticket prices are high during the holiday, with a one-way flight from HCMC to Hanoi on Jan. 22 costing VND3.14-3.74 million (US$123-147) depending on airlines, according to the aviation authority. Similarly, tickets for the HCMCDa Nang route cost VND2.1-2.5 million. These prices are higher than last year as the ceiling airfare for domestic flights was increased by an average of 3.75% on March 1, 2024. To meet high travel demand during the upcoming holiday, the aviation authority has been working to improve slot coordination at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. From Jan. 21 to Feb. 9, the number of flights accommodated per hour will be raised to 48 during the day and 46 at night. Airlines have been scrambling to lease aircraft since November to prepare for the Tet travel boom. Vietjet is expected to receive three new aircraft this month and plans to wet-lease six to 10 more planes to maximize service capacity. In the first half of the year, Vietnam's aviation market faced a severe aircraft shortage due to engine-related issues and the restructuring of Bamboo Airways and Pacific Airlines, causing both their fleets to shrink compared to last year. Leasing aircraft was challenging earlier this year due to high prices amid high travel demand in many international markets. But prices have recently eased now that it is the low tourism season in Europe, making it easier for Vietnamese airlines to lease planes, according to a representative of a Vietnamese carrier. Vaishnavi Gavankar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Tourists at a beach in Bali, Indonesia. Photo by AFP Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, aims to attract between 14.6-16 million international visitors in 2025, a slight increase compared to the target of 14.3 million visitors in 2024. Speaking to the media, Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said regarding domestic tourism, the ministry targets to record 1.08 billion domestic tourists, lower than the targets of 1.2-1.4 billion holidaymakers in 2023 and 2024. The sector is also expected to contribute 4.6% to Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, generate between US$19-22.1 billion, and create 25.8 million jobs. Widiyanti said that the number of foreign tourists to Indonesia in December 2024 is estimated at between 1-1.32 million, with revenue expected to be $1.4 billion 1.85 billion. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), as of October 2024, the country recorded 11.6 million international arrivals. 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I Accept Atishi to be arrested soon in fake case, claims Kejriwal Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Congress session in Karnataka's Belagavi begins tomorrow: How is the event linked to Mahatma Gandhi Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Superstition in politics: The 'dark room' of Maharashtra's mantralaya dreaded by ministers J. Kumar is an author, journalist and a political commentator based in in Mumbai who writes on crime and Maharashtra politics. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept A craftsman from the maintenance unit of the Potala Palace's management office processes wooden parts needed in refurbishment of the palace in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) LHASA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- In the early winter, just after the annual exterior wall painting project for the Potala Palace was completed, Tashi and his fellows, carrying paint buckets, carefully brushed fresh paint onto the palace's wooden window frames. Tashi, 49, is a craftsman from the maintenance unit of the Potala Palace's management office. Perched atop Mount Marpori in central Lhasa, the capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, the Potala Palace was built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century and expanded in the 17th century. The palace, a typical Tibetan traditional earth-stone-wood structure with more than 1,200 rooms, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 -- the same year the maintenance team was established. The team was later developed into a department, with the crew growing from 12 to more than 60 members. Composed of carpenters, stonemasons, tailors, painters and others, the team has made massive contributions to the preservation of the palace. Tashi was first hired as an electrician apprentice at the palace in 1993 before becoming one of the first members of the maintenance team. "At that time, the palace covered a total land area of 400,000 square meters and was like a maze for us," he recalled, adding that the team would go wherever repairs were needed. They learned various restoration skills while assisting experienced craftsmen. The learning process included helping carpenters replace wooden parts, assisting stonemasons with wall repairs and working high above the ground to paint exterior walls. In winter and summer, the maintenance department sends carpenters and stonemasons to inspect the safety of the main structure. "For example, if we have recorded insect holes on a wooden part that was treated half a year ago, we would need to check for any new holes. If necessary, we promptly carry out repairs or replacements," said Tashi. During their repairs, the craftsmen have to minimize intervention while preserving the integrity and authenticity of the architecture and the precious cultural relics inside. "We must use the best materials and craftsmanship techniques and maintain the highest restoration standards," said Donden Tsering, 63, a carpenter who has worked for the palace for 40 years. While inspecting the underground structures, the team even discovered dozens of new, previously unknown spaces in the palace. The discovery has provided a more comprehensive understanding of the palace's underground architectural supports, which greatly contributed to the second major restoration project. Over the past 30 years, the Chinese government has poured nearly 800 million yuan into projects including repairs on the palace's main structure, restoration of the golden roof, structural monitoring, preservation and utilization of ancient books and documents, as well as an online ticketing system, according to its management office. "The Potala Palace was built by our ancestors generation after generation. I hope we can contribute to the longer-term health of the palace," said Donden Tsering. Tashi, a craftsman from the maintenance unit of the Potala Palace's management office, performs a routine checkup at the palace in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Dec. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) Editor: Zhang Zhou When Atal Bihari Vajpayee considered dissolving BJP: Story of how a young party found its footing Nalin Mehta is the Managing Editor, Moneycontrol and Non-Resident Senior Fellow at Institute of South Asian Studies, National University Singapore. He is the author of several bestselling and critically acclaimed books, including The New BJP, Modi and the Making of the Worlds Largest Political Party. His latest book is Indias Techade: Digital Revolution and Change in the Worlds Largest Democracy. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of the publication. Armaan Bhatnagar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept Apple does not want to make a search engine and compete with Google, heres why Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The government paid Ukrainians UAH 232 million in cashback for purchasing Ukrainian-made goods in November, nearly double the amount paid in October. The average payment increased by 19.5%, from UAH 97 to UAH 116 per person, according to the Ministry of Economy's website on Wednesday. The number of cashback recipients rose by 800,000 compared to the previous month, reaching almost 2 million people. "This indicates that interest in the program and demand for Ukrainian-made goods continue to grow. Please note that payments for December and January will be made at the end of February 2025," said First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, as quoted in the publication. According to the Ministry, Ukrainians under 45 years old remain the most active program participants, making up 60% of all users. Middle-aged participants account for 24%, while seniors (60+) comprise 16%. Nearly 700,000 citizens did not receive payments because they failed to activate their cashback cards in the Diia app on time or accumulated less than UAH 2. The total cashback amount accrued but not disbursed to these users is UAH 48 million. Cashback payments for December and January will be processed in late February 2025 due to budgetary procedures. All accrued funds will be paid in full. As of December 25, 2024, 7.9 million citizens have joined the program, and 8.6 million National Cashback cards have been issued. Of these, 4.2 million cards have been activated in Diia for future payments. Since the program's launch three months ago, the total cashback disbursed has amounted to UAH 388 million. The program includes 1,665 manufacturers and 360,000 Ukrainian-made products. Major national retail chains, pharmacies, gas stations, and numerous regional and independent stores are participating. As reported, on October 11, First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that the Ministry of Economy had completed beta testing of the National Cashback program and decided to launch a national advertising campaign. The maximum monthly cashback amount is UAH 3,000, and funds can be spent by the 20th of the following month on medical and utility services, sports, cinema, train tickets, donations to the Armed Forces, or purchasing war bonds. Participating banks include PrivatBank, monobank, Ukrgasbank, Sense Bank, FUIB, A-Bank, Globus Bank, UkrSibbank BNP Paribas Group, Oschadbank, Accordbank, Bank Credit Dnipro, Pravex Bank, Clearing House, Radabank, and Raiffeisen Bank. Tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris Ukraine welcomes the completion of the study by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU), which confirms the veracity of the information about the properties of tobacco heating systems (IQOS) and points to the need to clarify it for better understanding by consumers. As the company's press service reported to the Interfax-Ukraine agency, during the study on the reliability of the information disseminated by the company about IQOS releasing 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes, the AMCU was provided with scientifically based, correct information about the product, which is confirmed by more than 50 scientific studies conducted in different countries around the world. "For Philip Morris, trust and honest relations with consumers have always been and remain in the first place Philip Morris awaits the full text of the AMCU recommendations and will take them into account in order to make information about such studies and the properties of IQOS even more detailed, accessible and understandable for Ukrainian consumers, which will contribute to their better awareness of such products," the company emphasized. In addition, it is reported that, since 2008, the company has invested more than $ 12.5 billion in the development, scientific research and commercialization of IQOS in the world. Since the product entered the Ukrainian market in 2016, investments in Ukraine amounted to about UAH 7 billion. In 2024 alone, $ 11 million was invested in the launch and development of commercial infrastructure for the innovative IQOS ILUMA tobacco heating system. Philip Morris Ukraine emphasized that the scientific basis is one of its key priorities, and promised to inform consumers about the results of scientific research in order to make information about them more accessible and understandable, and added that they have ambitions to further develop this area. On Tuesday, the AMCU provided Philip Morris Ukraine with recommendations to stop the dissemination of inaccurate information about the properties of tobacco heating systems (IQOS), according to the regulator's website. The committee recalled that the consideration of the case was preceded by a statement from an individual who contacted the regulator with a complaint about the actions of Philip Morris Sales and Distribution LLC, in particular, about the dissemination of claims about the greater safety of IQOS compared to cigarettes, which, in the applicant's opinion, misleads consumers. The WHO Representative Office in Ukraine and the Ministry of Health informed the AMCU that there is currently little research on the impact of electrically heated tobacco products (in particular on humans), since widespread marketing and use of these products is relatively new, and therefore additional research is needed to substantiate claims about the reduced risk of long-term impact of IQOS on consumer health. The AMCU, during a consumer survey, found that some of them misinterpret the information that the tobacco product manufacturer wants to convey to them, claiming that IQOS is safer than cigarettes. "When considering the case on variations of the claim "IQOS emits 95% less harmful chemicals than cigarettes" with explanations/reservations to them, it was established that they do not contain an indication of the specific amount of harmful chemicals on which the calculation of the reduction in the level of such substances emitted during smoking IQOS and cigarettes was based, therefore, such claims are inaccurate," the regulator emphasized. The AMCU also found that claims about the lower risk of IQOS compared to cigarettes lack information about the studies on which such a conclusion is based, therefore, such claims are inaccurate. The regulator instructed Philip Morris Sales and Distribution LLC to further inform consumers about the properties of IQOS in a way that eliminates inaccuracies. As reported, on December 30, 2022, the AMCU opened a case against Philip Morris Sales and Distribution LLC on possible unfair competition, since the company, when advertising its IQOS tobacco heating systems, claims that they are safer for smokers' health than regular cigarettes. PrJSC Philip Morris Ukraine is part of Philip Morris International, which is one of the world's largest tobacco manufacturers. It has been operating in Ukraine for over 20 years and owns a factory in Kharkiv region. Before the Russian armed invasion, the company employed about 1,300 people. Before the war, the factory was an export hub for more than 20 countries, including such large markets as Japan and Egypt. Guam Delegate James Moylan gives a speech during the 2024 Year of the Veteran Kick-Off Event at the Tumon Sands Plaza in Tumon on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Stacey Renee Christ -- TCSO booking photo View Photo Sonora, CA A Sonora woman is now facing murder charges for her role in a mans overdose death. Tuolumne County District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke announced on Monday, December 23, 2024, that her office had filed murder charges against Stacey Christ for the death of Richard Bennett II of Sonora, who died in October from an acute fentanyl poisoning overdose. As reported on November 7th, Christ and two other suspects were pulled over on Highway 108 near Green Springs Road in the Keystone area. A search of their vehicle uncovered over 28 grams of fentanyl-isotonitazene (I-so-toe-nite-ah-zeen), a synthetic opioid 20 times stronger than fentanyl, and other illegal substances. The three were arrested on various drug-related felonies, including sales and transportation. Jenecke shared, After an over 10-week investigation conducted by the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Team (TNT), it is alleged that Christ provided the fentanyl to Bennett that caused his death despite Christ knowing of the inherent dangers of fentanyl. Christ can be charged with murder due to Proposition 36, also known as Alexandrias Law, which was passed last month. It is an advisement that finds that if someone dies as a result of drugs provided by a person, that person can be charged with murder. Jenecke says her office has been advising suspects of this for over a year. Fentanyl continues to be a pressing public safety issue, with fentanyl-related overdoses plaguing our community. The District Attorneys Office, along with our law enforcement partners, is committed to investigating and prosecuting these types of crimes, vowed Jenecke. Anyone with information regarding the death of Bennett or drug sales in the community is asked to contact the TNT tip line at (209) 533-5884. Yves here. With science (particularly medicine) corrupted by commercial interests, yet elite authorities and mouthpieces insisting that the masses defer to the science, debates and decisions over safety are moving more and more into the political realm. That normally would not be a bad thing. Most favor risk avoidance with respect to large scale experiments on the public, consistent with the dictates of the precautionary principle. However, many views are now influenced by finely-tuned PR campaigns.again on behalf of monied interests. So even with more informed layperson input on novel and potentially dangerous technologieswho can mind the minders if the minders are very clever at cherry-picking and spinning relevant information? Please note that the post includes three infographics that are useful but not critical to the post. Sometimes I can see in the code how to resize them, but these had no obvious clues. If any helpful readers can advise, please e-mail me at yves-at-nakedcapitalism-dot-com with Resize in the subject line. Or you can view them at the original location. By Michael Schulson, a contributing editor for Undark whose work been published by Aeon, NPR, Pacific Standard, Scientific American, Slate, and Wired, among other publications., and Peter Andrey Smith, a senior contributor at Undark, whose stories have been featured in Science, STAT, The New York Times, and WNYC Radiolab. Originally published at Undark The project was so secret, most members of Congress didnt even know it existed. In 1942, when an elite team of physicists set out to produce an atomic bomb, military leaders took elaborate steps to conceal their activities from the American public and lawmakers. There were good reasons, of course, to keep a wartime weapons development project under wraps. (Unsuccessfully: Soviet spies learned about the bomb before most members of Congress.) But the result was striking: In the worlds flagship democracy, a society-redefining project took place, for about three years, without the knowledge or consent of the public or their elected representatives. After the war, one official described the Manhattan Project as a separate state with a peculiar sovereignty, one that could bring about the end, peacefully or violently, of all other sovereignties. Todays cousins to the Manhattan Project scientific research with the potential, however small, to cause a global catastrophe seem to be proceeding more openly. But, in many cases, the public still has little opportunity to consent to the march of scientific progress. Which specific experiments are safe, and which are not? What are acceptable levels of risk? And is there science that simply should never be done? Such decisions are arguably among the most politically consequential of our time. But they are often made behind closed doors, by small groups of scientists, executives, or bureaucrats. In some cases, critics say, the simple decision to do the research at all no matter how low-risk a given experiment may be advances the field toward riskier horizons. In the text and graphics that follow, we attempt to illuminate some of the key people who are currently entrusted with making these weighty decisions in three fields: pathogen research, artificial intelligence, and solar geoengineering. Identifying such decision makers is necessarily a subjective exercise. Many names are surely missing; others will change with the incoming administration of Donald Trump. And in every field, decisions are rarely made in isolation by any one person or even small group of persons, but as a distributed process involving varying layers of input from formal and informal advisers, committees, working groups, appointees, and executives. The extent of oversight also varies across disciplines, both domestically and across the globe, with pathogen research being much more regulated than the more emergent fields of AI and geoengineering. For AI and pathogen research, our focus is limited to the United States reflecting both a need to limit the scope of our reporting, and the degree to which American science currently leads the world in both fields, even as it faces stiff competition on AI from China. With those caveats in mind, we offer a sampling illustrative but by no means comprehensive of people who are part of the decision-making chain in each category as of late 2024. Taken as a whole, they appear to be a deeply unrepresentative group one disproportionately White, male, and drawn from the professional class. In some cases, they occupy the top tiers of business or government. In others, they are members of lesser-known organizational structures and in still others, the identities of key players remain entirely unknown. Pathogen Research Most research with dangerous bacteria and viruses poses little risk to the public. But some experiments, often called gain-of-function work, involve engineering pathogens in ways that may make them better at infecting and harming human beings. The scientists who do this work say their goal is to learn how to prevent and fight future pandemics. But, for a portion of such experiments, an accidental lab leak could have global repercussions. Today, many experts are convinced that Covid-19 jumped from an animal to a person and most evidence collected to date points squarely in that direction. Still, some scientists and U.S. government analysts believe that the Covid-19 pandemic may have originated at a Chinese laboratory that received U.S. funding Whatever the reality, the possibility of a lab leak has heightened public awareness of risky pathogen research. One of the secretive committees that makes decisions about potential gain-of-function research is housed with the National Institutes of Health. The other is part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within HHS. Spokespeople for both offices declined to share details about the committees memberships, or even to specify which senior officials coordinate and oversee the committees activities. I think some of this is for good reason, like preserving the scientific integrity and protecting science from political interference, said one former federal official who worked outside of HHS, in response to a question about why details about oversight are often difficult to pin down. (The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the views expressed may not reflect those of their current employer.) I think some of this is also driven by an inability of HHS to understand how to navigate increasing public scrutiny of this kind of work, the official added, describing the lack of transparency around the special HHS review panel as totally crazy. Artificial Intelligence If pathogen research is mostly funded and overseen by government agencies, AI is the opposite a massive societal shift that is, in recent years, led by the private sector. The consequences of the technology are already far-reaching: Automated processes have denied people housing and health care coverage, sometimes in error. Facial recognition algorithms have falsely tagged women and people of color as shoplifters. AI systems have also been used to generate nonconsensual sexual imagery. Other risks are hard to predict. For years, some experts have warned that a hyperintelligent AI could pose profound risks to society harming human beings, supercharging warfare, or even leading to human extinction. Last year, a group of roughly 300 AI luminaries issued a one-sentence warning: Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war. Many other experts, especially in academia, characterize those kinds of warnings principally as a marketing stunt, intended to deflect concern from the technologys more immediate consequences. The very same people who are making and profiting by AI are the ones who are trying to sell us on an existential threat, said Ryan Calo, a co-founder of the University of Washingtons Center for an Informed Public. Its cheaper to guard against existential threat that is future speculative, he said, than it is to actually solve the problems that AI is creating today. Despite calls for regulatory scrutiny, no federal agency comparable to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducts pre-market approval for AI systems, requiring developers to prove the safety and efficacy of their product prior to use. Federal regulatory agencies have made limited moves to oversee specific applications of the technology, such as when the Federal Trade Commission banned Rite Aid from using face-recognition software for five years. At the state level, Californias governor recently vetoed a controversial bill that may have curbed the techs development. Solar Geoengineering In theory, injecting particles into the atmosphere could reflect sunlight, cooling the planet and reversing some of the worst effects of climate change. So could altering clouds over the ocean so that they reflect more light. In practice, critics say, solar geoengineering could also bring harms, both directly (for example, by changing rainfall patterns) or indirectly (by sapping resources from more fundamental climate solutions like reducing greenhouse gas emissions.) And once interventions are underway, they may be difficult or dangerous to stop. Right now, the science on geoengineering largely consists of computer models and a handful of small-scale tests. But in 2022, worried about where the field was trending, hundreds of scientists and activists called for a moratorium on most research. Some experts suggest that even small, harmless real-world tests are paving the way for future, riskier interventions. Within the U.S., no single government agency exercises clear-cut control over the decision of whether to test or use that technology, although certain outdoor experiments could plausibly trigger regulators attention for example, if they affect endangered species. Globally, experts say, it remains unclear how existing international treaties or agencies could limit solar geoengineering, which could allow a single country or company to unilaterally alter the global climate. Its a very small group of people making decisions about solar geoengineering, said Shuchi Talati, founder of the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering. Its a very elite space. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) reported the completion of rescue operations in Kryvy Rih at the site of the missile strike. "Kryvy Rih: as a result of an enemy missile strike, one person was killed, and another 17 were injured, including two children. Emergency rescue operations completed," the Service said a message published on the Telegram channel on the morning of December 25 As reported, the number of victims as a result of the Russian strike on Kryvy Rih on Tuesday, December 24, increased to 15 people. This was reported by the head of Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, Serhiy Lysak. Mumbai, Dec 25 : Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently gave fans a delightful peek into her familys holiday festivities. On Wednesday, the desi girl took to Instagram Stories to share a photo of her personalized Christmas stocking. The stocking, adorned with her name at the top, was filled with treats wrapped in stylish black netting. Beside hers, fans noticed another stocking belonging to her daughter, Malti Marie. Adding a playful twist to the post, Priyanka joked about the stockings contents, writing, This stocking stuffing is definitely giving naughty, not nice accompanied by a laughing emoji. She also tagged her husband, Nick Jonas, in the post. Earlier, the Baywatch actress shared glimpses of her pre-Christmas moments with Nick, Malti Marie, and their furry companions. One snapshot captured a sweet romantic moment between Priyanka and Nick, with Priyanka looking radiant in a red-and-white ensemble and Nick dashing in a black suit. The actress captioned the post with a simple yet heartfelt, Home. Other photos offered a glimpse into the familys festive cheer. One adorable picture featured little Malti embracing her sporty side as she played with a bat. Another showed her happily immersed in her toys. In a third snapshot, Malti enjoyed a scrumptious meal. Meanwhile, on the work front, PeeCee is gearing up for the second season of Citadel, where she will reprise her role as Agent Nadia. In the action thriller, she will return as the fiery Nadia Sinh. Actor Richard Madden will also return as Mason Kane/Kyle Conroy. Joining them are Stanley Tucci, Leslie Manville, Ashleigh Cummings, Roland Mller, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Moira Kelly. Priyanka recently wrapped up filming for the upcoming season in London. In addition to Citadel, she has two highly anticipated projects: The Bluff and Heads of State, co-starring Idris Elba and John Cena. On the other hand, Nick Jonas has been touring the US with his brothers, Joe and Kevin Jonas. Mumbai, Dec 25 : Actor Kanwar Dhillon, known for his performances in Arjun in Udne Ki Aasha, has given out advice to budding actors and urged them to never give up, no matter how long it takes. In a candid conversation, Kanwar emphasised the importance of passion and preparation in acting. "One advice I would like to give anyone who wants to become an actor is that dont just become an actor for the sake of it, without any desire or knowing the craft. The camera catches everything. Hone your craft, know your flaws, work on them, and never give up, no matter how long it takes," he advised. Reflecting on the success of Udne Ki Aasha, he said: "I signed this show with a clean slate but always believed in its potential. Seeing it top the charts is a humbling and gratifying experience, but it also comes with the pressure to sustain that position." As he looks forward to 2025, Kanwars New Years resolution is simple yet meaningful: "To keep working hard, making my family and fans proud, and professionally growing by choosing projects that challenge me. Personally, I aim to get back to hobbies like bike rides and my workout routine." Kanwars biggest takeaway from the past year is the importance of gratitude and trusting his instincts. "2024 taught me to expect the unexpected and trust my gut. Gratitude towards everyone who has supported me is key to my journey." Kanwar is recognised for his portrayal of Shiva Pandya in Pandya Store. He made his acting debut with The Buddy Project, portraying Kunal in 2012. His first major appearance came with Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 2, where he portrayed Aditya Vyas Bhatnagar. His other work include portraying Vidhaan Nayak in Do Dil Ek Jaan and Arjun Singh in Piya Rangrezz. In the continual arms race between parasites and their hosts, innovation was thought to be the key to a successful attack or defense that one-ups the competition. But sometimes, as in the corporate world, outright theft can be a quicker way to achieve dominance. University of California, Berkeley biologists have shown that several species of fruit fly have stolen a successful defense from bacteria to survive predation by parasitic wasps, which in some flies can turn half of all fly larvae into surrogate wombs for baby wasps - a gruesome fate that inspired the creature in the 1979 movie "Alien." Bacteria and other microbes are famous for stealing genes from other microbes or viruses; this so-called horizontal gene transfer is the source of troublesome antibiotic resistance among disease-causing microbes. But it's thought to be less common in multicellular organisms, such as insects and humans. Understanding how common it is in animals and how these genes are co-opted and shared can help scientists understand the evolution of animal immune defenses and could point the way to human therapies to fight parasitic or infectious diseases or cancer, itself a kind of parasite. It's a model for understanding how immune systems evolve, including our immune system, which also contains horizontally transferred genes." Noah Whiteman, UC Berkeley professor of molecular and cell biology and of integrative biology and director of the campus's Essig Museum of Entomology Last year, the researchers and their colleagues in Hungary used CRISPR genome editing to knock out the gene responsible for the defense in one widespread fly species, Drosophila ananassae, and found that nearly all the genetically modified flies died from predation by parasitic wasps. In a new study published Dec. 20 in the journal Current Biology, the biologists demonstrated that this defense - a gene that encodes a toxin - can be edited into the genome of the common laboratory fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to make them resistant to parasitoid wasps as well. The gene essentially becomes part of the fly's immune system, one weapon in its armamentarium to fend off parasites. The results demonstrate how crucial the stolen defense is to fly survival and highlights a strategy that may be more common in animals that scientists suspect. "This shows that horizontal gene transfer is an underappreciated way that rapid evolution happens in animals," said UC Berkeley doctoral student Rebecca Tarnopol, first author of the Current Biology paper. "People appreciate horizontal gene transfer as one of the major drivers of rapid adaptation in microbes, but these events were thought to be super uncommon in animals. But at least in insects, it seems like they're fairly frequent." According to Whiteman, senior author of the paper, "The study shows that in order to keep up with the barrage of parasites that are continually evolving new ways to overcome host defenses, a good strategy for animals is to borrow genes from even more rapidly evolving viruses and bacteria, and that's just what these flies have done." Gene flow from virus to bacteria to fly Whiteman studies how insects evolve to resist the toxins that plants produce to prevent being eaten. In 2023, he published a book, "Most Delicious Poison," about the plant toxins that humans have come to enjoy, such as caffeine and nicotine. One plant-herbivore interaction he focuses on is that between the common fruit fly Scaptomyza flava and sour-tasting mustard plants, like the cresses that grow in streams throughout the world. "The larvae, the immature stages of the fly, live in the leaves of the plant. They're leaf miners, they leave little trails in the leaves," Whiteman said. "They're true parasites of the plant and the plant's trying to kill them with its specialized chemicals. We study that arms race." What he's learned, however, likely applies to many other insects, among the most successful herbivores on Earth. "These are obscure little flies, but if you think about the fact that half of all living insect species are herbivores, it's a very popular life history. Understanding the evolution of that is really important for understanding evolution in general in terms of how successful herbivores are," he said. Several years ago, after sequencing the fly's genome in search of genes that allow it to resist mustard toxins, he discovered an unusual gene that he learned was widespread in bacteria. A search through earlier published genome sequences turned up the same gene in a related fly, Drosophila ananassae, as well as in a bacteria that lives inside an aphid. Researchers studying the aphid uncovered a complicated story: The gene actually comes from a bacterial virus, or bacteriophage, that infects the bacteria that live inside the aphid. The bacteriophage gene, expressed by the bacteria, makes the aphid resistant to a parasitic wasp that plagues it. These wasps lay their eggs inside the larvae, or maggots, and remain there until the larvae turn into immobile pupae, at which point the wasp eggs mature into wasp larvae that consume the fly pupa, eventually emerging as adults. When Tarnopol first used gene editing to express the toxin gene in all cells of D. melanogaster, all the flies died. But when Tarnopol expressed the gene only in certain immune cells, the fly became as resistant to parasites as its cousin, D. ananassae. Whiteman, Tarnopol, and their colleagues subsequently discovered that the gene found in the genome of D. ananassae - a fusion between two toxin genes, cytolethal distending toxin B (cdtB) and apoptosis inducing protein of 56kDa (aip56), that the researchers called fusionB - codes for an enzyme that cuts up DNA. To discover how this nuclease is able to kill a wasp egg, the UC Berkeley researchers reached out to Istvan Ando at the Institute of Genetics of the HUN-REN Biological Research Centre in Szeged, Hungary, which had previously shown that these same flies have a cellular defense against wasp eggs that essentially walls off the eggs from the fly's body and kills them. Ando and his lab colleagues created antibodies to the toxin that allowed them to track it through the fly's body and found that the nuclease essentially floods the fly's body to surround and kill the egg. "We've been finding this huge untapped world of humoral immune factors that might be at play in the immune system of invertebrates," Tarnopol said. "Our paper is one of the first ones to show, at least in Drosophila, that this type of immune response might be a common mechanism by which natural enemies like wasps and nematodes are dealt with. They are way more lethal in nature than some of the microbial infections that most people work with." Whiteman and his colleagues are still exploring the complexities of these interactions between fly and wasp, and the cellular and genetic changes that allowed the flies to synthesize a toxin without killing itself. "If the gene is expressed in the wrong tissue, the fly is going to die. That gene is never going to sweep through populations through natural selection," Whiteman said. "But if it lands in a place in the genome that's near some enhancer or some regulatory component that expresses it a little bit in fat body tissue, then you can see how it can get this leg up really quickly, you get this amazing advantage." Horizontal gene transfer in any organism would pose similar problems, he said, but in the arms race between predator and prey, it may be worth it. "When you're a poor little fruit fly, how do you deal with these pathogens and parasites that are rapidly evolving to take advantage of you?" he said. "One way is to borrow genes from bacteria and viruses because they're rapidly evolving. It's an ingenious strategy - instead of waiting around for your own genes to help you, take them from other organisms that are more rapidly evolving than themselves. And that seems to have happened many times independently in insects, given that so many different ones have taken up this gene. It gives us a picture of a new kind of dynamism that is occurring even in animals that have just innate immune systems and don't have adaptive immunity." Whiteman's work was funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (R35GM119816). Other co-authors of the paper are Josephine Tamsil, Ji Heon Ha, Kirsten Verster and Susan Bernstein of UC Berkeley, Gyongyi Cinege, Edit Abraham, Lilla B. Magyar and Zoltan Lipinszki of Hungary and Bernard Kim of Stanford University. Cardiovascular disease continues to lead as the primary cause of death across the globe, taking millions of lives every year. Damage caused by these diseases is particularly difficult to repair, since the heart has minimal ability to regenerate itself. But what if we could reprogram the body's own cells to restore damaged tissue? This groundbreaking question has been tackled by scientists at Korea University, led by Dr. Myeong-Hwa Song. The team has unveiled an innovative technique to convert fibroblasts - common connective tissue cells - into mature and functional induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs). Their method relies on combining fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) with vitamin C, a pairing that accelerates cell maturation and enhances function. "Our findings bring us closer to transforming regenerative medicine into practical therapies," says Dr. Song, who is based at Korea University's Department of Cardiology and in Seoul, South Korea. "This research takes an important step toward using a patient's own cells to repair their heart." Direct cardiac reprogramming, a process that bypasses the intermediate stem cell stage, allows fibroblasts to be converted into iCMs. While this approach holds significant promise, scientists have struggled to produce mature and fully functional cardiomyocytes. The Korea University team addressed this hurdle by activating a critical cellular mechanism: the JAK2STAT3 signaling pathway. Through their research, the scientists employed advanced techniques like RNA sequencing, fluorescence imaging, and electrophysiological testing. Their results revealed key improvements: better cell structure with well-defined sarcomeres and T-tubules, enhanced electrical activity with improved ion channel function, and a higher efficiency in generating mature, fully reprogrammed cardiomyocytes. Dr. Song explained that the JAK2-STAT3 pathway was crucial to these outcomes, enabling the induction of cells that closely mimic the structure and function of natural cardiomyocytes. This discovery, published in Experimental & Molecular Medicine on October 10, 2024, holds tremendous promise for regenerative medicine. By promoting mature cardiomyocytes from a patient's own tissue, it may one day be possible to repair damage from heart attacks or other cardiovascular conditions. Such an approach could reduce reliance on heart transplants and potentially revolutionize treatments for millions of patients. However, further studies are necessary to ensure this method is both safe and effective for clinical use. "We're thrilled with these results, but this is just the beginning," says Prof. Song. "More research will be required before we can bring this approach to patients. That said, the possibilities are incredibly exciting." If translated into therapy, this technique could provide a personalized solution for regenerating heart tissue, establishing a significant advance in combating cardiovascular disease. Tamil Nadu Govt Plans New Greenfield Airport in Hosur to Boost Business and Logistics Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 14:40 IST The site near a private airstrip is likely to be chosen for the detailed study, with negotiations underway to acquire the airstrip if the price is right. In September, a multi-disciplinary team from AAI and TIDCO evaluated the feasibility of four proposed sites near Hosur. (Photo: Business Today)(Representational Image) The Tamil Nadu government has shortlisted two potential sites in Hosur, Krishnagiri district, for a new greenfield airport to support the regions booming manufacturing sector. According to TOI, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will soon conduct a detailed study of two shortlisted locations, both within 20 km of each other. This decision follows a high-level meeting led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the state secretariat. related stories In September, a multi-disciplinary team from AAI and TIDCO assessed four proposed locations near Hosur: Thogarai Agraharam, Shoolagiri, Dhasapalli, and a site near a private airstrip. Based on an interim report, two sites have now been shortlisted for further evaluation. The state government plans to formally request AAI to conduct the detailed study next week. The area near the private airstrip is a strong contender for the airport. The government is also in talks with the private firm that owns the airstrip, with the potential purchase depending on the companys willingness to sell at a reasonable price. Srivats Ram, Chairman of the CII Tamil Nadu State Council and Managing Director of Wheels India Ltd, highlighted the importance of the proposed airport. It will become a vital hub for business and logistics across southern India, creating a dynamic twin-city ecosystem with Bengaluru and driving growth in nearby districts like Dharmapuri and Salem," he said as quoted by TOI. Despite challenges, the airport project could transform Hosur into a major economic and logistical centre, solidifying Tamil Nadus role as an industrial powerhouse. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hosur has long been known as an automotive hub and is now expanding into advanced manufacturing, electronics, and electric vehicles. In June, Chief Minister Stalin revealed that the proposed airport, covering 2,000 acres, will have the capacity to handle up to 30 million passengers annually. Hosurs airport push comes as the Karnataka government is also exploring the idea of a second airport for Bengaluru, further highlighting the regions growing importance in South Indias transportation and business networks. First Published: December 25, 2024, 14:40 IST 18% GST On Old, Used Cars Only If Seller Earns A Margin: Report Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 08:00 IST Here's an overview of the GST Council's recommendation and the tax that will need to pay when selling used cars. The GST Council has clarified that no new tax will be imposed on old and used cars On Tuesday, government sources said that the GST Council has not recommended the imposition of any new tax for old and used vehicles in the recent meeting. The experts clarified that the GST Council has simplified the tax rate and recommended unifying and prescribing a single rate of GST on the sale of all old and used vehicles including EVs at 18%. In the past, the GST on old and used vehicles was levied at different rates. However, the GST Council has now decided to prescribe a single rate of 18% on the sale of all old and used vehicles, including Electric Vehicles (EVs). related stories If an individual sells an old and used car to another individual (i.e., a private sale), GST will not apply. For registered persons who have claimed depreciation under Section 32 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, GST will be payable only on the margin. The margin is defined as the difference between the consideration (selling price) received for the vehicle and its depreciated value on the date of sale. This update clarifies the tax treatment for the sale of used vehicles and streamlines the process for both buyers and sellers. Where such margin is negative, no GST is payable," a source said. For example, if a registered person is selling an old and used vehicle to any person at Rs 10 lakh, where the purchase price of the vehicle was Rs 20 lakh and has claimed depreciation of Rs 8 lakh on the same under Income Tax Act, then he is not required to pay any GST as the margin of the supplier, that is differential value of the selling price (Rs 10 lakh) and the depreciated value which is Rs 12 lakhs, is negative. In case the depreciated value in the above example remains the same at Rs 12 lakh and the selling price is Rs 15 lakh, GST will be payable on the margin of the supplier i.e on Rs 3 lakh at the rate of 18 per cent. In any other cases, GST is payable only on the value that represents the margin of the supplier i.e. the difference between selling price and the purchase price. Again, where such margin is negative, no GST is payable. For example, if a registered person is selling an old and used vehicle to any person at Rs 10 lakh, where the purchase price of the vehicle by the registered person was Rs 12 lakh, then he is not required to pay any GST as the margin of the supplier is negative in this case. In cases where the purchase price of the vehicle was Rs 20 lakh and the selling price is Rs 22 lakh, GST of 18 per cent will be payable on the margin of supplier, that is, Rs 2 lakh. EY Tax Partner Saurabh Agarwal said the GST Council has recommended increasing the GST rate on old and used EVs and small fossil fuel cars from 12 per cent to 18 per cent, aligning it with the rate for larger cars and SUVs. Its important to note that GST on second hand vehicles will be applied only on margins and not on sale value of vehicles (sale value less income tax depreciated cost of vehicle or purchase price, as the case may be). Prior to the proposed amendment, GST on second hand EVs was applicable on the complete sale value of the vehicle. Therefore, the proposed change should not be looked as a deterrent for second hand EVs. This should in turn be a welcome step as it would likely bring down the cost for second hand EVs (till the time margins earned are less than 27.78 per cent of the purchase price). At best, it will increase the cost of second hand small fossil fuel cars by 0.6-1.5 per cent (assuming margins would range for 10-25 per cent of purchase price)," Agarwal said. This proposal appears to be in line with the vision of the government where they want to restrict pollution levels arising due to rapidly growing second hand car market, he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all AMRG & Associates Senior Partner Rajat Mohan said for EVs, which already benefit from government incentives to promote their adoption, the hike in GST on resale could slightly deter cost-sensitive buyers, potentially impacting the overall EV penetration in secondary markets. Dealers will now need to maintain impeccable records of transactions to comply with these changes effectively. While this revision boosts revenue potential for the government, it demands adaptability from businesses and awareness among consumers regarding the net impact on resale pricing," Mohan added. First Published: December 25, 2024, 08:00 IST On the morning of December 25, the Russian military launched an attack on DTEK's thermal power plants (TPPs), causing significant damage to equipment, the company reported on its Telegram channel. "Today, Russia carried out yet another massive terrorist attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, targeting DTEK's thermal power plants. As a result, critical equipment at the TPPs suffered significant damage," the statement read. The company emphasized that once the shelling ceased, energy workers promptly began addressing the damage and restoring equipment functionality. "This marks the 13th heavy attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this year and the 10th targeted assault on DTEK's energy facilities," the company said. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, DTEK's thermal power plants have been shelled over 200 times. Motilal Oswal Predicts Market Recovery In 2025, Bets On IT, BFSI, And Real Estate Sectors Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 13:52 IST Market Outlook 2025: Year may unfold in 2 phases: first half could continue with market consolidation, while a recovery may occur in second half Market Outlook 2025 In the past two months, the Indian stock market has experienced an 11% correction from its all-time high. This decline marks the third significant downturn since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, driven by a combination of domestic and global factors, including record-high selling by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs). Despite the recent cooling in large-cap valuations, Motilal Oswal Wealth Management remains optimistic about sectors such as IT, healthcare, and BFSI. FIIs sold over Rs 1.5 lakh crore in October and November, marking the largest two-month selling spree in history. Factors such as moderated earnings, high valuations in mid-caps and small caps, and a strengthening US dollar after Donald Trumps election contributed to FIIs shifting their focus away from India, according to Motilals annual report. related stories However, optimism returned to the market following the BJPs decisive victories in Maharashtra and Haryana in late November. Investors anticipate increased government spending, favorable policy changes, and faster execution of key infrastructure projects. This sentiment was further bolstered by a 50bps cut in the CRR by the RBI, which is expected to enhance liquidity in the market. In the near term, Motilal recommends maintaining an overweight position in large-cap stocks while selectively allocating to mid and small-cap stocks. The firms sector preferences are as follows: Overweight: IT, Healthcare, BFSI, Consumer Discretionary, Industrials, Real Estate, and niche themes such as Capital Markets, EMS, Digital E-commerce, and Hotels. IT, Healthcare, BFSI, Consumer Discretionary, Industrials, Real Estate, and niche themes such as Capital Markets, EMS, Digital E-commerce, and Hotels. Underweight: Metals, Energy, and Automobiles. Motilal Oswal Wealth Management sees the BFSI sector as well-positioned to navigate the current uncertainties, with expected repo rate cuts in Q1CY25 likely to boost profitability. The Capital Markets sector remains positive, driven by the rise in retail participation, the surge in demat accounts, and the ongoing financialization and digitization of savings. After two years of subdued technology spending, the US tech sector is poised for recovery under President Trumps new administration, supported by continued rate cuts. This trend is expected to benefit Indias IT sector, particularly companies focused on AI, automation, and cloud services. The Consumer Discretionary sector stands to benefit from shifts in consumer purchasing behavior, transitioning from unorganized to organized retail. Companies catering to this shift are likely to perform well. India is set to lead the global digital infrastructure market, with e-retail penetration projected to reach 10% by 2027. Companies with strong capabilities in next-generation technologies are better positioned for success. The governments push for component manufacturing and localization is expected to benefit fast-growing industrial sectors like data centers, transmission, electronics, and EMS, providing a boost to capital goods companies. Motilals top stock picks for 2025 include ICICI Bank, HCL Tech, L&T, Zomato, NAM India, Mankind, Lemon Tree, Polycab, Macrotech Developers, and Syrma SGS. What to Expect in 2025? The year 2025 may unfold in two phases: the first half could continue with market consolidation, while a recovery may occur in the second half. Indian markets will be influenced by both global and domestic economic events. Anticipated rate cuts by the RBI in February 2025, along with continued US rate cuts and expected changes in US trade policy after Trump takes office, are expected to contribute to market volatility. Additionally, the Union Budget in February 2025 will provide key signals to the market. Given the fragile global economic environment and mixed macroeconomic factors at home, the market is expected to remain in consolidation mode in the near term. Corporate Earnings Outlook top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After a subdued earnings performance in the first half of FY25, earnings are expected to recover in the second half, driven by increased rural spending, a buoyant wedding season, and a pickup in government spending. Earnings are expected to grow at a 16% CAGR over FY25-27E. The recent market correction and moderated valuations present an opportunity to selectively add bottom-up stock ideas. Despite near-term volatility, the long-term outlook remains positive, supported by the strength of corporate Indias balance sheets and the potential for robust, profitable growth. Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. First Published: December 25, 2024, 13:52 IST DHL Courier Scam: Key Warning Signs And Preventive Measures To Avoid Getting Duped Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 11:08 IST Scammers all over the world are impersonating DHLs missed delivery notes by adopting the same typeface and colour. There have been recent reports of delivery scams in Singapore, India and Ireland. DHL courier delivery scams have recently targeted a large number of people globally. Reports of this scam have arisen in the past few days from as far away as Singapore, India, and Ireland. The most concerning aspect of this scam is that fraudsters have been able to replicate DHLs identical shade of yellow as well as its design, typeface, tone, and language. Since DHL is a worldwide carrier and consistently communicates with the public, this new scam has spread widely. related stories Heres All About The DHL Courier QR Code Scam If you have ever used a courier service, you are aware that the couriers will either call you if the order cannot be delivered or leave a missed delivery notice if you are not reachable. DHL also uses the same procedure. Additionally, a QR code and instructions on how to set up a different delivery attempt are included in the DHL missed delivery message. You may have noticed that DHL uses a standard template, around the size of a medium postcard, for all missed delivery notes. A QR code and link to the official DHL website, not any other website, will be present on a real DHL missed delivery note. It is important to note that to exit your browser and get in touch with DHL right away if you are taken to a website other than DHL. Additionally, keep in mind that DHL will never charge you money to reschedule a delivery; therefore, if you are asked to pay, you can be sure that the website is fraudulent. Furthermore, check the waybill number on the official courier website if you ever receive a missed delivery note. You can see the information if the delivery is authentic; if it is fake, you can tell. As an alternative, you can scan the QR code to check if it takes you to the DHL website. Finally, look through all of your e-commerce sites where you often place orders to see whether you have recently placed any orders that are being shipped by DHL. To find out if this is a legitimate missed delivery note or not, you can also give DHL Indias customer service a call. Meanwhile, DHL India, Ireland, and other nations have released a public interest advisory regarding this missing delivery card. It should take you to the official DHL" website rather than any other website, and it should not request payment. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all https://x.com/DHLExpressIndia/ status/1869316680171815273 Were aware of social media and WhatsApp messages circulating today about a potential DHL Not Home" card scam involving our On Demand Delivery service," DHL Ireland stated in a public interest advisory on December 18, 2024. First Published: December 25, 2024, 11:08 IST CBSE To Roll Out Massive Training Programme To Upgrade 15 Lakh Teachers Across India | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 10:04 IST News18 has learnt that the CBSE will launch a Training Intervention Framework & Solutions (TIFS) framework next year. The scale of the exercise is unprecedented as it will cover 15 lakh teachers in 30,000 CBSE-affiliated schools in the entire country The TIFS training will cover primary teachers (grade 1 to 5), Trained Graduate Teachers (grade 6 to 8), Post Graduate Teachers (grade 9 to 12), Vice-Principals, Principals and others. (Getty Images) Around 15 lakh teachers, right from the school principal to the primary class teacher, will undergo a comprehensive 50-hour training programme in 2025 to enhance their competency in teaching students as part of a massive pan-India exercise. News18 has learnt that the CBSE will launch a Training Intervention Framework & Solutions (TIFS) framework next year for the professional development of teachers. The scale of the exercise is unprecedented as it will cover 15 lakh teachers in 30,000 CBSE-affiliated schools in the entire country. related stories The mandate of the CBSE includes serving the educational institutions more effectively, to be responsive to the educational needs of the students. The National Education Policy 2020 recommends a competency-focused education and hence capacity building of teachers becomes a critical need. The NEP recommends mandatory 50 hours of Continuous Professional Development for every teacher and head teacher. The TIFS training will cover primary teachers (grade 1 to 5), Trained Graduate Teachers (grade 6 to 8), Post Graduate Teachers (grade 9 to 12), Vice-Principals, Principals, Counsellors, Coordinators, Librarians and others. To meet the annual training targets, a comprehensive training system is considered crucial for managing the entire training activities from identification of training needs, curriculum design, development of content, delivery of training, monitoring, and evaluation to assess the impact of such training. The Board desires to strengthen its training division by introducing a robust and integrated system, Training Intervention Framework & Solutions (TIFS), to manage the entire lifecycle of training activities," says a CBSE document. What is TIFS? The idea is to achieve academic excellence by empowering teachers through regular training in academic subjects. The examination result data gives an insight to determine the school-wise, subject-wise, region-wise training needs for eventually preparing an annual and monthly training plan for schools and individual teachers. CBSE is focusing on competency-based education and is committed to reach out to all teachers as far as practically possible," a document says. TIFS is conceptualised as a robust learning management system, which would facilitate an environment of continuous learning addressing the learning gaps and leveraging from the courses made available. CBSE will hire a consultancy with experience in teachers training for a period of three years to develop the strategy; design the operating processes and policies; set up, operationalize and commission TIFS and ensure it is stabilised over the next three years. The consultancy will review the good practices across India and globally and benchmark it against the existing practices at the CBSE. It will also conduct an online survey or assessment of the training requirement from a representative sample of schools. A high-level training curriculum will be built to bridge the skill gaps. The CBSE has around 30,000 schools in India and 257 schools in 25 foreign countries affiliated to it. These include 1247 KVs, 5280 Government/Aided Schools, and around 22408 Independent Schools. Gearing Students for Career Ahead The CBSE will also train counsellors and wellness teachers in CBSE-affiliated schools to enhance their career counselling capabilities. This is to enable wellness teachers to offer psycho-social support and counselling to students and ensure counsellors are equipped with the knowledge of emerging career paths, internships, mentorship opportunities, and holistic student development strategies. Promoting career readiness among students and preparing them for future challenges is a major objective of this exercise of the CBSE. In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, CBSE aims to develop a comprehensive career counselling framework that includes career awareness, mental health support, and professional guidance. This framework will empower educators and students to make informed decisions about career options. Career and Capacity Building Programs (CBPs) will be tailored to enhance the skills and knowledge of counsellors and wellness teachers. A Career Summit, a one-day event, will be designed for approximately 1,000 participants, where experts, industry leaders, and professionals from various fields will come together to provide valuable insights on career development and guidance. The summit will feature panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities to help counsellors and teachers better understand the evolving career landscape and provide informed guidance to students. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all An Alumni Meet and Guest Speaker Sessions will also be designed to bring together former students and industry experts to share their success stories, career paths, and insights with current educators. These sessions will be held regularly to keep counsellors and wellness teachers updated on real-world applications of career guidance, and provide them with the opportunity to network with industry professionals for continuous learning and inspiration. A Digital Career Booklet will be prepared to serve as a comprehensive resource for career counselling, offering up-to-date information on various career options, qualifications, job opportunities, and growth sectors. First Published: December 25, 2024, 08:37 IST ICAI CA Final November 2024 Result Likely To Be Declared Tomorrow at icai.org Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 15:12 IST ICAI CA Final November 2024 Result: To clear the final exam, candidates must secure a minimum of 40 per cent marks in each section and an overall aggregate of 50 per cent. The ICAI CA final results are expected to be out tomorrow evening (Representational/ PTI Photo) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is expected to announce the CA Final November 2024 exam results tomorrow, December 26. Students who appeared for the exam can check their results on the official website at icai.org. Candidates who took the exam can check and download the results of the final, and post-qualification courses by using their roll numbers and password. The institute will also release the merit list along with the results. Along with the final courses, the results of post qualification courses will also be announced. This includes International Taxation Assessment Test and Insurance and Risk Management. related stories The ICAI CA Final Group I exams were conducted on November 3, 5, and 7, while the Group II exams took place on November 9, 11, and 13. To qualify for the ICAI CA November Final exam, candidates must secure a minimum of 40 per cent marks in each section and an overall aggregate of 50 per cent. The ICAI Final results are expected in the last week of December, likely on the 26th by evening," said Central Council Member (CCM) Dhiraj Khandelwal on a post on X. The ICAI Final results are expected in the last week of December and the likely date of result may be 26th by evening. DHIRAJ KHANDELWAL (@kdhiraj123) December 18, 2024 ICAI CA November Final Result 2024: Steps To Check Scorecard Step 1: Visit the official website of ICAI icai.org Step 2: Click on the link for the ICAI CA November Final Result 2024 link on the homepage. Step 3: Enter your application number and roll number. Step 4: The result will appear on the screen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Step 5: Download and save the scorecard. Take a print out for future reference. ICAI has released the CA January 2025 exam schedule. The foundation course exams will be held between January 12 to 18 and the intermediate exams will be conducted between January 11 to 15 for Group I and January 17 to 21 for Group II. First Published: December 25, 2024, 15:00 IST UGC NET 2025: Tamil Nadu Education Minister Urges Centre To Postpone Exam Due To Pongal Curated By : PTI Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 17:17 IST Tamil Nadu's Higher Education Minister, Govi Chezhiaan, has urged the Central to reschedule the UGC NET exam set for January 14-16, 2025, due to the Pongal festival. NTA scheduled the UGC-NET December 2024 exams from January 3 to 16, 2025.(Representative/File Photo) Tamil Nadus Higher Education Minister, Govi Chezhiaan, has urged the Central Government to reschedule the UGC-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) for January 14-16, 2025, due to the Pongal festival. In a letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Chezhiaan highlighted that the National Testing Agency scheduled the UGC-NET December 2024 exams from January 3 to 16, 2025. However, Pongal, a major festival in Tamil Nadu, falls on January 14, followed by Thiruvalluvar Day (Mattu Pongal) on January 15 and Farmers Day (Uzhavar Thirunal or Kanum Pongal) on January 16. related stories The Minister emphasised that Pongal is not just a festival but a symbol of Tamil culture and heritage spanning over 3,000 years. He also noted that the Tamil Nadu government has already declared holidays from January 14 to 16, 2025, for the celebrations. If the NET exam is held during the Pongal holidays, it will hamper the preparations for the exam in view of the celebrations," he said. Further, Cheziaan said, I therefore request your kind intervention to reschedule the UGC-NET examinations and other examinations to appropriate dates thereby ensuring that students and scholars of Tamil Nadu and other states where the harvest festival is celebrated can appear for the examinations." In view of the Pongal festival, the Chartered Accountants foundation examination, January 2025 has been rescheduled, following a request by S Venkatesan, Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, the Minister pointed out. ALSO READ: ICAI CA Final November 2024 Result Likely To Be Declared Tomorrow at icai.org top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Notably, the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) is a significant exam for candidates aspiring to become assistant professors or junior research fellows (JRFs) in Indian universities and colleges. The UGC-NET December 2024 will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode across 85 subjects. The exam will consist of two sections, carrying a total of 300 marks, with multiple-choice, objective-type questions in both parts. First Published: December 25, 2024, 17:06 IST Teachers, Principals Of PM-Shri Schools to Begin Training With IITs And IIMs In April 2025 Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 11:01 IST The Union Ministry of Education (MoE) has roped in IITs and IIMs to train teachers and principals of PM-Shri on how to make teaching subjects like mathematics, science, and languages, among others, fun and interesting PM-Shri is a central sector scheme aimed at developing over 14,500 exemplar schools across India. (PTI) Teachers and principals of the Pradhan Mantri-Schools for Rising India (PM-Shri) are likely to begin training with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) from April 2025, News 18 has learnt. The Union Ministry of Education (MoE) has roped in IITs and IIMs to train teachers and principals of PM-Shri on how to make teaching subjects like mathematics, science, and languages, among others, fun and interesting. related stories PM-Shri is a central sector scheme aimed at developing over 14,500 exemplar schools across India. The ministry had last year told the premier institutions to prepare training modules for the teachers and school heads. While IITs will guide them on how to use science and math labs for the practical application of the subjects and how to upgrade infrastructure accordingly, the IIMs will be training teachers in leadership skills. We are currently doing the mapping of institutions. All 23 IITs and 21 IIMs will be collaborating with the PM-Shri schools located in each region. They will start next year around April since January-March teachers are busy with year-end examinations," a senior ministry official said. Under this collaboration, heads of PM-Shri schools from each district will be trained as master trainers. The training will include sharing policy recommendations, forming an innovation council and guiding in implementing initiatives. The collaboration of these institutions is in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, which looks at education as a continuum, from pre-primary to PhD. We are looking at ways to have more interaction and exchange between these two levels of education schools and higher education. This collaboration between schools and the higher education institutes will not just be limited to training. It will be an ongoing process of constant engagement for guiding and learning," the official said. Most of the institutes are already in talks with the schools in their region for the training. A top official at IIT-Delhi said, So far two schools have been in touch with us for the collaboration. The institute is working out a schedule for the same." According to the ministry, as of November 2024, there are 12,079 PM-Shri schools across the country up to the fourth phase of the scheme. The Centre announced the PM-Shri scheme in the Union Budget in 2022, seeking to develop over 14,500 PM-Shri schools across India, which will showcase each of the objectives envisaged in the NEP. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Under the scheme, there is a provision of turning existing schools run by centre, state governments or local bodies, into PM-Shri schools by strengthening them. Schools must apply for the same and follow the given procedure for selection. Since education is a subject in the concurrent list, many Opposition-ruled states were not ready to prefix PM-Shri to schools run by their governments, including, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Delhi, and Punjab. However, almost all of these states have recently agreed to sign an MoU with the Centre on implementing the scheme in their respective states, except for West Bengal. First Published: December 25, 2024, 11:01 IST What Are The Job Prospects After CTET 2024? Find Out Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 23:17 IST This year, the Central Board of Secondary Education conducted the CTET exam on December 14. Check the scope and prospects available after qualifying for CTET. (Representational/ File Photo) The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) opens doors to various teaching opportunities across India. While CTET does not guarantee direct employment, it is a mandatory qualification for those aspiring to teach in Central Government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Navodaya Vidyalayas, and CBSE-affiliated schools. This year, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the CTET exam on December 14. The examination was conducted in two shifts. Paper 1 was held for candidates who want to be teachers in grades 1-5, while Paper 2 was held for applicants who want to be teachers in grades 6-8. related stories The CTET 2024 provisional answer key is scheduled to be released soon by the CBSE. Those who sat for the exam will be able to access their answer key on the official website using their login credentials. Those who wish to object to any answer key would be able to do so by paying Rs 1,000 per question. The final CTET 2024 result will be prepared based on the objections filed by applicants. Qualifying for the CTET Exam provides excellent career advancement chances in the teaching industry. Some of the career options for CTET for various posts are shown below: Primary Teacher (PRT): Candidates are teachers of grades 1 through 5. To be considered for this position, candidates must hold a Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) in addition to the CTET qualification. Their job responsibilities include delivering the curriculum for all topics to pupils, creating a healthy learning environment, and monitoring their progress. Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT): Teachers of TGT are for Classes 6 to 8. But they also need to have a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree, a CTET qualification, and a graduate degree in any field. They must develop and present curricula, expose students to different methods and support their creative expression. Post Graduate Teacher (PGT): Classes 9 to 12 are taught by PGT teachers. They must, however, hold a B.Ed. Degree, the CTET certification, and a postgraduate degree in the field they want to teach. They help students get ready for entrance examinations and board exams, and they specialise in higher secondary courses. Education Consultant: Candidates who pass the CTET exam and have experience in special education, curriculum creation, or educational evaluation may also work as education consultants, offering advice to educational institutions and schools on these topics. ALSO READ: After Sambalpur, IIM Raipur Announces Independent Admissions for MBA, Exits CAP 2025 Teacher Trainer: Candidates who have taught for a long time and are qualified by the CTET may register in the training programs to become teacher trainers. They can instruct candidates for the CTET on subject knowledge and pedagogy. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Educational Content Creator: Those who are skilled at developing interesting and instructional content can provide content for textbooks, e-learning platforms, or ed-tech applications. First Published: December 25, 2024, 23:17 IST After Panama Canal, Trump Threatens To Buy Greenland Again, What's His Fixation With The Island? Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 17:29 IST When Donald Trump suggested a potential Greenland purchase in 2019, he presented it as a large real estate deal that could ease Denmarks state finances. But this time, his main argument is that US control of the island is vital for national security As China dominates the global rare earth market, Greenlands reserves are of increasing interest to the US. (AP Image) President-elect Donald Trump has resurrected his past interest in buying Greenland, which Greenlands Prime Minister Mute Egede has said is not for sale". Trump cited national security" reasons behind the need for the purchase of the island. For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," Trump said in a statement. Trump also shared on Sunday the name of his chosen ambassador to Denmark, Ken Howery. related stories What To Make Of Trumps Interest In Greenland? The Wall Street Journal first reported in 2019 that Trump harboured an interest in buying the immense ice-covered island. As the diplomatic spat between the US and Denmark grew, The New York Times reported that while Mr. Trump has long derided nation-building, his flirtation with nation-buying turned out to be more serious than many originally thought. He has been talking privately about buying Greenland for more than a year and even detailed the National Security Council staff to study the idea." But his idea was met with resistance from both Denmark (which governs Greenland) and Greenland itself. However, the proposal underlined Trumps tendency to approach international relations with a focus on a businessman-like thinking. When Trump suggested a potential Greenland purchase back in 2019, he presented it as a large real estate deal" that could ease Denmarks state finances. But this time, his main argument is that US control of the island is vital for national security. Why Greenland Is Important To The US Greenland lies in the northern Atlantic Ocean between Europe and America, and has long been a nexus of tensions among global powers. Besides being bigger than Mexico and Saudi Arabia, Greenland has a strategic location straddling the North Atlantic and the Arctic, a region whose vast stores of critical minerals and fossil fuels are coveted by the US, Russia and China. The US operates the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) on the island, which played a key role during the Cold War and continues to be critical for defence against Russia, China, and North Korea. Greenland is rich in minerals essential for technology and defence, including rare earth elements used in mobile phones, electric vehicles, and weapons. As China dominates the global rare earth market, Greenlands reserves are of increasing interest to the US. Melting Arctic ice is opening new waterways, drawing global powers to the region. The US seeks to counter Russia and Chinas growing influence in Greenland and the Arctic, ensuring its dominance in strategically evolving lands. US Previous Efforts To Buy Greenland Before buying Alaska, the US bought the territory of Louisiana from France for $15 million in 1803. Theres even a precedent involving Denmark. Under President Andrew Johnson in 1867, the US State Department noted Greenlands resources and location as ideal for acquisition but made no formal efforts. Nearly a century later, President Harry S Truman offered Denmark $100 million for Greenland in 1946 after recognising its strategic importance post-World War II. Truman also considered trading parts of Alaska for Greenland, though the deal never materialised. How Much Would Greenland Cost Now? Since the 830,000 square-mile (2.1 million square-kilometer) island isnt currently on the market, there are no valuations available. Its worth noting that its gross domestic product totalled over $3.2 billion in 2021, according to the World Bank. The island receives an annual subsidy of around $600 million from Denmark. For perspective, the purchase price of Alaska in 1867, $7.2 million, would translate to just over $150 million today which most would agree would be quite a bargain, as per Bloomberg. How Denmark Wants To Invest In Greenland After Trumps interest in Greenland, the Danish government has announced an increase in its defence budget. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the package was a double digit billion amount" in krone, or at least $1.5bn (1.2bn). Poulsen said the package would allow for the purchase of two new inspection ships, two new long-range drones and two extra dog sled teams. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years, now we are planning a stronger presence," he said. The defence minister did not give an exact figure for the package, but Danish media estimated it would be around 12-15bn krone. First Published: December 25, 2024, 17:24 IST Who Are Pakistan Taliban, And Why Are They Anti-Islamabad? Border Tension Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 14:33 IST Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is an alliance of militant networks formed in 2007 to strengthen opposition against the Pakistani army. Among TTPs main objectives are the expulsion of Islamabads influence in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province Some 300 police officers have lost their lives since September 2022, mainly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, due to TTP-orchestrated attacks. (File Photo: AFP) Pakistan has launched airstrikes, targeting suspected Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan, dismantling some training facilities and killing insurgents. The strikes were carried out in a mountainous area in Paktika province bordering Pakistan," said the officials. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media on the record. It was unclear whether the jets went deep inside Afghanistan, and how the strikes were launched. related stories In Kabul, the Afghan Defense Ministry condemned the airstrikes by Pakistan, saying the bombing targeted civilians, including women and children. It said that most of the victims were refugees from the Waziristan region. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers this a brutal act against all international principles and blatant aggression and strongly condemns it," the Ministry said. The strikes came after Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistans special representative for Afghanistan, visited Kabul to discuss a range of bilateral issues. Who Are Pakistan Taliban? The Taliban are a Sunni Islamist nationalist and pro-Pashtun movement founded in the early 1990s that ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 until October 2001. Talibans (meaning students in Pashto) founding members comprised peasant farmers and men studying Islam in Afghan and Pakistani madrasas. The Taliban found a foothold and consolidated their strength in southern Afghanistan. Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is an alliance of militant networks formed in 2007 to strengthen forces against the Pakistani military. TTPs main objectives are the expulsion of Islamabads influence in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan, the implementation of a strict interpretation of sharia throughout Pakistan, and the expulsion of Coalition troops from Afghanistan. TTP leaders believe in establishing an Islamic caliphate in Pakistan in order to overthrow the Pakistani government. TTP historically maintained close ties to senior al-Qaida leaders, including al-Qaidas former head of operations for Pakistan. TTPs first leader Baitullah Mehsud died on August 5, 2009, while his successor, Hakimullah Mehsud, passed away after five years. TTPs central shura in November 2013 appointed Mullah Fazlullah as the groups overall leader. Fazlullah is staunchly anti-Western, anti-Islamabad, and advocates harsh tactics underscored by his ordering the November 2012 attempted assassination of education rights activist Malala Yousafzai. According to a UN report, the globally designated terrorist group is operating in Afghanistan with an estimated strength of 6,000-6,500 fighters. Reports Of US Weapons Behind TTP Casualties Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, UN member states reiterated that NATO caliber weapons, especially night vision capability, that have been provided to TTP," adding lethality to TTP terrorist attacks against Pakistani military border posts. Officials in Islamabad have also repeatedly attributed the increasing number of casualties among security forces to the modern US weapons that have fallen into TTPs hands. The US Department of Defense responded to the allegations in a quarterly report made public in late May, saying that Pakistani intelligence forces recovered a few US-manufactured small arms, including M-16 and M-4 rifles, following counterterrorism operations earlier this year. UN member states reiterated that NATO caliber weapons, especially night vision capability, that have been provided to TTP since the Taliban takeover add lethality to TTP terrorist attacks against Pakistani military border posts." History Of TTP And Pakistan Confrontation On January 30, 2023, the Pakistani Taliban targeted police headquarters in Peshawar, capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming the lives of more than 80 people. In February, the TTP struck a compound in the heart of Karachi, which housed the office of Sindh provinces police chief, killing five security personnel. In the 1990s, after the US ousted the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Pakistan government gave the Afghan Taliban safe passage, but it was the Islamist factions that gave them sanctuary. The inter-Taliban nexus became even more evident after 2016, when the Pakistani army intensified counter-insurgency efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Those operations mostly dislodged the TTP from the Pakistani tribal belt. Relations between the two Taliban groups have remained close despite the fact that the Pakistani state the TTPs sworn enemy has historically been the Afghan Talibans biggest foreign supporter, as per the Crisis Group. Top Pakistani leaders, including then-Prime Minister Imran Khan, welcomed the Afghan Taliban takeover in 2021, apparently believing that a friendly regime in Kabul would promote Pakistans security interests. The Pakistani high command, then headed by Qamar Javed Bajwa, backed by Khan, reportedly bowed to some of the TTPs wishes, for confidence-building measures to advance the negotiations. More than a hundred TTP prisoners, including two top leaders, were released from Pakistani jails. In return, Pakistan got a short-lived ceasefire. Insecurity spread in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the summer of 2022, though the TTP had announced a unilateral indefinite ceasefire" in June. Militants were much more visible in the province, setting up checkpoints, extorting fees from travellers, kidnapping police and army officers, and killing government officials as well as political and tribal leaders who spoke out against them. According to a report estimate, by August of 2022, a year after the Afghan Taliban takeover, militant attacks in Pakistan had increased by 51%, with more than 75% of them taking place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On November 28, 2023, a day before Asim Munir took over from Bajwa as chief of army staff, the TTPs central command formally called off the ceasefire. TTPs Global Targets TTP since 2008 has repeatedly publicly threatened to attack the US homeland, and a TTP spokesman claimed responsibility for the failed vehicle-bomb attack in Times Square, New York City, on 1 May 2010. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In June 2011, a spokesman vowed to attack the United States and Europe in revenge for the death of Usama Bin Ladin. A TTP leader in April 2012 endorsed external operations by the group and threatened attacks in the United Kingdom for its involvement in Afghanistan. Some 300 police officers have lost their lives since September 2022, mainly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, due to TTP-orchestrated attacks. First Published: December 25, 2024, 14:15 IST Who Started The Christmas Tree Tradition? History, Symbolism, Trivia Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 11:23 IST The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree was attributed to Prince Albert, the German husband to Queen Victoria, during the 19th Century. It soon spread to Europe and the US. In Germany, the first Christmas trees were decorated with edible treats like gingerbread cookies, apples A Christmas tree is seen as a symbol of life and hope. While other trees would shed their leaves, evergreen trees would retain their vibrant colour, symbolizing resilience and strength. (Photo Credits: X) Its Christmas today, and the world has begun welcoming the New Year 2025. People around the world decorate their houses with the Christmas tree, lights and glittering ornaments, symbolizing joy and faith. The popular tradition of adorning the tall and green tree with lights and other decorations highlights the origin, touch and significance of Christmas. The tree is usually an evergreen conifer, such as a spruce, pine or fir or an artificial tree of similar appearance. related stories History Of The Christmas Tree The history of the Christmas tree indicates that long before Christianity, plants and trees remained green throughout the year, which had a special message for people in the winter season. Many hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts and evil spirits and illnesses. In the Northern Hemisphere, where the shortest day and longest night fall on December 21 or December 22, also called the Winter Solstice, people believed that Sun was a god and that winter came every year because the Sun god had become weak. They would celebrate the Winter Solstice for the Sun god to get well. So, the evergreen bough reminded them of green plants that would grow again after the Sun god becomes stronger in summer. Early Romans would celebrate the Solstice with a feast called Saturnalia to honour the Saturn God, the god of agriculture. The Romans knew that after the Solstice is over, farms and orchards soon would be green and fruitful. In order to celebrate this, they would decorate their houses with evergreen boughs. In Northern Europe, the Druids, the priests of the ancient Celts, also decorated their temples with evergreen boughs as a symbol of everlasting life. The Vikings in Scandinavia honoured the evergreen mistletoe for its role in the death of the Balder, a god of light. Christmas Tradition In Germany Just like today, ancient people used evergreen tree branches over their doors and windows. The tradition of Christmas tree gained prominence in Germany in the 16th Century where most people were Protestants. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. They also decorated the tree with roses made of coloured paper, tinsel, apples, wafers and confectionary. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking home one winter evening, Luther was awed by the stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. The evergreen tree was seen as a representation of life and hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Whats The American And Victorian Influences Of The Christmas Tree? In the United States, the Christmas tree was first introduced during the 19th Century. The first records of Christmas trees being cut for display comes from the 1820s in Pennsylvanias German community, although trees may have been a tradition there even earlier. It is not a surprise that the Christmas tree was adopted too late in America. New Englands first Puritan leaders viewed Christmas celebrations as unholy. The pilgrimss second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out pagan mockery" of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 a penal offence; people were fined for hanging decorations. In 1846, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. With Victoria being very popular with her subjects, what was done at court immediately became fashionable not only in Britain, but also in the East Coast American Society. By the 1890s, Christmas ornaments arriving from Germany and popularity of the Christmas tree began rising in the US. In most of European households, a Christmas tree would of four feet, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to extend from floor to ceiling. The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while many German Americans continued to use apples, nuts and marzipan cookies. Why Christmas Tree Is Seen As A Symbol Of Hope According to Father Philip Odii, the executive secretary of social communications of the Uganda Episcopal Conference of Uganda, evergreen Christmas tree is a symbol of life and hope. He noted in the harshness of winter, the powerful Christmas tree stood for hope. While other trees would shed their leaves, evergreen trees would retain their vibrant colour, symbolizing resilience and strength. It is a sign of life and because on Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus and he is the one who brings spiritual life, raising a Christmas tree means that God has come to be with us and give us life," Father Odii told the Monitor, a popular daily in Africa. Explaining the star that is put on top of the Christmas tree, a Church member said it signifies the stars that led the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Some Interesting Facts About The Christmas Tree The first Christmas trees in Germany was decorated with edible treats such as gingerbread cookies, gold covered apples and even candies. The tallest Christmas tree ever reached over 221 feet in 1950 in Woodburn, Oregon, decorated with more than 10,000 lights. The tradition of a Christmas tree was attributed to Prince Albert, the German husband to Queen Victoria, during the 19th Century. It soon spread to Europe and the US. Over 25 million real Christmas trees are sold each year in the US. The most popular type is the Fraser Fir, prized for its strong branches and pleasant aroma. First Published: December 25, 2024, 11:23 IST Russia's attack target is energy, over 50 missiles shot down, but there are hits Zelenskyy Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ According to preliminary data, during the latest massive attack, the Russian Federation used more than 70 missiles of different types, the target was energy, air defense managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles, but there are hits, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Wednesday. The president said that, according to preliminary data, Ukrainian defenders managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a significant number of drones, but there were hits. "As of now, there are power outages in several regions. Power engineers are working to restore power supply as soon as possible," noted the head of state. He thanked everyone who works for Ukraine, who is on combat duty, and those who protect the sky. "We will restore the maximum. Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not spoil Christmas," Zelenskyy stressed. 'Action Will Be Taken': Atishi Talks Tough After Newspaper Ads Against AAP Schemes Spark Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 15:51 IST Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP of pressuring officials to issue misleading public notices discrediting AAP's welfare schemes for women and the elderly. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi addresses press conference (Video screengrab/ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday said administrative and police action will be initiated against the officers who got the public notices published in the newspapers today, concerning the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)s schemes on women and elderly welfare. Addressing a press conference, Atishi said, The notices issued in newspapers today are wrong. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), by putting pressure on a few officers, got this notice published today." related stories Administrative and police action will be taken against these officers. The information that the Mahila Samman Yojana has been notified by the Delhi Cabinet is in the public domain," she added. #WATCH | After Delhi WCD issues a public notice stating Mahila Samman Yojana and scheme for free health treatment for senior citizens not notified, Delhi CM Atishi says, The notices issued in newspapers today are wrong. BJP by putting pressure on a few officers got this notice pic.twitter.com/2ASLDzte3q ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2024 Arvind (Kejriwal) Ji has said we have credible information that to stop free bus service for women in Delhi, an attempt is being made (by the BJP) to impose a fake case on me," Atishi asserted during the press conference. Even if they arrest me, I have faith in the legal system and the Constitution that despite their false cases on me, I will get bail," she added. #WATCH | Delhi CM Atishi says, Arvind ji has said we have credible information that to stop free bus service for women in Delhi, an attempt is being made (by BJP) to impose a fake case on me.Even if they arrest me, I have faith in the legal system and the Constitution that pic.twitter.com/Oe9s6f0KbX ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2024 This comes hours after the Delhi governments Women and Child Development and Health departments issued public notices on Wednesday distancing themselves from the ruling AAPs promised schemes of providing Rs 2,100 to women and free treatment for the elderly, triggering a fresh row ahead of assembly polls. The two departments also cautioned the people against providing personal details to anyone on the pretext of registration for non-existent" schemes, saying any private individual or political party collecting such physical forms or information is fraudulent and without any authority". The development, which came days after AAP leaders launched the exercise of registering people for the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana with much fanfare, left the AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal furious. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj had on Tuesday claimed that she spoke to the health secretary of the Delhi government and was informed that there was no Sanjeevani Yojna in existence. Both the schemes were announced by Kejriwal ahead of Assembly polls in February next year and AAP had started registrations for the schemes in campaign mode. First Published: December 25, 2024, 12:28 IST Student Sexually Assaulted In Chennai's Anna University Campus, One Detained Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 15:33 IST The girl alleged that she was sexually assaulted by two unidentified persons while she was walking on the university campus with a friend. An engineering student was sexually assaulted in Chennai's Anna University. (Representative Image) A female student at Chennais Anna University alleged sexual assault by two unidentified persons inside the campus while she was walking with a male friend, sparking protests from student political parties. As per reports, the victim was a 19-year-old engineering student who was sexually assaulted by two persons when she was accompanied by a friend. The matter came to light when she filed a complaint on December 24 (Tuesday). related stories Meanwhile, Tamil Nadus Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian confirmed that one person has been detained and an investigation is underway. A committee has also been formed in the university to probe the matter. Four special police teams have been formed to nab the accused. The incident sparked furious protests as members of the Students Federation of India (SFI) and All India Women Welfare Federation staged demonstrations outside the campus, demanding justice for the victim. #WATCH | Chennai | Members of SFI and All India Women Welfare Federation protest outside the Anna University campus in Guindy over alleged sexual assault on a University student on campus pic.twitter.com/7AuDkLF82z ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2024 BJP leaders K Annamalai and Narayanan Thirupathy condemned the incident and slammed the DMK government for failing to curb violence against women. Tamil Nadu, under the DMK Government, has become a breeding ground of unlawful activities and a haven for criminals. Women dont feel safe in the State anymore, as the Police are kept busy by the ruling administration to silence the opposition," Annamalai said on X. BJP Tamil Nadu has to call for a protest for the police to act if the criminal is a functionary of DMK. This is the dire state of law & order in the State. BJP demands that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu takes responsibility at least now and addresses the people on the Status of this sexual assault case in Anna University and do justice to the portfolio he holds," he added. It is absolutely shocking to hear the news of the Sexual Assault of a Student at Anna University, the premier Institute of TN, situated in the heart of Chennai, by 2 miscreants. @BJP4TamilNadu demands that the miscreants be immediately arrested.Tamil Nadu, under the DMK K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 25, 2024 Annamalai told reporters that the campus was one of the safest places in Chennai amid rising crimes against women and the incident has deeply shaken everyone. Now the CCTVs are not functioning. It shows the current state of law and order and administration in Tamil Nadu," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Thirupathy said Chennai was becoming a lawless city" and the government had no control over the law and order situation. We strongly condemn this. This is really shocking This government has no excuse to say anything about this. Shame on this government, the Chief Minister and the departments. BJP strongly condemns this. Whoever has done this should be immediately arrested and justice has to be done," he said. (with agency inputs) First Published: December 25, 2024, 14:37 IST AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday claimed that the BJP will declare Parvesh Verma as its chief ministerial face in the upcoming Delhi Assembly Elections. CM CM ? Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 25, 2024 According to sources, BJP is going to declare Parvesh Verma as its CM face. Will the people of Delhi want to make such a person their CM? Kejriwal posted on X. Delhi Police Issues Traffic Advisory Over Christmas Rush At Malls | Check Details Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 08:24 IST In the wake of Christmas celebrations across the national capital, Delhi Police has deployed personnel to several churches, malls and markets. Delhi Police has made several arrangements to tackle 'rowdy' elements during Christmas celebrations. (PTI) The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory in view of a surge in footfall at several places, including churches and malls, on the occasion of Christmas on Wednesday (December 25). Police said they have made adequate" arrangements to deal with rowdy" elements during Christmas celebrations in Delhi. Police personnel have been deployed near several places, including churches, malls and markets, an officer told news agency PTI. Apart from this, a drive against drunken driving will be carried out till New Year," the officer added. related stories We saw less number of people thronging to the Sacred Heart Cathedral near the Gol Dak Khana last year. However, we have deployed sufficient personnel in the area. They will keep clear the traffic for smooth movement in the area," said another officer. Which Routes Have Been Affected? In a post on X, Delhi Traffic Police said traffic will be restricted on certain roads around the Select City Mall, Saket and diversions will be in place from specific points to ensure smooth movement and avoid inconvenience. According to the police advisory, the traffic disruption will begin at 2 pm near Sakets Select City Mall on Wednesday, as a large number of people are expected to visit on the occasion of Christmas. All median cuts will be closed from Sheikh Sarai to Hauz Rani. Heavy vehicles and DTC/Cluster buses will not be allowed on both carriageways of the Press Enclave Road. Commuters coming from Chirag Delhi en route to Qutub Minar via Press Enclave Road have been advised to use the Khanpur Red Light T Point via MB Road to Mehrauli. Similarly, traffic from IIT flyover to PTS intending to go to Press Enclave Road have been advised to continue on Aurobindo Marg towards Mehrauli and use TB Hospital Road Red Light to Lado Sarai via MB Road. Furthermore, no DTC/Cluster buses will allowed to go towards Pushp Vihar from MB Road/Asian Market Red Light. Traffic AdvisoryIn view of Christmas Celebrations at Saket Malls, special traffic arrangements will be effective. Kindly follow the advisory.#DPTrafficAdvisory pic.twitter.com/kjNEt2UeLa Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) December 24, 2024 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Churches in the city expecting a heavy congregation of devotees include the Sacred Heart Cathedral, St Thomas church (Mandir Marg), St Martins church (Delhi Cantonment), St Thomas church (R K Puram), and St Marys Knanaya church (Vasant Kunj). Police said traffic will be diverted on stretches according to the need. (with PTI inputs) First Published: December 25, 2024, 07:30 IST Egg Thrown At BJP MLA Munirathna In Bengaluru, Three Held Published By : PTI Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 21:07 IST The MLA was participating in an event to mark the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Nandini Layout in the city when miscreants threw an egg at him. BJP MLA Munirathna (Photo: X/Hate Detector) Three people were arrested for throwing an egg at BJP MLA Munirathna during an event here on Wednesday, police said. The MLA was participating in an event to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Nandini Layout in the city when miscreants threw an egg at him, a police officer said. related stories What Did The MLA Say? The MLA accused Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, his brother and former MP D K Suresh, and their confidantes of orchestrating" the attack. This was an attempt to kill me. Nearly 150 people were brought in to finish me. I would have been killed if my supporters and policemen were not present. D K Shivakumar, D K Suresh, Hanumantharayappa, and some others were involved," Munirathna alleged. In a dramatic incident on Wednesday, #BJP MLA #Munirathna was targeted with an egg during an event marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister #AtalBihariVajpayee in #Bengalurus #NandiniLayout.Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the attack and pic.twitter.com/TWavEBJADq Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) December 25, 2024 Congress Leaders Reject Charge Shivakumar, who was in Belagavi, rejected the allegation, saying he was busy preparing for the centenary celebrations of the 1924 Indian National Congress session, which was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. Suresh also dismissed the charge, claiming that Munirathna was threatening" Congress workers in his area. He alleged that the MLA had staged the attack to divert public attention from the issue. Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara confirmed the arrests. Three people have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing to identify who they are and why they did it," he told reporters. BJP state president B Y Vijayendra condemned the attack. Such an attack is not just an insult to Munirathna, but the entire state. Just because you (Congress) are in power, you are attacking people. An attack on a public representative is highly condemnable," Vijayendra told reporters. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and former Minister C T Ravi also condemned the incident. Munirathna, who is facing several police cases, including a rape case, was recently released on bail. First Published: December 25, 2024, 21:07 IST Legendary Malayalam Writer MT Vasudevan Nair Dies At 91, Kerala Govt Declares Two-Day Mourning Published By : PTI Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 23:56 IST MT Vasudevan Nair had been undergoing treatment for over a month due to illness. He was admitted to hospital in early morning of December 16. MT Vasudevan Nair (Photo: X/Pinarayi Vijayan) The great literary figure of Malayalam and Jnanpith Award winner M T Vasudevan Nair, who had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital here following heart failure, has died, hospital sources said on Wednesday. He was 91. related stories MT Vasudevan Was Admitted To Hospital He had been undergoing treatment for over a month due to illness. The writer was admitted to the hospital in the early morning of December 16, following respiratory complications. He passed away at 10 PM on Wednesday night at a private hospital in Kozhikode. While he remained in critical condition, doctors had informed that his body was responding to the medication, which raised hopes and comfort that the beloved writer might recover. However, by night, hospital authorities confirmed his death. M T has died," a hospital source told PTI. He had been under the care of a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including cardiologists and critical care experts, since his hospitalisation. His last rites will be held at 5 PM on Thursday at the Mavoor Road crematorium. The body will be brought from the hospital to his residence on Kottaram Road. Public viewing will be held at the house until 4 PM in the afternoon. MT Vasudevans Achievements Popularly known as M T, he authored nine novels, 19 collections of short stories, directed six films, wrote around 54 screenplays, and published several collections of essays and memoirs over a career spanning seven decades. His novel Naalukettu (The Ancestral House) solidified his place as a literary icon and is considered a classic in Malayalam literature. He also penned several acclaimed works, including Asuravithu, Manju, and Kaalam. M Ts literary achievements earned him the Jnanpith Award in 1995, Indias highest literary honour, as well as numerous other accolades, including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Ezhuthachan Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, and O N V Literary Award. In 2005, M T was awarded the Padma Bhushan, Indias third-highest civilian honour. He received the J C Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema in 2013, and in 2022, he was honoured with the inaugural Kerala Jyothi Award, the highest civilian honour from the Kerala government. M T also served as the editor of Mathrubhumi Weekly for several years. Condoling his demise, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said the passing of M T marks a profound loss for both Malayalam and Indian literature. This multifaceted genius who enriched literature, cinema, and journalism authored some of the finest works in Malayalam literature. As a writer, M T championed modernism through characters that embodied modernist sensibilities, and as editor, advanced the movement by publishing the works of other modernist writers," he said, extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul attain Mukti," the Governor wrote. CM Pinarayi Vijayan Offers Condolences Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the brilliance that brought Malayalam literature to the forefront of world literature is what we have lost with the passing of M T Vasudevan Nair. It is an irreparable loss not only to Kerala in general but also to the world of Malayalam literature," Vijayan said in a statement. Describing M T as a towering figure in the fields of short story writing, novel writing, screenplay writing, film direction, journalism, and cultural leadership, Vijayan said that through his works, he conveyed the beauty and complexity of Keralas life. He rose to global prominence while firmly rooting himself in the cultural traditions of Valluvanadu, reflecting the life and ethos of the people. In doing so, M T marked not only the individual minds of Keralites but also the collective consciousness of the people of Kerala through his writings," he said. Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, said M T was the one who, with the power of a pen, determined how a people should write and speak in their mother tongue. M T stood as the symbol of the nations greatness, filled with the sanctity and radiance of Malayalam," Satheesan said. Kerala Govt Announces 2-Day Official Mourning In a statement, the state government said it would observe official mourning on December 26 and 27 as a mark of respect for M T. The Chief Minister has directed that all government events, including the Cabinet meeting scheduled for December 26, be postponed, it said. Born in 1933 in Kudallur, a quaint village in Palakkad district, Kerala, M T, through more than seven decades of writing, created a literary world that appealed equally to both ordinary people and intellectuals. At the time, Kudallur was part of the Malabar district under the Madras Presidency of British India. He was the youngest of four children born to T Narayanan Nair and Ammalu Amma. His father worked in Ceylon, while M T spent his early years in Kudallur and at his paternal home in Punnayurkulam, a village in present-day Thrissur district. M Ts early life and surroundings deeply influenced his literary sensibilities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He completed his schooling at Malamakkavu Elementary School and Kumaranelloor High School and graduated with a degree in chemistry from Victoria College, Palakkad, in 1953. His professional journey began as a teacher and gramasevakan at a block development office in Taliparamba, Kannur, before he joined Mathrubhumi Weekly as a sub-editor in 1957. Location : Kozhikode [Calicut], India First Published: December 25, 2024, 23:56 IST Man Attempts Self-Immolation In Front Of Parliament Building, Admitted To Hospital Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 16:41 IST The man was rushed to the RML Hospital and the area was cordoned off. Delhi Police launched an investigation and are probing the reason behind the person's move. Man attempts self-immolation in front of Parliament (Photo: CNN-News18) A person attempted self-immolation in front of the new Parliament building, officials said on Wednesday. The police personnel present on the spot doused the fire and rushed the man to the hospital. related stories Senior police officers have also reached the spot and the area was cordoned off. How Did The Incident Take Place? According to sources, the man, identified as Jitendra hailing from Uttar Pradeshs Bagpat, set himself on fire in the park that is in front of the Parliament and then charged towards the main gate. He sustained 90 per cent burn injuries and has been admitted to RML Hospital in the city. He is also said to be in very critical condition. The person used a petrol-like substance to self-immolate. Police Launch Probe The police are looking into the CCTV footage from Railway Bhawan and outside the Parliament. They are also probing the exact reason for self-immolation. Delhi Police Issue Statement The police said that the matter could be a case of personal enmity. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Today one person probably Jitendra of Uttar Pradeshs Bagpat set himself on fire in roundabout rail Bhavan. The local police and railway police along with some civil persons immediately extinguished the fire and the person was sent to hospital. The issue as we can decipher is probably related and personal enmity in Bagpat. Further investigation is on," Delhi Police said. Further investigation into the incident is underway. First Published: December 25, 2024, 16:17 IST Remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee On His 100th Birth Anniversary: Legacy, Achievements, And Impact Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 06:05 IST Atal Bihar Vajpayee, one of the most respected Indian leaders, was born on December 25, 1924. Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as Prime Minister of India for three times. (File pic) Atal Bihari Vajpayees 100th Birth Anniversary: 25 December, 2024 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of Indias most respected leaders. This day, known as Good Governance Day, celebrates his leadership and the positive impact he had on the country. Vajpayee served as Prime Minister three times and played a key role in shaping Indias future. On his 100th birth anniversary, lets take a look at his early life, political journey and some interesting facts about him. Atal Bihari Vajpayees Early Life related stories Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on 25 December 1924 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, to Krishna Bihari Vajpayee and Krishna Devi. He completed his schooling at Saraswati Shishu Mandir and AVM School in Ujjain. Subsequently, he compoleted his graduation from Victoria College (now known as Laxmi Bai College) in Gwalior. Vajpayee then pursued an MA in Political Science at DAV College in Kanpur. He also commenced studying law but discontinued his legal studies after the 1947 Partition riots. Later, he worked as an editor for Hindi magazines such as Rashtradharma, Panchjanya and newspapers like Swadesh and Veer Arjun. Vajpayees political journey began early during the Quit India Movement in 1942, which contributed to the end of British rule in India. Although he initially considered a career in journalism, he joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which eventually became the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Vajpayee served as the national secretary for the party and was responsible for the northern region. In 1968, following the death of Deendayal Upadhyaya, Vajpayee became the president of the party. Atal Bihari Vajpayees Political Career Vajpayees political career spanned over four decades starting in 1957 when he first became a Member of Parliament with his election to Lok Sabha to represent the constituency of Balrampur. Over the years, he was elected to the Lok Sabha multiple timesduring the 5th, 6th, and 7th Lok Sabha and later in the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Lok Sabha. Vajpayee also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1962 and 1986. He represented Parliament from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, for five consecutive terms until 2009. He was the only parliamentarian to win six Lok Sabha constituencies from four different states: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. Atal Bihari Vajpayee As Prime Minister Of India In 1996, Vajpayee took office as the 10th Prime Minister of India. However, his term lasted only 13 days because BJP couldnt prove a majority in the Lok Sabha. His second term began in 1998 when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was formed. His government lasted 13 months. In 1999, Vajpayee began his third and final term as Prime Minister. This term lasted full five years from 1999 to 2004. His tenure was marked by several key events. In 1998, under his leadership, India successfully tested nuclear weapons at Pokhran Rajasthan, named Operation Shakti, making the country a nuclear power. One of his bold moves was taking a bus trip to Pakistan in 1999 to improve relations between the two countries. However, this gesture was followed by the Kargil War later that year. Despite the betrayal, Vajpayee handled the situation well and India defended its borders successfully. Even though the world faced an economic slowdown, Indias economy grew by 5.8% in 1998-99 under his leadership. Interesting Facts During the Quit India Movement in 1942, Vajpayee was imprisoned for 24 days. Vajpayee was a big fan of poetry and wrote his first poem when he was in class 10. He never got married. When asked why, he said, I stayed so busy that I forgot." He was elected as a Member of Parliament for 47 years 10 times in Lok Sabha and twice in Rajya Sabha. Vajpayee made history as the first Indian politician to speak in Hindi at the United Nations General Assembly. Vajpayee was a close follower of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (now BJP). He loved non-vegetarian food and prawns was his favourite dish. In 2009, he suffered a stroke, which affected his speech and hand movements. Himalayan Peaks Named After Atal Bihari Vajpayee Four Himalayan peaks near the Gangotri glacier were named in honour of Vajpayee. These peaks, located at altitudes of 6,557 metres, 6,566 metres, 6,160 metres and 6,100 metres, are situated on the right flank of the Gangotri glacier close to Sudarshan and Saifi peaks in Raktvan valley. The peaks were named Atal-1, Atal-2, Atal-3 and Atal-4. Awards And Honours Vajpayee received several important awards for his contributions. In 1992, he was given the Padma Vibhushan, one of Indias highest awards. In 1994, he won the Lokmanya Tilak Puruskar and the Bharat Ratna Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Award for being the best parliamentarian. Kanpur University also awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in 1993. In 2015, he was honoured with the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian award, for his outstanding service to the country. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Death Vajpayee was hospitalised at AIIMS on June 11, 2018, due to a kidney infection and chest congestion. However, his health deteriorated, and he passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 93. First Published: December 25, 2024, 06:05 IST Vehicle Rams Into Ambulance Carrying Bodies Of 3 Khalistani Terrorists In UP, No Injuries Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 09:20 IST An unidentified vehicle rammed into an ambulance carrying the bodies of three Khalistani terrorists gunned down by police following a grenade attack on a police post in Punjab's Gurdaspur. The ambulance carrying the bodies of the suspected Khalistani terrorists was damaged following the accident. (Photo: X) An unidentified vehicle rammed into an ambulance carrying the bodies of three suspected Khalistani terrorists accused of attacking a police post in Punjabs Gurdaspur and were killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradeshs Pilibhit, said police on Wednesday. The incident occurred in UPs Rampur on Tuesday night and no injuries were reported. Police officials reached the spot quickly and the bodies of the three terrorists were later transferred to another ambulance and sent to Punjab. related stories The ambulance was damaged following the incident at the National Highway bypass of Police Station Civil Lines in Rampur. As soon as they received information about the accident, police reached the site and the bodies of the suspected terrorists were transferred to another ambulance, according to Rampur District Superintendent of Police Vidyasagar Mishra. The three suspects were gunned down by a joint team of Punjab and UP police in an encounter on Monday after they were allegedly involved in a grenade attack at a police post in Gurdaspur. The Punjab and UP Police had conducted a joint operation against three terrorists belonging to the Khalistani Commandos Force. The slain terrorists were identified as Gurvinder Singh, Virender Singh alias Ravi, and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh all of who hailed from Gurdaspur. The police said that the three criminals had thrown grenades and bombs at a police station in Gurdaspur. Two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and ammunition were recovered after the encounter. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Pilibhit SP Avinash Pandey detailed the encounter and said that when the terrorists were chased and stopped, they opened fire on the police teams, prompting to police to retaliate. The three terrorists sustained critical injuries, after which they were rushed to the District Hospital where they were declared dead. (with agency inputs) Location : Rampur, India First Published: December 25, 2024, 09:20 IST Merry Christmas: 10 Inspirational Christmas Quotes About Jesus Christ On Love, Forgiveness, Salvation, And Hope Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 07:48 IST Inspirational Christmas Quotes: Jesus' teachings are recorded in the New Testament of the Bible. His message emphasised the importance of loving God and one's neighbour, and living a life of compassion, humility, and service. Christmas originated from both religious and cultural traditions, primarily celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. (Image: Shutterstock) Christmas promises to be a time of joyous celebration and reflection, as families and communities come together to embrace the spirit of giving, warmth, and togetherness. Amid sparkling lights, festive decorations, and the aroma of delicious holiday treats, people indulge in heartfelt traditions and create lasting memories. Whether its exchanging thoughtful gifts, sharing festive meals, or enjoying cosy moments by the fire, Christmas will serve as a reminder of the importance of love, kindness, and gratitude in our lives. related stories ALSO READ: Merry Christmas Wishes 2024: 100+ Xmas Wishes, Images, Quotes, And Messages To Share On December 25! 10 Quotes About Jesus Christ Here are 10 quotes about Jesus Christ that reflect Jesus teachings on love, forgiveness, salvation, and hope. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6 Love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3 Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." John 10:11 Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone." John 8:7 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14 With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 History of Christmas Jesus Christ is a central figure in Christianity, believed by Christians to be the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. He is revered as both fully divine and fully human. According to Christian teachings, Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, performed many miracles, preached about love, forgiveness, and salvation, and was crucified in Jerusalem around 30-33 AD. ALSO READ: Merry Christmas Wishes 2024: Top Xmas Wishes, Quotes, Messages, And Images to Share With Your Loved Ones! Christians believe that Jesus death and resurrection provide salvation and eternal life to those who follow him and accept him as their Lord and Saviour. Jesus teachings are recorded in the New Testament of the Bible, particularly in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). His message emphasised the importance of loving God and ones neighbour, and living a life of compassion, humility, and service. Christmas has its origins in both religious and cultural traditions. It is primarily a Christian holiday, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, believed to have been born around 4 BCE in Bethlehem. The exact date of Jesus birth is uncertain, but December 25th was chosen in the 4th century by the Roman Empire, possibly to coincide with pre-existing pagan festivals like the Roman feast of Sol Invictus, which celebrated the winter solstice. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Over time, Christmas evolved into a blend of religious observance and secular customs. In medieval Europe, Christmas was marked by feasts, performances, and church services. By the 19th century, Christmas became more family-centred, with traditions such as gifts, tree decorating, and the figure of Santa Claus, inspired by St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity. First Published: December 25, 2024, 06:15 IST Commentary: A protectionist Washington detrimental to global free trade 09:46, December 25, 2024 By Li Binian ( Xinhua BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- A self-styled champion of free trade, Washington repeatedly undermines the very principle it claims to uphold. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced on Monday it was initiating an investigation into China's semiconductor industries and policies. Citing Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, widely identified as a relic from the Cold War era, the probe is a stark example of how Washington intends to manipulate global trade for its own geopolitical purposes, flagrantly disregarding multilateral trade rules. The White House's assertion that the move is aimed at scrutinizing "China's targeting of foundational semiconductors (or legacy/mature node chips) for dominance and impact on the U.S. economy" is both unfounded and misleading. A recent report from the U.S. Department of Commerce shows that Chinese-made chips constitute just 1.3 percent of the U.S. market share, and Chinese chip exports to the United States are significantly lower than imports from the United States. In fact, Washington has provided substantial subsidies to its own chip industry through legislation such as the CHIPS and Science Act. It is also worth noting that U.S. semiconductor companies account for approximately 50 percent of the global market. This blatant disregard for the facts makes the White House's claims about the so-called "threat" posed by China's semiconductor industry even more absurd and its political motivation more conspicuous. By weaponizing trade policies, Washington wants to stifle the rise of any potential competitor in all key sectors, and retain unquestioned dominance in these high-tech industries. However, such acts will not hinder China's development in those fields. Even U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has admitted, "Trying to hold China back is a fool's errand." While Washington has spent the past few years building "small yards and high fences" to protect its manufacturing industries, its protectionist tactics are actively destabilizing the very industries it seeks to protect. The semiconductor industry, one of the most interconnected sectors in the global economy, is particularly vulnerable to such reckless intervention. By targeting China -- both a consumer and producer in semiconductors, Washington is creating unnecessary frictions in a market that can only thrive on cooperation and interdependence. No wonder U.S. industry groups have already urged the White House to proceed carefully. Jason Oxman, president of the Information Technology Industry Council, said in a statement that it is "critically important that the administration conduct a thorough investigation and not prejudge the outcome." The Section 301 investigation has once again revealed Washington's selfishness, shortsightedness as well as high-handedness. Decison-makers in Washington should heed the dangers of playing with fire. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Yermak discusses bilateral cooperation with new Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Ma Shengkun. "During the meeting, we discussed the prospects for bilateral cooperation between China and Ukraine," the press service of the President's Office reported on the Telegram channel. During the meeting, Yermak pointed out that China's role is important in achieving a fair and lasting peace for Ukraine. "In addition, the possibility of bilateral dialogue at the highest level was discussed," the report says. Good Governance Day 2024: History, Significance, And 10 Quotes By Atal Bihari Vajpayee Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 06:10 IST Good Governance Day advocates for a highly effective and accountable administration in order to further the welfare and advancement of the populace. Good Governance Day commemorates the legacy of the late former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (Image: Shutterstock) Good Governance Day 2024: December 25, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is observed as Good Governance Day. The country honours Vajpayees leadership and services to society on this day. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was renowned for his oratory skills. As Indias prime minister, Vajpayee held the position thrice: 13 days in 1996, 13 months from 1998 to 1999, and then a full term from 1999 to 2004. related stories Good Governance Day 2024: History On December 23, 2014, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (posthumously) were honoured with the Bharat Ratna. The Narendra Modi government also announced that December 25 would henceforth be observed as Good Governance Day in honour of Vajpayees legacy. Since 2014, the government has observed Good Governance Day annually. The purpose of the celebration is to ensure that citizens of the country receive equitable treatment from the government and benefit from a range of government services. Good Governance Day 2024: Significance The purpose of the day is to inform the public about the obligations and functions of the government. By fostering active engagement from both sides, it seeks to close the divide between the public and the government. Good Governance Day 2024: How It Is Celebrated? The Good Governance Week (Sushasan Saptah) festivities began on December 19, according to the official website. On December 25, the week-long celebration will come to a close. In 2021, during Amrit Mahotsav (the 75th Year of Independence), the government decided to observe Good Governance Week (Sushasan Saptah). It was intended to introduce the idea of good governance" to the entire system by passing it down from the districts to the villages. Throughout the week-long festivities, several initiatives are undertaken to show the governments dedication to offering the citizens of this nation accountable, transparent, and efficient governance. The goal of the fourth Sushasan Saptah is to promote good governance throughout India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Good Governance Day 2024: Quotes by Atal Bihari Vajpayee It is easy to win elections by raising the slogan of garibi hatao" but slogans do not remove poverty. You can change our friends but not neighbours. We are unnecessarily wasting our precious resources in wars we have to do it on unemployment, disease, poverty, and backwardness. You cant separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom. Our nuclear weapons are meant purely as a deterrent against nuclear adventure by an adversary. Terrorism has become a festering wound. It is an enemy of humanity. For me, power was never an attraction. My poets heart gives me the strength to face political problems, particularly those that have a bearing on my conscience. There can be no compromise regarding corruption. If India is not secular, then India is not India at all. First Published: December 25, 2024, 06:10 IST Kumbh Mela 2025: How Maha Kumbh Mela Connects With Pilgrims Worldwide Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 09:20 IST Kumbh Mela spreads the message of peace, spirituality, and harmony throughout the world thanks to the presence of international media and the growing number of visitors. Kumbh Mela is a unifying event for people from all walks of life, transcending caste, creed, and gender. (Image: Shutterstock) The Maha Kumbh Mel attracts millions of pilgrims from all over India and the world. In addition to being a religious assembly, it is a social, spiritual, and cultural phenomenon that embodies Indias rich customs and legacy. The Kumbh Mela is a unifying event for people from all walks of life, transcending caste, creed, and gender. It is held every four years at Allahabad (Prayagraj), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. In 2025, Prayagraj will host the Maha Kumbh Mela, which is from January 13 (Paush Poornima) to February 26 (Maha Shivratri). related stories However, what distinguishes the Maha Kumbh as a genuinely international event? Here are the elements that make it significant on a global scale. Spiritual Importance The spiritual significance of the Maha Kumbh Mela lies at its core. Hindu mythology is the foundation of the celebration, which holds that ritually immersing oneself in one of the holy riversespecially the Gangeswill absolve followers of their sins and grant them freedom from the cycle of life and death. PHOTOS: Kumbh Mela 2025: The 8 Sacred Rituals Of Divine Purification Millions of people are drawn to this idea of moksha (freedom), believing that this holy deed will result in inner serenity and spiritual enlightenment. Because it is a means of re-establishing a connection with the holy, the festival attracts pilgrims from a wide range of religious backgrounds, making it a worldwide occasion. The Significance of Astronomy and Astrology Beyond its religious significance, the Maha Kumbh Mela is a highly scientific and astronomical event. The Sun, Moon, and Jupiters alignment, in particular, determines the Kumbh Melas chronological order. The celebration takes place when these heavenly bodies align in a way that is thought to be auspicious from a spiritual standpoint. ALSO READ: Kumbh Mela 2025: Sacred Rituals, Celestial Alignments And Maha Kumbh Mysteries The events association with astronomy and astrology adds another level of appeal for individuals who are curious about the gatherings scientific and metaphysical components, attracting interest from academics and fans worldwide. Knowledge Transmissions Role Information sharing is one of the Maha Kumbh Melas most significant features. The teachings of sadhus and gurus at akhadas and ashrams are derived from sacred scriptures, oral traditions, and old religious writings. ALSO READ: Kumbh Mela 2025: Travel Tips For A Safe And Spiritual Journey! Indias rich spiritual legacy is preserved and perpetuated through a knowledge-sharing process that is based on the teacher-student relationship. In addition to being a religious event, the Kumbh is a school of life that draws pilgrims and tourists from all over the world who are looking for spiritual direction, education, and wisdom. A Celebration of Culture An excellent illustration of Indias cultural variety is the Maha Kumbh Mela. The fact that pilgrims from many religious backgrounds attend this festival, which is predominantly Hindu, demonstrates how inclusive Indian spiritual rituals are. ALSO READ: Kumbh Mela 2025: Dates, Location, And The Cultural Significance Of Maha Kumbh Throughout the Mela, there are several cultural and spiritual events that are attended by ascetics, saints, sadhus, scholars, and tourists. The diversity of Indias spiritual practices is reflected in the ashrams (spiritual retreats), akhadas (sectarian communities), and religious organisations that come together during the festival. The feeling of harmony and unity The Maha Kumbh Mela, which represents harmony, unity, and respect for all people, is a peaceful festival despite being one of the biggest gatherings in the world. It says a lot about the discipline and sense of community that the event promotes that there was no significant violence or disturbance at such a large gathering. ALSO READ: Kumbh Mela 2025: Why Is Maha Kumbh Celebrated As A Symbol Of Unity? In a world that is often tainted by violence and division, the event serves as a beacon of hope for world unity because of its serene mood and shared dedication. Tourism and International Recognition As one of the worlds largest religious gatherings, the Maha Kumbh Mela has become extremely well-known over the years. It draws tourists, academics, and spiritual seekers from around the world who want to witness this historic event firsthand in addition to local believers. ALSO READ: Mahakumbh 2025: Two Women Saints From Russia & Ukraine Share Story Of 12-Year Friendship A worldwide event in every meaning of the word, the Kumbh Mela spreads the message of peace, spirituality, and harmony throughout the world thanks to the presence of international media and the growing number of visitors. Technological Developments in Event Planning The Maha Kumbh Mela has been more effectively organised in recent years thanks in large part to technical improvements. It is now easier for pilgrims to travel and for authorities to control the crowd thanks to the use of satellite mapping, contemporary transportation systems, and digital communication technologies. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ: AI, ChatBots To Be Part Of Kumbh Mela For The First Time, Says PM Modi In Prayagraj The Kumbh Mela is an excellent illustration of how tradition and contemporary technology can coexist to oversee massive gatherings, guaranteeing safety while upholding the events holiness thanks to its cutting-edge infrastructure and security procedures. Location : Prayagraj, India First Published: December 25, 2024, 09:15 IST Allu Arjun Got Emotional During Police Questioning, Cops Asked Him 'Who Took The Call To...' | Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 07:42 IST Allu Arjun was questioned by the Hyderabad Police on Tuesday with regard to the stampede which took place at the premiere of Pushpa 2 and killed a woman. Allu Arjun was questioned on Tuesday by the Hyderabad Police. Allu Arjun was questioned on Tuesday by the Hyderabad Police regarding the stampede and the death of a fan named Revathy. The actor was asked to appear for the inquiry after Hyderabad Police claimed that they informed Allu Arjun about Revathys death owing to the stampede while he was at Sandhya Theatre watching Pushpa 2. Reports have now claimed that Allu Arjun was asked a number of questions and the Pushpa 2 star got emotional as well during the inquiry. Sources told NDTV, Allu Arjun was asked direct questions about the Hyderabad Polices claims. He was allegedly asked Did you know police permission had been denied for you to come to the premiere?", Who took the call to proceed with the plan (for the actor to attend the special screening) despite denial of police permission?", Did any police officer inform you about the stampede outside?", and When did you know about the death of the woman?". related stories According to Gulte, Allu Arjun got emotional during the questioning. The report claimed, Allu Arjun was questioned for about three hours and was shown the videos of a stampede that happened at the Pushpa 2 special show in Sandhya theater. While watching the video, Allu Arjun reportedly turned emotional seeing the visuals of Sritej and Revathi being injured." Meanwhile, Allu Arjun is yet to issue a public statement about the questioning that took place on Tuesday. Allu Arjun has been in the eye of the storm since he decided to surprise fans at the Pushpa 2 premiere in Sandhya Theatre. The actor made a sudden appearance that led to a massive stampede and the death of a female fan. Her son was also injured and is said to be critical at the time of reporting. A case has been registered against Allu Arjun and he was arrested earlier this month. He received bail but had to spend the night in the police station owing to delay in the process. His house was vandalised over the weekend by protesters demanding fir justice for the woman and her family. First Published: December 25, 2024, 07:42 IST Priyanka Chopra Gets Ready To Celebrate Christmas, Shares Naughty Stocking Photo; See Here Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 10:48 IST Priyanka and Nick have had a hectic year. Priyanka wrapped up filming for the second season of Russo Brothers Citadel. Priyanka Chopra shares naughty photo Priyanka Chopra is all set to celebrate Christmas festival with Nick Jonas and Malti Marie. She has been sharing glimpses of her decoration. However, this time the actress shared some naughty stuff on her social handle. Priyanka shared a stocking photo which has gone viral on social media. Taking to her Instagram stories, Priyanka shared a photo of her and Nick stocking with the caption, This stocking stuffing definitely giving naughty, not nice Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas were seen out and about with their daughter, Malti Marie Chopa Jonas. The family appeared to be on a shopping run when the paparazzi spotted them. In a video surfaced online, Priyanka was seen holding Maltis hand as they shopped together. An excited Malti was seen pulling Priyankas hand and dragging her into a store. related stories Take a look here: Recently, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas stole the show at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. After stunning everyone on the red carpet, the couple decided to extend their stay and enjoy a relaxing vacation together. On December 14, Priyanka shared glimpses of their desert adventure, expressing her desire for more days like these." Taking to Instagram, Priyanka posted a series of pictures from their holiday. The first image shows her riding a sand bike, dressed in a white crop top, paired with a shirt and denim pants, with her hair covered by a white cloth for protection. The fun continued with a hilarious moment captured of Priyanka laughing as Nick interacted with a camel, making funny faces. The couple later indulged in local delicacies before dressing up to explore the city. Priyanka, always the picture of joy, ended her post with the caption, More days like these please, thank you Jeddah and @redseafilm." Priyanka and Nick have had a hectic year. Priyanka wrapped up filming for the second season of Russo Brothers Citadel. Malti was with Priyanka on the sets of the filming. She will be next seen in Heads Of State with Idris Elba and John Cena. On the other hand, Nick Jonas was touring the US with his brothers, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas. First Published: December 25, 2024, 10:48 IST Opinion | From Paralysis to Progress: How PM Modi Stirred A Stagnant Ship Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 12:45 IST In 2014, Narendra Modi arrived on the scene promising a different approach, a decisive break from the inertia that had gripped the country. And to a significant degree, thats precisely what transpired PM Narendra Modi chairs a NITI Aayog meeting with economists on December 24. (Image: PTI) For far too long, the thought surrounding India was one of missed opportunities, a nation shackled by what many termed policy paralysis". Governments seemed bogged down in the quagmire of coalition politics, more concerned with keeping everyone happy than with the business of actually governing effectively. Initiatives languished, decisions were delayed, and the nations potential seemed frustratingly untapped. Then, in 2014, Narendra Modi arrived on the scene promising a different approach, a decisive break from the inertia that had gripped the country. And to a significant degree, thats precisely what transpired. related stories A NEW SENSE OF URGENCY The very air seemed to crackle with a renewed sense of urgency. The notion of policy paralysis" was frequently invoked, sharply contrasted with the new administrations commitment to action. It was confidently stated that the stagnation prevalent before 2014 had been overcome by a determined effort to reform, perform and transform. This shift was evident in concrete examples and emerging data. Before 2014, there was a deep sense of uncertainty" pervading the economy, an affliction Indians themselves labelled policy paralysis". In a 2014 report by The Carnegie Endowment, data revealed that policy uncertainty had vastly increased at the end of UPAs first term", contributing to Indias worst growth performance in a quarter century". And then came the turnaround. The startup ecosystem is a prime example of this turnaround. In 2014, there were only 300-400 startups", but within eight years, this number had exploded to 70,000 recognized startups", a staggering increase. This commitment to action also manifested in a new-found focus on efficiency and fiscal responsibility. Accounts from ministers and officials illustrate this point. For instance, direct intervention spurred swift action on neglected government property, surprisingly yielding a substantial sum of Rs 62 crore". Another example highlighted the addressing of unfair subsidies in Parliaments canteen, a seemingly small detail but symbolic of a broader commitment to equitable resource allocation. These instances, though seemingly small, illustrated a commitment to efficiency and fiscal responsibility that had been sorely lacking. This attention to detail, this intolerance for even minor instances of governmental slackness, set a new tone for the administration. POLICY OVERHAUL: INJECTING LIFE INTO KEY SECTORS The government didnt just talk the talk; it backed it up with a series of significant policy interventions across various sectors. In public health, a significant lack of effective policy had been evident, with real solutions to peoples needs slow to materialise. While current policies face scrutiny, its worth noting a period of stagnation preceded the more recent initiatives. The establishment of the National Health Mission (NHM), though prior to 2014, gained momentum and focus, aiming to strengthen public sector healthcare. Later initiatives, such as Ayushman Bharat, while debated in their effectiveness, represented a significant attempt to improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations. Economically, the shift was dramatic. A significant increase in policy uncertainty had occurred previously leading to stalled projects and a slowdown in investment. The Modi-led government, while facing its own economic challenges, actively promoted initiatives to boost domestic manufacturing. Indias governance model was even lauded as an example for the world, highlighting ambitions to lift millions out of poverty and implement innovative governance practices. INJECTING DYNAMISM INTO A LETHARGIC SYSTEM One of the key strategies employed was the emphasis on setting and achieving time-bound goals. This provided a framework for action and fostered a sense of accountability within the bureaucracy. For example, policy decisions announced were often implemented very quickly. The focus on delivering governance to those most in need, as seen with initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, demonstrated an intention to translate policy into tangible benefits for citizens. This emphasis on delivery and measurable outcomes was a marked departure from a system often criticised for its slowness and lack of follow-through. Furthermore, a culture of collaboration and teamwork was actively fostered. The idea of a unified national effort aimed to break down regional barriers and encourage a joined-up approach to governance. Further illustrating this emphasis on speed and accountability is a comment shared by Vinod Kumar Yadav, former CEO of the Railway Board. He recounted an instance where the Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the construction of facilities like restaurants and shopping centres at railway stations to benefit local communities. This directive was given with the expectation of swift implementation, reflecting a departure from the typical bureaucratic delays. The ambitious target of establishing 1,50,000 HWCs" (health and wellness centres) as new institutions in rural areas by February 2018, demonstrated a push for visible and time-bound deliverables in the policy sector. IMPACT ON GOVERNANCE: A TANGIBLE SHIFT IN PERCEPTION The cumulative effect of these policy changes and the shift in governance culture has been a noticeable change in perception, both within India and internationally. While criticisms persist, theres a widespread recognition that the current government has been proactive and decisive in its approach. This shift away from perceived policy paralysis" has had tangible economic consequences. Indias economic standing has reportedly shifted from being labelled a poor country" to being recognised as a fastest growing economy", reflected in significant increases in GDP (gross domestic product) per capita. This progress, driven by a more decisive approach to policy, has attracted greater foreign investment and boosted Indias position in global economic rankings. The ambition to project India as a global leader, showcasing its governance model, has gained credibility as the economy demonstrates stronger growth and increased investor confidence, a direct result of overcoming past indecision and inaction. The focus on expanded welfare initiatives, with the large-scale implementation of programmes and the provision of essential goods, has undeniably impacted the lives of millions, contributing to social stability and potentially unlocking further economic participation. While questions remain regarding data transparency and job creation, the sheer scale of these initiatives suggests a government actively engaged in addressing the needs of its citizens, a stark contrast to the policy paralysis" narrative that dominated discussions before 2014. This proactive stance has fostered a sense of optimism and dynamism within the economy. THE ROAD AHEAD: MAINTAINING MOMENTUN, ADDRESSING CHALLENGES While significant progress has been made, the journey is far from over. In the public health sector, the ghost of policy paralysis" still flickers in certain areas. For instance, while schemes like Ayushman Bharat aim to improve access to tertiary care, fundamental issues surrounding primary healthcare infrastructure, workforce shortages, and effective disease prevention strategies persist. A truly robust public health system requires sustained and coordinated policy interventions across all levels of care. Concerns about inequality and the insufficient creation of jobs remain valid, indicating that the benefits of economic growth havent been evenly distributed. Maintaining the current momentum and ensuring that the gains made are sustainable and inclusive remains a crucial challenge. Further reforms are undoubtedly needed, particularly in areas such as making the bureaucracy more efficient and improving data transparency. Sustaining the focus on achieving goals within set timeframes and ensuring accountability will be essential to prevent a return to the inertia of the past. Moreover, addressing the criticisms and concerns raised is vital for ensuring that progress is both impactful and fair. CONCLUSION: A SYSTEM REINVIGORATED The narrative surrounding India has undeniably shifted. While the label of policy paralysis" may not be entirely gone, the current government has demonstrably injected a new dynamism into the system. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Through a combination of determined policy interventions, a focus on achieving goals within specific timeframes, and a concerted effort to foster a culture of action, the government has, to a significant extent, overcome the stagnation of the past. The challenges ahead are significant, but the transformation witnessed since 2014 strongly suggests that India is no longer defined by an inability to act. The mechanisms of government, once seemingly stuck, are now moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. (Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) First Published: December 25, 2024, 12:45 IST BJP's Giriraj Singh Seeks Bharat Ratna For Nitish Kumar, Naveen Patnaik Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 17:47 IST The BJP leader expressed the sentiment in Begusarai, his Lok Sabha constituency, lavishing praise on Kumar, a current ally, and Patnaik, a former alliance partner whom the saffron party ousted from power earlier this year. Notably, the averment comes in the backdrop of attempts by the RJD, which has aligned with the JD(U) twice, to fish in the NDA's troubled waters. (Image: PTI file) Union minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, should be conferred upon Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and former CM of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik. The outspoken BJP leader expressed the sentiment in Begusarai, his Lok Sabha constituency, lavishing praise on Kumar, a current ally, and Patnaik, a former alliance partner whom the saffron party ousted from power earlier this year. related stories Bihar was known for decrepit roads, schools and buildings until the ascent to power of Nitish Kumar, who took the state to new heights. Likewise, Naveen Patnaik served Odisha for so many years. Leaders like them deserve the highest honour, like Bharat Ratna," he said. Widely perceived as a detractor of Kumar in Bihars political circles, Singh also asserted that mischief" of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad notwithstanding, the NDA was looking forward to contesting the upcoming assembly polls under the JD(U) supremos leadership. Notably, the averment comes in the backdrop of attempts by the RJD, which has aligned with the JD(U) twice, to fish in the NDAs troubled waters. On Tuesday, Prasads son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav had alleged, The BJP has assumed control of the chief ministers office. Four close aides of Kumar, of whom two are in Delhi, are in touch with the BJP leadership. Amit Shah is clearly at work." The young leader had made the remark in the backdrop of Shahs reluctance to affirm, at an event hosted by a private news channel, that Kumar will be the NDAs face for assembly polls in Bihar. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This has led to speculations in a section of the media that the BJP might push for a strategy in Bihar, where assembly polls are due in less than a year, similar to the one adopted in Maharashtra. In the Maharashtra assembly polls held last month, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was not projected as the NDAs face. After the NDAs landslide victory, the BJP, which emerged as the largest constituent, muscled its way through and Devendra Fadnavis became the new chief minister. First Published: December 25, 2024, 17:47 IST Mysuru Civic Body Proposes To Rename Road After CM Siddaramaiah, BJP Takes Tughlaq Jibe Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 16:06 IST A political row erupted in Karnataka after Mysuru civic body proposed to rename a road in the city after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (PTI Photo) The BJP and JDS have hit out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after Mysuru City Corporation proposed to rename a stretch of the KRS Road after the CM. This comes after the corporation, in a notice in a local newspaper, said that a decision had been taken after a meeting on November 22, about renaming a stretch on the historic KRS road after CM Siddaramaiah as the Siddaramaiah Arogya Marga. related stories The notice sought peoples objections or suggestions on the move within a month. What Did The BJP Say? BJP Karnataka chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa alleged that the latest development shows that the Congress government follows the governance style of Tughlaq". The Mysuru kingdom was built and nurtured by the kings and maharajas of Mysuru. On a road named after such a great royal lineage, Chief Minister @siddaramaiah is now attempting to rename it after himself. How appropriate and reasonable is it for the Mysuru City Corporation, which lacks elected representatives, to take this decision? Does the Chief Minister, who is in power and seeking to establish his own name, not feel a moral prick? Such actions can only be seen among those who follow the governance style of Tughlaq," Yediyurappa posted on X. Reacting to the civic bodys move, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, There are so many allegations against him. I hope good sense prevails on him" JDS Slams Move top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all JDS, the BJPs ally, slammed the proposal, saying that renaming the historic road after someone who was involved in corruption in the MUDA was an insult to the whole state. The decision of the Mysore Metropolitan Corporation to name the KRS road in the historic city of Mysore as Siddaramaiah Arogya Marg" is condemnable. The accused A1, who illegally obtained a site in Muda and cheated, is facing trial in the 420 @siddaramaiah court and Lokayukta. Naming a road after the corrupt Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has swallowed up Muda, is a betrayal and insult not only to the historic city of Mysore but also to the entire state," JDS said. First Published: December 25, 2024, 16:01 IST 'Promises Aren't Reality': Delhi Departments 'Forced' To Clarify On Schemes Announced By Kejriwal Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 12:12 IST It is important to note that there is no such file in our department and we started getting queries from the public for the scheme, a government official said, explaining the 'non-existent' Sanjeevani Yojana. The registration for post-poll schemes started from Monday, with both Arvind Kejriwal (in pic) and CM Atishi visiting several areas and launching doorstep registration. The Aam Aadmi Party announced post-poll promises in a way that people started believing the schemes have been launched, an official from Delhis Health and Family Welfare department told News18, explaining a public notice in newspapers that labelled the schemes non-existent". The drama began after AAP began a registration drive for Sanjeevani Yojana, a scheme to provide free treatment to Delhis residents aged over 60 at private and government hospitals. The Women and Child Development department also clarified that the Mahila Samman Yojana, which promises Rs 2,100 per month to women in the capital, had not been notified. related stories Speaking to News18, a government official said they were forced to issue the order as there was a misconception among the public. Both the departments were getting queries from the public regarding the non-existent" schemes. It is important to note that there is no such file in our department and we started getting queries from the public. This makes us issue the order," the government official from the Health Department said, requesting anonymity. When News18 contacted the Women and Child Department, they said the Cabinet approval is for Rs 1,000 per month per woman in Delhi and not Rs 2,100, as promised by AAP. Political parties make many promises but it is not important that they become reality. As government departments, it is our responsibility to make people aware of what is happening on ground and what is not," another official said. Over the last few weeks AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal has announced two schemes Mahila Samman and Sanjivani Yojana. These will come into action after elections are held in the next few weeks, and only if AAP forms the next government. The registration for these post-poll schemes also started from Monday, with both party convener Kejriwal and CM Atishi visiting several areas and launching doorstep registration. The BJP since morning has been targeting the ruling AAP for misleading the public. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, in a statement in Hindi, said it is an extremely unfortunate situation". The Delhi government is doing exactly what digital fraudsters do collecting peoples private data that could potentially be misused. By launching schemes without proper notification, they are misleading the public, especially women and senior citizens," he said. Countering the claims, Kejriwal said the Opposition is very upset" with the scheme. They have made a plans to arrest Atishi ji in the next few days by making a fake case. Before that, raids will be conducted on senior leaders of AAP," he posted on X in Hindi. Adding to his statement, AAP also posted on X saying the schemes are getting great response from the public and so the BJP is scared. No matter what the BJP does, public is with Kejriwal ji and Chief Minister Atishi," AAP posted on X in Hindi. The Kejriwal-led party has also come out with an Artificial Intelligence ad with the party supremo in a Santa Claus avatar. What Is There In The Notices? The Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) said it has been brought to their notice through media reports and social media posts that a political party is claiming to disburse Rs 2,100 per month under Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana to women in Delhi. It is clarified that no such scheme has been notified by Government of Delhi. As, if and when such a scheme is notified, the Department will launch a digital portal for eligible individuals to submit their applications online as per the approved guidelines," it said. The public notice also reads that eligibility conditions and modalities will be clearly notified by the department as and when it happens. Details of all WCD Department Schemes are available only on the website of the Department. It is emphasized that since no such scheme exists, the question of physical forms/applications for the registration under this non-existent scheme does not arise," it said. The Department also warned the public that any private individual or political party collecting such physical forms and applications or collecting information from applicants under the name of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana is fraudulent and without any authority. Citizens are cautioned that sharing personal details, such as bank account information, voter ID card, phone numbers, residential address, or any other sensitive information in the name of this scheme, are at a collateral risk of putting out information in public domain that may lead to crime/cybercrime/banking fraud, targeting them and they will be entirely at their own risk and will be liable for any such consequences," it added. The Health and Family Welfare Department also said they have learnt that a supposed scheme named Sanjeevani Yojana is being propagated among residents of Delhi, which claims to provide free treatment of people, aged above 60 years, at all Delhi Hospitals (Government or Private), irrespective of income criteria. Further, it has also come to the notice of Department and has been evident from media/news that a registration drive to get enrolled under this scheme by filling up physical forms, has also been started by some political functionaries /volunteers who are visiting door to door to collect information from elderly citizens and handing over to them some sort of Health/Sanjeevani Scheme Card"," they said. They went on to say that the purported registration forms are seeking details of senior citizens, that include phone numbers, addresses. Aadhar and Bank Account details. ..due to the various news/media reports the elderly citizens have started visiting Government Hospitals and Offices to enquire about this scheme," it added. The Department also said that it does not have any such supposed Sanjeevani Scheme" in existence till date. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The health department neither has authorised any health official or anybody to collect such personal information and data from elderly citizens, nor is the department providing any card in this regard," it explained. The Department emphasized that since no such scheme exists, the question of physical forms and applications for the registration under such non-existent scheme does not arise and any private individual and political party collecting such physical forms or applications or collecting information from applicants under the name of Sanjeevani Yojana" is fraudulent and without any authority". First Published: December 25, 2024, 12:12 IST 'Speak As One, Dispel Opposition Narrative': NDA Partners Talk Coordination, Constitution Debate Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 16:08 IST The BJP's top leadership requested NDA partners to spread the message of how the Congress was trying to hide its own faults in the garb of being "pro-Constitution" The NDA meeting was held at BJP national president JP Nadda's residence on December 25. (Image: News18) The necessity to speak as one and better coordination between partners was the focal point of a meeting of the NDA, which took place at BJP national president JP Naddas residence on Wednesday. Union home minister Amit Shah and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu were present at the meeting, which was also attended by Union minister Pratap Jadhav of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, HD Kumaraswamy of the JD(S), and Anupriya Patel of the Apna Dal among other leaders from smaller parties. related stories There was a detailed discussion on the coordination within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), while it was once again stressed that leaders need to speak as a unit and not as a standalone political party. A system is already in place, under which a central minister along with a minister of state has the responsibility of coordinating with different NDA allies, not only for data but also information sharing and feedback as well as helping MPs. About the high-profile debate in Parliament on the 75th year of the adoption of the Constitution, Nadda and Shah spoke on the meaning of such a debate and how facts needed to come to the fore. Dispelling the opposition narrative on the matter was also a key point during the discussion. It was said the Congress, which is accusing the Narendra Modi-led government of being anti-Constitution", is the same party that violated its principles on multiple occasions and not just one. The BJPs top leadership requested NDA partners to spread the message of how the Congress was trying to hide its own faults in the garb of being pro-Constitution". It was further discussed that the Grand Old Party and other opposition parties were using an edited video to create a fake narrative around the remarks made by the Union home minister on BR Ambedkar. During this discussion, Shah claimed that it was an afterthought by the Congress to raise the Ambedkar issue. He added how the Congress, after a few hours, came up with the edited video and tried to promote it through its chosen toolkit" gang. It was elaborated that the NDA as a unit worked for everybodys welfare and there is no truth in the allegations made by the opposition. It was highlighted how the NDA government, in its last two terms, had done much to preserve Ambedkars legacy and take it forward. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Leaders decided to hold these meetings on a periodical basis, and said they will be held between central and state leaders. It was also reinforced that the NDA had come together naturally, unlike a forced political alliance such as the INDIA bloc. All NDA partners joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi in paying tributes on the birth centenary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A prayer ceremony was held at the late political stalwarts memorial earlier, which was attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla among others. First Published: December 25, 2024, 16:08 IST 'Time To Clean Our Cities': Aaditya Writes To Fadnavis, Urges CM To Ban Illegal Political Posters Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 19:16 IST Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray urged Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to enforce a blanket ban on all political posters, banners, and hoardings, irrespective of party affiliation Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray wrote an open letter to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. (Image: PTI/File) In a bid to address the growing menace of political posters and hoardings defacing Maharashtras urban landscape, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray wrote an open letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Thackeray urged Fadnavis to enforce a blanket ban on all political posters, banners, and hoardings, irrespective of party affiliation. His letter called for a united effort to curb this practice, which not only mars the aesthetic appeal of cities but also burdens citizens and political workers alike. related stories His appeal comes as a step towards fostering collaboration among political rivals for the collective betterment of the states towns and cities. He highlighted the alarming rise in the number of political posters, banners, and hoardings plastered across major cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. The former state cabinet minister said many of these were illegal, often without permission, and have become an eyesore. Over the past two years, the unchecked proliferation of political posters has turned every corner of our cities into a battleground of political branding. It is disheartening to see our cities lose their charm and cleanliness to this senseless competition," he wrote. He further claimed that municipal bodies, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), have been selectively removing these posters. He alleged that while banners put up by opposition parties are promptly taken down, those of the ruling party are allowed to remain. Thackeray stressed on the financial implications of this poster culture". He said political workers often bear the brunt of the expenses, diverting funds that could otherwise be used for constructive activities or public welfare. No other country in the world resorts to such widespread use of political posters. Its time we move past this outdated practice and adopt more responsible ways to connect with people," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He called on the chief minister to take the first step by holding a meeting with all political parties to discuss the issue. He also expressed his willingness to support the cause saying, If you lead this effort, my party and I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you. Let us put aside our political differences and work together for a cleaner, more beautiful Maharashtra." According to the Thackeray scion, a ban on political posters will not only improve the visual appeal of cities but also send a strong message about the states commitment to progress and modernity. Fadnavis is yet to respond to his letter. First Published: December 25, 2024, 19:16 IST Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the Russian Federation's strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities and the violation of Moldova's airspace by a missile, which is a violation of international law. "While our countries celebrate Christmas, Kremlin chooses destructiontargeting Ukraines energy infrastructure and violating Moldovas airspace with a missile, actions that clearly violate international law. Moldova condemns these acts and stands in full solidarity with Ukraine," Sandu wrote on X. New Gender Studies Curriculum At This US University Explores Sex Work, Queer Spaces Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 14:02 IST Princeton University in the US has introduced classes on Queer Spaces in the World and Sex Workers and Sex Work for the upcoming Spring Semester. The gender studies program at a university in the US will explore 'queer spaces' and 'sex work'. (Representative image) Princeton University in the United States has revised its Gender and Sexuality Studies (GSS) curriculum for the Spring semester. The University has introduced classes on Queer Spaces in the World, Sex Workers and Sex Work, according to the program details listed on its website. Princeton will offer five classes in the spring of 2025 that include the word queer" in their descriptions up on the website. These are: Love: Anthropological Explorations", Queer Spaces in the World", Power, Profit and Pleasure: Sex Workers and Sex Work", Disability and the Politics of Life", and The Poetics of Memory: Fragility and Liberation". related stories The class on Queer Spaces in the World will explore how to uncover and write architectural histories that include marginalised perspectives. It examines how sources influence narratives, how to address erasures in the historical record, and how feminist, gender, queer, and trans* theories can contribute to creating more inclusive and equitable historical accounts. How do we reconcile seeming absences and actual acts of erasure that stare back at us from the archive? How can feminist, gender, queer and trans* theory help us chart new avenues for writing critical architectural histories that are attentive to discourses of difference but also narratives of equity?" reads a part of the course description on the website. The University will also conduct a class on Power, Profit and Pleasure: Sex Workers and Sex Work, which examines the multifaceted and often stigmatised subject of sex work from the perspectives of sex workers worldwide. It also explores diverse forms of sex work, such as prostitution, erotic dance, and online camming, while addressing themes like stigma, race, class, queer dynamics, legal and economic issues, and societal norms surrounding marriage and monogamy. In the course description, the website mentioned that it will explore several themes, including the whore stigma, race, class and queer dynamics; law, labor and money; technologies of desire and spectacle; dirt, marriage and monogamy; carceral modernity; violence, agency and, above all, strategies for social transformation", before adding that the course explores the intricate lives and intimate narratives of sex workers" who engage in myriad varieties of global sex work: pornography, prostitution, erotic dance, escorting, street work, camming, commercial fetishism, and sex tourism". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Several universities in the US have introduced courses exploring themes related to queer studies. For instance, the University of Chicago gained attention with its Queering God" course, which posed the provocative question, Is God queer?" as part of its preview. Similarly, Texas Christian University offered a course titled Queer Art of Drag," where students were encouraged to create and develop their own drag persona" as part of the curriculum. These programs aim to engage students in examining complex ideas about identity, representation, and culture through diverse perspectives. First Published: December 25, 2024, 14:02 IST Punjab Man Who Murdered 11 In 18 Months Wrote Dhokebaaz On Victims Back Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 12:17 IST Punjab: The man, accused of murdering 11 men, strangled most of his victims with a piece of cloth. In some cases, however, the victims died from head injuries inflicted by blunt objects, like bricks. Punjab: Serial killer Ram Saroop alias Sodhi who allegedly killed 11 men in over a year. (Image: X/@RupnagarPolice) A 32-year-old serial killer who confessed to murdering 11 men in 18 months has been arrested by Punjab police. The accused, identified as Ram Saroop alias Sodhi from Chaura village in Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur district, reportedly wrote the word dhokebaaz" (betrayer) on the back of one of his victims. Saroop was apprehended by police after the body of one of his victims was found on Manali Road in the Kiratpur Sahib area on August 18. Following the grim find, the police filed a murder case and launched an investigation, reported the Indian Express. related stories Motive behind the murders According to a report by the Times of India (TOI), Saroop only killed men whom he had interacted with, either through sexual encounters or by offering them lifts. He admitted to looting and murdering those who refused to pay him the money they had promised. Read| US Employee Charged With Attempt To Murder For Stabbing Company President During Staff Meeting Police have so far confirmed his involvement in the murder of five men, with investigations continuing into the others. Saroop is known to have killed three people in Ropar, and one each in Fatehgarh Sahib and Hoshiarpur. Punjab serial killers victims Among Saroops victims was 37-year-old Maninder Singh from Kiratpur Sahib, who worked at the Modra toll plaza. Saroop murdered him on August 18, and his body was found abandoned in the bushes near a petrol pump on Manali Road. Saroop also killed Mukander Singh Billa, a 34-year-old tractor repairman from Begampura (Ghanoli) village, by beating him to death. His body was discovered on Panjehra Road in Barha Pind. Also Read| How Flies Helped MP Police Solve A Blind Murder Mystery He also murdered a former soldier from Ropar who was working as a security guard at a private factory. After killing the man, Saroop wrote the word dhokebaaz" on the victims back. In a major breakthrough, Rupnagar Police has solved 3 blind murder cases and arrested 1 person.During the investigation of murder cases,district police arrested Ram Saroop @ Sodhi S/o Kesar Singh R/o Vill.Choda PS Garhshankar dist.Hoshiarpur,who admitted to commit 11 incidents. pic.twitter.com/ig52TgRKdi Rupnagar Police (@RupnagarPolice) December 23, 2024 How did Saroop kill his victims? According to reports, Saroop used two main methods for killing his victims. In most cases, he strangled them using a piece of cloth, but in some instances, the victims died from head injuries caused by blunt objects, such as bricks. SP Navneet Singh Mahal confirmed these details to TOI. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In most cases, Saroop reportedly strangled his victims with a piece of cloth, though in some instances, victims died from head injuries caused by blunt objects like bricks," SP Navneet Singh Mahal said. Saroop was abandoned by his family two years ago because of his homosexuality. The serial killer, who is married with three children, is currently on a police remand as investigators work to uncover the full scope of his crimes. The police will also take him for a medical examination to determine whether he is infected with HIV. First Published: December 25, 2024, 12:13 IST Someone Is Adding Googly Eyes To Oregons Public Art, Officials Not Amused Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 12:30 IST The municipal authorities in Bend have already spent 1,500 dollars to remove the painted eyes from the structures. The comedy eyes were first spotted in the citys Roundabout Art Route. (Photo Credit: Instagram) Googly eyes have been appearing on several public art sculptures in Bend, Oregon, causing both amusement and concern. The eyes were first spotted along the citys Roundabout Art Route, which features 27 sculptures in the middle of traffic circles. While some residents enjoy the playful additions, city officials worry about potential damage to the artwork. The sculptures include Orb I, a six-foot sphere by artist Brandon Zebold; Bueno Homage to the Buckaroo, a sculpture of a horse by Danae Bennett-Miller; and Big Ears, a painting by Joe Halko that depicts a family of deer. Googly eyes were stuck to eight of those statues. related stories The city authorities have already spent 1,500 dollars to remove the painted eyes from the structures, The New York Times reported. They are likely to spend 5,000 dollars more to wash and restore Crossroads a popular sculpture which was also vandalised with graffiti. Adhesives can pull off the paint, wax or other protective coatings on the metals. If paint on steel is chipped, scratched or removed with adhesives, the steel will rust," Rene Mitchell, a city spokesperson, told The Times. Bend police are reportedly not interested in finding the culprits. Instead, they have dropped a post on Instagram, asking the residents to refrain from sticking such googly eyes on the citys monuments and sculptures. View this post on Instagram A post shared by City of Bend Oregon Government (@cityofbendoregon) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We love our roundabout art in Bend, so lets do our part to take care of it. While the googly eyes placed on the various art pieces around town might give you a chuckle, it costs money to remove them with care to not damage the art. While we dont condone the wreaths, leis and Santa hats, lets stay away from adhesives, graffiti and all things that can damage the art," read the caption of the post. Many users found the idea quite interesting and one of them said, More googly eyes are needed worldwide." Art was vandal-eyesed," quipped a person. Another user humorously said, No way its causing any damage especially monetarily. For foxs sake!" A resident of the city feels if this continues, Bend will become the googly eye capital of the world". Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 25, 2024, 12:30 IST Canada Introduces Changes In Express Entry System, Indian Aspirants Likely To Be Impacted Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 18:03 IST The changes in the Express Entry system in Canada will come into effect in spring 2025 after which those applying for PR will not get extra points for holding job offers. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (AP Image) Canada has announced a major shift in its Express Entry system under which the candidates applying for permanent residency starting spring next year will no longer receive additional points for holding a job offer. The move is likely to impact the Indian nationals seeking to move to the North American country in search of better job opportunities. related stories What Has The Canadian Govt Said? Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said that the government is taking steps to reduce fraud" while also continuing to bring in skilled labour. Immigration has always been a cornerstone of Canadas success, and we remain committed to welcoming the best and brightest to Canada so that everyone has access to the quality jobs, homes and supports they need to thrive," he said. Once the programme comes into effect, all Express Entry aspirants, including those currently working in the country temporarily, will be impacted. However, those who have already received invitations to apply or whose applications for PR to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are in process will not be affected under the new scheme. The governments latest move will apply to all candidates holding job offers both current and new ones under the Express Extry. Canadas premier immigration system, Express Entry, oversees applications for permanent residency through various programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and selected streams of the Provincial Nominee Program. How Will It Impact Indian Professionals? India maintained its dominance in Express Entry invitations in 2023, with 52,106 Indian nationals receiving invitations to apply for permanent residency, accounting for 47.2% of the total issued that year. However, the potential removal of job-offer pointscurrently adding 50 to 200 pointscould pose significant challenges for applicants from India and other countries. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The governments step comes on the back of previous moves to overhaul the countrys immigration system. In June 2022, the government brought in amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that allowed it to pick and choose immigrants with certain skills. Location : Ottawa, Canada First Published: December 25, 2024, 18:03 IST Embattled Trudeau In Christmas Message Asks Canadians To Set Divisions Aside | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 23:28 IST Justin Trudeau asked Canadians to embrace the festive cheer and set all political division aside in his Christmas message. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau struck a conciliatory tone in his Christmas message. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday urged Canadians to set aside their political differences and embrace the festive cheer as they celebrate Christmas. This is the time of year to slow down, to rest, and to connect with the people you love most," Trudeau said. related stories He also urged Canadians to check in on those who may be going through a very hard time" in the video posted on X. The Canadian PM appeared to strike a conciliatory tone as he faces revolt from within his own party. Trudeaus support within his own party appeared to falter further last week when a large section of his own party, the Liberal Party, wanted the premier to resign. Trudeau has suffered a series of blows in recent days, spurred by the surprise resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who clashed with her boss over incoming US president Donald Trumps threats to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports. Freelands exit, after nearly a decade at Trudeaus side, marked the first open dissent against the prime minister from within his cabinet and has emboldened critics. Ottawa area MP Chandra Arya told the public broadcaster CBC on Sunday that dozens of Liberal MPs wanted Trudeau to go. He said a majority of the caucus thinks it is time for the prime minister to step aside." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Anthony Housefather, a Liberal member of parliament from the province of Quebec, told the CBC on Sunday that the prime minister needs to go." Were in an impossible situation if he stays," Housefather said, arguing the party would be hammered in an election that amounted to a referendum on Trudeaus leadership. Location : Ottawa, Canada First Published: December 25, 2024, 23:28 IST Hanukkah Sameach: PM Modi Extends Hanukkah Greetings To Israeli PM Netanyahu Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 19:05 IST PM Modi said he hopes the radiance of Hannukah will illuminate the lives of people with hope and peace. PM Modi wished Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Hanukkah. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Hanukkah greetings to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, the people of Israel and those celebrating this Jewish festival of lights around the world. Best wishes to PM @netanyahu and all the people across the world celebrating the festival of Hanukkah. May the radiance of Hanukkah illuminate everybodys lives with hope, peace and strength. Hanukkah Sameach!" PM Modi posted on social media site X. related stories Best wishes to PM @netanyahu and all the people across the world celebrating the festival of Hanukkah. May the radiance of Hanukkah illuminate everybodys lives with hope, peace and strength. Hanukkah Sameach! Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2024 Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the miracle of light. It lasts for eight days and nights. During Hanukkah families light the menorah, a special candelabrum. Each night a new candle is lit to remember the miracle of oil that lasted eight days. Hanukkah includes prayers, songs, and the giving of gifts. Traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts) are enjoyed. The festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Israel is celebrating Hanukkah in the aftermath of the deadly October 7 attacks which led to the deaths of over 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israels subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 45,317 people, a majority of them civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The figures are considered reliable by the United Nations. Among those concerned are the families of hostages still trapped in the coastal enclave. During the unprecedented attack on Israel, 251 people were abducted, of whom 96 remain hostages in Gaza, including 34 declared dead by the military. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers on Monday that some progress" had been made in negotiations to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, more than 14 months into the war. His comments in parliament came two days after Palestinian militant groups also talked of progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal. First Published: December 25, 2024, 18:32 IST Houses Of Christian Tripura Community Torched In Bangladesh On Christmas Eve Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 21:38 IST 17 homes of Christian Tripura community in Bandarban were torched by unknown miscreants. Bangladesh has witnessed attacks on minority groups like Bengali Hindus, Christians and adivasis since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Unknown miscreants torched 17 houses of Christian Tripura community in Bangladeshs Bandarban on the night of Christmas eve. According to a report by the The Daily Star. The miscreants set ablaze the houses of the people when the residents had gone to another village for Christmas eve celebrations. They had gone to the nearby village because there was no church in the vicinity. related stories 17 out of 19 houses of the Tripura community were completely gutted, the news outlet said citing officials. Today is our happiest day. I never dreamed such a situation would happen on Christmas.We demand exemplary punishment of the criminals," Gungamani Tripura, a victim, was quoted as saying by the news outlet. The Tongijhiri area had been inhabited by the Tripura community for generations. Locals said they were forcibly evacuated a few years ago when some claimed the area was leased to the wife of a police officer during the Awami League regime. Trees were planted in the village after the eviction. Paisapru Tripura, head of the new Tongjhiri, stated they had lived there for three or four generations. A group claiming to be SPs men" forced them out four to five years ago. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The SPs men" allegedly said the land was leased to Benazir Ahmeds wife, who was the inspector general of police at the time. After the Awami Leagues fall, the Tripura community returned, built new houses, and resumed living there. Bangladesh has been witnessing atrocities against minorities since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. Attacks on Bengali Hindus, Christians, adivasis and hill tribes have grown following the ouster of the Bangladeshi prime minister after weeks of protests led by students demanding quota reforms. Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: December 25, 2024, 21:38 IST Iran Denounces Israel's 'Brazen Admission' Of Killing Ismail Haniyeh: 'Heinous Crime' Published By : AFP Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 07:24 IST Ismail Haniyeh, who was seen as leading Hamas's negotiation efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, was killed in a guesthouse in Tehran on July 31. Ismail Haniyeh was the Doha-based political bureau chief of Hamas. (Image: AFP) Iran on Tuesday denounced what it termed Israels brazen admission" of having killed former Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this year, accusing the country of having carried out a heinous crime" and defending its missile-strike response. This brazen admission marks the first time the Israeli regime has openly confessed to its responsibility for this heinous crime," said Irans ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani in a letter addressed to the UN secretary-general. related stories On Monday, Israels defense minister Israel Katz acknowledged his country was responsible for the killing, the first time an official admission had been made. Haniyeh, who was seen as leading Hamass negotiation efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, was killed in a guesthouse in Tehran on July 31, reportedly by an explosive device that had been placed by Israeli operatives weeks before. Until Monday, Israel had never admitted to killing Haniyeh, but Iran and Hamas had attributed the Hamas political leaders death to the nation. In October, Iran said it fired 200 missiles at Israel, an apparent response to the killing. Israel said most of the projectiles were intercepted either by its own air defenses or by allies air forces. On Tuesday, Iranian UN Ambassador Iravani termed Israels killing of Haniyeh a heinous terrorist act," adding that Katzs statement showed Iran was justified in striking Israel in retaliation. It also reaffirms the legitimacy and legality of Irans defensive response on 1 October 2024, as well as Irans consistent position that the occupying and terrorist regime of Israel remains the most serious threat to regional and international peace and security." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On September 27, Israel killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in a Beirut bombing, which was followed by the killing of Haniyehs successor Yahya Sinwar on October 16 in Gaza. Israeli officials say Sinwar masterminded the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, which sparked the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, which has killed tens of thousands and reduced much of the Palestinian territory to rubble. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: December 25, 2024, 07:24 IST Japan Raises Concerns Over China's Territorial Disputes With Other Nations Published By : Associated Press Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 23:20 IST Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, on his first trip to China since assuming the post in October, sounded positive after meetings with Chinese Premier and Foreign Minister. Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi (AP Image) China and Japan agreed on Wednesday to set up talks on often contentious security issues as they seek to improve a relationship driven in recent years by a range of issues, from territorial disputes to the discharge of water from Japans tsunami-wrecked nuclear power plant. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, on his first trip to China since assuming the post in October, sounded positive after meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, saying the talks were very candid" and wide-ranging. related stories I feel we were able to build a personal relationship that would lead to the future," he told reporters in the Chinese capital. Wang agreed to visit Japan next year for a high-level economic dialogue including cooperation on the environment, energy conservation and health and nursing care. Japan announced an easing of visa requirements for Chinese visitors, following Chinas recent decision to allow Japanese to enter without a visa. The two countries also have major differences. Iwaya raised Japans concerns about Chinas military activity near a group of uninhabited islands that both countries claim, as well as Chinas territorial disputes with other countries in the South China Sea. Efforts to improve ties are in their early stages following a commitment to do so made by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at a meeting last month during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru. Currently China-Japan relations are at a critical period of improvement and development," Li said at the start of his meeting with Iwaya. China is willing to work together with Japan to move toward the important direction proposed by the leaders of the two countries." Iwayas one-day trip came just before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January and the uncertainty his presidency is expected to bring to Americas global relations. Trump has threatened to hike tariffs on Chinese goods, reigniting a trade war he unleashed in his first administration. Its unclear how he will impact the US-Japan alliance, which President Joe Biden has sought to buttress during the last four years as part of his strategy to confront a rising China. Japan has revamped its approach to defence in response to Chinese actions in recent years, boosting military spending and shifting away from a principle of self-defence. Earlier this year, Japan protested when a Chinese military plane flew into Japans airspace, while in the summer, a Chinese survey ship sailed into Japanese territorial waters. Wang agreed to Iwayas proposal for a Japan-China security dialogue, which would try to improve communication over some of these issues. Iwaya called for an early lifting of a ban on Japanese seafood imports that China imposed after a Japanese utility began discharging treated but still radioactive water from the former nuclear power plant in Fukushima. The two sides agreed to keep working on the issue, and also resume talks on Japanese beef and rice exports to China. Japans easing of visa requirements included allowing group tours to stay for 30 days, up from 15, and increasing the validity of multiple-entry tourist visas from five to 10 years. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Both sides hope that people-to-people exchanges can help improve relations. In that context, Iwaya asked China to improve security for his countrys citizens, following recent attacks on Japanese school children, and also raised the detention of several Japanese businesspeople on spy charges. Both are making some Japanese hesitant to travel or work in China, he said. Location : Beijing, China First Published: December 25, 2024, 23:20 IST Bird Strike Behind Azerbaijan Airlines Flight Crash? Here's What Russian Officials Say Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 26, 2024, 10:05 IST Several theories are swirling around what may have caused the crash, with Russian authorities saying a bird strike may have been the cause. A drone view shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. (IMAGE: REUTERS) A preliminary probe into the accident of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet suggested that a bird collision might have played a role in the deadly crash in western Kazakhstan on Wednesday. However, Kazakh media outlets claimed that even before the crash, an oxygen tank had exploded inside the plane and flyers started to fall unconscious. Of the 67 on board, at least 35 people are feared dead. An oxygen cylinder exploded on board the Azerbaijan Airlines flight moments before the crash Kazakh mediaVideo courtesy: https://t.co/p2dnXwNOAc pic.twitter.com/uniU33DWwW RT (@RT_com) December 25, 2024 related stories Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 had flown hundreds of miles off its scheduled route to crash on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea, after what Russias aviation watchdog said was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike, according to a report by Reuters. Kazakh authorities said 32 people had survived the crash of the Embraer 190, which veered from its scheduled route, near the city of Aktau. With Azerbaijan Airlines reported that 67 people were on board 62 passengers and five crew members it is feared that 38 may have perished in the crash, as per a report by Kazakh media citing the nations deputy prime minister. A plane doing the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau. It belongs to Azerbaijan Airlines," the Kazakh transport ministry said on Telegram. The plane was flying from the Azerbaijani capital Baku on the western shore of the Caspian to the city of Grozny in Chechnya in southern Russia. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cut short a visit to Russia where he had been due to attend an informal summit of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a grouping of former Soviet nations, his office said in a statement. He also declared Thursday a day of national mourning. A plane doing the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau. It belongs to Azerbaijan Airlines," the Kazakh transport ministry said on Telegram. Azerbaijan Airlines, the countrys flag carrier, said the plane had 62 passengers and five crew on board. It said the plane made an emergency landing" around three kilometres (1.9 miles) from Aktau. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The planes course on Flight Radar showed it crossing the Caspian Sea away from its normal route and then circling over the area where it eventually crashed. Kazakhstan said it had opened an investigation. Location : Astana, Kazakhstan First Published: December 25, 2024, 15:58 IST Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/news/all President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented certificates for apartments to Heroes of Ukraine and family members of soldiers who were awarded this title posthumously, the press service reports. "We continue the tradition of gratitude to our most courageous people - Ukrainian Heroes who showed themselves in an emergency - in the defense of Ukraine, in the defense of our people. And who deserve unwavering respect from all of us, from all of Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. In particular, he presented 26 certificates to soldiers and relatives of fallen servicemen of the Ground Forces, Air Force, Airborne Assault Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Special Operations Forces, Medical Forces, as well as four to representatives of the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service. Zelenskyy thanked the soldiers and their families, and also noted that Ukraine should always remember the fallen heroes. "We can be sure that Ukraine will survive thanks to such people - such Heroes who do amazing things so that Ukraine can live its normal life, like any other nation in the world. The life of an independent, free, self-sufficient state," Zelenskyy concluded. Pakistan Launches Rare Airstrikes in Afghanistan, Killing 20; Taliban Threatens Retaliation Curated By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Aveek Banerjee Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 13:38 IST The Taliban's Ministry of Defence has vowed to retaliate following the airstrike on Barmal, Paktika. This comes amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly regarding the presence of Pakistani militants in Afghanistan. Afghanistans Barmal district of Paktika province was struck by a series of Pakistani airstrikes that resulted in the death of at least 20 people, including women and children. The attacks took place on the night of December 24, and reportedly targeted seven villages, including Laman, where five members of a family were killed, local media reported. Pakistani jets were responsible for the bombings, reports claimed citing local sources. The Murg Bazaar village in Barmal was destroyed. Security officials said that the airstrikes targeted multiple hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), dismantling a facility and killing several insurgents. related stories Pakistani security sources said several TTP hideouts were struck and dozens of militants were killed, while TTP sources said a camp of people displaced by Pakistans military operations in tribal areas was hit and many civilians were slain. It was the second such attack on alleged hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban since March, when Pakistan said intelligence-based strikes took place in the border regions inside Afghanistan. The strikes came hours after Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistans special representative for Afghanistan, travelled to Kabul to discuss a range of issues, including how to enhance bilateral trade, and improve ties. Taliban Vows To Retaliate The Talibans Ministry of Defence has vowed to retaliate following the airstrike and said that defending their land and sovereignty is their legitimate right. In a statement, the Afghan Ministry of National Defence condemned the brutal bombing" in Paktika province, saying it targeted civilians, mostly Waziristan refugees. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers this barbaric act to be against all international principles and a clear aggression, and strongly condemns it," it further said. The Pakistani side should know that such arbitrary measures are not a solution to any problem." The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered, but rather considers the defense of its territory and territory to be its inalienable right," the ministry added. Pakistani officials have not officially confirmed the airstrikes which come amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly regarding the presence of Pakistani militants in Afghanistan. Pakistan has accused the TTP of using Afghan soil to launch terrorist attacks, a claim Kabul has denied. What Is The TTP? The TTP is an umbrella group of several militant outfits that is responsible for several deadly attacks in Pakistan. The group, which is believed to be close to al-Qaeda, has been blamed for several deadly attacks across Pakistan, including an attack on army headquarters in 2009, assaults on military bases, and the 2008 bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In January 2023, TTP militants killed at least 100 people with a huge explosion in a crowded mosque inside a highly secured police compound in Peshawar. The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan emboldened the group, with thousands of members operating from the neighbouring country. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained due to the TTPs involvement in terrorist activities. Pakistan has urged the Taliban to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism. While Afghanistan promised to prevent TTPs activities, the group has stepped up attacks on Pakistan in recent years. Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: December 25, 2024, 07:41 IST At Least 38 Killed After Passenger Jet On Way To Russia Crashes Near Kazakhstan's Aktau Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 22:36 IST The ill-fated plane was travelling from Baku to Grozny in Russia's Chechnya but was rerouted due to fog in Grozny, as per reports. The Azerbaijan Airlines plane was en route from Baku to Grozny in Russia's Chechnya. (Photo: X) As many as 38 people were confirmed dead after an Azerbaijani plane en route to Russia crashed near Kazakhstans Aktau area on Wednesday, officials said. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev disclosed the death toll while meeting with Azerbaijani officials, according to Russian news agency Interfax. related stories Azerbaijans prosecutor generals office said previously that 32 of the 67 people on board the plane had survived. A passenger plane en route to Russia reportedly carrying 67 passengers, including five crew members, crashed near Kazakhstans Aktau area, the countrys Emergencies Ministry said on Wednesday. The Azerbaijan Airlines plane was travelling from Baku to Grozny in Russias Chechnya but was rerouted due to fog in Grozny, as per reports. Kazakh media reports claim the plane made several circles over the airport. BREAKING: Passenger plane crashes near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan pic.twitter.com/M2DtYe6nZU BNO News (@BNONews) December 25, 2024 New video shows plane carrying 72 people crashing near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan. At least 10 survivors pic.twitter.com/SKGdc1vqFa BNO News (@BNONews) December 25, 2024 Kazakhstans Emergency Ministry said 52 rescuers and 11 pieces of equipment arrived at the crash site in Aktau. The ministry said in a statement that fire services had put out the blaze and that survivors were being treated at a nearby hospital. Upon arrival, the aircraft was found on fire, and rescue teams began extinguishing the blaze. Details about casualties are still being confirmed, but initial reports suggest there are survivors," the ministry said. A national operations centre has been established at the ministry headquarters to coordinate the response. The plane was an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190 and took off from Baku at 3:55 am UTC (9:25 Indian time) towards Grozny, according to Flightradar24. The aircraft was exposed to strong GPS jamming due to which it stopped transmitting before the crash. According to reports, 37 passengers of the passengers aboard the plane were from Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, six from Kazakhstan and three from Kyrgyzstan. Russian news media outlets said that 10 Russian citizens survived the plane crash. Videos on social media showed the plane flying at a low altitude before crashing to the ground and erupting into a fireball. Other visuals showed first responders near the wreckage of the plane, apparently trying to locate survivors. A third video showed the plane flying up and down minutes before it crashed near Aktau. Another video showing the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 pic.twitter.com/Ze5pQ7Grv9 BNO News Live (@BNODesk) December 25, 2024 This video shows what happened in the minutes before the plane crash in Kazakhstan. The plane repeatedly went up and down before crashing. pic.twitter.com/dQ0H1c9R0R BNO News Live (@BNODesk) December 25, 2024 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a brief statement, Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed the crash on its Instagram handle. The Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight numbered J2-8243 on the Baku-Grozny route, made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometres near the city of Aktau. Additional information regarding the incident will be provided to the public," it said. Russias aviation watchdog said in a statement that preliminary information suggested the pilot had decided to make an emergency landing after a bird strike. However, authorities are looking into different possible versions of what had happened, including a technical problem. Location : Kazakhstan First Published: December 25, 2024, 12:47 IST Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Could Go Bankrupt In 2025? No Substantial Income Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 12:24 IST Royal Family News: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle signed a 80 million contract with the streaming giant in 2020 after they stepped down as senior working royals. Royal Family news: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are seen. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been warned about a key financial vital" regarding their Netflix contract, a royal commentator said. The couple signed a 80 million contract with the streaming giant in 2020 after they stepped down as senior working royals. The deal is nearing its end and the couple have released four projects- POLO, Heart Of Invictus, Live to Lead and Harry & Meghan docuseries. Meghan Markle is also set to release her cookery show in 2025. Read More: Will Kate Middleton Skip Royal Family Christmas Amid Cancer Recovery? Prince Harry, Meghan Invited? related stories Amidst all this, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams claimed that the renewal of their contract is absolutely pivotal" for the couple. Talking to GB News, the royal expert said, Their separation of work is being tried out, and it worked perfectly well in the sense there have been no glitches. What they need is her cookery series for Netflix. What is absolutely pivotal is the renewal of the contract with Netflix next year, so precisely what happens in the coming months financially is vital." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Read More: Apparently Did It 10-12 Times: Prince Harry Breaks Silence On Divorce Rumours With Meghan They lost Spotify a while ago, and it doesnt seem there is anything substantial financially that we know of that is coming up. When American Riviera Orchard and Meghans cookery show is launched, that will certainly give her a good deal more than her occasional appearance." Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: December 25, 2024, 12:24 IST Putin Deliberately Chose Christmas To: Zelenskyy Slams Russia Over Energy Grid Strikes Published By : AFP Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 23:37 IST Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Putin choosing Christmas to attack is inhumane. A rescuer of the State Emergency Service works to put out a fire in a private house after a drone strike in Kharkiv. (IMAGE: AFP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Wednesday an inhumane" attack from Russia, which launched over 170 missiles and drones on his war-torn countrys power grid on Christmas Day, killing an energy worker. The country woke up at 5:30 am (0330 GMT) to an air raid alarm, shortly followed by air force reports that Russia had launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea. related stories Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones. The target is our energy system," Zelensky said. This was the 13th large-scale strike on Ukraines energy system this year, the latest in Russias campaign targeting the power grid during winter. Russia meanwhile said five people had died in Ukrainian strikes and from a falling drone in the border region of Kursk and in North Ossetia in the Caucasus. Ukraine said its air force downed 58 out of 79 Russian-launched missiles. It did not, however, down the two North Korean-made KN-23 ballistic missiles launched by Russia. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the strikes. I pay tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and the leadership of President Zelensky, in the face of further drone and missile attacks from Putins bloody and brutal war machine with no respite even at Christmas," Starmer said. Kyiv also said a Russian missile went through Moldovan and Romanian airspace, but Romania said it detected no such violation while Moldova said it launched investigations. Nothing sacred Unfortunately, there are some hits. As of now, there are blackouts in several regions," Zelensky said. Ukraines DTEK energy company said the attack severely damaged equipment at thermal power plants. Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered," DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko said, urging allies to send more air defence. The employee of a Ukrainian thermal power plant was killed in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, over which 42 missiles were shot down, governor Sergiy Lysak said. Heating cut in several parts of the city of Dnipro, said its mayor Borys Filatov, who added authorities were evacuating and transferring patients from a hospital. Engineers have restored power to consumers in the Ivano-Frankisvk region. Christmas morning has once again shown that nothing is sacred for the aggressor country," Svitlana Onyshchuk, the head of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, said earlier. Ukraine is officially celebrating Christmas on December 25 for the second time. The government last year changed the date from January 7, when most Orthodox believers celebrate, as a snub to Russia. Nearly 200 people paraded through the centre of Kyiv, singing Christmas carols. With this march, we show that we will not be discouraged," 30-year-old Bogdana Kuevda, one of the participants, told AFP. Wont ruin Christmas The Christmas day attack also targeted Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, located near the Russian border. The missiles had targeted the citys boiler houses, thermal power plants and electricity facilities, mayor Igor Terekhov said, temporarily cutting power to 500,000 people. One unexploded missile was found in a private yard in Kharkiv, Synegubov said. Kharkivs governor Oleg Synegubov also said authorities had evacuated 46 people from the area of Borivske and Kupiansk. Moscows forces are aiming to recapture the town of Kupiansk, which was occupied in the first year of the war. Ukraine recaptured it in September 2022 as part of a lightning offensive that saw its forces regain large swathes of the Kharkiv region. Outnumbered Ukrainian troops are on the back foot across the front line in the Kharkiv and Donetsk region further south, ceding ground to better-equipped Russian troops. Russia said it seized the small village of Vidrodzhennia, a few kilometres south of the vital rail and mining hub of Pokrovsk. Both sides are scrambling to gain an upper hand ahead of the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump, who boasted he would quickly end the war, raising fears that Washington may force Kyiv into a deal on Moscows terms. Ukraine has been urging allies to send more aid to fend off aerial strikes and push back troops on the ground. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I am grateful to everyone who is working for the country, who is on combat duty, who is protecting our sky," Zelensky said. Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas," Zelensky said. Location : Kyiv, Ukraine First Published: December 25, 2024, 23:37 IST Russia Launches 'Massive' Missile Attack At Ukraine's Kharkiv, Moscow Shoots Down 59 Drones Published By : AFP Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 10:47 IST Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said a series of explosions were heard in the city as ballistic missiles were seen heading towards the city. Rescuers work at a site of a residential building heavily damaged during a Russian missile attack on Tuesday. (Reuters) A massive missile attack" pummelled Ukraines northeastern city of Kharkiv, Mayor Igor Terekhov said on Wednesday morning. Kharkiv is under a massive missile attack. A series of explosions were heard in the city and there are still ballistic missiles heading towards the city," he wrote on Telegram. related stories The regional governor counted seven Russian strikes and said casualties were still being assessed. Russias defence ministry said Wednesday its forces had shot down 59 Ukrainian drones overnight while the Ukrainian Air Force reported the launch of Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea, although it was not initially clear where they were headed. Russia has accelerated its advance across eastern Ukraine in recent months, looking to secure as much territory as possible before US president-elect Donald Trump comes to power in January. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Republican has promised to bring a swift end to the nearly three-year-long conflict, without proposing any concrete terms for a ceasefire or peace deal. Moscows army claims to have seized more than 190 Ukrainian settlements this year, with Kyiv struggling to hold the line in the face of man power and ammunition shortages. Location : Kyiv, Ukraine First Published: December 25, 2024, 10:47 IST Sheikh Hasina's Son Claims Yunus Govt Weaponising Judiciary For 'Political Witch Hunt' Published By : PTI Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 18:24 IST Wazed's allegations, as a long post on X, came two days after the interim government on Monday said it has sent a diplomatic note to New Delhi seeking Hasina's extradition from India. Sheikh Hasina and Muhammad Yunus (PTI Photos) Sanjeeb Wazed, son of deposed Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of weaponising the judiciary" for carrying out a political witch hunt" against the Awami League leadership. Wazeds allegations, as a long post on X, came two days after the interim government on Monday said it has sent a diplomatic note to New Delhi seeking Hasinas extradition from India. related stories Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 when she fled Bangladesh following a massive student-led protest that toppled her Awami Leagues (AL) 16-year regime. Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for crimes against humanity and genocide." The judges and prosecutors appointed by the unelected Yunus led regime to conduct farcical trial process through International Crimes Tribunal makes it a political witch hunt that forsakes justice and marks another ongoing onslaught to persecute Awami League leadership," Wazed said in his post on Tuesday. An IT entrepreneur, Wazed is based in the US and has been an ICT adviser in Hasinas government. The kangaroo tribunal and subsequent request for extradition comes while hundreds of leaders and activists are extrajudicially killed, framing of outrageous murder charges, illegal incarceration of thousands by law enforcement and violent attacks including looting vandalism and arson going on with impunity everyday fuelled by denial of the regime," he added. On Monday, India confirmed receiving the note verbale or diplomatic communication from the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi but refrained from commenting on it. Under the provisions of the India-Bangladesh extradition treaty, extradition may be refused if the offence is one of a political character." Bangladeshs de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain said Dhaka wants Hasina back to face the judicial process. Wazed further accused that the chief prosecutor of ICT Tribunal Tajul Islam appointed by Yunus regime on December 22, despite proven records of defending war criminals, reportedly spread deliberate disinformation campaign" against Hasina by claiming that Interpol issued red notice against her, and termed it as a desperate bid to extradite her and hold farcical trial to serve the interest of Dr Yunus." But the very prosecutor later altered his statement following media exposure of the outright lie and now officially sent a request to India for the extradition," Hasinas son said. We reiterate our position that every single incident of human rights violation between July and August needs to be investigated in a free and fair manner but the Yunus led regime weaponised the judiciary, and we express no confidence in the justice system," he alleged. Last month, in an address to the nation on the completion of 100 days of the interim government, Yunus said Bangladesh will seek Hasinas extradition. We must ensure justice in every killing We will also ask India to send back fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina," he had said then. Yunus, who assumed office on August 8, claimed that about 1,500 people, including students and workers, were killed while 19,931 others were wounded during the protest against the Hasina government. Later on Tuesday night, Wazed, in another post on X, termed as bogus" the corruption allegations made (by the Bangladesh government) against him and his family. We have never been involved in or made money from any government projects," he said and added, It is not possible to siphon billions of dollars from a USD 10 billion project," he said. His reference was to the investigation launched by Bangladeshs Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzlement of USD 5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant (NPP). Indian companies are participating in the construction of Bangladeshs first NPP, being built by Rosatom, Russias state-run corporation, 160 km west of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. Rosatom has already refuted the provocative statements" that have appeared in the media in connection with the Rooppur NPP project. The development came two days after the High Court asked questions about ACCs inaction over the alleged transfer of USD 5 billion from the Rooppur NPP project to a Malaysian bank by Hasina, Wazed, and one more person should not be declared illegal. Wazed, in his post on X, further said: Claiming transactions are linked to us is a way to make false allegations. Either the transactions come to us or they dont. I challenge the ACC to publish these so-called transactions and show they come to us." The illegitimate #Yunus regime with the #terrorist students are trying to divert attention from their failure to run the country, the total lack of law and order, economic failure, human rights, democracy and political vendetta," he added in his post on X. India has expressed concern as there have been a spate of attacks on minorities including on the Hindu community in Bangladesh in the last few months. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In recent weeks, Hasina has accused the Yunus-led interim government of perpetrating genocide" and failing to protect minorities, especially Hindus, since her ouster. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka two weeks back during which he conveyed to the Bangladeshi side Indias concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: December 25, 2024, 18:24 IST Terror Attack: Russian Company Owning Cargo Ship That Exploded In Mediterranean Claims Published By : AFP Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 23:48 IST Russian state owner says cargo ship blast in the Mediterranean sea was 'terrorist attack'. Two crew members are missing after a Russian cargo ship sank in international waters in the Mediterranean after an explosion on board. (IMAGE: AFP) A terrorist act" sank the cargo ship that went down in international waters in the Mediterranean this week, the Russian state-owned company that owns the vessel said Wednesday. The Oboronlogistika company said it thinks a targeted terrorist attack was committed on December 23, 2024, against the Ursa Major," it said in a statement cited by Russian news agencies, without indicating who may have been behind the act or why. related stories The ship sank in international waters off Spain in the early hours of Tuesday after having sent a distress call for help on Monday. Three consecutive explosions" took place on the ship before it began taking on water, added the company, which belongs to the Russian defence ministry. Oboronlogistika did not say what evidence it had allowing it to conclude a terrorist attack sank the Ursa Major. Russian foreign ministrys crisis unit said on Telegram on Tuesday that the ship sank after an explosion in the engine room". It added that out of the 16 Russian crew members on board, 14 had been rescued and taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena and two were missing. An office of Russias Investigative Committee, which carries out the major probes in the country, said Tuesday it had opened an investigation into possible maritime transport security regulations violations". The sinking of the Ursa Major came after a Russian tanker transporting fuel oil partially sunk in a strait between Moscow-annexed Crimea and southern Russia on December 16, causing a major oil spill. The ship sent a distress call Monday morning from off the coast of southeastern Spain in bad weather, reporting it was listing and sailors had launched a lifeboat, Spains sea rescue service said in a statement. Spain sent out a helicopter and rescue boats and took the survivors to port, the service said. A Russian warship then arrived and took charge of the rescue operation since the ship was between Spanish and Algerian waters, after which the Ursa Major sank overnight. The Ursa Major is listed on MarineTraffic.com as a 124.7-metre (409-foot) long general cargo ship It is owned by a subsidiary of Russias Oboronlogistika, which belongs to the defence ministry and also provides civilian transport and logistics, the Russian foreign ministry said. US-sanctioned ship The Ursa Major was sailing from the Russian city of Saint Petersburg to Vladivostok in Russias Far East. Last week Oboronlogistika issued a press release with photos of the ship in port, saying it was to transport a particularly large and heavy load: cranes each weighing 380 tonnes and hatch covers for icebreakers each weighing 45 tonnes to Vladivostok. It said this was part of state" efforts to develop ports and the northern sea route via the Arctic. Delivery by sea is best for such bulky equipment and the company has great experience" in this, it said. Agentstvo investigative news site wrote that the hatch covers were for a vaunted new nuclear icebreaker called Lider, designed to break thick ice on the northern sea route. The United States in 2022 imposed sanctions on Oboronlogistika and ships including the Ursa Major for providing transportation services for the delivery of cargo to Russian-occupied Crimea". This means any US organisation dealing with the company or its ships would risk sanctions. Ukraines GUR military intelligence said the Ursa Major was also used to supply Russian troops in Syria where Moscow has a naval base at Tartus. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A map on Oboronologistikas website shows the company among other things covers a route from Novorossiysk, in southern Russia, to Tartus, Russias naval base in Syria. There is uncertainty over the future of Russias bases in Syria after the removal of Moscow ally Bashar al-Assad. Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: December 25, 2024, 23:48 IST Chilling Video Captures The Moment Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashed In Kazakhstan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 21:42 IST Footage from rescuers, drones in the area as well as from a survivor has emerged on social media detailing the crash and its aftermath. Azerbaijan Airlines flight traveling from Baku to Grozny crashes in Aktau, Kazakhstan Visuals on social media showed the scary moment when passenger plane flying from Baku to Grozny crashed in Kazakhstan, with nearly 67 people on board. Kazakh authorities have said that at least 38 people are feared dead. A Sputnik correspondent reported that the crash was caused by the collision of an airplane with a flock of birds. related stories This video shows what happened in the minutes before the plane crash in Kazakhstan. The plane repeatedly went up and down before crashing. pic.twitter.com/dQ0H1c9R0R BNO News Live (@BNODesk) December 25, 2024 According to local news agency Tengrinews, the aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, went down near the Kazakh city of Aktau. According to preliminary information, there are survivors. The Azerbaijani APA news agency reported that there were 62 people and five crew members on board. Azerbaijan Airlines, the countrys flag carrier, said the Embraer 190 had made an emergency landing" around three kilometres from Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. The countrys emergency situations ministry said its personnel were putting out a fire at the site. Kazakh Rescuers Bodycam Footage Footage from a Kazakh firefighters bodycam showed the charred insides of the plane along with parts of the planes cabin that appeared untouched by the flames. The footage released by Russian news media outlets showed firefighters dousing flames and recovering pieces of evidence that could indicate what caused the blast. Survivor Captures Inside Visual top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Russian news media outlets also released another footage on social media, purportedly of inside the plane. Footage from inside the plane showed a passenger with blood on their hair and head. One passenger was seen trying to exit the plane. Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 had flown hundreds of miles off its scheduled route to crash on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea, after what Russias aviation watchdog said was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike. Location : Kazakhstan First Published: December 25, 2024, 13:00 IST US Air Force's Christmas Message: Santa's Work Will Not Be Affected By 'Mystery Drones' Published By : AFP Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 10:09 IST Santa's journey this year comes after weeks of mysterious sightings of alleged drones in New Jersey, sparking worldwide curiosity. On Christmas Eve, you can locate Santa Claus using NORAD and Google Santa Tracker. (Image: Shutterstock) Santa Claus has no need to worry about recent mystery drone sightings over New Jersey, a US Air Force general said Tuesday, as an annual tradition of tracking" Saint Nick swung into action. General Gregory Guillots reassurances came as the joint US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command reported that Santa and his reindeer were making stops across Asia, including Japan and North Korea. related stories Santas journey this year comes after weeks of mysterious sightings of alleged drones in New Jersey, sparking worldwide curiosity even as many of the reported sightings were debunked. Of course we are concerned about drones and anything else in the air," NORAD commander Guillot told Fox News. But I dont foresee any difficulty at all with drones for Santa this year." NORADs Santa tracker dates to 1955, when a Colorado newspaper advertisement printed a phone number to connect children with Santa but mistakenly directed them to the hotline for the joint military nerve center. To avoid disappointing the little ones, NORADs director of operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, ordered his staff to check" the radar to see where Santa might be and update the children calling in on his location. When not spreading holiday cheer, NORAD conducts aerospace and maritime control and warning operations including monitoring for missile launches from North Korea, something perhaps on Santas mind as he guided his reindeer-hauled sleigh over Pyongyang. The tracker, which has been modernized and moved online to noradsanta.org, includes a 3D map showing Santas movements in real time, as well as a ticker constantly shooting upward showing approximately how many presents have been delivered. North American Aerospace Defense Command always does a fantastic job helping us keep tabs on Santas navigational heading and bearing in the skies above," astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second person to ever walk on the Moon, said on social media. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last year, US President Joe Biden joined in the fun at NORADs call center, taking calls from children. As of Tuesday morning, some 1.2 billion presents had been delivered, according to NORAD. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: December 25, 2024, 10:06 IST Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) helped victims of the missile attack of the Russian Armed Forces on Kryvy Rih on Tuesday evening. "On Christmas Eve, Russia launched a missile attack on Kryvy Rih... Volunteers of the Kryvy Rih unit of the Dnipropetrovsk regional rapid response unit of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society worked at the scene. They provided first aid and first psychological assistance to the victims," the URCS reported on Facebook on Wednesday. As reported by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, in Kryvy Rih, as a result of an enemy missile attack on Tuesday evening, one person was killed, and 17 were injured, including two children. As of Wednesday morning, emergency rescue operations were completed. The scent of bratwurst and pretzels filled the air as horses clopped down the main street, hauling a carriage full of tourists. Nestled in her mother's arms, a baby reached out to touch a shop window display, peering toward the sequin-covered reindeer behind it, as colorful ornaments twirled nearby. Welcome to Leavenworth, Washington, the Christmas capital of the Pacific Northwest. Decades ago, Leavenworth was a near ghost town on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, one of the region's poorest communities. The mines and the sawmill had closed, and even the railroad left. In the 1960s, desperate business owners made a serious gamble. Without any state or federal help, they began taking out loans and remodeling the downtown in the style of a Bavarian village, the AP reports. More than half a century later, the result brings tourists from near and far all year longhikers and skiers, river rafters and fly-fishers, shoppers and day-trippers from Seattle, some 3 million visitors in all last year, according to Matt Cade, president of the Greater Leavenworth Museum. The crush has prompted concerns about the cost of living, and recent efforts, including some state funding for affordable apartments, have focused on ensuring that tourism industry workers can live in town. The town peaks in popularity during the holidays. In December, it takes on the ruddy, warm glow of a German Christmas market, with the magic of choirs, carolers, food vendors, and a gingerbread house contest. The longstanding practice of switching on the Christmas lights downtown on Saturday and Sunday evenings began to draw such large crowds that organizers eventually decided to just leave them on from Thanksgiving through February. "Every time I go there, I just feel joy and excitement," said Alison Epsom of Sultan, who visited with her husband and their 8-month-old daughter. Click through photos in our gallery. (More Washington state stories.) Denmark's defense minister, calling the timing of the announcement an "irony of fate," has announced a huge boost in defense spending for Greenland. Troels Lund Poulsen said the spending increase is a "double digit billion amount" in Danish krone, the equivalent of at least $1.5 billion, the BBC reports. The announcement came a day after President-elect Trump said the "ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity." Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said Greenland is not for sale and never will be. Grreenland is a largely self-governing autonomous territory of Denmark, which handles the island's foreign policy and defense, the Washington Post reports. "For many years we have not invested enough in the Arctic, now we are planning a stronger presence," Poulsen said. He said Denmark is willing to "work with the US" on Greenland's security, per the Hill. Poulsen said the new defense package for Greenland will include two new patrol ships, two long-range drones, and two extra dog sled teams, the BBC reports. Denmark also plans to send more military personnel to Greenland and upgrade a civilian airport to handle F-35 fighters. (Analysts say Trump isn't joking about Greenland.) The owner of a restaurant in Vietnam that specializes in the meat of dogs and cats appears to have been indirectly killed by one of the animals he slaughtered. The 33-year-old died of rabies in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, reports Tuoi Tre News . The man, who regularly handled butchered dogs and cats, began exhibiting symptoms three days before his death. His symptomsmuscle spasms, frothing at the mouth, confusiongrew progressively worse until he died at a hospital. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, and health authorities there urged people to take precautions by seeking medical treatment immediately after possible exposure. Five other people were bit by a stray dog exhibiting symptoms of rabies in the same province. All received quick vaccinations, and the dog was euthanized. Vietnam has been battling a relatively high number of rabies cases this year, as the Sun previously reported. (More rabies stories.) The Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine shot down 113 missiles and attack drones out of 184 that Russian occupiers launched at Ukraine on the night of December 25, and another 52 were locally lost. "According to preliminary data, as of 12:00, it has been confirmed that 113 air targets have been shot down: 55 X-101, X-55, Kalibr cruise missiles; 4 X-59/X-69 guided air missiles; 54 Shahed attack UAVs/imitator drones of various types, and another 52 did not reach their targets (location lost)," the Air Force Telegram channel reported. In total, the radio-technical troops of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine detected and tracked 184 enemy air targets: two X-23 ballistic missiles (launched from Voronezh Region of the Russian Federation); ten S-300/S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles (launched from Belgorod Region of the Russian Federation), 12 Kalibr cruise missiles (launched from the Black Sea); 50 X-101/X-55 cruise missiles (launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers in the area Volgograd Region of the Russian Federation and the Caspian Sea); four X-59/X-69 guided air missiles (launched from tactical aviation aircraft in the area of Belgorod Region). Also 106 Shahed attack drones and drone imitators of various types, launched from the areas of Bryansk, Millerovo, Orel, Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russian, were detected and tracked. "The enemy attacked Ukrainian energy facilities in Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk and Zaporizhia regions. Unfortunately, as a result of the Russian attack, there were hits," the statement said. Anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the Defense Forces of Ukraine were involved in repelling the enemy's air attack. "Everybody wants to be my friend," President-elect Trump has said of his 2024 transition to the White House. Judging by the fast-growing list of companies making major donations to his inauguration festivities, it's hard to argue the point. On Tuesday, Toyota became the latest with a pledge of $1 million toward the Jan. 20 events, reports Reuters. Coverage: Auto giants: The Toyota pledge came one day after Ford and GM offered the same amount, reports UPI. The two American automakers also are donating vehicles, though Toyota is not. The Toyota pledge came one day after Ford and GM offered the same amount, reports UPI. The two American automakers also are donating vehicles, though Toyota is not. Auto worries: The auto industry is worried about how possible tariffs and a less favorable attitude toward electric vehicles will affect them in the coming years. GM chief Mary Barra and Ford CEO Jim Farley have both expressed optimism that Trump will listen to their concerns, per the Detroit Free Press. Twenty-five years to the day after his father pulled the same move, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg announced he's calling it a day. As People reports, the long-serving royal announced his abdication in his Christmas Eve speech, opening the door for his 43-year-old son, Prince Guillaume, to take the, er, reign next year. "The year 2024 is coming to an end, and Christmas is the perfect moment to reflect on the past year," said the 69-year-old Henri. "This time, I do so with much emotion, as it is the last time I will deliver a Christmas speech as head of state." "When I look back today, after almost 25 years, I do so with deep gratitude and humility," he continued. "It has been a period during which Luxembourg has made much progress, and I am pleased to have been able to be part of that journey with you, together with the Grand Duchess." The writing may have been on the wall, as the news caps a year that saw Guillaume take on some of his father's responsibilities. Henri, who has ruled since Oct. 7, 2000, will step down Oct. 3, 2025, reports the Brussels Times. Guillaume is married to Princess Stephanie de Lannoy, a Belgian countess, and they have two sons. (More Luxembourg stories.) Desi Bouterse, a military strongman who led a 1980 coup in the former Dutch colony of Suriname and returned to power by election three decades later despite charges of drug smuggling and murder, has died. He was 79. President Chan Santokhi on Wednesday reflected on Bouterse's outsize legacy in a message of condolences to his family and called on the nation to "keep calm and maintain order," the AP reports. The cause of death was not immediately revealed. He had been out of power since losing an election in 2020, per the New York Times . Bouterse was applauded by supporters for his charisma and populist social programs. For his opponents, he was a ruthless dictator who was convicted of drug trafficking and extrajudicial killings. In December 2023, Bouterse was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murders of 15 opponents of the then-military government in December 1982, ending a historic 16-year legal process, per the AP. He then vanished and never served time in jail despite the sentencing. "There is nobody who has shaped the history of Suriname since its independence like Desi Bouterse," said Dutch historian Pepijn Reeser. He said that Bouterse was the first to overcome the stark social class divide that once defined Suriname and that "before the coup, it was unthinkable somebody from the lower class could become the most powerful man of the country." "But he was also the first post-colonial leader to resort to political violence, and the first to use Suriname as a transshipment point for illegal narcotics," Reeser said. Early Wednesday, dozens of supporters gathered outside the home where his wife lived, tears streaming down their faces. A group of young soldiers led by Bouterse overthrew the government in 1980 and made him the de facto ruler. When promised democratic reforms did not materialize, opposition to Bouterse's military regime grew rapidly, and the 15 men were killed in December 1982. The victims were journalists, lawyers, military, and university teachers. "The executions were a severe blow to the rule of law in Suriname from which the country still has not fully recovered," said Eddy Wijngaarde, a brother of journalist Frank Wijngaarde, one of the victims, adding that from then on, "Bouterse used fear for him as a means to secure his powerful positions and personal interests." (More Suriname stories.) A dead body was discovered in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane after it landed in Hawaii from Chicago. Maui police said they've begun an investigation, the Guardian reports. The body was in one of the main landing gears of Flight 202, which arrived Tuesday at Kahului airport from Chicago O'Hare. United said that the Boeing 787-10's wheel well is accessible only from outside the aircraft, and that it's not clear how or when the person got into it. The person was not identified. UPDATE Dec 26, 2024 2:55 PM CST Police in Finland said they stopped, boarded, and took over the command bridge of an oil tanker in the Baltic Sea on Thursday that's suspected of involvement in the destruction of an underwater power cable. The Eagle S is being held in Finnish territorial waters, the AP reports. Finnish and EU officials say the ship is part of Russia's shadow fleet of fuel tankersaging vessels with murky ownership that were acquired to evade Western sanctions during the war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Finland wants to end the threat from the ships, per the New York Times. "The shadow fleet pumps money into Russia's war fund so that Russia can continue to wage its war in Ukraine against the people of Ukraine," Orpo said, "and it has to be stopped." Dec 25, 2024 3:30 PM CST A power cable linking Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea suffered an outage, prompting an investigation, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Wednesday. Writing on X, Orpo said that power transmission through the Estlink-2 cable stopped Wednesday and that authorities were "investigating the matter." He said the interruption would not affect electricity supplies in Finland, the AP reports. Authorities have been on edge about undersea infrastructure in the Baltic. Two data cables, one running between Finland and Germany, the other between Lithuania and Sweden, were severed in November. Arab Ministers Meet in Bahrain to Turn Family Businesses into Economic Powerhouses TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com Bahrain welcomed ministers and officials from across the Arab world to discuss the role of productive families and entrepreneurship in advancing economic growth, as part of the 44th session of the Arab Ministers of Social Affairs Council. Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi opened the event by emphasising Bahrains long-standing dedication to collaboration. He said: Bahrain is proud to bring together its Arab neighbours under the royal vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Our efforts today build on national initiatives, such as the Arab Prize established by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, which began as a local programme and has since grown into a regional project. This event reinforces our belief that productive families can create market-ready goods and contribute meaningfully to their economies. Al Alawi proposed that the event become a platform for sharing ideas and experiences, helping families move from traditional setups to entrepreneurial ventures. He extended his gratitude to international and regional organisations, singling out Dr Hashim Hussein, Head of the UNIDO Investment Promotion Office, for his partnership. Dr Hussein shared insights into the economic potential of family businesses, noting their prominent role worldwide. Family enterprises account for half of the economy in Europe, 30 per cent in North America, and 16 per cent in the Asia-Pacific region, he explained. In the Arab world, family businesses are estimated to generate $8 trillion annually, employing 24 million people. With the right framework, productive families can evolve into established businesses, lifting entire communities in the process. He also touched on the creative economy, where families use local resources to craft products suited to modern tastes. Handicrafts and artisanal goods are excellent examples of how families can transform their surroundings into income-generating opportunities, Dr Hussein said. TDT | Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com A group of lawmakers in Bahrain has submitted a proposal aimed at streamlining the procedures for obtaining building licenses. The proposal seeks to exempt construction works, specifically expansions or additions not exceeding 100 square meters, from the requirement for engineering supervision. The initiative, led by MP Khalid Buanaq along with MPs Ahmad Al Saloum, Zainab Abdulameer, Mohammed Mousa Al Balooshi, and Bader Al Tamimi, is designed to alleviate the complexities currently faced by individuals wishing to undertake construction projects. MP Buanq emphasised that the proposal responds to the increasing difficulties associated with the conditions for obtaining building permits. The lawmakers argue that the proposal will ease the burden on citizens, who are often confronted with growing complexities in the licensing process. It aims to reduce the costs incurred by homeowners for small-scale expansions or additions, which can be a financial strain even when the projects are modest in size. The explanatory memorandum accompanying the proposal highlights its foundation in addressing the realities and challenges faced by citizens. It reflects a spirit of cooperation between the legislative and executive branches, aiming to benefit the nation and its people by facilitating the licensing process and alleviating financial burdens. Additionally, the memorandum points out the rising costs of construction, noting that the current regulations impose additional financial strains on citizens for engineering services that may not be necessary for simple projects. The proposed changes are intended to make building more accessible and affordable for all. SBU long-range drones destroyed an ammunition depot at the Kadamovsky training ground in Rostov region, which is one of the largest in the Russian Federation, a source in the SBU told Interfax-Ukraine. "The other day, SBU long-range drones made a hellish 'bavovna' at the ammunition depot at the Kadamovsky training ground. This training ground is one of the largest in the Russian Federation and is located near the settlement of Novocherkassk in Rostov region," the agency's source said. The source in the special service noted that as a result of the attack, the enemy depot was completely destroyed. "It was this depot that the enemy used to supply its troops in the Kramatorsk direction. Thanks to the efforts of the SBU, the Russians now have significant logistical difficulties, which have a significant impact on the ability to conduct military operations," the source added. "The SBU continues to actively demilitarize the Russian rear, from which weapons are supplied to the front line. Drone sanctions for the Russian army will continue," he added. 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. 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"We started receiving calls from soldiers long before that: since October, the authorities stopped buying and supplying thermal imaging Mavic drones. Then our team contracted 1,000 night 'eyes' for the front. Recently, they came to their senses and scattered at least some money to the brigades, but there is no time for searching and purchasing," Poroshenko states. "We voluntarily gave up 700 Mavic drones in favor of units that asked us. These 300, which are now in front of you, were paid for by the Poroshenko Foundation, and we will try to hand them over to the Ukrainian Armed Forces by the New Year. I decided to urgently find them in Europe, and another 200 Mavic drones will be found, contracted, paid - also by the end of the year," Poroshenko explains. "In order for you to understand what we are talking about - for entire 2024, until today's date, we have delivered 310 thermal imaging Mavic drones. And now there is only one purchase, more than EIR 1 million - another 300 thermal Mavic drones," he noted. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. "I congratulated him on his election as head of government and thanked the Japanese people for all the large-scale humanitarian and financial aid totaling $12 billion, which allows saving thousands of lives," Zelenskyy said on the Telegram channel Wednesday. The head of state said he also informed the Japanese head of government about Russia's massive shelling of Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas night. Zelenskyy thanked Japan for its willingness to work for establishing a just and lasting peace as soon as possible. "I am grateful for the Japanese government's decision to give Ukraine another $3 billion secured by frozen Russian assets and for additional aid for energy equipment and construction of bomb shelters," he said. The interlocutors agreed to meet to continue the dialog. Their son died more than a decade ago, the victim of a fraternity initiation incident at Rider University that drew national attention to the problem hazing on the nations campuses. After many years of failures in Congress, the first federal anti-hazing legislation was signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this week, increasing transparency and accountability on college campuses across the nation by providing parents and students with better information about hazing incidents and require the adoption of robust prevention policies. Weve been pushing hard for this for a very long time, said Julie and Gary DeVercelly Sr. in a joint statement, whose son, Gary DeVercelly Jr., died in 2007 in a fraternity hazing incident at Rider. The 18-year-old freshman from Long Beach consumed most of a bottle of vodka during a Phi Kappa Tau initiation ritual. No parent should have to bury their child, especially not for something preventable like a hazing death, the family said. Gary DeVercelly Jr., who died in a fraternity hazing incident at Rider University in 2007.PG In 2009, Rider University and two of its employees agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by the family for a significant amount of money' and changes to the universitys policies, including banning alcohol in dorms and on-campus fraternity and sorority houses. One Rider student was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to hazing, while two other fraternity brothers were allowed into pretrial intervention, a program for first-time offenders that can lead to their criminal records being expunged. Since their sons death, the DeVercelly family said the number of identified hazing tragedies and deaths has escalated at an alarming rate. A 2008 national study found that 55% of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing. More recently, two former college students who led a Penn State University fraternity where a pledging member from Hunterdon County died during a 2017 hazing incident pleaded guilty to hazing charges this year. Timothy Piazza, who grew up in Readington, died after being forced to swallow heavy amounts of alcohol for close to an hour and a half before falling down the stairs, officials said, after which his unconscious body was placed on a couch. He died at a hospital two days later. Piazzas parents, Jim and Evelyn, said they were thrilled and appreciative after the bill passed the Senate earlier this month. We, along with other families in the anti-hazing coalition, which we helped form, have been working on this bill and its predecessor, the End All Hazing Act, for the past seven years, Jim Piazza, of Spring Lake, told the Philadelphia Inquirer. Many thanks to the congressional leaders who supported us and to everyone responsible for making this happen. The bill signed by Biden, H.R. 5646, known as the Stop Campus Hazing Act, requires institutions of higher education to disclose hazing incidents that were reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies in annual security reports. It also mandates the setting of policies to prevent hazing, which must include information on hazing awareness and hazing prevention. The bi-partisan bill was sponsored in the House by Representatives Lucy McBath, D-GA, and Jeff Duncan, R-SC, which cleared the lower chamber in September. The impacts of hazing across our country are heartbreaking and unacceptable. I know the pain of losing a child, and we must do everything we can so that families know their kids are being kept safe when they go off to college, said McBath. The measure was co-sponsored by six members of New Jerseys congressional delegation, including Reps. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., Andy Kim, D-3rd Dist., Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., Joseh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., Tom Kean, R-7th Dist., and Mikie Sherrill, D-11th Dist., The Senate passed its companion bill earlier this month in legislation sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn , and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker was a co-sponsor. When parents send their kids away to college, they expect they will get a good education and make new friends,' Klobuchar said. They dont expect them to be harassed and hazed. Unfortunately, hazing is a dangerous and at times deadly reality, and we must work to end it. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Peter Genovese may be reached at pgenovese@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @petegenovese and on Instagram at @peteknowsjersey. U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger, who served as New Jerseys top federal prosecutor for the past three years, is stepping down before start of Donald Trumps new administration. Sellingers resignation, announced Monday, will take effect on Jan. 8, according to a statement from his office. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna will become the acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey once Sellinger leaves. Serving as the United States Attorney has been the honor of a lifetime. My sincere thanks to President (Joe) Biden for appointing me the temporary steward of the U.S. Attorneys Office, Sellinger said in a statement. His departure was expected. Most U.S. attorneys step down when a new president is sworn into office, or are sometimes fired as was the case of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, one of 46 United States attorneys appointed by President Barack Obama who were asked to resign, and immediately clean out their offices. Craig Carpenito served as U.S. attorney during Trumps first term, before resigning after Joe Bidens victory. I leave knowing the storied traditions of this office will continue through our dedicated career assistant U.S. attorneys and staff, he said. A longtime lawyer and Democratic donor, Sellinger was nominated by Biden to become New Jerseys U.S. attorney in 2021. He served as an assistant U.S. attorney in New Jersey from 1981 to 1984 before going into private practice. Sellinger established the first stand-alone Civil Rights Division at any U.S. Attorneys Office, to bring civil and criminal Assistant United States Attorneys together to combat hate and protect civil rights, he said. The move nearly doubled the number of civil and criminal attorneys working on civil rights, according he said. Still, he was peppered with questions earlier this month by frustrated Trenton residents in the wake of a scathing report that found the citys police officers routinely used excessive force and engaged in a pattern of searches and arrests without reasonable suspicion or probable cause. Where are the indictments, residents demanded during group break-out sessions at a North Trenton church. Are police officers going to be charged? Sellinger told the residents that the investigation of the police department was conducted by civil attorneys, and had looked to see if there was a pattern or practice in their police work. But he also said hes aware of the concern of about the incoming rump administration and the differences on policing matters with the Biden administration. He told the group the next administration will decide their own policy and direction for the Department of Justice and local U.S. attorneys offices. In announcing his resignation, Sellinger said the attorneys and staff members of his office are some of the finest public servants in the country. They work extraordinarily hard, uphold the highest standards of excellence, and ceaselessly pursue the cause of justice, Sellinger said. It is their dedication and commitment that has enabled this office to achieve so much over the past three years, he added. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Vashti Harris may be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com. USA is more resolved than ever to bring peace to Ukraine Special Envoy Kellogg in response to Christmas shooting Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas and the United States is more resolved than ever to bring peace, future U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg said. "Christmas should be a time of peace, yet Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas Day. Launching large-scale missile and drone attacks on the day of the Lord's birth is wrong. The world is closely watching actions on both sides. The U.S. is more resolved than ever to bring peace to the region," Kellogg said on the X social network on Wednesday. Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak thanked Kellogg for his reaction to the shelling of Ukraine. "Thank you General Keith Kellogg for an honest, human position. The Russian shelling of civilian infrastructure on Christmas is especially cynical. Although over the years of this war, Russia has proven that the murder of civilians and children is the favorite business of the Putin regime and his army commanders. The world should not be like this," he said on Telegram. As reported, on Christmas Eve, Russian occupiers launched 78 missiles and 106 drones at Ukraine, of which 59 missiles and 54 drones were shot down by the Ukrainian Air Force and Defense Forces, and 52 did not reach their targets (they were lost). The enemy attacked Ukrainian energy facilities in Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk and Zaporizhia regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that there were hits as a result of the Russian attack. In Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, as a result of the shelling, almost 3,000 houses were left without heat supply, an employee of a thermal power plant was killed in Dnipro. <<< back Latvian FM after shelling: Butcher in Kremlin is not interested in peace, Russia's policy is war Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze condemned Russia's massive shelling on Christmas, pointing out that the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is to continue supporting Ukrainians. "The butcher in Kremlin is not interested in peace, Russia's policy is war. The only way to get to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is continue supporting Ukraine on the battle field, in the energy sector, financially and politically, while containing Russia," she said on X social media. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that, according to preliminary data, during the latest massive attack, Russia used more than 70 missiles of various types, the target was energy, air defense managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles, but there are hits. Zelenskyy stressed that Putin deliberately chose Christmas for the attack. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called Russia's latest strike on the Ukrainian energy system Putin's response to those who spoke of an illusory "Christmas truce." BISHOP of Killaloe Fintan Monahan recently launched a beautifully produced and excellently written book about St Brendan's Roman Catholic Church, Birr recently. A Place in all our Hearts has been compiled and written by Brian Kennedy and is available for sale in the Parish Office. Speaking at the launch in St Brendan's, the Bishop pointed out that the launch was coinciding with the Feast of St Brendan, the patron saint of Birr, a saint who was one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland and whom we should all be very proud of. Today is also the day after Thanksgiving, celebrated with great gusto by Americans all around the world, including many in Ireland, continued the Bishop. In the business world, today is also Black Friday, but for those living in this parish it is a time for reflecting on the inspiring life of St Brendan. Bishop Monahan referred everyone to the Pope's spiritual reflection called Delixit Nos (He loved us), which focusses on the importance and centrality of our hearts and the fact that our hearts can mirror God's being. This beautiful book, 'A Place in all our Hearts', focusses on this Teach an Phobail, as Father Tom memorably calls it, a building which holds a very special place in so many people's hearts. This book has been meticulously researched and handsomely produced. I commend everyone who has been involved in the production of this splendid book, especially Brian who spent so many hours compiling and writing it. He loves this church and parish with all his heart and he's created an outstanding labour of love. The book tells the story of a much beloved house of God. It's a tale which features a wide cast of people including clergy, choirs, teachers, school pupils, and architects. It features the parishioners who gave so much of their time on a voluntary and paid basis. It features drama and tragedy, tension and stress, including the arson attack on St Patrick's Day 1935, the famine and storms. It tells the tale of many joyful events. Throughout it all the sacraments continued to be celebrated on a daily basis. The book includes as well a piece about Bishop Thomas McRedmond, from Crinkill. Bishop McRedmond was one of two Bishops of Killaloe from Offaly. The other is Bishop Monahan. A large portrait of Bishop McRedmond hangs on a wall in Westbourne House, Ennis, commented Bishop Monahan. I live in Westbourne. He pointed out that this year is also the bicentenary of the completion of the building of the church, after a building period of several years. The land for the church had been donated in 1817 by the Second Earl of Rosse. Lord Rosse was a truly ecumenical gentleman, writes Brian in the book, and supported the large Roman Catholic population on his estates. The Second Earl of Rosse, commented the Bishop, was ecumenical before it was tolerated or in vogue. It is fitting therefore that today's launch is taking place as part of an ecumenical service. Following the Bishop's speech, Lady Rosse brought forward Holy Water from St Brendan's Well which was poured into the Baptismal Font and blessed. Rev. Arthur Minion, St Brendan's Church of Ireland Church, warmly congratulated Brian for producing an excellent book. He said Saint Brendan's is a lovely building, a building which for many people acts as a gateway to heaven. And as we walk back out into the world after each gathering in this building we bring heaven with us. Rita Kelly read one of her poems, an excellent piece called What is heaven? which featured these lines: We never reach it because we deserve it; It is a gift, it is a grace... Heaven is now and here... Before the year dives into its trough of darkness. Brian Kennedy thanked everyone for their kind words. He said the encouragement to write the book came from the Co-PP Tom Hogan and many of us know how persuasive Fr Tom can be! This book was a labour of love for me. I have been giving tours of the church for many years, but even I learned plenty of new things about the church as I was researching the book." China encourages more industries to open environmental protection facilities to public Xinhua) 10:01, December 25, 2024 People take a walk by the side of Xinglong Lake in Tianfu New Area, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Xi) BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- China has encouraged four of its pillar industries to open their environmental protection facilities to the public in its latest move toward green development, with similar efforts having yielded positive results. Pei Xiaofei, spokesperson for the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, told a Tuesday press conference that the ministry has issued guidelines directing the petrochemicals, power, steel and building materials industries to open their environmental protection facilities to the public, either by permitting public visits or offering live video tours. The ministry's latest move is expected to do more to stimulate enthusiasm and initiative among the public to protect the environment, and to promote the healthy and orderly development of related industries, Pei said. Since 2017, the ministry and other relevant authorities have been promoting the opening of four environmental protection facility categories to the public: environmental monitoring, urban wastewater treatment, urban household waste treatment, and hazardous, electrical and electronic waste disposal, Pei said. So far, 2,101 enterprises have opened their environmental protection facilities to the public, receiving a total of 220 million visits to date, Pei said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Sybiha visits soldiers of 21st separate mechanized brigade, gives them aid from Spouses of Ukrainian Diplomats association Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha visited Sumy region, where he met with soldiers of the 21st separate mechanized brigade. "Christ is born! Glorify Him!" For me today it was a great honor and joy to hear this from our heroes, the soldiers of the separate mechanized brigade," Sybiha said on Facebook. He noted that within the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the patronage of state institutions over combat units, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine systematically supports the 21st separate mechanized brigade and the United Assault Brigade of the National Police "Liut." "Today I arrived to visit the soldiers not empty-handed either. He handed over 80 Motorola tactical radios and 10,000 chemical heaters purchased with funds raised by the Association of Spouses of Ukrainian Diplomats at the Charity Fair. The list of urgent needs was taken into consideration. Some of them were immediately addressed on the spot by phone," the head of the department said. During the trip, Sybiha also visited the city of Sumy. Sybiha also met with the head of Sumy Regional State Administration, Head of the regional military administration Volodymyr Artiukh and his team. "Since September, when I first visited the region as a minister, we have begun implementing a number of humanitarian projects to support Sumy residents with the involvement of international donors and partners," the minister said. In addition, today the State Emergency Service of Sumy region handed over four units of special equipment received from the Ukrainian Embassy in Austria and an excavator from the German Society for International Cooperation GIZ. "The Christmas meeting with children at Sumy Center for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation of Children was also very warm," Sybiha said. Without rebooting govt and mono-majority in Rada, it is impossible to solve problems at front Herashchenko The new 2025 year must begin with a reboot of the government and a mono-majority in the Verkhovna Rada, co-chair of the European Solidarity faction Iryna Herashchenko said. "Under martial law, it is impossible to hold elections so that they are democratic, transparent, and recognized by the world. Therefore, based on these realities, it is necessary to reformat the parliamentary majority. And this is how 2025 must begin," Herashchenko told Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday. The MP said that in the Verkhovna Rada there has not been a mono-majority of the Servant of the People faction for a long time: "someone is abroad and has fled, someone has left the faction, someone chronically does not go to work, someone does not know what they are doing at all." She noted that the absence of a mono-majority is also evidenced by the results of votes at plenary sessions of the parliament. "In 2024, there was not a single vote in the Rada in which a mono-majority would have given 226 votes," the MP recalled, adding that during the votes, Servant of the People is assisted by MPs elected to parliament on the lists of the currently banned Opposition Platform For Life party. According to Herashchenko, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, having become president, in 2019 "absolutely illegally dissolved parliament," because, according to him, there was no coalition there. "So now there is no mono-majority. And Zelenskyy must honestly admit this, as well as Stefanchuk [Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada] and reformat the majority," Herashchenko said. "We need to start 2025 by recognizing the truth and creating a coalition of pro-Ukrainian, pro-European, pro-NATO forces in parliament, a coalition of victory, a democratic coalition and, of course, by reformatting the government," the MP said. According to the co-chair of the faction, the current government "is intellectually incapable of creating a program for Ukraine to emerge from a severe crisis." "We see constant corruption scandals that cover the government. We see management chaos in all areas... This is unacceptable in a country at war," Herashchenko said, emphasizing that the time has come for the authorities to account for their work. Herashchenko sees a way out of the current situation in the formation of a government of national unity. "A government of national unity in the absence of elections could strengthen power very seriously. We are talking, first of all, about responsibility now... Without such a reboot of the mono-majority and the government, it is impossible to solve the problems at the front," Herashchenko said. According to the faction co-chairman, the priorities of the work of "European Solidarity" in the Verkhovna Rada next year will be the integration of Ukraine into the European Union and NATO... "The key priority is European integration. We believe that today it depends only on Ukraine how quickly and professionally we will go this way," the MP said. She said at the current stage, in negotiations with partners on joining the EU, it is important to protect the national interests of Ukraine. "We see from many preliminary agreements that there is such a position sometimes to agree, instead of finding... compromises and always protecting the national interest," the MP said. She expressed regret that the intellectual potential of the European Solidarity team, which includes such strong experts on European integration issues as Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Petro Poroshenko, and Maria Ionova, is not being used in these negotiations. "The second priority is NATO It was our team, both when it was in power and when it was in opposition, that always insisted that the only and only security umbrella for Ukraine was its membership in NATO," Herashchenko said. According to the MP, the security agreements signed in recent years with some countries do not provide Ukraine with any security guarantees. She noted that as a result, time has been lost, and today it is necessary to focus on the issue of Ukraine's integration into the North Atlantic Alliance, although there is currently a "very small window of opportunity" to resolve it. "And, of course, we need to work not only on an invitation to NATO, but also on membership, so that it does not turn out like with Turkey, when there is an invitation, and then 40 years of nothing," the MP said. She also noted the importance of interparliamentary diplomacy and its successes, although she recalled that European Solidarity had to fight for participation in it. "Now, when due to our public position, due to criticism, due to the fact that we have achieved that our partners are already talking in the European Commission report about the need to stop blocking interparliamentary diplomacy, we see real results and successes. All of our interparliamentary delegations are working successfully, where there are representatives of all factions. This is our strength, that outwardly we speak with one voice and one team," Herashchenko said. France has completed six months of training Ukrainian pilots and ground crews for Dassault Mirage 2000-5F fighters, the French Aid to Ukraine channel on the X social network. "After six months, the training of Ukrainian pilots and mechanics on the Mirage 2000-5F has come to an end," according to the statement on Wednesday. As reported, in November, Ambassador of the French Republic to Ukraine Gael Veyssieres confirmed that French Dassault Mirage 2000-5F fighters would be delivered to Ukraine in early 2025. The ambassador did not specify how many aircraft could be transferred, stating that this should be announced by the authorities. Meanwhile, in November, the French media OpenNews reported, citing the deputy of the National Assembly of France, deputy chairman of the Defense Committee in parliament Franck Giletti, that France would "soon" deliver the first six Mirage 2000-5F with a "full support model" to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Previously, the media wrote about three aircraft that would arrive in early 2025. The French fourth-generation multirole fighter was developed in the 1970s by Dassault. It has been in service since 1984. It was the main combat aircraft of the French Air Force in the late 20th - early 21st centuries. It is in service with several countries in Asia, Europe and Latin America. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 25. Kyrgyzstan is ready to send assistance in connection with the crash near the city of Aktau (Kazakhstan) of a passenger airplane of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flying from Baku to Grozny today, Minister of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan Boobek Ajikeev said, Trend reports. I keep close contact with the heads of the Emergencies Ministry of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Our rescuers are on full alert to assist in connection with the plane crash. If necessary, we are ready to send additional forces and resources to support rescue efforts. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic is working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic and relevant authorities to clarify all the circumstances of the accident and provide assistance to our citizens, the Minister said. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying Baku-Grozny, crashed 3 kilometers from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan noted that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the plane that crashed in Aktau. AZAL announced that 67 people - 62 passengers and 5 crew members - were on board of the plane. Sri Lanka Presidents Christmas message calls for unity and peace Posted by Editor on December 25, 2024 - 9:16 am Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his Christmas message, highlighted the importance of unity, peace and humanity during this special season. He encouraged all Sri Lankans to follow the example of Jesus Christ by working together to build a fair and prosperous nation. Below is the full Christmas message of the President: Christmas, the day that marks the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated with great reverence by Christians worldwide. Jesus Christ, who came into this world to bring salvation to all, saw no divisions among people, be they rich or poor. His birth among humble shepherds, and the divine message delivered to them by angels, underscores the profound truth that Christmas calls us to transcend divisions and act with unity, peace, and humanity. Today, as a nation, we stand at a pivotal moment, united in our shared commitment to the future. We are witnessing the dawn of a new era for our country, one illuminated by the message of love and unity brought by Jesus Christ. Transforming our nation into a land where peace reigns and divisions are replaced by mutual understanding is a journey we are on together. Jesus Christs life, rooted in the pursuit of human freedom and justice, serves as an enduring inspiration for our work today. Today, Sri Lanka stands at a crossroads, requiring a transformative social revival. This is a call for a collective national renewal, a shift towards a just, compassionate, and equitable society. It is a moment for us to unite, acting with determination, resilience, and courage, to achieve the shared vision of a prosperous nation and fulfilling lives for all. Although society often compels us towards selfish competition, let us embrace the virtues of humanity this Christmas with empathy, respect for equality, fraternity, and coexistence. By fostering these values, we can work towards a society that thrives on mutual care and collective joy. This Christmas, let us pledge to build a strong, stable economy, ensure social justice, and uphold a political culture rooted in democracy and integrity. Together, with firm resolve, we can create a beautiful nation filled with humanity and freedom. May all Christians in Sri Lanka and across the world have a blessed and joyful Christmas! Anura Kumara Dissanayake President Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka New Delhi: Amid the Christmas celebrations in the national capital, a man tried to immolate himself near the new Parliament building on Wednesday afternoon. The police confirmed that the youth is Jitendra Kumar (26) from Baghpat. A call regarding the incident near the Railway Bhawan opposite the Parliament building was received at around 3.35 pm and a fire tender was pressed into service, said an official of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS). The security personnel deployed near Parliament rushed the man to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. According to reports, he sustained 90 per cent burns. Madhup Tiwari, Special CP Law and Order told ANI that Jitendra Kumar attempted suicide alleging that police have been supporting his opposite party in a rivlary case. More details are awaited. Astana: An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet with 67 people on board crashed on Wednesday in western Kazakhstan after veering from its scheduled route, officials said.Azerbaijani authorities said 32 people had survived the crash of the Embraer 190 near the city of Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. The plane was flying from the Azerbaijani capital Baku on the western shore of the Caspian to the city of Grozny in Chechnya in southern Russia. "A plane doing the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau. It belongs to Azerbaijan Airlines," the Kazakh transport ministry said on Telegram. Azerbaijan Airlines, the country's flag carrier, said the plane had 62 passengers and five crew on board.It said the plane "made an emergency landing" around three kilometres (1.9 miles) from Aktau. ADVERTISEMENT Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cancelled a planned visit to Russia for an informal summit of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a grouping of former Soviet nations. The Kazakh transport ministry said the plane was carrying 37 nationals from Azerbaijan, six from Kazakhstan, three from Kyrgyzstan and 16 from Russia. Emergency specialists work at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet near the western Kazakh city of Aktau. Photo: AFP The office of Azerbaijan's prosecutor general said: "According to available data, 32 people survived the crash." "We cannot disclose any investigation results at this time. All possible scenarios are being examined, and the necessary expert analyses are underway.An investigative team, led by the deputy prosecutor general of Azerbaijan, has been dispatched to Kazakhstan and is working at the crash site, it said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT Doctors flown to site The Kazakh emergency situations ministry said its staff put out a fire which broke out when the plane crashed. The ministry earlier reported that "28 survivors including two children have been hospitalised." It said 150 emergency workers were at the scene. The health ministry said a special flight was being sent from the Kazakh capital Astana with specialist doctors to treat the injured. Aliyev's office said the president "ordered the prompt initiation of urgent measures to investigate the causes of the disaster." ADVERTISEMENT "I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash... and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Aliyev said in a social media post. The plane's course on Flight Radar showed it crossing the Caspian Sea away from its normal route and then circling over the area where it eventually crashed. Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Azerbaijan plans to establish a new artificial intelligence laboratory, Trend reports. According to the single web portal on public procurement, the project will involve the purchase of equipment and related services necessary for the creation of the Industry 4.0 acceleration center and the artificial intelligence laboratory. The preparatory work for the project has already been completed by the "Construction Supply Union of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan." Bakinity Distribution Limited Liability Company (LLC) has been entrusted with carrying out the work, and a contract worth 603,200 manat ($354,825) has been signed with them. Bakinity Distribution LLC, registered in 2008, is represented by its legal representative, Eldar Gambarov, and has a charter capital of 100,000 manat ($58,823). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel "Like Kennedy, I recovered from heroin addiction," begins a guest essay in the New York Times this week by Maia Szalavitz. "When I became profoundly depressed several years into abstinence, antidepressants revolutionized my recovery." The Kennedy she is referring to is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK, Jr.), nominated to head the US Department of Health & Human Services. It is hard to know which is more offensive in Szalavitz' oped: her paean to Prozac, other psych drugs and weepy victimhood--"For the first time, I was able to feel comfortable socially, without the harms of addictive drugs," she snivels--or her brazen shilling for Big Pharma. Of course, Szalavitz' screed against abstinence-based, drug-free recovery (and against RFK, Jr.) is no surprise: Big Pharma has tried to monetize such programs for years by funding rehab programs and finessing diagnoses to include their drugs. (more on this later). Why should drugmakers and Wall Street not be in on the addiction gravy train? Addiction Expert? Really? As an "addiction expert" Szalavitz is woefully ignorant. Does she not realize that most if not all mass shooters are on the happy pills she extols and that psych-drug related suicides are rife including in the military? (underreported by a media funded by drug ads) Does she not realize the same drugmakers who hooked people on opioids also profit from opioid "recovery" drugs--unabashedly playing both sides of the street? Does she not realize the putative addiction "benefits" of GLP-1 agonists that she exalts all derive from "research" funded by drugs' makers, from their clinical trials or from the doctors they fund? Once upon a time, these claims would have been called conflicts of interest. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). 'Junkie on the Lam' (Image by A 'Cecil' I) Details DMCA Junkie had a bad habit. He/she/it lived in the lower East. Side. Junkie knew what it was like to live and suffer in the belly of the beast. Of Babylon, as he called it. But she didn't know why he called it that. It wasn't religious. Although s/he was blue a lot. He couldn't fathom why. The cops were after Junkie. The Consciousness Cops. They had a Shoot to Kill. Order. Junkie had a bad habit. He had to shoot, too. Order. Junkie spent days in the Jungle, as she called these city streets, spraying graffiti on the brick walls of the decrepit bricks down by where Jacob Riis wrote about How the Other Half Lives. He couldn't explain why he felt that way. That way he felt. She sprayed across the bricks: It's an intertextual world, run for your life. Cops saw this and pestle-and-mortared, fist into palm, as if punching and grinding Junkie's face at the same time. Consciousness. More than one cop was gnashing his teeth. Junkie had tried everything it could think of to get off the juice, and get back to work, and produce again. Consciousness. I don't feel like it, he told his supervisor at work, like a latter-day Bartleby chasing some Moby Dick in her dark oceanic mind. Lost. Angry. Someone had eaten the strawberries, it intuited. There is no need to get fugal. There's no need to get fast. There's no need to blow the bugle. There's no need for the past. Sprayed on the walls of the toilet of the ferry to Staten Island. Junkie waved at Lady Liberty as the ferry passed and he giggled at the raised torch, thinking it looked like a deodorant ad it had seen somewhere. But Junkie couldn't recall where. A jingle wafted through his "mind" that recalled for Junkie an old TV ad that went something like, I can't seem to forget you / you're windsong stays on my mind. On the other hand, he didn't remember ever having seen such an ad. Overhead seagulls luffed and laughed in the clear blue overcast sky. Junkie had a bad habit. Order. You can wake up and think. You can think you're at the center of the last fertile mind you met. The last fertile mind that Junkie met was an off-Broadway he/she/it. The juice is good. If you let it. And he let it. And she was good. But the cops found her in the alley, dress hoisted over her head, strung out, her mind extracted of its essence. Attar. Her expression was blue. Mortar-and-pestle. Gnashing of teeth. And she had a tic. Junkie had the new interactive mind. The one that leaves everything behind. Designed by buddhaindustries,inc. Promised positive nothingness, but folks had bad trips. Junkie was on one. It was all karma and kismet. It was a fractal world of subtle persuasions. Bad habit. Order. Junkie needed people. Junkie listened to their thoughts. Literally. Through a bluetooth transmitter/code switch. Often, he hungered to be inside their heads. Junkie had a bad habit. Junkie was seeing red. Inside, you found pure. Inside, you found the manna of the gods. Inside were chalices of ichor. Inside, you were transmogrified. Transfigured. The cops were chasing Junkie. Junkie was chasing heads. The cops had a Shoot to Kill. Junkie needed to be fed. Consciousness. No Batman could stop this crime wave. Junkie could jump, from mind to mind, and could even jump to another zone and land on his feet in a foreign mind and lay there hidden between the host lobes for weeks in the gobbledygook of untranslated windbreaks of tongue. Once when he was forced to lay low in Tokyo he crashed in the mind of an ESL teacher from Santa Monica and heard things he wished he could forget. This guy had had an affair with Dylan's wife, Sarah. Or thought he had. Or wished he had. Pestle-and-mortar. In Tokyo, he heard ESL say to himself, be careful you don't get in trouble with the yakuza. But he heard instead, don't get in hot water with the jacuzzi. Which confused him. His working language model sometimes sucked eggs. Whatever that meant. But now he was in Gotham and they'd cut off his way out. There was a crisis. There was a crisis of confidence. Things were shutting down. The Internet was down. Too many junkies on the lam were creating havoc to the system. Each zone was now hunting down the Problem. Pestle-and-mortar. Gnashing of teeth. Consciousness. Boots on the ground. Grinding the tarmac with jackboots in several zones. Order. Order. Order. Junkie had a bad habit. Consciousness had turned into a nightmare. Junkie loped like Ratso. Junkie crashed down by the Jacob Riis housing project. Junkie watched his favorite movie, Midnight Cowboy, over and over in his head. He cried real tears when he heard the harmonica riff such loneliness. But he didn't know why. People were leaking. That was another crisis. Alleyways were full of victims of consciousness overdoses or extractions. Gotham had no answer for this crime wave. Batman (George Clooney) was found taking Judith Butler from the rear, during a break in their Nescafe ad shoot together. At least, that's what his mind told him. Sound of jackboots. Grrr. Junkie sprayed and sprayed. Sprayed the walls with Nebuchadnezzar Neon Red. Junkie sprayed, Let's face it. We're undone by each other. And if we're not, we're missing something. The writing was on the wall. And finally, the leather came for him. Pestling. Gnashing. Crunched crushed gravel. Junkie leapt through the eyes of his beholder. Junkie could not escape the zone. Junkie ricocheted around the MAN. The Metropolitan Area Network. Like a digital pinball. Lighting up the hive. Faster and faster. 1812. And then in an explosion of color and meaning he burst into light and disappeared. Consciousness was back, baby. Junkie had a bad habit. A house cat in Washington County contracted bird flu and died after eating Northwest Naturals raw frozen pet food, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The state issued an alert Christmas Eve about Morasch Meats of Portlands voluntary recall of Northwest Naturals two-pound feline turkey recipe. State veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz said the agriculture department is confident the cat contracted the virus by eating the raw pet food. This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, Scholz said in a statement. The food tested positive for an H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus, and tests showed a genetic match between the virus in the raw and frozen pet food and the infected cat, according to Scholz. The Oregon Health Authority and local public health officials are monitoring the household members who had contact with the cat for potential flu symptoms. So far, no human cases have been linked to the infected cat. The recalled food is packaged in two-pound plastic bags with Best if Used by, dates of May 21, 2026 and June, 23, 2026. Northwest Naturals is recalling a batch of its Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food sold nationwide after a Washington County house cat contracted bird flu and died.Northwest Naturals Morasch Meats, a Portland-based company, sold the food nationwide. Pet owners are urged to check their supplies and dispose of the product. To avoid the spread of the disease, state and federal officials encourage people and their pets to avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat, raw dairy, limit contact with sick or dead animals and report sick or dead birds to the Oregon Department of Agriculture at 503-986-4711. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. The city of Portland has 56 snowplows, and theyre looking for names for five of them. The Portland Bureau of Transportation is holding its first ever snowplow naming contest this winter and inviting the public to get creative (and silly) with their suggestions. People are invited to submit their most creative, punniest, and wintry ideas, with the top five snowplow names selected as winners announced in February. Submit your snowplow name idea using an online form no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 5. Theres no limit to the number of submissions you can enter. Transportation bureau staff will pick the top 20 names and open those up for public voting in mid-January. Looking for inspiration? In 2023, when the Massachusetts Department of Transportation invited students to participate in a Name a Snowplow contest, the winning names included such gems as Edward Blizzardhands, Fast and Flurryous, Sleetwood Mac and The Mayplower. The public has helped the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission name some of its snowplows with names that included CTRL-SALT-DELETE and Clearopathtra. In Idaho, roadways are cleared with the help of plows with names like Antisnowcial and No More Mr. Ice Guy. The Portland contest doesnt list any prizes for the winners, but having your pun on the side of a snowplow might be reward enough. Find the entry form at https://tinyurl.com/khc6ncej. Samantha Swindler covers features for The Oregonian/OregonLive and Here is Oregon. Reach her at sswindler@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Couple Riley Statham and Katie Dean were looking to adopt a kitten and get engaged and they did both at the Oregon Humane Society, in that order. For his proposal, Statham enlisted the help of the animal shelters staff, who placed a custom heart-shaped tag on the kitten they had chosen to take home. The tag was engraved with a question: Marry Me? Ive been meaning to propose to Katie for so long, Statham said. Ive always known that when I was going to propose, it was going to include a cat or a kitten in some way, and luckily, Katie has been wanting a new cat for so long that she wasnt going to suspect anything. On Dec. 21, the couple drove from their home in Brush Prairie, Washington, to the Oregon Humane Societys Portland campus. Theyd been talking about adopting a kitten as a companion for their older cat, Willow, who also came from the Oregon Humane Society. About a week ago, Statham contacted shelter staff to say he was thinking of proposing when they came to adopt. By all accounts, this would be the shelters first marriage proposal. Staff were thrilled. Chloe Retallack, a community resource center specialist with Oregon Humane Society, suggested the collar with a Marry Me? tag. It was such a great idea, and instantly everyone was so excited about it, Retallack said. Animals are so important to relationships and people. It makes sense to have them involved in the engagement. After looking at adoptable pets on the shelters website, Statham and Dean spotted a kitten named Kynareth (after a character from Skyrim video game), and made an appointment to see her. The meet and greet went well, and after they decided to officially adopt Kynareth, shelter staff took the kitten in the back and brought her back out with the tag. Statham pulled out a diamond ring. Dean said yes to both the kitten and the man. I had no idea, Dean said. It was just shock. After the proposal, they walked out to the lobby where their parents and siblings had gathered to congratulate them. Dean and Statham were high school sweethearts at Vancouvers Mountain View High School. They had picked out an engagement ring together, though the timing of the proposal was a surprise. Weve been talking and dreaming about getting married for like 16 years, Dean said. After prioritizing other things in our life like trying to save up for a home, things like that, the wedding took a backseat. Since their story was shared by the Oregon Humane Society and picked up by local news stations, readers have suggested they name the kitten Mary. Dean and Statham are waiting to see what the kittens personality tells them. Theyre opening to changing her name but are calling her Kynnie for now. I hope that a couple of kittens or dogs or puppies will be adopted from this, Dean said. And maybe a couple of people will get engaged, I dont know. Just remember, cats like spouses are ideally a lifetime commitment. The Oregon Humane Society shelter is closed on Christmas Day but back open Dec. 26 with regular hours, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Samantha Swindler covers features for The Oregonian/OregonLive and Here is Oregon. Reach her at sswindler@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) Persistent high surf and flooding threats along Californias coast had residents on high alert a day after a major storm was blamed for one mans death and the partial collapse of a pier, which propelled three people into the Pacific Ocean. The National Weather Service on Christmas Eve warned of dangerous, large-breaking waves of up to 35 feet (10.7 meters). Its latest high surf warning will be in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday. Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches, the weather service said in a Christmas Eve bulletin. In Santa Cruz, where a municipal wharf under construction partially collapsed on Monday, most beaches were cordoned off as they were inundated with high surf and debris. Residents received an alert on their phones Tuesday morning notifying them to avoid all beaches including coastal overlook areas such as rocks, jetties or cliffs. It warned powerful waves could sweep entire beaches unexpectedly. Damage is seen on the end of Santa Cruz Wharf during high surf in Santa Cruz, Calif., Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)AP Local officials said there could be further damage to the wharf, but no more pieces broke off overnight. The wharf collapsed and fell into the ocean midday Monday, taking three people with it. Two people were rescued by lifeguards and a third swam to safety. No one was seriously injured. Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley said in the weeks and months ahead officials will have to assess long-term solutions for protecting the coastal city from the impacts of climate change. Hallelujah that no one was hurt in this, which could have been orders of magnitude worse in terms of any injuries to human beings and damage to property onshore and offshore, he said at a media briefing Tuesday. But I think we have somewhat of a question mark as we move through time, he added. And I dont think were by ourselves. I think this is what coastal communities around the world are probably dealing with. The structure was in the middle of a $4 million renovation following destructive storms last winter about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco. Its a catastrophe for those down at the end of the wharf, said David Johnston, who was allowed onto the pier on Monday to check on his business, Venture Quest Kayaking. Tony Elliot, the head of the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, estimated that about 150 feet (45 meters) of the end of the wharf fell into the water. It was immediately evacuated and will remain closed indefinitely. Some of the wharfs pilings are still in the ocean and remain serious, serious hazards to boats, the mayor said. Each piling weighs hundreds of pounds and is being pushed by powerful waves. You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water, the National Weather Services Bay Area office said on the social platform X. Building inspectors were looking at the rest of the piers structural integrity. Some California cities ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon as forecasters warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. In Watsonville along the Monterey Bay, first responders were called to Sunset State Beach, a state park, around 11:30 a.m. Monday for a report of a man trapped under debris. The Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office believes a large wave pinned him there. The man was pronounced dead at a hospital. The storms high surf also likely pulled another man into the Pacific Ocean around noon Monday at Marina State Beach, nearly 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of Watsonville, authorities said. Strong currents and high waves forced searchers to abandon their efforts roughly two hours later as conditions worsened. The man remained missing Monday evening. In a post on X, the National Weather Service office in Portland, Oregon, said, It will likely go down as some of the highest surf this winter. ___ Dazio reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Sophie Austin in Sacramento contributed. On Thursday at 5:14 p.m. an updated high wind warning was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until Friday at 2 a.m. for South Central Oregon Coast. The weather service adds, "South winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph." "Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles," describes the weather service. "Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive." Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service. Tomorrow Monday, 23 December 2024 will be the 219th anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. Even among faithful and committed Latter-day Saints who revere his memory, his birthday is almost never noticed which is scarcely surprising, especially given its proximity to Christmas. (Virtually nothing can escape the powerful gravitational pull of the years super-holiday.) So far as I noticed, Josephs name wasnt mentioned a single time during my wards special Christmas sacrament meeting today. Which, of course, is perfectly fine. I think its entirely appropriate, though, to give at least a moments thought to the Prophet of the Restoration. After all, its not as if other worthy individuals from both religious and secular history arent commemorated throughout the year. Traditionally, in the Catholic and Orthodox and Anglican communions, as well as several others, the liturgical year is organized by associating each day with one or more saints. Such days are said to be feast days, referring not to a banquet or a large meal but, rather, to a festival or an annual religious celebration. Accordingly, 2 January is the feast day of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen. The feast day of St. Catherine of Sienna is 29 April. St. John Chrysostom has his feast day on 13 September, and 4 December is the feast of St. John of Damascus. And so on and so forth. Most (if not all) days of the year are significant to the memory of some saint or other. Many countries (and perhaps all of them) also celebrate secular holidays in honor of distinguished people of the past. Columbus Day, for instance, is a national holiday in many countries of the Americas and even elsewhere. In the United States, its an official federal holiday, marking the anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World. Presidents Day which, officially, at the level of the federal government, is Washingtons Birthday is celebrated on the third Monday of February. Some celebrate all of the American presidents on Presidents Day, while some commemorate only George Washington, or Washington and Lincoln, or Washington and Jefferson. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (or MLK Day or, officially, the Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.) is a federal holiday in the United States that is observed on the third Monday of January each year. For that matter, Ive tried to make it my practice to do at least something special in connection with my late parents birthdays, with my wifes parents birthdays, and with the birthday of my too-soon-lost brother. A special dessert that they loved, perhaps, or a dish that we associate with them. Perhaps a particular story. And I aspire to mark the birthdays of some of our ancestors. I think such commemorations are valuable reminders and teaching moments, among other things. Accordingly, although its neither a holiday nor a feast day in some sort of Latter-day Saint liturgical calendar, 23 December Joseph Smiths birthday seems to me worthy of note. And I intend to note it. I here affirm my own personal conviction in the words of Elder John Taylor of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Taylor, a convert from Great Britain, was a close associate of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and he was, himself, gravely wounded in the same despicable and cowardly attack that took their lives at Carthage, Illinois, on 27 June 1844. He survived, however, and he eventually became the third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is part of what he wrote while recovering from his own wounds after the martyrdom: Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lords anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated! (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3) In order to illustrate my attitude of respect toward Joseph Smith, I offer a slightly altered text of the opening verses of the New Testament gospel of John, as rendered in the English Standard Version of the Bible. I feel and intend no disrespect to John the Baptist in doing so; I want merely to point to the analogous role played by the Prophet of the Latter-days: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was [ Joseph] . 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own , and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The COP29 Presidency and Azerbaijan have amplified the voices of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to a new high level, said Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General, in an exclusive interview with Trend. Reflecting on the summit in Baku, she described it as both a moment of promise and a profound reality check. "We are pleased that progress was made," she noted, referencing the tripling of the annual climate finance target to $300 billion by 2035 and the operationalization of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. However, she stressed that, for vulnerable nations, progress remains painfully slow. "SIDS and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are on the frontlines of a crisis they had little role in creating. For them, climate negotiations are existential battles. Their voices rang out in Baku, calling not just for commitments but for delivery - and they are right to demand it," she said. Patricia Scotland highlighted the significance of the first COP Leaders Summit for SIDS, organized by the COP29 Presidency and Azerbaijan, which brought their concerns to the forefront. She emphasized that the road to COP30 must focus on renewed energy and sharper action. Further speaking, the secretary-general reaffirmed the Commonwealth Secretariats commitment to increasing climate finance and improving its accessibility. "Through the work of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH), we continue to support member countries in accessing the critical funding needed to deliver their National Climate Plans, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)," she said. Patricia Scotland noted that, over the past nine years, CCFAH has raised more than $380 million, with an additional $500 million in progress. She also highlighted President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's announcement of $10 million to support joint projects with the Commonwealth in SIDS. "These types of commitments are crucial to enhance climate finance opportunities for SIDS. There is an urgent need for the operationalization and capitalization of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, to name just one priority," she said. As the discussion turned to cooperation with Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries, Patricia Scotland outlined the key priorities moving forward. "First, we need to bridge the delivery gap. Promises made must become promises kept. The Commonwealth will continue to work to ensure that financial commitments are not only accessible but transformative, especially for SIDS and LDCs. We know Azerbaijan and the COP29 Presidency are strong supporters of SIDS, and we would like to see that leadership continue," she said. "Second, we must unleash innovation. From satellite technology to AI, we need to harness the full power of innovation to drive scalable solutions. These tools can empower vulnerable nations to adapt and thrive. The Commonwealth Secretariat and Azercosmos, the Azerbaijan Space Agency, have a memorandum of understanding in place that can significantly expand access to satellite data to address the impacts of climate change," she added. "Finally, we must foster inclusive leadership. Our Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network, youth climate negotiators, Collaborative Network on Gender-responsive climate action, and Indigenous Peoples partnerships are not just programmesthey represent the future of climate diplomacy," Patricia Scotland concluded. Now available at no charge on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: Interpreter Radio Show December 15, 2024 Bruce Webster and Kris Fredericton hosted the 15 December 2024 episode of the Interpreter Radio Show. They discussed Come, Follow Me Doctrine & Covenants lesson 2, Moronis prophecies about our days, the Churchs disaster relief efforts, and Christmas music. Their conversation was recorded. It has now been edited to remove commercial breaks, archived, and placed online for your convenience. The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640, or you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com. Having celebrated his one hundredth birthday back on 9 September of this past year, President Russell M. Nelson continues to amaze. Here, you can enjoy his piano performance of Silent Night, recorded in his home during the Christmas season in 2022: The Prophet Extends a Christmas Wish of Heavenly Peace: Read and watch social media Christmas messages from the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and some General Officers Even amid the glories of the Winter Solstice holiday season, unfortunately, we need to keep track of the evils routinely visited upon humanity by theists and theism. (No season of the year is more prone to exploitation by religious people.) Accordingly, I share some materials here that Ive recently extracted from the inexhaustibly horrific Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File. Here are just a few of them: Latter-day Saints Around the World: December 2024: Bottle-cap donation blesses children with cancer in Bolivia, and Congolese government helps with women and childrens initiative. Newsroom features stories from its dozens of websites worldwide to show what members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are doing to serve their communities. Today, we feature news from Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, South Korea, Peru and Tonga. Summary of 2024 Light the World News Global Efforts Continue to Light the World in 2024: A look at how members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are spreading the Light of Christ this Christmas season I found the accompanying video amazing. Sustainable Solutions: Clean Water and Gardens Transform a Community in Mexico The Church of Jesus Christ Offers Condolences and Help to Residents of Vanuatu Following Earthquake The Church of Jesus Christ Expands Educational Opportunities for Indigenous Youth in Mexico The Church Donates Mental Health Facility to Regional Hospital: This is more than humane, this is Godly. The Church and Midwest Food Bank Unite to Fight Hunger Donation to Womens Hospital in Bolivia Aims to Decrease Infant Mortality: Modern medical equipment that helps support children and mothers during childbirth now available in La Paz Alas, one of the clearest illustrations of the wickedness of religious people is their attempt to commandeer the music of the Winter Solstice holiday season, which has been disturbingly successful. Having failed to share a musical piece in yesterdays blog entry, I compensate by offering two specimens today. Both have been drawn directly from the Hitchens File: (1) When John Menzies Macfarlane, a Scottish convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, needed a special song for Christmas 1869 for the choir that he conducted in St. George, Utah, he wrote one. (St. George had only been founded in 1861, and it was still a very small and rough little settlement struggling to survive in an arid desert climate; its tabernacle and temple were still several years in the future.) Here is the song that he wrote, in a performance by the Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-12-0031-far-far-away-on-judeas-plains?lang=eng Far, Far Away on Judeas Plains was first published in Salt Lake Citys Juvenile Instructor twenty years later, in 1889. Since then, it has become a popular Christmas carol well beyond the confines of the Latter-day Saint community one of the relatively few Restoration hymns to travel across denominational lines. Brother Macfarlane has clearly never been to Judea, which is very much hill country. It would be roughly as difficult to find a flat plain in Judea as to find a tropical jungle there. (2) The words to Once in Royal Davids City were written by the Anglo-Irish childrens poet Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895), who is also remembered for her hymns There is a Green Hill Far Away and All Things Bright and Beautiful. The carol was set to music shortly thereafter by an organist named H. J. Gauntlett. 1 Once in royal Davids city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child. 2 He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall: with the poor, and meek, and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy. 3 And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love; for that Child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heavn above, and He leads His children on to the place where He is gone. 4 Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, we shall see Him, but in heaven, set at Gods right hand on high; when like stars His children crowned all in white shall wait around. Here is Once in Royal Davids City in a performance by the choir of Kings College Cambridge, recorded in Kings College Chapel, which happens to be one of my favorite pieces of architecture in the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT3cfXd3Shk (Err, sorry. I meant to say that Kings College Chapel is yet another of the abominations imposed upon us by religionists, along with the music thats frequently performed in it.) Big Lots is closing its distribution center in Schuylkill County. The discount retailer filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry informing the state that 505 people will be laid off at 50 Rausch Creek Road in Tremont Township, Schuylkill County. The layoffs will begin on Jan. 6 and will be completed on March 31. The closing of the distribution center follows the announcement last week by Big Lots that it does not anticipate completing its previously announced asset sale with Nexus Capital Management, and that going-out-of-business sales would begin at all of its 909 remaining stores including 64 locations in Pennsylvania. Hundreds of Big Lots stores had previously closed earlier this year including one in York County. Big Lots is still working towards completing a sale of the company with Nexus or another company by early January. The retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September. Gordon Brothers in a joint venture with Hilco Consumer - Retail and Tiger Capital Group, is holding the closing sales. Gordon Brothers announced on Monday that the sales had started. Gordon Brothers also announced it is handling the closing sales for Party City at its nearly 700 stores across the country. The company announced on Monday that those sales had begun as well. The WARN Act is federal legislation that offers protection to workers, their families, and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of a covered-business closing and covered-business mass layoff. However, there are some exceptions. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood Jr. has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges after he was accused of submitting fraudulent tax returns and applications for hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 pandemic aid programs. The signed plea agreement was approved Friday by a federal judge in Delaware. Smallwood, of Mullica Hill, New Jersey, faces sentencing in May on the three fraud charges. Smallwoods lawyer, Mark Sheppard, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Smallwood appeared in court Friday and forthrightly took full responsibility for his actions. He recognizes that this is but the first step to try to begin to make amends to the government and to those closest to him. He will continue to do so. Smallwood, 30, was originally charged in October. He filed false tax returns for himself and others in 2021 and 2022, drawing refunds for himself of about $110,000, prosecutors said. He also used what prosecutors said were defunct or recently registered businesses and provided false information about the scale of their operations, such as start dates, revenue amounts, expenses and number of employees. Some were under his name, while others were under other peoples names. In one scheme, Smallwood used false information when he applied to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program for loans for three businesses under his name. The U.S. Small Business Administration approved loans of just over $46,000, prosecutors said. In a separate scheme, Smallwood submitted fraudulent applications in the names of at least 13 other people for the Paycheck Protection Program, prosecutors said. A bank disbursed loans of nearly $270,000, from which Smallwood received kickbacks in return for preparing and submitting the applications, prosecutors said. The Eagles drafted Smallwood out of West Virginia University in 2016. The Delaware native played three seasons for the Eagles before spending time over three more seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the team now known as the Washington Commanders. Recalled Costco eggs have triggered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to raise the recall alert over possible salmonella contamination to the highest risk level for infection. Previously, on Nov. 27, about 10,800 retail units of organic, pasture-raised, 24-count eggs, sold under Costcos Kirkland Signature brand were voluntary recalled by New York-Handsome Brook Farms, with a Universal Product Code (UPC) of 9661910680. In an updated notice issued on Friday, the FDA reclassified the recall to a Class I. According to the FDA, a Class I recall is defined as being a reasonable probability that a recalled product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The recall was initiated after the company determined that eggs not intended for retail distribution were instead packaged and distributed in retail packaging, Handsome Brook Farm said in a recall statement. The recalled eggs were sold in 25 stores in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The announcement and recall also stated that the recall is only for cartons marked with Julian code 327, P1363, accompanied with a use by date of Jan. 5, 2025. As of the Nov. 27 recall, no illnesses were reported, fortunately. If you purchased these eggs, cease use and return to Costco for a full refund or dispose of the product. For those who have additional questions, please contact Handsome Brook Farms via phone at 646-733-4532, ext. 1, Monday through Friday, 9 AM 6 PM EST or contact via email at recall@hbfeggs.com. By SILVIA STELLACCI and COLLEEN BARRY, The Associated Press VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday urged all people of all nations to find courage during this Holy Year to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia. The pontiffs Urbi et Orbi To the City and the World address serves as a summary of the woes facing the world this year. As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that he dedicated to hope, Francis called for broad reconciliation, even (with) our enemies. I invite every individual, and all people of all nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions, the pope said from the loggia of St. Peters Basilica to throngs of people below. The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peters Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing Gods mercy, which unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge. Faithful walk through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, after it was opened by Pope Francis on Christmas Eve, marking the start of the Catholic 2025 Jubilee. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)AP He called for arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine and in the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave, as well as Lebanon and Syria at this most delicate time. Francis repeated his calls for the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. He cited a deadly outbreak of measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the suffering of the people of Myanmar, forced to flee their homes by the ongoing clash of arms. The pope likewise remembered children suffering from war and hunger, the elderly living in solitude, those fleeing their homelands, who have lost their jobs, and are persecuted for their faith. Pilgrims were lined up on Christmas Day to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St. Peters Basilica, as the Jubilee is expected to bring some 32 million Catholic faithful to Rome. Traversing the Holy Door is one way that the faithful can obtain indulgences, or forgiveness for sins during a Jubilee, a once-every-quarter-century tradition that dates from 1300. Pilgrims submitted to security controls before entering the Holy Door, amid new security fears following a deadly Christmas market attack in Germany. Many paused to touch the door as they passed and made the sign of the cross upon entering the basilica dedicated to St. Peter, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church. You feel so humble when you go through the door that once you go through is almost like a release, a release of emotions, said Blanca Martin, a pilgrim from San Diego. ... Its almost like a release of emotions, you feel like now you are able to let go and put everything in the hands of God. See I am getting emotional. Its just a beautiful experience. A Chrismukkah miracle as Hanukkah and Christmas coincide Hanukkah, Judaisms eight-day Festival of Lights, begins this year on Christmas Day, which has only happened four times since 1900. Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, right, and Rabbi Shmuel Segal, left, watch the set-up of a giant Hanukkah Menorah by the Jewish Chabad Educational Center ahead of the Jewish Hanukkah holiday, in front of the Brandenburg Gate at the Pariser Platz in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)AP The calendar confluence has inspired some religious leaders to host interfaith gatherings, such as a Hanukkah party hosted last week by several Jewish organizations in Houston, Texas, bringing together members of the citys Latino and Jewish communities for latkes, the traditional potato pancake eaten on Hanukkah, topped with guacamole and salsa. While Hanukkah is intended as an upbeat, celebratory holiday, rabbis note that its taking place this year as wars rage in the Middle East and fears rise over widespread incidents of antisemitism. The holidays overlap infrequently because the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles and is not in sync with the Gregorian calendar, which sets Christmas on Dec. 25. The last time Hanukkah began on Christmas Day was in 2005. By GRAHAM LEE BREWER, The Associated Press Kwanzaa has become a nationally recognized celebration of African culture and community in the United States since its founding in 1966. It also is celebrated in countries with large African descendant populations. The holiday, which serves as a nationwide communal event reinforcing self-determination and unity in the face of oppression, spans seven days from the day after Christmas through New Years Day. It is observed in large, city-sponsored events as well as in smaller communities and homes nationwide. Kwanzaa has grown in popularity in the decades since its founding and is celebrated by 3% of the country, according to a 2019 AP-NORC survey. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all released statements commemorating the holiday, and in 1997 the U.S. Postal Service began issuing Kwanzaa stamps. It is not recognized as a federal holiday. Kwanzaas origins Kwanzaa emerged during the Black Freedom Movement of the 1960s as a way to reconnect Black communities in the U.S. with important African cultural traditions that were severed by the transatlantic slave trade. It also promotes unity and liberation. It was also shaped by that defining decade of fierce strivings and struggles for freedom, justice and associated goods waged by Africans and other peoples of color all over the world in the 1960s, Maulana Karenga, the holidays founder, wrote in his annual Kwanzaa address in 2023. Kwanzaa thus came into being, grounded itself and grew as an act of freedom, an instrument of freedom, a celebration of freedom and a practice of freedom. Karenga, an African American author, activist and professor, founded Kwanzaa following the Watts Riots, also known as the Watts Rebellion, in Los Angeles in 1965. Karenga described Kwanzaa as a political-motivator holiday in an interview with Henry Lewis Gates Jr. for PBS. The idea is for African and African descended people to come together around family, community and culture so we can be in spaces where, in Dr. Karengas words, we feel fully African and fully human at the same time, said Janine Bell, president and artistic director at the Elegba Folklore Society in Richmond, Virginia. A Kinara holds seven candles representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith). (Boyzell Hosey/Tampa Bay Times, file.)TNS The basics Many people who observe Kwanzaa, which is a secular holiday, celebrate it alongside religious festivals such as Christmas. People of any faith, race or ethnic background can participate. The name Kwanzaa derives from mutanda ya kwanza a Swahili phrase meaning first fruits or first harvest. The final a was added to the name to accommodate the seven children present at the first Kwanzaa, each of whom was given a letter to represent. The holiday is governed by seven principles, known collectively as the Nguzo Saba, and a different principle is celebrated each day: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). The Nguzo Saba is represented by a candleholder with seven candles called a kinara. Each night, one of those candles is lit. The candles are the same colors as the Kwanzaa flag: Black representing the people, red their struggle and green their hope. Large Kwanzaa celebrations happen across the country every year in cities including Los Angeles, Atlanta and Detroit. These events often feature storytellers, music and dance. Bell said the theme at this years Capital City Kwanzaa Festival in Richmond is knowledge of self, and an African descendent will be selected by drawing a name from a fishbowl to win a free DNA test so they can learn where they come from. The holiday is also observed in individual homes, often focusing on children, because they are key to the survival of culture and the development of community. This concept of children and the future they embody is often represented symbolically by corn. The intention is that its 365 (days a year), Bell said. The need for the principles and the strengthening value of the principals dont go away on January 2nd. Family celebrations also involve giving gifts and sharing African American and Pan African foods, culminating in the Karamu, a feast featuring dishes from across the African diaspora. Typical meals include staples of southern cuisine like sweet potato pie or popular dishes from Africa like jollof rice. Activities over the seven days are geared toward reaffirming community bonds, commemorating the past and recommitting to important African cultural ideals. This can include dancing, reading poetry, honoring ancestors and the daily lighting of the kinara. By Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times (TNS) Four cougars. Four bobcats. Two lynx. Even a Bengal tiger. Bird flu has taken a terrible toll at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center, a sanctuary for wildcats and their hybrids on Harstine Island, Washington, killing 20 cats half the animals in its care. The only thing I can compare it to, as a veteran, is being in a war zone, director Mark Mathews said in an interview Tuesday. The sanctuary is usually open for tours, but because of the disease outbreak it is closed. The animals on-site are in quarantine, and no new animals are being accepted. Just how the animals were infected is not yet clear, Mathews said. Was it droppings of wild birds flying overhead of the trees where the cats love to climb and roost? Was it in the meat in the freezer all of it now destroyed just in case? Was it in the corn husks and other forage put out for the cats? On their toys? On a human caretakers clothes? No one knows for sure. This death toll is the latest in a slew of losses confirmed to be caused by the disease. Last week, two wild cougars on the north Olympic Peninsula were confirmed to be victims of bird flu, one of them dying a slow and terrible death, the other killed so quickly it showed no symptoms, according to Mark Elbroch of Panthera, director of the puma program for the global wild cat organization. The virus, also known as Type A H5N1, has been circulating in Washington since at least 2022, when the state Department of Agriculture confirmed it in several backyard poultry flocks. Soon after, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed cases of the disease in wild birds. Bird flu killed more than half a tern colony near Port Townsend this year, and 2023 saw the first jump of the disease from seabirds to harbor seals, the first report of marine mammals dying from the disease on the West Coast. Mathews said he hopes the sanctuary can reopen by the new year. The nonprofit has been scrambling to empty and clean out the meat freezer and follow requirements of the quarantine intended to contain the viral infection, working with animal and public health officials at the federal, state and country level, Mathews said. The center was founded by Shelleen and Mark Mathews in 2004. It takes in animals hurt in the wild, animals kept by private owners who no longer want them, animals left homeless when an owner dies, and more. Some have come from kennels so small they dont know what to do when released into the sanctuarys large habitat, Mathews said. The center cares for cats of many species, from five of the worlds continents, providing large habitats for the animals including trees to climb a favorite, Mathews said. His favorite cat, Tabby the tiger, was killed by the disease, Mathews said. Four cougars died, one after another. Its devastating. Heartbreaking. I dont know how else to say it, its overwhelming huge anxiety, you think you are having a nightmare every day then we wake up and do it again. The disease has been unpredictable. Some sick animals recovered, and some never became ill, Mathews said. The first human cases of the virus were reported in the state in October, and as of early November, 14 confirmed and probable cases were reported, according to Washington State Department of Health data. Those cases were caused by contact with poultry. So far, there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of bird flu in Washington. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains the risk of the virus to humans is low. To protect pets, dont let them scavenge carcasses of wild animals, said Staci Lehman, a communications manager for Fish and Wildlife. Dont handle dead animals yourself and then touch your pet. If you must pick up a carcass to dispose of it, use gloves. To limit exposure to possible virus-carrying animals, dont attract wild waterfowl to your property by feeding. The disease is affecting thousands of wild birds and mammals, just in this country, according to the database kept by the U.S. Department of Agriculture since 2022. Mammals confirmed to be killed by the disease include the bottlenose dolphin, brown bear, polar bear, red fox, American marten, mink, fisher, on and on. Wild birds from green-winged teal to red-tailed hawk, eared grebe, snow geese, song sparrows and so many more. As the virus mutates and spreads, where the disease will kill next is hard to know, Lehman said. Its fairly new and continues to evolve. By Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel (TNS) A 7-year-old boy critically injured Saturday by a falling drone during a holiday show at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida, remains in intensive care, his mother said Monday in a post on a GoFundMe page. Zander is out of surgery and still fighting! Jessica Lumedge wrote. I will be missing work at this time, and he will be celebrating Christmas in the ICU. The boy, Alezander, underwent emergency open-heart surgery Sunday after one of several drones that fell from the sky during the Holiday Drone Show struck him in the chest and mouth. As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe page for Alezander has raised more than $24,000 of the $50,000 goal through more than 840 donations. The Federal Aviation Administration announced Saturday evening on X, formerly Twitter, that its investigating. It was remains unclear Tuesday what caused the drones to collide and fall. About 25,000 people attended the evening event. Adriana Edgerton, the boys other mother, said in an interview with WESH-TV that her family was watching the show when multiple drones fell from the sky. Everyones natural instinct was to duck and scatter, Edgerton said. Before we realized it, my daughter found my son on the floor unconscious. He had blood coming out of his face. An Orlando city spokesperson Tuesday did not return a message seeking comment. The city had said in a news release that there were technical difficulties during the show. Just before 7 p.m. the Orlando Fire Department responded to calls that a person was injured by a drone, according to the release. The city canceled the 8 p.m. show. In its third year in Orlando, the show was organized for its second year by Sky Elements based in Fort Worth, Texas. Representatives did not return calls or emails Tuesday seeking comment. A company statement released Sunday said: Sky Elements Drones wants to extend our sincere hope for a full and speedy recovery for those impacted at our Lake Eola show. On its website, the company states that one of its missions is safety and protecting onlookers, staff members and property at all times. Safety is our number one priority, borderline obsessed, the website states. Videos from the Lake Eola show posted on social media show multiple green and red drones falling from the sky. In one video posted to X, user MosquitoCoFL Podcast showed drones falling as Lake Eolas famous swans vigorously flapped their wings and quickly moved away. By KATIE MARIE DAVIES and DASHA LITVINOVA An Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people onboard crashed Wednesday near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, leaving at least 32 survivors, according to officials. More than 30 people may be dead. The plane was en route from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus. Kazakhstans Emergency Ministry said in a Telegram statement that those on board included five crew. A total of 29 survivors, including two children, have been hospitalized, the ministry told Russias state news agency, RIA Novosti. The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 lays on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Azamat Sarsenbayev)AP Another Russian news agency, Interfax quoted medical workers as saying that four bodies have been recovered and emergency workers at the scene as saying that both pilots, according to a preliminary assessment, died in the crash. The Embraer 190 aircraft made an emergency landing 3 km from the city, Azerbaijan Airlines said earlier. Kazakhstans Emergency Ministry initially said 25 people survived the crash, later revising that number to 29 as the search and rescue operation continued at the site of the crash, bringing the death toll down. The Prosecutor Generals Office in Azerbaijan later reported that at least 32 people survived the crash, adding that the number wasnt final. Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry said in a statement that some of them were in critical condition. The number of survivors could mean that more than 30 people may be dead. According to Kazakhstani officials, those aboard the plane included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhstani and three Kyrgyzstani citizens, it said. In this photo taken from a video released by the administration of Mangystau region, the wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 lies on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. (The Administration of Mangystau Region via AP)AP RIA Novosti quoted Russias civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, as saying that preliminary information showed that the pilot had chosen to divert to Kazakhstans Aktau after a bird strike on the aircraft led to an emergency situation on board. Mobile phone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Other footage showed part of its fuselage ripped away from the wings and the rest of the aircraft, lying upside in the grass. The footage corresponded to the planes colors and its registration number. Some of the videos posted on social media showed survivors dragging fellow passengers away from the wreckage of the plane. Flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24.com showed the aircraft making what appeared to be a figure-right once nearing the airport in Aktau, its altitude moving up and down substantially over the last minutes of the flight before hitting the ground. FlightRadar24 separately said in an online post that the aircraft had faced strong GPS jamming which made the aircraft transmit bad ADS-B data, referring to the information that allows flight-tracking websites to follow planes in flight. Russia has been blamed in the past for jamming GPS transmissions in the wider region. In a statement, Azerbaijan Airlines said it would keep members of the public updated and changed its social media banners to solid black. Police in York County were called to a Sheetz convenience store shortly after 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve for a reported shooting. The 911 call came in at 5:13 p.m. for the store at 4300 N. George Street Extended in East Manchester Township, according to Ted Czech, spokesman for the York County Office of Emergency Management and York County 911. The coroner was then called to the store, Czech confirmed, which indicates someone has died at the scene. No further details were available. PennLive has a reporter on the way to the scene. Check back with PennLive for updates. The York Regional Police Department is investigating the incident. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Representatives of government authorities under the instruction of President Ilham Aliyev have traveled to Kazakhstan to investigate the causes of the airplane crash in Aktau, Trend reports. According to the instruction of the head of state, Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Minister of Emergency Situations, Deputy Prosecutor General, Deputy Minister of Health, Deputy Director of the State Civil Aviation Agency, Vice President of AZAL, and representatives of other specialized state bodies of Azerbaijan departed to the city of Aktau (Kazakhstan) to investigate the accident on the spot. The Denver Broncos have cut former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace from their team. Wallace was initially the top backup, but once starting cornerback Riley Moss was injured, Wallace struggled mightily and was demoted. Now, the Broncos have made multiple moves and Wallace is on the chopping block. Wallaces struggles were on a national stage when he failed to contain former Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Instead, Jeudy went off for a career-high 235 yards, much of which was on Wallace. Wallace was with the Steelers for two seasons. He started his entire first season with the team, but his play experienced a steep drop-off during his second season. Following that, the team benched him for rookie Joey Porter Jr., who played much better than Wallace or their other veteran starter, Patrick Peterson. Wallace signed a one-year deal with the Broncos after a workout. He was undrafted coming out of Alabama and signed with the Buffalo Bills. Wallace started right out of the gate for the Bills, but the team let him walk in free agency after four years. PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will welcome the Kansas City Chiefs to Pittsburgh for a Christmas showdown in the first-ever game on Netflix. While everyone holds their breath to see if Netflix will hold up after issues earlier in the year with similar live-sporting events, the Steelers will hope to halt a two-game losing streak while the Chiefs can lock up the top overall seed in the AFC. Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania When: 1:00 p.m. How to Watch: Netflix | CBS (Locally) Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have cooked recently and are starting to heat up, even if their wins are not that impressive to the eye test. They are an NFL-best 14-1, and the Steelers sit at 10-5 and control their own destiny, but have to win out to win the division from the Baltimore Ravens for good. UPDATE: 3:36 p.m. Can't line up on offense correctly and can't communicate on defense in December. https://t.co/I68A5BvPZo Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 3:33 p.m. Steelers called for offensive offsides and two false starts in this sequence. Incredible. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 3:27 p.m. The Steelers' defense has inflicted its greatest wounds upon itself over the last three weeks. Awful communication, both in the run and pass game, lead to blown coverages, poor run fits. Basic things that any defense should be doing in December. Guys run wide open. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 3:24 p.m. After the Chiefs touchdown, Cam Heyward is down on the field. Trainers looking at his right leg. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 3:23 p.m. Steelers lose Travis Kelce downfield. Touchdown Chiefs. 28-10. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 3:20 p.m. Wow. A disaster drive by the Steelers. Russ throws it away on first down, then gets sacked, and a dump off to Freiermuth ends in him fumbling the ball. Chiefs recover. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 3:14 p.m. Kareem Hunt runs it into the end zone for a touchdown. They don't get the 2-pt conversion attempt after Trice picks off Mahomes. Chiefs up 22-10. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 3:09 p.m. Steelers have tried to blitz Mahomes, but he's just dissecting it. Reid calling quick screens / shots to the outside to mitigate all of that. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 3:07 p.m. LOL what a dart by Mahomes on that RPO. Absolutely will bullet. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 3:06 p.m. Highsmith was an INCH away from a strip sack. Mahomes zoomed out of there at the last second. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 3:01 p.m. Hilariously bad drive by the OL. Steelers get 3 out of it though. 16-10. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:58 p.m. Jaylen Warren is an absolute menace. 21-yard rip-off a route to the flat. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:56 p.m. Chiefs getting burnt by Russ scrambles on 3rd down a few times today. Another first down on third and long. Wilson making plays with his legs. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:51 p.m. Huge conversion on 3rd down. Calvin Austin III wins outside and the Steelers move the chains. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:50 p.m. Steelers don't have a reliable way to create chunk plays off PA from UC. They've tried all year. Just nothing to it. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:46 p.m. Steelers defense clamps down in the red zone. Holds the Chiefs to just three points. Back to a two-posession game, but a crucial hold for Pittsburgh. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:43 p.m. Chiefs are now driving after three first downs. Two by Xavier Worthy. Steelers have not had an answer for the rookie. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:25 p.m. Steelers can't get anything going on that short drive. They will head into the half down 13-7. KC gets the ball out of the half. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:23 p.m. Fitzpatrick is a king when he gets eyes playing from depth. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:22 p.m. Awesome play by Fitzpatrick on 3rd down. I don't really get the first downplay call by KC. But the Steelers will have a shot at another drive. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:17 p.m. Steelers have to punt. Russell Wilson tried to thread the needle down the sideline to Mike Williams. Mahomes and the Chiefs will take over with about a minute left. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:13 p.m. It ends up not mattering because the Chiefs get called for 12 men on the field, giving the Steelers an automatic first down. https://t.co/miLbso6E7c Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:12 p.m. 3rd and 3 and Smith dials up a run to Cordarrelle Patterson. Steelers stopped short and will punt. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:10 p.m. Chiefs had no one on Russ scrambling there. Easy first down. He had a ton of open grass. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:06 p.m. Steelers' tackling has been better today, so that's at least one step forward Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:04 p.m. Jawaan Taylor called for the hold and the Chiefs now have to punt. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 2:03 p.m. Hell of a tackle by Trice on Kelce in space. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:59 p.m. 3rd down conversion for the Chiefs. They got Worthy manned up on Sutton out of the bunch set. 13 yards. Steelers DL going to have to dominate to slow this offense down. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:58 p.m. Since Watson caught the TD on Pierre, it's been all Cory Trice since. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:56 p.m. Getting Pat Freiermuth involved this week has seemed to be a big time emphasis for the Steelers. 4 targets, 3 receptions for 37 yards already. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:54 p.m. UPDATE: 1:52 p.m. Russ calls out what looks like a blitz and hots Freiermuth up the seam. Really nice throw. Conversion on 3rd-and-8. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:50 p.m. Steelers got a little something going here. George Pickens with a first down, some good movement with Jaylen Warren in there, and an explosive play to Pat Freiermuth. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:42 p.m. UPDATE: 1:41 p.m. Cory Trice is in on this drive. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:39 p.m. If Russell Wilson is going to play like this, the Steelers have no chance. Decision-making in the last 5 quarters has taken a sharp nosedive. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:37 p.m. Next play Russell Wilson throws an interception to Justin Reid. What looked like a potential spark flames out. Wilson's third TO in the last 5 quarters. https://t.co/UZ7wiXprC5 Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:35 p.m. Jaylen Warren went in for the TD, but Darnell Washington called for holding. Steelers now backed up in the red zone. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:34 p.m. The Steelers run a sideline shot to George Pickens on the first play of the next drive. McDuffie is in tight coverage, but it's a hell of a ball and a hell of a catch. 41 yards. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:30 p.m. 3rd and 4, and Mahomes finds the open spot and hits Justin Watson for the TD. KC up 13-0 just like that. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:28 p.m. On the next play, Donte Jackson was smoked by Justin Watson deep down the sideline. 49 yards. KC in business. https://t.co/aqDm0oIz0h Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:27 p.m. Steelers had the Chiefs at 3rd and 11, but Mahomes no-look flicks it to Perine for 14 yards. First down KC. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:23 p.m. Mark Robinson forces a fumble, but the Chiefs jump on the ball. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:22 p.m. Russell Wilson is hurting the Steelers badly with this pocket management right now. Completely crumbled the two times his first read wasn't there. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:20 p.m. Najee Harris hits outside and gets 10 yards on that run. Steelers move the chains. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE 1:14 p.m. Mahomes finds Xavier Worthy for the touchdown. 7 yards. Bad start for the Steelers. 3-and-out, big PR allowed, KC TD. Down 6-0. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:07 p.m. And then a big-time punt return for the Chiefs. They're cooking in Steelers territory. https://t.co/d3uhmRlu5F Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:06 p.m. Russ sacked on third down. Fumbled the ball but they recovered it back. Three and out. Steelers still haven't scored an opening drive TD this season. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:05 p.m. Steelers go 11 personnel and are in the gun on first down. Russ finds Pat Freiermuth for a seven yard gain to start. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:02 p.m. The Chiefs win the toss, and they defer. Steelers get the ball first. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 1:01 p.m. Former Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster sent out by the Chiefs for the coin toss. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 12:55 p.m. Donte Jackson, James Pierre, AND Cam Sutton were announced as starters. https://t.co/hyJXmc7Vss Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 12:37 p.m. James Pierre warming up with the first team defense before the game. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 12:33 p.m. Yall ready for some Christmas football? pic.twitter.com/BB8ODbtKsJ Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 UPDATE: 11:38 a.m. Inactives: QB Justin Fields (3rd QB) WR Ben Skowronek DL Dean Lowry OLB Preston Smith CB Joey Porter Jr. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) December 25, 2024 We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Details added: first version posted on 13:21 BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Attorney General of Azerbaijan has opened a criminal case under Articles 262.3 (violation of traffic safety rules and the operation of air transport, resulting in the accidental death of two or more people) and 314.3 (negligence leading to the death of two or more people) of the Criminal Code following the plane crash in Aktau involving an aircraft owned by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), Trend reports. The preliminary investigation has been assigned to the Investigation Department of the General Prosecutor's Office. Members of the investigative team formed by the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan, led by Deputy General Prosecutor Elmar Jamalov, have been dispatched to Kazakhstan. Additionally, the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan has submitted a request for international legal assistance to the General Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan to conduct the relevant investigation and carry out other necessary procedural actions. Joint efforts are being conducted with the relevant state authorities to investigate the causes of the crash and take urgent measures. The General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan expresses its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the plane crash and wishes a swift recovery to the injured. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Hard Rock Hollywood to Host Unique CSOP Poker & Blackjack Charity Tournament Jon Pill Contributor Copy link The Seminole Hardrock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood Florida and the Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) is hosting a charity tournament and social on January 16, 2025. The event will be an unusual mixed event, combining poker with blackjack. The event is called the All In for St. Jude Social and all proceeds from the tournament and social will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital a specialist hospital in Memphis, Tennessee that focuses on research and treatment of cancers in children. An Evening of Poker and Blackjack The event will kick off with a social gathering, starting at 5 p.m. The tournament then begins at 7 p.m. and costs $300 to enter. Tickets for the social gathering by itself are $250. Alternatively, you can buy a ticket to both the tournament and the social for the discounted price of $500. The tournament has a grand prize of $5,000 and there will also be additional final table prizes as well as bounties on the player's heads and a silent auction beforehand. The social portion of the evening will involve canapes, an open bar, and the silent auction followed by a speech from a patient who was helped through their childhood cancer by St. Jude. All In For St. Jude St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a charity that runs largely on donations and fundraising efforts like this event. The hospital then uses these donations to fund the treatment and research of children's cancers. Last year, it was ranked as the third biggest charity in the U.S. by Forbes Magazine magazine, having raised $2.57 billion in private donations during 2024 alone. The Hard Rock Hollywood's poker room has played host to numerous high-profile events including World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker Circuit festivals. So, it is well situated to host an event like this. This was something that Ted McNamara the Event Chair for the tournament and CEO/President of Les Murphy Enterprises, Inc. was keen to point out. "We are thrilled to host this poker/blackjack tournament and bring the community together for a night of fun and philanthropy," McNamara said.. "Every hand played helps support St. Jude and ensures that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment." If you are in Florida in January and would like to take part, tickets are available the St. Jude website. Share this article Editor's note: The Aiken Standard is honoring people who responded to the challenge of dealing with Tropical Storm Helene. These individuals are the Aiken Standard's Persons of the Year for 2024. The past three months have posed a huge challenge for thousands of families in the Aiken-Augusta area, and two local newcomers, in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, have been in the thick of the relief effort in terms of food, shelter and encouragement. Michael and Malaika Good, a husband-and-wife team, are both captains in the local Salvation Army. They stepped into their current roles in late June, succeeding Randull and April Tiller and facing the continuation of such problems as funding and the amount of homelessness in Aiken County. Helene, however, arrived in the pre-dawn hours of Sept. 27 and intensified the challenges the Goods were facing, just as they had established their household and begun to use some wisdom they had accumulated from assignments together in Virginia and Mississippi. Their current post is to serve Edgefield, Barnwell, Allendale and Aiken counties. One admirer, preferring to remain anonymous, said, "This was like their initiation to Aiken, basically, because they had just arrived, and they just got thrown into it, and they worked from sunup to sundown, and they wanted to make sure they could meet that need, whatever way possible. They just have huge hearts and they worked. So many people have applauded them because they came in and they just showed up when others didn't." Malaika confirmed having faced "a lot of surprises, especially how fast we had to respond to a disaster." She added, "Sometimes, we will wait on headquarters or wait to see what other organizations are doing, but we jumped right in, and we were surprised at how fast our resources became available and everyone started to come around us." April Santana covers Lexington County for the Post and Courier Columbia. A New Jersey native, she studied journalism and political science at Syracuse University. April has written for Lohud/Democrat and Chronicle, The Arizona Republic and Syracuse.com. Justin Wages and his cousin Andre Grundy almost opened a brewery. Then they tried to create a beer. They were nearing the finish line but couldnt find a distributor, said Wages, an entrepreneur who launched a lifestyle brand in 2015. It was a little discouraging, Wages told The Post and Courier. When Wages, Grundy and business partner David Kinloch shifted to sparkling wine, a nod to their shared love of Champagne, they were at first alarmed by the barriers to entry in the wine industry, especially for minority owners. First, they needed to find a vineyard to produce their sparkling wine. Farms in France didnt return their calls, and Californias sparkling wine didnt stand up to the bottles coming out of the Champagne region of France, Wages said. The breakthrough came when they tried a wine produced in Italy using the Glera, or Prosecco, grape thats native to the region. Wages was surprised when the wines taste mirrored that of Champagne. The bubby beverage was effervescent, intense and fragrant, Wages said, with hints of almond and apple. He and his partners were sold. They formed a partnership and imported the wine to sell in South Carolina. They named their new company Don Luchi Prosecco, whose flagship product has routinely sold out of Charleston bottle shops since launching in July. Don Luchi debuted with just one beverage, but the trio has more in the works, including a new product in the sparkling wine category they plan to debut next spring. Wages hopes to expand distribution to other states and they havent given up on beer, either. For now, theyre focusing their efforts on selling wine and educating consumers, while learning more about grapes, varietals and regions themselves. We want to teach, not just sell, Wages said. Don Luchi Prosecco is sold at retail stores like Bottles and Micky Finns across the state. Its also on the menu at Charleston restaurants and wine bars like Legami, Lenoir, Graft and Sorelle. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Georgia is deeply saddened to hear about the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft, the Georgian Foreign Ministry wrote on its X page, Trend reports. "We are deeply saddened to hear about the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft, which claimed dozens of lives. We would like to express our sincere condolences and profound sympathy to the government and the people of friendly Azerbaijan. At this difficult time stands in solidarity with strategic partners. We wish those injured a speedy recovery," the ministry said. Earlier today, the Embraer 190 passenger plane flying on the Baku-Grozny route crashed 3 km from the Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan said that there were 37 Azerbaijani citizens on board the crashed plane. According to the ministry, there were 37 Azerbaijani, six Kazakh, three Kyrgyz, and 16 Russian citizens on board the plane. AZAL added that there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board the crashed Embraer 190 plane, making a total of 67 people. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Summerville, SC (29483) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. High 79F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low around 55F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. A new driving tour of Revolutionary War sites on James Island spotlights the human stories behind history. As part of the free public tour that launched in November, Voices of the Revolution, eight historical sites on James Island are paired with audio clips narrating wartime tales with real-world recollections of those who lived through it. James Island has a number of historical sites and happenings that took place here and we felt that many people didn't know about it, said Jim Morrisette, co-chair of the James Island History Commission. So the goal of this new tour is to raise awareness and stir up interest in the towns history. Anyone interested in learning about the role James Island had in the Revolutionary War of 1775 can visit voicesoftherevolution.com for all addresses and audio recordings. Simply enter the site addresses into a GPS app and click play upon arrival. Participants determine their own pace and dont have to visit all sites or go in any particular order. Audio clips range from about two to seven minutes in length. The tour includes James Island Town Hall, the former site of Fort Johnson, the Stiles-Hinson House, the Cuthbert Heyward House, the site of the Battle of Dills Bluff, Plymouth Park, McLeod Plantation and the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve. At the Fort Johnson site, participants can learn about one of the unsung heroes of the American Revolution, Richard Hutson. Hutson was Charlestons first mayor, and he signed the Articles of Confederation in 1778 as a delegate to the Continental Congress. In one of his manuscripts, Hutson provided a written record of how Charlestonians opposed the Stamp Act, which was a precursor to the American Revolution. Hutson also gave a detailed account of the Battle of Fort Sullivan in 1776. He was standing in Fort Johnson looking at the activity across the harbor through his telescope, Morrisette said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The news of today's crash of an airplane belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines has stunned and deeply grieved Israel, the publication of Israel's ambassador to Azerbaijan, George Deek, on X said, Trend reports. We pray for the healing of the survivors. On behalf of the people of Israel, we express deep condolences to the families who lost loved ones. The Embassy of Israel is in contact with the relevant authorities, and is ready to provide any necessary assistance, the publication noted. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying Baku-Grozny, crashed 3 kilometers from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan noted that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the plane that crashed in Aktau. AZAL announced that 67 people - 62 passengers and 5 crew members - were on board the plane Embraer 190, which was on the Baku-Grozny flight that crashed in Aktau. PR-Inside.com: 2024-12-25 00:49:25 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 595 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 BANGKOK, Dec 23, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Nakornthon Hospital Public Company Limited (SET: NKT) inaugurated its first day of trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) with the resolve to proceed with the business plan to invest in three major projects including: Nakornthon 2 Hospital with the vision to expand its services to patients insured under the Social Security Fund; Nakornthon Long Life Center designed to serve as a holistic care center for the elderly and individuals requiring long-term care ; and, Project to increase the number of beds at Nakornthon Hospital by another 110 beds to total 260 beds, so as to expand the scope of patient services and to boost the Companys growth potential.Assoc. Prof. Yandhet Thongsima, President of Nakornthon Hospital Public Company Limited (NKT), revealed that once the Company became officially listed and began trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) under the abbreviation NKT today (December 20, 2024), the Company will focus on expanding its investment according to the business plan and operating according to the Companys strategy in order to become one of the countrys leading hospitals. Currently, the Company is in the process of expanding and leveraging its investment in three core projects to boost its growth potential through the expansion of the scope of patient services at Nakornthon Hospital as well as constructing a new branch hospital. These three core projects are:1) Nakornthon 2 Hospital on Ekachai Road, with a capacity of 151 beds, is expected to carry related capital expenses of approximately 900 million baht, and will initially provide services to self-paying patients. The new hospital is expected to start recognizing revenue within 2025. After this initial phase, the Company will apply for authorization to serve as a Social Security Fund hospital in early 2026 and is expected to start providing medical services to insured persons under the SSF scheme within 2027.2) Nakornthon Long Life Center project which will be located in the vicinity of Nakornthon Hospital. This center will serve as a holistic care center for the elderly and individuals requiring long-term care. The expected capital expenditure for this project will be approximately 557 million baht. The center is anticipated to commence operations in 2026, and:3) The project is to increase the number of beds in service at Nakornthon Hospital by another 110 beds from the current 150 beds to total 260 beds. The expected capital expenditure for this project will be approximately 414 million baht. The additional beds are expected to be made available to patients gradually from 2025 to 2027.Currently, all three projects are progressing according to plan.Meanwhile, Nakornthon Hospital, with its location on Rama 2 Road, is the main source of revenue for the company. The hospital has the potential to grow continuously due to its prime location that is potentially destined to be a New Urbanized District of Bangkok in the foreseeable future. This fact is due to the zone being one of Bangkoks prime residential areas with numerous facilities and amenities, including Rama 2 Road, which is the main artery leading out to the West of Bangkok and all the way down to southernmost provinces of Thailand and beyond. Furthermore, the area also connects seamlessly to Bangkoks central business districts (CBDs) via the Expressway and continuously develops its transportation network infrastructure by the government.Currently, the district is the site of many horizontal housing projects, schools, department stores, community malls, markets and supermarkets. In addition, Nakornthon Hospital is located close to important government offices such as the Bang Khun Thian District Office and the Bang Khun Thian Branch of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations Land Office.Read more: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/94805/ The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced on Tuesday that it has commenced enforcement actions against five airlines for violations of various consumer protection regulations.p The development was disclosed by the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a statement posted on his official X page on Tuesday. Earlier today, I notified five airlines that the NCAA has initiated enforcement actions against the operators for violation of various consumer protection regulations (Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023), the statement said. The official stated that the airlines were sanctioned for multiple violations, including short-landed baggage, delayed refunds, flight delays and cancellations, a lack of responsiveness to official communications from the authority, and mishandled baggage. Meanwhile, Mr Achimugu did not disclose the names of the sanctioned airlines. However, the Leadership newspaper reported that the affected airlines are Ethiopian Airways, Royal Maroc Airways, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Air Peace. The move to sanction the airlines occurred three weeks after the NCAA warned that it would sanction airlines following a surge in passenger complaints. 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 On Tuesday, Mr Achimugu said the action against the airlines had been escalated to the NCAA Legal Department for further action. While insisting that not nearly all disruptions are the faults of airlines, the regulations are very clear about compliance issues, he said. The statement said the NCAA will continue to support airlines while protecting the rights and responsibilities of air travellers. These enforcement actions exist to improve service in the industry, and the NCAA remains committed to protecting the rights of all stakeholders, including the airlines, the agency said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, has announced the death of his mother, Maryam Namadi-Umar. The governors spokesperson, Hamisu Gumel, made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday. Mr Gumel said she died in the early hours of Wednesday after a brief illness. Read the full statement below GOVERNOR MALLAM UMAR NAMADI ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF HIS BELOVED MOTHER From Allah we came, and unto Him is our return! With deep sorrow and submission to the will of Allah, His Excellency Mallam Umar Namadi, Governor of Jigawa State, announces the passing of his dear mother, Hajiya Maryam Namadi Umar. She departed this world in the early hours of Wednesday, December 25th, 2024. 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 burial rites will take place today at 4:30 PM in her hometown of Kafin Hausa, in accordance with Islamic traditions. His Excellency and his family request prayers for the repose of her soul. May Allah, in His infinite mercy, grant her eternal rest in Jannah and provide comfort to the family during this difficult time. Hamisu Mohammed Gumel Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Jigawa State December 25, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Adams Oshiomhole, the All Progressives Congress senator representing Edo-North District, has distributed 11,000 bags of rice to residents in the district to celebrate Christmas. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 10kg, 25kg, and 50kg of rice were distributed to the six local government areas of the Edo-North District. Speaking during the distribution to the various local governments on Wednesday, Mr Oshiomhole said the donation is part of palliative measures for the people of the district. The senator admonished Christians and Nigerians to promote peace and love during the celebration. This rice is not for party members alone; mechanic, tailors, and vigilante groups should also benefit from the kind gesture. I will never take your support for granted, and I assure you I will continue to provide leadership for a better Afemai land, he said. Mr Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, acknowledged that Nigerians were going through a tough time but appealed for patience with President Bola Tinubus administration. 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 Things would get better, he said. I am aware that things are tough and things are tougher at the grassroots. Continue to have faith in the APC-led federal government, and Nigeria will be great again. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested the parish priest and officials of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja over their roles in a fatal stampede in the Nigerian capital. Police said they were investigating the stampede in Abuja as well as two others in Anambra and Oyo. At least 10 people died during distribution of groceries to poor people at the Abuja churchs car park on Saturday. The arrest was first announced by a Catholic priest on Wednesday before the police confirmed the arrest to PREMIUM TIMES. In a Christmas message titled Christmas: A Season of Hope and Renewal, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, announced and condemned the arrest of the church officials, saying it is counterproductive and lacking empathy. It is, to say the least, uninspiring, unfriendly, and a misplaced zeal. One wonders what purpose these arrests were meant to serve, Mr Kaigama said. He urged authorities to assist the church and organisers in recovering from the trauma rather than threatening prosecution. 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 Police response Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the arrests, citing negligence by the organisers. How can you organise an event of that magnitude without notifying the police? Ten lives, including children, were lost, and many others were injured. Doesnt this warrant arrest? she said. When pressed on whether the priest was among those detained, Ms Adeh said: I cannot confirm if a priest was arrested, except if he was directly involved in the events organisation. PREMIUM TIMES reports that President Bola Tinubu earlier blamed the organisers of the separate events in Abuja, Oyo and Anambra for the fatal stampedes. During his first presidential media chat on Monday, the president blamed poor planning by tne organisers for the tragedies. This is a grave error on the part of the organisers, he said. Over 60 people, including children, died in the three incidents. The Abuja Stampede Witnesses of the Abuja stampede said there was a crowd surge at one of the churchs gates as dozens tried to enter the premises around 4 a.m., hours before gift items were to be shared. A survivor who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity said the incident happened because many people refused to queue for the distribution. A parish security official disclosed that over 3,000 people, mostly from nearby settlements such as Mpape and Gishiri, had gathered for the event. Apart from those that died, many other people sustained injuries in the stampede. On Monday, the Acting Director of FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Abdulrahman Mohammed, told journalists in Abuja that all the people who sustained injuries during the incident have been discharged from the hospital. Following the incidents, the police issued new guidelines for organisers of large gatherings. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been officially designated as the headquarters of the newly inaugurated Africa chapter of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID) university network. The chapter will be headed by the universitys lecturer, Olunifesi Suraj, who also serves as the co-lead of the global UNESCO university network on media and information literacy. According to a press release, the African chapter inaugurated on 9 December with the theme: The Africa We Want, will have its headquarters at UNILAG, with regional offices in four other African subregions. In his comments, Mr Suraj, an associate professor in the Department of Mass Communication, UNILAG, noted that the chapter of the UNESCO University network will help harness all the African developmental initiatives by localising the global solutions using media and information literacy strategy. The African chapter has 10 member universities from the continent, with Nigeria having the highest number of representatives at five. About MILID MILID is an international university research network established by UNESCO and the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC). The network is committed to promoting media and information-literate societies globally. MILID was launched during the first international forum on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in Fez, Morocco, from 15 to 17 June 2011. 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 network operates within the framework of the UNESCO University Twinning and Networking Programme (UNITWIN), which aims to build higher education and research capacities and facilitate collaboration between academia, civil society, local communities, research, and policy-making. The UNESCO/UNAOC-MILID Network seeks to ensure that the collective knowledge and expertise are not only shared but are also reflected in the elaboration of strategic projects at national, regional and international levels, a concept note on the Africa MILID reads in part. Expectations from the African chapter Going by the various developmental initiatives and interventions in Africa, especially UNESCOs Priority Africa 2022-2029 project and the African Union Agenda 2063, the African chapter is expected to address the challenges peculiar to African development. The need to address regional and continental challenges while also collaborating with global partners to address common challenges justify the establishment of the African chapter of the UNESCO MILID UNITWIN University Network as presently being conceived, the concept note added. A virtual sensitisation and awareness programme was held on 19 November with 19 participants from prospective and current UNESCO UNITWIN MILID Network members from various African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, and Ghana. To realise its pan-African vision, according to the concept note, the African chapter will strategically align its Media and Information Literacy programmes with the five flagship programs of UNESCOs Operational Strategy for Priority Africa 2022-2029. These flagship programmes include initiatives to enhance education, cultural heritage, and innovation in Africa. Management, others speak During the launch, the Management of UNILAG, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, Ayodele Atsenuwa, pledged the universitys support for the chapter and its initiatives. Also, Jose Manuel from the University of Autonoma Barcelona in Spain, a global co-lead with Mr Suraj, praised UNILAG management for the foresight and promised international support for the project. Alton Grizzle, MIL Programme Specialist at UNESCO HQ in Paris, acknowledged UNESCOs formal recognition of the African chapter and expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with UNILAG and the Nigerian government. The Secretary General of UNESCO National Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, Olawale Olagunju, welcomed the initiative, stating that it couldnt have come at a better time for Africa. In his closing remarks, Mr Suraj explained how universities join the network, encouraging interested institutions to contact UNESCO HQ in Paris through Mr Grizzle. To become a full member, the university must demonstrate active participation in Media and Information Literacy (MILID)-related activities for at least a year. Full membership is granted at the annual MILID University Network meeting, which is held during Global Media and Information Literacy Week, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Anambra State have arrested a 32-year-old man who allegedly threatened to abduct an unidentified person if the victim failed to pay N1.2 million as ransom. The suspect, Chukwuma Obi, was said to have posed as a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) while asking the victim to pay the money into his bank account or be abducted. IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria. The separatist group has been linked to some deadly attacks in the two regions, although it has repeatedly denied its involvement. Arrest of the suspect The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Wednesday that operatives of the Anti-Cultism Squad, Enugu-Ukwu, arrested the suspect. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the arrest followed a report by the victim, who claimed that the suspect had been sending threatening messages to him. Mr Obi, the arrested suspect, hails from Umuagu, Igboukwu, a community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. 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 During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and is currently assisting the police in identifying and apprehending other members of the gang involved in the criminal activities, Mr Ikenga stated. The spokesperson recalled that the police in the state had earlier arrested a couple who allegedly threatened to abduct and kill people if they failed to pay ransom. Commissioner speaks Mr Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnaghe Obono, has reiterated the polices commitment to pursue the two cases to a conclusive end to ensure justice is served. Mr Obono stressed that such efforts were vital in preventing further criminal activities and ensuring the safety and security of residents. The police chief urged residents of the state to report any suspicious activities in their neighbourhood to the police for immediate action. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gunmen have abducted a member of the Anambra House of Assembly. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the lawmaker, Justice Azuka, was abducted on Tuesday night along Ugwunapampa Road in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Sources said Mr Azuka, who represents Onitsha North Constituency I in the state assembly, was returning home for Christmas celebration when the hoodlums attacked him. The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development in a statement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday evening. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the gunmen abducted the lawmaker at about 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday. The spokesperson said police in the state had activated operational plans for the possible rescue and arrest of the kidnappers of the lawmaker. Not the first time Like other states in the South-east, Anambra has witnessed increased attacks by gunmen in recent years. 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 Members and former members of the state assembly had been targeted in some deadly attacks by armed persons terrorising the state. On 21 May 2022, for instance, gunmen abducted and then beheaded Okechukwu Okoye, a lawmaker representing Aguata 2 Constituency in the Anambra House of Assembly. Mr Okoye was killed alongside his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, six days after they were abducted along Aguluzigbo Road, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state. Again, gunmen abducted Uzozie Chukwujekwu, a special adviser to a former Chairperson of Nnewi South Council Area and also shot his only son just a few hours after the news of the beheading of Mr Okoye went public. Within the same year, two former members of the Anambra House of Assembly were abducted and then killed in separate attacks. Apart from politicians, government officials, security agencies, and even clerics have become targets of attacks lately. Earlier this month, retired Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi, Godwin Okpala, and his driver were declared missing in the state. Mr Okpala, a professor, and the driver have yet to be seen at the time of this report. The Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for some of the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied their involvement. IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria. Meanwhile, in a recent effort to address worsening insecurity, the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, declared amnesty for criminals and kidnappers in the state for the third time since he became governor of the South-eastern state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Enugu State Government and rice farmers have expressed worry over the destruction of farmlands and canals by herders at the Ada Rice Farm in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state. The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, made the remarks while reacting to the destruction in Enugu on Monday. Mr Ubru said it was pathetic that cattle had destroyed a canal that had been rehabilitated through the state governments counterpart funds, which total several millions of naira. He said his ministry was already working to repair the damaged canal, adding that the government was determined to make the Ada Rice Irrigation System work for the farmers and the state in general. One wonders why herders will allow their cattle to destroy a canal just rehabilitated through counterpart funding and holds the livelihood of farmers and their families in the area. We are in the process of taking statistics of farmers in that area, who will use the irrigation system for early next year dry seasoning farming before the unfortunate incident. We are not deterred, as we are working to get security personnel, vigilance group, forest guards and others in that area to ensure it does not repeat and the huge investment work for our dry season rice farmers. 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 canal The 22.45km long canal lining project was undertaken by the federal government under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase-One, with funding from the African Development Bank. The project was designed to provide a steady water supply to the 1,500 hectares of rice fields for dry season farming in the agrarian Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. It was gathered that while the project was awaiting commissioning, cattle recently invaded the area and wreaked havoc on farmlands and irrigation facilities. Farmers react A farmer, who spoke under condition of anonymity, disclosed that the activities of cattle and their herders posed a serious threat to the federal governments quest to turn the irrigation area into a major rice production hub. We are still celebrating the completion of this gigantic irrigation project and making plans to commence dry season farming, but what we are seeing in the rice farmlands is scary. Apart from the fact that they flooded the area with cattle, a lot of damages had already been done to the canal by cattle trying to cross through it. The rate at which they are going, I doubt if that facility can adequately supply water to the rice fields because of the breaches along the canal lines, he said. Another farmer, who gave his name as Ben, called on the federal, state and local government authorities to urgently come to their rescue to avert a major setback. I speak on behalf of other farmers in the Uzo-Uwani council area whose lives and means of livelihood are in danger as a result of the activities of cattle in our farmlands. We are calling for urgent measures to address this challenge. It is a challenge because we have witnessed a lot of disruptions as a result of cattle and herders activities and despite repeated calls for them to steer clear of this area. We believe this will derail the federal governments aim to make this area a rice production hub, he said. Why I abandoned my rice farm A farmer, Roseline Monday, said she abandoned her rice farm last season due to frequent attacks and killings in the area. We have been living in fear in recent times and could not visit our farms in far places because of attacks taking place there. Now, we are excited that the canal has been completed and that we can start dry season farming, but that excitement has gone because of these cows that are roaming about everywhere. It is a big threat to our farming activities. Apart from damages they do to our crops, they are also destroying canals which could also disrupt water flow through the channels, Mrs Monday added. A youth farmer, who identified himself simply as Ifeanyi, stressed that most farmers are living in fear as a result of the development because of impending clashes that may escalate as a result of activities of cattle in the area. We are begging the government to come fast and rescue us. We dont want to fight anyone. We just want to farm on our lands. But these animals pose a great threat to that, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print New Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou high-speed rail line to open soon 10:25, December 25, 2024 By Luo Wangshu ( Chinadaily.com.cn A new high-speed rail line in the Yangtze River Delta region will begin operation on Thursday, further reducing travel time across the region and enhancing the area's interconnectivity via railway system, the national railway operator China State Railway Group said on Tuesday. The new railway will link Shanghai, Suzhou of Jiangsu province and Huzhou of Zhejiang province. Travel time between Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Huzhou Railway Station will be reduced to 55 minutes from the current time of nearly two hours. This high-speed rail line is an important addition to the "Yangtze River Delta on Rails", a comprehensive network aimed at bolstering regional integration and facilitating economic development, the company said. The 164-kilometer new line, with a design speed of 350 kilometers per hour, will connect eight stations, including Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai Songjiang, Suzhou South, and Huzhou Station. This new high-speed rail line will enhance the overall transportation infrastructure of the Yangtze River Delta region, connecting key economic hubs and integrating the region's transport network. The line's opening is expected to not only improve mobility for local commuters but also spur regional economic development, according to the company. The railway will facilitate access to various industries and markets along the route, supporting the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Delta region and contributing to the region's broader efforts at infrastructure integration and economic cohesion. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Embassy of France in Azerbaijan expresses deep condolences to the families and relatives of the victims of the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines airplane in Aktau today, the publication of the French Embassy in Azerbaijan on X said, Trend reports. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured, the publication reads. Earlier today, a passenger plane Embraer 190, en route Baku-Grozny, crashed 3 kilometers from the airport of Aktau. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan noted that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the plane that crashed in Aktau. AZAL announced that 67 people - 62 passengers and 5 crew members - were on board the plane Embraer 190, which was on the Baku-Grozny flight that crashed in Aktau. True light draws resources to itself. Light is attractive. Light commands influence. Light commands attention. Light brings revelation, which ultimately triggers a revolution. Until we discover our position as light, and we connect back to the Vine, Jesus, the true Light, we wont shine. If we dont shine, our country will continue to deteriorate. Nigeria is presently at the mercy of the church. The darker we are, the darker the nation is. The brighter we are, the brighter the nation is. Never in history has our nation experienced this amount of darkness. Dr Erwin Lutzer, former senior pastor of the Moody Church, once said, it is not only the church gathered that will save the world, but also the church scattered. Nigeria is in a desperate need for light not a spark or a ray, but a deluge of light. Darkness has covered the earth, and Nigeria is not an exception. But the only solution to darkness is not complaining or grumbling about darkness, but for light to shine. We have explained and complained about darkness for years. The Bible says, in Roman 8:19, For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Not the grumbling of the sons of God. We cant accurately understand the need for light if we dont identify the scale and scope of darkness in our nation. What are the types of darknesses that we are presently confronting in Nigeria? Lets look at the key areas of darkness in our nation, for which light is needed: Darkness of fake Christians; people who only exist for what they want God to do for them. They are not really in love with Jesus and are not new creatures, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17; Darkness of greed and covetousness in the church, and in the nation. Jesus screamed it: And he said unto them, take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15); Darkness of immorality at all levels, heterosexuality or homosexuality, even among Christians; Darkness of false gospel and heretic teachings that has spread like wildfire across the spectrum of the church; Darkness of occultism and ritual activities, even among so-called Christians and ministers; Darkness of idolatry, and the worship of pastors; when the church has many more people that are more loyal to pastors than to Jesus. As bad as these issues are, one ray of light from the Lord will quench them. So, like Prophet Isaiah, I am screaming it out today, Let there be light in our nation. What does this mean? Let there be light simply refers to the manifestation of Jesus and His values in all spheres of influence, because He is the light of the world (John 8:12). When we cry to God for light to shine on our nation, were basically saying, Let Jesus be manifested at all levels and in every sphere of influence in Nigeria. Let Jesus and His values be manifested in our politics; Let Jesus and His values be manifested in our economy; Let Jesus and His values be manifested in our Churches; Let Jesus and His values be manifested in our workplaces; Let Jesus and His be manifested in our academic institutions. Sadly, what we are experiencing at the moment is the prevalence of the preaching of another Jesus in the church. This is what Paul said about the subject of another Jesus: For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not acceptedyou may well put up with it! II Corinthians 11:4 NKJV. When Jesus, the light Himself, and His core kingdom values of love, truth, purity, self-control, faithfulness, and humility, among others, are manifested across every sphere of influence in our nation, darkness will be significantly degraded and, according to Isaiah, Gods glory will be revealed in our land. Darkness impedes glory. Revival wont break out when darkness is covering a nation. For light to shine in Nigeria, we must be ready to preach and live Jesuss values and principles as ambassadors in this nation and not by contributing to the thickness of the darkness that is already bedevilling us. 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 Sadly, what we are experiencing at the moment is the prevalence of the preaching of another Jesus in the church. This is what Paul said about the subject of another Jesus: For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not acceptedyou may well put up with it! II Corinthians 11:4 NKJV. Another Jesus does not produce light but darkness. What does another Jesus want and do? Another Jesus is grossly transactional. To get anything from him, you must sow a seed or pay some money. Nothing drops from him without something coming back to him; Another Jesus must be helped. What he did on the cross is not sufficient. He always requires some sacrifices for every miracle you need; Another Jesus blesses and prospers his children, even when they have derailed into sin. He has no hatred for sin. Another Jesus extends limitless grace to believers to continue to live in sin; Another Jesus prioritises buildings above people and their welfare. In other words, for the true light to shine, the church must come back to the Vine and remain connected to Him. The church talks about light, preaches about light, but is weak in the practice of the virtues and values of light. The darkness of the flesh, some of which are mentioned above, has degraded the capacity of the church to carry and display light in our world. Light wont flow through a damaged or burnt candle. Dark vessels cant manifest light. Another Jesus breeds darkness, never brings light. For light to shine on and in our nation, we must first and foremost understand the dynamics of light. We must be in a relationship with the Light to shine His light. This is what John said, I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5. The Light, who is Jesus, distributes light into the world through us as we stay connected to Him. The Scriptures say, For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Psalms 36:9. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. John 12:36 In other words, for the true light to shine, the church must come back to the Vine and remain connected to Him. The church talks about light, preaches about light, but is weak in the practice of the virtues and values of light. The darkness of the flesh, some of which are mentioned above, has degraded the capacity of the church to carry and display light in our world. Light wont flow through a damaged or burnt candle. Dark vessels cant manifest light. Nigeria is presently at the mercy of the church. The darker we are, the darker the nation is. The brighter we are, the brighter the nation is. We must discover our true identity. We are not in competition with the world on the basis of money or material acquisition. Our basis for competition is not materialism, but light. Our purpose is to shine as light, not to pursue financial empowerment or fame. True light draws resources to itself. Light is attractive. Light commands influence. Light commands attention. Light brings revelation, which ultimately triggers a revolution. Until we discover our position as light, and we connect back to the Vine, Jesus, the true Light, we wont shine. If we dont shine, our country will continue to deteriorate. Nigeria is presently at the mercy of the church. The darker we are, the darker the nation is. The brighter we are, the brighter the nation is. Ayo Akerele is the senior Pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through ayoakerele@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print what a glorious vision God has for it. Gods vision concerning the mustard seed is that it would not just be fruitful and multiply, Gods plan for this small and insignificant seed is that it would grow to have dominion upon all the earth. Could you try to compare Gods vision for the mustard seed with your vision for your own life? Wont the mustard seed vision be much greater than what you are having for you own life? It should not be so. After such a stormy beginning my friends, let us now move a little from excitement into analytical deliberations. A logical continuation to all I have said above is that you cannot be made to be so wonderful, only to end up being useless or irrelevant. It wont be logical and it wont be fair. Gods challenge with us, normally, is not the fear that we could get out of hand, but rather with our low self-perceptions. One of Gods biggest challenges with man, is to get him to actually understand and see himself as He sees him. We have a problem in not being able to believe or see ourselves in such a stately and imperial status, as God has placed us. Most men, even those with the highest self-esteem, still cant objectively see themselves nearly as glorious as God intends us to be. This is probably the simplest explanation why we cant get ourselves to begin to do all that God expects of us. We find it difficult to actually believe that I can do this or that. We often think that someone else might be able to do what God is trusting us to do. But when it gets to us, we think we are not good enough. Come to think of it my friends, how is it that you would not be good enough? That which God created, not good enough? It is not consistent with what he has already done for us. It is not consistent with how he treats even a thing as small as the mustard seed. The most consistent view of ourselves in line with Gods view should be that of honour, respect and glory. We should never have a reason to doubt whatever God asks us to do. Low self-esteem causes me to believe that I have so little worth that my response does not matter. With repentance, however, I understand that being worth so much to God is why my response is so important. Repentance is remedial work to mend our minds and hearts, which get bent by sin. John Ortberg Jr. Remember He did not call us that mustard seed. He did not call us the bird of the air. He did not call us the lily of the valley. He called us the crown of creation. We are more glorious than all other creations. Even the big ones, we surpass them. We are greater than the elephants. We are more magnificent than the birds of the air. We are more significant than the trees of the field. We are more salient than the beautiful flowers of the field. We are supreme to all other creations. When I say we, that is talking about you, my friends. When I say we, that is referring to the least of us. When I say we, that is referring to the weakest and the most helpless in the eyes of men. If that is so, what are we left with? We are left with changing our view about ourselves. We are left with upgrading our mindset. We are left with believing what he says about us. We are left with agreeing with him and his views. With regard to our persons. No matter how small you are in your own eyes, you are nevertheless not smaller than the mustard seed. If the mustard seed will have so much honour and dignity, you are even much more. Please begin to see yourself differently. Begin to see yourself in accordance with his thoughts about you. What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned him with glory and honor. Ps. 8:4-5 Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Now brothers and sisters, I think it should be clearer to you why God almighty should desire to use you. It should rather be clear now, why he would choose you to be the one to carry out his plans on earth. This is because he knows his premium on you, he knows his price tag and the value he has placed upon your person. So even if you see yourself as mustard seed, even then you win! No one has the right to ever doubt the calling of God upon his or her life. No one has the right to ever think he would fail. Otherwise, it wont be just with regard to God. It wont be fair, after all His faith, trust and endowment upon us. No matter how small you are in your own eyes, you are nevertheless not smaller than the mustard seed. If the mustard seed will have so much honour and dignity, you are even much more. Please begin to see yourself differently. Begin to see yourself in accordance with his thoughts about you. Going back to the story of the mustard seed, oh what a glorious vision God has for it. Gods vision concerning the mustard seed is that it would not just be fruitful and multiply, Gods plan for this small and insignificant seed is that it would grow to have dominion upon all the earth. Could you try to compare Gods vision for the mustard seed with your vision for your own life? Wont the mustard seed vision be much greater than what you are having for you own life? It should not be so. If Gods plan for a mustard seed is that grand, how much more will his vision for your life be much greater? He definitely wants you to be fruitful. He definitely wants you to multiply and, of course, he definitely desires that you will feel the earth with his glory as the waters cover the sea. To be continued. When you are destined for greatness, it shows in everything you do. It becomes you. Greatness becomes you. Lorii Myers. Sunday Adelaja is a Nigerian born leader, transformation strategist, pastor and innovator. He was based in Ukraine. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print the NBS kidnapping data faces significant criticism due to its methodological flaws and questionable figures. The reported number of incidents and ransom payments appear inflated, while the broader security situation in Nigeria demands a more nuanced and accurate assessment. For an administration that has harped on the importance of data-driven governance, those charged with collecting and analysing the data must do so with the utmost diligence and integrity. Only then can decision-makers draw the right conclusions and develop the right solutions to the countrys problems. On the 17th of December, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released its Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS). This report, which received widespread news and social media coverage, made various claims about the rate of crime in the period from May 2023 to April 2024. While public commentary about the report was still brewing, events took an unexpected turn when, less than 24 hours after the release of the report, the NBS announced on its social media handles that its website had been hacked and taken offline. The Bureau asked the public to disregard reports posted until the website is fully restored. By the 19th, it was reported that Adeniran Adeyemi, the Statistician-General and head of the NBS, had been invited for questioning by the Department of State Security over the report, even though this was denied by the NBS. According to CESPS 2024, a staggering 2,235,954 kidnapping incidents occurred nationwide, with 65 per cent of affected households making ransom payments reaching 2.2 trillion, averaging 2.7 million per incident. This was a subset of the 51.89 million crime incidents reported by households in the period under review. 51 per cent of crimes are said to have occurred in rural settings. It also reported 4.14 million cases of home robberies, 1.4 million sexual offences, and 14.4 million household crimes. It equally noted the low public confidence in the police, with only 33 per cent reporting police responses of under 30 minutes. The report effectively defined prevalence of kidnapping as the frequency of kidnapping incidents within a specific population, geographic area, or period, adding that it involves unlawfully taking or holding a person against their will, often for ransom, expectation or other criminal purposes. Its methodology raises concerns. However, focusing on households, instead of individuals, introduced potential biases. Larger households have a higher probability of selection, leading to overrepresentation and skewed results. This household-based approach likely inflated the sample size and, consequently, the overall figures. The reported number of kidnapping incidents (over two million) appears implausible. While acknowledging the endemic nature of kidnapping, particularly in the North, such a figure seems excessive compared to other security challenges. Similarly, the reported ransom payments of 2.2 trillion are questionable. It would have been credible if the data showed that the stated sum is a culmination of cash, as well as the worth of what kidnappers or bandits seized in terms of material gains such as cattle, food, house, jewellery and such. The figures are questionable because kidnap victims and their families are not always enthused about the idea of speaking up about how much ransom they paid. Not even the Catholic Church as an organisation warms up to the idea of talking about how much ransom is demanded when its clergy are abducted. The developments surrounding the CESPS report undermine the credibility of the report itself and the NBS as a body. These events raise concerns about the integrity of future reports and may lead to underreporting of the kidnapping epidemic due to potential government pressure. For a government that has focused on the messengers rather than confronting the issues, reports of interference with the agency charged with collecting and publishing data to inform public policy do not bode well. The reports focus on geopolitical zones and regions is insufficient. A more granular analysis at the state and local government area levels would provide valuable insights, considering population density, purchasing power, and poverty rates. This is crucial, especially in regions severely impacted by criminal activities, where entire communities have been displaced. Furthermore, the report claims that over 614,000 Nigerians were killed within a year, translating to more than 1,600 deaths daily. This figure has been widely criticised as preposterous and mischievous, drawing comparisons to war-torn countries like Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza. It is instructive to note that the NBS is not the only organisation gathering data on crime incidents in Nigeria. The Council for Foreign Affairs Nigeria Security Tracker, from May 2011 to June 2023, based on press reports, tracked a total of 98,906 deaths over 12 years. This is a far cry from the numbers that the NBS reported for a single year. However, perhaps the most credible report was done by the consultancy, SBM Intelligence, which released the fourth edition of its annual kidnapping report in August. In the latter report, between July 2023 and June 2024, some 7,568 people were reported to have been kidnapped in the press, and 1,058 were killed in 1,130 incidents. At least 1.048 billion is said to have been paid as ransom by distraught relatives and friends. However, four ransom bearers were killed and three others abducted to join earlier victims. Between January and June this year, at least 135 mass abduction incidents (where at least five victims were kidnapped in one incident) were reported, with 3,277 people kidnapped and 125 killed. With many cases settled outside the view of the public or even law enforcement, SBM admitted that these numbers probably represent an undercount. Yet, these numbers are far away from the wild numbers reported by the NBS. The developments surrounding the CESPS report undermine the credibility of the report itself and the NBS as a body. These events raise concerns about the integrity of future reports and may lead to underreporting of the kidnapping epidemic due to potential government pressure. For a government that has focused on the messengers rather than confronting the issues, reports of interference with the agency charged with collecting and publishing data to inform public policy do not bode well. 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 conclusion, the NBS kidnapping data faces significant criticism due to its methodological flaws and questionable figures. The reported number of incidents and ransom payments appear inflated, while the broader security situation in Nigeria demands a more nuanced and accurate assessment. For an administration that has harped on the importance of data-driven governance, those charged with collecting and analysing the data must do so with the utmost diligence and integrity. Only then can decision-makers draw the right conclusions and develop the right solutions to the countrys problems. Damimola Olawuyi is an aeronautical engineer and public affairs commentator based in Lagos. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In its continuous efforts to drive development and economic growth through agricultural mechanization, Governor Malam Umar Namadi led a team from the Jigawa State Government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China CAMC Engineering Company Limited (CAMCE) and Nigerias National Agricultural Development Fund (NNADF) Tuesday at the companys headquarters in Beijing, China. This strategic partnership aims to transform Jigawa States agricultural sector by enhancing production, processing, and market access for key commodities, with a strong focus on sustainable practices and renewable energy. The MoU signing ceremony, presided over by Governor Namadi, was signed by Muttaga Namadi, Commissioner of Agriculture, Jigawa State; Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund; and Mr Sun Jianshan, General Manager for the Division, China CAMC. Under the agreement, NADF will guarantee and facilitate the financing aspect of the collaboration. Speaking at the event, Mr Muttaga Namadi described the collaboration as part of the Jigawa State Governments efforts to transform the agricultural sector in the state. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to revolutionizing agriculture in Jigawa State. By collaborating with CAMCE and NADF, we are creating a roadmap for sustainable agricultural practices, increased productivity, and enhanced economic opportunities for our farmers and communities, 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 NADFs Executive Secretary, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in driving agricultural development. This tripartite partnership signifies a shared vision for a thriving agricultural sector in Nigeria. By pooling our resources and expertise, we can achieve greater impact and ensure food security for generations to come. On his part, Mr Sun Jianshan expressed CAMCEs commitment to supporting Jigawa States agricultural transformation. We are honored to partner with Jigawa State and NADF on this important initiative. CAMCE will leverage its global expertise and resources to help Jigawa State achieve its ambitious agricultural development goals. Under the terms of the MoU, the parties will collaborate on a range of key initiatives, including: Enhancing production technology in the form of improving yields and quality of sesame, soybean, and hibiscus through the introduction of high-quality seeds, comprehensive farmer training programs, modern irrigation technologies, and innovative input financing solutions. Enhancing product quality and value addition through the adoption of advanced cleaning and drying technologies and the establishment of processing facilities for oil extraction and other value-added products, meeting international export standards. Promoting the use of solar energy, biogas technology, and other renewable energy sources to power irrigation systems, processing facilities, and other agricultural activities, ensuring sustainability and reduced environmental impact. Facilitating access to financing for increased production of priority crops, including rice, wheat, sesame, soybean, and hibiscus, through partnerships with financial institutions and development banks. Leveraging CAMCE and its subsidiary, China National Construction and Agricultural Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CAMC), to access international markets for Jigawa States agricultural commodities, utilizing their global networks and expertise in trade and logistics. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has signed the N971 billion 2025 budget into law. Mr Mbah presented the budget to the State Assembly in November and signed it into law on Tuesday after the assembly passed it. The budget comprises N837.9 billion for capital expenditure, representing 86 per cent of the budget, and a recurrent expenditure component of N133.1 billion, representing 14 per cent. Signing into law Mr Mbah, while signing the budget into law, thanked members of the Enugu House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the budget, describing it as a huge Christmas gift to the Enugu people. What we proposed in the budget that you graciously passed, and we signed into law is going to boost our efforts and that march to our desired destination, which is that no person or child of this state will go to bed hungry, he said. What we are witnessing here today is democracy in action. We christened our budget, Budget of Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity, because it is at the heart of everything we do in the state. In attendance during the signing of the budget into law were members of the state assembly led by its Speaker, Uchenna Ugwu and Deputy Speaker, Ezenta Ezeani. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Governor Mbah said his administration has adopted an exponential growth model as a growth strategy for stimulating development in the state. If you look at the development model adopted, it is one that takes into account the development challenges we have across our state because, as I have always said, we are only as good as our weakest link. So, we have a responsibility to make sure that nobody and no section of the state is left out, he said. Why the speedy passage of the budget Speaking to reporters, the speaker of the assembly, Mr Ugwu, explained that the speedy passage of the budget was possible because lawmakers were involved in the budget preparation. We were part of the process that produced those figures in the first place because we were carried along. We did not have to change anything because behind closed-doors, we had done the job already before the budget was presented. So, there is no point in changing anything. The assurance to Ndi Enugu is that we shall continue to have it good, he said. The speaker praised Governor Mbah for the outstanding performance of the 2024 budget, assuring that the House would effectively exercise its oversight powers in implementing the 2025 budget. Now, if you look around Enugu, you can see the development that is happening everywhere in all sectors, including the education sector, health sector, the tourism sector, the road infrastructure, and indeed everything. It means that the governors promise to reduce poverty headcount to zero in Enugu State is realistic, and if you look at the budget, you can see that the information in the budget is akin to achieving that, he said. Why education sector got lions share PREMIUM TIMES reports that in the 2025 budget, the education sector received N320.6 billion, representing over 33 per cent and the largest share of the total budget for the second consecutive year in Enugu State. Reacting, the speaker argued that the governor allocated 33 per cent to the education sector to fight poverty in the state. If you have any intention to eradicate poverty, you have to make sure that the mind is educated. So, education is key. So, it means that he (Mbah) is very prepared to walk the talk because, without education, you are going nowhere as a nation, he stated. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Two police officers were fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire with kidnappers in Imo State, an official said. Imo, police spokesperson Henry Okoye said the two officers died from gunshot injuries sustained during the gun battle. He said the police dismantled the notorious kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate at Orogwe, Owerri West Local Government Area of the state. In his statement, Mr Okoye said three suspects were killed, and two others David Ifeanyichukwu, 20 and Abuchi Joseph, 24 were arrested. Mr Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, said the operatives from the commands Anti-Kidnapping Unit executed the operation after extensive investigation and intelligence gathering. On 19 December 2024, the police engaged the criminals in a gun battle in Orogwe, Owerri West Local Government Area. The gang had been involved in the abduction of Osuji Chimereze and three others on 12 November 2024, during which they stole a Mercedes Benz and other valuables, 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 He said during the confrontation, the operatives recovered six AK-47 rifles with breach nos 11330, 12102, 3836, 8260 and 9940. Mr Okoye added that 113 rounds of ammunition, a locally made gun, and two stolen vehicles, a Mercedes Benz ML 350 with registration number RRT 469 FF and a Hijet shuttle bus JRV 42 XA, were also recovered. The suspects had used these vehicles in their criminal activities, including the kidnapping of other victims. Unfortunately, two police officers were injured during the exchange of fire and later succumbed to their injuries. The Imo State Police Command mourns their loss and commends their dedication in the line of duty, he said. Mr Okoye stressed that efforts were now focused on capturing the remaining syndicate members, who escaped during the operation. He assured residents that the command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, was intensifying patrols and security operations in synergy with other security agencies to ensure a hitch-free yuletide. The spokesperson urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station. Palliatives for families of slain operatives In another development, the command on Tuesday donated palliatives such as bags of rice, a live cow, and monetary gifts to families of 30 deceased officers in honour of their sacrifice and the spirit of the Yuletide. The police commissioner, Mr Danjuma, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sirajo Fana, promised to prioritise the welfare of officers families. Mr Danjuma encouraged them to remain strong and resilient. Gift Ubi, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the gesture. Mrs Ubi noted that the gift was not only a material relief but also an emotional comfort, especially during Christmas. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chairperson of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, Eric Odo, presented the legislative council with N5.4 billion budget estimates for the 2025 fiscal year on Monday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the budget was christened the Budget of Aggressive Economic Recovery and Good Governance. Mr Odo said that of the N5.4 billion estimates, N2.71 billion is for recurrent expenditures, while the remaining N2.76 billion would finance capital expenditures. This budget is a product of careful planning and consultations with stakeholders across all sectors in the council area. Our primary goal is to ensure that the people of Igbo-Etiti benefit directly from the councils activities and the resources at our disposal. We aim to continue building on the progress we have made, while taking bold steps towards new development projects, Mr Odo said. He said the budget was designed to accelerate the delivery of essential services to the areas residents. 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 According to him, the budget reflects his administrations commitment to complete all ongoing construction and expansion of rural roads to ensure that all the communities in the area become accessible. He affirmed his determination to ensure the completion of the 16.5km UmuokaNkporogwu UkeheNgele OkweteUgwuogo Road and other roads within the area. We will eliminate wastage and other unjustifiable expenditures that have no direct link with improving the welfare of the people. Above all, we intend to expand the revenue base of Igbo-Etiti by upgrading ICT infrastructure to bring all the Internally Generated Revenue into one platform, he said. On education, Mr Odo said that his administration would provide exercise books, desks, school sandals, socks, pens, pencils, and other writing materials to all public schools in the area. He pointed out that the budget would go a long way in implementing measures to increase childrens enrolment in schools. Any parent whose child is caught hawking during school hours will be arrested and jailed, he said. He pledged that his administration would remain transparent and thorough in implementing the budget, when passed. After receiving the budget proposal, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Stephen Okwu, promised that the council would give it an accelerated hearing and passage. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Combined security operatives have dismantled a criminal camp and structures in Nimo, a community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigerias South-east. Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in Anambra State, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the camps were destroyed when a combined security team raided the Nimo Community on Tuesday. This decisive action followed credible intelligence on the activities of the criminal gang in the area, coupled with information obtained during the interrogation of suspects arrested in ongoing police operations across the state, he said. The spokesperson said apart from the destruction of several makeshift structures within the camp, the security team recovered 19 unexploded improvised explosive devices and inflicted significant injuries on fleeing suspects. He said the operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and members of Anambra Vigilante Group. READ ALSO: Two police operatives killed during shootout with suspected kidnappers Commissioner speaks The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnaghe Obono, has lauded the synergy between the security agencies and Nigerians who provide useful information for security operations, Mr Ikenga 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 Mr Obono stressed that continued collaboration between security operatives and Nigerians is important to ensure the safety and security of everyone, particularly during this festive season. The police commissioner enjoined proprietors of private and public hospitals to immediately report to the police any individual seen with bullet wounds or injuries of a suspicious nature for action. This measure is critical to the ongoing effort to apprehend fleeing suspects and prevent further criminal activity, he said. The Anambra State Police Command assures the public of its unwavering commitment to maintaining security dominance through sustained patrols and targeted operations aimed at ensuring a peaceful yuletide season for all. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Turkiye is deeply grieved by the crash near the city of Aktau (Kazakhstan) of a passenger plane of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flying from Baku to Grozny today, the publication of Turkish Foreign Ministry on X said, Trend reports. We express our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured in connection with this disaster. In these difficult days, we are ready to provide all possible support to our Azerbaijani and Kazakh brothers, the publication reads. Earlier today, a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying Baku-Grozny, crashed 3 kilometers from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan noted that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the plane that crashed in Aktau. AZAL announced that 67 people - 62 passengers and 5 crew members - were on board the plane Embraer 190, which was on the Baku-Grozny flight that crashed in Aktau. Gaza, Dec 25 : The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said that one child gets killed every hour in the Gaza Strip. "No place for children. Since the beginning of the war, 14,500 children have been reported killed in Gaza according to UNICEF. One child gets killed every hour. These are not numbers. These are lives cut short," UNRWA said in a press statement. "Killing children cannot be justified. Those who survive are scarred physically and emotionally. Deprived of learning, boys and girls in Gaza sift through the rubble," it added. "The clock is ticking for these children. They are losing their lives, their futures and mostly their hope," it said. 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 October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 45,338, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. Earlier on Monday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "there has been progress" in efforts to secure a ceasefire-for-hostages deal with Hamas, but cautioned that the timeline for reaching an agreement remains unclear. Speaking before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu said, "I do not know how long it will take," while vowing to "continue to act in every possible way until we bring everyone home." Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar outlined parts of the deal during a closed meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, describing it as "a phased, gradual framework." Israeli and Palestinian media reported that efforts led by Qatari, Egyptian, and US mediators have shown progress, though a breakthrough remains elusive. Gaza, Dec 25 : The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said that one child gets killed every hour in the Gaza Strip. "No place for children. Since the beginning of the war, 14,500 children have been reported killed in Gaza according to UNICEF. One child gets killed every hour. These are not numbers. These are lives cut short," UNRWA said in a press statement. "Killing children cannot be justified. Those who survive are scarred physically and emotionally. Deprived of learning, boys and girls in Gaza sift through the rubble," it added. "The clock is ticking for these children. They are losing their lives, their futures and mostly their hope," it said. 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 October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 45,338, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier on Monday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "there has been progress" in efforts to secure a ceasefire-for-hostages deal with Hamas, but cautioned that the timeline for reaching an agreement remains unclear. Speaking before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu said, "I do not know how long it will take," while vowing to "continue to act in every possible way until we bring everyone home." Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar outlined parts of the deal during a closed meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, describing it as "a phased, gradual framework." Israeli and Palestinian media reported that efforts led by Qatari, Egyptian, and US mediators have shown progress, though a breakthrough remains elusive. Istanbul, Dec 25 : Turkish police detained 32 individuals in an operation targeting those allegedly linked to a network accused of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt. The operation, coordinated by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Izmir, involved intelligence and counter-terrorism units across four provinces on Tuesday in Turkey, Xinhua news agency reported quoting state-run TRT. A warrant for the arrest of 35 suspects was issued after it was determined that they were active in the current structure of the Gulen movement, which the Turkish government holds responsible for the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. The investigation also uncovered that these suspects were exploring new methods to reorganise the group and secure financial support. TRT reported that the police teams conducted six months of physical and technical surveillance to uncover the suspects' activities, and efforts are ongoing to capture the remaining three individuals. The movement, led by and named after Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, who passed away in September in the United States, has been accused by the Turkish government of masterminding the coup attempt, which resulted in the deaths of over 250 people. Earlier on Tuesday Turkish police detained 16 suspects in an operation across four provinces for allegedly raising funds for the Islamic State (IS), local media reported. The operation was part of an investigation conducted by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in the western city of Izmir. The prosecutors had issued arrest warrants for 23 individuals, it said. Following the warrants, police units raided 10 businesses across Izmir, Mersin, Adana, and Manisa, detaining 16 suspects, and seizing $4,110, 7,205 euros, 434,650 Turkish liras, 40 grams of gold, and numerous digital materials, it said. Sanaa, Dec 25 : Yemen's Houthi group said it launched a "hypersonic ballistic missile" at Tel Aviv, an attack that Israel said it successfully intercepted. "In support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, we launched a hypersonic ballistic missile at Tel Aviv, targeting a military target," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV on Tuesday. He vowed that his group would launch more attacks against Israel and that the US-led airstrikes on his group's targets in Yemen would not stop them, Xinhua news agency reported. "We are fully prepared and ready to confront the Israeli-American-British aggression (on Yemen)," he said. Earlier on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had intercepted a missile launched by Houthis. The missile, which was aimed at Tel Aviv, triggered air-raid sirens across central and southern Israel, forcing millions of residents to seek shelter just before 2 a.m. local time (0000 GMT). "A projectile launched from Yemen was intercepted prior to crossing into Israeli territory," the IDF said in a statement, adding that the sirens were activated as a precaution due to the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception. The missile attack came just a day after Houthis launched a drone strike on Israel, which was also intercepted, according to the IDF. The Houthis have sporadically targeted Israel since October 2023 in support of Palestinians in Gaza. In retaliation, Israel has launched several large-scale airstrikes on Yemen, with the most recent one occurring on Thursday. Earlier on Tuesday, Yemen's pro-government forces announced that eight Houthi fighters were killed and 15 others wounded during intense clashes sparked in the country's southwestern province of Taiz. In a brief press statement, the pro-government forces said the Houthis launched a "failed assault" in "an attempt to breach fortified military sites" controlled by the government in the northwestern part of Taiz during the past hours. Eyewitnesses confirmed seeing Houthi medical teams evacuating the injured from the battleground and transferring them to hospitals outside Taiz. Ankara, Dec 25 : Turkey announced plans to assist Syria in rebuilding key energy and transportation infrastructure. "A delegation from the energy ministry will visit Syria as soon as possible to examine the electricity and energy infrastructure and propose solutions to address the energy crisis," semi-official Anadolu Agency quoted Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar as saying. Meanwhile, Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said Turkey would make efforts to rehabilitate transportation hubs of Syria starting with restoring airports in Damascus and Aleppo, Xinhua news agency reported. Speaking during a program hosted by the Anadolu Publishers Federation on Tuesday, Uraloglu said a team has been sent to Syria for inspection of the airports, which have been assessed as significantly deteriorated. "Runways are worn out, and essential systems like radar and X-ray machines are absent," he said, announcing plans to restore these facilities as well as parts of the historic Hejaz Railway in Syria. The announcement followed Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's remarks on Sunday in his meeting with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Commander Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, promising Turkey's support in rebuilding Syria's infrastructure, restructuring its institutions, and returning displaced Syrians. Earlier on Sunday, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Commander Ahmed al-Sharaa and visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks during which both sides vowed to strengthen bilateral ties. Speaking at a joint press conference following their meeting, Fidan expressed optimism for a "brighter future" for Syria and promised Turkey's support in rebuilding Syria's infrastructure, restructuring its institutions, and returning displaced Syrians. Restoring stability to Syria is crucial for the millions of refugees, Fidan said, calling for a consensus within Syria and a system to protect the minorities and include all faiths and ethnicities in Syria. United Nations, Dec 25 : Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has paid tributes to the leadership and commitment of Brigadier Amitabh Jha who led the peacekeeping force along the Syria-Israel border in "complex circumstances". United Nations, Dec 25 (IANS) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has paid tributes to the leadership and commitment of Brigadier Amitabh Jha who led the peacekeeping force along the Syria-Israel border in "complex circumstances". Jha, who was the acting force commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), died suddenly. "The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Brigadier General Amitabh Jha of India", his Associate Spokesperson Stephanie Trmpbaly said on Tuesday. Jha "recently served as acting Force Commander of UNDOF in complex circumstances, following the fall of the [Basher al-] Assad government in Syria", she said. He joined the UNDOF in April last year as the deputy force commander and was acting as its head during a period of turmoil in the region. UNDOF, created in 1974 by the Security Council to maintain peace and monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Syria along their border, was caught in the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has asked UNDOF to leave its posts in the chaos after Assad fled the country and has sent its troops in violation of Security Council resolutions to the demilitarised area under the peacekeepers. Jha "will be remembered for his leadership and unwavering commitment to United Nations peacekeeping, including in MONUSCO as a military observer from 2005 to 2006", Tremblay said. MONUSCO is the French acronym for UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who heads UN Peace Operations, said he was "deeply saddened by the passing of" Jha. "I met him several times and was inspired by his dedication and professionalism", he recalled in a post on X. An Infantry officer, Jha has commanded an Indian Army brigade in a glaciated mountainous terrain of India, and a specialised unit. The UNDOF has 201 Indian military personnel in its 1,117-member multinational force. Jerusalem, Dec 25 : Israel's negotiation team involved in the Gaza ceasefire talks will return to the country from Qatar for "internal consultations" after "meaningful" talks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement. The team, which includes senior officials from the Mossad, Shin Bet security agency, and the Israel Defense Forces, has been engaged in a "significant week of negotiations in Qatar," the office said. "The team is returning for internal consultations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations for the return of our hostages," it added. Israeli and Palestinian media reported that efforts led by Qatari, Egyptian, and US mediators have shown progress, though a breakthrough remains elusive, Xinhua news agency reported. The length of the ceasefire has been a key sticking point in previous failed negotiation attempts. Hamas seeks to end the war entirely, while Israel insists on removing Hamas' control over Gaza before any resolution and maintaining a military presence in the Palestinian enclave even after the ceasefire. Hamas launched an assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping approximately 250 others. About 100 Israeli and foreign hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, and dozens of them are believed to be dead, according to Israeli estimates. Israel responded with an extensive military campaign, reducing much of the Gaza Strip to rubble. More than 45,300 people have been killed by the Israeli strikes in Gaza, according to the Gaza-based health authorities. The length of the ceasefire has been a key sticking point in previous failed negotiation attempts. Hamas seeks to end the war entirely, while Israel insists on removing Hamas' control over Gaza before any resolution and maintaining a military presence in the Palestinian enclave even after the ceasefire. Hamas launched an assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping approximately 250 others. About 100 Israeli and foreign hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, and dozens of them are believed to be dead, according to Israeli estimates. Israel responded with an extensive military campaign, reducing much of the Gaza Strip to rubble. At least 45,317 people have been killed by the Israeli strikes in Gaza, according to an update released on Monday by the Gaza-based health authorities. Washington, Dec 25 : US President-elect Donald Trump slammed outgoing President Joe Biden's decision to commute the sentences of 37 individuals on federal death row. "Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country. When you hear the acts of each, you won't believe that he did this. Makes no sense," Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. Trump's remarks came one day after Biden made the announcement that he was commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole, Xinhua news agency reported. "Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss," Biden said in a statement. "But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Vice President, and now President, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level," Biden said. "In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted," said the outgoing President. In another post Tuesday, Trump said that as soon as he is inaugurated, he will direct the Justice Department to "vigorously pursue the death penalty" to protect American families and children from "violent rapists, murderers, and monsters." "We will be a Nation of Law and Order again!" Trump said. The commutations are only for the 37 facing federal death penalty and not in the States. There are in all a" including those on death row in the states a" 2250 prisoners on death row across the US, according to the Death Penalty Information Centre, a non-profit organisation that says its misAsion is to serve the media, polAiAcyAmakAers, and the genAerAal pubAlic with data and analyAsis on issues conAcernAing capAiAtal punAishAment and the peoAple it affects. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Central Office of the Yeni Azerbaijan Party (New Azerbaijan party) has expressed condolences over the crash of an AZAL airplane flying Baku-Grozny near Aktau, Trend reports. We are deeply grieved by the news of the crash of the airplane belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. We express our deep condolences to the families and relatives of those who died in the tragedy, and wish speedy recovery to the injured, the statement reads. Earlier today, passenger plane Embraer 190, flying Baku-Grozny, crashed 3 kilometers from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan noted that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the plane that crashed in Aktau. AZAL announced that 67 people - 62 passengers and 5 crew members - were on board the plane Embraer 190, which was on the Baku-Grozny flight that crashed in Aktau. Rome, Dec 25 : Montenegro's Constitutional Court has dismissed an appeal lodged by South Korean crypto mogul Do Kwon over a verdict on his extradition, a report said. In a unanimous decision, the Constitutional Court rejected the appeal that Kwon lodged, citing legal issues, according to the Montenegro daily Vijesti. With the latest decision, the European country's justice minister is set to decide on whether Kwon will face trial at home or in the United States, reports Yonhap news agency. Kwon appears more likely to be extradited to the U.S., given the justice ministry's stance on the case. Kwon, co-founder of the cryptocurrency firm Terraform Labs, is wanted both by South Korea and the U.S., where he faces investigation and indictment on charges connected to the crash of the firm's TerraUSD and Luna coins in May 2022. He was arrested in Montenegro in March last year after being caught traveling on a fake passport. In August this year, Montenegroas highest court postponed an earlier decision on the extradition of South Korean crypto entrepreneur Do Kwon to his home country in connection with a massive cryptocurrency crash. Previously, a Montenegrin appeals court upheld a lower court's ruling to hand over Kwon to South Korea, rejecting a request to send him to the United States instead. However, the Supreme Court announced on its website that Kwon's extradition to South Korea has been postponed pending a decision on a legal request by prosecutors. Kwon, co-founder of the cryptocurrency firm Terraform Labs, is wanted by both South Korea and the U.S. The disgraced tycoon is under suspicion of fraud and other charges related to the crash of the firm's TerraUSD and Luna coins in 2022, which devastated investors around the world. a"IANS na/ New Delhi, Dec 25 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday claimed that there were plans to arrest Delhi Chief Minister Atishi by framing her in fake cases in the next few days and plans were also underway to conduct raids on senior party leaders ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly election. This comes after the national capital's Health and Family Welfare department red-flagged the ruling AAP's registration drive for Sanjeevani Yojana, a scheme to provide free treatment to Delhi's residents over 60 at private and government hospitals. In a public notice published in newspapers on Wednesday, the department said that it does not have "any such supposed Sanjeevani scheme in existence". It added that it had not authorised anyone to collect personal data from elderly citizens and is not providing any card. The department said any individual or political party collecting such forms under the name of this scheme is "fraudulent and without any authority". Kejriwal claimed that Delhi Chief Minister Atishi would soon be arrested in a fake case as some people were rattled by the AAP government's announcement of welfare initiatives like the Mahila Samman Yojana and the Sanjeevani Yojana. "These people are badly upset by the Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana. They have planned to arrest Atishi ji in the next few days by making a fake case. Before that, raids will be conducted on senior AAP leaders. I will hold a press conference on this today at 12 o'clock," Kejriwal said in a post on X. The two AAP flagship schemes -- Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana -- were announced in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly Elections scheduled early next year. Kejriwal started the registration process of the two schemes aimed at women and senior citizens on Tuesday and held the door-to-door campaign. Non-tax-paying eligible women will get Rs 1,000 per month in the Mahila Samman Yojana. The Sanjeevani Yojana promises free healthcare in government and private hospitals for senior citizens if AAP comes to power. This comes after AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Atishi and party convener Arvind Kejriwal, visited several areas and launched doorstep registration for the Sanjeevani Yojana and Mahila Samman Yojana. Mumbai, Dec 25 : Popular television actress Rajshree Thakur took a ride on the iconic Mumbai local to celebrate the city's unsung multitaskers who, just like her "Bas Itna Sa Khwaab" character Avani Trivedi, balance home and work responsibilities. Mumbai, Dec 25 (IANS) Popular television actress Rajshree Thakur took a ride on the iconic Mumbai local to celebrate the city's unsung multitaskers who, just like her "Bas Itna Sa Khwaab" character Avani Trivedi, balance home and work responsibilities. Talking about the experience, Rajshree said: "As Avani in Bas Itna Sa Khwaab, I have the privilege of portraying a woman who decides to step outside the house to contribute to the family's collective dream of a bigger home while staying rooted in her responsibilities at home. Meeting these incredible women on the train was truly humbling." "They are so similar to my character. They represent the strength, perseverance, and quiet heroism that hold our society together. Their stories of juggling long commutes, demanding jobs, and family responsibilities are deeply inspiring." Rajashree not only surprised the female passengers. She also had heartfelt conversations about their struggles and triumphs, played antakshari and shared Mumbai's favorite snack, vada pav. She said that each interaction reminded her of how extraordinary everyday women are. "I hope my portrayal of Avani encourages more women to chase their dreams while finding the balance they deserve." "Bas Itna Sa Khwaab" airs every day on Zee TV. Talking about Rajshree, she made her film debut in the 2004 movie "Hava Aney Dey." She made her debut with the immensely popular show Saat Phere Saloni Ka Safar and also acted in the role of Maharani Jaiwanta Bai Songara (Maharana Pratap's Mother) in Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap. In August 2020, the actress played the female lead role of Preeti Jindal in Shaadi Mubarak opposite Manav Gohil. She quit the show in October due to hectic schedule. She was last seen in Appnapan Badalte Rishton Ka Bandhan. She married her childhood friend Sanjot Vaidya, in a Hindu wedding ceremony in February 2007.The couple welcomed their daughter, Nyraa in August 2017. Jaipur, Dec 25 : Three-year-old Chetna, who fell into a 700-ft deep borewell in Rajasthan's Kotputli on December 23, has still not been rescued, even as efforts continue. The girl, a resident of Badiyali ki Dhani in Kiratpur, fell into the borewell while playing around 2 p.m. on Monday. She was initially stuck at a depth of about 150 feet. Using a makeshift tool, rescuers managed to pull her up only 30 feet. Since Tuesday morning, her movements have been unclear. Meanwhile, four local techniques failed late on Tuesday night to bring out the girl and hence the use of the piling machine has begun now. Yogesh Meena, in charge of the NDRF operation, explained that the piling machine can dig to a depth of 150 feet. "We will now dig a parallel tunnel, 150 feet long, using the piling machine. Once that's done, weall dig a small tunnel from the new tunnel to the borewell to reach the girl." Rescuers plan to dig down to 160 feet to ensure the girl is above them, allowing them to reach her safely from below. Currently, Chetna is stuck at a depth of 120 feet with the help of a J-shaped hook. The indigenous method of pulling her up with a hook failed on Tuesday. At around midnight on Tuesday, Kotputli Subdivision Officer Brijesh Kumar updated the media on the operation, stating that they were working nonstop to rescue the girl. "Our first plan was to extract the girl using various tools. When that failed, we moved to plan B -- digging a pit using the piling machine," he explained. Meanwhile, Chetnaas grandfather, Harshaya Chaudhary, criticised the administration for negligence. He said, "The administration kept saying they were removing soil, but after 28 hours, they decided to use a machine to dig. This is negligence." Kabul, Dec 25 : At least 15 people, including women and children, have been killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, with the death toll expected to rise further, according to local media reports. The strikes carried out late on Tuesday, targeted multiple areas in the Barmal district of Paktika province, dismantling a Taliban training facility, as reported by Khaama Press. Seven villages were bombed, including Laman, where five members of a single family lost their lives, and Murg Bazaar village, which was completely destroyed. The airstrikes have deepened Afghanistan's ongoing humanitarian crisis, causing significant destruction and civilian casualties, further straining relations between the two nations. Afghanistan care-taker government condemned the attack and pledged retaliation, Radio Television of Pakistan reported. "The Barmal district of Paktika was bombed by the Pakistan Army yesterday. Most of the victims were civilians, including Waziristani refugees. Several were martyred or injured, including children," the country's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement. Calling the incident a "barbaric act," the MoD added, "This clear aggression is contrary to all international principles. The Pakistani side should understand that such actions will not solve any problems. The Islamic Emirate will defend its territory and consider this its inalienable right." Pakistan has yet to officially claim responsibility for the strikes, which have heightened tensions between the two neighbours. The attacks come amidst deteriorating relations between Islamabad and Kabul over the presence of Pakistani militants in Afghanistan. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has intensified its operations against Pakistani forces in recent months, with Islamabad accusing the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the group. While Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Afghan Taliban to take action against the TTP, Kabul denies harbouring the militants. The latest escalation adds another layer of complexity to an already fragile relationship. Damascus, Dec 25 : Asaad al-Shaibani, the newly appointed foreign minister by Syria's interim administration, pledged to prioritise serving the people and representing "every segment of society," asserting that the country will reclaim its regional and international role. In a series of posts on the social media platform X, al-Shaibani emphasised that protecting citizens' rights and interests, as well as ensuring fair representation of all ethnic and social groups, will be the "compass" guiding Syria's future. He stated that "in the new Syria, everyone will feel they belong," adding that the state aims to guarantee dignity, freedom, and a return home for those displaced by past conflicts, Xinhua news agency reported. Acknowledging the struggles endured by the Syrian people, al-Shaibani highlighted "the immense sacrifices and suffering" they have faced. "Our sole tribute to those victims," he said, "is to ensure such atrocities never happen again and to bring perpetrators to justice." On Syria's position in the international arena, al-Shaibani stated he would represent the country "with sincerity and strength," emphasizing the interim government's commitment to creating a "brighter future." He also urged Syrian youth to contribute to the rebuilding of the country and to lead it toward innovation and progress. "We require the efforts of all young Syrians to shape the present and map out the future," he said. In another post on X, al-Shaibani warned Iran against "spreading chaos" in Syria, urging the country to "respect the will of the Syrian people." Iran has long been a key ally of Bashar al-Assad, the former president of Syria, who was ousted on December 8 following a series of offensives launched by a militant coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Al-Shaibani, born in 1987, was appointed on Saturday by the Syrian interim administration, which is supported by HTS. He is known for his pivotal role as the head of HTS's political affairs department. Chennai, Dec 25 : Fishermen leaders from Nochikuppam in Chennai are set to meet the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Commissioner, J. Kumaragurubaran, on Thursday to demand the withdrawal of the Blue Flag project tag for Marina Beach. They are also expected to request the establishment of roadside shelters for fish vendors from Nochikuppam, whose sales have significantly declined since being relocated to a new market. The fishermen have further urged authorities to declare the area from Nochikuppam to Srinivasapuram as a Fisheries Conservation Zone. They argue that the Chennai Corporation's plan to transform Marina Beach into a tourist destination will adversely impact their livelihoods. "If the Blue Flag certification and related developmental works proceed along the Loop Road, more than 200 families in Nochikuppam will be affected," said S. Ethiraj, a fisherman from the area. "Based on the outcome of the meeting with the Commissioner, we will decide whether to escalate our protests," he said. Fishermen and vendors have warned that if the Corporation does not withdraw the proposed projects, they will stage a road blockade until the state government addresses their concerns. The fisherfolk living along the Loop Road near Marina Beach have been distressed for months, particularly after being moved to the new fish market. Their anxiety has intensified following the Corporation's plan to redevelop Marina Beach, which includes obtaining a Blue Flag certification. The Blue Flag certification, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), is a voluntary recognition given to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators that meet strict environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility standards. While it aims to promote sustainable development in marine and freshwater areas, it often comes at the cost of local livelihoods, as communities are frequently excluded from the decision-making process. On Tuesday, fishermen from Nochikuppam protested against the GCC's proposal for Marina Beach. They alleged that the authorities forcibly relocated them to an inadequately constructed market, disrupting their sales. The fisherfolk are demanding small shops in the area to revive their livelihoods and oppose any redevelopment plans that could further marginalise their community. New Delhi, Dec 25 : The National Ayush Mission (NAM) has empowered communities with accessible and cost-effective healthcare based on traditional practices, Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Ayush, has stressed. The minister said this while unveiling a film series titled "Ayush for All: Holistic Health Care through National Ayush Mission" in the national capital, showcasing the remarkable progress and transformative impact of the National Ayush Mission. "This film series is a step towards making information about our initiatives readily accessible to the public, showcasing Ayush's pivotal role in reducing disease burden and promoting wellness across the nation," said Jadhav. The series highlights real-life stories of transformation, demonstrating how NAM, in collaboration with state and UT governments, has improved healthcare access and reduced out-of-pocket expenditures for rural and underserved populations. According to the ministry, the NAM aims to strengthen Ayush healthcare services, promote preventive care through Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush), and integrate Ayush systems into mainstream public health. The NAM also emphasises the development of Ayush educational institutions to enhance the quality of education and research. Moreover, the scheme has supported the establishment of 167 Integrated Ayush Hospitals and upgraded 416 Ayush Hospitals and 5036 dispensaries. Essential Ayush medicines were supplied to 996 hospitals and 12,405 dispensaries each year. NAM also supported 16 new Ayush educational institutions and upgraded 112 others. Additionally, 3,883 Yoga Wellness Centres, 1,055 Ayush Grams and 12,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush) were established, promoting holistic wellness nationwide, according to the ministry. According to Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush said, the NAM focuses on strengthening Ayush healthcare services, establishing Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush), and promoting medical pluralism. "These initiatives are transforming public health and improving access to preventive and promotive care across the nation," he mentioned. IANS na/ Hyderabad, Dec 25 : Governors and Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday greeted the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma extended greetings to the Christian fraternity and the people of the State on the occasion of Christmas. "Christmas is a joyous occasion to celebrate the birth of Jesus and cherish his ideals. His life symboliSes love, forgiveness, truth, compassion, brotherhood, and sacrifice," the Governor said in his message. "I wish this Christmas to bring boundless joy, love, peace and prosperity to all. In the true spirit of Christmas, let us resolve to make this world more peaceful, and compassionate," he added. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy extended heartfelt greetings to the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas. The Chief Minister said that the teachings of Jesus Christ are a guiding force for the entire humanity forever. CM Revanth Reddy stated that Jesus spread the message of love, tolerance, peace and service towards others. He said: "The people's government is committed to the welfare and development of all religions by following the teachings of Jesus Christ." The government resolved for all-round development of Christian minorities, CM Revanth Reddy said, appealing to the Christian community to celebrate Christmas with joy and happiness across the state. Andhra Pradesh Governor S. A. Nazeer also greeted the Christian community on Christmas. "I convey my hearty greetings to all the Christian brothers and sisters of Andhra Pradesh on the auspicious occasion." "Christmas is a time of commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and his joyous remembrance," he said in his message. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also conveyed his greetings to the Christian fraternity. He noted that the birth of Jesus Christ, who gave the message of peace to the entire humanity, is a festive day for the world. "My greetings to Christian brothers and sisters on the occasion of Christmas. Our duty is to do good to our fellow men by following the path of Jesus Christ, who proved through his life that the path of love can conquer anyone's heart," he said. "Let us make our lives peaceful by cultivating the qualities of love, compassion, patience, kindness, and sacrifice. Let us pray to the Lord for the good of all humanity," CM Naidu added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. French Senator Nathalie Goulet has expressed her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan. "I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this plane crash," she told Trend. Earlier today, the Embraer 190 passenger plane flying on the Baku-Grozny route crashed 3 km from the Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that there were 37 Azerbaijani citizens on board the plane that crashed in the city of Aktau. "According to preliminary information, there were 37 Azerbaijani, 6 Kazakh, 3 Kyrgyz, and 16 Russian citizens on board the plane," the ministry said. AZAL added that there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board the "Embraer 190" plane that crashed in Aktau, making a total of 67 people. Hyderabad, Dec 25 : Hyderabad Police on Wednesday warned strict action against those posting false information or videos on social media about the Sandhya Theatre stampede incident. The police warning came after some individuals posted false videos that the stampede had occurred before Allu Arjun arrived at the theatre for the premier show of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule'. The police said they have already presented facts that came to light during the investigation into this incident before the public in the form of a video. "However, it has come to our notice that some people have deliberately posted videos on social media to mislead people by creating an impression that the stampede had occurred before Allu Arjun's arrival. We will take legal action against those who deliberately spread such false propaganda while the case is under investigation," the police said in a statement. "We will take any false propaganda that defames the police department seriously. The police department is investigating with commitment this case, which resulted in the death of an innocent woman and critically injured a child. We will not tolerate anyone spreading false propaganda and fabrications on social media to question it," it added. The city police also stated that any citizen having evidence or additional information regarding this incident may provide the same to the police department. It requested people not to make any comments on their own. The police appealed to people not to believe false propaganda on social media. Several videos have been in circulation on social media about the December 4 incident that killed a woman and injured her son. The police on Tuesday interrogated Allu Arjun for about three-and-a-half hours in connection with the incident. The questioning was said to be based on the 10-minute video prepared by the police to provide a clear account of what had transpired on December 4. The police had Sunday also released the video compiled after analysing 1,000 video clippings to debunk Allu Arjun's claims. The 'Pushpa' star, who is listed by police as accused number 11, was arrested on December 13. His statement was recorded at Chikkadpally Police Station and was later produced in a city court, which sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. However, the same day the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail for four weeks. The actor was released from Chanchalguda Jail the next day. Bengaluru, Dec 25 : Reacting to a proposal to name a stretch of road after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is a prime accused in the MUDA case, the Karnataka BJP on Wednesday slammed him, questioning whether the CM does not feel a moral obligation. BJP State President B. Y. Vijayendra said, "The Mysore kingdom was built and nurtured by the kings and rulers of Mysore. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to name a road after himself which has the name of great royal lineage." "How procedural and reasonable is it for the Mysuru City Corporation, which currently has no elected representatives, to make such a decision," Vijayendra said. "Does the Chief Minister, while being in power and attempting to establish his name, not feel a moral obligation? Such actions can only be observed in administrations reminiscent of Tughlaq's rule," he slammed. Objections are raised over the proposal for naming a road after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Mysuru city by the local city corporation against the backdrop of allegations against him in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. The Mysuru City Corporation has recently given an advertisement in newspapers inviting objections to its proposal of naming the stretch of the road between Sri Laxminarayana Swamy temple to Metagalli Royal Inn Junction in Mysuru as 'Siddaramaiah Arogya Marga'. The advertisement was published on December 13 and the corporation has invited the public to submit objections within 30 days in writing. Reacting to the development, Bhanu Mohan, President of the Parisara Samrakshana Samithi, in her letter to the Mysuru City Corporation, said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is currently facing an investigation by the Mysuru Lokayukta. "In this case, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is named as the accused number one. It would give a bad message to the society to name the public road in the name of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah under these circumstances," she said. "Against this backdrop, I am making this submission of objections and request not to name the road after CM Siddaramaiah until the court trial is over and the verdict is given. If Chief Minister Siddaramaiah comes out clean, then the proposal of naming the road after him could be considered," she demanded. Bhanu Mohan has also attached the case details and FIR along with her submission. The petitioner in the MUDA case, Snehamayi Krishna said that he is surprised with the decision of the Mysuru City Corporation to take a decision to name the public road after the accused number one who is charged under various columns and acts. CM Siddaramaiah is facing an investigation by Lokayukta and the Enforcement Directorate in the MUDA case for allegedly getting 14 sites allotted to his family by violating all rules. New Delhi, Dec 25 : Every year, December 26 is observed as Veer Bal Diwas, a solemn day to honour the unparalleled courage and supreme sacrifice of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the young sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final Sikh Guru. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2022 officially designated the day as a tribute to the Sahibzadas. The story of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, Guru Gobind Singh's younger sons, stands as one of the most heart-rending and inspiring chapters in Sikh history. Their martyrdom in December 1704 represents the ultimate sacrifice for their faith and principles at the tender ages of 9 and 6. The events unfolded during the early 18th century in 1704 when Guru Gobind Singh and his family were forced to flee the siege of Anandpur Sahib. Amid their escape, the family was tragically separated. Mata Gujari, the Guruas revered mother, and the young Sahibzadas were betrayed by a servant named Gangu, who handed them over to the Mughal authorities. Imprisoned in a freezing, open-top tower known as the Thanda Burj in Sirhind (modern-day Punjab), the young boys endured harsh conditions. Despite this, Mata Gujari inspired them to remain steadfast in their faith, instilling in them a spirit of courage and resilience. The Mughal authorities, led by Nawab Wazir Khan of Sirhind, sought to break their resolve. The Sahibzadas were summoned to Wazir Khan's court, where they were offered wealth, safety, and high status in exchange for renouncing their Sikh faith and embracing Islam. Yet, despite their tender years, both Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh resolutely refused. Their unshakable faith and courage became a symbol of defiance against tyranny. Enraged by their refusal, Wazir Khan ordered an unthinkable punishment -- the children were to be executed by being bricked alive. This horrific act was intended to strike fear into the hearts of those resisting Mughal rule. On December 26, 1704, the Sahibzadas were brought to the site of their execution. Even as bricks were laid around them, enclosing them within a wall, they remained steadfast, reciting Sikh prayers and hymns. Their resilience moved and inspired those who witnessed the cruelty. Mata Gujari, confined in the Thanda Burj, passed away in grief upon hearing of their martyrdom but took solace in their unwavering faith. The martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh remains a poignant symbol of faith, sacrifice, and resistance to oppression in Sikhism. Their story exemplifies the Sikh tenet of standing firm against injustice, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. Veer Bal Diwas is observed every year to remember and honour their unparalleled sacrifice. Sikhs around the world commemorate the day with prayers, processions, and events that highlight the importance of standing up for one's beliefs, even in the face of overwhelming challenges. The legacy of the Sahibzadas continues to inspire millions, reminding humanity of the power of faith and courage. United Nations, Dec 25 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is alarmed by the rapidly worsening food security situation in Sudan and calls for the parties to facilitate access to humanitarian assistance, his spokesperson said in a statement. After over 20 months of conflict, more than 24.6 million people in Sudan -- over half the population -- face high levels of acute food insecurity, the statement said, citing the latest UN-backed assessment. In a report released on Tuesday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the global hunger monitor, confirmed that famine is present in at least five areas of Sudan, including North Darfur's Zamzam camp and parts of the Western Nuba Mountains. The crisis is projected to expand further, with five additional areas expected to face famine between December 2024 and May 2025. The statement on Tuesday said that the United Nations and its partners are scaling up the delivery of food assistance and other essential support for the most vulnerable, but ongoing fighting and restrictions on the movement of relief supplies and personnel continue to imperil aid operations, Xinhua news agency reported. Guterres reiterated his call for the parties to facilitate rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained access so that humanitarian assistance and staff can reach people in need. The UN chief also underscored the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and to prevent the crisis in Sudan and its impact on neighbouring countries from escalating even further in 2025. He appealed for urgent international support and cooperation to bring the parties closer to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through a lasting ceasefire and step-up funding for humanitarian action. Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15, 2023, which have killed 15,550 people and displaced 8.7 million others so far, according to recent estimates by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Mumbai, Dec 25 : Rapper Raja Kumari, who has lent her voice for the song "Beast" from the Varun Dhawan-starrer "Baby John" said that for her, rapping is more than just creating music and that it is an extension of her. Mumbai, Dec 25 (IANS) Rapper Raja Kumari, who has lent her voice for the song "Beast" from the Varun Dhawan-starrer "Baby John" said that for her, rapping is more than just creating music and that it is an extension of her. Raja Kumari has lent her vocal prowess for "Beast" and the music is by Thaman S, which features Varun in a massy avatar. "I am beyond elated to see the outpouring of love from the audiences. Though I gave my heart and soul to Beast Mode and Baby John's track, the love it's receiving is overwhelming, and I am filled with gratitude," said the raptress. "For me, rapping is more than just creating music. It's an extension of me, and I'm so glad to see the audience loving it to no bounds!" added Raja Kumari. In 2023, Raja Kumari had crooned for the title track of "Jawan" starring Shah Rukh Khan. Raja Kumari, whose real name is Svetha Yallapragada Rao is best known for her collaboration with notable artists including Gwen Stefani, Iggy Azalea, Fifth Harmony, Sidhu Moosewala, Knife Party, Fall Out Boy. Talking about "Baby John", which is directed by Kalees, it also stars Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, Zara Zyanna and Jackie Shroff. It is produced by Atlee and is a remake of his 2016 Tamil film Theri. "Baby John" sees Varun in complete action mode and performing some adrenaline rushing stunts. "Theri" stars Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Amy Jackson, Nainika, Radhika Sarathkumar, Rajendran and Mahendran. In the film, a former cop is on a mission to protect his daughter from his past enemies. The film marked Kumar's second directorial after Raja Rani (2013), whose success impressed Vijay enough to work with the director. Atlee came up with the script, which was an "emotional action thriller film," and a formal announcement was made in September 2014. Seoul, Dec 25 : South Korea has reported an additional case of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle, raising the total number of confirmed cases this year to 24, the agriculture ministry said on Wednesday. The latest case was detected at a cattle farm in Goheung, about 330 kms south of Seoul, which is raising 54 milk cows, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, reports Yonhap news agency. The ministry issued a standstill order for personnel and vehicles associated with the farm and related facilities while conducting disinfection operations to prevent the spread of the disease. LSD is a highly contagious disease that causes skin lesions, fever and loss of appetite, often resulting in reduced milk production and, in severe cases, death. It affects cattle and buffalo and is transmitted by mosquitoes and other blood-feeding insects. In October, South Korea reported an additional case of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle. The latest case was detected at a cattle farm in Chungju, some 147 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The government will deploy all available disinfection vehicles to prevent the spread of the disease, it added. The agriculture ministry has called on provincial governments to stay vigilant against additional cases breaking out across the nation and complete vaccination of cattle by the end of this month. The country reported its first case of LSD in cattle this year in August. The case was confirmed at a livestock farm in Anseong, located some 65 kilometres south of Seoul, breeding 80 cows, the Agriculture Ministry said. It was the first LSD case in South Korea since November last year. Meanwhile, South Koreaas agricultural ministry recently said it plans to commercialise a genetic diagnostic kit for LSD in 2025. According to reports, the genetic kit will help selectively cull infected cattle rather than destroying the entire herd. Rome, Dec 25 : The 2025 Jubilee Year was officially launched in Rome under heightened security measures. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi convened a national public safety and security committee meeting ahead of the launch on Tuesday to outline measures aimed at safeguarding millions of pilgrims and tourists expected to take part in the celebrations. Around 700 security units have been deployed across the capital, reinforcing regular patrols at sensitive sites, particularly the Vatican, Basilicas, and the city centre. The 2025 Jubilee Year, which will run until January 6, 2026, was inaugurated as Pope Francis opened the heavy bronze 'Holy Door' at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Police patrolled the streets of Rome and St. Peter's Square as preparations unfolded. Security checkpoints have been set up along key routes leading to the Vatican, notably on Via Ottaviano and Via della Conciliazione, with significant deployment of police, Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza, and local officers, Xinhua news agency reported quoting state-run media Ansa. The security strategy includes advanced surveillance systems and rapid response units at critical locations. Facial recognition cameras have been installed at airports, train stations, and major tourist attractions to monitor crowds and detect potential threats in real-time. The Jubilee, a tradition dating back to 1300, typically takes place every 25 or 50 years. Authorities estimate that more than 30 million visitors will travel to Rome and other religious sites across Italy during the 2025 Jubilee Year. The event is expected to provide significant economic benefits. Media reports project the influx of visitors could generate approximately 10 billion euros ($10.4 billion) for the local economy. The Jubilee, while primarily focused on the nearly 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, also seeks to engage a broader audience. Since its inception in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII, the traditions surrounding this event have evolved significantly. This year, the Vatican has introduced online registration for pilgrims and multilingual mobile applications to assist in navigating the various events. Jubilee 2025 features a mascot named Luce, which translates to 'Light' in Latin, inspired by Japanese anime. This decision has faced some criticism from traditionalists, yet it aims to appeal to the younger demographic. New Delhi, Dec 25 : Congress leader Ajay Maken lambasted both AAP dispensation in Delhi and BJP government at the Centre on Wednesday, accusing them of first ensnaring the Delhi residents with fake promises and then betraying them on multiple occasions, despite being at the helm for more than a decade. In a press briefing by Delhi Cong chief Devendra Yadav and RS MP Ajay Maken, the Congress party released 'white paper' against the misdeeds and misgovernance of AAP government in Delhi and BJP at Centre. Hitting out at Centre and Delhi govt over the plight of city residents, Maken said, "Aam Aadmi Party is in power in Delhi for the last 11 years and BJP is in power at the Centre since 2014. The people of Delhi elected both these governments with great expectations but they got only betrayal with false promises all these years." He also brought attention to the developmental works during 15 years of Congress government in Delhi and how the city saw wide-scale transformation in that period. "Congress was in power in Delhi for 15 years. During that time, Delhi created new dimensions. Be it development or social sector, our government worked for every section including the poor, women, youth. In those years a strong foundation was laid to make Delhi a world class city," Congress leader pointed out. Congress treasurer Ajay Maken also informed reporters about a foreword 'Once in a while, betrayal every time', that he wrote on the 'white paper'. Pointing to the ongoing feud between Centre and Delhi, he said that the two governments keep on pinning blame on each other and it is the people of Delhi who find themselves at the receiving end over their face-off. "These two governments have turned Delhi into a market of hatred in the past several years," he alleged. The Congress delegation also mocked Arvind Kejriwal's semblance of 'aam aadmi' and hurled pointed questions over his sheeshmahal abode. "He keeps a Rs 2 pen in his pocket, has named his party Aam Aadmi but lives in a glass palace like a king," Maken remarked satirically. "Today, the elderly in Delhi face problems in getting pension. It is also surprising that in 10 years, Rs 1,780 crore of pension for the elderly lapsed, which the Delhi government could not spend due to dispute with the Centre," Cong leader pointed out. Mcleodganj : , Dec 25 (IANS) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama's vision to preserve and disseminate the unique art heritage of Tibet through self-sustaining means is one the everlasting embodiments of his commitments. Started on May 7, 1969, with seed money of Rs 15,000 given by the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Handicraft Cooperative Society in McLeodganj, home to the Tibetan government-in-exile widely known as "Little Lhasa", has been earning profit since then. Its annual turnover is around Rs 3 crore. Its ethnic products include handmade premium sheep wool Tibetan carpets, traditional dresses, handbags, cushions and ritual items that are available in four sale counters in McLeodganj, a small and quaint hill station in the suburbs of the northern hill town of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. The society, run by all 40 employees, a majority of them fled from their Himalayan homeland, creates jobs after training them for three months at no cost with an aim to keep the age-old skill and more importantly, the tradition alive through the hands of master weavers, who learnt the weaving at the tender age. Currently, the hand-knotted rugs with original and contemporary designs of flowers, dragons and eight lucky signs, weaved on vertical looms by tying double knots over a rod, are much in demand across the globe, mainly in Japan, the US, Canada, Britain, Australia and Germany. Every day a team of workers while dyeing wool derived from traditional vegetal dyes, laying out designs or weaving carpets chant Buddhist mantras, which they believe will bring happiness and good fortune to the customers. Most of these workers were born in Tibet and had to flee from Chinese tyranny to seek refuge in India, where their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was granted asylum on April 3, 1959, They weave their lives around karma and the carpets. Karma refers to one's actions and the consequences of those actions, while carpets, mats and Thangka paintings symbolise their day-to-day struggle to survive, thrive and flourish. One of its acclaimed handcrafted carpets is Tibetan tiger skin with a black stripe on a traditional light brown background which was published in Numero fashion magazine of Tokyo in October 2022 edition. Tibet-born Tseyang, a 50-year-old woman weaver, told IANS that each 60-knot rug with a dimension of 231cm x 140 cm employs two people and consumes around a month to weave, with the tiger face being the most time-consuming, each knot of wool. This year the Tibetan Handicraft Cooperative Society, an authorised exporter, which usually weaves flowers, dragons or auspicious eight symbols, was recognized as one of the best cooperatives in the state by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). "Our export of carpets is over 85 per cent and we have huge orders of tiger-shaped rugs from Australia-based Tim Roodenrys," Tibetan Handicraft Cooperative Society Manager Tenzin Rigsang told IANS, adding "We have already shipped carpets of Rs 30-40 lakh to him". "Roodenrys has unwavering loyalty for the weavers as he occasionally shares his earnings with them as a goodwill gesture to preserve a history of thousands of years," Rigsang added. Each tiger carpet costs Rs 40,000. The Tibetan Handicraft Cooperative Society is one of the 15 societies to make the Tibetan settlements viable and sustainable by generating employment opportunities within the Tibetan community. Following the Chinese invasion, His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled to India on March 31, 1959, along with thousands of Tibetans and established the exile government, known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), in Mussoorie in April 1959, and later shifted to Dharamsala in May 1960. With its long history and spiritual heritage, Tibetan people survived over six decades in exile as the most successful refugee community in the world. Today the Dalai Lama, who will turn 90 on July 6, 2025, is not only the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people but is committed to preserving the Tibetan language and culture, the heritage Tibetans received from the masters of India's Nalanda University. He believes, "The preservation of Tibetan culture is very much needed because it is a tradition of peace, love and compassion. But it is being completely destroyed. Through Tibetan culture, we can make some contributions to create a happier and peaceful world through inner peace and a calm mind." His Holiness wrote in his biography that when he first stepped on Indian soil, there he experienced 'freedom'. The escape route of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is illustrated in his memoir, "My Land and My People". (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in) Patna, Dec 25 : Traffic congestion on the Patna-Buxar National Highway-922 has become a persistent and severe issue, particularly in the Shahabad region, causing massive disruptions for commuters. The root cause appears to be the heavy movement of trucks transporting sand from the Son riverbed, compounded by haphazard parking by vehicles and inadequate traffic management measures. Trucks dominate the southern lane of the Koilwar six-lane bridge, leaving little room for other vehicles to pass. Despite fines worth lakhs being imposed daily, there seems to be no substantial improvement. Smaller vehicles add to the chaos, creating bottlenecks and worsening the jam. Even with a six-lane bridge built to ease traffic, poor implementation of traffic rules contributes to daily gridlocks. Commuters like teacher Urmila Devi take over twice as long to cover relatively short distances, severely affecting productivity and quality of life. "I am a teacher in Mehandaura government school, which is 40 km from Kulharia. It generally takes around one hour but as the trucks are occupying the roads all the way from Sakkaddi, it takes two hours and sometimes three hours to reach school," she said. The roads such as the Sahar-Sakkaddi state highway and Ara-Chhapra National Highway culminate in the Patna-Buxar four-lane National Highway leading to traffic bottlenecks from Bihta to Ara. At Manbhavna turn on Patna-Buxar NH 922, police personnel redirect sand-laden trucks from NH-922 toward Chhapra, leading to continuous traffic congestion. Road construction near Kolharampur on the Ara-Chhapra highway forces trucks to use the eastern lane, causing periodic blockages. Trucks entering no-entry zones and overtaking recklessly are key contributors to the gridlocks. Manoj Kumar Sudhanshu Traffic DSP of Bhojpur said, "We have deployed additional police personnel on this stretch and intersections to ease traffic. We are also imposing challans on the traffic violators, especially the truckers." "Sand-laden trucks are being restricted to streamline movement and prevent overtaking. Enhanced supervision is in place to ensure compliance with the new lane rules," Sudhanshu added. The persistent issues of traffic jams suggest a need for more robust, systemic changes to traffic management and infrastructure planning to address the recurring congestion effectively. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The plane carrying Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Trend reports. Upon receiving information about the incident while en route to Russia to attend the informal summit of CIS heads of state in St. Petersburg, President Ilham Aliyev promptly instructed the plane to return and has flown back to Azerbaijan. Seoul, Dec 25 : South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to appear on Wednesday before a joint investigation team for questioning over his short-lived imposition of martial law, defying its summons for the second time. Yoon did not appear at the office of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, as requested by 10:00 a.m. on Christmas Day as part of a joint investigation into his botched declaration of martial law on December 3, Yonhap news agency reported. Yoon, who faces charges of abuse of power and being an insurrection ringleader, has been identified as a suspect in the joint investigation of the CIO, the police and the defence ministry's investigation unit. He did not comply with the CIO's first summons last Wednesday. The CIO plans to wait for Yoon's possible appearance later. If he does not show up, the team is expected to decide as early as Thursday on further possible measures, such as sending a summons for the third time or seeking an arrest warrant. On Tuesday, Seok Dong-hyeon, Yoon's lawyer, said Yoon places a priority on the Constitutional Court proceedings on his impeachment and that he plans to issue a statement on his position on the trial after Christmas Day. The fate of Yoon's presidency has been handed to the Constitutional Court after the National Assembly impeached him on December 14. The court will hold its first pretrial hearing on Yoon's impeachment on Friday. The CIO is expected to take its next steps by taking into account this week's hearing, as well as Yoon's planned statement. A CIO official, however, said the impeachment trial would not have a "decisive" impact on the anti-corruption body's next steps, noting it would merely be a factor to be considered. Regarding the possibility of seeking an arrest warrant for Yoon, the official said it would be a "far distant" step, considering the circumstances. "An arrest warrant seems like something far distant. There are many things to be considered," the official said, clarifying that nothing has so far been decided. Aktau : , Dec 25 (IANS) A passenger plane carrying over 100 people crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, according to reports from the country's Emergencies Ministry. Local media outlet Kazpravda.kz reported that the crash caused a fire at the site. "A total of 52 rescuers from the Kazakh Emergencies Ministry and 11 pieces of equipment arrived at the scene. Upon arrival, they found the plane engulfed in flames. Firefighters are currently working to extinguish the blaze. Preliminary data suggests there are survivors," the Ministry stated. Initial reports indicate that at least 105 passengers and five crew members were on board. While the exact toll remains unclear, at least 25 survivors have been reported, with 22 hospitalised. Rescue operations are ongoing, and details about the victims are being verified. The plane, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190, was flying from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia's Chechnya. It was rerouted to Aktau due to dense fog. Online flight tracking website FlightRadar24 data shows the plane flying over the Caspian Sea and heading towards its destination, in Chechnya. As the plane entered Russia's territorial borders, it started circling near the airport. Following this, it requested an emergency landing. At 6:28 am local time, the plane crashed a few kilometres away from the airport. According to FlightRadar24, the plane was exposed to "strong GPS jamming, which made the aircraft transmit bad ADS-B data." Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Unverified videos circulating on social media show the moment the plane crashed, bursting into flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. An operational headquarters has been established at the Command Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, with a hotline made available for inquiries. Further updates on the incident are awaited. Hyderabad, Dec 25 : Christmas was celebrated with usual pomp and gaiety in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Wednesday. A large number of people attended midnight mass and morning special prayers. Special prayers in churches since midnight, carol singing and Secret Santa at workplaces, and the bursting of firecrackers were the highlights of the celebrations. Churches in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad were tastefully decorated and illuminated on the occasion. Devotees were seen thronging the churches since Tuesday night. Churches in other towns of Telangana and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh also witnessed special prayers. The festivities began with midnight mass at many churches in Secunderabad, which has a sizable population of Christians. There was an air of festivity as people exchanged Christmas greetings and gifts. Churches organised different cultural programmes for senior citizens, couples, youngsters, and children. Huge congregations were seen at SCI Wesley Church and 200-year-old St John's Church in Secunderabad. Devotees also attended mass at St Mary's Church, All Saints Church, Wesley Church, Holy Trinity Church, and Millennium Methodist Church. The priests prayed for peace and highlighted the message of Jesus' birth. The Anglo-Indian community in Lalaguda in Secunderabad celebrated Christmas with enthusiasm and in a traditional manner. In Little England, as Lalaguda is known, the community celebrates the festival in their unique style. Cake and wine-making at home is an integral part of the celebrations for the community. Attired in their best, men, women and children attended the midnight services in specially decorated churches. Christian families cut the cakes as part of the celebrations and greeted each other on the occasion. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy attended the Christmas and the centenary celebrations of the historic Church of South India (CSI) at Medak. The Christmas coincided with 100 years of the CSI. The Medak Cathedral Church, the second biggest of its kind in Asia, was constructed between 1914 and 1924. It has been built with granite in the Gothic style with the story of the Bible painted on its stained glass windows. The historic church was illuminated on the occasion. The Christmas celebrations were also held in Khammam, Adilabad and other towns in Telangana. In Andhra Pradesh, the celebrations were held in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Ongole, Kadapa, Bheemavaram and other towns. Christmas celebrations were also held in Andhra Pradesh capital Amaravati. In the Prakasam district, pastors conducted special prayers at the century-old historical church Chirala St Louis Marks Lutheran church. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Governor S. A. Nazeer and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu extended greetings to the people. Khajuraho, Dec 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa River Link Project at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also inaugurated the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project in the Khandwa district of the state virtually. The PM congratulated Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for the completion of one year in office. He also greeted the people of the country on Christmas Day. Addressing a public gathering, PM Modi said Madhya Pradesh has witnessed growth in the past year under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. He said the people of Madhya Pradesh have shown their trust in the BJP because of the good governance of the BJP government. "An analysis should be done on the governance system in BJP-ruling states and the other parties. I believe that BJP ruling states will be on top of good governance," PM Modi said. He said that during the Congress regime, projects used to be announced but most of those projects remained on paper for decades. He said the BJP government introduced every project after considering the future of the country. "I have observed that several projects announced 30-40 years ago, could not be completed. On the side, the BJP government believes in 100 per execution. This is the basic difference between Congress and BJP's governance system," he added. The Prime Minister said he would request the learned people, who are experts in analyzing, should study the 75 years (after Independence) of governance. "...Evaluation should be done once. 100-200 parameters of development, public interest, and good governance should be determined, and then check and analyse the work that was done where Congress, Left and Communists ran the governments and wherever BJP got the opportunity to run the government... I say with confidence that wherever BJP has got the opportunity to serve in the country, we have broken all the old records and have succeeded in carrying out the works of public interest, welfare and development... We toil day and night to make the dreams of freedom fighters come true..." He criticised Congress, accusing it of not paying attention to the water crisis in Bundelkhand and other parts of the country. He said, "The vision of Jal Shakti was dreamed first time by Dr Ambedkar. But, the Congress never gave him credit," PM Modi added. Seven decades have passed since the country became free from British rule, and several states are fighting for water sharing from rivers. He said the Congress governments never paid attention to this important issue. "When Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister, he decided to take Dr Ambedkar's vision for Jal Shakti forward. However, the project derailed after the Congress government returned to power in 2004. Now, the first river linking project is going to start from Madhya Pradesh," PM Modi added. Aizawl/Shillong/Kohima, Dec 25 : Northeastern states were in complete festive mode, with prayers for peace and prosperity being held in hundreds of churches across the region on the occasion of Christmas on Wednesday. Churches, government and private installations, homes, shops, parks, graveyards, and streets were lit up with colourful lights, flowers, and Christian motifs during the past few days. Governors and Chief Ministers of all the northeastern states greeted the people on the occasion. Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and other northeastern states underwent a transformation as Christmas masses were conducted and thousands of buildings comprising government and private were lit up beautifully since Monday. Over six million Christians live in Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya while there are a significant number of Christians in the other northeastern states. State governments in three Christian-dominated states -- Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya -- have announced holidays for several days to enable the people to take part in the festivities. Traditional community feasts are organised on the second day to mark the significance of the occasion. Cutting across religious and party lines, leaders, members of various political parties and people from all walks of life enjoy the celebrations and take part in numerous events. Christmas was also being celebrated in Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim with the participation of non-Christians and people belonging to other religions of all ages and all walks of life. Due to ethnic violence in Manipur, celebrations were somewhat subdued in both valley and hilly regions. Nagaland is embracing the occasion with a blend of religious reverence and festive spirit. Towns and villages alike are aglow with decorative lights, and homes are adorned with Christmas decorations as people commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. State Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio have extended their Christmas greetings to the people, wishing them all peace, joy, and hope. Many churches held midnight masses on Christmas Eve that set the tone for the joyous occasion. The sound of bells ringing and carols filling the air echoed the praise of Lord Jesus, as worshippers gathered in solemn reverence. Dressed in their best attire, people flocked to churches of different denominations for community worship and singing of hymns on Wednesday morning. Delectable feasts are being prepared to regale the Naga spirit and partake in traditional community feasts. Exchange of greetings and gifts, and visits to friends and dear ones are marking the celebration, while some are expressing their goodwill by visiting the houses of people with less privilege. Mountainous Mizoram is known for its vibrant Christmas, with its own unique blend of religious devotion and traditional fervour while December is always a special month in the border state due to Christmas. Churches are decorated with full scale, villages, towns, and offices are decorated with Christmas trees while carols echo in all nooks and corners of the state. Various Church bodies, non-government organisations, including the influential apex civil society Young Mizo Association (YMA) and individuals have donated gifts to the poor and the needy. Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Lalduhoma have led the people of the state in donating funds for various orphanage homes and care centres. Christmas symbolises 'giving' and fosters the spirit of peace and unity. Churches, important installations, streets, homes, towns, and even trees were decorated with colourful lights and other decorative materials in Meghalaya too. Besides a large number of tourists, a large number of people from outside the state gather in Meghalaya while hotel rooms are booked months in advance. The hill stateas picturesque beauty along with festive colourful decorations adds a special charm to the place which is hardly seen anywhere else. Hotel rooms in and around Shillong, including at popular spots such as Police Bazaar, Laitumkhrah and Upper Shillong, have been fully booked for weeks. Homestays and guesthouses in areas such as Mawphlang, Sohra, and Umiam are also doing brisk business on the occasion. Khajuraho, Dec 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused the Congress of 'disrespecting' Dr B.R. Ambedkar and not giving him 'credit' for his vision for the country's progress and his achievements. Addressing a public gathering in Madhya Pradesh's historical city Khajuraho, PM Modi said the Congress always sidelined Dr Ambedkar's vision for the country. He said the party only gave credit to the members of one family. PM Modi, who laid the foundation of the Ken-Betwa river linking project, said Dr Ambedkar was the first leader who gave a vision for 'Jal Shakti' after the country became free from British rule. "Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar had realised the problem of water and he had given a vision for Jal Shakti. But, he wasn't given credit for his vision and his achievements. Congress always disrespected Dr Ambedkar and gave all credit to one family," PM Modi said. He further stated that Dr Ambedkar was aware that without water the country can't progress. "Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee decided to take Dr Ambedkar's vision for Jal Shakti forward and therefore, he dreamed of a river interlining project. However, after 2004, the project got derailed," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister's statement came at a time when BJP and Congress are indulging in a war of words over the recent speech of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament. PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa River linking national project, the countryas first interlinking of rivers project under a national perspective plan. This project aims to provide irrigation facilities to various districts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh benefitting lakhs of farmer families. PM Modi also released a commemorative stamp and coin marking the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He laid the foundation stone of 1153 Atal Gram Sushasan buildings. These buildings will play an important role in the practical conduct of work and responsibilities of Gram Panchayats leading to good governance at the local level. Further, PM Modi inaugurated the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project established at Omkareshwar in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. In his address at the public gathering, PM Modi said Madhya Pradesh has witnessed growth in the past year under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. He said the people of Madhya Pradesh have shown their trust in the BJP because of the good governance of the BJP government. "An analysis should be done on the governance system in BJP-ruling states and the other parties. I believe that BJP ruling states will be on top of good governance," PM Modi said. He said that during the Congress regime, projects used to be announced but most of those projects remained on paper for decades. He said the BJP government introduced every project after considering the future of the country. "I have observed that several projects announced 30-40 years ago, could not be completed. On the side, the BJP government believes in 100 per execution. This is the basic difference between Congress and BJP's governance system," he added. The Prime Minister said he would request the learned people, who are experts in analyzing, should study the 75 years (after Independence) of governance. "...Evaluation should be done once. 100-200 parameters of development, public interest, and good governance should be determined, and then check and analyse the work that was done where Congress, Left and Communists ran the governments and wherever BJP got the opportunity to run the government... I say with confidence that wherever BJP has got the opportunity to serve in the country, we have broken all the old records and have succeeded in carrying out the works of public interest, welfare and development... We toil day and night to make the dreams of freedom fighters come true..." He criticised Congress, accusing it of not paying attention to the water crisis in Bundelkhand and other parts of the country. Mumbai, Dec 25 : Rupali Ganguly, known for her role in "Anupamaa," is spreading Christmas cheer with her delightful posts on social media. Mumbai, Dec 25 (IANS) Rupali Ganguly, known for her role in "Anupamaa," is spreading Christmas cheer with her delightful posts on social media. The actress recently shared some heartwarming photos and videos that perfectly capture the magic of Christmas. Taking to her Instagram handle, Rupali posted a series of happy photos, where she is seen posing joyfully by a beautifully decorated Christmas tree adorned with sparkling lights, shiny ornaments, and a star on top. In other images, Ganguly is seen striking different poses for the camera. The 'Sarabhai vs Sarabhai' actress looked lovely in a red and white saree. Sharing her photos, Rupali wrote, "Christmas vibes and all things nice. Merry Christmas! #bekind #christmas #joyofgiving #blessed #gratitude #rupaliganguly #anupamaa #jaimatadi #jaimahakal." She also shared a few glimpses of her home, beautifully decked out with Christmas decorations. Meanwhile, a few days ago, the actress embarked on a spiritual trip to Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir. She posted a video of her walking barefoot on her journey to seek blessings. Rupali later shared a photo and video of the deities, followed by an image of a local shop. The actress also posted a signboard directing the way to the sacred destination. In terms of work, Rupali Ganguly rose to fame with her role as Manisha in the popular show "Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai." She is also known for her portrayal of Dr. Simran Chopra in the medical drama series "Sanjivani: A Medical Boon." In 2006, she participated in "Bigg Boss 1." After a hiatus of seven years, Rupali returned to television with Rajan Shahi's daily soap "Anupamaa," where she plays the titular role. The show, a remake of Star Jalsha's Bengali series "Sreemoyee," premiered on July 13, 2020, on StarPlus. Since its debut, the show has been ruling TRP charts, making Rupali the highest-paid actress on television. Mumbai, Dec 25 : At a special family gathering, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor's little daughter Raha gave a sweet flying kiss to the camera. Mumbai, Dec 25 (IANS) At a special family gathering, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapooras little daughter Raha gave a sweet flying kiss to the camera. On Wednesday, Alia and Ranbir made a charming appearance with their daughter Raha as they arrived for the Kapoor family's Christmas brunch. The family was spotted arriving at the venue, and in a video that surfaced online, Alia and Ranbir could be seen posing together for the paparazzi. Ranbir can be seen holding his little baby girl in his arms as they posed for pictures. What caught everyoneas attention was little Raha, dressed in a cute white dress, waving at the media. In a heartwarming moment, Raha even blew a flying kiss to the shutterbugs. Alia and Ranbir couldnat help but smile at their daughteras playful gesture. The couple, who rarely share public moments with Raha, seemed to be enjoying the attention while keeping their little one shielded from the paparazzi. For the outing, Ranbir opted for a checkered t-shirt paired with white jeans and shoes. Meanwhile, Alia looked lovely in a red maxi dress. The two were all smiles while posing, with Ranbir seen fulfilling his daddy duties as he held Raha in his arms. Itas worth noting that last year, during the Kapoor Christmas brunch, Ranbir and Alia revealed the face of their daughter Raha to the paparazzi. The Kapoor family's annual Christmas lunch marked Raha's first public appearance. Almost the entire Kapoor clan came together for lunch and clicked their yearly family picture. Aadar Jain was seen with his girlfriend, Alekha. However, last year, Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan did not attend the lunch as they were in London on winter holidays with their kids, Taimur and Jehangir. The Kapoor Christmas brunch, started by the late actor Shashi Kapoor and his wife Jennifer Kendal, is a long-standing tradition known for being an intimate affair with close friends and family. Chennai, Dec 25 : Tamil Nadu sparkled with beautifully decorated churches, illuminated with lights, midnight masses, and worship services on the occasion of Christmas. Large numbers of Christians gathered to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Churches across the state came alive with midnight masses and special prayers, as devout Christians sang carols, offered prayers, and celebrated the spirit of Christmas. To ensure peaceful celebrations, the Tamil Nadu Police made elaborate security arrangements. Churches and public areas saw heightened police presence to manage large crowds and maintain order. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin extended warm Christmas wishes to the people of the state. In his message, CM Stalin said, "I extend my heartfelt Christmas greetings to all Christians who follow the path of love shown by Jesus Christ. Tamil Nadu will continue to be a state where people of all religions live together with equal rights, and the government will work tirelessly to uphold this harmony." AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), also extended Christmas wishes. In a post on social media platform 'X', EPS said, "Do to others as you would have them do to you. I urge everyone to treat one another equally and with love. To all my dear Christian brothers and sisters, I extend my heartfelt Christmas greetings with joy." Beyond the churches, Christian communities organised cultural programmes, charitable events, and feasts to mark the occasion. The streets were adorned with Christmas decorations, and the festive cheer resonated in homes and public spaces alike. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President Vijay also wished the nation a joyous Christmas, emphasising the importance of love, kindness, and peace in everyone's lives. In a social media post, the actor-turned-politician expressed his heartfelt greetings, saying, "As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, I wish you and your loved ones a Christmas filled with warmth, happiness, and tranquillity. May this festive season bring us closer to the values of compassion, empathy, and harmony." Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai also extended his Christmas wishes to believers. In a post on 'X', he said, "Today, I am very happy to have visited the Annai Velankanni Cathedral in Besant Nagar, Chennai, and participated in the Christmas festival. All the brothers and sisters who came to the cathedral made this day special with their warm wishes. I prayed to God that the lives of all the people of Tamil Nadu may be filled with happiness, peace, and love and that equality and brotherhood prevail." Chandigarh, Dec 25 : The annual three-day congregation, officially named 'Shaheedi Sabha', to commemorate the martyrdom of the two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, and his mother Mata Gujri began in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib town on Wednesday. The three were kidnapped when the Sikhs were attacked by Mughal forces in a surprise attack in 1704. On December 26, 1704, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh were bricked alive on the orders of Wazir Khan, the Mughal faujdar of Sirhind, for refusing to renounce their faith. Zorawar Singh was nine years old at the time, while Fateh Singh was only seven. Soon after they were walled up alive, their grandmother Mata Gujri (Guru Gobind Singh's mother) died of shock. Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib stands today at the same place where the two Chote Sahibzades were martyred. The sons are fondly called Sahibzades. Since then the sacred land of Fatehgarh Sahib "is a source of inspiration for not only Sikhs but the entire humanity as tens of thousands converge there every year to pay respect to Chotta Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri on their martyrdom day". The supreme sacrifice made by the younger Sahibzadas at a tender age hardly finds any parallel in world history. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann described the unprecedented and supreme sacrifice by Chotta Sahibzadas along with Mata Gujri as inspiration for the coming generations to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice. The Chief Minister, who paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on Monday, eulogized the supreme sacrifice of Chotta Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri and said these sacrifices were unprecedented in the annals of the history of mankind across the globe. He said the entire Punjab observed this month as the 'month of mourning' as the Chotta Sahibzadas were bricked alive by the tyrant rulers during these days. To manage crowds during Shaheedi Sabha, a strong contingent of 3,200 police personnel has been deployed to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the Shaheedi Sabha. Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla visited Fatehgarh Sahib and reviewed the security arrangements at the spot to ensure that the event would be conducted in a smooth and secure manner in the district. He asked officers to adopt the utmost humble approach towards the "sangat" and work with full dedication and determination to make this even more successful. He told the media that several new initiatives have been implemented by the police to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of the Shaheedi Sabha this year so that the pilgrims would not face any kind of hassle in paying obeisance to the Chotey Sahibzade. A total of 20 parking spaces have been earmarked and shuttle bus service between the parking area and Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib has been expanded to 100 buses for the convenience of the devotees. The entire city has been converted into a one-way traffic route. The area has been divided into five sectors, and a clear VIP route, which also serves as the emergency route, has been delineated. Extensive use of volunteers from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Khalsa Aid, National Cadet Corps (NCC), and other NGOs has been made. Special DGP Shukla said drones have been deployed to monitor traffic and parking arrangements. Six help centres, which include a police desk, an information desk, and medical aid, have also been set up to assist devotees coming from all over the country. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed condolences following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane, Trend reports. "We are deeply shocked by the news of the crash of the passenger plane of Azerbaijan Airlines, which was operating the Baku-Grozny flight. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and wish a swift recovery to the injured," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared in a post on its X page. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying Baku-Grozny, crashed 3 kilometers from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan noted that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the plane that crashed in Aktau. AZAL announced that 67 people - 62 passengers and 5 crew members - were on board the plane Embraer 190, which was on the Baku-Grozny flight that crashed in Aktau. New Delhi, Dec 25 : India recorded 18.89 million international tourist arrivals in 2023 as foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) through tourism last year surged to Rs 231,927 crore, the government said on Wednesday. Foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India during 2023 were 9.52 million and domestic tourist visits (DTVs) were 2,509 million, according to data released by the Ministry of Tourism. The ministry sanctioned a total of 76 projects for an amount of Rs 5,287.90 Crore under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, out of which 75 projects are physically complete. Under this, 40 projects worth Rs 3,295.76 crore were approved under special assistance to states for capital investment (SASCI) for development of iconic tourist centres to global scale across 23 states, and 34 projects were sanctioned for Rs 793.20 crore under the aSwadesh Darshan 2.0a initiative. The Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations following a tourist and destination-centric approach. The Ministry of Tourism has also sanctioned a total of 48 projects for an amount of Rs 1.646.99 Crore under the PRASHAD Scheme, out of which 23 projects have been completed. A total of 65 projects for an amount of Rs 937.56 crore have been sanctioned under the Assistance to Central Agencies Scheme, out of which 38 projects have been physically completed, informed the ministry. The government has formulated guidelines for aChallenge Based Destination Developmenta as sub scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme to enhance tourist experience across all points of the tourist value chain. The ministry said it has selected 42 destinations under various tourism themes for development under the scheme. The aChalo Indiaa campaign was launched to invite Indian diaspora to showcase India to their non-Indian friends worldwide; One lakh free e-visas for foreign tourists visiting India were issued under the campaign. The ministry also unveiled the aIncredible India Content Huba to provide global travel and tourism industry a unified source of content on Incredible India. a"IANS na/ Ulan Bator, Dec 25 : Mongolia has officially commenced the export of live sheep to Uzbekistan, marking a significant step in agricultural trade between the two nations, local media reported on Wednesday, citing the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry. The initiative stems from an agreement made during Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh's state visit to Uzbekistan in June, the ministry said in a statement. During the visit, the two countries' leaders pledged to enhance cooperation in agricultural trade, specifically in the supply of wool, cashmere, leather, meat, and meat products from Mongolia to Uzbekistan and, through Uzbekistan, to other Central Asian markets. As part of this agreement, Mongolia committed to exporting 100,000 live livestock to Uzbekistan, according to the ministry, Xinhua news agency reported. "The agreement has now been officially implemented, and the first shipments have already begun. Since December 21, Mongolia has transported 1,440 live sheep to Uzbekistan on two flights," the ministry said. Promoting livestock husbandry is considered a key strategy for diversifying Mongolia's mining-dependent economy. Mongolia is one of the world's last surviving nomadic countries, where livestock husbandry plays a crucial role in diversifying the landlocked nation's mining-dependent economy. As of the end of 2023, the country had 64.7 million livestock, with goats comprising 38.1 per cent of the total and sheep making up 45.5 per cent, according to the National Statistics Office. The livestock sector is a cornerstone of the Mongolian economy, but frequent outbreaks of livestock diseases pose significant challenges to the industry. Earlier this month, an outbreak of a highly contagious disease affecting sheep and goats was reported in the western Mongolian province of Khovd. "Several cases of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), commonly known as sheep and goat plague, have been confirmed in Bulgan soum (an administrative subdivision) of the province," the Bulgan soum governor's office said in a statement. In October, the southeastern Mongolian province of Dornogovi was placed under quarantine for an undetermined period due to an outbreak of CCPP, as reported by the country's General Authority for Veterinary Services on Thursday. Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP), a severe disease which affects goats, is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma Capricolum Subsp. Capripneumoniae. Approximately 15,000 goats in Khatanbulag and Khuvsgul soums (administrative subdivisions) of the province were estimated to be infected. The authority stated that measures are being implemented to contain the disease, cull the infected goats, and disinfect the affected areas. Notably, CCPP has not been reported in Mongolia since the 1950s, marking a 70-year absence, according to the authority's statement. This highly contagious disease spreads among animals in close contact through infected respiratory droplets. Symptoms in goats include anorexia, fever, and respiratory issues such as dyspnea, polypnea, coughing, and nasal discharge. Srinagar, Dec 25 : J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday carried out a surprise visit to Kashmir's premier healthcare institutions and gave orders on the spot for upgradation & improvement. Conducting surprise inspections of premier health Institutions in Srinagar to gain firsthand knowledge of the facilities and services being provided to patients and their attendants, the Chief Minister visited the Bone & Joint Hospital, Barzulla, one of the regionas top orthopaedic healthcare facilities. During his inspection, he toured various sections and wards, interacting with patients and attendants to understand their concerns. Accompanied by Minister of Health, Sakeena Itoo, senior faculty members and Doctors, he engaged with hospital staff to assess the winter arrangements, treatment facilities and the availability of medical professionals and paramedics. CM Abdullah also inspected the state-of-the-art additional block of the hospital, constructed under the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) with funding from the World Bank. Designed with earthquake-resilient technology, the block will add 160 beds, doubling the hospitalas total capacity from 150 to 310 beds. During his visit, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to expedite the completion of the new block, which is critical for addressing the space crunch caused by a fire incident in 2022 that reduced the hospitalas original capacity of 200 beds. He directed the executing agencies to ensure its swift operationalisation by January 2025 to enhance patient care and to dedicate the facility to public service. The Chief Minister also inspected the 500-bed Childrenas Hospital in Bemina, where he interacted with patients, attendants, and hospital staff. During his visit, attendants from far-flung areas raised concerns about the lack of a Sarai (inn) for their stay. The Chief Minister immediately directed the authorities concerned to construct a aSaraia to accommodate attendants and alleviate their difficulties. As hospital staff highlighted the challenges of expanding super-speciality facilities due to express space constraints, he assured them that their issue would be addressed on priority. He also promised to resolve the shortage of medical staff, including doctors and paramedics, not only at this hospital but across healthcare facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, the Chief Minister instructed hospital authorities to ensure the timely availability of medicines and other essential facilities for patients. During the inspections, Omar Abdullah reiterated his governmentas commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure ensuring better facilities for the public and addressing manpower shortages in health institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister was accompanied during his visits by Health Minister Itoo, the Medical Superintendent of the Childrenas Hospital, senior faculty members and other officials. Nagpur, Dec 25 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday revealed the Mahayuti government's roadmap for five years which includes a home for all under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) to be powered by solar energy. Those who move to these homes will get free electricity as they do not have to pay electricity bills. Besides, the government will implement a 25-year plan for the power sector and will make efforts to lower power tariffs to categories of consumers. "We will conduct transparent governance. Maharashtra will be better off in all sectors," he said during his interaction with reporters here. "The Central government has allocated an additional 13 lakh houses for Maharashtra this year, totalling over 20 lakh homes in a year under the PMAY according to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Nearly 26 lakh people have registered for the scheme, of whom 20 lakh will be provided houses," announced CM Fadnavis. The CM said that 80 irrigation projects from Vidarbha have been completed. In addition, the projects that were stalled for years in Western Maharashtra, Konkan Marathwada and North Maharashtra have been put on track. "We have made great strides in the last five years. I got the opportunity as Deputy Chief Minister in the last two and a half years when the government did good work in the energy and home departments. We even prepared a roadmap for the next 25 years in the energy department. In two years, a situation will come where we will reduce the rates of all types of electricity consumers including industry. We have done so much work. We have undertaken six river-linking projects in irrigation. It is going to change Maharashtra," informed CM Fadnavis. He said that the Maoist-affected Gadchiroli district will emerge as the next steel city in India. "Yesterday, two Naxalites surrendered. We are going to change areas like Gadchiroli. The way investment opportunities are seen in Vidarbha, an industrial ecosystem will also emerge in Vidarbha. All these are challenges. While doing this, we have to implement the schemes that we have started. However, the government is also planning for the resources to be mobilised to ease the financial burden of these schemes," he added. CM Fadnavis said that after the announcement of the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' in the budget in July, the government has deposited Rs 7,500 (Rs 1,500 per month) for July to November to the bank accounts of each of the 2.34 crore eligible women beneficiaries. "However, the opposition had criticized that this was just a carrot shown by the government for the elections and that this scheme would not continue after the Assembly elections. After the Mahayuti reported a landslide victory, it reiterated that the Ladki Bahin Yojana and other welfare and development schemes will continue. The government has started depositing money towards the monthly instalment of December in the bank accounts of the eligible women beneficiaries," he added. "There are many challenges. People do politics at all levels. But if you look at my ten-year tenure, no matter how many challenges I met, I weathered them bravely. I never let power go to my head. I see power as a tool of service. I will never let power go to my head," said Fadnavis. "There are some difficulties and limitations while working. But we have to overcome them and do the work that is in the minds of the people, this is an effort. When I was the Chief Minister in 2014, many people had many doubts. Some people thought that as I had never worked as the minister, how would I perform as the Chief Minister? Some thought that I had a new job. How would my performance be in Maharashtra? People in western Maharashtra thought that a person who constantly talks about the issue of Vidarbha would do injustice to western Maharashtra. But during my five years, I worked for Vidarbha. But I did not allow injustice to be done to any part of Maharashtra," said CM Fadnavis. Taking serious note of the use of technology to create hatred among castes and also cheat the people, CM Fadnavis said that the central and state governments are creating cyber awareness. "Cyber security work is going on. Digital and cyber platforms have been integrated. We have the best tools in the world. Through that, we can quickly expose cyber crimes," said CM Fadnavis. The chief minister said the government will initiate action against those forwarding WhatsApp messages without ascertaining their veracity and substance. The trigger for his statement was the registration of an FIR by the Maharashtra Police's cyber cell against 12 unidentified social media users for posting a "maliciously edited" video of one of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's speeches about Naxalism. "I request everyone with folded hands that not only the one who commits the crime is a criminal, but by forwarding such things, we become accomplices. Such false things should not be forwarded. Until awareness is created, this challenge will remain," he remarked "Cybercrime is a big challenge for all of us. Technology has reached everyone. Some people misuse it. A cyber awareness campaign is being conducted in this regard. We have created the largest cyber platform in the country in Maharashtra. If we wrongly post something on X, WhatsApp, or Facebook, we get its digital footprint. Those who forward false things become accomplices," said CM Fadnavis. He reiterated that people should not forward false things on social media. CM Fadnavis appealed to the opposition not to defame Nagpur while criticising him on the law and order situation. "I have already directed the Nagpur police to take a serious note of every offence and initiate strong action," he said. On the allocation of district guardian ministership among the Mahayuti ministers, CM Fadnavis said the state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule will speak with his counterparts in Shiv Sena and NCP and take a decision. "I am quite keen to become the district guardian minister of Gadchiroli district," he mentioned. Sydney, Dec 25 : Authorities of Australia's state of Victoria have issued an emergency warning to residents in the Grampians mountain range to evacuate as the bushfire conditions continue to worsen. VicEmergency issued a fire warning on Wednesday afternoon to urge residents in Moyston and Pomonal, two towns in western Victoria, to leave immediately as the bushfire at Grampians National Park continues to burn. "There is a bushfire at Grampians National Park, Yarram Gap Road that is not yet under control," said VicEmergency, adding that leaving immediately is the safest option before conditions become too dangerous. VicEmergency also warned in a statement on Wednesday that bushfires burning across Victoria will create Extreme Fire conditions on Thursday, which it describes as the worst across the state since Black Summer in 2019-2020. If fire is rated as Extreme Fire Danger, it will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous. It is predicted that hot and windy conditions will start early from 10 am on Thursday and continue through the day and night until at least Friday morning, Xinhua news agency reported. The fire, which was sparked by lightning on December 16, has burnt through some 41,000 hectares of land as of Monday due to high temperatures and strong wind. Communities and fire crews in Australia have been preparing for several days of extreme bushfire danger. Several out of control fires continued to burn in the southeastern state of Victoria this week despite more favourable conditions for firefighters. With temperatures forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday, Victorians have been advised to brace for catastrophic fire conditions. Residents of communities that were evacuated over the weekend due to the threat posed by a major fire in the Grampians National Park, about 230 km west of Melbourne, were allowed to return to their homes for two hours on Tuesday morning to collect their belongings. Four interstate firefighting task forces and two emergency management teams are expected to arrive in Victoria on Thursday to aid the hundreds of local firefighters who have been working to contain the Grampians blaze. The Country Fire Authority had advised anyone who can avoid traveling through affected areas over the Christmas period to do so. Elsewhere in Australia, several small bush and grass fires in the state of New South Wales have continued to burn but were under control. In South Australia, residents of the outer-southern Adelaide suburb of Onkaparinga Hills were urged to leave on Monday evening as firefighters battled an out-of-control bushfire. The emergency warning was downgraded on Monday night. Jaipur, Dec 25 : Three more individuals, including a severely burnt woman, succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, taking the death in the Jaipur LPG tanker blast to 18. Vijayata (22), a resident of Pratapgarh, passed away at around 4 a.m., and Vijendra (36) from Pawta (Jaipur) died at around 9:30 a.m. Later, Banshilal (35) also succumbed to his injuries at 1 p.m. Vijay and Vijendra had suffered 70 per cent burns. All three were Rajasthan natives, said officials. Currently, 15 patients with severe burns are receiving treatment in the burn ward of the SMS Hospital. The bodies of the deceased have been placed in the hospital mortuary and will be handed over to their families after post-mortem examinations conducted by a medical board. On Tuesday, two more victims, Naresh Babu from Etah (Uttar Pradesh) and Yusuf from Nuh (Haryana), passed away. Dr Rakesh Jain, a plastic surgeon at SMS Hospital, confirmed that a total of 18 people have died so far. Following the deaths of two individuals on Tuesday, three more fatalities were reported on Wednesday-- two in the morning and one in the afternoon. Among the victims were two men and a woman, he added. One critically injured patient is currently on a ventilator, while 15 others remain under treatment. Additionally, five patients have been discharged -- three on Monday and two on Tuesday, he said. The accident occurred near Bhankrota on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway on December 20 in which four people were burned alive on the spot, while eight others died the same day during treatment at SMS Hospital. One death was reported at Jaipuria Hospital. On Tuesday, police interrogated Jaiveer Singh, the driver of the LPG tanker involved in the accident. He revealed that the incident occurred when he made a U-turn to access the ring road at 5.44 a.m. A truck collided with his tanker from behind, leading to the blast. The police have also summoned Anil, the truck owner and a resident of Delhi, for questioning. Jaiveer Singh recounted that he was alone in the tanker at the time of the accident. After realising the severity of the situation, he fled immediately. The gas leak ignited, creating a massive "ball of fire" that spread across the road. Singh managed to reach the ring road and informed the truck owner, Anil Kumar, about the incident before switching off his phone. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the blast and the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident. New Delhi, Dec 25 : Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday backed Kejriwal's charge of 'cash distribution' in his constituency and leveled a direct charge at the BJP leader and former West Delhi MP Parvesh Verma. Addressing the press, the CM claimed that former BJP MP was handing over cash to voters ahead of the impending elections in the capital. Atishi alleged that women voters from slums were being given Rs 1,100 in cash along with pamphlets featuring photos of Parvesh Verma, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She claimed that the distribution was taking place at former BJP MP Parvesh Verma's official residence, 20 Windsor Place. "Women voters were called to Verma's government bungalow. Their voter IDs were checked, a form was filled, and Rs 1,100 was handed over in an orange envelope," Atishi said. She added that the AAP plans to file a complaint with the Election Commission soon. "BJP has been caught red-handed distributing money. Crores of rupees in cash are lying at Parvesh Verma's residence. ED, CBI, and Delhi Police must raid his house immediately to reveal BJP's desperate attempt to win a lost election," Atishi asserted. Parvesh Verma, reacting to the startling allegations, refuted all the charges by AAP leaders and stated that the funds were distributed as part of a welfare initiative by the Rashtriya Swabhiman organisation, established by his father 25 years ago. He explained that the assistance was aimed at helping women from underprivileged communities who lack access to pensions, ration cards, or adequate healthcare. "I am proud to support my poor mothers and sisters. This initiative is not political. It is unfortunate that Kejriwal and Atishi are politicising it," Verma said. Taking a dig at AAP, he added, "At least I am not distributing liquor. During Covid, when Delhi needed hospitals and medicines, Kejriwal was busy distributing free liquor and building his 'Sheesh Mahal.' In contrast, I set up Covid centres, provided oxygen concentrators, and helped save thousands of lives." Verma accused AAP of misleading voters with false promises. He pointed to the recently announced Mahila Samman Yojana, under which AAP promised to provide Rs 2100 to women, post-election. "This is a fraud. Even the Delhi government's own advertisement confirms that no such scheme has been approved. AAP made similar promises in Punjab three years ago but failed to deliver. Why wait until after the elections? Nothing stops Kejriwal from implementing the scheme now," Verma said. He accused AAP of using women's issues as an election stunt. "Women voted for Kejriwal thrice, yet they lack basic amenities like pensions, clean water, and healthcare. I challenge him to match my efforts in helping women. It is unfortunate that the AAP is asking for votes even before implementing it," he added. The war of words highlights the intensifying battle between BJP and AAP ahead of the Delhi elections. While AAP accuses BJP of giving out money for votes, BJP has slammed AAP's promises as 'hollow and hypocritical'. Meanwhile, Atishi has demanded immediate action from law enforcement agencies against Verma, while the latter maintained his pledge to continue his welfare initiatives despite the accusations. Jerusalem, Dec 25 : Israel's air defence systems on Wednesday intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, the Israeli military said in a statement. The projectile "was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory," the military said. Sirens sounded across central Israel "due to the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception," it added. Magen David Adom, Israel's emergency service, said that it had treated at least nine people who were injured on their way to shelters. For the fifth time in a week, millions of Israelis were sent to shelters as Houthi militants in Yemen launched a missile attack, the Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X. Houthi forces have launched sporadic missile and drone attacks on Israel since October last year, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has retaliated with several large-scale airstrikes, the most recent of which occurred last Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported. On Tuesday, the Houthi group had said that it had launched a "hypersonic ballistic missile" at Tel Aviv before dawn, an attack that Israel said it had successfully intercepted. "In support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, we launched a hypersonic ballistic missile at Tel Aviv, targeting a military target," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. He vowed that his group would launch more attacks against Israel and that the US-led airstrikes on his group's targets in Yemen would not stop them. "We are fully prepared and ready to confront the Israeli-American-British aggression (on Yemen)," he said. Earlier on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had intercepted a missile launched by Houthis. The missile, which was aimed at Tel Aviv, triggered air-raid sirens across central and southern Israel, forcing millions of residents to seek shelter just before 2 am local time (0000 GMT). "A projectile launched from Yemen was intercepted prior to crossing into Israeli territory," the IDF said in a statement, adding that the sirens were activated as a precaution due to the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception. The missile attack came just a day after Houthis launched a drone strike on Israel, which was also intercepted, according to the IDF. Guwahati, Dec 25 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday launched a scathing attack at the Congress, alleging that the opposition party has been using B. R. Ambedkar's name only for political gains. CM Sarma told reporters here, "While Congress was in power for many decades, they have named many institutions in the name of the Nehru-Gandhi family; however, they have not named any university in Ambedkar's name." "Forget about a university, did Congress name any school after Ambedkar? The answer is no," he added. Terming the Congress party shameless, CM Sarma said, "With an aim to have political gains only, the Congress leaders have been using B.R. Ambedkar's name. This is such a shameless act being done in the country." The CM also questioned the Congress party for not conferring Bharat Ratna on B. R. Ambedkar. He said, "Congress leaders awarded Bharat Ratna to many people but they did not give it to Ambedkar." CM Sarma also alleged that no Congress office has the portrait of B. R. Ambedkar. "I was in the Congress party for more than 22 years. I have never seen any pictures of Ambedkar in any of the Congress offices," he mentioned. Earlier, Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi claimed that Union Home Minister Shah has not only "disrespected" B. R. Ambedkar in the Parliament but the entire Dalit community. The Nagaon Lok Sabha MP further stated that the Congress party will continue to protest against Union Minister Shah's comments on Ambedkar. Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary, Organisation, K. C. Venugopal had said in a statement, "In continuation of our firm protest against the offensive and disrespectful comments made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah about Babasaheb B. R. Ambedkar, the party has decided to escalate our demand for his resignation." Vientiane, Dec 25 : Laos is working to enhance its tourism sector to attract more visitors and create greater opportunities for local businesses. Soutvimon, a vendor selling handicraft products in Lao capital Vientiane, is optimistic that the booming tourism industry will help create more job opportunities, promote local businesses, and bring long-term economic benefits to communities. "I believe Laos has great potential to boost its tourism industry, which will provide an opportunity for Lao people to improve their livelihoods. As more visitors come to Laos, local businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and souvenir shops are set to benefit," she told Xinhua news agency on Wednesday. She added that the boost in tourism opens doors for her business to reach a larger audience, as foreign visitors are more likely to purchase local products and services. Laos' Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has convened a meeting to evaluate the implementation of the Visit Laos Year 2024 tourism promotion campaign, laying the groundwork for future tourism initiatives. Speaking at the meeting on Monday, Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaket emphasised the government's commitment to tourism as a vital economic sector, highlighting its role in job creation, income generation, and foreign currency inflows, all of which significantly contribute to Laos' economic and social development. Laos is formulating a plan to enhance its tourism sector, focusing on promoting high-quality tourism that meets international standards. Phengchanh, a street food vendor, said, "I believe that as tourism continues to grow, more customers will come, creating higher income and better opportunities for all local vendors like me." "At the same time, we need to focus on the quality of our products and services, because satisfied tourists could return and recommend us to others. The more tourists we attract, the more opportunities there are for businesses like mine to grow and provide employment for local people," he added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. According to the latest data, 32 people survived the recent crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane, Trend reports. Senior prosecutor of the press service of Azerbaijans General Prosecutors Office, Kanan Zeynalov, announced this during a briefing. He noted that the investigation into the crash is ongoing in cooperation with the prosecution authorities of Kazakhstan. Zeynalov emphasized that all possible causes are being explored as part of the criminal investigation. "Relevant expert examinations are being conducted. A task force led by the Deputy General Prosecutor of Azerbaijan has been dispatched to Kazakhstan, and the investigation is continuing," he said. Earlier today, the Embraer 190 passenger plane flying on the Baku-Grozny route crashed 3 km from the Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that there were 37 Azerbaijani citizens on board the plane that crashed in the city of Aktau. "According to preliminary information, there were 37 Azerbaijani, 6 Kazakh, 3 Kyrgyz, and 16 Russian citizens on board the plane," the ministry said. AZAL added that there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board the "Embraer 190" plane that crashed in Aktau, making a total of 67 people. Almaty, Dec 25 : A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said. The Embraer 190 aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport. The ministry reported 28 survivors in the incident, with rescue operations ongoing. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X. According to Kazakh media reports, the passengers on board included 37 citizens from Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, six from Kazakhstan, and three from Kyrgyzstan. The initial cause of the tragedy appears to be a bird strike, Xinhua news agency reported. The MES dispatched 52 personnel and 11 units of equipment to the site, where the aircraft was found to be on fire. The Embraer 190 aircraft is designed to carry between 96 and 114 passengers, depending on its cabin configuration. The aircraft can fly up to 4,500 km. According to FlightAware, the aircraft took off from Baku 11 minutes ahead of schedule. While flying over the Caspian Sea, it issued an emergency signal. Azerbaijani media reported that the aircraft was unable to obtain permission to land in Grozny due to fog, leading it to be redirected to Makhachkala and later to Aktau. Online flight tracking apps showed the plane flying over the Caspian Sea and heading towards its destination, in Chechnya. As the plane entered Russia's territorial borders, it started circling near the airport. Following this, it requested an emergency landing. At 6:28 am local time, the plane crashed a few kilometres away from the airport. According to FlightRadar24, the plane was exposed to "strong GPS jamming, which made the aircraft transmit bad ADS-B data." Azerbaijan Airlines has assured that more information will be provided, while local authorities and emergency services are investigating the crash. Guwahati, Dec 25 : The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police has arrested two more members of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a Bangladesh-based terror group affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), top police official said. Assam Police Special Director General of Police Harmeet Singh said that Abdul Zaher Sheikh and Sabbir Mirdha were arrested from Namapara in Kokrajhar district on Tuesday night. "With the arrest of the two more ABT cadres, the STF achieved a huge success in averting a possible major terror act by fundamentalist/Jihadi elements of a Global Terrorist Organisation (GTO)," he told the media. Earlier, eight ABT operatives were arrested from Assam, West Bengal, and Kerala. After the interrogation of the detainees, a huge cache of arms and ammunition and other war-like items were recovered from the hideout of one of the arrested accused persons. The recovered arms and ammunition include four handmade rifles, that are made to look like AKs, 34 rounds of live ammunition, 24 rounds of blank cartridges, one pair of live un-primed IED with cortex, one hand-made grenade with explosives, one circuit of detonators made out of agricultural equipment, 14 electronic switches, three iron cases used for making of IEDs with 20 iron pieces and plates for causing maximum damage/destruction. The STF as part of 'Operation Praghat' on the intervening night of December 17-18 had apprehended eight ABT operatives across Assam, West Bengal, and Kerala. Among the eight, five were arrested in Assam's Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts, two in West Bengal, and one Bangladeshi national in Kerala. Of the eight arrests, Bangladeshi national Muhammad Sad Radi a.k.a. Md Shab Seikh (32), a resident of Rajshahi in Bangladesh, was apprehended from Kerala. Assam Police Special Director General earlier said that the eight persons were handlers in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and they were working to form 'sleeper cells' in different parts of India and there were plans to assassinate leaders belonging to the Hindu community and RSS, besides undertaking violent and subversive activities in India. The Special DGP said that the 'Operation Praghat' was launched in November after a detailed and prolonged examination of intelligence input regarding the clandestine anti-national activities being carried out by a group of individuals under the direction of Md Farhan Israk, a close associate of Jasimuddin Rahmani. Rahmani, according to the police officer, is the ABT Chief. The operation was launched under the direct supervision of STF Chief Partha Sarathi Mahanta. Earlier this month, the Assam Police STF also arrested five Pakistan-linked terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) members from Kokrajhar and Dhubri. Four JeM operatives have been arrested from Kokrajhar district, while one JeM linkman was arrested from Dhubri district, a police officer said. Bengaluru, Dec 25 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Wednesday that the upcoming public gathering on December 27 on the occasion of the centenary celebration is named "Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Constitution". Speaking at a press conference at the CPEd school grounds in Belagavi, Shivakumar said, "We have declared this area as Mahatma Gandhi Nagar. On December 26, the Congress Working Committee meeting will be held near Gandhi Well, also known as Pumpa Sarovar. In 1924, during the Belagavi Congress session, Mahatma Gandhi presided over the event. Today, it is a matter of pride that Karnataka's Mallikarjun Kharge holds the same position. Karnataka leaders Gangadhar Deshpande and former PM late Jawahar Lal Nehru, then the Congress General Secretaries, organised that session in Belagavi on an 80-acre ground. Now we are conducting the working committee meeting in the same location." "Our leaders then led the freedom struggle, guiding the nation, and achieved independence, becoming revered figures. To commemorate this, we have planned these programmes. This is not just a Congress event but an occasion for all. The working committee meeting will discuss the country's direction and how to strengthen it during these challenging times," the Deputy Chief Minister said. "We have invited members of the party's working committee, current and former Chief Ministers from various states, leaders of legislative parties, Pradesh Congress Committee presidents, MPs, MLAs, party workers from across the state, and the general public to participate," he added. "We have collected records of the 1924 session and will release them as a book tomorrow. On December 26 at 10 a.m., Gandhi's statue will be unveiled at Veer Soudha. A photo exhibition will follow. At 10:45 a.m., a Khadi fair will be inaugurated. At 11:15 a.m., I, along with the Chief Minister, will unveil the Gangadhar Deshpande memorial and inaugurate a photo exhibition of his work. At 3 p.m., the working committee meeting will begin, followed by a dinner hosted by the AICC President at 7 p.m.," Shivakumar said. On December 27, at 10.30 a.m., the statue of Gandhi at Suvarna Soudha will be unveiled by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The Chief Minister will preside over the programme, which will be attended by Speaker U.T. Khader and Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, he added. "Leaders from all parties, local leaders, and all MPs from the state have been invited. Lunch will be hosted by the Chief Minister at noon, followed by a public gathering at 1 p.m.," he said. "In honour of the centenary of the Belagavi session, the electricity department has beautifully illuminated the city. I urge the people of the state, especially those in the Kittur Karnataka region, to witness this decoration. Electric production began in Shivanasamudra of Karnataka in 1904, and during the 1924 Belagavi session, the city was adorned with lights. We have photographs of those decorations, inspired by the Virupaksha Temple style. Similar decorations have been done this time," Shivakumar added. "Seva Dal activists will honourably lead the Congress Working Committee members to the venue through a procession. In the meeting, our leaders will deliberate on various issues and make decisions," he said. "The government and party will celebrate this centenary with the 'Gandhi Bharat' programme throughout the year across the state. Debates will be organised in schools and colleges on Gandhi's principles and values. On October 2, as part of Gandhi Jayanti, we conducted a Gandhi Nadige padayatra and organised a conversation with school children at Vidhana Soudha," he added. On the agenda of the working committee meeting, Shivakumar said, "Our national leaders will decide the topics on the day of the meeting. A draft committee is currently discussing the agenda." Asked if the issue of disrespect to Ambedkar would be discussed, he added, "The convention on December 27 is named 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Constitution.'" Regarding his visit to the Police Commissioner's office, Shivakumar said, "The Home Minister and I visited the Police Commissioner's office. More than 3,000 police officers will ensure security. We discussed traffic control and parking arrangements." On the arrival details of Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi, he added, "We will provide their arrival details shortly. Accommodations have been arranged at the Circuit House and other locations." Asked about including 'Jai Basava' in the convention's name, the Deputy CM said, "We will consider your suggestion." Responding to a query about Gandhi's opposition to alcohol and the ban on liquor in the state, he said, "Times have changed. Earlier, people wore Khadi; now, you wear different clothes." On promoting Khadi, Shivakumar said, "We are organising a Khadi exhibition to encourage its use." Asked about former CM and BJP MP Jagadish Shettar's accusation of not being invited respectfully to the Gandhi statue unveiling, the Congress leader said, "We can lay a red carpet to his home. The Chief Minister personally invited him. Invitation letters included his name. Instead of criticising this programme, he should first address why his government couldn't respectfully conduct the final rites of Union Minister Suresh Angadi when he died during the previous BJP government." He added, "If they truly admire Gandhi, let them organise such programmes. We will support them as servants. Congress will celebrate this programme for a year. Let BJP lead one too." Shivakumar concluded with a strong critique of the BJP, stating, "The BJP cannot claim Gandhi. They lack the history of the freedom struggle, which belongs only to the Congress." New Delhi, Dec 25 : As the country gears up to observe Veer Bal Diwas on December 26, people from across the country, Sikhs in particular, are coming forward to commemorate and honour the unparalleled sacrifice of four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final Sikh guru. The Veer Bal Diwas, observed annually since 2022, on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks the martyrdom of the fearless Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who stood firm in their beliefs and embraced death rather than abandon their faith. Many people in conversation with IANS reflected on the martydom of two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh, who were imprisoned, tortured and ultimately bricked alive at the tender age of 9 and 6 for refusing to convert to Islam during the Mughal rule. Sardar Anand Singh sharing his deep reverence for Guru Gobind Singh, said, "Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru, gave his life to protect the Hindu religion. Guru Gobind Singh, with his four sonsAjit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Fateh Singh, and Zorawar Singhfought numerous battles against the Mughals. The two elder sons, Ajit and Jujhar, fell in battle, while the younger two, Zorawar and Fateh, were captured and forced to renounce their faith. Despite severe pain and torture, they refused, and as a result, were bricked alive. It is their sacrifice that we honour on this day. I am thankful to PM Modi for acknowledging their contributions and keeping their glorious past alive." Govinder Pal Singh, another Sikh said that the sacrifices made by young martyrs truly makes for its observation as 'Veer Bal Diwas.' "It's important for people, especially the younger generation, to understand the magnitude of these sacrifices. Imagine a father who has to witness the martyrdom of his own sons. What Guru Gobind Singh did for his faith and his people is immeasurable. PM Modi is doing a great service by ensuring that these stories are not forgotten. It is inspiring to see that our children are learning about them in schools." Rupinder Kaur, a Sikh woman said, "There has never been a father like him who was willing to sacrifice his own children for the greater good of faith and country. It's so important for the younger generation to understand the depth of this sacrifice. I thank PM Modi for organising programs that teach us the value of these historical events." Several other community members also voiced their desire for a greater public acknowledgement of the day. Maninder suggested that more should be done to mark this important occasion. "These young martyrs sacrificed everything for the nation and religion, and they did so at an age when most children are still learning how to live. Aurangzeb tried to forcibly convert Hindus into Muslim, but Guru Gobind Singh and his sons stood strong. We need a holiday for Veer Bal Diwas on December 26 and 27, not just on November 14." Harpreet Kaur, another community member, shared her thoughts: "Veer Bal Diwas is a reminder of the younger and elder Sahibzadas who gave up their lives at a young age for their faith. Their bravery is an example for us all." Manmohan Singh, another individual from the Sikh community, called for deeper integration of the story of Sahibzadas into the education system. "Veer Bal Diwas should be taught to every child. There should be a dedicated chapter in our history books about the sacrifices made by these martyrs. We are grateful to PM Modi for elevating our religion and ensuring that these stories are told." Notably, the martyrdom of Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh remains a poignant symbol of faith, sacrifice, and resistance to oppression. Their story is a testament to the Sikh principle of standing firm against injustice, no matter the cost. Every year, Sikhs around the world observe Veer Bal Diwas with prayers, processions, and events, reflecting on the courage, strength, and unshakable faith that these young martyrs embodied. Their legacy continues to inspire millions, reminding all of the enduring power of belief and the unyielding spirit of sacrifice for justice and truth. Hyderabad, Dec 25 : Hyderabad police on Wednesday served notice to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy in connection with a case registered against him early this month for threatening a police officer. The MLA from Huzurabad has been directed to appear before Masab Tank police on Friday. The notice was issued a week after the Telangana High Court directed the police to return the MLC's mobile phone, which was forcibly taken from him on December 5. Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy had directed the Station House Officer of Masab Tank police station to issue notice to Kaushik Reddy as per the seizure procedure. The BRS MLA alleged in his complaint that a case was registered against him and his mobile was taken away only to harass him. The public prosecutor had informed the court that the mobile phone was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis as the petitioner alleged to have conspired against the government. The court was also told that the petitioner and his followers behaved in an unruly manner in the police station and prevented police officers from performing their duties, due to which the police had taken over the mobile phone of the petitioner. Kaushik Reddy was arrested on December 5 for threatening the Station House Officer at Banjara Hills Police Station. He was granted bail the same day. A case against Kaushik Reddy and his supporters was booked on a complaint by Circle Inspector Raghavendra, who alleged that the MLA threatened him and tried to obstruct him in the discharge of his duties. The incident occurred when the MLA along with about 20 supporters went to Banjara Hills Police Station to lodge a complaint that his phone was being tapped. When the MLA was coming to the station, the Circle Inspector was going out and Kaushik Reddy insisted that he should leave only after taking his complaint. When the police officer told him that he was going for some urgent work and would take the complaint on his return, the MLA vented his ire. Kaushik Reddy had a heated argument with the police official and told him that when a MLA comes to the police station, it is the duty of the SHO to receive him properly. He was heard threatening the police officer. The MLAas supporters stopped the SHOas vehicle and raised slogans. The SHO came back and took the complaint from the MLA. Later, the police registered a case against Kaushik Reddy on a complaint by the SHO. The case has been registered for the offences of unlawful assembly; using force to obstruct the duties of a public servant; criminal intimidation; wrongful restraint, public nuisance and rioting against Kaushik Reddy and others. Kolkata, Dec 25 : The West Bengal Police on Wednesday arrested one more person in connection with the racket of arranging fake Indian passports for Bangladeshi infiltrators entering Indian territory through the state's porous borders, both land and coastal. The arrested person, identified as Mokhtar Alam, was arrested from his residence at Duttapukur in North 24 Parganas district. Several incriminating documents, including fake PAN cards and bank ATM cards, have been seized from his possession. With Alamas arrest, the total number of arrests in connection with the fake passport rackets from different pockets in the state during the last 10 days has increased to six. A senior official of the state police said that the investigating officials got information about Alamas involvement in the racket by interrogating the five arrested earlier in connection with the fake passport racket scam. Alam had prior criminal antecedents and he had been arrested a number of times in the past because of his involvement in illegal and anti-social activities. The investigating officials expect to secure information about others involved in the racket by interrogating him. They have identified a pattern in the operations of such rackets engaged in arranging fake Indian passports for the Bangladeshi infiltrators. Any infiltrator illegally crossing over to the Indian territory, contacting the local agents and showing willingness to pay out hefty amounts for getting fake Indian identity documents are first provided with safe shelters at different villages adjacent to the borders with Bangladesh in the state. Thereafter, the agents first arrange for fake ration cards for them which is the first step for making other identity documents. By virtue of these, other identification documents like EPIC, PAN, and Aadhaar cards are arranged. The last step is getting the fake passports on the basis of the other fake identity documents. Bengaluru, Dec 25 : The Karnataka BJP on Wednesday asked the Congress government in the state to take action into the egg attack on party MLA N. Munirathna Naidu or face consequences. BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra said, "If strict action is not taken against the criminals who attacked Munirathna and if attempts are made to cover up the issue, the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should be prepared to face the appropriate response. This is a warning I wish to convey." "In the Congress government, a situation has arisen where there is no protection for people's representatives. Goons are targeting BJP MLAs and attacking them. The case of the attack on MLC C. T. Ravi at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi was taken lightly by the government, encouraging Congress-backed goons to attack our MLA Munirathna today," Vijayendra said. This incident is extremely disgraceful and condemnable, he underlined. "If even public representatives, who are supposed to ensure the protection of the people, are not safe, it raises serious concerns about the safety of ordinary citizens. It seems Congress is steering the state towards a lawless and anarchic condition," he slammed. "Whatever accusations may exist against MLA Munirathna, they should be addressed within the framework of justice. However, the emergence of a situation where an elected MLA is plotted against and attacked in broad daylight is a deeply concerning development," Vijayendra said. An egg was hurled at BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu in Bengaluru on Wednesday morning, after which he blamed Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar for the incident. The incident occurred when Munirathna along with a large number of supporters arrived in Laxmidevinagar of RR Nagar Constituency to attend an event on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sources said that stones were pelted at his vehicle. Presently, Munirathna is being treated at the hospital. Speaking to media persons, Munirathna said: "Deputy CM Shivakumar and his brother and former Congress MP D. K. Suresh attacked me, as they want to make local Congress leader Kusuma Hanumantarayappa the MLA in my constituency." "This is an acid attack on me. The attackers filled acid inside the egg and attacked me," MLA Munirathna stated. Munirathna, who was jailed in connection with the alleged rape and honey-trapping case and lodged at the Central Prison in Bengaluru, was released on bail after a month. Suresh alleged that Munirathna was trying to infect his adversaries with HIV and that the government should investigate the matter. Gurugram, Dec 25 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday emphasised the importance of sensitivity and empathy in government administration, urging officers to view their roles as an opportunity to uplift society and ease the hardships of the common people. CM Saini made the remark while addressing the State-level Governance Day programme in Gurugram on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna awardee and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Chief Minister urged the officers to view each case with compassion, stating that when someone approaches their office with a problem, they should not simply see it as a piece of paper. Instead, they should recognise it as a symbol of the individual's pain and hardship. He said: "If we can understand the story behind that paper, we will have truly succeeded in our efforts towards good governance." The Chief Minister also paid tribute to Bharat Ratna awardees Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee on their birth anniversaries, reflecting on their monumental contributions to the nation. He said: "Today's day is not only a memorable occasion for all of us, but it also inspires us to strengthen our commitment towards building a better and more empowered nation." "Atal Bihari Vajpayee's leadership was truly transformative for India. His vision and policies were pivotal in shaping the country's progress on both domestic and international fronts. His leadership laid the foundation for the India we see today, and it is this vision of a 'Vikist Bharat' that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is dedicated to realising," the CM said. Chief Minister Saini said: "When our government assumed the responsibility of public service in 2014, we launched a campaign of governance reform, transitioning from good governance (Sushasan) to service (Sewa)." He said that the success of such a campaign depends on 'Niyat' (intent), 'Nishtha' (commitment), and 'Niti' (policy). For good governance, he said, there must be a genuine intention to serve, and the policies must be designed in a way that leaves no room for corruption. "On the strength of Niyat, Nishtha, and Niti, our government is successfully realising the true essence of good governance," said CM Saini. The Chief Minister said that in a bid to curb irregularities in land registration, the government has introduced the online issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various departments, boards, and corporations, which are required during registration. Additionally, the Web-Halris system has been implemented statewide to ensure transparency and accuracy in land records, he said. New Delhi, Dec 25 : The political storm surrounding the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government's welfare schemes intensified on Wednesday as the state Women and Child Development Department disowned the Mahila Samman Yojana, sparking a war of words between the ruling party and the opposition BJP. The scheme, which promised Rs 2,100 per month to women, was labelled as "fraudulent" by BJP leaders, who accused former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of misleading the public with false promises. Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, slammed Kejriwal and the AAP for spreading misinformation. Speaking to IANS, Gupta said: "On one hand, Kejriwal is making promises about schemes that don't exist, and on the other, they are misleading the people of Delhi. It's nothing short of cheating. They're using OTPs to scam citizens. If the Delhi government is issuing an advertisement saying that there is no such scheme, Kejriwal should explain why AAP continues to speak about it." He also accused the government of enabling cyber scammers by allowing such fraudulent claims to persist. Gupta went on to predict a looming defeat for AAP in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. "BJP hasn't even released its candidate list yet, and Kejriwal is already in panic mode, fearing his defeat," he said, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva also joined the chorus of criticism, calling out Kejriwal for 'lying' about the existence of the Mahila Samman Yojana. "Kejriwal is spreading lies. There is no such scheme; it doesn't exist in any legislative Bill or Assembly session. They have exposed him. The Sanjeevani Yojana and Mahila Samman Yojana schemes are purely fictional," he said. "By promoting these schemes, Kejriwal is either collecting personal data from citizens or preparing for a future scam." Sachdeva's remarks come after the Delhi government's Women and Child Development Department itself disowned the Mahila Samman Yojana and issued a clear statement denying any involvement in collecting personal data or issuing cards under the programme. The department categorically stated that it had not authorised anyone to collect personal data from elderly citizens or distribute any cards related to the scheme. "Any individual or political party claiming to offer benefits under the Mahila Samman Yojana is acting fraudulently and without any authority," the statement read, further emphasising that there was no official scheme by that name. Meanwhile, in a press conference earlier in the day, Kejriwal accused the BJP of orchestrating a 'dirty conspiracy' to undermine his government and its leaders as the Delhi Assembly elections approach. Kejriwal's claims were in response to the BJP's continuous attacks on his government, particularly surrounding the alleged fraudulent schemes. Kejriwal recently launched the registration process for two key welfare schemes the Sanjeevani Yojana and the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana aimed at providing health coverage and financial support to vulnerable groups in Delhi. Bhopal, Dec 25 : On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Madhya Pradesh including the Ken-Betwa Link Project. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said that once the Ken-Betwa Link Project becomes a reality, it will open new doors of prosperity and happiness in the Bundelkhand region and other districts of Uttar Pradesh including Banda, Mahoba, Lalitpur, and Jhansi will also benefit from it. A couple of farmers from the Bundelkhand region, speaking to IANS, voiced their excitement as well as optimism about their future because of the key river-interlinking project. "Under this scheme, common people will be able to get adequate water, which will strengthen their economic condition. Along with this, the yield of crops will also increase," said farmer Vinod Kumar Lodhi. Vinod Kumar, another farmer said, "The project will prove beneficial for the farmers of eight districts of the entire Bundelkhand region." Ram Gopal Gupta, sharing his opinion, said, "I have been troubled by water woes but now with this scheme, crop yield will increase and prosperity will come into our lives." He also thanked the Prime Minister for giving a green signal to the scheme. Envisaged under the ambitious river-linking campaign, the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) aims to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna, via a 221-km canal that includes a 2-km tunnel, with an aim to provide water to huge swathes of land amounting to 11 lakh hectares. The work of lower and major projects under the Kenwa-Betwa Link National Project is going on at a fast pace. The total cost of this project is Rs 2,208 crore, and 40 per cent work has been completed so far. The remaining work is targeted to be completed by 2026. In the second phase of this project, an irrigation facility will be provided through high pressure (mico method) in 253 villages of Shivpuri and Datia districts. Under this scheme, irrigation will be done in 1,10,400 hectare area, which will benefit about 53,790 families. Additionally, 6 million cubic meters of water in the project's dam will be secured for drinking water. This will provide clean drinking water to approximately 1,65,000 population of 33,000 families in 125 villages of Pichor tehsil. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Embassy of Belgium has expressed condolences over the crash of the AZAL airplane flying Baku-Grozny, Trend reports. We express our deep condolences to the families of the victims of this terrible tragedy and wish a speedy recovery to the victims, the publication of the Belgian Embassy on X reads. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan were on board the plane that crashed in Aktau. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane, the information of the ministry said. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Dec 25 : Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) met on Wednesday at the residence of BJP President J.P. Nadda to discuss political strategies and governance priorities, sources said. During the meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed concerns about alleged constitutional violations and the perceived disrespect towards Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, by the Congress. HM Shah claimed that Congress had initially remained silent during his speech in the Rajya Sabha but later edited and misrepresented his statements to create a political narrative, sources said further. He further alleged that a toolkit was used to amplify these claims maliciously. The NDA leadership deliberated on countering such narratives and emphasised focusing on implementing government policies effectively, sources added. Shah highlighted the importance of addressing issues constructively rather than getting entangled in controversies initiated by the opposition. According to sources, discussions also touched upon historical grievances, with Shah talking about the imposition of the Emergency by the Congress government without obtaining the President's signature. BJP chief Nadda and Amit Shah commended the coordination among NDA allies during the winter session of Parliament. Nadda described the discussions held on the commemoration of the Constitution as meaningful and stressed the need for continued alignment among NDA members. The meeting also outlined strategies for improved coordination among the NDA partners. A plan was discussed where cabinet ministers and ministers of state would work closely with MPs to address their concerns and provide assistance. It was decided that NDA leaders would meet regularly and issue unified statements on key issues to maintain collective focus. Key attendees included TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Ministers Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (TDP), Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (Janata Dal-United), Anupriya Patel (Apna Dal-S), H.D. Kumaraswamy (Janata Dal-Secular), and Jitan Ram Manjhi (Hindustani Awam Morcha). Other prominent participants included Rashtriya Lok Morcha President Upendra Kushwaha and Bharath Dharma Jana Sena President Thushar Vellappally. The meeting reaffirmed the NDAas commitment to governance and unity in the face of political challenges. Amritsar, Dec 25 : Five Sikh high priests, headed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, on Wednesday pronounced religious punishment, also known as "tankhah" for Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami for allegedly making offensive remarks against Bibi Jagir Kaur, a three-time chief of the gurdwara management body. This voluntary punishment comes less than a month after Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Badal was held guilty of religious misconduct by the high priests. The former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister was ordered to clean utensils and shoes in gurdwaras, including the holiest of all Sikh shrines, Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and complied. Earlier in the day, SGPC chief Dhami appeared before the Akal Takht here and held a meeting with the Akal Takht Jathedar before appearing before the high priests, who asked him to wash dishes and clean shoes of the devotees for an hour each in the Golden Temple. Soon after the religious punishment was pronounced, the SGPC chief, who accepted the directive, underwent the religious punishment in the Golden Temple. Earlier Dhami had apologised for using foul language and submitted an apology letter to the Akal Takht. Before the religious punishment, Punjab State Women Commission Chairperson Raj Lali Gill had issued a notice to the SGPC President for allegedly making offensive remarks. Gill had stated that the commission took suo-motu cognisance of an audio recording circulating on social media, in which Dhami purportedly used offensive and demeaning language during a telephonic conversation with a journalist. "The remarks were not only personally defamatory but also disrespectful to women as a whole," she had said, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue. The commission had underlined that Dhami, as the head of a revered institution like the SGPC, is expected to uphold the highest standards of respect and dignity. "Such language is unbecoming of his office and sends a damaging message to society," she had added. Dhami appeared in person and submitted a written explanation to the commission, which was yet to pronounce its decision. Bibi Jagir Kaur had also appeared before the commission and demanded that Dhami should face legal action after admitting his mistake of using foul language. aHe should not be allowed to go scot-free," she had said. Sanaa, Dec 25 : Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility on Wednesday morning for launching a long-range 'ballistic missile' toward Tel Aviv. "Our missile force bombed a military target in Tel Aviv by using a hypersonic ballistic missile," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. "Our military operations against Israel will continue until the aggression on Gaza stops and the siege on it is lifted," he said. Earlier in the day, Israel's air defence systems intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, the Israeli military said in a statement. The projectile "was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory," the military added. Sirens had sounded across central Israel "due to the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception", it further noted. Magen David Adom, Israel's emergency service, reported treating at least nine people who were injured while on their way to shelters. For the fifth time in a week, millions of Israelis were sent to shelters as Houthi militants in Yemen launched a missile attack, the Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X. Since October of the previous year, Houthi forces had launched sporadic missile and drone attacks on Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. In retaliation, Israel had carried out several large-scale airstrikes, with the most recent occurring last Thursday. On Tuesday, the Houthi group claimed to have launched a "hypersonic ballistic missile" at Tel Aviv before dawn, an attack that Israel said it had successfully intercepted. "In support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, we launched a hypersonic ballistic missile at Tel Aviv, targeting a military target," said Houthi military spokesperson Sarea in a statement aired by al-Masirah TV. He vowed that his group would launch more attacks against Israel and that the US-led airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen would not stop them. "We are fully prepared and ready to confront the Israeli-American-British aggression (on Yemen)," he said. The IDF on Tuesday said that it intercepted a missile launched by the Houthis. The missile, aimed at Tel Aviv, had triggered air-raid sirens across central and southern Israel, forcing millions of residents to seek shelter just before 2 am local time (0000 GMT). Chennai, Dec 25 : A 37-year-old man has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the rape of a female student here inside the campus of Anna University in the early hours on Wednesday, an official said. The accused was identified as Gnanashekaran, a roadside briyani vendor based here. The incident occurred during the early morning hours when the victim and her male friend were returning to campus after attending prayers at a nearby church. Both were intercepted by two men on a secluded stretch. The attackers assaulted the male student and sexually assaulted the female student. The girl was allegedly dragged to a nearby shrub where she was raped. A complaint was subsequently filed at the Kotturpuram police station, and both students were admitted to a private hospital for treatment. Senior police officers immediately rushed to the scene to oversee the matter. Sources said a hunt is on to nab the other accused. The incident that happened in the heart of Chennai sent shockwaves across the state, and triggered protests by students and stinging criticism by opposition parties and even allies of the ruling DMK. Tamil Nadu unit BJP president K. Annamalai, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused, wrote on X: "Tamil Nadu, under the DMK government, has become a breeding ground for unlawful activities and a haven for criminals. Women donat feel safe in the state anymore, as the police are kept busy by the ruling administration to silence the opposition." The Greater Chennai Police have come under severe criticism following the incident. Authorities had earlier claimed to have implemented foolproof security measures for Christmas celebrations, deploying over 8,000 officers on duty. Police sources said inquiries have been conducted with the survivor and her friend, and an investigation was underway. This brutal incident comes amid ongoing criticism of the DMK government over the state's law and order situation. It may be noted that a third-year college student with mental health issues was allegedly raped by a group of 10 men over a period of 10 months. Four of the accused have been arrested so far. The case came to light after the victim's father, a single parent working as a loader, filed a complaint with the Chintadripet All Women Police Station, which was later transferred to the Egmore Police Station. The father discovered obscene material on his daughteras phone and questioned her about it. Initially evasive, the girl later revealed that she had been repeatedly raped by a group of men who took her to various lodges and other isolated locations. Based on the survivoras statement, police have registered a case under nine sections, including those dealing with the rape of women with mental or physical disabilities and kidnapping. Preliminary investigations revealed that the survivor met three of the suspects through a mutual college friend in October last year. The men allegedly raped her at multiple locations. She also reported being assaulted by others she met via a social networking application. New Delhi, Dec 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended Hanukkah greetings to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and to Jewish people in India and around the world. PM Modi posted two messages on X, in English and Hebrew, to greet the people on the festive occasion. "Best wishes to PM Netanyahu and all the people across the world celebrating the festival of Hanukkah. May the radiance of Hanukkah illuminate everybodyas lives with hope, peace and strength. Hanukkah Sameach!" wrote PM Modi. Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu also wished everyone, including Israel President Isaac Herzog, on the auspicious occasion. "I extend my warmest greetings to President Isaac Herzog and people worldwide on the auspicious occasion of Hanukkah," the President of India posted on X. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, currently on an official tour of the United States, also wished everyone on the occasion, including his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar. "Warmest Hanukkah greetings to FM Gidon Saar, friends in Israel, and those celebrating it around the world. May the wonderful occasion bring hope, health and happiness in everyone's lives. Chag Sameach!," posted EAM Jaishankar. Referring Jaishankar as a "dear friend", the Israeli Foreign Minister thanked him for Hanukkah wishes and "kind words". Hanukkah, or "dedication" in Hebrew, commemorates both the 164 BCE rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the ruling Seleucid (Syrian Greek) Kingdom, under Antiochus IV a" and the re-establishment of religious freedom for the Jewish people after a period of harsh repression. The success of the popular revolt led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers has, ever since, symbolized the Jewish people's fight for, and achievement of, its liberty and freedom as a nation against overwhelming odds. The festival is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah (or hanukkiah). One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Ankara, Dec 25 : Turkey's National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) "neutralised" a senior member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq, allegedly before an attack on the Turkish forces in the region. Firat Serihan, who was wanted by Turkey, was 'neutralised' in a pinpoint strike in Iraq's Gara region without specifying the time frame of the operation, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday, quoting anonymous Turkish security sources. Turkish authorities often use the term 'neutralise' in their statements to imply the alleged terrorists have either surrendered, been killed, or been captured. According to Turkish public broadcaster TRT, Serihan and other militants preparing to attack Turkish security forces in Gara were neutralised during the operation. Serihan allegedly personally planned and directed attacks against Turkish security forces in northern Syria in 2016. He is also accused of supplying weapons and ammunition to operatives seeking to carry out attacks in the Turkish military's Pence-Kilit Operation Zone in northern Iraq. The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades. Turkey regularly conducts military operations in northern Iraq, where the group has headquarters and hideouts. Earlier on November 27, Turkey's MIT neutralised a senior member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in an operation in Iraq. Sadiye Muhammed Ahmed, codenamed "Hevi," was reportedly 'neutralised' in a pinpoint strike in northern Iraq's Sinjar region. She had allegedly been active in the PKK's activities in Syria and Iraq since 2001, according to the report. In a separate operation by the Turkish military in northern Iraq targeting the PKK, eight other PKK members were killed in the Gara and Metina regions, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. Srinagar, Dec 25 : J&K Police said on Wednesday that it has arrested nine drug peddlers from various districts of the Kashmir Valley and recovered various narcotic substances from them. "In its tireless efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, police have arrested nine drug peddlers in various districts of Kashmir Valley and recovered contraband/psychotropic substances from their possession," a police statement said. It said that in Srinagar, a party of police station Nowhatta, during routine naka checking at Ganj Baksh Park, apprehended two drug peddlers identified as Khalid Ahmad son of Mohd Ismail Rather, a resident of Rashan Ghat, Soura, and Basit Ahmad Dar, son of Bilal Ahmad Dar, a resident of Usmaniya Colony, Wantpora, Eidgah. During their search, a substantial quantity of contraband substances was recovered from their possession. In Baramulla district, a police party of police station Baramulla, at a checkpoint established at Azadgunj Chowk Baramulla, intercepted a person identified as Mubashir Mohiuddin Dar, son of Gh Mohiuddin, a resident of Azadgunj. During a search, 200 grams of Charas were recovered from his possession. He was subsequently arrested. Meanwhile in Bandipora, during naka checking at Papachan bridge, officials of police station Bandipora apprehended a drug peddler and recovered 47 bottles of codeine phosphate bottles from his possession. He has been identified as Irshad Ahmad Wani, son of Habibullah Wani, resident of Hajin. Similarly, during naka checking at Shokbaba Sumlar, another drug peddler was arrested along with 40 grams of charas were recovered from his possession. He has been identified as Ab Rashid Sheikh, son of Sonaullaha Sheikh, a resident of Arin. Moreover, a police party, at a checkpoint established at Check Chandergeer, intercepted a vehicle, bearing registration no. JK15C-0747, being driven by Mohmad Aqib Wani, son of Gh Mohd Wani, a resident of Hajin. During a search, 98 bottles of codeine phosphate were recovered from his possession. The driver has been arrested and the vehicle used in the commission of crime has also been seized. In a similar action by Sopore police, a party of police post Putkha, at a checkpoint established at Trumgund Crossing, arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Aamir Farooq Dar, son of Farooq Ahmad Dar, a resident of Ningli Sopore and Javaid Ahmad Gujri alias Diya Goor, son of Ghulam Nabi Gujri, a resident of Jamai Qadeem Sopore. During a search, 20 grams of brown sugar were recovered from their possession. In Kupwara, a police party intercepted a motorcycle bearing registration no. JK05D-5529, travelling towards Trehgam, at a checkpoint established at Batergam near the petrol pump, The motorcyclist, identified as Mohd Anwar Raina, son of Mohd Israiel Raina, resident of Amroohi, Karnah, Kupwara, tried to flee from the spot but was apprehended. During a search, 14 grams of brown sugar were recovered from his possession. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused was allegedly carrying the contraband substance to promote drug abuse among the youth of Kupwara, posing a serious threat to the well-being of the society. Regarding these incidents, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective police stations, and investigations have been initiated. "Tackling the menace of drugs is a collective responsibility, and we urge everyone to support the J&K Police in this vital effort to protect our society," the statement said. Jaipur, Dec 25 : A Pakistani intruder was shot dead by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district when he was attempting to cross over to Indian territory near a village in the Kesarisinghpur area. The incident was confirmed by Superintendent of Police Gaurav Yadav. He said that the intruder was identified as Abdul Gaffar, a 33-year-old resident of Minchinabad, Pakistan. He was carrying Pakistani Rupees 1,700 (around Rs 518). SP Yadav told IANS: "The body of the intruder has been handed over to Kesarisinghpur police after Pakistan refused to take his body in the flag meeting. The name of the intruder is written as Abdul Gaffar on the identity card found with him. He is a resident of Minchinabad. His age is mentioned as 33 years." The police officer asserted that the BSF personnel had reportedly warned the intruder as he approached a border pillar, but he ignored the warnings, prompting the BSF troopers to open fire. Items recovered from him included Pakistani currencies, a cigarette packet, and other belongings. Despite a flag meeting, Pakistani authorities refused to claim the body, which has since been handed over to the Kesarisinghpur police. The police and army are actively investigating the incident. An ID card written in Urdu was found on the intruder. The incident site, located about 50 km from Sri Ganganagar district headquarters, was difficult to access due to dense fog, delaying police arrival until around 12 noon on Wednesday. The intruder was dressed in a kurta and pyjama with his face covered. BSF officials have stated that further action will follow a postmortem examination. Kesarisinghpur SHO Jitendra Swami noted that additional details, including the purpose of the intrusion and recovered items, cannot be disclosed at this stage. A similar incident happened 10 months ago in Sri Ganganagar, when another intruder was shot dead while attempting to cross the wire fencing from Pakistan into the buffer zone near Sundarpura Border Outpost (BOP). The area, largely agricultural land, remains under strict surveillance by security forces. Hyderabad, Dec 25 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday said that Medak Cathedral Church, which is celebrating its centenary, has national recognition. He participated in the centenary celebrations of the church in Medak and conveyed greetings to the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas. The Chief Minister stated that the government released adequate funds for the development of the church. Revanth Reddy recalled that he had visited the church as the state Congress chief, sought blessings, and vowed that he would come back as the Chief Minister. "Today, I am visiting the church to celebrate Christmas and also centenary celebrations of the church along with the devout," he said. Asserting that the Congress government is for the poor, the Chief Minister said Dalit and tribal Christians will be the biggest beneficiaries of the Indiramma housing scheme. These communities are also benefiting from the 200 units of free power scheme. Lauding the Christian missionaries, the Chief Minister said they focussed on education and medicine. Inspired by their service, the Congress government introduced fee reimbursement and Rajiv Arogyasri, he said. The church, which is one of the most visited in South India, was illuminated with colourful lights. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma had participated in the centenary celebrations of the church on December 22. A large number of Christians from Telangana and neighbouring states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh participated in the celebrations. Medak Cathedral was built by British missionary Charles Walker Fasnet. During a famine, he initiated the construction of the church under a "food for work" programme to provide employment and prevent starvation deaths. The church was constructed between 1914 and 1924 and during this period, the workers were compensated with paddy. Consecrated on December 25, 1924, it is the single-largest diocese in Asia and the second-largest in the world after the Vatican. Medak Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop in Medak for the Church of South India comprising Wesleyan Methodist, Congregational, and Anglican missionary societies. The church complex is an architectural marvel spread over more than 300 acres. The is 100 feet wide and 200 long and conforms to the Gothic Revival style. It can accommodate about 5,000 people at a time. The mosaic tiles were imported from Britain and Italian masons were engaged in laying the decorative flooring. The bell tower is 175 feet high and visible from a few miles. According to information on the Medak district website, massive pillars built with fine-hewn and well-dressed grey stone support the gallery and the whole edifice. The roof of the church is made sound-proof by means of hollow sponge material and has an impressive style of vaulting. The biggest attraction of the Cathedral is its stained glass windows depicting different scenes from Christ's life Ascension behind the altar, Nativity in the west transept, and Crucifixion in the east transept. This magnificent Cathedral is the quintessence of impeccable craftsmanship and attracts more than 30 lakh tourists every year. Kolkata, Dec 25 : Former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee and his close associate Arpita Mukherjee have been shown as the highest beneficiaries in the total scam amount of Rs 151.26 crore in the cash-for-school job case in the records of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as elaborated in its fifth and last supplementary charge sheet. As per the supplementary charge sheet filed at a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Kolkata, of the total amount of Rs 151.26 crore confiscated by the ED so far, the combined share of proceeds of Chatterjee and Mukherjee in the entire amount is Rs 103.78 crore. The confiscation is in terms of cash and gold seized and immovable property attached. The second highest confiscation amount in the matter, as mentioned by the ED in its records, is that of a private corporate entity linked to another prime accused, Sujay Krishna Bhadra, where the confiscation amount is Rs 7.47 crore. Apart from that, as the agency informed the special court, another amount of Rs 2.70 crore linked to the same corporate entity is in the process of confiscation. The other major beneficiaries in the case, as per the records of the ED are private promoter Ayan Shil and now-suspended youth Trinamool leaders Kuntal Ghosh and Shantanu Bandopadhyay. The combined confiscation amount involving the last three individuals mentioned is Rs 15.03 crore. Subsequent charge sheets filed by ED in the school job case have named a total of 54, out of whom 29 are individuals and the remaining 24 are corporate entities and trusts. These trusts were mainly used to divert the scam proceeds in the matter under the masquerade of donations. One such trust, as mentioned by the ED in the records, is the Babli Chatterjee Memorial Trust, which is named after the deceased wife of Partha Chatterjee. Besides Chatterjee, his son-in-law Kalyanmoy Bhattacharya has also been shown as an accused in the case. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has issued a statement regarding the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, which was en route from Baku to Grozny, Trend reports. "On 25 December, the Embraer 190 aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines, with operating flight number J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, was directed to Aktau due to an emergency landing requirement and crashed near the city. The causes of the accident are being investigated. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members. According to preliminary information, 32 people have been identified as survivors. Some of them are in critical condition. Following the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, a state commission chaired by Prime Minister Ali Asadov has been established to investigate the causes of the plane crash. Moreover, per the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a delegation led by the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as the Minister of Digital Development and Transport, departed for Kazakhstan in connection with the tragic accident. The Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aktau has been operating at the scene since the first moment of the accident. Emergency rescue agencies are taking urgent operational measures in coordination with the Kazakhstani side. Hotlines related to the accident: AZAL (+994) 12 5048280 (+994) 12 5048202 (+994) 12 5048203 Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aktau +77087127016 Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan: +7 7172 559621 +7 7292 319091 We pray for Allah's mercy on those who died in the accident and for the recovery of those injured, reads the statement. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Bhopal, Dec 25 : On former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 100th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several major development projects in Madhya Pradesh, including the highly anticipated Ken-Betwa Link Project. Bhopal, Dec 25 (IANS) On former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeeas 100th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several major development projects in Madhya Pradesh, including the highly anticipated Ken-Betwa Link Project. The event marked a significant milestone in the regionas development, with PM Modi highlighting the transformative potential of these initiatives, particularly the river-linking project, for the Bundelkhand region and surrounding districts in Uttar Pradesh. Addressing a large gathering, PM Modi said that once the Ken-Betwa Link Project is completed, it will open new doors of prosperity and happiness for the people of Bundelkhand. The project, aimed at improving water availability and irrigation facilities, will also benefit neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh like Banda, Mahoba, Lalitpur, and Jhansi. The project is expected to have a profound impact on the local economy, especially for the farming communities in the region. Several farmers from the Khajuraho area expressed their excitement and optimism for the future, telling IANS about how the project would resolve long-standing water scarcity issues and improve their livelihoods. One farmer commented: "Itas great news for all of us that PM Modi has initiated this project. All the issues we faced in the past regarding water supply will be resolved now." Another farmer added: "I feel good that PM Modi visited our region. This scheme will benefit all farmers, and I am hopeful for a better future." The enthusiasm was not limited to farmers alone. Local people across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh expressed their gratitude for the project, which promises to bring long-term benefits to the region. One resident from the Ghode Dam area in Madhya Pradesh said, "Today, PM Modi has launched a Rs 44,500 crore water-related plan. This is a fantastic initiative, and we are excited about its implementation." Echoing the sentiment, another resident from Khajuraho said: "Only PM Modi could have undertaken such an ambitious project. He has fulfilled the dream of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and this will create jobs and improve the lives of all of us." The launch of the project has given local communities a sense of hope, with many seeing it as a long-awaited opportunity for the development of Bundelkhand, an area that has long struggled with water scarcity. The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP), a crucial part of India's river-interlinking initiative, aims to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna. This 221-km canal, which includes a 2 km tunnel, will provide irrigation water to over 11 lakh hectares of land. The total cost of the project is Rs 2,208 crore, and 40 per cent of the work has already been completed, with the remaining work expected to be completed by 2026. As part of the projectas second phase, high-pressure irrigation facilities will be introduced in 253 villages in Shivpuri and Datia districts. This will provide irrigation to 1,10,400 hectares of land, benefiting approximately 53,790 families. Additionally, the project will secure 6 million cubic meters of water for drinking purposes, ensuring clean water for about 1.65 lakh people across 33,000 families in 125 villages in Pichor tehsil. The Ken-Betwa Link Project promises to bring lasting change to the region, fulfilling the dreams of both Atal Bihari Vajpayee and PM Narendra Modi by ensuring sustainable development and improved livelihoods for the people of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The local communities, farmers, and residents are already looking forward to the positive impact the project will have on their daily lives. Kolkata, Dec 25 : West Bengal Doctors' Forum, an association of medical practitioners in the state, on Wednesday, sent an email communique to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to rename Dorina Crossing, a popular protest point in central Kolkata, as 'Abhaya Crossing'. The junior doctor of Kolkata-based R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital who became the victim of a brutal rape and murder within the hospital premises in August this year is referred to as "Abhaya" since the legal system of the country bars revealing the identity of any rape or rape and murder victim. According to the leader of the forum, the meaning of "Abhaya" is not restricted to the dictionary meaning that it refers to a brave woman. Rather, pointed out one doctor, the name "Abhaya" now symbolises movement for justice, security and honour. That is why, he added, they want the name of 'Dorina Crossing' to be changed to "Abhaya Crossing". Currently another association of doctors namely the West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors is currently holding a protest at Dorina Crossing which will continue till Thursday. The protest is against the failure of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to present the supplementary charge sheet against the two accused of tampering with the evidence in the case. Recently, a 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 as CBI failed to file the supplementary charge sheet against them within 90 days from the date of their arrests Both Ghosh and Mondal were accused of misleading the investigation and tampering with the evidence while the initial investigation in the matter was being carried out by Kolkata Police. This week, a report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CSFL) surfaced, which has created doubts about the "scene of crime" in the rape and murder case. On the morning of August 9, 2024, the body of the victim was spotted at the seminar hall within the hospital premises of R.G. Kar and Hospital, accordingly, first the Kolkata Police and then CBI carried out the investigation considering the seminar hall as the "scene of crime". However, a report that CGSL has submitted to the CBI agency, has clearly stated that there is no evident sign of scuffle within the seminar room, sources aware of the development said. In fact, the CSFL report strengthens the apprehension raised by the section of the medical fraternity in the state since the beginning that the actual "scene of crime" was someplace else and after the rape and murder, the body was shifted to the seminar hall to mislead future investigation. Jaipur, Dec 25 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on Wednesday that cooperative societies across the country will boost prosperity in the state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced the launch of 10,000 newly formed Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (M-PACS), Dairy, and Fisheries Cooperative Societies across the nation to commemorate the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These initiatives aim to bolster the rural economy by ensuring the efficient availability of resources and services at the grassroots level. The event also saw the participation of Chief Minister Sharma, who addressed the audience via video conference from a parallel state-level ceremony at Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur. Certificates of registration were distributed to selected cooperative societies, including Ghevar PACS from Alwar district, represented by its President Ramesh Chand Sharma. Chief Minister Sharma highlighted the role of cooperatives in achieving good governance and empowering citizens. Marking former PM Vajpayee's birth centenary as 'Good Governance Day', the Chief Minister announced the establishment of Atal Gyan Kendras in every gram panchayat to create awareness and employment opportunities for rural youth. He affirmed the government's resolve to address cooperative sector challenges and strengthen the movement with new cooperative codes, for which a dedicated committee has been formed. Rajasthan boasts 8,000 Gram Seva Cooperative Societies actively serving rural farmers, he said. The state government aims to integrate more women into these societies, promoting economic empowerment, he added. Under the Sahakar Se Samriddhi Abhiyan, dairy committees and their members will be linked with cooperative banking systems, enabling the provision of interest-free crop loans, CM Sharma said, adding, "This year, the government has set an ambitious target of Rs 23,000 crore in crop loans for 35 lakh farmers." Chief Minister Sharma proudly declared Rajasthan a leader in forming new M-PACS and Dairy Committees. These initiatives are opening new avenues of self-reliance for farmers and livestock keepers through RuPay KCC cards, micro-ATMs, and other resources, he said. CM Sharma concluded by reiterating the government's commitment to enhancing the cooperative movement and uplifting farmers and livestock farmers through crop loans and other initiatives. Speaking at the Sahakar Se Samriddhi Abhiyan event in New Delhi on Wednesday, Amit Shah emphasised that these multipurpose PACS will significantly enhance rural facilities and expedite economic development. Amit Shah credited former PM Vajpayee for bringing cooperatives to the forefront of India's development. He lauded former PM Vajpayee's visionary leadership in strengthening the nation through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and the Kisan Credit Card Scheme. Cairo, Dec 25 : Ahmed Enaba, a master of Middle Eastern dish Shawarma and a Syrian by birth, embarked on a new chapter in Egypt in 2016 when he opened a restaurant in October City, a bustling hub near Cairo. His culinary creations, a fusion of Syrian flavours and Egyptian hospitality, quickly won over the local palate, turning his eatery into a cherished community spot. "I always dream of having my own place," said Enaba, a 32-year-old with a proud gleam in his eyes. "It's truly a blessing to see it come to life here in Egypt." A militant alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham waged a major military operation from northern Syria on November 27. It swept southwards, captured the capital Damascus, and overthrew former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government within 12 days. Following the recent power shift in Syria, Enaba started to feel the pull of his hometown, Aleppo. But the middle-aged man has already cultivated a deep-rooted life in Egypt, which he holds dear. "This is my home now. I have built a life and a future here," he said. Yet, his heart remains tethered to Syria, and he envisions a day when he can contribute to its revival by opening a branch of his restaurant in Aleppo once the situation becomes more stable. "I want to be part of the solution to bring jobs and hope back to my people," he said, his voice resolute. To make that possible, Enaba plans to split his time between Egypt and Syria, nurturing his businesses and contributing to both communities at the same time. "Egypt has given me so much, but I also want to give back to Syria," he said. When Enaba first set his foot on Egypt, "the gift of the Nile," he was struck by the generosity of the Egyptian people, who offered him shelter and guidance. "I was overwhelmed by their kindness," Enaba recalled. "They made me feel like family. I found work quickly, and with the support of the local community and government services, I was able to establish my restaurant." Enaba said he cherishes the friendships he has forged with Egyptian colleagues and customers, sharing laughter and stories over plates of steaming Shawarma. "I will never forget what the Egyptian people have done for me," he said earnestly. According to the International Organisation for Migration, Egypt is home to 9 million migrants and refugees, including 1.5 million Syrians, among whom is Khaled Omar, who has been living on the other side of Greater Cairo for 10 years. Omar, a Syrian tailor with a passion for design, has also carved out a successful life for himself in Egypt. His wedding dress shop, nestled in the bustling downtown area, is a haven of creativity and craftsmanship. "I pour my heart into every dress," Omar, a 38-year-old father of three, told Xinhua news agency. "Each one is a dream come true." "Cairo has been good to me. I have built a successful business and a good life here," Omar said. Still, the latest developments in Syria have rekindled his dream of returning to his beloved hometown of Damascus. "Damascus is in my blood," he said, his voice filled with yearning. "I can almost smell the scent of my mother's cooking filling our Damascus home." He envisions walking the familiar streets, inhaling the intimate scents of spices and jasmine, embracing his family after years of separation, and contributing to the rebuilding of his war-torn city. "I want to be part of its rebirth," he said, already considering how he can contribute to Syria's economy after he returns. "Maybe I will open a workshop in Damascus. I may share my skills and create jobs." Omar said his heart will always hold a special place for Egypt. "I will never forget the kindness I have experienced here. This is my second home, and I will always cherish it." Omar is particularly grateful for the opportunities he has been given in Egypt, where he felt welcomed and supported from the moment he arrived. He credited Egypt for allowing him to live and work freely, build a life and a career, and integrate into the society. "Egypt gave me a chance to rebuild my life. I was able to live like any other Egyptian, with no restrictions, and for that, I am eternally grateful," he said, with a touch of warmth in his voice. Baku, Dec 25 : Azerbaijan has declared Thursday a national day of mourning for the victims of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane operating a Baku-Grozny flight. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an official order to observe the day of mourning in response to the tragedy on Wednesday. Aliyev, who was in Russia's airspace en route to St. Petersburg for a summit at the time, ordered his flight to return upon learning of the accident. The aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) has reported 28 survivors, while rescue operations are underway. There were 67 people onboard, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X, Xinhua news agency reported. Kazakh media said the passengers aboard included 37 citizens from Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, six from Kazakhstan, and three from Kyrgyzstan. The initial cause of the tragedy appears to be a bird strike. The MES dispatched 52 personnel and 11 units of equipment to the site, where the aircraft was found to be on fire. The Embraer 190 aircraft is designed to carry between 96 and 114 passengers, depending on its cabin configuration. The aircraft can fly up to 4,500 km. According to FlightAware, the aircraft took off from Baku 11 minutes ahead of schedule. While flying over the Caspian Sea, it issued an emergency signal. Azerbaijani media reported that the aircraft was unable to obtain permission to land in Grozny due to fog, leading it to be redirected to Makhachkala and later to Aktau. Online flight tracking apps showed the plane flying over the Caspian Sea and heading towards its destination, in Chechnya. As the plane entered Russia's territorial borders, it started circling near the airport. Following this, it requested an emergency landing. At 6:28 am local time, the plane crashed a few kilometres away from the airport. According to FlightRadar24, the plane was exposed to "strong GPS jamming, which made the aircraft transmit bad ADS-B data." Azerbaijan Airlines has assured that more information will be provided, while local authorities and emergency services are investigating the crash. Jerusalem, Dec 25 : Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Israeli forces will remain in Gaza and maintain "security control" over the Palestinian territory, raising concerns that the latest round of ceasefire talks may face further deadlock. During a visit to a buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border, Katz said "security control in Gaza will remain in the hands of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)." He stated that Israeli forces would remain in "security zones, buffer areas, and control positions" within the Gaza Strip, describing the measure as necessary "to ensure the safety of (Israeli) communities." "There will be no Hamas government here, nor a Hamas military -- a new reality will emerge thanks to the ongoing fighting," Katz added. The minister's comments came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and Hamas accused each other of delays in reaching a Gaza ceasefire agreement, each claiming the other had introduced new demands. A key demand by Hamas has been an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, which has been devastated by Israel's heavy bombardment and airstrikes. In a press statement, Hamas said the talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, were "progressing seriously." However, it accused Israel of introducing "new conditions related to the issues of the withdrawal (from Gaza), the ceasefire, the prisoners, and the return of the displaced people." These conditions, Hamas claimed, caused "the delay in reaching an agreement that was within reach." In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement denying Hamas's accusations. The statement said Hamas had backtracked on understandings already reached and was "hindering the negotiations" On Tuesday, Israel recalled its delegation from the talks in Doha, stating that the team had been involved in a week of "meaningful" discussions. "The team is returning for internal consultations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations for the return of our hostages," the office said, Xinhua news agency reported. The team included senior officials from the Mossad, Shin Bet security agency, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the coastal Palestinian enclave and the length of the ceasefire have been key sticking points in previous failed negotiation attempts. Hamas seeks to end the war entirely, while Israel insists on removing Hamas' control over Gaza before any resolution and maintaining a military presence in the Palestinian enclave even after the ceasefire. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said that "there has been progress" in efforts to secure a ceasefire-for-hostages deal with Hamas, but cautioned that the timeline for reaching an agreement remains unclear. Speaking before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu said, "I do not know how long it will take," while vowing to "continue to act in every possible way until we bring everyone home." Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also outlined parts of the deal during a closed meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, describing it as "a phased, gradual framework." Israel's Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli told Kan Reshet Bet public radio that there had been "some" progress toward an agreement, adding that the sides are closer to a deal than in recent months. He said the initial phase would be "a humanitarian phase," involving a 42-day ceasefire and the release of some hostages. "This ceasefire could last six months or 10 years, depending on the dynamics that develop on the ground," Chikli said. Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. Aizawl, Dec 25 : New Mizoram Governor General (retd.) Vijay Kumar Singh is likely to take charge next week, replacing Hari Babu Kambhampati, who was appointed as Governor of Odisha by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, sources from the Raj Bhavan said on Wednesday. Sources said that Kambhampati is now in Andhra Pradesh and is likely to return to Aizawl on Friday and then move to Odisha to take up his new role. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Wednesday expressed thanks to both the outgoing Governor Kambhampati and Governor-designate General (retd.) V.K. Singh. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said: "I sincerely thank Hari Babu Kambhampati for his dedicated service as Governor of Mizoram and wish him success as the Governor of Odisha. A warm welcome to General (retd.) VK Singh on his appointment as Mizoram's new Governor. We look forward to his leadership ahead." Kambhampati, a former teacher at Andhra University Engineering College for 24 years, was appointed as the Mizoram Governor in 2021. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has stepped down as Odisha Governor and President Murmu has accepted his resignation. The newly appointed Mizoram Governor General (retd.) V.K. Singh was born on May 10, 1951. He served as the 24th Chief of Army Staff and after retiring from the Indian Army, he entered politics and was elected as a Member of Parliament from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on a BJP ticket in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first term, he served as the Minister of State for External Affairs, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), and Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation. In PM Modi's second term, he held the portfolios of Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation. --IANS sc/khz New Delhi, Dec 25 : British-Indian novelist Salman Rushdie's controversial novel 'The Satanic Verses' has quietly reappeared in India, 36 years after it was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government under pressure from religious groups. A limited number of copies of the book, which ignited protests worldwide due to its perceived blasphemous content, have been available for purchase at Bahrisons Booksellers in New Delhi in recent days. Talking to IANS, a buyer says, "This is a very famous book, people haven't heard about it. I feel a personal connection to this book because the author, Salman Rushdie, hails from my region, Kashmir. Secondly, the turmoil it caused worldwide is remarkable. There was even a 'Fatwa' issued against him. Over time, however, it seemed to have faded from public focus. This morning, I read in the papers that it is back in the limelight. Salman Rushdie has been a liberal. He has been an intrepid voice, I won't say, against Islam. He has been a seeker of truth. So, I don't see it as an agenda. It is an intellectual exercise and perhaps more relevant in today's time in India. Yes, every religion can be analysed, especially certain religions where nobody wants to talk about it. To that extent, I feel it is the right time for a social change and for all those politically motivated people to understand that there is no politics behind it and they need to see that every religion has good and bad and one needs to talk about it." Another buyer at the bookshop says, "The importance of knowledge always remains in life, no matter what kind of knowledge it is. It doesn't matter whether it is historical or otherwise. The most important thing is that I believe knowledge is neither new nor old and it should be accepted whenever it is found. But the most important point is that we felt from the beginning, why was this book banned? This book is by an author who is famous worldwide and has been honoured with many awards, so why was it banned? Now, we will have to read it to understand. The book is in our hands, so we should read it." Another reader says, "I remember when I was an assistant editor at 'The Statesman' in Calcutta when this book was prohibited. What they did was prohibit the import of this book, and I was fortunate enough to have one of the early copies. I came specifically to buy this copy as a memento of the book being available once again. It's very important. It's important to stand up for free speech, it's important to stand up for writers irrespective of whether you agree with them or you don't agree with them, irrespective of whether your politics and their politics agree with each other. So, the whole idea is that I wanted to capture this moment. Unfortunately, India, under Rajiv Gandhi, was the first country in the world to proscribe 'The Satanic Verses'. It holds that dark distinction. It became the first country in the world to ban the book, and that's why it is important that the book should be available once again. I am so delighted that the book is available once again." "It's quite infamous, so to say, but I believe until and unless you read it, you won't really understand what the problem was or what was there to hide about it. So, it's often something enlightening when some, you know, books like these come under your eye, and then you want to read it," says a reader. New Delhi, Dec 25 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday and discussed some key issues related to the state. Chandrababu Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a key ally of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, is understood to have requested the Prime Minister to give priority to Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget. The meeting at the Prime Minister's residence lasted for more than an hour. The TDP Chief, who is leading the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, briefed Prime Minister Modi about the development works undertaken during the last six months. The Chief Minister also apprised him of the progress made in the construction of Polavaram, which is a national project. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma and TDP Parliamentary Party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu accompanied Chief Minister Naidu. Earlier, the Chief Minister also met Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss the pending railway projects in the state. Union Ministers from the state and the MPs were also present during the meeting. Chandrababu Naidu also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He is also scheduled to meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss state-specific issues. The TDP Chief also attended the meeting of NDA leaders at the residence of BJP President J.P. Nadda. The Chief Minister began his day by offering tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Samadhi. He accompanied Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah and other top BJP leaders. CM Naidu also took to X to pay his tributes to former PM Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a visionary leader and a true Bharat Ratna who dedicated his life to the service of our nation. A statesman par excellence, he championed democracy, dialogue, and consensus-building, leaving an indelible mark on India's democratic fabric. Atal ji was an astute parliamentarian and a poet at heart. He led the nation with exceptional foresight, paving the way for transformative reforms that propelled India toward global leadership in pivotal sectors such as IT, telecom, defence, infrastructure, and space. His unparalleled contributions have shaped the course of our nation's democratic history and future," he said. "I remain deeply grateful for the privilege of working under his guidance, particularly his support for my vision of transforming Andhra Pradesh into an IT powerhouse. May his legacy continue to inspire us, and may we always strive to uphold his principles and realise his vision for a prosperous India," the TDP leader added. New Delhi, Dec 25 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Ministry of Home Affairs said in a post on X: "The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, called on Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today." Earlier on Wednesday, CM Naidu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed some key issues related to the state. Chandrababu Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a key ally of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, is understood to have requested the Prime Minister to give priority to Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget. The meeting at the Prime Minister's residence lasted for more than an hour. The TDP Chief, who is leading the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, briefed Prime Minister Modi about the development works undertaken during the last six months. The Chief Minister also apprised him of the progress made in the construction of Polavaram, which is a national project. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma and TDP Parliamentary Party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu accompanied Chief Minister Naidu. Earlier, the Chief Minister also met Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to discuss the pending railway projects in the state. Union Ministers from the state and the MPs were also present during the meeting. Chandrababu Naidu also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He is also scheduled to meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss state-specific issues. The TDP Chief also attended the meeting of NDA leaders at the residence of BJP President J.P. Nadda. The Chief Minister began his day by offering tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Samadhi. He accompanied Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah and other top BJP leaders. CM Naidu also took to X to pay his tributes to former PM Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The recent report of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) jet disaster has profoundly startled and saddened us, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Azerbaijan, Pauline Eizema, shared in a post on her X page, Trend reports. "We express our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones," the Ambassador said. Earlier today, the Embraer 190 passenger plane flying on the Baku-Grozny route crashed 3 km from the Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that there were 37 Azerbaijani citizens on board the plane that crashed in the city of Aktau. "According to preliminary information, there were 37 Azerbaijani, 6 Kazakh, 3 Kyrgyz, and 16 Russian citizens on board the plane," the ministry said. AZAL added that there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board the "Embraer 190" plane that crashed in Aktau, making a total of 67 people. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 25 : M.T. Vasudevan Nair, the doyen of Malayalam literature and Jnanpith Award winner, passed away at a private hospital in Kozhikode, Kerala. He was 91. Fondly known as MT, he is considered one of the greatest writers in Malayalam and served as the editor of Mathrubhumi Weekly, a well-circulated periodical from Kerala. A Padma Bhushan awardee, MT was an iconic figure in Malayalam literature and cinema. His contributions left an indelible mark on both fields, earning him recognition as one of the most celebrated writers in the Malayalam language. MT won four National Film Awards for screenplay writing and directed seven films while scripting approximately 54 others. His screenplays, now available in book form, are considered essential reading for aspiring filmmakers. Over the years, he received numerous prestigious accolades, including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Ezhuthachan Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, and O.N.V. Literary Award. In 2013, he was honoured with the J.C. Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema. In 2022, he received the inaugural Kerala Jyothi Award, the highest civilian honour bestowed by the Kerala Government. MT was awarded the Jnanpith, Indiaas highest literary honour, in 1995 for his outstanding contributions to literature. In October this year, MT made headlines when gold ornaments were stolen from his residence while he and his wife were away. The police later recovered the items, implicating a domestic helper in the theft. MT had started writing from a very young age. He was inspired by his elder brothers, who wrote time and again in several literary journals, and poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri who was his senior in the high school. MT initially wrote poems but not for a long time, as he switched to prose writing. A recipient of the Padma Bhushan, MT was a towering figure in Malayalam literature and cinema. His contributions left an indelible mark on both fields, cementing his place as one of the most celebrated writers in the Malayalam language. MT won four National Film Awards for screenplay writing and directed seven films while scripting approximately 54 others. His screenplays, now published in book form, are considered essential reading for aspiring filmmakers. Over the years, he received numerous prestigious accolades, including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Ezhuthachan Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, and O.N.V. Literary Award. In 2013, he was honoured with the J.C. Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema. In 2022, he received the inaugural Kerala Jyothi Award, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the Kerala government. He was awarded the Jnanpith, India's highest literary honour, in 1995 for his outstanding contributions to literature. MT's works continue to resonate deeply, offering profound reflections on life's complexities and human emotions. A literary giant and cinematic visionary, his passing marks the end of an era. Yet, his legacy will forever remain etched in the hearts of countless admirers and in the annals of Malayalam literature and cinema. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep condolences on MTas passing. The state government has announced two days of official mourning on December 26 and 27. Bengaluru, Dec 25 : Commenting on the preparations for the centenary event of Mahatma Gandhi taking over as the Congress President in a session held at Belagavi in 1924 to launch the Independence struggle, the party's National General Secretary (Organisation) and Congress MP, K.C. Venugopal, said that the grand old party is geared up for mega celebrations scheduled to be held on December 26 and 27. Taking to social media account X, Venugopal said, "We are all geared up for the two-day mega celebrations in Belagavi, as we commemorate the centennial anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's taking over of the Congress Presidency." "Walking in his footsteps, we will be holding a Nava Satyagraha to reiterate our commitment to his principles, as well as the Constitution and the path shown to us by Babasaheb Ambedkar. We will also be holding a 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally along with the extended Congress Working Committee meeting over the next two days," he added. "As the primary opposition to this fascist regime, it is our duty to continuously remind the people of India about how we are fighting on the right side of history, against those who seek to destroy the essential ethos of Indian democracy. We look forward to an enriching two days ahead," he said. In honour of the centenary of the Belagavi session, the State Electricity Department has beautifully illuminated the city. The Congress leaders have urged the people of the state, especially those in the Kittur Karnataka region, to witness this decoration. Electric production began in Shivanasamudra of Karnataka in 1904, and during the 1924 Belagavi session, the city was adorned with lights. The Congress has photographs of those decorations, inspired by the Virupaksha temple style. Similar decorations have been done this time as well. Earlier, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Wednesday that the upcoming public gathering on December 27 on the occasion of the centenary celebration is named "Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Constitution". Shivakumar said, "We have declared this area as Mahatma Gandhi Nagar. On December 26, the Congress Working Committee meeting will be held near Gandhi Well, also known as Pampa Sarovar. In 1924, during the Belagavi Congress session, Mahatma Gandhi presided over the event. Today, it is a matter of pride that Karnataka's Mallikarjun Kharge holds the same position. Karnataka leaders Gangadhar Deshpande and former PM late Jawahar Lal Nehru, then the Congress General Secretaries, organised that session in Belagavi on an 80-acre ground. Now we are conducting the working committee meeting in the same location." "Our leaders then led the freedom struggle, guiding the nation, and achieved independence, becoming revered figures. To commemorate this, we have planned these programmes. This is not just a Congress event but an occasion for all. The working committee meeting will discuss the country's direction and how to strengthen it during these challenging times," the Deputy Chief Minister said. "We have invited members of the party's working committee, current and former Chief Ministers from various states, leaders of legislative parties, State Congress Committee presidents, MPs, MLAs, party workers from across the state, and the general public to participate," he added. "We have collected records of the 1924 session and will release them as a book tomorrow. On December 26 at 10 a.m., Gandhi's statue will be unveiled at Veer Soudha followed by a photo exhibition. At 10:45 a.m., a Khadi fair will be inaugurated. At 11:15 a.m., I, along with the Chief Minister, will unveil the Gangadhar Deshpande memorial and inaugurate a photo exhibition of his work. At 3 p.m., the working committee meeting will begin, followed by a dinner hosted by the Congress President at 7 p.m.," Shivakumar said. On December 27, at 10.30 a.m., the statue of Gandhi at Suvarna Soudha will be unveiled by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. The Chief Minister will preside over the programme, which will be attended by Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader and Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, he added. Hyderabad, Dec 25 : In a move to repair strained ties with the Telangana government in the wake of row over stampede at a theatre during premier show of Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa 2', representatives of the Telugu film industry will meet Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday. Megastar Chiranjeevi, who is also uncle of Allu Arjun, Venkatesh and Allu Arjun's father and producer Allu Arvind are likely to be part of the delegation. Telangana State Film Development Corporation chairman and well-known producer Dil Raju confirmed that they will meet the Chief Minister at 10 a.m. on Thursday. He said they had sought an appointment with the Chief Minister, and they received the confirmation on Wednesday. He was talking to media persons at KIMS Hospital, after visiting the child, who was injured in the stampede at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4. He clarified that the meeting with the Chief Minister is being organised on behalf of Film Development Corporation. Dil Raju said actors, director and producers would be part of the delegation. "We have communicated to all. Those who are available in the city will attend the meeting," he said. "All will come," he said when asked if Allu Arjun's father and producer Allu Arvind would be part of the delegation. Dil Raju said he would act as a bridge between the film industry and the government. "The meeting will discuss issues related to the film industry," he said. When asked if they would discuss the issue related to the stampede and the decision of the government not to allow benefit shows and increase in cinema ticket rates for new releases, he said there would be clarity after the meeting. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Minister for Roads & Buildings and Cinematography Komatireddy Venkat Reddy will also be present during the meeting. Dil Raju, who had also visited the hospital on Tuesday, said they were happy over the fast recovery of Sri Tej. He said Allu Arjun, Mythri Movies and director Sukumar have given Rs 2 crore for the family of Revati who died in the stampede. Her son Sri Tej was critically injured. Dil Raju said he would make sure that the money is utilised to secure the future of the boy, his sister and their father. Patna, Dec 25 : A man running a private school in Bihar's East Champaran district was gunned down allegedly by his neighbour on Wednesday. The deceased, Mohammad Irshad, a school operator from Rampurwa village under Dumaria Ghat police station, suffered gunshot injuries in his head and back when his neighbour, Mohammad Shahabuddin, allegedly shot him. Following the attack, Irshad managed to reach his uncle's house, but the gate was closed. Villagers, with the assistance of the district police, took Irshad to a private nursing home in Motihari for treatment where he succumbed to the injuries. Cops from Dumaria Ghat police station and Chakia SDPO reached the scene after receiving the information. "The police have initiated an investigation into the matter. We have also called the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team to aid in the probe. Efforts are underway to apprehend the attacker," said Swarn Prabhat, Superintendent of Police, East Champaran. The police said that Irshad was on the way to his school when neighbour Shahabuddin approached him and fired at close range. Despite gunshot injuries, Irshad managed to reach his uncle's house and collapsed. Shahabuddin reached there and shot on his head. After committing the crime, he fled from the scene. During the investigation, it appeared that Mohammad Irshad had an underlying history of discord with Shahabuddin, stemming from a prior dispute over the construction of a balcony. Irshad and Shahabuddin had a recent disagreement related to the removal of a balcony from Shahabuddin's house. Their buildings are situated next to each other. The matter had previously been resolved through a Panchayat intervention, and both parties were reportedly living harmoniously afterwards. "Despite the resolution of the initial conflict, tensions may have persisted, potentially contributing to the incident," Prabhat said. The police are actively investigating the incident, including any possible motives tied to past disputes. "We have recovered the dead body and sent it for the autopsy. An FIR of murder under the relevant sections of Bhartiya Nyay Sahita (BNS) was registered at Dumaria Ghat police station. Raids are on to nab the accused," Prabhat said. Aizawl, Dec 25 : Mizoram Police have arrested seven members of a Village Defence Party (VDP) in connection with killing a 31-year-old man near Aizawl over allegations of stealing money, officials said on Wednesday. A police official said that on Sunday, police arrested two VDP members and five more persons were arrested from different places during the past three days. The police have registered a case of culpable homicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following a complaint filed by the victim's mother Nunthangmawii. Police said that David Lalmuanpuia, a daily wage earner of Tuirial Airfield locality, on the outskirt of Aizawl and his friend Lalduhsaka, 20, were reportedly beaten by VDP members after a pastor alleged to the vigilantes that Rs 26,000 was stolen from quarters by the burglars while he was attending church service on December 18. Lalmuanpuia's mother Nunthangmawii alleged that the VDP members took her son from their house on December 18 night after getting a complaint from the pastor. She claimed that the VDP members questioned her son for several hours and constantly assaulted him mercilessly, leading to his death. "I pleaded for mercy to the VDP members and the pastor as well to intervene, but none listened to me," the victim's mother told the police and the media. After prolonged questioning and assault, Lalmuanpuia was found unconscious in the VDP room and was shifted to the hospital in Aizawl late on December 18 night. According to Nunthangmawii, her son succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of December 19. She said that though her son took drugs sometimes, he was not involved in the theft case as he had been at home when the theft reportedly took place. Expressing his regret over the killing of the 31-year-old man, Union Home Minister K. Sapdanga urged those involved in community work not to take the law into their hands and act within its framework. The incident has rocked the state leading to public outrage, with many demanding stringent punishment for the lynching and blaming the pastor for allegedly failing to respond to the victim's mother's plea. Meanwhile, the Centre for Environment and Social Justice (CESJ), led by social activist Vanramchhuangi urged the state government to take appropriate action against the accused persons. The CESJ said in a statement that if the government fails to act promptly, it will approach the National Human Rights Commission to seek justice for the victim. It also demanded that the Mizoram Police Act, 2011, under which the VDP was formed, be amended to prevent community policing outside the law's boundaries. Chinese sci-fi movies debut at Brunei Film Blitz Xinhua) 10:29, December 25, 2024 Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo (5th L) attends Chinese film screening section at the Brunei Film Blitz in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Dec. 24, 2024. (Chinese Embassy in Brunei/Handout via Xinhua) BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese science fiction blockbusters "The Wandering Earth" and "The Wandering Earth II" made their debuts at the Brunei Film Blitz in the sultanate on Tuesday. The Chinese film screening section at the Brunei Film Blitz, organized by the Chinese embassy, brought the two movies to Brunei, receiving significant attention and positive reviews from local audiences. In the opening remarks, Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo noted that the films highlight the extraordinary responsibilities of ordinary people during crucial moments, reflecting the essence of Chinese culture, which is characterized by boundless love and mutual support. The films vividly interpret the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Audiences will gain insights into Chinese culture, society, and technology development through the films and feel the glamor of Chinese movies, said the ambassador. The two films, adapted from the novel of the same name by Chinese science fiction writer Liu Cixin, tell the story of humanity's response to the crisis of the rapidly aging sun that is about to engulf Earth. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar has expressed condolences to Azerbaijan following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane near Aktau city, Trend reports via Tatar's post on its X page. May the Almighty give peace to the souls of those killed in the disaster, I express my condolences to their families and friends, and healing to the victims, he added. Earlier today, the Embraer 190 passenger plane flying on the Baku-Grozny route crashed 3 km from the Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan said that there were 37 Azerbaijani citizens on board the crashed plane. According to the ministry, there were 37 Azerbaijani, six Kazakh, three Kyrgyz, and 16 Russian citizens on board the plane. AZAL added that there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board the crashed Embraer 190 plane, making a total of 67 people. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan expressed condolences to Azerbaijan following the tragic plane crash near Aktau, Trend reports. "I am deeply saddened by the news of the plane crash near the Kazakh city of Aktau. I extend my heartfelt condolences to my colleague, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan for the loss of lives in this incident. I share the grief of the families of the victims and wish recovery to the injured," said Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in a post on his official X page. Earlier today, the Embraer 190 passenger plane flying on the Baku-Grozny route crashed 3 km from the Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that there were 37 Azerbaijani citizens on board the plane that crashed in the city of Aktau. "According to preliminary information, there were 37 Azerbaijani, 6 Kazakh, 3 Kyrgyz, and 16 Russian citizens on board the plane," the ministry said. AZAL added that there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board the "Embraer 190" plane that crashed in Aktau, making a total of 67 people. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Actor Allu Arjun and makers of the film Pushpa on Wednesday announced financial assistance of Rs 2 crore for the family of the woman who died in a stampede during the film's screening at a theatre in Hyderabad on December 4. IMAGE: Actor Allu Arjun embraces at his residence ahead of appearing before a court in connection with the Sandhya theatre incident, at Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo Meanwhile, Telangana State Film Development Corporation (FDC) chairman and leading producer Dil Raju said a delegation of film personalities would call on Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday to foster healthy relations between the government and the film industry. Allu Arjun's father and veteran producer Allu Aravind, along with Dil Raju and others, visited a private hospital where a boy injured in the stampede is undergoing treatment. Allu Aravind expressed relief after speaking to the doctors, who informed them that the boy is recovering and can now breathe on his own. The doctors remain optimistic about his full recovery. He announced that Allu Arjun (Rs 1 crore), Pushpa production company Mytri Movie Makers (Rs 50 lakh), and the film's director Sukumar (Rs 50 lakh) have extended financial assistance to support the boy's family. Aravind handed over the cheques to Dil Raju, requesting him to convey it to the boy's family. He explained that legal constraints prevented direct interaction with the family without prior clearance. Amid speculation about strain in ties between the Congress government and the film industry following the arrest of Allu Arjun in the stampede case, Dil Raju said film heroes, producers, including Allu Aravind, and directors would meet the CM at 10 am on Thursday. The meeting is being organised on behalf of the FDC, Dil Raju said, adding that he would act as a bridge between the government and the film fraternity. Some ruling Congress leaders have found fault with Allu Arjun's comments last week, describing the stampede incident as purely accidental and denying the allegations made by CM Revanth Reddy on the 'roadshow' before the film screening. Hours after Reddy slammed the actor for holding a roadshow and waving to the crowds at the theatre, without referring to anyone, the Pushpa 2 star refuted the allegations, saying it was not a procession or a roadshow. A 35-year-old woman died during the stampede at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4 where Pushpa 2 movie was screened and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised. Following the incident, a case was registered against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on a complaint by the deceased woman's family. Allu Arjun was arrested by the city police in connection with the death of the woman on December 13. The Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day and he was released from a prison here on December 14 morning. An Anna University girl student was allegedly sexually assaulted and a 37-year old man, who sells biryani on the pavement, has been arrested for the crime, police said on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo The victim, a student of the varsity's College of Engineering, Guindy in her complaint said that while she was speaking to her male friend on December 23, 2024 at about 8 pm, behind a building on the college campus, they were intimidated by an unknown person, who sexually assaulted her. She lodged the complaint with the Kotturpuram All Women's Police Station and a case was duly registered, 4 special teams were constituted, and a probe was on, Greater Chennai city police statement said. "During investigation, based on scientific evidence, Gnanasekaran of Kottur (a neighbourhood near the college) has been arrested for this crime. The suspect has given a confessional statement. He is doing business by running a biryani shop on the pavement." Further, the police said they were probing whether he had been involved in other crimes. Investigation continued with the cooperation of the varsity's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). "On the university campus, CCTV cameras have been installed and security officials have been appointed." Police said appropriate action will be taken to enhance security for the students following consultations with university officials and that a 'joint security review,' will be undertaken. Anna University Registrar, J Prakash, said the varsity was extending full cooperation to the police in its investigation and the ICC also had commenced an inquiry. "The university administration is extending full cooperation for the police investigation," he said. Meanwhile, the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) staged a protest in front of the state-run varsity campus seeking action. The incident has also triggered strong political reactions. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed shock and said it was 'shameful' that the barbarity happened and that too in the reputed varsity premises. The leader of the opposition said the incident showed that the law and order situation had deteriorated further. He strongly condemned the DMK government, alleging women had no safety in educational institutions and workplaces. The perpetrators of the crime must be arrested and highest punishment must be ensured for them by the government. Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan hit out at the opposition for their attempt to 'politicise' the incident. "Swift action is being taken. The offenders will be brought to justice," Cheziaan said. The action to be taken at the level of the university, will be decided, to prevent such incidents, the minister added. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam spokesperson A Saravanan said the incident was very unfortunate and it should not have happened. The police have swiftly acted, a first information report (FIR) has been registered and the culprits will be brought to justice, he expressed confidence. "There should be no political arguments...let us not confuse these crimes with the law and order situation," he told PTI Videos. The ruling party's allies, the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India-Marxist condemned the sexual assault and demanded stringent punishment for the culprits. The Marxist party urged the government to take appropriate steps to take on the anti-social elements and ensure safety for women in educational institutions and hostels. Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party president K Annamalai also expressed shock and said the victim and another student were very much inside the campus when the incident happened. Alleging that CCTVs were not functioning at that time, he said the crime showed the 'current status of law and order, the administration in Tamil Nadu'. Pattali Makkal Katchi founder leader S Ramadoss alleged that no one, other than offenders, had safety under the DMK's Dravidian model regime. "The people are witnessing all that are happening. People will give appropriate punishment to the DMK government at the right time." A Delhi court has refused to take cognisance of a chargesheet against Adhunik Corporation Limited and its two directors in a coal scam case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), saying an attempt to acquire proceeds of crime or anticipating undue benefits cannot be termed money laundering. IMAGE: ED office in New Delhi. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo In his December 23 order, Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj granted relief to Adhunik Corporation Ltd (ACL) and its then directors Mahesh Kumar Agarwal and Nirmal Kumar Agarwal in the case related to the New Patra Para coal block in Odisha. According to the ED, the family members and Group companies of the accused infused funds amounting to Rs 50.37 crore in the garb of share capital in ACL in anticipation of 'undue benefit to be derived or obtained' by ACL as a result of, or consequence to, criminal activity relating to a scheduled offence (lodged by the CBI), resulting into allotment of coal block. The judge noted that according to the ED, the infusion of capital/ investment through the holding company in ACL was made in 'anticipation' of undue benefit to be derived or obtained by ACL as a result of criminal activity relating to the scheduled offence. "Therefore, as per the complainant (ED) itself, the undue benefits were yet to be derived or obtained and were only anticipated," the judge held. He noted that ED itself has stated that the accused were attempting to acquire proceeds of crime and were anticipating undue benefits, 'meaning thereby the proceeds of crime had yet to come into existence'. "Therefore, an attempt to acquire proceeds of crime or anticipating undue benefits cannot be said to be covered by the definition of money laundering because till the stage of attempt or the stage of anticipating undue benefits, there are no proceeds of crime in existence. There was no money available for laundering," the judge said. The judge noted that the infusion of funds had started even before the hatching of the conspiracy alleged in the predicate offence. The investors were family members and group companies of the accused and there was no investor who invested in the ACL due to the allocation of coal block in its favour, the judge noted. "The infusion of capital/ investment through family members and group companies will therefore not be covered by the definition of 'proceeds of crime' under Section 2 (1) (u) of PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act)," the judge said. When the family members and group companies invest in the shares of a company that has procured allocation of a coal block by cheating, their investment will not come under the definition of 'proceeds of crime', the judge held. He further noted that the family members and group companies had already made partial investments in ACL even before the allocation of the coal block in its favour. Investments continued to be made by the family members and group companies even after de-allocation was imminent on the recommendations of the Inter-Ministerial Group as there was no substantial progress in the development of the coal block even after show cause notice on November 3, 2010, the judge noted. "Therefore, the investments by family members and group companies in ACL will not be the proceeds of crime," he noted. The judge further observed that the Delhi High Court has held categorically that an allocation of coal cannot possibly be viewed as amounting to proceeds of crime per se. "This court is of the view that from the material placed before this court, no offence of money laundering under Section 3 of PMLA, is made out and there is no material to take cognizance of the offence of money laundering and to proceed further with this complaint," the judge said. The accused were earlier convicted in a related corruption case lodged by the CBI for conspiracy and cheating the government in the allocation of a coal block by misrepresenting facts and by using forged documents as genuine. Their four-year jail term, awarded by the special court, was later stayed by the Delhi High Court after they filed appeals against their conviction. Iranian authorities have officially lifted the ban on WhatsApp and the Google Play Store, signalling a significant shift in the country's internet restrictions, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters The decision, which comes after a meeting with top government officials, marks a new phase in the easing of internet blockades that have restricted access to major global platforms for some time. On Tuesday, a meeting was convened with the participation of heads of all three branches of government, ministers, and members of the Supreme Council, where discussions focused on reviewing and adjusting policies surrounding internet governance and restrictions. Following the presentation of assessments from relevant authorities, the council approved changes to the existing internet restrictions. Sattar Hashemi, Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology, later took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the development, stating, "Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions with unity and collaboration. I extend my gratitude to the President, media, and activists for their efforts. We need this solidarity more than ever. This path continues." The move to lift the ban aligns with the Iranian government's broader approach to managing its digital landscape, emphasising the importance of regulated cyberspace governance while also stressing the need to support domestic platforms, reported the IRNA. The lifting of internet restrictions was one of the key promises made by President Masoud Pezeshkian during his presidential campaign, and this decision marks an early fulfilment of that commitment. However, despite the progress, the government has emphasised that its approach will continue to prioritise the development and use of local platforms alongside the reintroduction of global services like WhatsApp and Google Play, the IRNA reported. As these changes unfold, the broader impact on both local businesses and individual users is still to be fully assessed, but the easing of restrictions is a significant step forward for internet freedom in Iran. A man in his early 30s tried to immolate himself near the new Parliament building on Wednesday afternoon, an official of the Delhi Fire Service said. IMAGE: A view of the New and Old Parliament buildings, in New Delhi. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo A call regarding the incident near the Railway Bhawan opposite the Parliament building was received at around 3.35 pm and a fire tender was pressed into service, the official said. The security personnel deployed near Parliament rushed the man identified as Jitendra, a resident of Bagpat in Uttar Pradesh, to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, he said. "He set himself on fire at the roundabout near Rail Bhawan. The local police and railway police along with some people immediately extinguished the fire and the person was sent to the hospital," an official statement said. According to initial investigations, he took the extreme step due to a dispute with some individuals back home in Bagpat, it said. Police said Jitendra arrived in Delhi on a train on Wednesday morning. His half-burnt backpack and some other belongings were seized from the spot. A police officer said the man's family members have been contacted and further investigations were on. Following the encounter of three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terrorists in Pilibhit, security agencies are intensifying their search for their local helpers in the Terai region. IMAGE: ADG Bareilly Zone Ramit Sharma inspects the incident site where three terrorists of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) were killed in the encounter, in Pilibhit on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo Three suspected Khalistani terrorists allegedly involved in the grenade attack in Gurdaspur were killed in an encounter with police in Pilibhit early Monday, with Punjab's Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav terming it as a major breakthrough against a Pakistan-sponsored terror module. Bareilly Range IG Rakesh Singh said the police and intelligence agencies are on high alert following the threats. "Investigations are underway, and security measures have been intensified in the border areas. "Action will be taken against anyone who is found to have helped the terror elements," he said. The incident has also has brought renewed attention to the security concerns along the Nepal border. A significant portion of the border adjacent to Puranpur remains largely unmonitored due to the challenging terrain and lack of proper infrastructure. Security agencies, including the police and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), have intensified their surveillance in the region. Singh assured that the border is under strict surveillance and that there is strong coordination between the police and the SSB. He emphasised that all efforts are being made to prevent the entry of undesirable elements. The success in Pilibhit comes after three blasts which took place in different districts of Punjab this month. The gunfight between members of the KZF and a joint team of Uttar Pradesh Police and Punjab Police took place in Puranpur area of Pilibhit after three module members opened fire at the police party. Following the encounter, a police case was filed here on Tuesday after a video turned up on X showing a person making threats to spread terror during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, an officer said. 'On December 24, a video was shared on various handles on social media platform (X) in which a person was using objectionable words against Hindu religion. He was also using derogatory words against political personalities,' police in a statement said. They said the man threatened to spread 'terror' on January 14, 2025 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya) and February 3 (Basant Panchami). A case was registered at the Cyber Police Station of Pilibhit district after the alleged video surfaced, the statement said. Asked about the number of people who were booked, a police spokesperson said on Tuesday, 'This is a part of the investigation', and refused to elaborate further. A proposal by the Mysuru City Corporation council to name a stretch of road in the city after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has evoked strong objections. IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah speaks in the State assembly, in Bengaluru, December 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo According to official sources, the proposal calls for naming a stretch of KRS Road from the Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy temple to the Outer Ring Road junction as 'Siddaramaiah Arogya Marga'. Based on a suggestion by Chamaraja Congress MLA Harish Gowda, the Mysuru City Corporation took the decision at its meeting on November 22. The matter was first placed before the Mysuru deputy commissioner prior to being tabled in the council meeting. The MCC then issued a newspaper notice inviting views from the public on the proposal within 30 days on December 13, the sources said. Mysuru is the home district of Siddaramaiah, who is serving his second term as the chief minister. The Janata Dal-Secular called the move to name the KRS Road in the historic city of Mysuru as 'Siddaramaiah Arogya Marga' condemnable. Pointing out that Siddaramaiah is an accused in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority site allotment case and is facing probe by the Lokayukta police, the opposition party said in a post on 'X': "There is no elected board in the Mysuru City Corporation. The officials appointed by the Congress government have decided to name the road after Siddaramaiah as they are indebted to him." Naming a road after the "corrupt" chief minister, who is involved in the MUDA scam, is a "betrayal and insult" not only to the historic city of Mysuru, but also to the entire state, the JD(S) alleged. RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna, on whose complaint a case was registered in the alleged MUDA site allotment scam, said the road for which Siddaramaiah's name is proposed is "historic", as Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar donated a vast swathe of land and established a tuberculosis hospital there in memory of his sister Princess Krishnajammanni and her children who succumbed to TB. Speaking to reporters, Krishna said, "The officials have decided to name a road after Siddaramaiah, who is an accused in the MUDA case, despite not having any power to do so. Several citizens have expressed their objections to the proposal. I'm also fighting against it legally. If the proposal is not dropped, we will challenge it in the high court and seek action against the concerned officials." Siddaramaiah is facing allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife Parvathi BM by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. Siddaramaiah, his wife, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and Devaraju -- from whom Swamy had purchased a land and gifted it to Parvathi -- and others have been named in an FIR registered by the Mysuru-located Lokayukta police on September 27, following a special court order. The eight-year-old boy, who was injured in the stampede during the screening of Pushpa-2 in Hyderabad on December 4, was taken off oxygen and ventilator support as his condition is improving, his father has said. IMAGE: A screengrab from a CCTV footage of the incident released on social media. Photograph: X Quoting doctors, Bhaskar, however, said the boy's recovery will take time. Bhaskar also said he has received a cheque of Rs 10 lakh from Pushpa star Allu Arjun and also additional help from the film production house and state Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. Asked why he expressed readiness to withdraw his complaint, he said he got support from Allu Arjun's staff the next day of the incident and that there was no pressure on him. Meanwhile, the hospital on Tuesday said Sritej continues to maintain stable vital parameters on his own without any oxygen or ventilatory support. "His sensorium is similar with spontaneous eye opening and spontaneous limb movements but there is still no meaningful eye contact or recognition of family members," it said in a health update. The boy is waking on verbal stimulus but not following any oral commands. He is tolerating feeds via nasogastric tube well and is afbrile since last three days, the hospital said. Several film personalities and political leaders are making a beeline to visit the child at the hospital. Leading film producer and Film Development Corporation (FDC) chairman Dil Raju who visited the boy on Tuesday said he would ensure that the family gets support from the film industry and also the government. He said he is ready to provide a permanent job to Bhaskar in the film industry if he was interested. But, the immediate priority is the boy's recovery. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has also appreciated the idea of providing a job to Bhaskar, Dil Raju said. Referring to reports that the state government is not addressing the concerns of the film industry in the stampede issue, he said the CM has assured of the government's support. A delegation from the film industry would meet the chief minister in a day or two, Dil Raju said, adding that he would coordinate with the film fraternity and the government to ensure cordial ties. The 35-year-old wife of Bhaskar died during the stampede at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4, while his eight-year-old son was hospitalised. Following the incident, the Hyderabad police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman's family. Allu Arjun, named as accused no 11, was arrested by the city police in connection with the death of the woman on December 13. The Telangana high court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day and he was released from a prison in Hyderabad December 14 morning. In a significant order, the Supreme Court has restrained the Enforcement Directorate from accessing and copying content from electronic devices seized during searches against Santiago Martin, also known as the 'lottery king', his relatives, and employees. IMAGE: Enforcement Directoreate (ED) recovered Rs 12.41 crore cash during search operations at 22 premises in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya and Punjab under the provisions of PMLA, 2002 in connection with investigation against Santiago Martin and his entity M/s Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited and other associates, on November 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The apex court order of December 13 was passed on a petition of Future Gaming and Hotels Services Pvt Ltd (FGHSPL) and Martin and it may lead to re-think by investigative agencies before they decide to confiscate mobile phones or laptops of accused. The order may come to aid other similarly placed accused. "Issue notice, in the meanwhile, there will be ad-interim relief in terms of prayer clauses (i) and (ii) of the application for interim relief. The prayer clauses (i) and (ii) read thus: (i) Issue an ex-parte ad-interim order directing the Respondents (ED and its officers) not to access and copy the contents of Mobile phone of the Applicant No.2 (Martin) and the electronic devices belonging to the Applicant No 1's employees," a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal said. The bench issued notices to the Centre, the ED and its officers on the petition and fixed it for hearing along with pending ones on February 17, 2025. Other matters include Amazon India employees and the 2023 Newsclick case, where petitioners have sought guidelines for the seizure of digital devices by investigative agencies. ED sources said they have seen the order and that there is other credible evidence recovered by them in the case apart from digital records. The searches, conducted in November across 22 locations in six states, followed a complaint by the Meghalaya Police accusing Martin's company, Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited, of illegally monopolising the lottery business in the state. The operation also yielded Rs 12.41 crore in cash. Lawyers for Future Gaming argued that unrestricted access to seized electronic devices amounted to a violation of privacy and fundamental rights. They noted that the devices contained deeply personal and business-critical data, including financial details, medical records, passwords, and strategic documents. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Iran expresses condolences to Azerbaijan in connection with the crash of a passenger airplane flying Baku-Grozny, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Esmaeil Baghaei told local media, Trend reports. We express our condolences to Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, families of the victims of the tragedy and wish a speedy recovery to the injured, he said. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan were on board the plane, which crashed in Aktau. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane, the ministry said. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Now, its been 15 years. Most of the girls that are coming in here today dont know anything about Jessica, said Debbie Bolognani. But, she A passenger plane flying from Azerbaijans capital, Baku, to Russia has crashed near the city of Aqtau in western Kazakhstan with 67 people on board, Kazakh authorities said on December 25. Officials said dozens were killed in the incident, but added that several others had survived. 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 If North Koreas elite troops were expecting an easy campaign against Ukrainian forces entrenched in Russias Kursk region, they faced a harsh reality on the ground. About 1,100 North Korean special forces have been killed or injured in Russia since entering the fray against Ukraine a few weeks ago, South Koreas National Intelligence Service reported on December 19. A general was reportedly among those killed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on December 23 put the figure even higher, at more than 3,000, or about a quarter of the North Korean special forces sent to Russia, though he couched his statement by saying the data was preliminary. RFE/RL could not confirm either of the reported numbers. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, though, doesnt seem to be fazed by the rapid losses. The authoritarian leader is reportedly doubling down in his support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in exchange for critical supplies of oil, cash, and military technology. Zelenskiy said on December 23 that North Korea may send more troops and weapons to the front. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff seconded that forecast, saying Pyongyang is preparing to rotate or supply additional forces to Russia. North Korean military support is coming at a critical time in the war. Russia is seeking to overpower an undermanned and under-resourced Ukrainian infantry and gain territory before its own manpower and resources become constrained. Russia has lost more than 600,000 soldiers in the nearly three-year war, the Pentagon said in early October. It has burned through so much war material that it is struggling to replace its artillery and missile needs amid sweeping Western sanctions. Now nearly two-thirds of the mortars and shells Russia launches at Ukraine come from North Korea, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Andriy Kovalenko, a Ukrainian Army officer. And every third ballistic missile was made in North Korea, Ukrainian officials said. Pyongyang is ramping up arms production to meet Russias growing need, experts said. Trench Warfare Russian troops are now gaining ground in Ukraines east at the fastest pace since the start of the war. Kyiv carried out a surprise incursion into the Kursk region in August, seizing a swath of Russian territory in the hope of drawing enemy forces away from eastern Ukraine. That hasnt materialized, thanks in part to the supply of North Korean troops. The arrival of the North Korean troops in Russia in October was initially seen as an act of desperation on the part of Putin, who has had to significantly bump up salaries to attract new recruits. However, The New York Times reported on December 23, citing U.S. officials, that it was North Korea who approached Russia with the offer of troops and Putin accepted. It is unclear when Kim made the offer. Putin traveled to Pyongyang to meet Kim in June. During the summit, the two leaders agreed on a strategic treaty that includes a mutual defense provision. Putin signed the treaty into law in November. The supply of troops to Russia can help Kim evade sweeping sanctions on technology and materials for military use. North Korea was hit with international sanctions after conducting its first nuclear test in 2006. Pyongyang hasnt been engaged in a hot war in decades. Thus, its miliary brass and troops which number more than 1 million -- have no combat experience. The deployment in Russia's war with Ukraine is a way for Kim and his military to acquire some. However, Kims troops are ill-prepared for the type of trench warfare with widespread use of drones and missiles they are facing in Kursk, experts say. Hyunseung Lee, a North Korean who spent 3 1/2 years with an artillery and reconnaissance battalion in the early 2000s before defecting, told RFE/RL last month that Kims troops "don't really train with that equipment." He said they cannot master drones and the high-tech equipment in such a short period of time. Videos circulating on social media show Ukrainian kamikaze drones striking and killing North Korean soldiers in Kursks snow-covered fields. Commenting on the videos in a December 19 tweet, Lee called it a sad predictable outcome. Modern warfare technology is not the only issue leading to large-scale deaths of North Koreans, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Washington-based research firm said North Korean soldiers were struggling to communicate and coordinate with Russian forces due to language barriers. Perhaps more importantly, North Koreans are now conducting the initial attack in open territory on Ukrainian positions, ISW said. Some military experts cynically call such fighting tactics meat assaults because they result in a large loss of life among the attackers. Yevhen Yerin, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military intelligence service, told the AFP news agency on December 24 that Russias use of North Korean troops has not had a major impact on the battlefield. It is not such a significant number of personnel," he said, adding that they use tactics that are "primitive, linked, frankly speaking, more to the times of the Second World War." BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The German Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ralf Horlemann, has expressed condolences following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft, Trend reports. The ambassador conveyed his sympathies in a post on his official X page. "We are deeply saddened by the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in Kazakhstan and express our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their loved ones. We wish full and speedy recovery to all those injured in this terrible accident," the publication reads. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan were on board the plane, which crashed in Aktau. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane, the ministry said. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The cockpit recorder has been recovered intact as authorities stepped up their investigation following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet in Kazakhstan that killed at least 38 of the 67 people aboard on December 25. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Qanat Bozymbaev said many of the 38 people who died aboard the Azerbaijan Airlines scheduled flight from Baku to Grozny in Russia's Chechnya region were not immediately identifiable due to massive burns suffered. He added the 29 survivors had injuries ranging from moderate to severe, many also suffering from major burns in the crash. Kazakhstans Health Ministry said the injured included at least two children and that 11 people had been placed in intensive care. Some discrepancies remained over casualty figures provided by various authorities. The cause of the crash was not immediately known amid unconfirmed reports of heavy fog or a possible bird strike. Azerbaijani and Kazakh authorities have launched an investigation, and officials said the airliner's cockpit recorder had been recovered. Bozymbaev and Kazakh law-enforcement authorities would conduct the probe of the crash, although he did not suggest any foul play at this time. In Baku, the prosecutor's office said that "all possible scenarios are being examined." Azerbaijan Airlines said it was suspending all its flights from Baku to the Chechnya region, pending an investigation of the tragedy. Russia's Interfax news agency quoted officials as saying the plane, commissioned in 2013, had passed a maintenance check in October and that the pilot had "vast experience," with more than 15,000 flying hours. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who cut short his visit for an informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Russia, said it was too early to determine a cause but suggested bad weather could have contributed to the crash. The information provided to me is that the plane changed course between Baku and Grozny due to worsening weather conditions and detoured to the Aqtau airport [before] it crashed, he said. Video showed the plane crashing along the coast of the Caspian Sea short of the airport. In a dramatic account of the incident, Elmira, a witness on the ground, told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service that she was on a company bus near Aqtau with other work colleagues when they saw a plane break up above them and that several people attempted to aid victims following the crash. "We rushed toward the scene, pulling people out from the tail section, which had separated," she said. "The nose of the plane was on fire. We rescued those alive from the back -- they were severely injured and crying." She said a young girl cried out, "Save my mom! My mom is there!" Others also pleaded for help, she added. "Ambulances arrived soon after, and we handed the injured over... I am in shock now and cannot get these scenes out of my mind." At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, the families of the passengers of Flight J2-8243 gathered in a designated area, anxiously waiting for news about the fate of their loved ones. Vugar Ismayilov, whose friend Habib Ismayilov, was on board the plane, told RFE/RL that he hadnt yet received any news about Habib. Ismayilov said that Habib, a 25-year-old native of the Aghdash region in central Azerbaijan, had been reluctant to go on this trip, which would take him to Daghestan via Grozny. I dropped my friend off at the airport this morning. He was going to Daghestan for work, and it was his first time traveling to Daghestan, Ismayilov said. He didnt really want to go on this trip. He went there because of work. Nezaket Bayramova, whose sister Jamila Bisloyeva was among the passengers of the ill-fated aircraft, told the Turan Information Agency that she had no information about her siblings situation. "We called the hotline that was set up [for the relatives], they took our information and said they would inform us. But there is still no news," Bayramova said. "I don't know anything. From what I heard, a bird hit the plane. I don't know anything else, she said. There was a heavy police presence at the Baku airport, where ambulances and emergency crews could also be seen in the vicinity. Kazakhstan's Emergencies Ministry said in a statement that rescue teams were at the location of the crash and that fire services had put out a blaze at the site. Videos from the scene of the crash showed the aircraft lying upside down on the ground with part of its fuselage ripped away from the wings and the rest of the plane. Azerbaijan Airlines said the Embraer 190 aircraft, with flight number J2-8243, had been flying from Baku to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, but was forced to make an emergency landing approximately three kilometers from Aqtau. The airline said it would keep members of the public updated and changed its social media banners to solid black. A spokesperson for Russias Federal Air Transport Agency said that preliminary information showed that the pilot had decided to divert to Aqtau after a bird strike on the plane led to an emergency situation on board. Media reports said earlier that the plane had been rerouted due to fog in Grozny. Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has set up a special commission -- led by Deputy Prime Minister Bozymbaev -- to investigate the incident. Toqaev also instructed authorities to send a group of medics from the capital, Astana, to Aqtau to help treat the survivors. At Aliyevs instruction, representatives of the Azerbaijani government left for Aqtau, the Azerbaijani Press Agency reported. The delegation includes the ministers for digital aviation, transport and emergency situations, the deputy health minister, the deputy prosecutor-general, and the deputy director of the State Civil Aviation Agency among others, the news agency added. Officials said crew members were all Azerbaijani citizens. Including the crew, there were 42 citizens of Azerbaijan aboard, six from Kazakhstan, three from Kyrgyzstan, and 16 Russian nationals, officials said. Afghanistan's Taliban rulers were quick to congratulate fellow Islamists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government. As the HTS fighters seized the capital, Damascus, on December 8, the Taliban said it hoped that the group would "lay the foundations of a sovereign and service-oriented Islamic government." But over two weeks on, the HTS, a U.S. and EU-designated terrorist organization, appears keen on distinguishing itself from the way the Taliban has governed Afghanistan. Its leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, previously known by the nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, has publicly pledged to adopt moderate policies compared to the Taliban's extremist approach to women's rights, national reconciliation, and relations with the international community. "There are many differences between Syria and the Taliban," Sharaa told the BBC last week. "The way we govern is different." Women Sharaa said that his government would allow women to get an education. He said that in the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib, ruled by the HTS for the past eight years, more than 60 percent of university students were women. He also said Christian women would not be forced to observe the veil. The Taliban banned teenage girls from grade 7 and above one month after seizing the capital, Kabul, in August 2021. It also prohibited women from university and professional education in December 2022. In 1996, the Taliban took over Afghanistan and established a government that strictly adhered to Islamic law. A U.S.-led coalition overthrew them in 2001, but they reorganized as an insurgent force and eventually reclaimed power in 2021 after U.S. and NATO forces left. Senior Taliban leaders have adopted a "fringe opinion" of Islamic Shari'a law to enforce the ban, which is opposed internationally and by many inside Afghanistan. The HTS, however, is not in favor of full freedom for women and is considering various restrictions and limitations. "Regarding women assuming judicial authority, this is a subject for researchers and study by experts," said Obaida Arnaout, a spokesman for the HTS-led interim administration. Arnaout has similar views about women's work in the parliament and government. His comments provoked protests from women's rights activists who warned the Islamist group against imposing religious rule. 'Unity And Reconciliation' The HTS's main political message is unity and reconciliation among Syria's diverse ethnic, religious, and sectarian groups, some of whom have been fighting a bitter civil war since 2011. The Islamist HTS has appointed a transition government of figures from among its leaders. And it has largely shifted its administration from its northwestern Idlib stronghold to serve as the countrys interim government until March. But leader Sharaa has pledged national reconciliation and inclusive government institutions. "Syria is a country for all, and we can coexist together," he told journalists on December 22. The HTS leader even invited a senior former Ba'athist leader and ex-vice president, Farouk al-Sharaa to participate in a future National Dialogue Conference in the capital. He has repeatedly pledged to work toward a constitution acceptable to all. This is unlike the Taliban, which, since 2021, has monopolized power. Its theocratic government, led by Taliban clerics, has shunned Afghans who are not Taliban and refrained from writing a constitution. Despite appointing a caretaker government in September 2021, there is no indication that the Taliban will ever allow the formation of an inclusive national government acceptable to all Afghans. Foreign Relations The international community is closely watching Syria's transition and how the HTS responds to fellow Syrians' aspirations. Sharaa has reportedly impressed diplomats and senior international officials who met with him in Damascus to discuss future governance, counterterrorism, and foreign policies. The initiative seems to be paying off. On December 20, Washington lifted a $10 million bounty on Sharaa. And the Syrian leader is pushing for a quick end to international sanctions on his country. "Sanctions must be lifted quickly in order for us to take our country forward," he told journalists alongside the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on December 22. In Afghanistan, most Taliban leaders remain on UN and U.S. sanctions lists. Some leaders have faced new travel bans and sanctions for imposing the education ban on women and other human rights violations. As HTS continues to entrench power in Syria, Western officials and diplomats are cautious about taking the militant group at its word. "The Taliban projected a more moderate face, or at least tried to, in taking over Afghanistan, and then its true colors came out," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in New York on December 18. "The result is it remains terribly isolated around the world." Blinken advised "the emerging group in Syria" to focus on "moving the country forward" to avoid international isolation. By Cillian Sherlock, PA A man aged in his 30s has died following a collision on Christmas Eve in Co Down The Police Service of Northern Ireland said he had died in a single-vehicle crash on the Downpatrick Road in Ballynahunch. Inspector Cherith Adair, from the Collision Investigation Unit said: Police received a report at approximately 4.45pm, that a car had been involved in a collision. Officers attended, alongside our colleagues from partner emergency services. Sadly, the driver died at the scene. The Downpatrick Road, which was closed for a period of time following the collision, has since re-opened. Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating the circumstances of the collision, and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the grey VolksWagen Polo or anyone who may have captured dashcam or other footage which could assist with our enquiries. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. President of Israel Isaac Herzog has expressed condolences in connection with the recent crash of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane, Trend reports via the president's post on its X page. "I was very saddened by the terrible tragedy of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane from Baku, which has crashed near Aktau this morning. I send my deepest condolences to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the people of Azerbaijan, and the families of all nationalities who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured," he said. To note, today AZAL's Embraer 190 passenger plane, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan were on board the plane, which crashed in Aktau. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, six citizens of Kazakhstan, three citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, five crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel By Cillian Sherlock, PA The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has warned of perilous resourcing for eating disorder treatment as it called for the complete implementation of an HSE model of care from six years ago which has yet to be fully realised. Dr Art Malone, a consultant psychiatrist with specialty in eating disorders, said the severe physical and psychological consequences of untreated eating disorders can be devastating and life-threatening, as well as significantly damaging to social and occupational wellbeing. Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, affect people across all demographics. Data from almost 10 years ago estimated that nearly 200,000 people in Ireland will develop an eating disorder during their lifetime, with Dr Malone predicting this figure has risen with the increasing population and the growth in the severity of disorders. According to the Health Research Board, 25 per cent of under-18 admissions to Irish hospitals in 2023 were for eating disorders. The 2018 HSE plan envisaged the formation of 16 specialist teams, 23 specialist adult inpatient beds, and eight inpatient beds for children and adolescents. However, the college said there are only three adult eating disorder inpatient beds in the entire country the same as in 2018. It added that many people, depending on where they live in Ireland, have no access to specialist treatment and may be forced to travel abroad. While some new specialist teams have been created, the college says these have often been understaffed, under-resourced and underfunded. Asked where the blackspots were, Dr Malone, co-chairman of the eating disorder special interest group of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, said: Its all blackspots. He said prioritising outpatient care in every area is a noble goal, but does not identify the people at the most severe end who need inpatient treatment. He added: Theres a group of people that are uncounted and we dont know how many that really would benefit from this type of treatment but have completely been unable to. He said the implementation of the HSEs 2018 plan has fallen short of its targets and left patients and their families suffering. Speaking to the PA news agency at St Vincents University Hospital in Dublin, he said it was essential that every area of the country had an outpatient specialist team, as well as regional access to inpatient beds for those with the most severe need. He acknowledged the growth in outpatient services, but added: Thats great, but its been a priority to get outpatient services at the, kind of, neglect of how theres the same three inpatient beds available now that were available 20 years ago, and that has not changed. He said any delay in accessing specialist care can also erode patient trust and create a more difficult path for treatment. One of Dr Malone patients, who we are calling Sophie for her privacy, has been in and out of several child and adult services for eight years. Sophie, now 21, was first sent to St Vincents under a court order. She said: For people lucky enough to get the treatment when the need it, it can be life-changing. She added: I probably wouldnt be here at all if I hadnt gotten the treatment when I did get it, because of the pretty critical state that I was in. Dr Malone said Sophies story highlights the need for specialist teams that can manage the vulnerable transition periods that patients experience when they enter and leave inpatient and outpatient care. He said she has gained skills and strength after being knocked off her trajectory, adding: Once Sophie started working with us, once she started trusting us, once she was able to be aware of how little shed likely to be manage at home, once the court order actually finished when the acute medical risks gone away, she actually had enough experience to say I can work with you here and continue working with us. Sophie agrees. She said, in her experience, non-specialised treatment centres dont get it at all, and would attempt to give medication for symptoms of depression and anxiety rather than managing the entirety of her eating disorder. In practically every admission that Ive had prior to (St Vincents), they didnt really know where to even start. She said of one regional healthcare setting she had experience before getting access to the specialist team: I just seemed to be getting worse while I was in there because they didnt have the resources or expertise to help me manage the emotional side and physical side of weight gain-weight loss. But here, it was just a completely opposite experience. There was constantly someone who understood where my emotions were at, who was available to calm me down during those times, and help me manage meals and snacks. In particular, she was comforted by the feeling of assurance that she was not going to be left after being an inpatient: This was like, well get you able to live a life rather than just scrape to survive. Sophie hopes to return to education after her experience with an eating disorder interrupted her path to university. The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland is calling for the full implementation of the HSE model of care for eating disorders, including the funding and recruitment of teams in areas with no current service and provision of day-programme services throughout the country. It wants improved ability for mental health services to recruit essential staff and for a reviewed national strategy for inpatient care for adults, identifying plausible sites for such services. The HSE said its core focus is on developing regional community-based specialist eating disorder services, with 11 national clinical teams in place. It says eating disorder care remains a priority recruitment area and that the model of care is due for review. It added that a review of adult bed capacity for specialist eating disorders beds is under way, including HSE usage of private placements and treatment abroad. The Department of Health said it was firmly committed to enhancing specialist services for eating disorders, including improved access and shorter waiting lists. Sophie added: Even if I had stayed just not quite completely critical and kept that for years on end, I wouldnt be able to do anything the same. I couldnt enjoy anything, I couldnt laugh, I couldnt be happy and like anything. So the fact that I can even enjoy things now, have energy I grew up dancing and swimming, and its only since coming out of inpatient (care) and slowly going back to those things that I always knew I loved, but they just mean so much more to me now. It has given me a chance to find more about like the good side of life, what life can be. Sophie also hoped policymakers could consider more the needs of people with eating disorders when introducing new regulations or designing services. She acknowledges she is lucky to live in an area where a specialist team operates, adding: Its not fair that theres so many people that cant get the help that they desperately need. Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes Near Kazakhstan's Aktau; Dozens Feared Dead Authorities continue rescue and recovery efforts as investigations into the cause of the crash are underway. Kazakhstan Aktau Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash Death Toll Latest News: A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, en route to Russia, crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, according to the Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry. Initial reports suggest that six passengers survived, while dozens are feared dead. The aircraft reportedly went down near Aktau airport. The flight, which was traveling from Baku to Grozny in Russia's Chechnya region, was rerouted due to dense fog in Grozny, Russian news agencies reported. Advertisement Dramatic visuals of the crash circulated on social media, showing the aircraft plunging to the ground and erupting into a massive fireball. Other footage depicted first responders working near the wreckage, attempting to rescue survivors amidst the devastation. Initial reports indicate that Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 was carrying 105 passengers and five crew members at the time of the crash. However, Azerbaijan Airlines has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. Authorities continue rescue and recovery efforts as investigations into the cause of the crash are underway. Advertisement (For more news apart from Kazakhstan Aktau Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash Death Toll Latest News, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes in Afghanistan, Killing 15; Taliban Threatens Retaliation This is the second such strike since March, highlighting the deteriorating security and diplomatic relations between the two neighbors. Pakistan vs Taliban, Airstrikes in Afghanistan Death Toll, Latest News Today: In a rare operation, Pakistan conducted airstrikes targeting suspected Pakistani Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan's Paktika province on December 24. Reports suggest that at least 15 people, including women and children, were killed in the Barmal district, with casualties expected to rise. The strikes targeted seven villages, causing significant civilian casualties and destruction, including the razing of Murg Bazaar village. Afghan media reports indicate that a training facility was dismantled in the attack, escalating tensions in the region. Advertisement The Taliban's Ministry of Defence condemned the strikes, describing them as an attack on Afghanistan's sovereignty, and vowed retaliation. "Defending our land and sovereignty is our legitimate right," the ministry stated, adding that many victims were Waziristani refugees. While Pakistan has not officially confirmed the strikes, they come amidst rising tensions between the two nations over the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in Afghanistan. The TTP has intensified attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months, and Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of providing sanctuary to these militants. This is the second such strike since March, highlighting the deteriorating security and diplomatic relations between the two neighbors. Advertisement (For more news apart from Pakistan vs Taliban, Airstrikes in Afghanistan Death Toll, Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) The Christmas tree, between tradition and modernity It may seem surprising, but the first decorated Christmas tree in Romania only dates back to 1866. Foto: Jeswin Thomas / unsplash.com Roxana Vasile, 25.12.2024, 14:00 It may seem surprising, but the first decorated Christmas tree in Romania only dates back to 1866, in passing one of the important years in Romanias history, because then a new era began, marked by the one who would later become their king Carol I Less than eight months after the arrival of the Prussian Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, the royal palace in Bucharest hosted, in December 1866, the first Christmas tree in Romania decorated for Christmas with spectacular decorations brought from the sovereigns native country. The custom of decorating the Christmas tree, specific to the Germans, imported to Romania through the Royal House, enjoyed peoples appreciation and spread throughout the country, at first imitated by the urban elites, then taken over in the countryside. But why a fir tree and not another tree? Because the Romanians already gave it much older meanings which will be reviewed next by one of the most important ethnological researchers in Romania, university professor Doina Isfanoni: Lets not forget that the fir tree is a sacred tree for Romanians. It is, if you will, the tree of life that connects Heaven and Earth. It is the tree that, starting from birth to burial, accompanies human life, being decorated in different ways according to the age stages. At birth, a fir sapling is chosen, and its either left in the forest or transferred closer to the familys home. The tree is, somehow, a kind of barometer of the childs evolution. As the tree grows, so will the child grow, will grow tall, handsome and, of course, believing in ageless youth just as the tree never changes its green color. Then the wedding fir tree is also decorated with colorful papers, ribbons, bells on top. So is the funeral fir tree. It is adorned, in the case of unmarried young people, with black tassels, a headscarf (usually worn by local girls) and a bell which jingles when the wind blows, and which is said to be the husband or wife of the deceased. So, for Romanians the fir tree has a very complex connotation. The fir tree also has a Christian significance as this tree was also adopted by Romanians as a central element of the Nativity celebration. Its Christian connotations are enhanced by the choice of specific ornaments. Doina Isfanoni lists them again: For example, the little lights, the candles that were put in the tree, giving it that magical aspect, refer to the symbolism of the candle, which is the substitute of Jesus. The wax is the body, the flame is the spirit. Also, the apples that were hung in the Christmas tree were not only simple ornaments. Red apples were preferred, indeed, to be as visible as possible, and they refer to the original sin of Eve with the famous apple and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Heaven. Walnuts are also hung in the fir tree, covered in tinfoil, because they also represent, if you will, a particle of light, a light that is reflected in the interior space and thus gives an extra glow. The nut is also a symbol in the context of the winter solstice and of the Christian customs. Because the walnut is the fruit that endures over time and is the expression of fruitfulness, of wealth, of the passage of time that does not affect it. And from a Christian point of view, since the walnut has the sign of the cross at its core, it adds to the symbolism of the Christmas tree as a celebration of the Saviors birth. The entire walnut kernel has the shape of a human brain which translates into enlightenment. It is the moment when we all know that, during the winter holidays and especially at Christmas time, through the birth of the Savior, each of us has the promise of a rebirth. It is the moment when the three sisters Hope, Love and Faith get together giving humans extra strength, extra energy and extra hope. Of course, on top of the Christmas tree is an angel or a star that led the Magi to Bethlehem, where the Savior was born, in the manger. Unfortunately, the ethnologist researcher Doina Isfanoni says, many of us nowadays lose sight of the many connotations of the fir tree, which, from a symbol, is transformed into a simple decoration: If you ask what the Christmas tree means to Romanians, people will give very different answers, and you will find that none of them will refer to the cosmic tree, none of them will talk about its decorations as a syncretic fusion between Christianity and pre-Christianity. The role of specialists is to bring to peoples attention the meaning of the fir tree, of traditions, to explain that every gesture has a meaning, a value, a motivation, nothing is senseless. We also talked to Doina Isfanoni about plastic fir trees which in many cases replace the natural ones: People replaced the live fir tree with the plastic tree. Its a blasphemy, in my view, because you dont bring death into the house, you bring life into the house, you need life and vitality. Artificial trees have no value. This is just my opinion, others may have other opinions. As regards tradition, I for one, Im trying as much as possible to bring back to peoples consciousness its value and importance. The fir tree is the element that brings together the family and relatives, who, at Christmas, gather around it, give and receive gifts, then sit down at the table full of special dishes, some prepared only at this time of the year. But not before receiving the carolers, which announce the birth of Jesus. At least in the rural area of Romania, the ancient traditions are still preserved for the celebration of the Nativity and strictly observed. Thats why Romania still counts among the pampered countries of South-Eastern Europe, says university professor Doina Isfanoni: the cultural behaviors that go back in history make us say that, for us, Christmas continues to be that step towards the sacred, which opens on the eve of December 25 and ends on January 6, on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. (LS) The 150cc to 200cc motorcycle segment in India recorded total sales of 1,45,968 units in November 2024, marking a 12.49% decline compared to 1,66,803 units in November 2023. While a few models showed growth, most experienced significant drops in sales, reflecting challenges in this competitive segment. 150cc to 200cc Motorcycle Sales Nov 2024 YoY Comparison TVS Apache led the segment with 35,610 units sold, accounting for a 24.40% market share, though it recorded a 13.20% year-on-year (YoY) decline with 5,415 fewer units sold than the previous year. Bajaj Pulsar followed in second place with 32,997 units, holding a 22.61% market share but witnessing a steep 30.27% drop, losing 14,323 units YoY. Honda Unicorn emerged as the standout performer, registering an impressive 52.28% YoY growth with 30,678 units sold, securing a 21.02% market share. This significant growth highlights the increasing popularity of the Unicorn in the commuter segment. Yamaha FZ claimed the fourth spot with 14,406 units, though it saw an 11.25% decline, while Yamaha MT15 managed a modest 8.25% growth, selling 9,894 units and securing a 6.78% share. Yamaha R15 recorded 7,105 units, but its sales dropped sharply by 36.96% YoY. Honda SP160 also faced a significant decline of 39.08%, selling 4,453 units, likely because of Honda launching 2025 model recently. KTM 200 showed relative stability with 2,726 units sold, a marginal 1.84% drop. Hero Xtreme 160R/200 sold 2,493 units, a 6.10% decline, while Hero XPulse 200 recorded a notable 33.04% growth, selling 1,933 units. Bajaj Avenger and Honda CB200X struggled with 1,024 and 941 units sold, reflecting YoY declines of 25.20% and 24.11%, respectively. Honda Hornet 2.0 saw a significant 71.69% drop, selling just 910 units compared to 3,214 last year. Suzuki Gixxers sales fell sharply by 55.83%, recording 728 units, while the Kawasaki W175 showed a dramatic growth of 2,233.33%, albeit with just 70 units sold. 150cc to 200cc Motorcycle Sales Nov 2024 MoM Comparison The 150cc to 200cc motorcycle segment experienced a sharp decline in month-on-month (MoM) sales in November 2024. Total sales dropped by 18.91%, with 1,45,968 units sold compared to 1,80,003 units in October 2024a decrease of 34,035 units. Most models saw significant drops, reflecting post-festive season corrections and market dynamics. TVS Apache retained its position as the segment leader with 35,610 units, but it faced a substantial 28.92% decline, losing 14,487 units compared to October. Bajaj Pulsar, with 32,997 units sold, experienced a smaller drop of 9.19%, while Honda Unicorn, at 30,678 units, recorded a slight 3.43% decline, maintaining relative stability in third place. Among Yamahas offerings, the FZ saw a 19.40% decline to 14,406 units, while the MT15 dropped 26.19%, selling 9,894 units. The R15 recorded the steepest fall among Yamahas models, with a 37.94% decline to 7,105 units, losing 4,344 units compared to October. Honda SP160 also saw a significant dip of 15.57%, selling 4,453 units. Premium models like the KTM 200 dropped by 32.32%, with sales declining to 2,726 units. However, Hero Xtreme 160R/200 showed a positive trend, growing 7.18% to 2,493 units. The Hero XPulse 200 remained stable with 1,933 units, recording only a marginal 1.58% decline. In the entry-level premium segment, Bajaj Avenger and Honda CB200X recorded declines of 24.76% and 4.66%, selling 1,024 and 941 units, respectively. Honda Hornet 2.0 saw a significant 27.72% drop, with 910 units sold. Suzuki Gixxer faced the sharpest decline in the segment, losing 59.87% of its sales to settle at just 728 units. On the other hand, Kawasaki W175 showed a minor improvement, growing 14.75% with 70 units sold. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Foreign Minister of Lithuania Kestutis Budrys expressed condolences over the crash of the Azerbaijani Airlines airplane, the publication of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry on X said, Trend reports. I was very saddened by the news of the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines airplane. On behalf of the Lithuanian people, we express deep condolences to the families of the victims, the publication reads. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan were on board the plane, which crashed in Aktau. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane, the ministry said. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigrant Affairs of Jordan expresses deep condolences to the government and people of Azerbaijan over the crash of the AZAL airplane near Aktau, the published statement of Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigrant Affairs said on Facebook, Trend reports. "The spokesperson of the Ministry, Sufyan Al-Qudah, emphasizes Jordan's support for the government and people of Azerbaijan over this tragic incident. He expresses deep condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, the publication reads. To note, today AZAL's Embraer 190 passenger plane, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan were on board the plane, which crashed in Aktau. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, six citizens of Kazakhstan, three citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, five crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Polands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended its condolences following the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane, Trend reports. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished in the crash of the passenger plane of the Azerbaijani airline, which was traveling from Baku to Grozny and crashed in Kazakhstan. We wish a swift recovery to those injured, the Ministry stated in a post on its X page. Earlier today, a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Now that congestion pricing has been reinstated by Gov. Kathy Hochul, New Yorkers are scrambling for the details, including finding ways to receive discounts or exemptions from the controversial toll. The tolling program, which received a lot of resistance from Staten Island elected officials, uses electronic tolling to charge vehicles for entering certain areas of Manhattan during peak commuting hours, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and raise money for public transportation upgrades. When it returns on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, there will be a lower toll than first proposed. Originally, drivers would have been charged $15 for entering the zone. Hochul said her initial opposition to the program was due to the high cost for working New Yorkers. Under the new iteration beginning Jan. 5, most drivers will be paying a toll of $9 when entering the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ), which is any surface street in Manhattan south of 60th Street. Director of State Operations Kathryn Garcia has said the current plan is to not raise the $9 toll for at least three years after it is implemented. Yet, some drivers and vehicles may qualify for discounts, or exemptions, from the toll. Discount applications must be submitted to the MTA by Dec. 29, 2024. Below is a breakdown of discounts available, according to the MTA. Low-income discount A 50% discount is available for low-income vehicle owners enrolled in the Low-Income Discount Plan (LIDP). This discount begins after the first 10 trips in a calendar month, and applies to all peak period trips after that. To qualify for LIDP, vehicle owners must have reported a federal adjusted gross income for the previous calendar year of no more than $50,000, or be enrolled in a qualifying government assistance program. Applicants must provide: IRS Form 1040 or Tax Return Transcript and corresponding W-2s from the most recent tax year, or Proof of enrollment in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), or Temporary Aid to Needy Families Program (TANF). To apply, visit the MTA website at https://new.mta.info/tolls/congestion-relief-zone/discounts-exemptions. Low-income tax credit for residents Residents of the CRZ whose New York state adjusted gross income is under $60,000 may qualify for a tax credit in the amount of tolls paid. Visit the New York State Department of Taxation and Finances website for more information. Disability exemptions The Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP) is available for individuals who have disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using mass transit. IDEP can be applied to a vehicle registered to the applicant, or to a vehicle registered to a person the applicant designates, such as a family member or a caregiver, if they use that vehicle to drive the applicant in the Congestion Relief Zone. To apply, visit the MTA website. Organizational disability exemptions The Organizational Disability Exemption Plan (ODEP) is available for organizations that operate vehicles that transport people with disabilities such as Access-A-Ride, ambulette services, or schools and special education facilities. To qualify for the exemption, a vehicle must be used in the tolling zone solely for the purpose of transporting people with disabilities. Emergency vehicle exemption Qualifying authorized emergency vehicles, as defined by New York state vehicle and traffic law are exempt from the toll. Bus exemption School buses contracted with the NYC Department of Education, commuter vans licensed with the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, and buses providing scheduled commuter services open to the public are exempt from the Congestion Relief Zone toll. To apply, visit the MTA website. Specialized government-owned vehicle exemption Publicly owned vehicles specifically designed to perform public works other than general transportation, and directly engaged in a core agency purpose, are exempt from the Congestion Relief Zone toll. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan Dec. 4 to eliminate and lower local personal income taxes for the citys lowest-income residents. Overall, Adams said the plan would impact more than 582,000 New Yorkers putting an estimated total over $63 million back in their pockets, but it will first need state approval. Extreme costs are driving many working-class families out of cities like New York, and while, for too many decades, across too many administrations, we let these problems languish, our administration said enough is enough, he said. Today, we are unveiling Axe the Tax for the Working Class, a bold proposal to eliminate New York City income taxes for hundreds of thousands of working-class New Yorkers and their families here in the five boroughs and lower taxes for even more of our citys residents. Adams said during next years state budget negotiations hell be pushing for the city tax exemption for families with dependents living within 150% of the federal poverty level. For a single-adult household with two dependents, that would equate to $36,824 in annual income, or for a two-adult household with two dependents, it would equate to $46,350. Under the plan, the single-adult family would see $282 and the two-adult family would see $521 in annual tax relief, according to the mayor. That benefit would extend to over 429,000 New Yorkers, including both tax filers and their dependents. Families making within $5,000 of that 150% federal poverty line metric would also see their local personal income taxes phased out over an unspecified period. Adams announced that State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-Queens) and Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D-Brooklyn) would be carrying legislation to implement the plan during this years budget negotiations. Working-class families are the beating heart of New York City, but too many of them are still struggling to get by, Comrie said. At a time when families need extra help with rent, child care, groceries, and more, this bold proposal will give tens of millions of dollars back to New Yorkers and help make our city more affordable for families. The plan has already won the support of one of the most important decision-makers in Albany, Gov. Kathy Hochul. From lowering the cost of child care to accelerating property tax rebates, Governor Hochul has been laser focused on putting more money back in New Yorkers pockets, gubernatorial spokesperson Kristin Devoe said. The governor would be supportive of efforts to lower the Citys personal income tax rate, and commends Mayor Adams for continuing to focus on affordability. Editors Note: The author of this article is a Curtis High School student who participates in the Advance/SILive.com High School Journalism Immersion program. The initiative is designed to help young people explore the world of community journalism. December is a month of giving and recognition, which is why I would like to recount my experience meeting a woman who I believe embodies that. In August, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, more commonly known as Amma, traveled to the Javits Center in New York City as a part of her North America tour. Thousands of people gathered during this three-day period in hopes of catching a glimpse of the revered Hugging Saint. Amma is a humanitarian Hindu spiritual leader whose lifes mission is to preach peace, tolerance, and love to the masses, according to her official website amma.org. Her official website also notes she was born in 1953 to a fishing family in Kerala, India, and at 9 years old, Ammas mother fell ill which forced Amma to drop out of school to help look after her family. Despite the hardships she was facing, Amma continued to be a beacon of light in her community. Even though she and her family were struggling, she always gave back to those who were less fortunate in any way she could. Amma is known around the world as the "Hugging Saint." (Courtesy of Luis Lopez)(Courtesy of Luis Lopez) From a young age, Amma was drawn to the ways of spirituality. This was a driving force in her later activism and humanitarian work. She later became known for her powerful hugs, which the people of her town would line up to receive. In 1987 Amma embarked on her first world tour, giving out her wisdom and cathartic embraces en masse. This year, I saw Amma for the first time. I went with my father, who had seen her once before. I wanted to see Amma because I thought it would be an interesting experience. I would not consider myself a religious or spiritual person, however I am interested in other cultures and ways of life. When my dad told me who Amma was and encouraged me to look at her website, I became more excited to see such a remarkable woman. When we got to the event, we were separated into two lines. One line was for people who had encountered Amma before, and the other was for people who were meeting her for the first time. On the first-timers line, organizers gave us a yellow ribbon to put around our necks, and told us we would be the first to be able to receive a hug from Amma. On the line, I met a lot of different people from all walks of life. I was surprised to find out how far Ammas reach really is. There were even people from France, like Anne Laure and Virjinie, who traveled all the way to New York City just to meet Amma. The author, Genevieve Lopez, with her father Luis at Amma's event in August. (Courtesy of Luis Lopez)(Courtesy of Luis Lopez) Anne Laure told me that she had been to one of Ammas two ashrams in France after being persuaded by her friends. Many years ago friends told me, Anne Laure, you should go to Ammas ashram you will love it. And one day I felt the call so I went there and I met Amma, not physically, but spiritually, she said. Virjinie explained to me that she was introduced to Amma by Anne Laure, and offered to take Anne Laure to New York to meet Amma for Anne Laures birthday. Another of the women I met, Ramadevinina, is a disciple of Amma who was originally born and raised in New York. Ramadevinina met Amma in 1987 during Ammas first world tour, and fell in love with her teachings. Originally named Nina, Ramadevinina explained to me that she got her name changed by Amma. She asked for a name that would guide her in life and Amma gave her a name that means one who gives happiness to the hearts of others. Ammas teaching is universal. All religions are petals of one flower, the fragrance is the same, said Ramadevinina. Ramadevininas final remark to me was to keep my mind and heart open throughout my experience with Amma. So, thats exactly what I did. It was very interesting to me that Ammas reach spread so far. I was under the impression that the majority of the attendees would be people who had met Amma in the past, however in reality the majority of the people there were meeting Amma for the first time, just like me. We all waited in a line outside for about an hour and a half to two hours before we were led inside. Our group would be the first group to actually receive a hug from Amma when the time came. The author said the experience of meeting Amma gave her a stronger sense of respect for other ways of living and the message Amma and her followers aim to spread throughout her teachings. (Courtesy of Luis Lopez)(Courtesy of Luis Lopez) Inside the venue there were several tables open selling merchandise relating to Amma, spirituality, Hindu fashion, and even herbal soap. On the far side toward the wall there were tables set up with information about the humanitarian work Amma and her team are involved in, and how attendees could sign up to be a part of it. Before the ceremony there was an entire lunch buffet of incredible food. I was worried there wouldnt be lunch so I was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of food. Once the ceremony was about to begin we took our seats in the front row. The stage where Amma would be leading the religious ceremony was adorned with beautiful yellow and orange flowers, rugs, musical instruments, and tapestries. On either side of the stage there were giant screens which would be used to display the prayers and songs being used during the ceremony for the audience to follow along with. When Amma finally came out onto the stage the entire atmosphere in the room changed. The excitement and awe in the crowd was palpable as she made her way onto the stage, followed by her disciples. I wasnt completely sure of what exactly was happening during the ceremony, however the songs and hymns being sung were beautiful and extremely soulful. They lit a fire on the stage and played live music with some instruments that Id never seen before. Toward the end of the ceremony Amma started to have flowers thrown at her by her closest disciples while the fire burned brightly. When it was finally time to receive the hug from Amma, my group and I were ushered onto the stage and put into a single file line. Ill admit I was pretty nervous walking onto the stage as I had no idea what to expect. My dad stood right next to me as we neared the front of the line and when the time came we received a duo hug from her. While the embrace didnt give me any sort of spiritual enlightenment, the entire experience gave me a stronger sense of respect for other ways of living and the message Amma and her followers aim to spread throughout her teachings. I left the event with stories from many different people all coming together with open hearts and open minds. Overall I would definitely recommend going outside of your comfort zone and opening your mind to ideas and lifestyles different from your own. I contacted Ammas team after the event, to ask how Amma was able to push past all the negativity of the world and keep going with her mission. She graciously answered my question. You cannot change the world and its ways, but you can certainly change your own outlook, Amma began. For example, if we try to straighten a dogs curly tail by putting it into a tube every day, the tail will still curl once removed from the tube. However, through this process, we will get stronger. It is our own self-improvement that is most important. Once that takes place, others will also be inspired to change. In general, we need to focus on the good in people. In this way, both of us will both be uplifted. Even a broken watch tells the correct time twice a day. As for me, I am not like a train track, only going in one direction. I am like a river. When an obstacle is put before a river, it simply flows around it. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia has expressed condolences to the government and people of Azerbaijan in connection with the victims and injured passengers of the AZAL aircraft crash near Aktau, Trend reports. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia shared this message in a post on its official X page. "In light of the AZAL plane crash near Aktau, located in western Kazakhstan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the government, and the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan, wishing a swift recovery to the injured," the statement reads. Earlier today, a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. 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! Colin Firth, who has been lauded with awards as one of the worlds best leading men for two decades, concedes hes never quite felt so much out of his depth and affected by the challenge of his latest role. The 64-year-old Brit, who starred in the BBCs 1990s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and blockbuster movies The Kings Speech, Bridget Jones and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, still remembers hearing the late-night news about the bombing of Pan Am flight 103. Colin Firth as Dr Jim Swire, whose 23-year-old daughter died in the Pan Am crash. Credit: NBC Universal / Carnival Until September 11, 2001, the tragedy, which has become universally known as the Lockerbie bombing, was the largest terrorist attack on US civilians in history. Four days before Christmas 1988, all 259 passengers and crew on the plane from Frankfurt to Detroit with stopovers in London and New York died. Of the victims, 190 were Americans and 43 were British. As a result of the terrorist attack, 11 people also lost their lives when the Boeing 747 exploded 31,000 feet in the air and parts landed on homes in the Scottish town of Lockerbie. The crime scene extended across more than 2000 square kilometres. The bombing, allegedly carried out on behalf of the Muammar Gaddafi regime, killed citizens from 21 countries. Thousands of Sydneysiders are drawn to the charm of South Coast holiday towns such as Culburra and Berry every summer, but a plan to protect their character is up in the air amid developer objections. Shoalhaven City Council agreed unanimously to incorporate character into its planning rules last month in response to community fears that developments were harming what they loved most about their towns and villages. Swimmers enjoy the sunshine at Culburra beach. Credit: James Brickwood But two weeks later, seven of 13 councillors changed their mind, voting to pause the changes to receive a briefing on the topic and seek community input. The changes would have made council staff consider a places character when assessing a development proposal. The Department of Planning has flagged Shoalhaven as one of the Sydney satellite areas where the population is expected to rise sharply in the next 15 years. Brisbanes Metro Health Services have issued an emergency measles alert across the citys southern and central suburbs, after a man with the disease was infectious in the community for five days earlier this month. The alert reported the man had been active with measles from December 12 to 14, and visited areas with large crowds, including the South Bank lagoon on December 12 and the Church of Scientology in Brisbanes CBD across several days. He also visited several shopping centres across Brisbanes south, including Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown, the Grand Plaza in Browns Plains, the Cornubia Shopping Centre, and Jimboomba Central. Queensland Health warned measles was an acute respiratory illness spread by coughs and sneezes, and advised anyone who had visited the sites at the same time as the infected man to monitor their condition. Dangerous fire conditions are expected to continue into the weekend as fire crews battle a major blaze in the Grampians that triggered evacuation warnings for numerous communities in the area. A wind change early on Thursday evening presented fresh challenges to hundreds of firefighters deployed to the Grampians blaze, which had burnt 68,000 hectares as of 6pm. Farmer and CFA volunteer Tim Gubbins monitors the fire next to his property in the Moyston area, near the Grampians. Credit: Justin McManus About 1pm on Thursday, the total area burnt was 55,000 hectares. Light showers failed to bring substantial relief on the fire ground, and rainfall forecast in the coming days will not be enough to subdue the blaze. Live like royalty, trumpeted the listing, and with a price guide of $450,000, this home meant the purchaser would not be held to a kings ransom. Loading The Queensland property was Domains most-viewed home of the week in July. On a block of more than 1200 square metres, the palatial home could well have been Australias best entry-level mansion, even in a market where the five-year price growth has spiked impressively. It is not known if the property transacted, as the listing has been shelved. Moree, New South Wales If you owned a tool belt and had gumption, here was a jaw-dropper a house for less than the price of a hatchback. The home in Moree was destroyed by a fire, the listing explains, presenting as a land value proposition. The property sold for $20,000 one-fifteenth the median house price in the NSW town at the time. The bargain listing, agency Ray White Rural Moree said, had general residential zoning, in a regional hub where there are daily flight and rail links to Sydney. Sydneys median house price is $1.65 million. Coober Pedy, South Australia Australias least expensive five-bedroom home was listed with a red-hot price of $50,000. It traded for $45,000 in April. The location is one of the most iconic in Australia, and is suited to a particular type of buyer. Lot 348 Big Johns Road is in Coober Pedy, an outback mining town with a landscape that has been described as the closest thing on Earth to living on the moon. Many reside underground because of the heat. The home was dated, the listing said, but for a buyer who wanted to seek their fortune in the opal capital of the world, it was ripe to be customised. Queenstown, Tasmania To buy a property for well below the typical Australian house price, set your radar on Tasmanias award-winning west coast. Loading Tassies increasingly popular Queenstown which won Australias Top Small Tourism Town award for 2023 boasted a crop of listings for under $400,000. At this top end, the properties presented as character-filled and stylish. This listing is a charming buttercream property, offered by a motivated seller who wants to move on with the next phase of her life. The price? $298,000. Noble Park, Melbourne Sold, for $86,000. No, you are not imagining it an apartment in a capital city suburb fetched just that. The address in Melbournes Noble Park was whisked off the market for less than the price of a prestige car. The studio apartment, which sold on August 15, was reaping $913 per month in rent, the Ray White listing said. Jerusalem: The actions of the Israeli military had a circumstantial influence on a decision by Hamas militants to kill six hostages in Gaza in August, according to a new military investigation. The recovery in September of the bodies of six Israeli hostages, including American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, triggered deep shock in Israel, prompting half a million people to stage street protests demanding the government enter a hostage deal with Hamas. People dressed as US President-elect Donald Trump, right, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, demand the Israeli government bring the hostage home from Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: AP The six, seized by Palestinian militants during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, were shot dead 48 to 72 hours before being found by Israeli forces, according to Health Ministry estimates. The hostages were killed by their captors, the investigation found, and Israeli militarys activity in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the militants decision to carry out the killings. Mystery drones won't interfere with Santa's work: US tracker Washington, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2024 Santa Claus has no need to worry about recent mystery drone sightings over New Jersey, a US Air Force general said Tuesday, as an annual tradition of "tracking" Saint Nick swung into action. General Gregory Guillot's reassurances came as the joint US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that Santa and his reindeer were making stops in Russia and Iran after visiting countries further east including Japan, North Korea and Indonesia. As of 0100 GMT on Christmas Day, Santa was making his way north across Brazil, headed towards Guyana, according to the tracker. Santa's journey this year comes after weeks of mysterious sightings of alleged drones in the US state of New Jersey, sparking worldwide curiosity even as many of the reported incidents were debunked. "Of course we are concerned about drones and anything else in the air," NORAD commander Guillot told Fox News. "But I don't foresee any difficulty at all with drones for Santa this year." NORAD's Santa tracker dates to 1955, when a Colorado newspaper advertisement printed a phone number to connect children with Santa -- but mistakenly directed them to the hotline for the joint military nerve center. The director of operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, answered the phone and quickly realized the child calling had the wrong number. "But (he) didn't want to upset him. So he started talking to the young child and passed along information" on Santa's location, Canadian Air Force Major-General William Radiff, NORAD's current director of operations, told AFP on Tuesday. "And then afterwards, he talked to the rest of the staff there and said, 'please, we're going to get phone calls today... Let's start doing this.'" - Around the world - The interest has gone global. Last year NORAD's modernized Santa tracker website noradsanta.org -- which includes a 3D map displaying Santa's movements in real time and a ticker showing how many presents have been delivered -- had 20.6 million visits, and more than 400,000 calls were made to the toll-free number, according to Radiff. "We get calls from all across the world and they really want to know where Santa is," he said. When not spreading holiday cheer, NORAD conducts aerospace and maritime control and warning operations -- including monitoring for missile launches from North Korea, something perhaps on Santa's mind as he guided his reindeer-hauled sleigh over Pyongyang. Radiff, embracing the Christmas spirit, said NORAD's infrared-capable satellites could monitor Santa's progress in part because "Rudolph's nose gives off the same signature, so we use that to track him around the world." NORAD "always does a fantastic job helping us keep tabs on Santa's navigational heading and bearing in the skies above," astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second person to ever walk on the Moon, said on social media. This year, as he did last Christmas, US President Joe Biden joined in the fun at NORAD, taking calls from children. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. A meeting of the State Commission established to investigate the causes of the plane crash was held on December 25, as per the decree of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. According to the Cabinet, Chairman of the Commission, PM Ali Asadov stated that President Ilham Aliyev has personally taken control of the investigation into the incident. The commission reviewed several critical and urgent matters, including the provision of necessary assistance to those injured in the crash. Relevant instructions were given to the health minister to coordinate medical assistance to the victims in cooperation with the Kazakh side. Work on identifying the deceased was also noted, and immediate measures were ordered for coordination with the families and loved ones of the injured. The Cabinet reported that through the Heydar Aliyev International Airport hotline, families and relatives of the passengers of the crashed plane were provided with relevant information and offered psychological and other essential support. The Prosecutor Generals Office of Azerbaijan, in cooperation with Kazakh counterparts, is investigating the causes of the incident and conducting a criminal investigation. The commission instructed that the public be regularly updated on the progress of the investigation. Reportedly, efforts are underway to facilitate the evacuation of Azerbaijani citizens who were injured in the crash and are currently undergoing treatment in Aktau, following medical recommendations. The Cabinet underscored that ongoing coordination and collaborative efforts between Azerbaijani and Kazakh government officials are being actively pursued to provide immediate assistance to the victims and address any related matters. The commission members have been assigned specific tasks within their areas of responsibility to ensure effective and timely action. Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan: Taliban spokesman Kabul, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2024 Pakistan air strikes in an eastern border province of Afghanistan killed 46 people, the Taliban government spokesman told AFP on Wednesday. "Last night (Tuesday), Pakistan bombarded four points in the Barmal district of Paktika province. The total number of dead is 46, most of whom were children and women," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. He added that six more people were wounded, mostly children. A defence ministry statement late Tuesday condemned the latest strikes by Pakistan on Afghan territory, calling them "barbaric" and a "clear aggression". "The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered, but rather considers the defence of its territory and sovereignty to be its inalienable right," the statement said, using the Taliban authorities' name for the government. Border tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Taliban government seized power in 2021, with Islamabad claiming militant groups are carrying out regular attacks from Afghanistan. Islamabad has accused Kabul's Taliban government of harbouring militant fighters, allowing them to strike on Pakistani soil with impunity. Kabul has denied the allegations. Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan: Taliban spokesman Kabul, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2024 Pakistan air strikes in an eastern border province of Afghanistan killed 46 people, the Taliban government spokesman told AFP on Wednesday, as the defence ministry vowed retaliation. The strikes were the latest spike in hostilities on the frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with border tensions between the two countries escalating since the Taliban government seized power in 2021. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said late Tuesday, Pakistan bombarded four areas in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province. "The total number of dead is 46, most of whom were children and women," he said, adding that six more people were wounded, mostly children. A defence ministry statement late Tuesday condemned the strikes, calling them "barbaric" and a "clear aggression". "The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered, but rather considers the defence of its territory and sovereignty to be its inalienable right," the statement said, using the Taliban authorities' name for the government. Skirmishes on the frontier followed deadly air strikes in March by Pakistan's military in the border regions of Afghanistan, which Taliban authorities said killed eight civilians. A Barmal resident, Maleel, told AFP Tuesday's strikes killed 18 members of one family. "The bombardment hit two or three houses, in one house, 18 people were killed, the whole family lost their lives," he said. He said a strike killed three people in another house and wounded several others, who were taken to hospital. Taliban officials said the dead were local residents and people who had fled over the Pakistan border from Waziristan. North Waziristan, which borders Paktika, has historically been a hive of militancy and was the target of a long-running Pakistani military offensive and US drone strikes during the post-9/11 occupation of Afghanistan. The strike comes after the Pakistani Taliban -- who are known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and share a common ideology with their Afghan counterparts -- last week claimed a raid on an army outpost near the border with Afghanistan, which Pakistani intelligence officials said killed 16 soldiers. Pakistan has been battling a resurgence of militant violence in its western border regions since the Taliban's 2021 return to power in Afghanistan. Islamabad has accused Kabul's Taliban authorities of harbouring militant fighters, allowing them to strike on Pakistani soil with impunity. Kabul has denied the allegations and pledged to evict foreign militant groups from Afghan soil. But a UN Security Council report in July estimated up to 6,500 TTP fighters are based there -- and said "the Taliban do not conceive of TTP as a terrorist group". The spike in attacks has soured Islamabad-Kabul relations. Security was cited as one reason for Pakistan's campaign last year to evict hundreds of thousands of undocumented Afghan migrants. There has been no official comment from Pakistani authorities on the latest strike in Afghan territory. Earlier Tuesday, high-level Taliban officials were meeting with Pakistan's special envoy for Afghanistan who was on a visit to Kabul. burs-qb-sw/mtp Japan FM raises 'serious concerns' over China military activity Tokyo, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2024 Japan's top diplomat Takeshi Iwaya expressed "serious concerns" to his Chinese counterpart over Beijing's increasing military activity, Tokyo said Wednesday. Iwaya also told Wang Yi in Beijing that "Japan is closely monitoring the Taiwan situation and recent military developments", a Japanese foreign ministry statement said. China regards Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control. Taipei said earlier this month that Beijing had held its biggest maritime drills in years, stretching from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea. Iwaya "expressed serious concerns over the East China Sea situation, including around the Senkaku Islands (and) China's increasing military activity," the statement said. The chain of uninhabited islands claimed by Beijing but administered by Tokyo are known as the Diaoyu in China. The Japanese minister also raised concern over "China's unilateral resources development". The bilateral talks and Iwaya's working lunch with Wang lasted three hours, the statement said. The ministers agreed to realise "foreign minister Wang's visit to Japan at the earliest and most appropriate timing next year" to hold "high-level economic dialogue". China and Japan are key trading partners, but friction over disputed territories and military spending has frayed ties in recent years. China also in August formally indicted a Japanese man held since last year on espionage charges. Iwaya "pointed out that the detention of Japanese citizen(s) and the opacity surrounding the anti-espionage law are causing Japanese people to think twice about visiting China, and called for the improved transparency and swift release of detained Japanese national(s)", the statement said. Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan, Kabul says Kabul, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2024 Pakistan air strikes in an eastern border region of Afghanistan killed 46 civilians, the Taliban government said Wednesday, whilst a Pakistan security official said the bombardment had targeted "terrorist hideouts". The strikes were the latest spike in hostilities on the frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with tensions escalating since the Taliban seized power in 2021. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP that late on Tuesday Pakistan bombarded four areas in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province. "The total number of dead is 46, most of whom were children and women," he said, adding that six more people were wounded, mostly children. Neither Pakistan's foreign ministry nor its military have responded to a request for comment. But a senior Pakistan security official said the strikes were on "terrorist hideouts" using jets and drones and that they killed at least 20 militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the country's homegrown Taliban group. "Arguments from Afghan officials claiming civilians are being harmed are baseless and misleading," he added, speaking on condition of anonymity. A Taliban defence ministry statement late Tuesday condemned the strikes, calling them "barbaric" and a "clear aggression". "The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered, but rather considers the defence of its territory and sovereignty to be its inalienable right," the statement said, using the Taliban authorities' name for the government. Skirmishes on the frontier followed deadly air strikes in March by Pakistan's military in the border regions of Afghanistan, which Taliban authorities said killed eight civilians. A Barmal resident, Maleel, told AFP Tuesday's strikes killed 18 members of one family. "The bombardment hit two or three houses, in one house, 18 people were killed, the whole family lost their lives," he said. He said a strike killed three people in another house and wounded several others, who were taken to hospital. - 'Strikes will continue' - Taliban officials said the dead were local residents and people who had fled over the Pakistan border from the Waziristan region. North Waziristan, which borders Paktika, has historically been a hive of militancy and was the target of a long-running Pakistani military offensive and US drone strikes during the post-9/11 occupation of Afghanistan that saw many people flee over the border. The TTP in a statement on the strike claimed Pakistan "deliberately targeted refugee residences". The strike comes after the TTP -- who share a common ideology with their Afghan counterparts -- last week claimed a raid on an army outpost near the border with Afghanistan, which Pakistan said killed 16 soldiers. The Pakistani security official said the recent attack "was a significant trigger" for Tuesday's strikes, "but not the only one". "The interim Taliban regime has been repeatedly urged to take action against the TTP, but their response has been lukewarm," he said. "Such strikes will continue as necessary." Pakistan has been battling a resurgence of militant violence in its western border regions since the Taliban's 2021 return to power in Afghanistan. Islamabad has accused Kabul's Taliban authorities of harbouring militant fighters, allowing them to strike on Pakistani soil with impunity. Kabul has denied the allegations and pledged to evict foreign militant groups from Afghan soil. But a UN Security Council report in July estimated up to 6,500 TTP fighters are based there -- and said "the Taliban do not conceive of TTP as a terrorist group". The spike in attacks has soured Islamabad-Kabul relations. Security was cited as one reason for Pakistan's campaign last year to evict hundreds of thousands of undocumented Afghan migrants. Earlier Tuesday, high-level Taliban officials were meeting with Pakistan's special envoy for Afghanistan who was on a visit to Kabul. Lebanon says Israeli air strike hits target in east Beirut, Lebanon, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2024 Lebanon's state media said an Israeli air strike targeted the Baalbek region in the east of the country before dawn on Wednesday, branding it a "violation" of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The truce went into effect on November 27 after more than a year of hostilities that began with the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip. Both sides have since accused the other of breaching the ceasefire. Wednesday's strike near the town of Tarya did not result in casualties, the state-run National News Agency said, calling the attack the "first violation of the ceasefire agreement" in the Baalbek area. A Lebanese security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the strike targeted "warehouses believed to belong to Hezbollah". Hezbollah has for decades held sway in south Beirut, and the south and east of the country. The war with Israel saw Hezbollah massively weakened but not crushed. A committee made up of the United States, France, Lebanon, Israel and United Nations peacekeepers is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and ensuring violations are identified and dealt with. Lebanon has asked the parties -- particularly the United States and France -- to press Israel to speed up its withdrawal from the country's south under the terms of the deal. As part of the truce, the Lebanese army and peacekeepers will deploy in southern Lebanon as the Israeli army pulls out over a period of 60 days, which are due to expire in January 2025. The Israeli army said on Monday that it was continuing its "defensive activities" in the south "in accordance with the agreement". It has yet to issue a statement on the reported strike in eastern Lebanon. 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 Chinas listed semiconductor companies report strong growth 10:43, December 25, 2024 By Yin Yeping ( Global Times China's semiconductor sector continued its robust growth on Tuesday, following recent positive momentum in the A-share market, with several domestic industry players hitting their daily trading limits. Among the standout performers, Sprint Precision Technologies (Jiangsu) Co surged by 20 percent on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's Science and Technology Innovation Board, reaching its daily trading limit. Similarly, Ningbo-based Kangqiang Electronics also hit its daily limit on the same day. Other companies, including the Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, also recorded positive growth in the capital market. The growth came after 65 listed companies published their business forecasts for the whole year of 2024 ahead of schedule as of Monday, with more than half of them projecting positive year-on-year growth, Securities Daily reported on Tuesday. Based on the upper limit of year-on-year net profit growth forecasts, companies within the semiconductor industry chain ranked among the top and achieved remarkable performances, the report said. For example, Sprint Precision Technologies (Jiangsu) Co, a key components manufacturer in the semiconductor etching and thin-film deposition equipment segment, is expected to achieve a net profit attributable to shareholders of listed companies ranging from 215 million to 225 million yuan this year, representing a year-on-year growth of 167.83 percent to 180.29 percent. "Globally, there is robust demand in the semiconductor industry. Chinese enterprises have actively engaged in international trade and collaboration, with semiconductor exports reaching record highs The strong performances of these companies reflect their actual business development in innovation and manufacturing, which I believe is the primary reason behind their success," Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday. In terms of innovation, according to a projection by SEMI, China's investment in semiconductor equipment is expected to remain robust, with spending on chip equipment projected to account for 32 percent of the global share in 2024, Yicai.com reported. The report also indicates that China will likely retain its position as the world's top spender on 300-millimeter equipment through 2027, with over $100 billion in investments anticipated over the next three years. When it comes to production, another report by TechInsights suggested that, in the third quarter of 2024, China maintained its position as the world's largest single smartphone market, with smartphone shipments reaching 65.7 million units, continuing a recovery trend for three consecutive quarters, according to media reports. "Amid fluctuations and challenges in the international supply chain, domestic industrial opportunities have expanded Chinese companies have leveraged this growth to seize opportunities and strengthen their position," Zhou further noted. The continuous improvement in China's chip production capabilities and technological advancements over the year, including support from the government for the private sector, with increased investments in talent, equipment, and raw materials, is also a major result of industry growth, Ma Jihua, a veteran telecom industry observer, told the Global Times. The positive industry performance also demonstrates that, despite the Biden administration's various restrictions on China's semiconductor industry, these measures have not dampened China's determination to advance its semiconductor sector, Ma said, noting that instead, these restrictions have limited the ability of US companies to better seize opportunities in the vast Chinese market, while China's semiconductor industry players have achieved rapid growth. China's semiconductor exports have seen remarkable growthdespite the US restrictions. In the first 11 months of 2024, semiconductor exports reached 1.03 trillion yuan ($141.11 billion), representing a 20.3 percent year-on-year increase, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on December 10. Looking ahead, the semiconductor equipment market is expected to see robust growth in 2025, with an anticipated increase of 19.6 percent year-on-year, a latest report released by TechInsights said, noting that this growth will primarily be driven by sustained high demand from the Chinese market. As one of the world's largest semiconductor markets, China is set to continue playing a pivotal role in the industry in the coming years, the report said. In the future, domestic semiconductor companies should continue to increase their investment in research and devleopment, with promising prospects for further expansion and investment, Ma said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Prosecutor Generals Office of Azerbaijan is actively investigating the causes of the plane crash involving an Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL) aircraft in Aktau, in cooperation with their counterparts in Kazakhstan, Trend reports. The development was revealed during todays meeting of the State Commission established to investigate the causes of the crash, chaired by Prime Minister Ali Asadov. "The meeting highlighted that the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office, in collaboration with Kazakhstan's law enforcement, is probing the incident's causes and conducting a criminal investigation. An instruction was issued to provide regular updates to the public on the progress of the investigation," the Commission noted. FARMINGTON A woman and two children were killed in a single vehicle crash Tuesday night in Farmington. A 28-year-old woman was driving a 2004 Ford F150 northbound on Highway OO south of Missouri Route F when troopers say she traveled off the left edge of the road and struck a tree. Authorities pronounced her dead at the scene. Two boys, ages 4 and 6, were transported to area hospitals where they were pronounced dead, the Missouri Highway Patrol said. All were wearing seatbelts. Troopers did not disclose the names of the victims but said they were from the Valles Mines area of Jefferson County. BERKELEY A 35-year-old St. Louis woman is dead after a train hit her car that was stuck on the tracks Tuesday in north St. Louis County. The Missouri Highway Patrol said that the crossbar was down and bells and lights were activated when a Norfolk South train headed north struck a 2015 Kia Soul around 2:05 a.m. that was on the tracks on James S. McDonnell Boulevard at Banshee Road. The woman was not wearing a seatbelt, troopers said. Authorities pronounced her dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. It's not clear why the woman's car was on the tracks. Troopers did not disclose her name or any other details. CLAYTON The daughter of a St. Louis County health administrator didnt work hours she put on her time sheet and had help from a supervisor in falsifying records, according to a county audit. The report, by county Auditor Toni Jacksons office, doesnt name the employees involved. But it says the staffer worked as a food and pool inspector for the environmental services team from at least 2021 until resigning in March of this year. The audit also singles out her mother and a supervisor in the department. The director of the health department, Dr. Kanika Cunningham, has referred the matter to police in Berkeley, where the health department has an office. The audit shows: The daughters supervisor allowed her to record time for hours not actually worked: Evidence shows years of deliberate falsification of time sheets and inspections reports. From June 10, 2023, through Jan. 6, 10 of 16 time sheets did not have the supervisors signature. None of them had the correct dates. The daughter worked an internship at Webster University in 2021 but did not file for paid time off from her county job. Four food inspections by the daughter were missing temperature checks. Three lacked hepatitis immunization compliance data. Two inaccurately recorded food safety plans, and 10 didnt include codes for violations. Four inspections indicated pools had safety signs when there were none, and another duplicated information. The mother completes and submits time sheets for employees who dont directly report to her, including her daughter. In an interview with the auditors office, the daughter denied the accusations, saying she would not falsify her time or her work. The audit commends the health department for taking swift action to address issues. But it also recommends potentially firing or demoting the supervisor. Field inspectors play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and compliance of food, pool and other establishments, the audit says. Violations of any kind can lead to serious health risks and consequences can be severe, impacting consumers and businesses, along with legal fees, penalties, other repercussions, and reputational damage to St. Louis County. Others have worked in the health department with their parents. The Post-Dispatch reported earlier this year that Cunningham, the health director who started in January 2023, hired her daughter as an inspector and gave her a raise. The daughter of former department spokesman Christopher Ave also worked as an inspector in the summer. In the case reviewed in the audit, Jacksons office received an anonymous email in early December 2023 about the daughters work practices. The tip said the daughter claims 40 hours of work on her timesheets, but only works 1-2 days per week on average, the audit says. The tip also said her mother and the supervisor are covering for her by falsifying inspections. The auditor launched a yearlong investigation, interviewing employees, reviewing payroll records and time sheets, studying inspection reports, and analyzing management procedures. The audit is dated Dec. 18. Among other conclusions, the audit found the daughter had an orientation at Webster University on Aug. 24, 2021, but was not marked for paid time off from her county job. The audit also found she had an internship at the university; for four weeks between the end of May and the beginning of September last year, she didnt take paid time off from her county job to cover time worked at the internship. In late June, the auditor received an envelope delivered anonymously. It contained a letter that said the daughter had resigned in March and was recommended in personnel records for rehiring. The audit, however, suggested changing her status to not recommended rehire. The audit made several other recommendations, including: conducting a comprehensive review of health department policies; creating a clear policy for payroll, timekeeping and training; defining disciplinary actions for violation of timekeeping and payroll rules; and monitoring compliance of timekeeping procedures. An employee fabricating hours on a time sheet is committing theft, the audit says. This behavior should have severe consequences. The health department is already addressing the problems, including potential disciplinary actions against the supervisor, Cunningham wrote in a response to the auditor. The county also plans to install new timekeeping software, conduct biannual training on inspections and notify employees of updated timekeeping policies. Since first learning of this investigation, our teams have worked collaboratively to ensure all allegations were addressed appropriately, Cunningham wrote. Indeed, before this was brought to our attention, efforts were underway to address the issue of timekeeping, showing that our internal controls and processes work. The environmental services team in the health department does thousands of inspections of pools, restaurants and stores. The team employs up to 24 field inspectors, who use data management software to track inspections and reports. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, expressed condolences to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan following the crash of an aircraft owned by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) near the Kazakh city of Aktau, Trend reports. "On behalf of Albania, I join our saddened friends in extending my condolences to our brotherly countries, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, and my heartfelt wishes for peace to prevail throughout their region," PM Rama shared in a post on his X page. Earlier today, a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. Sailors and Marines man the rails on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in San Diego, Dec. 20, 2024. (Clayton Wren/U.S. Navy) The USS Abraham Lincoln, the flagship of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, returned to San Diego on Dec. 20 after completing a successful five-month combat operations deployment to the U.S. 3rd Fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet areas of operation, according to a Navy news release. I could not be more proud of this team. Our sailors and Marines performed superbly across every mission assigned, said Capt. Pete Riebe, commanding officer, USS Abraham Lincoln. From the start of deployment, right up until the end, the Lincoln team never wavered in their commitment to excellence. Even while being targeted by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, Lincoln Nation expertly defended the ship and supported our Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group destroyers transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The men and women of Lincoln nation should stand tall knowing they performed admirably in the face of uncertainty. The deployment included many firsts for the strike group including; the first combat employment of the F-35C Lightning II platform; the first employment of the ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer; the first Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to refuel at sea with a commercial oiler; the first Multi-Large Deck Event with the Italian Navys Cavour CSG in the Indo-Pacific; the first west coast CSG to conduct combat strikes to degrade Iranian-backed Houthi rebel combat capabilities; and the first carrier to pull into Malaysia in over 12 years to strengthen critical regional partnerships, according to Rear Adm. Adan Cruz, commander of Carrier Strike Group 3. All of this was made possible through the incredible hard work and dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group sailors and Marines, who are reuniting with their loved ones in time for the holidays, said Rear Adm. Adan Cruz, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3. Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Kendall Meeks, from Sacramento, Calif., greets his family on the pier in front of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Dec. 20, 2024, in San Diego. (Glory Anderson/U.S. Navy) In November, the USS Abraham Lincoln was the first U.S. aircraft carrier to visit Malaysia in more than a decade following a high-profile bribery scandal involving Leonard Glenn Francis also known as Fat Leonard who orchestrated a decade-long scheme to bribe U.S. Navy officials. Units a part of the strike group including the USS Spruance and USS Michael Murphy also returned to their respective home ports in December from their scheduled deployments. The USS OKane and USS Stockdale remain deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting global maritime security operations. (James Vestal/Stars and Stripes) Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 10, 1960: Children from the Pubwon Orphanage near Seoul greet the Christmas Sleigh the C-97 Stratofreighter of the New Hampshire Air National Guard at Kimpo Air Base, in Seoul. The plane carried six tons of toys, shoes, canned milk, school desks, medical supplies and other items, including the 7-foot Christmas tree, all destined for the orphanage. The goods were donated by the citizens of Keene, New Hampshire in response to a plea from 1st Lt. Horace D. Verry (in the back, holding one of the orphans), assigned to the 27th Ordnance Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division and the orphanages project director. Verry wrote a letter to his hometown paper in Keene asking for donations. Brig. Gen. Frank H. Britton, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry, was on hand to gift the Christmas tree to Ms. Ou Soon Lee, head of the orphanage. Looking for Stars and Stripes historic coverage? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/ BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljka Cvijanovic has sent a condolence letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Your Excellency, It is with deep sorrow that I received the news of the tragic plane crash in which Azerbaijani citizens lost their lives. In these difficult moments, on behalf of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on my own behalf, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims, as well as with the entire Azerbaijani nation. May the memories of those tragically lost and hope for the full recovery of survivors bring you strength, and may all those affected by this tragedy find comfort and resilience to overcome their pain. Please accept the expression of our deepest sympathy and support", the letter reads. But, by all accounts, things havent gone so well for him since hes gotten out. Gangland rapist Stephen Rossi Walsh suspended his services as a jailhouse legal advisor following his release from prison - after he ended up living homeless in a tent. Sources told the Sunday World that Rossi remained in contact with a number of his former clients in the Midlands Prison after his release from prison in late November. Rossi had offered himself out as a jailhouse lawyer of sorts during his time in the Midlands, a source told the Sunday World. In fact, just a few months before he was released, he was P19d (disciplined) in the prison after they found a few dozen books of evidences belonging to fellow inmates in his cell. He was basically offering them advice on possible legal strategies and appeals. But an inmates isnt allowed to have the books for other inmates in his possession so he was done for it. The long and the short of it is that Rossi still had a good few inmates on his books when he left the prison and he promised them that he would stay in contact about their cases. But, by all accounts, things havent gone so well for him since hes gotten out. One of the inmates he kept in contact with told the other lads that Rossi was sleeping in a tent for a week after he got out and wouldnt be able to help them until he got himself sorted. Rossi had refused help from the probation services in the run up to his release so he was on his own after he got out. He was released a day earlier and gave a family members address on his temporary release papers but it looks like he may never have gone there at all. Depraved Walsh a former member of Martin The General Cahills gang was released from the Midlands Prison on November 15th after he served almost 15 years for targeting two women when they were children. Under the terms the Sex Offenders Act, he has to notify gardai of any change of address. Walsh was jailed for ten years in February 2010 for raping Ruth Dunne when she was nine. She bravely waived her right to anonymity to expose his horrific crimes. Vile Walsh used his friendship with Ruths family to gain access to her by pretending to take her to play with one of his daughters. He targeted Ruth on Dublins Sandymount Beach when she was just nine and made the youngster play a sick game called guess the fruit and veg. Following Walshs trial, Mr Justice Paul Carney said the case was one of the most repulsive he had ever encountered. The senior judge said: I find it revolting that Walsh planned the sex game by purchasing fruit and vegetables. I would also like to note the inherent gravity of the attacks. Walsh has 13 major convictions for theft, extortion, robberies and violent assault. He gained notoriety after destroying Collins pub in Ballybough, Dublin, in an arson attack in 1992. He was caged for 15 years for this and released in 2008. He received another ten-year sentence in 2011 for sexually assaulting a different woman as a child. It was out of control, a source told the Sunday World. Spice caused a string of overdoses in the prison this year The war against the smugglers behind an epidemic of spice related overdoses in the Midlands Prison has been won due to the introduction of ion scanners and a ban on mail deliveries to prisoners, sources have claimed. Between September and November of this year, 20 inmates overdosed on the illegal drug in the prison. Spice is a nickname for a substance containing one or more synthetic cannabinoids. Synthetic cannabinoids were originally designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, however, they are more harmful and unpredictable than the real version. They may be powdered chemicals, dissolved and sprayed onto paper or dried plant material. The overdoses led to serious tensions within the prison with one inmate being badly beaten after he was scape-goated by his fellow inmates. It was out of control, a source told the Sunday World. We had inmates dropping like flies. From the outside, it looked bad and it was bad. The stuff coming in was poison and the worse thing is we had at least one inmate overdose on it twice. Thats how desperate he was to get his fix. The source said the overdoses and publicity attached to them led to a series of high level meetings in the prison with management and the Irish Prison Service agreeing to a series of tough measure aimed at cracking down on the scourge. The first step was in addressing the supply, the source said. Every prison officers in the place could have told them it was coming in through the prisoners mail. So a decision was made to ban all magazines and pamphlets while a direction was given that any letters were to be photocopied and copies, rather than the originals, passed on to the intended recipient. Secondly, management introduced the use of ion scanners on all mail entering the prison. Ion scanners are highly sensitive, non-radioactive, lightweight, portable devices that detect and identify trace amounts of explosives and narcotics. It can be used to accurately detect and identify a wide range of military, commercial and homemade explosives threats and common illegal/controlled narcotics, including the highly potent synthetic fentanyl opioids that are rapidly spreading across the world. Together, the two measures combined to almost immediately stop the flow of spice into the prison, the source said. In a statement, the Irish Prison Service said: The Irish Prison Service has committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support our efforts to keep contraband out of prisons. Prison staff have increased the use of random and intelligence led cell searches on a daily basis. Our Canine Unit carry out searches around the prisons, including a greater focus on searching deliveries into prisons. The Irish Prison Service continues to engage with An Garda Siochana with regard to preventing contraband entering our prison and this happens at both local and national level. The Operational Support Group work closely with their colleagues in An Garda Siochana on a regular basis and the sharing of intelligence has led to target searches resulting in the seizure of contraband. There is a free confidential telephone line (1800 855 717) and text line (086 180 2449) which is operational. If these lads can do something for us and push it over the line for a murder case we will be delighted. That is all we are looking for. THE family of Imelda Kennan have said they are hopeful gardai will finally make a breakthrough in the case as they mark 31 years since she vanished without trace from her Waterford home. Imelda Keenan, who was originally from Laois, was 22 years old when she went missing from her flat on William Street in Waterford over the Christmas holiday between 1993 and 1994. Her fiance Mark Wall said she left the apartment at 1.30pm on January 3, 1994 and said she was going to the Post Office. A doctors secretary who knew her said she saw Imelda crossing the road by the Tower Hotel on the corner of Lombard Street but after that Imelda was never seen again. Her family believe she was murdered and in October senior gardai told them they have appointed a senior investigating officer to head up a team to carry out a peer review into the investigation. Gina Kerry, a niece of Imelda Keenan The team who met with Imeldas family was headed up by Detective Superintendent Desmond McTiernan of the Garda Serious Crime Review Team also known as the Cold Case Unit. Once the review is done, the senior officer will make recommendations based on his findings which could include upgrading the case from a missing person case to a murder inquiry. Imeldas brother Gerry said he is hopeful 2025 will finally bring the family the answers they have been seeking for over three decades. Please god something may come out of it. If they can push this over the line for a murder case wed be happy. We had that meeting in October where they told us a review team was put together in Dublin and Waterford. The review team will look at everything that was done for Imelda in the last 30 years. If they think there is any road they didnt go down or any stone that wasnt unturned they will do it. They said all they want is time on it. Time could mean six months, eight months, it could be a year. We cannot torment them but we dont mind waiting because weve been waiting over 30 years now. Imelda Keenan disappeared 31 years ago If these lads can do something for us and push it over the line for a murder case we will be delighted. That is all we are looking for. He said they will let gardai get on with their work but are hopeful there will be some indication of how things are going in a few months. Were talking maybe next May well have some kind of hint as to how it is going anyway. They have promised us Imeldas case isnt forgotten about in terms of investigation. Its on top of the pile, its going to there and its high-profile. Our liaison officer said dont ever think weve forgotten about it, no way, All them little things when they add up keep us happy. We can sit down and think ourselves and reflect and say well give the guards and investigation team plenty of time to see what they can do. Gerry appeared on RTEs Crimecall earlier this month when they highlighted the case and appealed for information. I broke down looking at it thinking I didnt think Id be doing this 31 years on. It brings it all back but we have to be strong for the rest of the family. He said he is hopeful that all the publicity around the case particularly over the past year will lead to someone who has information to come forward. Were after doing as much as we can ourselves. In this year alone with yourselves and other media I think we did around 56 interviews. The more interviews we do the better. You never know whats around the corner. He appealed for anyone who knows anything to get in contact even if it is anonymously. If you know something and are afraid of coming forward you dont have to give your name and address to the gardai. There are plenty of ways you can get in contact without going up and presenting yourself but if that evidence was concrete wouldnt that be great for the family. He said families of missing persons go through torture not having concrete answers. Gerry and mother members of Imeldas family attended the National Missing Persons Day in Dublin earlier this month where Imeldas niece Gina Kerry gave an emotional speech where she criticised the initial investigation back in 1994. Hundreds of people who are relative and friends of missing persons were in attendance. Gerry has become close over the years to families of other missing persons including Jo Jo Dullard who went missing after making a phone call from a phone box in Moone, Co. Kildare, at 11.30 pm on Thursday, 9th November, 1995 . Gardai arrested a man in his 50s in November and carried out a search of lands in Wicklow for remains of Jo Jo. The man was later released without charge and the search was eventually completed without any remains being found. Gerry said: Were in contact with Jo Jo Dullards family in Kilkenny and I meet them on a regular basis. God love them, they didnt come up to the Missing Persons Day because there was a dig on and it stopped the day before [Missing Persons Day]. They were on a terrible downer because the dig had stopped and their hearts were broken. I was praying something would come out of it. They let him go but that doesnt mean he is off the hook. He is being watched and watched and Id love them to find something with DNA or anything to bring him in. In Imeldas case, gardai are going through more than 80 statements as well as numerous exhibits to see if anything was previously missed. Earlier this year the Sunday World asked Imeldas former fiance Mark Wall if he wanted to back her family campaign to have the case upgraded to murder. However, he said: I dont want to talk about that, thats nothing to do with me absolutely f**k all. Let the Keenans tell all the f***ing lies they want, f**k them. He added that there was a conspiracy theory about the case being circulated online which was untrue. Asked how he felt about the Keenan family looking to have the case upgraded to a murder investigation, he said: Well theyll be looking for the rest of their f**king lives because theyre not going to find it f**king here. Theyre barking up the wrong f**king tree now completely. Theyre looking in the wrong place. Imeldas family told the Sunday World they were upset by Walls comments. We now have these dogs that have been kicked out of their homes and they're wandering the streets One of Irelands leading animal rescue charities has revealed how a ban on XL Bully dogs in Ireland has caused a crisis as the animals are abandoned. As part of regulations announced by Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys earlier this year, it is now illegal to buy or sell, import, breed and rehome the dogs. However, from February of 2025, there will be a complete ban on owning an XL Bully, unless the owner can produce a certificate of exemption. The move followed the tragic death of XL Bully owner Nicole Morey, who was tragically killed following an attack by her dogs at her gome in Ballyneety, Co Limerick in June. Minister Humphreys said the ban was in the interest of public safety following a number of other attacks over the past few years. The XL Bully type dog was also responsible for an attack on a very small child in Kerry last month and the horrific attack on Alejandro Mizsan in Wexford in 2022, the minister said in September. I am concerned that if we do not take action now, the number of these dogs in the country will grow and my fear is that these attacks will become more frequent. While I know that not everybody will agree with the ban, my ultimate priority is to protect public safety. However, Martina Kenny of My Little Horse Rescue said the imposition of the ban has led to a situation where owners had abandoned them en masse, leading to a crisis for animal welfare charities. I would actually say theres a dog crisis now in this country that has gone beyond a crisis, she said. At this point, because of the XL Bully ban, there is a poor Bully thrown out and found by people like us on the side of the road almost every single day Its tragic. These dogs have done absolutely nothing wrong but because of the way they look theyre abandoned. Local councils are also now really putting pressure on the owners. It was never policed before but it is now and it couldnt have happened at a worse time because we are already in the middle of an animal welfare crisis in this country. Martina explained that while the dogs that had been involved in the horrific incidents in the past were XL Bullys, now other breeds had been tarred with same brush. Now, every day, we have these dogs that have been kicked out of their homes and they're wandering the streets and they have never bitten anybody. Martina said they get at least a few calls a day about dogs in general and Bully breeds in particular. I have never seen so many dogs homeless at one time and needing a home. There are so many dogs crying out for help. I have never seen that my life. Meanwhile, the charity is still battling a horse situation, where there are horses absolutely everywhere and there's nobody to help them either It's definitely the worst I've ever seen, Martina added. I have friends who ask me, is it still bad when it comes to animal welfare country in this country and I feel like saying, are you for real? Id love to live in that bubble. Because, outside of the rescue services, people are not aware of the scale of the problem. Martina did not agree with a complete ban on the XL Bully as she feels there was little thought about the aftermath of such a ban. I just feel it was a knee-jerk reaction to some really bad incidents but an outright ban is wrong. Were still trying to help our own dogs, and we have about 85 of them at any one time, but we have made it our mission to help these ones as well. Meanwhile, an ongoing fundraising battle continues as the charity attempts to stay ahead of rising costs. While My Little Horse Rescue receives grants from the Department of Agriculture, Dublin City Council and Kilkenny County Council, the charity still faces outgoings this year that are estimated to cost approximately 1.5m. Outside of the grants all of this has to come through fundraising and from corporate donations, Martina added. So we are really up against it. "Its very challenging and all the time we're still constantly rescuing, and constantly trying to make more room, and constantly worrying. At one point during the year Sinn Fein seemed to walk from one controversy to the next. There was no shortage of political gaffes, scandals and controversies in 2024 and with national, European and local elections taking place the stakes were higher than most years. Simon Haris was confident going into this years general election campaign with the partys poll ratings increasing thanks to what was referred to as the Harris Hop after he became Taoiseach when Leo Varadkar stepped down. However, he found out on the campaign trail that any hop is just a skip and a jump away from a flop. His interaction with Cork care worker Charlotte Fallon in a supermarket on the campaign trail in Kanturk likely cost his party votes in the election. Harris cut the interaction short when Ms Fallons criticised his government on pay and working condition of carers. Ms Fallon said she left the supermarket upset by the interaction which was caught on RTE cameras and went viral leading to widespread criticism. Harris called Ms Fallon the next day and spoke to her for 20 minutes to apologise and acknowledge he should have listened to her concerns rather than walking away so abruptly. Simon Harris While she accepted apology, the video which was seen by millions highlighted how brief moments can come to define a campaign. It one of a number of issues which caused Fine Gael problems on the campaign trail and while his party is still set to form the next Government alongside Fianna Fail and others, Harris will be wondering how many votes the poor campaign performance cost his party. Fine Gaels staunch rivals Sinn Fein had their own problems in the lead up to the election. At one point during the year Sinn Fein seemed to walk from one controversy to the next. They became embroiled in controversy about giving a reference to child sex abuser and former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle, for a job at a charity in 2022 even after they knew of allegations against him. McMonagle pleaded guilty to 14 charges including attempting to incite children to engage in sexual activity and attempting sexual communication with a child on various dates between May 2020 and August 2021. McMonagle had been a press officer and adviser for the party. He was suspended from the party after his arrest but two Sinn Fein press officers, who knew of his arrest, provided him a reference for a job at a charity who were not informed. It emerged in September that after his arrest he got a job with the British Heart Foundation after being provided with references by Sinn Fein press officers Sean Mag Uidhir and Caolan McGinley. Michael McMonagle The BHF said they were not told of the child sex charges McMonagle was facing. Sean Mag Uidhir and Caolan McGinley later resigned. Sinn Fein were mired in further controversy when TD Brian Stanley left the party after saying he had been subject to a kangaroo court by Sinn Fein after a complaint was made about him which led to a internal party inquiry, The complaint centred on Stanley sharing his room with a woman after they had a pre-arranged meeting in Leinster House where they had food and wine before going to a pub. She said she was unhappy that there was one bed in the room and but there was no suggestion anything physical or illegal took place. Stanley insisted he slept on the floor while the woman said the bed and used a pillow to separate them but she said she felt trauma and anger at the situation. Brian Stanley She later sent a text to the TD asking for a 60,000 payment which she said would be compensation for the emotional trauma Stanely denied any wrongdoing and ran in the election as an independent where he retained his seat. Around the same time as that controversy was hitting the headlines, it emerged that former Sinn Fein Senator Niall O Donnghaile resigned from the party for sending inappropriate texts to teenager. The party said the teenager was 17 but it later emerged he was 16 when he received the messages. The Senator received glowing praise from Mary Lou McDonald after it was announced months earlier that he was stepping down for health reasons. It later emerged O Donnghaile continued to claim allowances even after he had stopped attending the Seanad. Mary Lou McDonald later issued an apology to the teenager for how the matter was handled. One person who would have very happy with the succession of controversies which dogged Sinn Fein at that time was the Oireachtas-based national politician nicknamed Cobalt who it was claimed was working as a Russian agent. A report in the Sunday Times in October alleged that a member of the Oireachtas had been recruited by Russia. Taoiseach Simon Harris had been briefed about the politician and while he said he couldnt comment directly, he added: I think we need to be alert in Ireland to the fact that were not immune from Russian influence. The news led to a number of members of the Seanad coming out publicly to say they were not Cobalt. The matter was raised both in the Seanad and Dail with politicians calling for Cobalt to be identified. However, just as the pressure was growing, Sinn Feins multiple scandals broke out and took the political focus off Cobalt. The member of the Oireachtas understood to be the person referred to in the article as Cobalt remains an active politician and has not spoken publicly on the matter. We need to make people understand that at the end of the day we're all human beings, we all have similar ambitions and challenges and that nobody is an enemy. The chairperson of the Irish Muslim Council, Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, has said he is committed to compassion, inclusion, diversity and unity in Ireland, despite the relentless hatred directed against him. While he ran for but did not succeed in getting elected in the European parliament elections in June or the General Election last month, Dr Al-Qadri spoke out about how he had personally experienced the harsh reality of racism and Islamophobia in Ireland during both campaigns. The hatred directed at me has been relentless, he wrote in an opinion piece for the Irish Times last month. This wasnt just about insults or bigotry, it became deeply personal. People questioned my loyalty to Ireland, accusing me of promoting Sharia law or claimed I wasnt truly Irish because of the colour of my skin or the fact that I dont have a grandparent who fought for Irish independence. Dr Al-Qadri said the remarks were more than ignorant, as they reflect a narrow, harmful understanding of what it means to belong to this beautiful country, which has been my home for 21 years. Despite the fact that he had failed to get elected, Dr Al-Qadri said he wanted to play his role in ensuring that Irish society remains one that we can be proud of, despite the challenges, from the far-right, amongst others. Its important, particularly with the divisive rhetoric going on, that there is anti-racism education and initiatives of bridge-building to bring people together, he told Sundayworld.com. We need to make people understand that at the end of the day we're all human beings, we all have similar ambitions and challenges and that nobody is an enemy. We are all in this together and we should all work for a society where everybody is treated with equality, respect and dignity. I will obviously focus on my civic engagement initiatives to amplify the voice of the underrepresented people in his country. Twenty per cent of people in Ireland are not born in Ireland, he added. One fifth of our population consists of people with a migrant background like myself, and I think it's important that these people have a voice. It's important especially because so far neither in the Dail or the Seanad are their voices heard. They need to be represented and I think it's only right for us to work for a society where everybody's voice is represented and everybody has representation. When asked about the vitriolic abuse that was directed at him as he stood for election, Dr Al-Qadri said: When we look at social media and compare that with the election results it shows there isn't an appetite in Ireland for this kind of hatred. However, as Ive said, the danger is that if we do not combat the very small minority that is very vocal in their hate and their divisive rhetoric there is a danger that our society will act exactly like that of the Netherlands (where the the Dutch coalition government is headed by Geert Wilders far-right Freedom party). He also warned of the dangers of social media and how platforms such as X, Facebook and TikTok need to be more responsible as he outlined how videos he had posted himself were carefully manipulated. I have noticed this particularly during my election campaign, how they can be used to promote hatred, he said. One video that was shared by just one account to millions of followers was one I had recorded more than 13 years ago. "But the way it was edited you would think I am an extremist, calling for the murder of Christians. They do not realise in fact that I am a person that has for years been speaking out against the persecution of Christians in Muslim majority countries. I have defended Christianity many times. When Dublin City Council was referring to the Christmas lights as Dublin winter lights last year I said, hold on, why are we trying to get rid of the Christian element, it's a beautiful thing. Dr Al-Qadri referred to the incident last February when he was hospitalised after he was the victim of what he called a deliberate hate crime attack. In what appeared to be a planned attack, he was assaulted as he went to meet two individuals who had arranged a meeting in Tallaght. When I was attacked, the Archbishops of the Catholic and the Church of Ireland both wrote to me to express their solidarity with me, he said. I have great friendships with people of all faiths and none. Dr Al-Qadri said it was disturbing to see the tragic killing of eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib and the attack on her mother that shocked the nation being weaponised by some to spread division and target migrants. When you have 20 per cent of the population of Ireland that consists of immigrants, crime is going to be committed by people from all backgrounds. But the people who want to promote their agenda of hatred will use these terrible crimes to attack migrants. Asked if he ever felt like giving up and living a quieter life, Dr Al-Qadri replied: If someone like me, one of the most vocal voices against the likes of al Qaida and the Taliban can get attacked for being a Muslim, then I wonder what can happen to the normal, common, ordinary Muslim and the racism they have to face. These people may think they can scare me but I am only more determined to work for a better Ireland because I've been here 21 years and it's the most beautiful country in the world. In fact, it is the most wonderful community in the world and I want to make sure that is protected. The long-serving officer was formally suspended from his duties at the Midlands Prison in October 2023 A senior prison officer - under investigation after multiple allegations of bullying and harassment were made against him by colleagues is set for a showdown with the Irish Prison Service in the High Court. The long-serving officer was formally suspended from his duties at the Midlands Prison in October 2023 on foot of four complaints being lodged against him by separate IPS staff members. Its understood, in the wake of his initial suspension, it was agreed he could return to work in an altered capacity, where he would not have any interaction with the complainants in the case, while an investigation into the allegations was underway. The Irish Prison Service appointed a former Northern Ireland prison governor to investigate the complaints of bullying and misogyny against him. Austin Treacy, a retired Governor Director who worked in the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) for more than 30 years, conducted interviews in December 2023 with three staff members who made complaints against the officer. Mr Treacy was assisted in carrying out the investigation by retired NIPS Governor Gary McClean. The decision to draft in the external investigators was made to ensure there could be no questions as to the objectivity of those involved, a source said. Its understood that the investigation has now concluded and the findings were made known to both the officer and the complainants in the case in recent weeks. The Irish Prison Service has declined to make the findings of the independent investigation public. A spokesperson said: The Irish Prison Service does not comment on individual prisoner cases or members of staff. Judicial review proceedings in the High Court were initiated by the officer at the centre of the probe in December of 2023. According to High Court records, the case is next listed for mention in February of 2025. At the centre of the probe into the senior prison officers workplace conduct are complaints from both male and female members of staff. The complaints from his male colleagues are understood to relate to repeatedly alleged incidents of shouting and abusive comments they claim were made to them by the officer. The complaints from the female members of staff relate to similar type incidents that at least one of the two claimed were misogynistic in tone. Although the Irish Prison Service has declined to comment on the findings of the independent investigation, a spokesperson previously told this newspaper all allegations of improper conduct are treated very seriously. The Irish Prison Service sets high standards in respect of its staff and requires that all staff carry out their duties with integrity, commitment and professionalism at all times, a statement read. Where a complaint is received about the behaviour of a staff member, this is treated with the utmost seriousness by the Irish Prison Service and investigated in a manner that is fair and protects the rights of all parties involved. The Midlands Prison is regarded as one of the most settled prisons in the prison estate housing a large number of elderly inmates as well long-term inmates. A source insisted that incidents of bullying and harassment, as alleged in the complaints against the suspended prison officer, would be the exception rather than the norm within the prison. It would be totally different if I was married. COUNTRY music star Nathan Carter reveals that hes set to release a new album early next year and has co-written all the tracks with the songwriter and producer behind some of Robbie Williams biggest hits. In an exclusive interview, Carter also looks back at 2024 and recalls how he expanded his career across the UK, launched his own clothing range and became one of the celebrity investors in award-winning The Muff Liquor Company He joined Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, Ed Sheeran, Ronan Keating, Alan Carr and Ryan Tubridy on the board of the Donegal-based gin and vodka enterprise. As well as performing sold out shows everywhere from Ireland to the UK, Spain, Australia and even in Las Vegas, managing his trad and folk group, Ceol, shooting TV adverts, releasing a Christmas album and editing a new live TV concert, 34-year-old Carter has also been building a brand new home in Fermanagh. Nathan Carter with songwriter Guy Chambers So how does he juggle such a hectic career and personal life.? Its probably been my busiest year ever and it has been a bit mental at times. The phone never stops, but I can do it now because Im not married with kids, Nathan says. It would be totally different if I was married. I couldnt do half the stuff, really. Well, you could, but youd be another casualty of the music business when it comes to marriages. I really hope thats something (marriage and children) Ill have down the line one day, but at the minute Im glad to be doing as much as I can. And I honestly couldnt have done any more this year. Nathan reveals that he hooked up with Guy Chambers, the man who co-wrote Robbie Williams hits such as Angels, Let Me Entertain You, Rock DJ, Feel and Millennium, after bumping into his manager Steve Abbott. Steve was the man who signed me to Decca Records in the UK 10 years ago, Nathan reveals. I met him by chance in Donegal where he has a holiday home. Ill be starting the recording of it in January, so thats going to be a big project for me in 2024. Im hoping to have the album out before next summer. It wont be a radically new direction for me musically, but it will be a fresh sound and something that I havent done before. One of Nathans biggest projects in 2024 was launching his own range of clothes called Carter Clothing that includes jumpers, cardigans, polo shirts, T-shirts, trousers, jeans and joggers. He says: Theyre now in half a dozen shops across Ireland, but the majority of the sales are online. People just shop online all the time now. We are really delighted with the manufacturer in Donegal who produces all the knitwear. To have an Irish manufacturer was really key, rather than buying stock that has been produced in sweat factories out in China. It's not cheap to do it that way, and that reflects in the price, but the clothing is sustainable. Youll have it for years, theyre not going to be discarded after six washes. I also wanted the clothing to be fashionable and taken seriously, and clothing that is unique, that you dont see day to day on everyone walking around. Its been a lot of work to get it off the ground. Its only been out in the last couple of months, but its flying now. The Black Friday sales, in particular, were great. So, hopefully, thats an indication that theres a good future for the business. We have a big discount in the January sale as well. Nathan says he put his own stamp on the various designs. I definitely wasnt fashionable growing up, but Ive got more into style in the last few years, he says. From wearing stuff through the years for photo shoots and the stage you pick up on various aspects from the different brands. Nathan has been working with a new PR team in the UK and in 2024 he made numerous appearances on Sky TV and other TV and radio channels. I did a lot of different TV appearances to raise my profiled in the UK, a lot of cooking shows that were good fun as well, he says. Live-wise, this year I played some of the biggest UK gigs of my career. This year I also got to do several TV adverts, including one for the Aer Lingus direct flight to Nashville launch, and I worked with Cadburys as well. Im open to doing collaborations with different companies, so hopefully therell be more of that in the New Year as well. As well as powering ahead with his own career, Carter has also been guiding his folk band Ceol, which he established and manages, through the music scene. Theyve been a huge hit with fans and have some very exciting stuff coming up in 2025 as well, he says. I cant reveal what it is, but Ceol are also set to be part of a big TV special on New Years Eve. Tauranga Womens Refuge is constantly busy throughout the year, but the festive holiday season is their busiest stretch. With few community support services operating during this time, women and children face challenges accessing help when they are in need, Tauranga Womens Refuge manager Hazel Hape said. For survivors of domestic violence, the holiday season can be a particularly hard time due to the lack of access to helping services and support as most of them shut down for the holiday season. [But] This is not the case for Tauranga Womens Refuge, Hape said. A 24-hour, seven-days-a-week domestic violence helpline and access to safe housing for immediate and imminent domestic violence safety concerns are available during this time. Hape said the helpline was a pathway to safety and support services during the holiday season. At the refuge, people are provided with advice, information and support. The helpline is stationed by experienced and skilled practitioners who are on call over the holiday season. She said domestic violence was complex with multiple contributing factors. Domestic violence is a result of someone making a choice to use violence, abuse and trauma towards another person. Weve been operating a 24/7 domestic violence helpline, safe housing and community support services since 1980 in Tauranga and have supported thousands of women, their children, families, whanau and communities. What we know is domestic violence does not discriminate, it is perpetuated across all facets of society: social, cultural, economic and religion here in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. Hape said if you witnessed or heard someone being physically, emotionally or psychologically abused within your own home, family, whanau and community please offer to provide support, whether personally or by way of contacting support services during the holiday season. Domestic violence can be traumatic and confronting for friends, family and community who want to help someone. However, if you suspect someone is experiencing domestic violence, let them know that you know, ask them how you can help and provide them with support services' contact details. Tell them what is happening for them is not okay. If you see or hear domestic violence, offer support or phone emergency services for advice and support about safety and support planning. Steps to take if you need to leave an unsafe situation: Contact the 24/7 domestic violence 0800 86 7338 helpline for advice, information and support about your safety and support needs. Secure your legal documents: bank account, drivers licence, passport, keys. Leaving can be unsafe for many reasons; your decision is important, so your safety is a priority. There are people in the community willing and ready to support. Tauranga Womens Refuge appreciates donations and fundraising support to help keep the doors open so that women and children have a safe place to go. Go to: taurangawomensrefuge.co.nz A new University of Canterbury study reveals surprising differences in pipefish, where males carry the young, defying evolutionary norms. In a discovery that flips mating rules on its head, Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) PhD student Nicole Tosto has uncovered biological differences between male and female pipefish that shape their survival. Pipefish are unique because they dont follow the usual rules of evolution, Tosto explained. In most species, males compete to attract females. But with pipefish, the males carry and protect the embryos. Male pipefish activate genes to strengthen their immune systems, a key adaptation for carrying and nurturing their young. Meanwhile, females activate genes that support egg production. The study also challenges traditional ideas about mate selection. Unlike many species where females choose larger, dominant males, female pipefish prefer smaller males with higher fitness levels. Tosto believes this preference reflects a focus on efficiency: smaller males may need fewer resources or be better suited for the species unique courtship rituals, which include synchronised movements in the water. It also happened that males and females within the species of pipefish studied looked almost identical a characteristic known as monomorphism. In many species, visible traits like size or colour help distinguish sexes, but this species of pipefish lacked those differences. Instead, their distinctions lie beneath the surface. Unlike humans, pipefish dont have sex chromosomes. Both sexes share the same genetic blueprint but use their genes differently. Males produce immune-boosting proteins for pregnancy, while females focus on egg-enhancing proteins. Understanding how species like pipefish adapt to unique mating and survival pressures is critical for broader conservation efforts. Knowing how these pressures shape mating systems helps us better understand how species survive and adapt to their environments, Tosto says. Her doctoral supervisor, Biological Sciences senior lecturer Dr Sarah Flanagan notes, Nicoles research has brought up important questions for evolutionary biologists when it comes to current vs past selection. For example, whether the existence of sex-specific ornamentation is evidence that selection is currently acting strongly on those sex-specific traits or whether ornaments are evidence of selection having happened in the past. Tostos research sheds new light on the hidden complexities of evolution and offers valuable insights into the survival strategies of one of natures most unconventional species. Read more about the research here. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Director-General of ICESCO Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik has extended his condolences to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. "Your Excellency, It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we have received the devastating news of the tragic crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines airplane near Aktau, which has resulted in the loss of precious lives. On behalf of ICESCO and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to Your Excellency, to the bereaved families, and to all affected people during this difficult time. We share in your grief and stand in solidarity as you face the sorrow caused by this tragic event. We pray for the souls of the departed to rest in eternal peace and for the injured to recover swiftly. May Allah (SWT) grant strength and patience to the families and loved ones affected. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and respect", the letter reads. For Anne, the psychological blow of having been caught up in an investment scam is proving harder to deal with than the at least-$80,000 she has lost. "I feel so stupid," she says. The 67-year-old, whom RNZ has agreed not to identify because not even her husband knows the full extent of her losses, fell into the scam last year. She was talking to friends about being interested in investing in shares and a man told her he had got into trading, and recommended a company that could help. "I went online, they had a website, all the legal terms and conditions, it looked pretty legit, so I thought I'll just give it a go." For a few months, she invested a couple of hundred dollars, which did well. That prompted representatives for the company to push her for $1000. "They go 'if you give us $1000 we can give you some bonus shares' it grew." She was then convinced to sign up for a 12-month contract to invest on a regular basis. "I could see what was happening. Some things went up, some things went down and I thought 'if it's a scam it's unlikely they'll go down'. It got bigger and bigger, $1000 became $5000 and it was in American dollars so you double it - I thought 'this looks really good'." She and her husband were in a reasonable financial position for retirement. She was earning "pretty good money", they had some investments and their mortgage was almost paid off. "I could see it growing." But late last year she suffered a serious accident that meant she had to stop working. After she had been in hospital three weeks, the "investment" provider phoned to ask why she had not put any more money in to her account. "I said no, at the moment I'm in hospital, so I won't be. They said 'in your agreement you said you would give us so much money each month and we invested on the assumption you would do that. Now you owe us $25,000'. I said 'I beg your pardon?'" She said she tried to tell them to take the money from her account and pay her out the rest but they refused. She talked to her financial adviser who "tore her apart", she said. She also sought advice from a lawyer who told her she had lost her money in a scam. She said it was now a stalemate where she avoided calls from the scammers, who were claiming she had US$200,000 in her account - if only she would hand over another US$25,000. "I'm not going to do that. I would have given them probably about $80,000. "You see things growing and you think 'wow, this could make a major difference in retirement. The people I was talking to were really nice, they seemed really nice, it all seems really genuine until you try to get the money out." Her financial adviser, Carey Church, said the amount she lost could be more. Church was not aware of what was happening initially because Anne was pulling money from her KiwiSaver to invest. The provider had threatened to sue her and even asked her to go to her bank for a letter explaining why she could not remortgage her house to pay them. Anne pushed the friend who had made the recommendation to tell her about his experience. "He said I should have told you earlier but I felt dreadful. That's what happens. People get caught into these things. It's hard to say to someone 'I've been had', you don't think you're stupid enough to be caught." Because the "investment" provider was registered overseas, there was little she could do to try to get her money back. She said she had had her own business and thought she was fairly savvy. "Where things look right you go 'well why not" but very quickly it can get out of hand. "It makes you feel sick. But also annoyed enough that I want other people to have the opportunity to learn a bit from how easily these things do happen. I'm 67, we were cruising to a not-wealthy but comfortable retirement, thanks a lot to using good quality financial advice, just leaving them to it Now I've got interest to pay ion a mortgage. It's so stupid, so, so stupid. "Because I felt so stupid about it, I've always looked after the finances in the house - I haven't in the last 12 months told my husband the extent - he knows what's happened, he just doesn't know the extent of it. "I'm not going to tell him. From being a very relationship where you thought you were telling each other everything you feel so stupid and sick about what you've done." She said the financial impact could eventually be put behind her, though they were paying for it. "It's the feeling that having always considered myself to be relatively intelligent with common sense." Church said people needed to be wary of chasing investment scams offering returns that were too good to be true. Earlier in the year, data from Payments NZ showed $194,269,962 was lost due in the year to the end of September, according to 11 of New Zealand's largest financial institutions. "While it is great to see that figure fall slightly compared 2022/23, the fact that it is still high just proves scammers keep evolving to become more complex," said MBIE business specialist Ian Caplin. "We are working to help New Zealanders learn what scams look like, as we know how hard it can be to identify them." -RNZ Ander Azpiroz Madrid Wednesday, 25 December 2024, 08:40 | Updated 09:03h. Compartir It could not have been otherwise. King Felipe VI of Spain began and closed his traditional Christmas Eve speech - his eleventh since taking office as Head of State - with a reminder of the more than 200 deaths and nearly 800,000 people affected by the storm that struck the Valencia region on 29 October. In view of the magnitude of the catastrophe, he called on us never to forget those who died, who have left so much pain and sadness in their families. Nor to the thousands of people who saw their villages, homes, workplaces or schools reduced to rubble or disappear. Even with all the grief caused, the King highlighted a positive aspect that should make people proud. This was the example set by those who opened their homes to shelter the most vulnerable, or by the neighbours, volunteers, Civil Protection teams, firefighters, members of the Armed Forces, NGOs and companies who collaborated, shovels and brushes in hand, to alleviate the devastating effects of the floods. This is, the King summed up, "solidarity in its purest form", a formula that can be extrapolated to many other aspects of public and private life, he added. "Over and above any possible differences and disagreements, there is a clear idea in Spanish society of what is best, of what benefits everyone and that, for this reason, we have the interest and responsibility to protect and reinforce it," said Felipe VI, before pointing out that both he and Queen Letizia have been able to confirm and value the rule of law throughout this decade of reign. Unity and dialogue For yet another year, the Head of State highlighted the spirit of the Constitution. He did so without failing to recognise the progress made by updates to the text, such as the one approved this year in article 49 referring to people with disabilities, which, in an almost unheard of event during this legislature, was supported by all the political forces represented in Congress except Vox. It was at this point that the King stopped to ask that the same solidarity shown with those affected by the Dana be applied in Parliament to defend "the common will". It is necessary," he stressed, "that the legitimate, but sometimes thunderous, political dispute does not prevent us from listening to an even more resounding demand: a demand for serenity". Moreover, he added, "discord must not be allowed to become a constant background noise that prevents us from listening to the real pulse of the people". His words represent, always within the very limited powers granted to the King by the Magna Carta, a real slap on the wrist from Felipe VI to the main political leaders. Immigration, housing and youth The King gave specific examples in which dialogue and consensus between the parliamentary forces should serve to remedy problems that are pressing for Spanish society and whose solution cannot be delayed because of partisan debates. Firstly, he referred to the management of irregular immigration, in which PSOE and PP are incapable of reaching an agreement that would make it possible to deal with the tens of thousands of people who have arrived on Spanish soil over the course of 2024. Felipe VI defended the effort of "integration, respect for the laws and basic rules of coexistence and civility". Also the "recognition of the dignity that every human being deserves". All of this without forgetting the fight against the mafias that traffic in people. "The way in which we are able to deal with immigration will say a lot in the future about our principles and the quality of our democracy", he said to conclude this section of his speech. Irregular immigration With regard to the problem of access to housing in affordable conditions, he made a new appeal to politicians, to whom he said it was crucial that "the actors involved" reflect and listen to each other so that dialogue leads to solutions. "We can really do it," he said. Youth Finally, Felipe VI called for the care of young people, the same who "undertake" despite the difficulties that this represents and who are at the forefront of Spanish science. It is also "the one that is most determined to demand advances in equality" and the one that "has filled us with pride by turning out en masse to give their best in the streets of the towns affected by the Dana". Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Rome, NY The Rev. Edwina Landry, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Rome, N.Y., was out of town visiting relatives July 16. Then, a tornado blasted through the city. Landrys cell phone kept ringing. She learned the devastating news: The EF2 tornado, which had peak winds of 135 mph and traveled more than five miles, walloped the city. No one was killed in Rome, but 370 homes were destroyed. Landrys historic church suffered extensive damage. I was just stunned, Landry recalls. It took my breath away. But I was also grateful no one was in the church at the time, and no one in Rome was killed. The church, built in 1807, was damaged so badly that it cant be used. Its 181-foot landmark steeple is gone, and the church will have to be repaired. Workers clear away the remnants of a building at Kirk Automotive on Madison Street and Ridge Street as the community cleans up storm damage Wednesday, July 17, 2024 a day after a severe system spawned a tornado that tore through Rome, N.Y. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com)N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com Landry wondered: What would her congregation do? How would they worship? She didnt need to worry. The spirit of giving and helping others is strong in Rome. Several churches offered Landry a temporary home. That same night, Zion Episcopal Church leaders suggested their church, a street away. They have been so hospitable, Landry said. Since July, First Presbyterians roughly 100 churchgoers have been worshipping at Zion. They just held a joint Christmas Eve service, among several shared services. Other Sundays, they stagger the times of worship. They also have a coffee hour in between so churchgoers can get to know their neighbors. Using Zion is temporary. At least Landry hopes it is. She and the congregation have launched a restoration fund to pay for the repairs. Rome residents and congregations all over the U.S. have donated. The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Rome has been holding their services at Zion Episcopal Church following the July 16, 2024 tornado that heavily damaged their church. Zion Episcopal Church is pictured in Rome, N.Y., Dec. 22, 2024.Mark DiOrio | Contributing photographer The fund has about $140,000. She doesnt know yet how much it will cost to repair the church. Likely millions, she said. Landry also doesnt know yet how much insurance will cover. We are moved by everyone who has contributed, she said. Its going to take a lot to put this church back together. But we are committed to rebuild, not just for us but for the community. Rome residents felt peace and joy when they saw that historic steeple, she said. Seeing it toppled shook them up, she said. The tornado, which also toppled St. Marys Church steeple as well, ripped through the city of 32,000. It blew the roof off First Presbyterian. The copper-spired steeple at First Presbyterian was blown into the sanctuary, puncturing the basement ceiling as it fell. The pews were crushed, and offices in the back of the church were damaged. The main walls were unscathed, keeping the church structurally intact. St. Marys wasnt as lucky. That church is slated for demolition because of extensive damage. As cranes removed the rubble at First Presbyterian, workers found the piano and organ still standing, Landry said. The top and legs of the piano were cracked, but it can still be played and eventually restored. Music is such an important part of our church, thats miraculous, Landry said. Landry said it is also miraculous that all but one of the stained-glass windows survived. The pulpit and cross also remain intact. Lenora Merithew with the First Presbyterian Church of Rome, takes up a collection during a Sunday service Dec. 22, 2024 at Zion Episcopal Church in Rome, N.Y. The congregation has been holding their services at Zion following the July 16, 2024 tornado that heavily damaged their church.Mark DiOrio | Contributing photographer The church was built in 1807. Its congregation began with a group of pioneers who lived at Wrights Settlement. They drew up a covenant to worship together. The parish, which got its start in 1793, is the oldest church establishment in Rome. The church aided the Underground Railroad during the time of the Civil War Less than a block away, Pat Corbett, a vestry member at Zion Episcopal Church, remembers looking out the back door and seeing the tornados damage to the church. We had escaped the worst of it, Corbett said. Right away we thought we should reach out and share our church facility since we still had ours. Landry gratefully agreed, and the congregation didnt miss a service. The two churches have worked on several outreach projects together. Corbett said First Presbyterian Church members have asked if they can give some money to Zion for using their church. But the Zion leadership refused at this time. Its tightened our relationship, and its a labor of love, Corbett said. This is part of our Christian mission to help people. The Rev. Edwina Landry of the First Presbyterian Church of Rome, sings a hymn with her congregation during a Sunday service Dec. 22, 2024 at Zion Episcopal Church in Rome, N.Y. The congregation has been holding their services at Zion following the July 16, 2024 tornado that heavily damaged their church.Mark DiOrio | Contributing photographer On the Sunday before Christmas, Landry said they held their traditional pageant. It tells the Christmas story, with angels, shepherds, sheep, the innkeeper and a donkey witnessing the birth of Jesus. Landry said she often talks to the congregation about what they went through, about the trauma of the tornado and also the blessings that have and will continue to come out of it. Shes told both congregations how grateful they are. Her Christmas message will carry that theme. There are correlations between there being no room for Jesus in the inn, and yet a place was found for him, she said. A place was found for us, too. Update: New Yorks attorney general has released video showing state prison guards beating and kicking an inmate who later died. Utica, N.Y. Several New York state prison guards held an inmate while they punched and kicked him in the groin and chest earlier this month at a Utica-area prison, according to a state investigator. The inmate was handcuffed during the assault and later manacled on his legs, the investigator said in court papers. At the end he appeared to only be in a shirt and underwear. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Hungarian Embassy in Azerbaijan expressed condolences over the crash of an AZAL aircraft near the Kazakh city of Aktau today, Trend reports. "We express our sincere and deep condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in the crash of the AZAL Baku-Grozny flight on December 25 near the Kazakh city of Aktau, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. In these difficult times, our thoughts and prayers are with our Azerbaijani friends", the embassy wrote on its official Facebook page. Earlier today, a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. WhatsApp, ! In context: Google does not want to sell off Chrome, which the U.S. government has proposed, so it has countered with its own suggestion about how to remedy its outsized and according to a recent ruling illegal domination of the online search market. Google is proposing to modify its agreements with Apple and other partners regarding default search engine settings on new devices. This comes in response to a recent U.S. ruling that found the tech giant unlawfully dominating the online search market. Google's proposal, submitted to U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, suggests a more limited approach compared to the government's push for more drastic measures. It aims to address the court's concerns while urging caution against interventions that could potentially stifle innovation, especially in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence and its impact on online services, including search engines. While the company plans to appeal the ruling that it holds an illegal monopoly in online search and related advertising, it suggests that the upcoming "remedies" phase should focus primarily on its distribution agreements. These agreements, which the judge found to give Google a "major, largely unseen advantage over its rivals," have resulted in most U.S. devices coming pre-loaded with Google's search engine. To address this, Google proposes making the agreements non-exclusive, particularly for Android manufacturers, and unbundling the Play Store from Chrome and search for Android phone manufacturers. Additionally, the company suggests allowing browser developers to annually reconsider Google as the default search engine. Notably, Google's proposal does not include ending revenue-sharing agreements, which provide a portion of ad revenue to device and software companies that set Google as the default search engine. These agreements have been crucial for independent browser developers like Mozilla, with Apple reportedly receiving an estimated $20 billion from its agreement with Google in 2022 alone. The proposal has already faced criticism from competitors. Kamyl Bazbaz, spokesperson for search engine competitor DuckDuckGo, argued that Google's suggestions attempt to maintain the status quo and fall short of truly restoring competition in the affected markets. In contrast to Google's more limited approach, the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of states are seeking more extensive remedies. These include forcing Google to sell off Chrome and potentially its Android mobile operating system, stopping Google from paying to be the default search engine, ceasing investments in search rivals and query-based AI products, and licensing Google's search results and technology to rivals. Google maintains that the government's proposed remedies are extreme and don't properly reflect the specific conduct found to be illegal by the judge. The company argues that courts have historically discouraged such drastic measures and that remedies should be of the "same type or class" as the violations. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google's vice president for regulatory affairs, emphasized that the company's proposal would allow competing browsers like Apple's Safari to have the freedom to partner with any search engine they deem best for their users. Google also proposes allowing device makers to preload multiple search engines and not requiring them to include Chrome and Google search if they want to include other Google apps. As the case progresses, Judge Mehta has scheduled a proceeding in April to decide on appropriate measures to address the lack of competition in the industries Google has dominated. This trial will see prosecutors calling witnesses from OpenAI, AI search startup Perplexity, and Microsoft. A final decision is expected by August 2025. The latest from Apple in their foray into Apple Intelligence is with iOS 18.2, but lately, it has been getting a bad rep because of its 'underwhelming' features according to users, but there are already massive advancements available for all. One of the top advancements on iOS 18.2 is the so-called 'Natural Language' that is available for users to take advantage of when they search using AI. This latest feature is one of the most nifty things available on Apple Intelligence's list of capabilities, including its massive integration of ChatGPT with OpenAI, Genmoji, Siri advancements, and more. What is Apple Intelligence's Natural Language on iOS 18.2? The most recent iOS 18.2 RC (release candidate) that was initially experienced by beta users was the version that gave the world this so-called "Natural Language," and Apple meant for it to help users simplify their search. According to 9to5Mac, users may take advantage of using 'natural language,' a.k.a. how a person normally speaks, when searching for something on Cupertino's streaming apps. This is available via Apple Music and Apple TV, and Apple said in its release notes that users may now describe or reiterate what they are searching for on these platforms without the need to be more specific on their queries. "Natural language search in Apple Music and Apple TV app lets you describe what you're looking for using any combination of categories like genres, moods, actors, decades, and more," said Apple. While it is not exactly directly related to Apple Intelligence, it is a feature that is known to be one of the biggest advantages of AI-powered experiences over regular search bars or AI assistants on smartphones. Freely Express Your Search Using Natural Language While specifying a query will help users narrow down their search more, using natural language in finding music or video content would be a great place to start, especially if one is unfamiliar with the title, artist, or genre. On the other hand, natural language search is also available on the newly revamped Siri, and users may command the chatbot to find songs or videos based on what they want to see or find, with the AI assistant fulfilling their requests. However, there is a small caveat for iOS 18.2's natural language capabilities as it can only understand user input in English for now, but the company said that it is planning to bring more language support to accommodate more future experiences via this technology. Apple Intelligence and Its Massive Upgrades December gave the world an improved experience on Apple Intelligence when it was released by Apple via the iOS 18.2 update for all eligible devices, ushering in the start of Cupertino's massive AI focuses. One of the top features available here is the ChatGPT integration which is only made available now, including Genmoji, Image Playground, and Visual Intelligence for the Capture Button. That being said, it is not yet the end for Apple's many upgrades for its proprietary AI as the company is looking to complete its full rollout of the first batch of Apple Intelligence features until iOS 18.4 or later. However, Apple recently faced massive criticism for its AI developments as many found it overwhelming despite it already featuring its native writing tools apart from ChatGPT, but Cupertino is only starting with what it has to offer users. There are different types of AI models available in the market for users to choose from, and it will largely depend on the type of service they need from the machine learning technology, and Google now followed up its previous tech with the PaliGemma 2. This new AI is an open vision-language model (VLM) which is meant to understand images and other forms of non-text media. The company is ramping up its multi-faceted approach to artificial intelligence, particularly as it already gave the world the renowned Gemini AI which is a multimodal model that can accept different types of input. Google Unveils PaliGemma 2, Its New Vision Language Model Google revealed their latest AI model for the world, and it is called the PaliGemma 2 which is part of the company's Gemma models that focus on further experiences on artificial intelligence that centers on vision. Originally, Googleannounced the Gemma 2 model last I/O 2024 in May, and it centers on a vision-language model (VLM) whichspecializes in understanding visual cues for users. PaliGemma 2 is the latest from the company after launching PaliGemma last May, and back then, it was already capable of providing short captions for images and short videos, using AI to better understand images, object detection and segmentation, as well as "visual question answering." However, with the launch of PaliGemma2, Google can now deliver "long captioning" for said images and videos, onewhich offers more detailed information regarding a specific photo, available in different sizes. Google said that it currently offers model sizes including 3B, 10B, and 28B parameters, including 224px, 448px, and 896px resolutions. PaliGemma 2 can also describe an image actions, emotions, and narratives found on a scene. How Can PaliGemma 2 Help Google's Latest AI Tech? Google is now leveraging its PaliGemma 2 open VLM to developers, available via Kaggle, Hugging Face, and Ollama for use in various applications to improve their capabilities in vision-based content. The latest PaliGemma 2 is also capable of more complex and technical vision capabilities where it can detect chemical formulas, music scores, chest X-ray reports, spatial reasoning, and more to expand more of the AI. According to Google, existing devs who have already used the original PaliGemma may use this next-gen version to upgrade the capabilities and features of their applications, with "immediate performance gains on most tasks without major code modifications." Google Went All-in For AI This 2024 Google had a massive 2024 which centered on expanding more of its artificial intelligence offers, with its models offering significant features for users, starting off with its early release of Gemini in December 2023. The company expanded more of its language model's features and technologies available, now offering different types of its models, as well as the latest being Gemini 2.0. One of the biggest shifts from Google this year was the I/O 2024 announced artificial intelligence feature of the company that is made available on its Search product, better known as AI Overview. That being said, the other products from Google like its Workspace suite, YouTube, Pixel, and more were all beneficiaries of the company's latest AI developments. Not only that, Google DeepMind also ramped up several AI developments where it can now teach robots several functions, factoring in vision models to help expand autonomous machines' capabilities. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev expressed condolences to Azerbaijan in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane near the city of Aktau, Trend reports. "Bulgaria mourns the victims of the crash of the passenger plane of "Azerbaijan Airlines" in Kazakhstan. I express my sincere condolences to the families of those killed in this tragic incident and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Rumen Radev wrote on his X page. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Embraer expressed condolences over the death of many people as a result of the crash of an aircraft belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC in the city of Aktau, the company said in a statement, Trend reports. "We are deeply saddened by the occurrence with an Embraer 190 today near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones affected by this incident. We are closely monitoring the situation and we remain fully committed to supporting the relevant authorities," the statement says. Earlier today, a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. Felipe VI urges Spain to learn from floods in Christmas message Madrid, Dec 24 (AFP) Dec 24, 2024 King Felipe VI urged Spain to draw lessons from this year's catastrophic floods to "strengthen society and make us grow" in his Christmas message broadcast on Tuesday. The October 29 disaster killed 231 people and devastated swathes of the eastern Valencia region, with thousands of victims now spending Christmas without loved ones, homes or property. The tragedy was "an event difficult to accept, but from which we must all be able to draw the necessary lessons that strengthen us as a society and make us grow", Felipe said from Madrid's Royal Palace. The European country's deadliest natural disaster in decades unleashed popular anger at the national and regional authorities for their perceived mismanagement. Many residents received telephone alerts after water was already engulfing their homes and some municipalities went without aid for days, relying on volunteers for immediate rescue work. Felipe and Queen Letizia felt that fury on November 3 during a visit to the ground-zero town of Paiporta, where survivors pelted them and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez with mud in images that stunned the world. "We have realised -- and understood -- the frustration, the pain, the impatience, the demands for a greater and more efficient coordination by the administrations," Felipe said in a subtle reference to the unrest. The 56-year-old monarch pleaded for restraint in politics amid a climate of polarisation exacerbated by the floods. "It is necessary that the political battle, legitimate but occasionally deafening, does not prevent us from hearing an even more clamorous demand: a demand for calm," he said. Felipe also referred to the divisive topic of immigration as irregular arrivals to the Canary Islands broke records for a second year running, straining authorities on the Atlantic archipelago. Migration was a "daily reality" that could "lead -- without the right management -- to tensions that erode social cohesion", he added. Felipe marked his 10th anniversary on the throne this year after his father Juan Carlos I abdicated in disgrace in 2014. The message concluded with a wish for a merry Christmas in Spanish, Catalan, Galician and Basque, the country's four official languages. Japan FM raises 'serious concerns' over China military buildup Beijing, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2024 Japanese foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya on Wednesday raised "serious concerns" over China's military buildup as he met counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing, Tokyo said. On his first visit to China since becoming Japan's top diplomat earlier this year, Iwaya told Wang that Tokyo was "closely monitoring the Taiwan situation and recent military developments", according to his foreign ministry. Meeting with Wang at Beijing's opulent Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, he also "expressed serious concerns over the East China Sea situation, including around the Senkaku Islands (and) China's increasing military activity," Tokyo said. Iwaya in addition called for the "swift release" of Japanese nationals detained by Chinese authorities. "Opaqueness surrounding the anti-espionage law is causing Japanese people to think twice about visiting China," he warned. But the two ministers also agreed to work towards a visit to Japan by Wang "at the earliest possible timing next year". Earlier, Iwaya met Chinese Premier Li Qiang and agreed to work for a "constructive and stable" relationship, Japanese news agency Kyodo said. China and Japan are key trading partners, but increased friction over disputed territories and military spending has frayed ties in recent years. Beijing's more assertive presence around disputed territories in the region, meanwhile, has sparked Tokyo's ire, leading it to boost security ties with key ally the United States and other countries. - Tense ties - In August, a Chinese military aircraft staged the first confirmed incursion by China into Japanese airspace, followed weeks later by a Japanese warship sailing through the Taiwan Strait for the first time. Beijing's rare test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean in late September also drew strong protests from Tokyo, which said it had not been given advance notice. Tensions between the two sides also flared last year over Japan's decision to begin releasing into the Pacific Ocean some of the 540 Olympic swimming pools' worth of reactor cooling water amassed since the 2011 tsunami that led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster -- an operation the UN atomic agency deemed safe. China branded the move "selfish" and banned all Japanese seafood imports, but in September said it would "gradually resume" the trade. On Wednesday, the two ministers affirmed their support for that plan. China imported more than $500 million worth of seafood from Japan in 2022, according to customs data. Japan's brutal occupation of parts of China before and during World War II remains another sore point, with Beijing accusing Tokyo of failing to atone for its past. Visits by Japanese officials to the Yasukuni shrine that honours war dead -- including convicted war criminals -- regularly prompt anger from Beijing. bur-oho/mtp Japan FM raises 'serious concerns' over China military buildup Beijing, Dec 25 (AFP) Dec 25, 2024 Japanese foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya raised "serious concerns" on Wednesday over China's military buildup as he met counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing, Tokyo said. On his first visit to China since becoming Japan's top diplomat earlier this year, Iwaya told Wang that Tokyo was "closely monitoring the Taiwan situation and recent military developments", according to his foreign ministry. Meeting with Wang at Beijing's opulent Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, he also "expressed serious concerns over the East China Sea situation, including around the Senkaku Islands (and) China's increasing military activity", Tokyo said. Iwaya in addition called for the "swift release" of Japanese nationals detained by Chinese authorities. "Opaqueness surrounding the anti-espionage law is causing Japanese people to think twice about visiting China," he warned. But the two ministers also agreed to work towards a visit to Japan by Wang "at the earliest possible timing next year". China's foreign ministry said in a statement that the meeting would take place "at an appropriate time", without mentioning discussions of Beijing's military manoeuvring or detained Japanese nationals. Iwaya earlier met Chinese Premier Li Qiang and agreed to work for a "constructive and stable" relationship, Japanese news agency Kyodo said. China and Japan are key trading partners, but increased friction over disputed territories and military spending has frayed ties in recent years. Beijing's more assertive presence around disputed territories in the region, meanwhile, has sparked Tokyo's ire, leading it to boost security ties with key ally the United States and other countries. But the return of Donald Trump to the White House has "heightened Japan's anxiety over the stability of US-Japan relations" and Beijing could be seeking to exploit that, Taipei-based analyst Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang told AFP. Beijing was likely aiming to diminish anti-China sentiment within Japan's ruling party, he said, using the transition period between two US administrations as an opportunity to advance its regional agenda. "Any shifts in the balance of Japan's foreign policy could have significant implications for the entire Indo-Pacific region," he said. - Tense ties - In August, a Chinese military aircraft staged the first confirmed incursion by China into Japanese airspace, followed weeks later by a Japanese warship sailing through the Taiwan Strait for the first time. Beijing's rare test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean in late September also drew strong protests from Tokyo, which said it had not been given advance notice. Tensions between the two sides also flared last year over Japan's decision to begin releasing into the Pacific Ocean some of the 540 Olympic swimming pools' worth of reactor cooling water amassed since the 2011 tsunami that led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster -- an operation the UN atomic agency deemed safe. China branded the move "selfish" and banned all Japanese seafood imports, but in September said it would "gradually resume" the trade. On Wednesday, the two ministers affirmed their support for that plan. China imported more than $500 million worth of seafood from Japan in 2022, according to customs data. Japan's brutal occupation of parts of China before and during World War II remains another sore point, with Beijing accusing Tokyo of failing to atone for its past. Visits by Japanese officials to the Yasukuni shrine that honours war dead -- including convicted war criminals -- regularly prompt anger from Beijing. bur-oho/mya/dhw Chief among those problems is that sales have plummeted in China, the worlds largest vehicle market. Chinese buyers are moving much more quickly to electric and plug-in hybrid cars and trucks than most industry experts had expected. Honda and Nissan offer few such models, which now account for more than half of all cars sold in China. Companies that are doing the best in the shift away from petrol cars are Chinese manufacturers such as BYD and SAIC, as well as Tesla. Chinese company BYD is capitalising on the shift to electric and hybrid vehicles. Credit: Bloomberg Last month, Honda said it expected net profit for the fiscal year ending in March to fall 14 per cent, and lowered its forecast for global vehicle sales to 3.8 million from 3.9 million, largely as a result of its difficulties in China, which had once accounted for about a third of its sales. Nissan has more significant troubles than Honda and in recent years has slogged through management upheaval. In the United States, a critical market where Nissan used to earn significant profits, the companys market share has fallen sharply as it struggles to sell cars and trucks that havent received significant upgrades in recent years. In the period from April to September, Nissans operating profit plunged 90 per cent, and the carmaker recently said it aimed to shed 9000 employees worldwide and cut global production by about 20 per cent. A merger could help Honda and Nissan develop electric cars faster and at lower cost in theory. But other companies have struggled to achieve such gains in practice, often because the priorities of companies working together often shift and diverge. Loading Ford Motor and Volkswagen teamed up a few years ago to work on EVs and autonomous driving technology. But the companies shut down their self-driving car business and reaped few benefits from collaborating on EVs. Honda had a partnership with General Motors, and currently sells two electric SUVs the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX that are manufactured by GM. But the companies have decided not to extend the partnership beyond those two models, and GM is now exploring ways to work with Hyundai, a South Korean vehicle maker. Still, analysts said a merger of Honda and Nissan had the potential to help both companies. In the US, the two companies have similar product lines focused on small and medium-size cars and SUVs such as Nissans Sentra, Altima and Rogue and Hondas Civic, Accord and CRV. Sam Fiorani, a vice president at research firm Auto Forecast Solutions, said Nissan had the technology to build the full-size utility vehicles bought by many Americans, something Honda lacked. Thats something that could be valuable for Honda in the future, he said. On the production side, Nissan has two vehicle assembly plants in the US and Honda has four. Each also has engine and transmission factories and engineering centres. They could in theory reap savings by combining their operations, closing some plants and locations and eliminating jobs. But thats where the difficulties are likely to arise. Nissan Motor chief executive Makoto Uchida and Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe in Tokyo this week with Mitsubishi Motors president Takao Kato. Credit: Getty Images That means one of the two merger partners is going to gut their development organisation or scrap their engine program, and that where you always run into heavy resistance, Stallkamp said. When it comes down to it, neither side wants to take the hit. In many cases, downsizing measures run into political opposition because governments push companies to preserve jobs. Stellantis was formed in a 2021 merger of Frances Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler, and the French and Italian governments have fought to keep the combined company from closing factories. After some initial success, Stellantis suffered a slump in vehicle sales this year and a drop in profit. The CEO who helped shepherd the merger, Carlos Tavares, resigned this month. The company, now run by a board committee, is looking for a new top executive and scrapping parts of the strategy it put in place after the merger. For more than two decades, Nissan was the junior partner in an alliance with Renault. The partnership saved Nissan from collapse and helped it become profitable, but neither company had the kind of long-term success that had been envisioned by Carlos Ghosn, who had led the alliance and served as CEO of both companies. Loading Eventually, executives at Nissan chafed at being, in effect, controlled by Renault. In 2018, Ghosn was arrested and jailed in Japan on charges of financial wrongdoing. He fled to Lebanon before a trial. Renault still owns a significant stake in Nissan, but the two dont work as closely together as they used to. DaimlerChrysler faced few battles over closing plants but struggled to merge a luxury carmaker with one that made more affordable models. The combined company had an awkward management structure that included two executives sharing power at the top. There were vast cultural differences between its German and American operations, and the two sides separated in 2007 after nine years. It was a constant battle of egos on both sides, Stallkamp said. Other partnerships that proved disappointing include BMWs takeover of Britains Rover in the 1990s. Ford owned all or part of Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda and Volvo but sold those assets during and after the 2008 financial crisis. A few automotive mergers have seemed to live up to expectations. Fiat Chrysler formed when Italian company Fiat took over Chrysler as the American company was emerging from bankruptcy is one example of a merger that seemed to flourish. Under its CEO, Sergio Marchionne, the Chrysler part of the business, which also included the Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands, recovered and became the more profitable half of the combined company. South Korean vehicle makers Hyundai and Kia, which have been in an alliance since 1998, are together one of the worlds largest automakers and have enjoyed strong growth in recent years. They share development, engineering and manufacturing resources, but have separate sales and marketing operations. Livelys legal complaint included excerpts from thousands of pages of text messages and emails she had obtained through a subpoena. Jones lawsuit reveals that those messages came from a company phone used by one of her former employees, Jennifer Abel, who was among those Lively accused of helping to orchestrate a smear campaign against her. Stephanie Jones says she was forced out of representing Justin Baldoni and his film studio amid concerns that Blake Lively would go public with accusations of misconduct against him. Credit: WireImage Jones lawsuit, filed in New York and alleging breach of contract, follows a separate legal complaint in California on Saturday by Lively. The actor asserted that Baldoni, his film studio, Wayfarer, and their public relations representatives retaliated against her after she raised her misconduct allegations during the filming of It Ends With Us. A former publicist for actor and director Justin Baldoni filed a lawsuit on Tuesday that adds a new dimension to an alleged campaign to undermine actor Blake Lively. The publicist, Stephanie Jones, says she was forced out of representing Baldoni and his film studio amid concerns that Lively would go public with accusations of misconduct against him. Jones said she fired Abel earlier this year after discovering that Abel had been stealing documents from her firm as she prepared to start her own business. According to the lawsuit, the phone was voluntarily returned to Jones company, Jonesworks, in the presence of an employment lawyer and the messages and emails were forensically extracted directly from that company phone and have been preserved in their original state. Abel had been the Jonesworks point person for Baldoni and Wayfarer, and the messages show that she worked closely with Melissa Nathan, a crisis communications manager, as soon as Wayfarer and Baldoni hired her. The lawsuit says that Jones saw the messages from the phone after she fired Abel and Wayfarer stopped working with Jonesworks. Jones says in the lawsuit that in reviewing the messages, she discovered that her former employee had been involved in a retaliation campaign against Lively. Abel has since opened her own firm and has continued working for Wayfarer. Lively accuses Baldoni of trying to ruin her reputation. Baldoni denies the claims. Credit: Getty Images As the release of It Ends With Us neared, Baldoni began to fear that allegations about his on-set misbehavior would come out, the lawsuit says. The suit says that without Jones knowledge or approval, and with encouragement from Jamey Heath, another head of Wayfarer, Nathan and Abel began to formulate a no-holds-barred strategy to discredit and suppress any potential revelations about Baldonis on-set behaviour. The suit says they launched a smear campaign against Lively. Police believe a man in his 20s, found dead on the side of a far north Queensland road early on Christmas morning, was killed in a hit-and-run. The man was located along Martyville Road in Martyville, just south of Innisfail, about 5.20am. Following a Christmas Day investigation, a 27-year-old man was arrested at a nearby address. The man in his 20s was found along Martyville Road in Martyville. Credit: Google Maps He has been charged with driving without care causing death, and failing to remain at the scene of a crash. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Spokesperson for External Relations and Security Policy of the European Union (EU) Anouar El Anouni expressed condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, EU spokesman wrote on his X page, Trend reports. "We have learned with sorrow about the crash of an AZAL flight during an emergency landing near Aktau in Kazakhstan. We express our most sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and we wish a quick recovery to those injured," he said. Earlier today, a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. A 19-year-old man died on Christmas Day after a firework explosion in Melbournes outer north. Police were called to the incident at a residential development area in Kalkallo at about 9pm, where they found the Whittlesea man with critical injuries. He died at the scene. The teenager died after fireworks exploded in a residential development area in Kalkallo. Credit: Hannah Hammoud Acting Senior Sergeant Fiona Parvin said Christmas Day would never be the same again for the victims family. Obviously, its extremely distressing for the family and friends of this person, she said. Fireworks should not be handled by the public. The nations veterans will receive more than $13 billion owed to them for their service and to offset a growing number of debilitating health conditions as a backlog of claims for assistance is cleared. This masthead can reveal the single-year cost to taxpayers of the federal government dealing with more than 60,000 claims left unprocessed by the Morrison government will next year surpass assistance to state government-run public schools. A dawn service at Melbournes Shrine of Remembrance. Thousands of veterans are sharing in $13 billion in extra, but delayed, compensation and health payments. Credit: Jason South This months mid-year budget update revealed an extra $1.8 billion for veterans medical claims and compensation over the next 3 years. But the total cost of assessing veterans claims since the government took office will, by 2027-28, be at least $13.3 billion more than had been forecast when the Morrison government lost office in 2022. The key crossbencher who helped decide government in the hung federal parliament of 2010 has warned against doing deals with the major parties after a tight election, saying independent MPs will gain better results by refusing to sign pacts. Andrew Wilkie, the Tasmanian independent who signed an agreement to confirm Julia Gillard as prime minister, said crossbench MPs would be hamstrung if they agreed to formal deals in a possible hung parliament after the next election. Andrew Wilkie with teal independent Zoe Daniel. Credit: James Brickwood The comments send a strong message to teal independents to avoid pledging support for either major party when opinion polls suggest Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could lose support at the coming election, forcing him to hold power with crossbench backing. I learned that if you have a deal, youre locked in, and you are kind of taken for granted, Wilkie said. Whereas, if you dont have a deal you cant be taken for granted. A three-piece jazz band plays on the fringes of the buzzing farmers market, as shoppers peruse dozens of stalls offering handmade cheeses and organic vegetables, artisan teas and fresh pastries, craft beers and kombucha. Its a scene that could easily have been plucked from the Northern Rivers of NSW. But this is Kathmandu, and this Saturday market is one of a growing cluster of projects run by young, environmentally conscious creatives bringing more thoughtful, upmarket offerings to the city. Spices and fresh produce at Le Sherpa Farmers Market in Kathmandu. Now in its eighth year, the market was started by Namgyal Sherpa, who co-founded it to connect residents and travellers with farmers who have been central to Nepals culture and economy for centuries. Sherpa, 39, is managing director of Le Sherpa Concept, a collective of five venues that are raising Kathmandus food bar beyond the ubiquitous momo dumplings and dal bhat. These include La Casita tapas restaurant at Boudhanath Stupa, the chic Nomad Hotel in the emerging suburb of Lazimpat and Le Sherpa restaurant, which overlooks the market and where I soon find myself seated. Name the most spectacular sights to wake up to from your hotel window. Sydney Harbour, for sure. The Eiffel Tower. A game reserve in Kenya. The Swiss Alps around Lauterbrunnen. And now lets add the pyramids of Giza. You can stay in a hotel so close to these magnificent, 4500-year-old structures that they loom just over the edge of your balcony, close enough to touch (on a day without too much dust or smog). Credit: Jamie Brown Ive just spent the night at Le Meridien Pyramids, one of many hotels in outer Cairo that boast views of those unmistakable peaks. Wake in the morning, slightly drowsy and jet-lagged, throw open the curtains and there they are, a wonder of the world. And whats the first thing Im going to do on this beautiful morning, my first in Egypt? Check out. And then head to the airport. Im sprawled in the sun on a daybed by the saltwater pool, soaking up 180-degree views of magnificent Mykonos. The pop of whitewashed houses against the brown volcanic hills and the endless blue of the Aegean Sea lulls me into a blissful trance. Im in no hurry to go anywhere. Poolside at Deos. From where I lounge, I can see a luxury cruise ship anchored some distance offshore. An orange tender boat is ferrying privileged passengers to visit the beaches, boutiques and tavernas of Mykonos. Poor them. Theyll have to leave in a few hours, while I have days ahead of me, wrapped in the hospitable embrace of an extraordinary family and their incredible group of hotels. Im at Deos, the latest addition to the family-owned Myconian Collections 14 luxury hotels in the most stunning locations on Mykonos. Unveiled in 2024, Deos minimalism, quiet luxury (hello, Augustinus Bader facials) and superb sea views have landed it on hotel hot lists right away. If Deos is an overnight success, it owes much to the decades of hard work and vision of Myconian Collections founder, George Daktylides, and his wife, Eleftheria. An Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Christmas Day with 67 people on board had flown hundreds of kilometres off its scheduled route from Azerbaijan to Russia to crash on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea, setting off speculation it may have been shot down. The Embraer 190 plane was en route from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus when it was diverted and attempted an emergency landing three kilometres from Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbaev disclosed the figures while meeting with Azerbaijani officials on Thursday, the Russian news agency Interfax reported. Speaking at a news conference, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that it was too soon to speculate on the reasons behind the crash but said that the weather had forced the plane to change from its planned course. London: The King has delivered a personal message of gratitude to health workers who have supported him during his cancer treatment in his annual Christmas speech. In a candid message, Charles offered his heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses who helped with the uncertainties and anxieties of illness. In his third festive address to the nation, the King said the medical teams had provided the strength, care and comfort we have needed this year and also thanked all those who have sent their kind words of sympathy and encouragement. Charles broke with recent practice by recording his broadcast away from royal residences and choosing instead a location where generations had prayed for relief from sickness: a former hospital chapel for which George VI laid the foundation stone in 1928. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. On December 25, another group of former internally displaced persons, consisting of families temporarily settled in dormitories, sanatoriums, pioneer camps and administrative buildings in various territories of Azerbaijan, was sent to the city of Jabrayil from the Garadagh district of Baku, Trend reports. At this stage, another 49 families (253 people) moved to the city of Jabrayil. Jabrayil residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care, expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation. Currently, about 30 thousand people live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Among them are former internally displaced persons who have returned to these areas, as well as employees involved in the implementation of restoration and construction projects, employees of local departments of various government agencies, as well as specialists employed in healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry and energy institutions that have resumed their activities. Bangladesh launches probe against Hasina DHAKA : AN ANTI-GRAFT panel in Bangladesh has launched an investigation against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzling USD 5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant, according to a media report. Indian companies are participating in constructing the Rooppur nuclear power plant which is being built by Rosatom, Russias state-run corporation, in Bangladesh. The first Bangladeshi nuclear power plant, the Russian-designed Rooppur, is being built 160 km west of the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. Rosatom has refuted the provocative statements in the media about the Rooppur NPP project. Along with Hasina, her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Tulip Siddiq, her niece and the UKs Treasury Minister, were also questioned, BDNews reported on Sunday. There are accusations of embezzling USD 5 billion in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, the report added. The development came two days after the High Court issued a rule asking why the Anti-Corruption Commissions (ACC) inaction over an alleged transfer of USD 5 billion from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project to a Malaysian bank by Hasina, Joy, and Tulip should not be declared illegal, the report added. According to ACC documents, the allegations of corruption in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project were brought to light by Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM). Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 when she fled the country following a massive student-led protest that toppled her 16-year regime. Her sister Rehana accompanied her. Joy resides in the US, while her niece Tulip is a member of the British Parliament. Bangladesh-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet Ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for crimes against humanity and genocide. They are also named in multiple murder cases filed in connection with the demonstrations. Refuting the allegations, the Russian Corporation said that it is committed to a policy of openness and the principle of combating corruption in all its projects and maintains a transparent procurement system. Rosatom State Corporation refutes provocative statements about the implementation of the Rooppur NPP project that have appeared in the media, the statement said. BJP grapples with cabinet expansion conundrum amidst looming Cgarh civic elections Chief Minister Vishu Deo Sai and top leadership from State engaging in discussion with senior party figures in Delhi. By Mukesh S Singh Raipur, The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chhattisgarh faces a pivotal decision as it navigates the dual challenges of cabinet expansion and the upcoming civic and three-tier panchayat elections. With Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at the helm, the party has to balance governance priorities with electoral strategy to secure an advantage over Congress. For reasons not difficult to fathom, the political landscape of Chhattisgarh is now abuzz with speculations as Chief Minister, the two Deputy Chief Ministers, and key state leaders, including the BJP State President and General Secretary, are holding high-level discussions in Delhi with senior party figures. Party insiders and office-bearers closely linked with top BJP leaders reveal that Amar Agrawal (Bilaspur), Ajay Chandrakar (Kurud), and Rajesh Munat (Raipur City West) are strong contenders for cabinet induction. Should any of these MLAs be overlooked, Kiran Singh Deo (Jagdalpur), the BJP state president, is likely to step into the fray. However, speculation around Sunil Soni (Raipur MP) and Gajendra Yadav (Sanjari Balod) remains minimal, with their inclusion seen as improbable. The complexity deepens with central leaderships dissatisfaction over the performance of four ministers, including a female cabinet member. While their removal seems logical, their proximity to high command decision-makers at the Centre diminishes the likelihood of significant reshuffling. Performance issues have been flagged, but political equations may prevent immediate action, shared a senior party official. One faction believes delaying the cabinet expansion until after elections avoids internal friction and bolsters party unity. Another argues for immediate polls, leveraging Congresss anti-incumbency to gain control of civic bodies. With 92% of these entities currently dominated by Congress, BJP strategists see an opportunity to expose allegations of corruption and inefficiency within opposition ranks. Conversely, delaying elections risks losing public momentum and allowing administrative control to shift to bureaucratic hands, potentially undermining BJPs grassroots connect. Acting swiftly can consolidate our position while sending a strong governance signal, a senior BJP strategist observed. With critical decisions pending, top BJP leaders are in continuous deliberations, aiming to craft a cohesive strategy that aligns governance, party dynamics, and electoral ambitions. As civic polls loom large, the outcome of these discussions will significantly shape the political landscape in Chhattisgarh. BSPs Shaurya Quality Circle Team wins Gold Award Shaurya Quality Circle team members with Pawan Kumar, ED (HR), BSP displaying award while flanked by senior officials. Staff Reporter BHILAI, The Shaurya Quality Circle Team from SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant clinched a prestigious Gold Award at the International Quality Convention held in Sri Lanka. The competition saw participation from 55 countries across Southeast Asia, with several leading companies from India showcasing their innovative solutions. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), one of Indias foremost steel producers, was represented by six teams, including the Shaurya Quality Circle team from the Coke Oven and Coal Chemicals Department of SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant. The BSP-team was mentored by Tularam Behera, CGM (CO&CCD) with key contributors including Coordinator P. Shashikant, Project Approver Tushar Mukherjee, Facilitator Chetan Ashok Futane, and team members Shiv Shankar Tiwari, Anuj Mishra, Santosh Munda, Rahul Ranjan, and Vinay Pandey. A key highlight of the teams achievement was their innovative water conservation solution. In the Coke Ovens pushing process, hot spills from the Coke channel conveyor were extinguished using a water pipeline. This continuous flow of water previously consumed a staggering 46,000 litres per day. However, through the teams innovative solution, this consumption was reduced to just 6,000 litres per day. The team emphasized the importance of water with the motto Jal Hai To Kal Hai - Water is the future and highlighted that the 40,000 litres saved daily could supply water to 50 families. Additionally, this innovation has not only contributed to significant water conservation but also enhanced safety at the workplace, eliminated waterlogging issues, and reduced the workload of employees. The Business Excellence Department at Bhilai Steel Plant played a crucial role in nurturing such innovative initiatives. Every year, the department organizes plant-level competitions in various categories such as Quality Circles, 5S, and Lean Quality Circles. The winning teams are then sent to regional chapters, with the top performers advancing to national competitions organised by the Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI). Last year, the Shaurya team won first prize at this competition in Nagpur, which paved the way for their participation in international competition in Sri Lanka. Upon returning from Sri Lanka, the team handed over their award to Pawan Kumar, ED (HR) in presence of Nisha Soni, CGM (HR-L&D/BE), Tularam Behera, CGM (CO&CCD), and other Senior Officials from the Business Excellence Department. Pawan Kumar congratulated the team on their innovative thinking and the recognition they received at the international level. The team expressed their gratitude towards the Senior Management for providing them with the opportunity and shared how the experience boosted their leadership skills and confidence. The team expressed gratitude towards the General Manager of the Business Excellence Department, Manoj Dubey, for his invaluable guidance and support throughout the process. Pune experts resolve server glitch at Ngp RTO Office after trouble at Ngp, Kolhapur Staff Reporter : A team of computer experts from Pune has successfully resolved a major technical issue at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Nagpur that had been delaying the renewal of driving licenses issued between 1999 and 2007. The issue had persisted for nearly two months and caused a backlog of over 100 pending applications. The problem started with a glitch in the old server system, which was used to store driving license (DL) data prior to 2007. The Sarathi-1 system, which was introduced before the year 2000, relied on local office-based servers to store data. However, the RTO Nagpurs server, which was still functioning on the older Sarathi-1 system, malfunctioned and failed to retrieve data for applications from 1999 to 2007. This caused a major delay in processing DL renewals. Despite efforts by local cyber experts from Nagpur and Kolhapur, the issue could not be resolved. Finally, a specialised team of computer experts from Pune was brought in to address the problem. After working intensively for nearly a week, the Pune team successfully identified the root cause and restored the servers functionality. RTO Nagpur head, Kiran Bidkar, explained that the Sarathi-1 system had been replaced by the Sarathi-4 system, which uses an online server. However, the legacy data from the earlier Sarathi-1 system was still stored on local servers which made it vulnerable to technical glitches. The issue arose due to a malfunction in the old system, and despite several attempts by local experts, the data could not be retrieved. The Pune team was able to pinpoint and fix the glitch, which has allowed us to access the pending records, said RTO Bidkar. He further assured that the backlog of renewal applications would be processed within the next two to three days, clearing the delay caused by the technical issues. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 25. Kazakhstans Emergency Ministry personnel have extinguished the fire at the plane crash site of the Baku-Grozny flight, Trend reports. "The fire has been fully extinguished by the Emergency Ministry. Medical teams and psychologists from the Central Medical Center of the Emergency Ministry of Kazakhstan are working at the site," the ministry said. xxx 11:12 (GMT+4) Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry personnel have arrived at the site of the plane crash involving a Baku-Grozny flight. "Fifty-two emergency responders and 11 pieces of equipment were deployed to the crash site near Aktau. Upon arrival, the aircraft was found on fire, and rescue teams began extinguishing the blaze. Details about casualties are still being confirmed, but initial reports suggest there are survivors," the ministry said in a statement. A national operations center has been established at the Emergency Ministrys headquarters to coordinate the response. Earlier today, the Embraer 190 jet crashed three kilometers from Aktau airport while en route from Baku to Grozny. Two groups clash in Jahangirabad, four injured Staff Reporter : A violent clash broke out between two groups in Jahangirabad on Tuesday, leading to heavy stone-pelting in the Old Galla Mandi area. The confrontation escalated with people waving swords and both groups wielding sticks. During the altercation, a woman was reportedly beaten up with sticks in the middle of the road. More than four people, including women, were injured in the clash. Upon receiving news of the disturbance, the police quickly took control of the situation. A heavy police force was deployed in the area. Station Incharge Ashish Upadhyay confirmed that the altercation stemmed from a previous fight between some youths two days ago, which led to the current dispute. Early Tuesday morning, one group gathered and started throwing stones at houses, creating panic in the area. Upon hearing about the stone-pelting, senior police officers immediately arrived at the scene. Given the seriousness of the situation, the area was converted into a security zone. DCP Zone 1, Priyanka Shukla, stated that the dispute had originated over reckless bike riding between two groups two days ago. A case had been filed against five individuals at the Jahangirabad police station, with three arrests made. Two individuals remain at large. The conflict flared up today due to the presence of the two absconding individuals. Police were already stationed at the location. As the crowd grew, information was relayed to the police control room. Videos circulating online show several individuals carrying weapons, and legal action will be taken against them. Fortunately, no one has sustained serious injuries, and the situation is now under control. In this case, FIRs have been filed from both communities, and the police are conducting an investigation. The Galla Mandi area remained closed throughout Tuesday, with police maintaining a strong presence at the site. Private firms continue to play stabilizing role in underpinning employment in China: report Global Times) 10:47, December 25, 2024 China's private enterprises registered a sound performance in corporate social responsibility in 2023, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday, citing a report from the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. Private companies played a more important role in promoting employment, ensuring payments, implementing worker rights protection, and promoting better relations between employers and employees. The report, which surveyed 13,885 firms in China, showed that the top 1,000 private companies had invested a combined 1.39 trillion yuan ($190.48 billion) in research and development in 2023, a year-on-year growth of 12.7 percent, highlighting their roles in fostering sci-tech innovation and promoting green development. Private companies accounted for 95 percent of all specialized and sophisticated small and medium-sized enterprises that produce new and unique products in the nation. There were more than 53 million private firms in China in 2023, accounting for 92.3 percent of companies registered in the country, providing over 90 percent of new urban jobs of the year. Earlier this year, China announced that it had started drafting a law concerning the promotion of its private economy. The draft law was submitted on Saturday to the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress for preliminary review. The draft includes provisions on ensuring private businesses' fair participation and competition in the market, improving the investment and financing environment, and supporting their technological innovations. The recently concluded Central Economic Work Conference has made new, important arrangements for the private economy, according to a Xinhua report in mid-December, citing an official from the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs. The country will support capable private enterprises to take the lead in major national technological research tasks, as well as formulating guidelines for a unified national market to optimize market access in new business forms and new fields, according to the official. As of the end of September, China had over 55 million registered private companies. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 25. At least six people have survived the plane crash in Aktau, Kazakhstans Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova told journalists, Trend reports. She noted that the survivors are in critical condition. Earlier today, an Embraer 190 passenger jet en route from Baku to Grozny crashed three kilometers from Aktau airport. Emergency crews from Kazakhstans Ministry of Emergency Situations have reached the crash site, and a national operations center has been set up to coordinate the response. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. There were 67 people on board the AZAL aircraft that crashed in Kazakhstan's Aktau, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC told Trend. "There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members. There were no children among the passengers, and information about the injured will be provided shortly. According to the information, there are survivors who are receiving initial medical assistance Contacts are being established with the Kazakh authorities, and the necessary operational support is being provided by Kazakhstan's emergency rescue agencies at the scene," AZAL said. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 25. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has instructed the creation of a state commission in connection with the plane crash in Aktau, Trend reports. According to Kazakhstani media, the state commission will be headed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev. Bozumbayev is already en route to the crash site. President Tokayev also instructed the dispatch of medical personnel from Astana to Aktau to provide all necessary assistance to the victims. Earlier today, an Embraer 190 passenger plane en route from Baku to Grozny crashed 3 kilometers from Aktau airport. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadirov has expressed condolences to the relatives of the victims of the crash of an airliner flying from Baku to Grozny in Aktau (Kazakhstan), Trend reports. I express my condolences to the relatives of the dead passengers of the Azerbaijan Airlines airliner that crashed in Aktau, flying from Baku to Grozny. Reportedly, 12 victims survived in extremely serious condition. We pray to Almighty God for their recovery, Kadirov's official Telegram channel reads. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying Baku-Grozny, crashed 3 kilometers from Aktau airport. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 from Kazakhstan, 3 from Kyrgyzstan, and 16 from Russia were on board the plane. Reportedly, among them 25 survivors. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. A joint working group has been created by the ombudsman institutions of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in response to the recent plane crash near Aktau, Trend reports citing Azerbaijans Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsperson) Office. Azerbaijan's Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva contacted Kazakhstan's Commissioner for Human Rights, Artur Lastayev, urging that the issue remain a priority to ensure appropriate measures are taken regarding those killed or in need of medical treatment following the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane near Aktau. The Ombudsman for Children's Rights in Kazakhstan also reported that two girls, aged 11 and 16, had been hospitalized as a result of the crash. "To establish direct and continuous contact, a working group consisting of staff from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan ombudsman institutions has been created, ensuring the exchange of necessary information. Issues related to the incident remain a priority, and additional information will be provided to the public," the statement said. As previously reported, an Embraer 190 passenger plane, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed three kilometers from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan noted that among the passengers on the plane were 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 from Kazakhstan, 3 from Kyrgyzstan, and 16 from Russia. AZAL confirmed that there were 67 people aboard the Embraer 190, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members. The Calcutta High Court (HC) on Tuesday rejected bail plea of former education minister Partha Chatterjee and four others Kalyanmoy Ganguly, former secretary of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), Shanti Prasad Sinha, former chairman of the WBSSCs advisory committee, Subiresh Bhattacharya, former chairman of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) and former WBSSC secretary Ashok Kumar Saha in the case in connection with the scam in recruitment of school teachers and other staff under West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the scam. Advertisement Earlier, a division Bench comprising Justice Arijit Banerjee and Justice Apurba Sinha Roy had differed in their separate judgments on the bail prayers of nine accused, including Mr Chatterjee. Advertisement On 20 November, Justice Banerjee had granted bail to nine accused in the case while Justice Sinha Roy could not agree with the judgment given by the former. He had granted bail to Kaushik Ghosh, Sheikh Ali Imam, Subrata Samanta Roy and Chandan alias Ranjan Mondal except the five Mr Chatterjee, Mr Bhattacharya, Mr Sinha, Mr Ganguly and Mr Saha. As a result, there had been some legal complications related to granting bail to the five accused. The matter was thereafter assigned to the single Bench of Justice Tapobrata Chakraborty by the HC Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam for adjudication. The CBI had opposed their bail prayers, claiming that though the investigation against the five in the alleged school jobs scam had been completed, the overall probe into the irregularities in recruitments is still ongoing. The central investigating agencys counsel claimed that their enlargement on bail at this stage may affect the ongoing inquiry, as the accused are influential. While delivering judgment Justice Chakraborty said in the courtroom, There would be an overall deterioration in the education system if unqualified candidates are made teachers. Candidates who have got jobs after qualifying the examination with honesty and transparency have been cheated. Why is the state government silent to give approval for a trial in the case? The state government has not yet cleared its stand on the trail of the accused. Mr Chatterjee, who held the education portfolio from 2011 to 2021, had moved a bail application before the HC along with other former public servants, who are in jail for about two years in connection with the school jobs irregularities case. A Bangladeshi national was arrested in Lalgola, Murshidabad. The youth, identified as Sohel Rana, had allegedly entered India illegally 7-8 years ago. He is accused of forging an Aadhaar card using the identity of a deceased relative. According to police, the 28-year-old Sohel Rana hails from Rajshahi, Bangladesh. After entering India illegally, he took shelter at a relatives house in the Atrasiya area of Lalgola. Later, he moved to Kerala for work. Police claim that it was in Kerala where he created an Aadhaar card using the identity of a deceased relative from Lalgola. On Monday evening, he was arrested from the Lalgola station area. Due to discrepancies in the Aadhaar card, Sohel Rana approached Aliul Alam in Lalgolas Bali area for corrections. Advertisement Aliul Alam has also been arrested for assisting him. Additionally, Shaharul Molla, a resident of Jalangi, has been arrested for allegedly helping Sohel Rana enter India illegally. On Tuesday, all three were presented in the Lalbagh court, and the police sought five days of custody for them. Meanwhile, on Sunday, a suspected terrorist, Javed Ahmed Munsi, was arrested from Canning in South 24 Parganas. According to the Bengal STF, documents recovered from him include an Aadhaar card with a Srinagar address, Rs 50,000 in cash, and several handwritten notes. Intelligence officials are working to decode the information. Javed Ahmed Munsi (58) is believed to be the second-in-command of the Kashmiri militant organisation Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen. He is an expert in making IEDs, proficient in handling firearms, and had even received training from Al-Qaeda. Apart from being involved in terrorist activities in Kashmir, he was reportedly working to establish a separatist organisation. Advertisement Earlier, Munsi was charged with sedition, and a case was filed against him at Shahidgunj police station in Jammu and Kashmir. He was arrested in 2011 and later released on bail in 2015. Sources indicate that Munsi was planning to travel to Bangladesh under the instructions of top leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Karisma Kapoor recently shared heartfelt memories of working with the legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, describing him as her second grandfather. The actor, who collaborated with Benegal on the critically acclaimed 2001 film Zubeidaa, spoke about his meticulous approach to filmmaking and his lasting impact on Indian cinema. Advertisement Benegal, a towering figure in Indian cinema, passed away on Monday at the age of 90. He died at 6:38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai after battling chronic kidney disease. His passing marks the end of an era. Advertisement Reflecting on her time with Shyam Benegal, Karisma Kapoor expressed her admiration for his dedication to authenticity. Shyamjis legacy is eternal. He was like a second grandfather to me. His courage to explore themes of identity and human struggles will continue to inspire generations, she said in a statement. Zubeidaa, directed by Benegal and written by Khalid Mohammed, remains one of his most celebrated works. The film featured an ensemble cast, including Karisma Kapoor, Rekha, Manoj Bajpayee, and Amrish Puri, among others. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and earned Karisma a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress. Working with him on Zubeidaa was one of the most enriching experiences of my life, Karisma recalled. She praised his attention to detail, sharing anecdotes about how he insisted on using real jewelry and costumes lent by the royal family. He had an extraordinary eye for detail, from sync sound to costumes. Indian cinema will forever be indebted to his genius. Benegals influence extended far beyond feature films. His work in documentaries and television set new standards in Indian storytelling. Iconic series like Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan showcased his ability to delve deep into Indias history and constitution, making complex subjects accessible to audiences. His contributions to the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) as its director from 1980 to 1986 helped shape Indias independent cinema movement. He also represented India on prestigious international juries, including the 14th Moscow International Film Festival and the National Film Awards. Even in his later years, Benegal continued to create impactful cinema. His most recent project, Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), was a biographical film on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. A co-production between India and Bangladesh, the film was shot during the COVID-19 pandemic and stands as a testament to his enduring passion for storytelling. Kareena Kapoor, Karismas sister, also paid tribute by sharing a poster of Zubeidaa on her Instagram stories, accompanied by a heart emoji. Kiara Advani is facing a storm of criticism after sharing a behind-the-scenes video on social media, where she praised choreographer Jani Master for his work on the song Dhop from her upcoming movie Game Changer. In the video, Kiara spoke highly of Jani Masters choreography, saying, I remember seeing @alwaysjani masters choreography and thinking how are we going to do this, but thats the beauty of our job, always learning something new. Advertisement Now Kiara Advani has edited the caption, and removed the shoutout to Jani Master. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani) Jani Master, a popular figure in Telugu cinema, was recently booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a 16-year-old former employee accused him of sexual assault and mental harassment. The controversy intensified when the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting revoked his National Film Award for choreographing Megham Karukkatha in light of the allegations. Kiaras decision to praise Jani Master has drawn strong reactions from social media users, with many calling her tone-deaf. Comments flooded in, with one user pointing out, Tone-deaf, especially when even his national award was taken back after the uproar over granting him bail. Others criticized her, accusing celebrities of turning a blind eye to serious issues. Film producer and Chairman of the Telangana Film Development Corporation, Dil Raju, has shared that Sri Tej, the victim of the Sandhya Theatre tragedy and the son of Revathi, who lost her life in the incident, is responding well to treatment and has been taken off the ventilator two days ago. Dil Raju visited KIMS Hospital in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, to meet Sri Tejs family. Speaking to ANI, he revealed that he had earlier met Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to discuss providing support to Sri Tejs family, ensuring that both the film industry and government would extend all necessary assistance. He (the child injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premiere show of Pushpa 2) is responding and recovering He was taken off the ventilator two days ago, said Dil Raju. Advertisement Sri Tejs father, Baskar, also spoke to the media and shared a positive update, stating that his son is slowly recovering. Earlier, the producers of Pushpa 2, Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar, handed over a Rs 50 lakh cheque to the victims family at KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad, in the presence of Telangana Minister for Roads & Buildings and Cinematography, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. The cheque was received by Revathis husband, the father of Sri Tej, who is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Advertisement The tragic incident occurred on December 4, when Allu Arjun attended the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule. A large crowd gathered to see him, and the situation escalated when he waved to fans from the sunroof of his car. Revathi lost her life, and her son, Sri Tej, was injured. Following the incident, Allu Arjun was arrested and later released on bail after posting a Rs 50,000 bond. The case took another turn when the Pushpa actor was served a notice to appear for questioning in connection with the Sandhya Theatre tragedy. The case is under investigation, and your presence is essential before the undersigned officer to elicit answers about the incident and, if necessary, to visit the scene of the offence to ascertain the true facts, read the notice issued by the Telangana Police. Actor Allu Arjun has since returned to his residence after appearing at the Chikkadpally police station in Hyderabad in connection with the incident. On December 22, a group of protestors demanding justice for Revathi attacked Allu Arjuns residence. According to DCP West Zone, Hyderabad, the group arrived holding placards and shouting slogans. One individual climbed the compound wall and began throwing stones, prompting security to intervene. During the altercation, the protestors damaged flower pots and manhandled security personnel. Six individuals, claiming to be members of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU-JAC), were taken into custody and later granted bail. The incident has also sparked political controversy. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy blamed Allu Arjun for the tragedy, stating in the Assembly that police had denied permission for any event at Sandhya Theatre due to safety concerns. The actor, however, dismissed the allegations, calling them an attempt at character assassination. Allu Arjun and the Pushpa 2 production team have announced a 2-crore ex-gratia to the victim of the family of the December 4 Pushpa 2 stampede. Telangana Film Development Corporation (TGFDC) chairman V. Venkata Ramana Reddy, popularly known as Dil Raju, will hand over the sum to the family. For the unversed, a fan met her demise during the December 4 premiere of Pushpa: The Rule in Hyderabad. A 35-year-old woman, Revathi, died in a stampede incident while her eight-year-old son required hospitalisation. The boy, Sri Tej was on ventilator support and suffered from brain damage. Fortunately, the boy is recovering well now. The incident occurred as Allu Arjun attended the premiere with co-star Rashmika Mandanna and his wife, Allu Sneha Reddy. His attendance caused a ruckus among fans, creating a stampede. Advertisement Showing support, Allu Arjuns father, veteran producer Allu Aravind, along with Dil Raju and others, visited the boy in the hospital. Allu Aravind expressed his relief after speaking with the medical staff. The boy is recovering well and is now able to breathe independently. The doctors are also optimistic about his full recovery. Advertisement The development of the increase in aid comes after Allu Arjun announced 25 lakhs as a goodwill gesture. In his media address, Allu Aravind communicated the decision to further the gesture. To support the family and the boy and for his future, we thought we should support him with 2 crore. The amount is being handed over to Dil Raju and requested to convey it to the family. Elaborating, he said that Allu Arjun will contribute 1 crore. Meanwhile, Mythri Movie Makers and Pushpa 2 director Sukumar will contribute 50 lakhs each. Additionally, Dil Raju announced that a group of film industry representatives will meet with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The meeting will aim to promote positive relations between the government and the film fraternity. Also Read: Allu Arjun reaches police station over Pushpa 2 premiere tragedy Following the tragic incident, three personnel from Sandhya Theatre, where the Pushpa 2 stampede occurred, were arrested. Subsequently, on December 13, the Hyderabad police arrested Allu Arjun against the complaint by the victims family. The lower court ordered the actor 14-day remand, however, the HC granted him interim bail. Arjun returned home the next day. The incident has been making headlines for a while, with the actor drawing criticism. On the other hand, several film industry stakeholders have come out in support of Allu Arjun. Meanwhile, Sri Tejs father M. Bhaskar reaffirmed that the family plans to withdraw the case against the actor. We received support from Allu Arjun right from the second day after the incident. We dont like him getting arrested because of us. Good Governance Day is observed on December 25 each year in honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees birth anniversary. The day reminds people that governance is not just about administration, but about making life better for every citizen. Late Vajpayees leadership exemplified the principles of good governance, which focused on accountability, transparency, and inclusive growth. Advertisement The Government celebrates Good Governance Week (Sushasan Saptah) every year from December 19 to 25, reinforcing its commitment to transparent, effective, and accountable governance. The week-long celebrations aim to spread the concept of good governance from districts to villages, ensuring that governance is transparent, effective, and accountable. Advertisement Through various activities, the government demonstrates its commitment to providing governance that truly uplifts the lives of the people it serves. According to the United Nations, good governance has eight major characteristics: it is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, equitable, and inclusive, all while adhering to the rule of law. This comprehensive framework ensures that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and that decisions are made to address both current and future needs. The idea of good governance is deeply embedded in Indian tradition. In ancient India, kings were bound by Rajadharma, the ethical and moral principles of governance. Epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana elaborate on the qualities of an ideal ruler, emphasising justice, fairness, and the welfare of the people. These age-old principles resonate even today, reminding people that governance must always aim to serve with integrity and compassion. The Jal Jeevan Mission is a modern manifestation of these timeless values, demonstrating how governance, when aligned with social justice, can bring tangible benefits to the weakest sections of society. In 2019, when the Jal Jeevan Mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the situation was dire. Only 17 per cent of rural households had tap water connections, leaving over 15 crore families dependent on external sources for water. This was more than an inconvenience; it was a daily struggle, especially in water-stressed regions. The mission has provided over 12 crore tap water connections under the scheme, significantly contributing to a total of 15.38 crore households with tap water connections across the country as of December 23, 2024. By ensuring that no household was left behind, the initiative became a beacon of hope for millions. By prioritising a fundamental issue like access to clean water, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to governance as a tool for empowerment and equity. This initiative exemplifies how leadership rooted in good governance principles can inspire transformative change. Governments efforts to improve lives are not limited to the Jal Jeevan Mission. Schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), and Ayushman Bharat, among others, reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing varied needs of the population. From ensuring affordable housing and financial assistance to providing health coverage and promoting entrepreneurship, these initiatives showcase how good governance creates pathways for inclusive development. Emphasizing the importance of good governance, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that true governance ensures the fulfillment of individual needs, provides a sense of security, and guarantees a platform for everyone to express their views. This was the vision of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is advancing it, Singh remarked during the Good Governance Day ceremony held on Wednesday to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Advertisement At the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid floral tributes to Vajpayees statue, celebrating his life and contributions to the nation. Advertisement Addressing the gathering, Singh lauded Vajpayees leadership, under which India achieved unprecedented growth, with the GDP growth rate reaching 8.4 per cent, a historic milestone. Vajpayee Jis visionary governance earned global respect, Singh observed, highlighting his transformative policies in infrastructure, telecommunications, and rural development. Singh mentioned flagship initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and Antyodaya Yojana, which revolutionized rural connectivity and uplifted the poor. Atal Ji not only built roads to connect cities but also ensured access to the remotest villages, while his reforms made mobile phones accessible to all, he added. The Defence Minister drew parallels with the Modi government, commending its efforts to strengthen governance. He highlighted the repeal of over 1,500 obsolete laws and Indias rise to the 50th position in the Ease of Doing Business rankings, with aspirations to break into the top 20. Rajnath Singh also praised the success of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, which ensures that welfare benefits reach the poor directly. Citing former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis comment about inefficiency in fund distribution, Singh said, The Modi government has eradicated corruption, ensuring transparency and accountability. Neither Atal Ji nor the Modi government faced any corruption allegations. This is the hallmark of good governance. He applauded Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths leadership in Uttar Pradesh, noting the states remarkable strides in governance. Uttar Pradesh has become a model of good governance, with four crore people receiving permanent homes, 70 per cent of which are registered in womens names. Law and order have improved significantly, lifting 4 crore people above the poverty line, he said. Singh also highlighted the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides free medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh to the underprivileged. The event concluded with Singh reaffirming the governments commitment to ending misgovernance and delivering effective governance to every citizen. Hyderabad Police have warned of strict action against anyone found posting false videos or information suggesting that the stampede at Sandhya Theatre took place before the arrival of Pushpa star Allu Arjun on the fateful night of 4 December. Hyderabad Police have already posted a ten-minute-long video depicting the sequence of events leading to the stampede, which resulted in the death of a woman, Revathi, while leaving her nine-year-old son in critical condition in the hospital. Advertisement Meanwhile, Allu Aravind, the actors father, announced that they would be giving Revathis family Rs 2 crore, including Rs 1 crore from Arjun and Rs50 lakh each from the producer and director of the film, Pushpa. Advertisement Social media was flooded by posts on Wednesday claiming that CCTV footage from Sandhya Theatre showed that Revathi had died before the actor arrived at the scene at 9:40 pm. This prompted the city police to issue a stern warning to such accounts. In a post on the social media platform X, the city police warned: We will take strict action if anyone posts false information or videos on social media that mislead people about the Sandhya Theatre stampede incident. It has come to our attention that some people posted false videos that a stampede had taken place before Allu Arjun arrived. Both Chief Minister A Revanth Reddys statement in the Legislative Assembly and the video released by Hyderabad Police confirm that Allu Arjuns arrival added to the chaos, with his bouncers pushing away people and police personnel alike to ensure his smooth entry into the venue through the single entrance, which also served as the exit. The over-enthusiastic fans and the thoughtlessness of the bouncers who pushed people contributed to the crush that claimed Revathis life. The video clearly showed Revathi being carried away through the grill door well after Arjun had arrived. The police stated, However, it has come to our attention that some people have deliberately posted videos on social media that were created to mislead people and show that a stampede had occurred before Arjuns arrival. We will take legal action against those who deliberately spread such false propaganda and fabrications on social media. While urging the people to come forward with additional information, the Hyderabad Police appealed, We urge the public not to believe false propaganda on social media. Both the Chief Minister and the Hyderabad Police faced criticism from detractors for the statement in the Assembly and the video even as investigations continued. However, social media posts contributed to the confusion and forced them to act. Allu Arjun also came under fire for addressing a press conference while out on bail, claiming attempts at his character assassination. Describing the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a great statesman, PDP President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that Kashmiris will always remember him for his efforts to understand and address their pain. Paying tributes to Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary, Mehbooba said his slogan of Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat (Kashmirs cultural identity, humanity and democracy) resonated deeply with people here. His initiatives to resolve the complex issue of Jammu & Kashmir were a testament to his commitment to peace and stability. Advertisement Overall Vajpayees legacy in Kashmir is one of empathy, understanding and a commitment to peace and stability. His efforts to address the intractable problems facing the region continue to inspire hope for a better future, she said. Advertisement Mehbooba praised Vajpayee for his remarkable leadership, stating that his approach to peace and diplomacy, especially with Pakistan, remains a vital part of his legacy. Despite the challenges of the Kargil conflict and the 2001 Parliament attack, Vajpayee did not shy away from pursuing talks with Pakistan, a stance that distinguished him as a leader who valued dialogue over conflict. Vajpayee was a man with a vision for peace. Despite the turmoil of Kargil and the attack on Parliament, he never abandoned the path of dialogue with Pakistan. His determination to engage in talks, even in the face of adversity, demonstrated his belief in diplomacy as the only solution for lasting peace, Mehbooba added. The PDP leader also highlighted Vajpayees acknowledgment of the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeeds healing touch policy, which was instrumental in improving the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Vajpayees support for this policy led to practical steps, such as the opening of roads to connect both sides of Jammu and Kashmir, that contributed to easing the strained atmosphere in the region and provided much-needed relief to its people. Vajpayees recognition of Mufti Sayeeds healing touch policy was a turning point for Kashmir. The opening of roads and the beginning of confidence-building measures were the first real signs that the people of Kashmir were being given the attention they deserved. It was a significant moment in the peace process, she said. She noted that Vajpayees vision for a peaceful, prosperous India, built on the foundation of communication and mutual understanding, continues to shape the discourse in Jammu and Kashmir even today. Tanvir Sadiq, chief spokesman of the ruling National Conference, said Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the most popular Prime Minister of this country and he had a very different relationship with Jammu and Kashmir. Vajpayee wanted to maintain friendly relations with the neighbouring countries, he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. A hotline has been opened for family members of passengers on the Baku-Grozny AZAL flight, a source in the airline told Trend. "Family members of the passengers can call (+994) 12 5048280, (+994) 12 5048202, and (+994) 12 5048203," the source added. To note, today, the Embraer 190 passenger plane flying on the Baku-Grozny route crashed 3 km from the Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that there were 37 Azerbaijani citizens on board the plane that crashed in the city of Aktau. "According to preliminary information, there were 37 Azerbaijani, six Kazakh, three Kyrgyz, and 16 Russian citizens on board the plane," the ministry said. AZAL added that there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board the "Embraer 190" plane that crashed in Aktau, making a total of 67 people. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his family are scheduled to meet PM Narendra Modi on Thursday, December 26, in what has been described as a goodwill visit. Shindes son and Kalyan Lok Sabha MP, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, confirmed the scheduled meeting with the PM on Wednesday. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Senas Lok Sabha MP, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, happens to be a part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee tasked with studying the One Nation One Election bill for simultaneous polls. The committee will be asked to submit its report during the budget session. Advertisement It may be recalled that Eknath Shinde as well as his family first met Modi on July 22, 2024, making the scheduled visit on Thursday their second meeting with the PM. Advertisement Incidentally, Shinde was initially very reluctant to join the Fadnavis cabinet and had been sulking. He had told his supporters that he did not want to join the new council of ministers. However, he eventually agreed after a lot of persuasion by the MLAs of his party (Shiv Sena) and considerable wooing by BJP top brass, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi. The BJP had repeatedly requested Shinde to join the cabinet and finally, on the day of the swearing-in, he agreed to take oath as Deputy CM. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena had demanded key ministries like the home department, but the BJP refused to concede to the partys demands. Even now, some Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLAs are unhappy about not being given ministerial berths in the Fadnavis cabinet. Though the fight for Maharashtra cabinet posts is over, the fight for the coveted guardian minister posts of districts continues within the BJP-dominated Mahayuti alliance. Maharashtra is divided into 36 districts, each overseen by a guardian minister, typically from the same district. The guardian minister of Maharashtra is a cabinet-level official appointed by the state government to oversee and facilitate the development of a specific district. Notably, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde wants to be the guardian minister of his home district, Thane, while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar wants to be the guardian minister of Pune. This is because the role of a guardian minister is crucial since it involves controlling the District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) funds, which are allocated for district-level development and beautification projects. Significantly, Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, who has always criticised Eknath Shinde, alleged, Shinde may claim to be the main leader of Shiv Sena, but his handlers are in Delhi. As far as the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is concerned, the remote control is in Delhi. We do not need to go to Delhi to run our party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, extended Hanukkah greetings to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and the people celebrating this Jewish festival around the world. Best wishes to PM @netanyahu and all the people across the world celebrating the festival of Hanukkah. May the radiance of Hanukkah illuminate everybodys lives with hope, peace and strength. Hanukkah Sameach! the PM posted on social media site X. Advertisement Advertisement A key meeting of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders was held at the residence of BJP National President JP Nadda here on Wednesday to outline strategies for better coordination among the alliance partners, sources said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and other NDA leaders were also present in the meeting where it was decided that alliance leaders would meet regularly and issue unified statements on key issues to maintain collective focus, the sources said. Advertisement A plan was discussed in the meeting for cabinet ministers and ministers of state to work closely with MPs to address their concerns and provide assistance, they said. Advertisement The BJP chief and the Union Home Minister commended the coordination among the NDA allies during the winter session of Parliament. Nadda described the discussions held on the commemoration of the Constitution as meaningful and stressed the need for continued alignment among NDA members. According to the sources, discussions also touched upon historical grievances, with Shah talking about the imposition of Emergency by the Congress government without obtaining the Presidents signature. In the meeting, Shah addressed concerns about alleged constitutional violations and the perceived disrespect towards Dr B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, by the Congress. The Union Home Minister claimed that Congress had initially remained silent during his speech in the Rajya Sabha but later edited and misrepresented his statements to create a political narrative, the sources said. Shah further alleged that a toolkit was used to amplify these claims maliciously. The NDA leadership deliberated on countering such narratives and emphasised focusing on implementing government policies effectively, the sources added. Shah highlighted the importance of addressing issues constructively rather than getting entangled in controversies initiated by the opposition. Meanwhile, Union Minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Tuesday said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will contest the 2025 Bihar Assembly election under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. In the 2025 Bihar Assembly election, the NDA will contest under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, Rajiv Ranjan Singh told a news agency. The ruling NDA did well in the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar. Apart from BJP, NDA in Bihar includes JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular). On December 18, the BJP national president chaired the BJP General Secretaries meeting at the party headquarters in the national capital. According to the sources, discussions were held on Delhi Assembly Elections, BJPs organisation elections and some other issues. 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 Assembly polls in Delhi are expected to be held in early 2025. The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday disclosed that the number of malaria cases in India have declined by over 97 per cent. Giving an update on Indias progress in malaria elimination, the ministry said, At the time of independence in 1947, malaria was one of the most pressing public health challenges, with an estimated 7.5 crore cases annually and 8,00,000 deaths. Over the decades, relentless efforts have drastically reduced these numbers by over 97 per cent, with cases declining to just 20 lakh and deaths plummeting to just 83 by 2023. Advertisement This historic achievement underscores Indias commitment to eliminating malaria and improving public health for its citizens, it said. Advertisement Referring to the World Malaria Report 2024 released by the World Health Organization (WHO), the ministry said countrys achievements include a significant reduction in malaria cases and malaria-related deaths between 2017 and 2023. This success is further highlighted by Indias exit from the WHOs High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group in 2024, signifying a turning point in its fight against malaria. These achievements reflect the nations robust public health interventions and its vision to achieve malaria-free status by 2030, it said. The ministry further said that in 2023, 122 districts across various states reported zero malaria cases. Indias commitment to capacity building and research has also been a cornerstone of its success, it said. In 2024 alone, over 850 health professionals were trained through National Refresher Trainings, equipping them with the skills needed for effective malaria control. Research initiatives, including studies on insecticide resistance and therapeutic efficacy, have provided critical data to refine intervention strategies, it said. Stating that India remains steadfast in its goal to eliminate malaria by 2030, it said, The government is committed to achieving zero indigenous cases by 2027 and ensuring prevention of malaria re-establishment. By combining strategic frameworks, robust interventions, and community engagement, India is setting a global benchmark in malaria elimination and reaffirming its commitment to public health excellence. On the joyous occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended heartfelt greetings on Wednesday, emphasising the values of compassion, peace, and unity. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi shared his warm wishes and reflected on the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ. In his post, he wrote: Advertisement Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity. Advertisement PM Modi also shared a video from his recent visit to the Christmas programme organised by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI). In the video, he highlighted the enduring significance of Jesus Christs teachings: Jesus Christ showed the path of compassion and selfless service to the world. We celebrate and remember Jesus so that we can imbibe these values in our lives. I believe this is our personal responsibility, a social obligation, and also our duty as a nation. Today, the country is taking this spirit forward through the resolve of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Prayas. The teachings of the Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony, and brotherhood. It is important that we all work together to make this spirit stronger, said PM Modi. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also conveyed his Christmas greetings, focusing on the ideals of forgiveness, service, and compassion. In his post on X, he wrote: To my fellow citizens, I extend warm wishes on Christmas, which embodies the ideals of forgiveness, peace, and unity. The festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ underscores the need to follow the ideals of sacrifice, service, redemption, and amity. The values of compassion for all living beings and concern for those in need imbue this joyous occasion with a unique spirit of sharing, said Kharge adding May these festivities usher in a new era of hope, happiness, and prosperity for all. Merry Christmas! President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other dignitaries on Wednesday paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary at the Sadaiv Atal memorial here. Former President Ram Nath Kovind, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister and BJP President J P Nadda were among other dignitaries who paid tributes to the former Prime Minister at the Sadaiv Atal memorial here. Advertisement Vajpayees foster daughter, Namita Kaul Bhattacharya, was also present at the memorial. Advertisement In a post on X, PM Modi said, Respectful tributes to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his 100th birth anniversary. He dedicated his life to building a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant India. His vision and mission will continue to give strength to the resolve for a Viksit Bharat. Home Minister Shah also paid homage to Vajpayee, calling him a leader who ushered in an era of development and good governance. Atal ji made cultural nationalism a work culture and always kept the countrys security and public welfare paramount. He made the BJP popular with the masses with his purity and self-restraint in political life. Like the Pole Star, Atal ji will continue to guide the countrymen on the path of national service till eternity, Shah wrote. Union Minister Nadda, in his tribute, lauded Vajpayees contribution to Indian politics. Revered Atal Ji gave new heights to the tradition of integrity and service in Indian politics. His contribution to establishing the country as a global superpower is unforgettable, he wrote. He further described Vajpayees life as an inspiration and extended greetings on Good Governance Day, stating that the day reflects Vajpayees dedication to all-round national development. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also joined in paying tributes, referring to Vajpayee as a pillar of independent Indian politics. Atal ji set new standards in both politics and diplomacy, working throughout his life with the resolve to build a strong and prosperous India, Singh wrote, adding, His significant contribution to Indias progress cannot be appreciated enough. Today, on his 100th birth anniversary, I pay my humble tribute to him. Vajpayee, remembered as a statesman and visionary leader, served as Indias Prime Minister three times and played a pivotal role in shaping modern India. His leadership continues to inspire millions across the country. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unveiled the statue of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Kudiya Ghat, situated along the banks of the Gomti River in Lucknow on Wednesday. They also honoured the sculptor, Amarpal Singh, for his remarkable work. On this occasion, Singh led the gathering in taking the Atal Sankalp pledge. Earlier, CM emphasized that a sense of security is crucial for effective governance, and achieving it requires active public participation. The Chief Minister remarked, A sense of security begins within the home. When individuals feel safe at home, it naturally fosters a sense of security within the community.He further stated that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards crime, criminals, corruption, and corrupt practices. Inspired by Atal Ji and Prime Minister Modi, the government has upheld this zero-tolerance approach on security issues since day one, and the results are evident to all, he said. Advertisement These two leaders, along with other public representatives, also paid floral tributes to the statue of the former Prime Minister at Lok Bhavan. The CM also extended greetings on the birth anniversary of Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya and on Christmas. Advertisement Highlighting late Vajpayees significant contributions to good governance, Adityanath said, Atal Ji laid a strong foundation for governance during his tenure. His words, Aadmi ko chahiye ki wah joojhe, paristhitiyon se lade, ek swapn toote to doosra gadhe Ek paanv dharti par rakhkar hi Vaman Bhagwan ne aakash-paatal ko jeeta tha, dharti hi dhaaran karti hai, koi us par bhaar na bane, mithya-abhimaan se na tane continue to inspire us. He emphasized that the groundwork laid by Atal Ji for the development of India is being furthered under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The vision established by Atal Ji is now being realized through the creation of a new Indiaan India that will fulfill the aspirations of 140 crore people and emerge as a developed nation by 2047, he remarked. The CM further directed the Secretariat Administration and Higher Education Department to compile and publish souvenirs and magazines on good governance across the state. He emphasized that exceptional articles should be curated at the state level and made available in various libraries to inspire others. Adityanath highlighted the active participation of various government departments during Good Governance Week. He stated that Uttar Pradesh led the nation in addressing public grievances, successfully resolving over 2.59 lakh complaints. Additionally, 16,223 workshops were conducted across headquarters, divisions, and tehsil levels, and more than 9.68 lakh service delivery applications were addressed. Both the leaders felicitated the winners of competitions held during Good Governance Week (December 1925). Meanwhile, on this occasion, the CM also inaugurated a special exhibition at the Bharatiya Janata Partys state office. During the event, he paid floral tribute to Atal Jis portrait, honoring his unique personality and contributions to the nation. The exhibition showcases late PMs remarkable political journey, presenting his life from student days to his tenure as Prime Minister in a well-structured sequence. The Yogi Adityanath Government in Uttar Pradesh has announced a special initiative to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The fare for the Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporations air-conditioned and Shatabdi bus services will be reduced by 20 percent. This discount on fare will be effective till February 25, 2025. Advertisement State Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh stated here on Wednesday that the initiative aims to make air-conditioned bus services more accessible and beneficial to the public. As a tribute to the revered former prime minister, the reduced fares will provide passengers with comfortable travel at a more affordable rate during winter. This move is also expected to increase the load factor of AC buses, thereby boosting the Transport Corporations revenue. Advertisement The minister said for the 32 Janrath/Shatabdi AC bus service, the fare would be reduced from Rs 1.63 to Rs 1.45 per passenger per kilometer. For the 22 Janrath AC bus service, the fare will decrease from Rs1.93 to Rs1.60 per passenger per kilometer. This initiative ensures both economic benefits for the passengers and improved operational efficiency for the Transport Corporation, he added. After more than seven decades of independence, Indian politics finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with complex issues that challenge its foundational ideals. While it may be misleading to draw direct parallels with neighbouring Bangladesh, the invocation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar the iconic architect of the Indian Constitution into contemporary debates as recently happened in the Upper House of Parliament highlights a significant conundrum. This reference reflects not only our un-statesmanlike attitude but also our uncharitable attitude towards a stalwart who championed the rights of the underprivileged during an era when nationalist politics largely marginalized him. Even today, discussions surrounding the thinker qua activist Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar evoke multiple discourses, positioning him in a metaphorical rehearsal room of history, awaiting an authentic assessment by future generations. His legacy serves as both a reminder and a challenge to current political narratives, urging us to confront the undue turns that politics takes for its own benefits. In reflecting on Professor Khilnanis profound observation that Indian history is often portrayed as a curiously unpeopled place, we are morally bound to consider the essential contributions of its founding fathers. Advertisement The question arises: can we envision India without acknowledging figures such as Kabir, Phule, Birsa Munda, Periyar, and Ambedkar? These individuals form the bedrock of the Indian Constitution and embody the multicultural essence of our society. Their legacies are steeped in a relentless struggle for justice and equality, which resonates through an immeasurable saga of sacrifice. Therefore, modern India cannot be understood solely through the glossy lenses of Yoga, discussions in welldecorated seminar rooms on the civilization state, or grand narratives of economic growth. Advertisement Instead, it is crucial to recognize how the enduring thoughts and philosophies of these thinkers awakened the dormant masses from antiquity and shaped the identity of todays Indian republic. Today, when we examine India, it is clear that its path to freedom was not a sudden midnight epiphany but rather a gradual evolution shaped by influential figures like Ambedkar. His contributions are inseparable from the annals of modern Indian history, as he dedicated his life to navigating the country towards radical experiments in social justice. Ambedkars polemics resonate with those of critical thinkers in that it boldly posed volleys of perturbing questions and thus challenged the entrenched system of caste/cultural hegemony, positioning himself against the mainstream currents of Indian nationalism. His efforts laid the groundwork for a more equitable society, highlighting the complexities and struggles inherent in Indias perennial quest for true freedom. The Indian states political actions, often driven by elite centralization, clash with Ambedkars ideals, which diverge significantly from the narratives of major political entities like the Congress Party or current majoritarian frameworks. Ambedkar embodies a challenge to these dominant discourses, advocating for true democracy and genuine welfare for marginalized groups, including Adivasis. In contrast, the prevailing political logic tends to accommodate these communities not out of a benign commitment to democratic principles but rather as a means to construct a cohesive national entity capable of generating economic surplus. This approach prioritizes the construction of political stability to strengthen the state over authentic democratic engagement and inclusivity in Indias diverse multicultural landscape. Even today, it appears that the elites are making concerted efforts to promote new discourses aimed at unifying India, particularly at a time when achieving a cohesive national identity seems increasingly challenging. The political landscape is heavily influenced by the narrative of one nation, one election, which seeks to streamline governance and enhance national unity. However, this push for a singular identity must be viewed through the lens of Indias multicultural society, which complicates the realization of such a grand elitist vision. In this context, it is essential to critically examine and reflect on the cultural dimensions of our diverse populace. Many regions and sections experience psychological unease regarding the overarching project of transforming various social groups into a modern citizenry that would be loyal and acquiescent to the state. This necessitates a deeper understanding of how identity symbolism interacts with the lived realities of different communities across India. Thus, we understand that Ambedkar is no longer merely a protestant icon against the scourge of untouchability; today, his spirit gets amplified and becomes the pivotal embodiment as the key ideologue of social justice. His thought serves as a formidable barrier against the evolving challenges posed by the Indian state, particularly its attempts to undermine accountability amidst a crisis-ridden capitalism that threatens to stifle substantive democracy. This situation risks rendering the state increasingly authoritarian in a Hegelian sense. Consequently, any reference to Ambedkar must be approached with sensitivity, or else a murky climate of thought or similar veiled attempts might ultimately be self-defeating, if not condescending to Indias vast multitude of unequal citizens, hence undemocratic and unparliamentary. (The writer is Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science, Sidho-KanhoBirsha University, Purulia.) India, a nation with over 1.4 billion people, faces a formidable challenge: generating approximately 10 million new jobs annually to cater to its burgeoning youth population. While the services sector has been touted as a potential saviour, relying solely on it could leave critical opportunities untapped. A balanced approach that prioritises both manufacturing and urbanisation is essential for sustainable economic growth and job creation. The debate often pivots around Indias ability to compete with manufacturing giants like China. However, dismissing manufacturing as unviable ignores Indias unique advantages. With a large, young labour force, a strategic location at the crossroads of global trade and a coastline that facilitates exports, India is well-positioned to carve out niches in sectors such as light industry, green manufacturing, and food processing. These industries offer significant potential for employment generation while fostering innovation and boosting productivity. Urbanisation, as a natural complement to manufacturing, can act as a powerful catalyst for economic development. Cities are not just hubs of economic activity; they are engines of creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Historically, urban agglomerations have driven economic transitions by fostering dense networks of production, services, and ideas. For India, a deliberate strategy to develop second- and third-tier cities could help alleviate the pressures on overburdened metros while spreading economic opportunities more evenly. The historical legacy of urban development in India presents both challenges and opportunities. Advertisement Colonial-era urbanisation skewed development towards coastal cities, sidelining historic hinterland hubs. While metros like Mumbai and Kolkata continue to dominate, smaller cities remain underutilised. Drawing lessons from global examples, India can promote alternative urban centres by encouraging industrial and economic hubs in less congested areas. This would not only distribute the benefits of urbanisation but also create jobs closer to emerging industrial clusters. Moreover, manufacturing offers a unique advantage over services: scalability. Unlike many service jobs that are localised or require specialised skills, manufacturing can absorb a broader section of the labour force. It also builds resilience against external shocks, as self-sufficiency in essential goods becomes critical during crises. The integration of industrial policy with vocational training is a key to ensuring the workforce is equipped to meet the demands of modern manufacturing. The services sector, while valuable, has limitations in addressing Indias employment needs. Many service jobs suffer from low productivity, and high-end tradable services like IT and AIcater to a limited segment of the population. Advertisement To truly harness its demographic dividend, India must focus on tangible goods production alongside services, creating a symbiotic relationship between the two sectors. Ultimately, Indias economic future hinges on embracing manufacturing and urbanisation as complementary pillars of growth. A joint strategy that capitalises on these opportunities will ensure not just job creation but a more equitable and sustainable development trajectory for the nation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The next resettlement to Jabrayil city under the Great Return program has taken place; the families sent in the morning have arrived in their motherland, Trend reports. According to the regional correspondent of our agency, Jabrayil city welcomed 253 people - 49 families today. The families who arrived in the city were reunited with their native land with tears of joy. Residents of Jabrayil city who returned to their native lands expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for all-round state care. They also expressed gratitude to the brave Azerbaijani army, heroic soldiers, and officers who rid our lands of occupation, wished repose to the souls of the martyrs, and wished patience to their families. In the new buildings constructed in Jabrayil under the instructions of the head of state, all conditions have been created to accommodate the families. To note, around 30,000 people currently live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur. This includes not only the IDPs but also individuals involved in implementing projects in the region, as well as those fulfilling official duties in local branches of various state structures and in the healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy sectors that have resumed operations. Adani Defence & Aerospace announced on Monday that it has signed a binding agreement to acquire Air Works, Indias largest private-sector maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company, for an enterprise value of Rs 400 crore. Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Ltd (ADSTL) has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 85.8 per cent shareholding in Air Works India (Engineering) Private Ltd, a company statement said. Advertisement Air Works undertakes base maintenance for narrow-body and turboprop aircraft, as well as rotary aircraft from its facilities at Hosur, Mumbai, and Kochi and with regulatory approvals from civil aviation authorities of more than 20 countries. Advertisement In addition to being a market leader in civil aviation, Air Works has built significant capabilities in defence MRO, executing projects for key platforms of the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, the statement said. The acquisition enhances the Adani Groups capabilities in the defence MRO sector, solidifying its position in Indias airborne defence ecosystem, the statement said This strategic move marks a pivotal step in Adani Groups growth trajectory, laying the foundation for its expansion into the civil aviation services domain, it added. With operations spanning 35 cities and a workforce of over 1,300 personnel, Air Works brings extensive expertise in servicing both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The MRO company offers an end-to-end bouquet of aviation services spanning line maintenance, heavy checks, interior refurbishment, painting, redelivery checks, avionics as well as asset management services to its Indian and global customers, according to the statement. The Indian aviation industry stands at a transformative juncture, now the third largest globally and on track to induct over 1,500 aircraft in the coming years, said Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airports. This growth aligns seamlessly with the governments vision to connect every corner of our nation, creating unprecedented opportunities in aviation services. For us, creating a presence in the MRO sector is more than just a strategic step its a commitment to building an integrated aviation services ecosystem that strengthens the backbone of Indias aviation infrastructure. Together, we are excited to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Indias skies. Adani Defence & Aerospace CEO Ashish Rajvanshi said: This landmark acquisition represents a pivotal step in Adani Defence & Aerospaces mission to strengthen Indias MRO capabilities. Our vision is to deliver a full-spectrum MRO offering spanning line, base, component, and engine maintenance to meet the needs of both commercial and defence aviation sectors. In a time when Aatmanirbharta in defence is a national imperative, we stand fully committed to scaling domestic capabilities to serve both our armed forces and the broader aviation sector. This is our pledge to the nationto build capabilities that secure our skies and strengthen our sovereignty. Adani Defence & Aerospace, part of the Adani Group, is a pioneer in the design, development, and manufacturing of state-of-the-art defence products. The company has also established an ecosystem of start-ups and MSMEs with an export-oriented mindset, best-in-class processes, and quality management systems, the company statement added. Scientists at the Bose Institute, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have studied archaea a domain of ancient organisms to find clues to survival strategies of microorganisms by adapting to harsh conditions with the help of their toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems. Archaea, which means ancient things in Greek, are one of the oldest forms of life on Earth and belong to a group called the third domain of life. Advertisement Many archaea live in some of the harshest environments on Earth, which makes them ideal for studying how life can survive in tough conditions. Advertisement The team, led by Dr Abhrajyoti Ghosh at the Department of Biological Sciences, explored how certain archaea toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems help these organisms cope with high temperatures. In the study, published in the journal mBio, Ghosh and his team studied a specific TA system in a heat-loving archaeon called Sulfolobus acidocaldarius to understand how it helps these organisms. They examined S. acidocaldarius, which lives in environments with hot volcanic pools like Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India and some other volcanic areas in the world, that can get as hot as 90 degrees Celsius. The detailed analysis of the VapBC4 TA system that helps survival in the high-temperature environment, shows its important role during heat stress. They found that the VapC4 toxin carries out several functions, such as stopping protein production, helping the organism form resilient cells, and influencing biofilm creation. When the cell faces heat stress, a stress-activated protease (which hasnt been identified in archaea yet) may break down the VapB4 protein (which otherwise checks the VapC4 toxins activity). Once VapB4 is gone, the VapC4 toxin is released and can stop protein production. This block in protein production is part of a survival strategy that helps cells form persister cells during stress. These persister cells go into a resting state, conserving energy and avoiding making damaged proteins. This dormancy helps them survive tough conditions until the environment improves, the scientists said. The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants has filed a complaint through the countrys Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York with the UN Security Council (UNSC) in response to Israels repeated violations of its ceasefire agreement with Lebanon. The Lebanese ministry said on social media platform X that between November 27 and December 22, Israel launched over 816 land and air attacks against Lebanon, shelling border villages, booby-trapping homes, destroying residential neighborhoods, and blocking roads. Advertisement Such violations complicate Lebanons efforts to implement the provisions of UN Resolution 1701, hinder the Lebanese armys deployment in the south, and represent a serious threat to international efforts aimed at achieving regional security and stability, it said in the complaint, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement Lebanon has continuously shown the utmost restraint and cooperation to avoid falling back into the hell of war, it said, urging the UN Security Council to take a firm and clear position towards Israels violations and work to oblige it to respect its obligations. It also called for strengthening support for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and the Lebanese army to protect Lebanons sovereignty and help the country restore stability. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on November 27, putting an end to the confrontations that erupted on October 8, 2023. Despite the agreement, there have been multiple claims of ceasefire violations by both sides. The Israeli army has continued to carry out strikes in Lebanon, though at a significantly reduced intensity, with some attacks resulting in casualties in southern and eastern Lebanon. In response, Hezbollah fired munitions into border areas once, in early December, describing the actions as retaliation for the ongoing Israeli strikes. The top diplomats of South Korea and China reaffirmed efforts to advance bilateral ties in a phone conversation Tuesday, Seouls foreign ministry said, their first discussion following a botched martial law imposition in South Korea on December 3. The 30-minute talks between Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, took place amid concerns over their bilateral ties after Beijing said it was deeply surprised and dissatisfied over President Yoon Suk Yeols December 12 public address accusing Chinese nations of spying. Advertisement In Tuesdays talks, Cho said the governments stance on improving South Korea and Chinas strategic cooperative partnership remains unchanged under acting President Han Duck-soo, Yonhap news agency reported. Advertisement Cho suggested the two nations cooperate in a range of areas as South Korea is set to host the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in its southeastern city of Gyeongju, the ministry said. In response, Wang noted that improving their relationship in a healthy and stable manner is in line with their mutual national interests, and called for close cooperation and communication to further boost their ties. Wang reaffirmed Beijings support for Seouls hosting of next years APEC summit, according to the South Korean ministry, with the two foreign ministers also likely to have discussed Chinese President Xi Jinpings possible visit on the occasion of the gathering. Both sides agreed to continue to seek strategic communications to manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula in a stable manner, the ministry said. Tuesdays talks came about two weeks after the trade ministry hosted a high-level dialogue with China to discuss ways to bolster bilateral exchanges. On December 10, Fang Kun, the charge daffaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, had expressed hope for South Koreas economic and social stability amid heightened political uncertainty following the botched declaration of martial law. The remarks were made during a meeting with Deputy Finance Minister Choi Ji-young in Seoul. As a close neighbour and an important cooperative partner, we hope for the continued stability of South Koreas economy and society, Fang was quoted by the finance ministry as saying. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Special medical personnel and necessary medical equipment have been dispatched to Aktau, the spokesperson of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL) Farid Huseynov said at a press conference, Trend reports. The plane Embraer 190 of Azerbaijan Airlines, performing flight J2-8243 Baku-Grozny, made an emergency landing 3 kilometers from the city of Aktau. A total of 62 passengers and 5 crew members were on board. At present, emergency rescue structures in Kazakhstan are providing operational support. Following the decision of President Ilham Aliyev, a state commission has been established to investigate the causes of the accident. Special medical personnel and necessary medical equipment have been sent. The hotline for relatives and loved ones of the passengers has been created. They will be provided with special psychological support. New information about the results of the investigation of the incident will be provided to the public, he said. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan stated that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan were on board the plane, which crashed in the city of Aktau. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane, the information of the ministry reads. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The much-talked-about purchase of Delivery Heros Foodpanda delivery business by competitor Uber Technologies was blocked by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), the trade watchdog organisation of Taiwan. It was first reported by the Central News Agency (CNA) on the island, and later confirmed by the commission. Uber Eats announced on May 14 that it intended to acquire Foodpandas Taiwan delivery business. This move involving the islands two major food delivery players sent shockwaves across the region, and the consideration of USD 950 million invited international attention. The FTC decided to look deeper into the aspects of market concentration and competition in light of public concern on December 9. However, it was understood that a meeting on Wednesday morning reportedly resulted in a resolution to block the proposed deal. While Uber suggested earlier in a statement that it was ready to meet the commissions conditions in order to secure the deal, the FTC decided that competition concerns were too high, according to CNA. The deal, announced in May, also pointed to NYSE-listed Uber acquiring USD 300 million of newly issued stock of Frankfurt exchange-listed Delivery Hero. If the deal had gone through, Foodpandas local consumers, merchants, and delivery partners [would have been] transitioned to Uber Eats, according to the Delivery Hero announcement earlier this year. The FTC looked into the deal especially in light of the fact that it would have been one of the largest ever international acquisitions in Taiwan, outside of the semiconductor industry. Uber expected at least USD 150 million to be added to its adjusted core profit per year with the acquisition. Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) met at Bharatiya Janata Party president J.P. Nadda's residence in Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the prevailing political situation, especially the opposition onslaught on the government over Union Home Minister Amit Shahs remarks on B.R. Ambedkar. Shah and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu were among those who attended the meeting held on the birth centenary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was not immediately clear what transpired at the meeting. However, quoting sources, the Indian Express reported that the leaders had discussed the oppositions attack on the BJP over Shahs remarks, the caste census, and social justice politics. Attended the NDA leaders' meeting in New Delhi today. Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, India is achieving unprecedented milestones and has positioned itself as a global superpower. The NDA government remains steadfast in its pursuit of the pic.twitter.com/G4IxjRRMlx Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) December 25, 2024 The opposition, led by the Congress, has launched a massive campaign and protests demanding the home ministers resignation, terming his remarks as an "insult" to the Constitution framer. News agency PTI quoted sources as saying that good governancea key theme of the Vajpayee governmentand other political issues were also discussed at the meeting. JD-U leader and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Apna Dal (S) president and Union minister Anupriya Patel, as well as JD (S) leader and Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy were present at the meeting. Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha and Bharath Dharma Jana Sena president Thushar Vellappally were also among the attendees. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde were absent from the meeting. "Attended the NDA leaders' meeting in New Delhi today. Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India is achieving unprecedented milestones and has positioned itself as a global superpower," Nadda wrote on X after the meeting. "The NDA government remains steadfast in its pursuit of the vision of 'Viksit Bharat@2047', ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all," he added. A man tried to commit suicide by immolating himself in front of the new parliament building on Wednesday afternoon. The incident took place near the Railway Bhavan around 3.30 pm. The local police and railway police, along with some civil persons who were present at the site, immediately extinguished the fire and rushed the person to nearby Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. "He set himself on fire at the roundabout near Rail Bhawan. The local police and railway police along with some people immediately extinguished the fire and the person was sent to the hospital," said an official statement issued by the police. The man, in his early 30s, has been identified as Jitendra, a resident of Bagpat in Uttar Pradesh. His half-burnt backpack and some other belongings were seized from the spot. Some reports claimed that the man was in critical condition after sustaining 90 per cent burn injuries. A member of the forensic team of Delhi Police Crime Branch conducts investigation at the spot where a man tried to immolate himself near the Railway Bhawan opposite the new Parliament building | PTI According to police, Jitendra, who arrived in Delhi on a train on Wednesday morning, took the extreme step allegedly due to a dispute with some individuals back home in Bagpat. However, no suicide note has been found at the site. In an investigation, we have found that he is a resident of UPs Baghpat and that he is in some trouble due to a case registered in 2021 against him in Baghpat," DCP New Delhi Devesh Mahla said. An investigation has been launched into the incident. The parliament is not in session currently after it was adjourned sine die on December 20. Two unidentified persons allegedly sexually assaulted a second-year engineering student inside Anna University campus at Chennai on Tuesday night. Chennai city police reportedly registered the case. Reports cited senior police officials who confirmed that the alleged survivor was a resident of the hostel on the Guindy campus. The student was on a walk with another person, a fourth-year student on the same campus, after dinner when two persons attacked them. They beat up the male student and assaulted the female student, as per media reports. Local media reported that the case was registered at the Kotturpuram police station on December 25 under section 64 (punishment for rape) of the BNS, after they lodged a complaint at the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) cell at Anna University. The POSH cell reportedly aided the survivor in providing a statement of the assault to the police. It is absolutely shocking to hear the news of the Sexual Assault of a Student at Anna University, the premier Institute of TN, situated in the heart of Chennai, by 2 miscreants. @BJP4TamilNadu demands that the miscreants be immediately arrested. Tamil Nadu, under the DMK K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 25, 2024 Four special task forces were set up to apprehend the suspects, reports citing Kotturpuram assistant commissioner Bharathi Rajan stated. Security footage from the campus was also handed over to the investigating officials. BJP state president K. Annamalai reacted on social media regarding the incident, "It is absolutely shocking to hear the news of the sexual assault of a student at Anna University, the premier Institute of TN, situated in the heart of Chennai, by two miscreants." #WATCH | Chennai | Members of SFI and All India Women Welfare Federation protest outside the Anna University campus in Guindy over alleged sexual assault on a University student on campus pic.twitter.com/7AuDkLF82z ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2024 The Student Federation of India (SFI), along with members of the All India Women Welfare Federation, kicked off a protest in light of the incident outside the gates of the Anna University campus in Guindy, Chennai, on Wednesday. The varsity registrar J Prakash in a statement said that the university was extending its full cooperation to the police investigation. Two arrested for assault on minor in UP In an unrelated case, the Uttar Pradesh police on Wednesday announced that they arrested two personsAmit Prajapati (22) and Mantu Yadav (19)for allegedly luring a 16-year-old girl and sexually assaulting her in Ballia district, UP. The police said that the incident took place on Tuesday night after the survivor left home in an autorickshaw following an alleged family dispute. The survivor's parent filed a complaint, and the case was registered under the BNS and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. "Both accused, Mantu Yadav and Amit Prajapati, were arrested on Wednesday. Further investigation is underway," said police SHO Rakesh Singh. Kadalinu karutha nirmayirunnu. Oru kottaravum mahanagaravum vizhungi kazhinjittum vishappadangathapole theerathu thala thallikondirunnu - Opening lines of Randamoozham. Today the literary world stands, voiceless, before the black ocean of time that has claimed one of the greatest that Keralas literary and cultural space has to offer. But at the other end of this darkness is the light of letters, that awaits like a dinghy. You board the little thing and you reach Kudallur and as you traverse the waters, they whisper; how two simple letters, M.T., became the light of a period in Malayalam literature, and a star in the literary nights of generations that followed. The Chemistry undergraduate from Victoria who wrote stories : Madath Thekkepaattu Vasudevan Nair, was born the youngest of a lower-middle class agricultural family, into a society grappling with the anxieties of a crumbling matrilineal social structure. The thematic concerns of M.T.s fiction and films, and the conflicted psyche of his characters (mostly men) often dwell on this social reality, on nostalgia, and yearning for usurped social and cultural worlds. M. T. Vasudevan Nair (1933-2024) | Best literary works M. T. initially buoyed into poetry, and very early too, soon taking a detour into fictional prose which retained the lyricism and beautiful imagery of poetic writing. He has never been anything short of a wonder, when his story Valarthumrigangal (Domestic Beasts) won him his first literary recognition, in the form of a first prize in the Short Story Competition by The New York Herald Tribune, Hindustan Times and Mathrubhumi, in 1954. His first collection of short stories, Raktam Puranda Mantarikal (The Blood-Stained Sand) also appeared during his days at Victoria College. His collections of short stories include Iruttinte Athmavu, Olavum Theeravum, Varikkuzhi, Vanaprastham, Sherlock, Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam, and Dare-e-Salam. If one follows the trajectory of these stories, the shift in stylistics, thematic concerns and narrative features is evident from Iruttinte Athmavu to Sherlock. By his own admission, his favourite genre is short story. Randamoozham from the throes of an old feudal order : The wordsmith soon ventured into the world of novels, creating within it grounded yet complex worlds. In 1957, his debut novel Pathiravum Pakalvelichavum (Midnight and Daylight), was serialized in Mathrubhumi Weekly. The holy trinity born out of the embers of a degenerate social order, marked both the writers foray into the high-grounds of Malayalam prose and the birth of classics, without peer and without question. Naalukettu, published in 1958, was M.T.s first major novel, set against the crumbling matrilineal order. Following Appunni, the protagonist, came Govindankutty, in shades of grey in Asuravithu (1962). Kaalam (1969) cuts across your flesh and Sethu Madhavans experiences crawl underneath. M. T. won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Naalukettu, in 1958, and the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award for Kaalam, in 1970. His novel, Manju (1964), is the tale of Vimala (arguably his only female protagonist) set against a reflective, sombre canvas, full of lyrical strokes. Randamoozham is M.Ts second-coming after a dark phase in his personal life. Beyond being a reconstruction of Bheemasenans story, the tale is fiercely individualised to mirror the sorrows that mar every human soul. His other novels, equally brilliant, include Varanasi, Vilapayathra and Arabi Ponnu (which he co-authored with N. P. Mohammed). M.T. also authored two texts about the art of writing Kaathikante Kala and Kaathikante Panippura. M. T. does not simply document the decay of the feudal order. As M Jayamohan puts it, what M. T. wrote about was a profound, regional and cultural existential crisis, far from that of Kafka and Camus. Making of the Perumthachan of pathos and/in storytelling : M.T.s debut directorial feature took the iconoclastic route in Nirmalyam, with the institutional oracle, plagued by extreme poverty spitting on the idol. From this alchemists workshop came seven directorial ventures and the screenplays for around fifty-four films. M.T.s first screenplay was Murappennu (in 1965) and along the road he won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay four times for : Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Kadavu (1991), Sadayam (1992) and Parinayam (1994). M. T. Vasudevan Nair (1933-2024) | A look at his best cinematic creations His classics like Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Perumthachan are not outlets for popular perceptions or readings of the folklore. His interpretations offer a unique mirror into the characters of Chandu and Perumthachan. Other cinematic marvels include Bandhanam, Oppol, Panchagni, Nakhakshathangal, Kadavu, Oru Cheru Punchiri, Aalkkoottathil Thaniye, Anubhandham and so many more; for a simple iteration would never do justice to what awaits the viewer in these films. Not many know that M.T. is also credited with a documentary titled Mohiniyattam. Beyond the walls of the Naalukettu, Nila runs its course : M.T. Vasudevan Nair joined Mathrubhumi Weekly as subeditor in 1957 after a brief stint in teaching, later serving as the editor of the illustrated weekly for several years. Listing his awards seem frivolous as this man is synonymous with culture and literature, his letters, the greatest gifts to lovers of Malayalam literature. M.Ts list runs as long as Nila itself, including Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Ezhuthachan Award, O.N.V. Literary Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award and the J.C. Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema. He was awarded Padma Bhushan, Indias third highest civilian honour, in 2005 and the Kerala Jyoti Award, the highest civilian award given by the Kerala Government, in 2022. Madhavikutty, talked about her dear Vasu, who is like a brother and is a serious person, who never laughs and only wore shirts with stripes. She summed up for the 1995 Jnanpith awardee saying, He has a lot of awards that he won through hard work. He has never been a lazy writer. M.T. married Prameela in 1965, and eleven years later the couple got divorced. In 1977 he married Kalamandalam Saraswathy, with whom he has a daughter Aswathy Nair. He also has a daughter from his first marriage, Sithara. The Nila runs, recourses, and meanders in his worlds against his familiar sylvan milieu. The river runs its course, across generations of readers, flows into your heart and makes a warm, little home there, not a Naalukettu mind you, and it houses the lives of so many men and women you have known and many lives you have lived. Sukumar Azheekode spoke about M.T.s oeuvre, that gives the impression of familiarity. But, he cautioned, once you enter his world, what awaits you are chambers of unseen treasures. That is M. T. Vasudevan Nair, and as Auden wrote, Earth, receive an honoured guest. The BJP rushed to defend former MP Parvesh Verma after Delhi Chief Minister Atishi alleged that he was caught red-handed distributing cash to women in AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's New Delhi constituency ahead of Assembly polls in the city. Just after Atishi raised the alarm that Verma was giving Rs 1,100 each to women from slum clusters at Verma's residence at Windsor Place after noting down their Voter ID details, the BJP claimed he was helping those poor women financially. Atishi, lashing out at Verma, also called on the Delhi Police, CBI and ED to conduct raids at Verma's bungalow "where crores of rupees were kept." The Chief Minister said AAP will file formal complaints to the police and the election commission seeking Verma's arrest. Kejriwal has also alleged that cash was being distributed to people in his constituency. #WATCH | Delhi: BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa says, "... Arvind Kejriwal is doing a drama of giving 2100 rupees...He was the Chief Minister of Delhi for 12 years but till now he has not been able to strengthen the women financially. They are forced to live in slums... Parvesh pic.twitter.com/aNqRnSTJ0o ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2024 "Arvind Kejriwal is doing a drama of giving Rs 2,100. He was the Chief Minister of Delhi for 12 years but still hasn't done anything to empower the women financially. They continue to live in slums. Parvesh Verma is helping those women financially," BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa told ANI. #WATCH | Delhi: On the allegations of Delhi CM Atishi, BJP leader Parvesh Verma says "Yesterday, I saw the tweet of Arvind Kejriwal and today I heard the press conference of the temporary CM of Delhi. AAP MP Sanjay Singh is also roaming around my house. Rashtriya Swabhiman https://t.co/1M5GKHng51 pic.twitter.com/neZBsKY4Bi ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2024 Verma took a dig at Kejriwal, stating he wasn't "distributing alcohol like Kejriwal used to". He said he had been helping people through the trust Rashtriya Swabhiman Sansthan, which his father built 25 years ago. "We have been helping people and have redeveloped two villages devastated by an earthquake in Gujarat and four villages in Odisha destroyed by a cyclone," Verma told reporters. He mocked Atishi and Kejriwal for "appreciating the work we were doing" and said he had been witnessing the misery of women here which "Kejriwal couldn't see for the last 11 years." "When I met them, they told me they neither have pensions nor ration cards, jobs, or access to medical facilities. I decided that my organisation would create a scheme to help them every month," he said. "I am happy about one thing: at least I am not distributing liquor, which the Chief Minister of Delhi (Arvind Kejriwal) was distributing all over Delhi," he added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Citizens of Kazakhstan have placed flowers at the Azerbaijan Embassy in Astana to commemorate the victims of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane disaster in Aktau, Trend reports. Earlier today, the Embraer 190 passenger plane flying on the Baku-Grozny route crashed 3 km from the Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that there were 37 Azerbaijani citizens on board the plane that crashed in the city of Aktau. "According to preliminary information, there were 37 Azerbaijani, 6 Kazakh, 3 Kyrgyz, and 16 Russian citizens on board the plane," the ministry said. AZAL added that there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board the "Embraer 190" plane that crashed in Aktau, making a total of 67 people. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Aam Aadmi Party national convener and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal dropped a bombshell today, by claiming that Chief Minister Atishi will be arrested in the coming days. Apparently referring to the BJP-led Union government, Kejriwal said they were miffed by the AAP's recently announced flagship schemes Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana in Delhi, and so, are planning to get Atishi arrested by framing her in fake cases. Kejriwal took to X to make the shocking revelation. He also said that raids will be conducted against senior AAP leaders. 12 Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 25, 2024 The former Delhi CM reiterated the charges in a press conference later in the day. The BJP is trying to distract AAP from campaigning for assembly polls, he alleged. Earlier this month, Kejriwal had announced the two schemesMahila Samman Yojana, according to which, eligible women will get Rs 1,000 every month, and the Sanjeevani Yojana, which promises free treatment for all elderly citizens above 60 years at government and private hospitals in Delhi. Interestingly, the Union government had recently expanded Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to give free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per year to all those aged 70 years and above. The Delhi Assembly polls are expected to be held in February next year. AAP's schemes spark newspaper ad Days after AAP leaders, including Atishi and Kejriwal, visited several areas in the national capital as part of the registration drive for the Mahila Samman Yojana and the Sanjeevani Yojana, the health and family welfare department issued a public notice against it. The notice, which was published in the newspaper, denied the existence of any Sanjeevani scheme and warned the public against providing personal details to unauthorised people. Delhi's Health Department and Women and Child Development Department have issued a public notice in the newspaper stating that there is no scheme like #SanjeevaniYojna and #mahilasammanscheme yet nor has any notification been issued in this regard#Delhi #Kejriwal #Scheme pic.twitter.com/QhHAv0YNgs Ankit Sabharwal (@AnkitSabharwall) December 25, 2024 "If a person/entity calls you or visits you with the promise to provide benefit of free treatment under this supposed non-existent scheme or provide you some "Health/Sanjeevani Scheme Card in this regard, then you are hereby advised to: (1) not believe in any promise of free treatment under the supposed non-existent "Sanjeevani scheme" (2) not to provide any personal detail to anybody claiming to provide benefits under the scheme (3) not to affix your signature or thumbprint on any document unknowingly." The matter, once again, highlighted the power tussle between the state government and the Union government, as the principal secretaries of all Delhi departments report to the Chief Secretary, who is appointed by the Union government. So, the AAP government has no control over Delhi officials. Atishi said at the press conference that strict action will be taken against the Women and Child Development Department officials for issuing a public notice against Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is likely to field 2020 Northeast Delhi riot case accused Shahrukh Pathan in the upcoming assembly elections, reports said on Wednesday. The party, however, has not made any official statement on this. AIMIM's Delhi unit president Shoaib Jamei told news agency PTI that the party is considering Pathan's name, but no decision has been made yet. On Monday, Jamei had visited Pathans family in Delhi. Sharing a photo of the visit, the AIMIM leader also expressed solidarity with those he claimed were languishing in jail without trial. At least 42 people died and several others were injured as violence over the amended citizenship law hit several areas of Northeast Delhi, including Jafrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar and Mustafabad in February 2022. According to governments estimates, 79 houses and 327 shops were completely gutted in arson. A picture of Pathan pointing a country-made pistol at a police officer on the Jaffrabad-Maujpur road had gone viral on social platforms. He was arrested and has been in jail since then. According to reports, Pathan is a college dropout who was interested in modelling and used to make Tik Tok videos. Elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly are due to be held in February next year. While the ruling AAP, which has been in power since 2015, looks at a third straight term, the BJP hopes for a strong comeback. At a time when the tiny northeastern state of Manipur is looking for confidence-building measures in the form of an inclusive governance approach from the government to restore peace in troubled areas, the appointment of former Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla as governor of Manipur brings hope on several counts. The need of the hour is to find a solution which goes beyond a dominant security approach to create a more participatory model where rights of all communities are protected and grievances heard, especially after the long drawn strife demands relief and rehabilitation as the first step. After ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 last year, a physical divide in the form of so-called buffer zones became a necessary evil in fringe districts between hills and valley where several checkposts on either side were being manned by locals as well as the Manipur police. The divide might have controlled the law and order situation but it also created invisible divisions between people on both sides creating a challenge for the state government in following months. The uncertainty was accentuated with the vast internally displaced population living in makeshift camps with dimming hope of returning to their homes. ALSO READ: Who is Ajay Kumar Bhalla? While the government has been holding dialogue with various stakeholders both in the valley and hills, it will take a concerted approach both by the Union and state government to make the situation conducive for people to cross over from the valley into the hills and vice versa without the fear of being targeted. The second big challenge for the ex-home secretary is to ensure a complete recovery of missing weapons that may have gone into the hands of people in both hills and valley areas, making disarming the civil population a key step in restoring peace in the long term. Ajay Kumar Bhalla appointed as Governor of Manipur. Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Mizoram appointed as Governor of Odisha. General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh, appointed as Governor of Mizoram. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Bihar appointed as Governor of Kerala. pic.twitter.com/RgPVS5u68n ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2024 Strife in any state, especially in the difficult terrains of the northeast, has a major impact on infrastructure and amenities, as developmental works like building of roads take a hit. For Manipur, the problem becomes more complex as its border areas with neighbouring Myanmar get cut off, making the internal security situation a bigger challenge for the border-guarding forces. Government sources admitted that developmental works slowed down as the focus was restoration of peace and normalcy. The outcome was disturbing since the implementation of the Union home ministrys decision to scrap the free movement regime between India and Myanmar slowed down on the ground, with border works like fencing posing a challenge. At the moment, the need for the Union and the state government to be on the same page remains a top priority with the worsening internal security situation in Myanmar which has reopened routes of smuggling of narcotics, arms and ammunition besides illegal migration of a displaced Myanmarese population. As home secretary, Bhalla took keen interest in border management even as various options were explored on building the first line of defence with the active deployment of either the Assam Rifles or even deploying central paramilitary forces. As governor, he will carry the experience of tackling the many years of border neglect owing to many factors, said a security official, which is expected to bring clarity on addressing the key issues plaguing the state. The silver lining is that despite several months of unrest, Manipur has not reported calls for secessionist violence. Ukraine and South Korea have released contradicting data on the setbacks suffered by the North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia in the Kursk region. While Seoul claimed that at least 1,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or seriously injured by Ukrainian forces, Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims his defenders have eliminated or wounded around 3,000 North Koreans to date. A drone crew the 8th Special Operations Regiment artfully executed 77 N Koreans and wounded another 40 in 3 days Most of the Koreans met their end without winter camo in open fields Also done in: an enemy armoured vehicle, 12 vehicles, 3 buggies Video: https://t.co/MhfcUCmpaQ https://t.co/gzmCTd04yg pic.twitter.com/b6WzsrOe7g Ukraine Resists Russian Genocide... Yeah Again (@ArmedMaidan) December 23, 2024 ALSO READ | Russia boosting North Korea's nuclear arsenal? What's Pyongyang getting in return for supplying troops for Ukraine war? A week earlier, South Koreas spy agency claimed that at least 100 North Korean soldiers had died ever since they were deployed on the frontlines in Kursk in December. The steep increase in the casualties -- irrespective of the count being 1,000 or 3,000 -- is proving the concerns of many conflict experts right who pointed out that Kim Jong-un's men may end up being cannon fodder in Russian woods. Despite being one of the largest standing armies in the world, North Korean soldiers lack battleground expertise as the dictatorial regime has not fought any wars in years. There are no battlegrounds in North Korea! War drills can't make troops ready for "real action" and Russia failed to provide its Pyongang recruits with proper, meaningful training ahead of deployment. Then comes the language barrier, which affects effective communication between the Russians and Koreans, reports have said. North Korea may have suffered its first losses in battles against the Ukrainian army. Unlike Ukraine's allies who stand for freedom, Kim Jong Un has chosen to send his soldiers to support Putin's aggression. Now, Ukraine faces the combined forces of two nuclear states. The pic.twitter.com/1a9hMi9Tpp Meanwhile in Ukraine (@MeanwhileInUA) December 16, 2024 Though highly motivated, the North Koreans are almost ignorant of modern warfare. Most of the casualties were inflicted by Ukrainian drones. Missiles and training accidents have also claimed their lives in the forests of Kursk with at least one General among the killed, The Guardian said in a report. ALSO READ | Revealed: How Ukraine's first strike on North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk took place Earlier, reports suggested that North Korean units took on the Ukrainian guerilla fighters in waves, an outdated battle strategy. When they scrambled and took cover, drones were deployed to pick them out easily, with the Asian troops having little to no idea how to remain undetected from the UAVs. Russian forces have understood these shortcomings of their allies and are using them to lead first-wave attacks instead of collaborations. Russian Generals have learned their lesson and no longer want to put the lives of their men at risk by sending them alongside their lesser-trained "friends." US media reports had earlier claimed that apart from brief combat training, North Korean troops were also taught basic Russian vocabulary for frontline communication. "Charge", "retreat", "move", "spread out" and the like were among the words taught before sending them ahead. Some other reports had said that Pyongyang's Storm Corps were mostly operating machinery and digging trenches in the areas witnessing fierce battles. Russia-North Korea defense tie-up It is estimated that Kim Jong-Un sent around 12,000 of his elite soldiers to help Vladimir Putin's war efforts in Kursk. They arrived with more than 10,000 containers of artillery rounds, anti-tank rockets, howitzers and rocket launchers, US agencies believe. Kim will not hesitate to send or deploy more men from his Storm Corps to Russia, although the first contingent is yet to make any significant impact on the battlefields, the Pentagon added. Hours after the Azerbaijan Airlines plane from Baku to Russia's Grozny crashed in Kazakhstan, mystery surrounds the flight's activity before the disaster and why it disappeared from tracking before being spotted across the Caspian Sea, miles off its scheduled route. The Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 Embraer 190 jet was flying to Grozny, the capital of the Chechnya region in southern Russia, was forced to make an emergency landing around 3 kilometres from Aktau in Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan claims this was due to a bird hit. But, there is still no explanation for why the plane, the scheduled route of which was northwards, along the shores of the Caspian Sea, flew east over to Aktau, which is on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan and Russia. Fuselage shows damage resembling air defense fragments or striking elements. A survivor reports hearing an explosion outside before the crash. Preliminary Cause: Rosaviatsia suggests a bird collision as the likely reason.#PlaneCrash #KazakhstanPlaneCrash https://t.co/hgffGdu9FM pic.twitter.com/YmnNp4dDA8 Updates (@sirfupdate_) December 25, 2024 Russian news agencies said the plane had been rerouted due to fog in Grozny. However, data from FlightRadar 24 also shows the plane flying over the republic of Dagestan along the Caspian Sea coast. It disappears from the radar only to show up an hour later off course. The plane was then spotted flying low above the water near western Kazakhstan before crashing. Flight #J28243 that crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan is an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer ERJ-190 with registration 4K-AZ65.#J28243 took off from Baku at 03:55 UTC time and was flying to Grozny. The aircraft was exposed to strong GPS jamming which made the aircraft pic.twitter.com/rM1Q0jmMPt Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) December 25, 2024 A post on X by Flightradar24 read: "The aircraft was exposed to strong GPS jamming which made the aircraft transmit bad ADS-B data. At 04:40 UTC we lost the ADS-B signal. At 06:07 UTC we picked up the ADS-B signal again before it crashed at 06:28 UTC." This has triggered speculations that the flight was affected by a possible drone attack. There are reports that the crash came shortly after drone strikes hit southern Russia, forcing the authorities to shut airports in the area. Authorities in two Russian regions adjacent to the flight's destination in Chechnya - Ingushetia and North Ossetia - reported drone strikes on Wednesday morning. An official at Makhachkala airport in Russia on the east coast of the Caspian told Reuters that the airport closest to where the flight disappeared from tracking had been closed for several hours on Wednesday morning. Also read: Pilots of Azerbaijan Airlines flight that crashed in Kazakhstan tried to land on a vacant lot but failed Meanwhile, videos doing rounds on social media showed holes in the jet's tailfin. This has added to rumours that the plane could have been targeted by air defence systems as it approached Grozny. A report on RT News also quoted a surviving passenger who said that the pilot tried landing the plane in Grozny three times before "something exploded." Neither Russian nor Azerbaijani officials have explained the reason for the flight going off route. However, authorities in Kazakhstan said a government commission had been set up to probe the accident. The pilots of the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane that crashed in Kazakhstan's Aktau on Wednesday tried their best to keep the aircraft airborne before they ran out of options, according to reports. The pilots, after the plane collided with birds, decided to divert the flight to an alternate airfield in Aktau. Russian Aviation industry sources told Russian media RIA Novosti that they viewed the video footage and radar data of the aircraft's movements. "It turned out that the pilots tried to keep the plane in the sky for a long time. They tried to avoid a crash until the very end. There is information that the captain even tried to land the plane on a vacant lot, where there was a flat surface, near the Aktau airport," he said. Final moments when #Kazakhstan Plane Crashed...14 Survive Flight Details: Azerbaijan Airlines, Embraer 190 (Flight J2-8243) Route: Baku (Azerbaijan) Grozny (Russia) diverted to Aktau (Kazakhstan) due to fog Onboard: 72 (5 crew) The plane circled Aktau Airport, pic.twitter.com/yRozx4XCwr Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) December 25, 2024 Data from FlightRadar24 also showed the plane flying over the republic of Dagestan along the Caspian Sea coast before it disappeared from tracking. The plane reappears an hour later off course, flying low above the water near western Kazakhstan before crashing. However, it is not clear why its altitude went up dramatically before coming down in the minutes before it smashed into the ground. Also read: Christmas tragedy: Videos show Russia-bound Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashing in Kazakhstan's Aktau | WATCH The plane was headed from Azerbaijan's Baku to Russia's Grozny. As per the data from the Kazakh Transport Ministry, 62 passengers and five crew members were on board the plane, of which over 32 were rescued. Authorities in Kazakhstan said a government commission had been set up to probe the accident. The panel members will soon fly to the site and ensure that the families of the dead and injured are getting the help they needed. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who was in Russia for a short visit, rushed back to cut short his visit to Russia due to the plane crash and took the situation under personal control. The conflict between Pakistani forces and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) escalated after Pakistan targeted the latter's suspected hideouts in neighbouring Afghanistan on Tuesday, and TTP or Taliban Pakistan vowing retaliation. While Pakistan has not officially confirmed the airstrikes, AP quoted security officers as saying that the airstrikes in Barmal, Paktika on the border, destroyed a training facility and killed several militants. With Pakistan military not divulging any details, it is unclear how the strikes were carried out and whether the jets entered deep into Afghanistan territory. Taliban's defence ministry, however, condemned the attack, and said that "Waziristani refugees" were among those targeted. It has vowed to retaliate saying that defending their land and sovereignty is their legitimate right. Tensions have been running high between the two countries since 2021 when the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan, having been kept out of power by a US-led military coalition. 'A brutal act', says Afghanistan The Afghan defence ministry condemned the airstrikes, saying the bombing targeted civilians, including women and children. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers this a brutal act against all international principles and blatant aggression and strongly condemns it, the ministry said. ... pic.twitter.com/g7yPtBqhpe - (@MoDAfghanistan2) December 24, 2024 At least eight people were reportedly killed in the Pakistani airstrikes. In a post on X, the Afghan defence ministry said that Pakistan should know that such unilateral measures are not a solution to any problem. Pakistan versus Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan TTP leaders, who got a shot in the arm with the seizing of power in Afghanistan by Afghan Taliban in 2021, are believed to be hiding in Afghan territory. Since 2022, when the TTP unilaterally ended a cease-fire with the government after talks hosted by Afghanistan's government in Kabul failed, it has carried out several attacks on Pakistani soldiers and police. Last week, the Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack on a Pakistani army outpost in Makeen, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, some 40km from the Afghan border, which killed 16 soldiers and critically injured five. According to the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies, more than 1,500 civilians, security forces and militants were killed by TTP last yeara six-year high. A UN Security Council report in July estimated there are around 6,500 TTP militants in Afghanistan. Lahore, Dec 25 (PTI) Over 70 Indian Hindu pilgrims returned home on Wednesday after performing religious rituals at the sacred Katas Raj temples in Pakistan's Punjab province. Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) additional secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar presented special gifts and bouquets to the pilgrims at Wagah Border here. In the morning, the pilgrims had breakfast at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore and visited the historic Anarkali Bazaar. They were escorted to the Wagah border in special buses under tight security. During their seven-day visit to Pakistan, the Hindu pilgrims performed religious rituals at the Katas Raj temples and spent three days in Lahore, visiting the Krishna Mandir on Ravi Road and Valmiki Mandir in Anarkali. They also toured the Lahore Fort. "We are thankful to ETPB Chairman Syed Ataur Rehman for ensuring the preservation and renovation of our places of worship. I encourage the global Hindu community to visit Pakistan and witness these sacred sites," the leader of the group, Vijay Kumar Sharma, told reporters at Wagah. Vivek Pandey, another pilgrim, said that the construction of residential complexes has enhanced the beauty of the Katas Raj temples. "We spent seven days in Pakistan and were met with warmth and respect wherever we went. Lahore is a beautiful city, and visiting our religious sites at Katas Raj and Lahore brought us immense spiritual peace," said another pilgrim. Saifullah Khokhar reaffirmed the ETPB's commitment to promoting religious tourism and extending hospitality to visiting pilgrims. He said significant funds are being allocated for the restoration and beautification of temples and gurdwaras. Earlier this month, the ETPB inaugurated a residential complex built for Hindu pilgrims at the Katas Raj temples. According to the ETPB, a 36-room residential building next to the Katas Raj temples has been constructed for PKR190 million. "It has been ensured that Hindu pilgrims coming from all over the world, including India, can stay here with all facilities," Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain said at the inaugural ceremony. He said that in addition to improved facilities, 6,000 plants of different species have been planted for the health of the temple's environment. He further said the ETPB has installed a 40-KW solar system and spacious parking facilities at the Katas Raj Temples so that Hindu pilgrims and tourists can enjoy complete facilities. Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas, is a complex of several Hindu temples connected by walkways. The temple complex surrounds a pond named Katas, regarded as sacred by Hindus. Patna, Dec 25 (PTI) Chaos erupted during a protest here on Wednesday over the alleged leak of a question paper of the December 13 combined preliminary exam conducted by Bihar PSC, prompting the state police to baton charge job aspirants. Job seekers claimed that several protesters were injured during the police action but a senior officer denied the charge. The Congress condemned the police action on job aspirants, while Independent MP from Purnea Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav called for a Bihar bandh on January 1, 2025, if the December 13 combined preliminary examination is not cancelled. A group of protesters marched towards the Bihar Public Service Commission's (BPSC) office to press their demands, and a confrontation between police personnel and the job seekers ensued after they were stopped, the officer said. "A group of protestors, including job aspirants, gathered near the commissions office on Bailey Road in the second half on Wednesday. They wanted to proceed towards the BPSC office, which the police did not allow. Some of them managed to reach the BPSC office and disrupted the movement of traffic. "Despite repeated requests by the security personnel, they refused to vacate the road. It is a restricted area where protests are not allowed. Finally, mild force, including baton charge was used to disperse the protestors," Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajeev Mishra told PTI. The police registered a case against protestors in connection with Wednesdays incident, he added. Protesters claimed that several job seekers were injured in the baton charge, which the SSP denied. "As far as information we have, no protester sustained any injury. Mild force was used to disperse them," he said. Video clips of the police action against job aspirants went viral on social media with some showing personnel chasing and beating up protesters, including women. PTI could not verify the authenticity of the video clips. Protesters were seen raising slogans against the BPSC officials and demanding the cancellation of the December 13 combined preliminary exam. Some protesters alleged that they were "treated like terrorists" by the police. "We were mercilessly beaten up by the police as if we are terrorists," said a protester without divulging his identity. Some women reached the Gardani Bagh protest site wearing bangles. We have brought bangles for the BPSC officials, a woman protester said without revealing her name. All protesters were asked to organise their protest at Gardani Bagh, the dedicated place for dharna. It is learnt that they (protestors) called ambulances on their own and some of them got themselves admitted to the nearest government hospital. The police have no official information in this regard as no one was injured in the action, the SSP said. "A girl in a purported video was verified with nearby hospitals and was found to have admitted herself to PMCH. According to the attending doctor, no visible injuries were observed. Additionally, an X-ray examination of her arm was conducted, which confirmed the absence of any fracture or injury," the police officer said. The job aspirants have been demanding cancellation of the preliminary examination of the BPSC and requested the commission to announce a fresh date for the test at the earliest. Protesters alleged that question papers were leaked before the examination started at certain centres. Reacting to the baton charge by the police on job aspirants, the Independent MP from Purnea called for a Bihar bandh on January 1, if the December 13 combined preliminary exam is not cancelled. "If the BPSC does not cancel its December 13 exam, we will call a Bihar bandh on January 1, 2025. I demand immediate cancellation of the December 13 exam.if it is not cancelled in a day or two, my supporters will call the bandh. Police baton charges on protesters are highly condemnable," Yadav said. The Bihar Congress also condemned the police action on job aspirants on Wednesday. Talking to reporters, Bihar Congress spokesperson Rajesh Rathore said, The state government and the BPSC must accept students' demand. Our party condemn Wednesday's police action against them. However, BPSC chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai on Tuesday ruled out the cancellation of the entire exam. He, however, made it clear that BPSC would conduct a re-examination of candidates who appeared for the test at the Bapu Pariksha Parisar centre in Patna on December 13. Manubhai announced that the re-examination would be held on January 4, 2025. The BPSC recently cancelled its combined preliminary examination held at Bapu Pariksha Parisar in Patna's Kumhrar locality, where an on-duty official died of a heart attack after a ruckus was created by "unruly" candidates on December 13. The commission also served show-cause notices to 34 aspirants, who were allegedly part of the disruption created at Bapu Pariksha Parisar centre. Lucknow, Dec 25 (PTI) Some Muslim organisations have strongly condemned the renewed sale of Salman Rushdie's controversial book "The Satanic Verses" in India and appealed to the central government to reinstate the ban on it. Rushdie's book has returned to Indian bookshelves, 36 years after it was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1988. Currently, 'The Satanic Verses' is available at Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi-NCR. In November, the Delhi High Court closed proceedings on a plea challenging the Rajiv Gandhi government's ban on the book's import. The court stated that the failure of officials to present the relevant notification from October 5, 1988, led to the assumption that the notification did not exist. Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor for the Uttar Pradesh unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (AM), expressed concern over the book's reappearance in India. "If freedom of expression hurts someone's sentiments, it is a legal offence. 'The Satanic Verses' is a blasphemous book. Selling such a controversial book under the pretext of freedom of expression cannot be accepted in any form. It goes against the spirit of the Constitution," he told PTI. Rashidi added, "The foundation of India's Constitution allows for freedom of expression, but it does not grant anyone the right to hurt sentiments. Resuming the sale of 'The Satanic Verses' is an attempt at provocation. It is the government's responsibility to stop this. If the government allows it, it would amount to shirking its constitutional duties." He further remarked that Muslims regard Allah and the Prophet as dearer than their own lives and in such a scenario, the controversial book will never be tolerated. "We urge the government to protect constitutional values and reinstate the ban on this book as it hurts the sentiments of a large section of the population. The government has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, and banning this book is its duty," he said. A "limited stock" of the book has reportedly been available in Delhi's Bahrisons Booksellers in recent days. The content of the book and its author have faced massive backlash globally, with many Muslim organisations labelling it blasphemous. Maulana Yasub Abbas, general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, also criticised the renewed availability of the book, stating, "There is talk of lifting the ban after 36 years. On behalf of the Shia Personal Law Board, I appeal to the Indian government to ensure the ban remains firmly in place." "The book mocks Islamic views, insults Prophet Muhammad and his companions, and hurts sentiments. Allowing its sale poses a threat to the country's harmony. I urge the prime minister to impose a complete ban on this book in India," he said. Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, said in a statement, "The ban on The Satanic Verses had expired. Now, some publishers are planning to reprint the book in India. Back in 1988, Rajiv Gandhi's government immediately banned it, but now preparations are underway to reintroduce it in India after the expiration of the ban." "This book insults Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and several Islamic figures. Its content is so offensive that it cannot be repeated. Allowing this book in the market will disturb the nation's atmosphere. No Muslim can tolerate seeing this hateful book on any bookstore shelf," Razvi added. He demanded that the central government reimpose the ban and warned of significant protests from the Muslim community if the book becomes widely available. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the crash of the AZAL airplane flying Baku-Grozny in Aktau, Trend reports. According to the information, opening the informal meeting of the heads of CIS member states, Putin noted that as a result of the airplane crash, there were dead and many injured. The tragedy happened today in Aktau. An airplane crashed; there were dead, and many were injured. I would like to express condolences on your behalf to the families of the victims and all the injured. Let's hope for their recovery, Putin said. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan were on board the plane, which crashed in Aktau. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane, the ministry said. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Kozhikode (Kerala), Dec 25 (PTI) Noted writer and Jnanpith award winner MT Vasudevan Nair, who died here on Wednesday evening, is known for elevating the art of Malayalam storytelling to a profound level through his works. The 91-year-old writer had been hospitalised in critical condition with a diagnosis of heart failure. He was suffering several health issues including resipratory ailments for a while, according to the literary sources. M T Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as M T, is a celebrated writer, screenwriter, and filmmaker, renowned for his profound contributions to Malayalam literature and cinema. Born in 1933 in Kudallur, a quaint village in Palakkad district, Kerala, M T, through more than seven decades of writing created a literary world that appealed equally to both ordinary people and intellectuals. At the time, Kudallur was part of the Malabar district under the Madras Presidency of British India. He was the youngest of four children born to T Narayanan Nair and Ammalu Amma. His father worked in Ceylon, while M T spent his early years in Kudallur and at his paternal home in Punnayurkulam, a village in present-day Thrissur district. M T's early life and surroundings deeply influenced his literary sensibilities. He completed his schooling at Malamakkavu Elementary School and Kumaranelloor High School and graduated with a degree in chemistry from Victoria College, Palakkad, in 1953. His professional journey began as a teacher and gramasevakan at a block development office in Taliparamba, Kannur, before he joined Mathrubhumi Weekly as a sub-editor in 1957. Over the course of seven decades, he has authored nine novels, 19 collections of short stories, directed six films, around 54 screenplays and several collections of essays and memoirs. M T is celebrated for his evocative storytelling, exploring human emotions and the complexities of rural life. His novel Naalukettu (The Ancestral House) established him as a literary icon and is considered a classic in Malayalam literature. Over the years, he authored several acclaimed works, including Asuravithu, Manju, and Kaalam, which earned him the Jnanpith Award in 1995, Indias highest literary honour. At the age of 25, he won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for his second novel, Naalukettu (1959), and a decade later, Kaalam, his fifth novel, earned him the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award. M T made significant contributions to Malayalam cinema as a screenwriter and director. He has directed seven films and written the screenplay for approximately 54 films. His films, including 'Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha' and 'Kadavu', are regarded as masterpieces, showcasing his ability to merge compelling narratives with visual storytelling. M T holds the distinction of winning the National Film Award for Best Screenplay a record four times, for 'Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha' (1989), 'Kadavu' (1991), 'Sadayam' (1992), and 'Parinayam' (1994), the most by any individual in Malayalam in this category. M T has been married twice. In 1965, he married writer and translator Prameela, but the couple separated after 11 years of marriage. They have a daughter, Sithara, who works in the United States. In 1977, he married Kalamandalam Saraswathy, a noted dance artist. They have a daughter, Aswathy Nair, who is a professional dancer. His residence on Kottaram Road in Kozhikode is named after his elder daughter, Sithara. Britains Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has accused Londons Metropolitan Police of failing to protect Jewish communities amid a series of anti-Israel protests triggered by the October 7 massacre in Israel, the Jewish Chronicle reported. Rabbi Mirvis pointed to the Mets decision to approve a planned demonstration on Shabbos, January 18, near two shuls, despite months of conversations urging the police to ensure protesters would not encroach on shuls on Shabbos. There can be no justification for not making a clear commitment that the routes of pro-Palestinian marches will not come anywhere close to local synagogues, Rabbi Mirvis told The Times. It is hard to see the absence of such a commitment as anything other than a failure of the Mets duty to members of Jewish communities who no longer feel safe walking to and from their synagogues on the Sabbath. Rabbi Daniel Epstein of Western Marble Arch, one of the shuls adjacent to the protest route, told Jewish News that despite multiple discussions with the Metropolitan Police, nothing seems to have changed. He added that the Jewish community does not oppose freedom of speech but fears potential targeting of mispalelim on Shabbos. Mark Gardner, chief executive of the Community Security Trust (CST), echoed these sentiments, calling for demonstrations to be kept away from shulsespecially during Shabbos tefillos. Their chutzpah is unmatched, exploiting freedoms that they deny to others, Gardner said, referencing slogans used by protesters, such as River to the Sea and Global Intifada. The Met has faced repeated criticism in recent weeks for their laxity in responding to incidents involving antisemitic language. Last month, the Metropolitan Police concluded that an imams prayer calling to destroy Jewish homes did not meet the legal threshold for a hate crime. During the sermon, delivered at an east London mosque two weeks after the October 7 attacks, the imam invoked curses upon the Jews and the children of Israel. A police spokesperson acknowledged the content was upsetting but said it ultimately did not constitute a prosecutable offense under current law. The CST responded by accusing the Met of two-tier policing. Britain has seen a surge in antisemitic incidents since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Official data released last month indicated a record 25% rise in religious hate crimes over the past year, predominantly targeting Jews. In London alone, there have been numerous antisemitic flare-ups, including a woman allegedly threatening a Jewish man with a knife in Stamford Hill and protesters openly carrying placards bearing swastikas. The CST and other Jewish security groups have repeatedly asked law enforcement to implement stricter measures to protect the community, but to no avail. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) GOP New York Rep. Mike Lawler, known for his sharp critiques of state Democrats, recently hinted at a possible run for governor during his annual Festivus airing of grievances. The Hudson Valley congressman used the occasion to skewer Governor Kathy Hochul and her administrations policies while suggesting he might be the one to challenge her in 2026. No doubt shes going to face a real challenge in 2026. I wonder who could beat her. Hmm. I might know a guy, Lawler said with a wink in the video, leaving little doubt about his aspirations. Anyway, thats a video for another day. Lawler didnt hold back in his critique of Hochul, blasting her for increasing state spending by more than $50 billion in under four years and allocating significant funds to support migrants. He also criticized the controversial congestion pricing plan in Manhattan, which he framed as an undue tax on hardworking New Yorkers. Shes done such a bad job that even her own hand-picked lieutenant governor is retweeting articles about his plans to run against her, Lawler remarked, referencing Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgados apparent discontent with the administration. Lawlers rhetoric signals that the battle for New Yorks governorship in 2026 may be shaping up to be particularly contentious, and as Hochul grapples with internal dissent and mounting criticism, Lawlers remarks add fuel to the political fire, setting the stage for a potential showdown in 2026. Pakistans airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan killed 46 people, mostly women and children, a Taliban government official said Wednesday, raising fears of further straining the relations between the two neighbors. Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Afghan government, said those killed in the strikes that targeted four locations in Barmal, a district in the province of Paktika, were refugees, adding that six others were also wounded. This comes a day after Pakistani security officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with regulations, told The Associated Press that Tuesdays operation was to dismantle a training facility and kill insurgents in Paktika in Afghanistan. Earlier Wednesday, Mohammad Khurasani, the spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed in a statement that 50 people, including 27 women and children, have died in the strikes. He said they were unarmed refugees who fled to Afghanistan because of Pakistans offensive in the northwest. The TTP a separate group but also a close ally of the Afghan Taliban also shared photos, alleging they were of children killed during the Pakistani operation. Meanwhile, residents in the area told an AP reporter over the phone that at least 13 people were left dead, adding that the death toll could be higher. They also said the wounded were transported to a local hospital. Pakistan has not commented on the strikes. However, on Wednesday, the Pakistani military said security forces killed 13 insurgents in an intelligence-based operation in South Waziristan, a district located along eastern Afghanistans Paktika province. Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday praised Pakistans brave security force in a statement for thwarting the nefarious designs of terrorists. He didnt mention the Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan The Taliban Defense Ministry denounced the attacks on Tuesday and promised retaliation. On Wednesday, the situation along the shared border seemed to be business as usual. However, security analysts say the TTP could launch retaliatory attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan has seen innumerable militant attacks in the past two decades but there has been an uptick in recent months. The latest was this weekend when at least 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed when the TTP attacked a checkpoint in the countrys northwest. Pakistani officials have accused the Taliban of not doing enough to combat militant activity across the border, a charge the Afghan Taliban government denies, saying it does not allow anyone to carry out attacks against any country. North and South Waziristan are former strongholds of Pakistani Taliban, who have fled to Afghanistan. Tensions were at an all-high in March when Pakistan said intelligence-based strikes took place in the border regions inside Afghanistan. (AP) Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz on Tuesday directed the IDF to provide full recordings from IDF observation posts near Gaza to the families of soldiers killed in the October 7 massacre, with only segments requiring censorship for security reasons to be withheld. Katz explained that his decision stems from a commitment to ensuring transparency for bereaved families. He also reiterated his earlier demand that IDF investigations into the massacre be finalized before January. On Monday, following a year-long effort by bereaved familiesincluding a petition to the Supreme Courtthe IDF announced it would share recordings of the hours surrounding October 6 and 7. However, the recordings provided were incomplete, sparking allegations that families did not receive all relevant footage of the night leading up to the deadly attacks. The IDF maintains it is fully cooperating with the grieving families and denies withholding any information, noting that the released materials underwent extensive checks and processing, and that the provided audio includes the voices of fallen soldiers. The IDF will allow all families to schedule a time to hear the entire recording up to the start of the terrorist attack, said an official IDF statement. We are responsive to the families requests and have no intention of causing additional suffering. We regret any harm caused if any occurred. Eyal Eshel, whose son Roni fell in Nahal Oz on October 7, expressed shock at the way the IDF shared recordings from the night before the massacre, calling the delivery process deceiving. Some parents received it via email, some on a USB stick. As for the contentalmost nothing, Eshel told 103FM. I say this with great sorrow: the cover-up and concealment continue in full force. We thought maybe the IDF learned something from our disappointment and frustration, but we see they continue to deceive and mainly to lie. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A new volunteer initiative, Together at Home, is pairing architects and interior designers with families whose homes were damaged or destroyed in terror attacks and ongoing fighting in Israels southern and northern regions. Launched by the non-profit organization Ayelet Hashachar, the program aims to help residents of the Gaza Envelope communities and the Northern conflict zone rebuildnot just structurally, but emotionally. Many homes in these regions stand in ruin following the October 7 attack and the subsequent hostilities. Though some families remain in hotels and temporary housing, many are beginning to plan their return home. Together at Home connects them with volunteer professionals who will assist in redesigning and refurbishing their spaces. We see the families distress, says Rabbi Shlomo Raanan, chairman of Ayelet Hashachar. These are people who lost not just a physical roof over their heads, but also the emotional stability and comfort that a home represents. Our goal is to help them rebuild that sense of home. The initiative is slated to kick off at a special conference early next month. During the conference, participating architects and interior designers will meet with the affected families for the first time to discuss individual needs and begin planning. Leaders from the Gaza Envelope and Northern conflict zone communities, public officials, and social activists are expected to attend. Israeli hero Amichai Shindler, who was critically wounded on October 7, will be the guest of honor; he plans to share his story of survival and how he safely evacuated his wife and children. In its second phase, Together at Home plans to expand by bringing electricians, plumbers, renovation contractors, and other professionals on boardoffering their services at cost price. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) An official IDF investigation has concluded that six hostages Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino were murdered by Hamas terrorists in an underground tunnel in Rafah. The findings, presented on Tuesday to the victims families by Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, indicate the hostages were killed on or around August 29, 2024, as IDF forces closed in on the area. The IDF findings detail an operation launched on August 15 by the 162nd Division to defeat Hamass Tel al-Sultan Battalion after approximately three months of ongoing military activity in Rafah. Troops engaged in intense combat and ultimately discovered a central underground tunnel system, prompting the establishment of a specialized command center. Shayetet 13, the 162nd Division, intelligence units, and other security authorities collaborated closely to map out and secure the tunnels, as well as to search for potential hostages. According to the report, the IDF had only a medium to low assessment that additional hostages were in the vicinity, but nonetheless planned and executed operations with extreme caution. This approach led to the unexpected rescue of a hostage, identified as Qaid Farhan Alkadi, on August 27 from an underground compoundan event that prompted a 24-hour halt in operations to re-evaluate the presence of other hostages. Despite the pause, the IDF had no specific intelligence indicating that additional hostages were being held nearby. On August 31, troops discovered the six murdered hostages in a tunnel shaft. Pathological findings suggest they were killed on or about August 29, with gunshot wounds visible on their bodies. The IDF determined that the hostages were executed by the terrorists holding them captive. According to the investigation, the IDFs methodical ground activities in the region may have influenced Hamass decision to kill the hostages, though the precise events that unfolded inside the tunnel remain unclear. This is a painful and tragic event, with the extremely difficult outcome of the brutal murder of six hostages by Hamas, said Lt. Gen. Halevi. While IDF forces were operating in the area, Hamas terrorists carried out these murders by gunfire. The exact circumstances may never be fully understood. In light of the reports conclusions, the IDF acknowledged the difficulty in gleaning further details about what happened in the tunnel. The official investigation deemed it unlikely that the full sequence of events leading to the killings will ever be definitively established. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) In November 2023, the Houthi terror group hijacked the NYK Line cargo ship. Subsequent Houthi attacks on ships traveling through the Bab al-Mandab Strait near Yemen, and Houthi and Iraqi missiles and drones fired at the Eilat port have brought the operations at the port to a halt. According to a Ynet report, beginning in December 2023, ships carrying wheeled cargo stopped visiting the Eilat port entirely. The number of bulk carrier ships (carrying materials like potash) then began dropping, initially from six per month to just one or two, and some months, no ships at all. Moshe Azulay, the chairman of the Histadrut branch in Eilat, told Ynet: Bulk carrier ships occasionally arrive, about once every two or three months. The ship is unloaded and then it leaves. The port is effectively closed. Importers dont want to pay high costs. They can go through the Suez Canal its an economic issue. Theres no ongoing activity. We managed to keep the workers employed for a year and two months. Eventually, management began flexing its muscles, claiming they dont have money to pay salaries. A decision was made to place employees on unpaid leave because the alternative was layoffs. The Finance Ministry is involved in discussions with the Histadruts transportation division. We hope to reach an agreement soon so all employees can return to work and receive financial aid from the ministry to cover their wages. Azulay continued by saying that although Eilat is thriving, the port is not. The city operates 24/7 and hotel occupancy is at its peak. The city is bustling but the port is desolate. Its disheartening to see the port inactive when it used to be a strategic employment hub. We all know each other in Eilat and are aware of the crisis. Were doing everything we can, but theres a serious problem because theres no work to do. While the port still provides services to security forces and isnt entirely shut down, many parts are inactive. Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri told Ynet: Eilat Port is a crucial, significant asset that directly and indirectly employs hundreds of workers. It serves as Israels southern gateway to Asia, Africa and the Gulf states and acts as a land bridge to Europe. He said that the decline of activity at the port is a major loss for Israel and the Houthi threat must be addressed. For over a year, Ive repeatedly warned about the implications of closing an international shipping route and the security and economic consequences of Houthi missile launches as well as those by pro-Iranian militias from Iraq and Syria. Ive demanded threats against the city and the country be removed. Lankri emphasized the ports importance for regional economic security, especially with Gulf states that signed peace agreements with Israel. Successive Israeli governments have declared Eilat a vital strategic asset. Id add that a strong Eilat isnt just a local interest its a national one. Eilat is Israels southern gateway and it must remain open and secure. Lankri also expressed his gratitude to the government and the IDF for their achievements in Gaza and Lebanon but emphasized that the Houthi threat cannot be ignored. A decisive victory will, of course, include the return of hostages, but it wont be complete without removing the Houthi threat to Eilat, which endangers the citys security and economy. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait must be reopened and the additional threat posed by the Jordanian border must also be addressed. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Despite Gaza lying in ruins after a year-plus of war sparked by Hamas atrocities, a new poll reveals that nearly two-thirds of Palestinians in Gaza, Yehuda, and the Shomron continue to support Hamas, suggesting little reflection or change in sentiment. The survey, conducted by the Ramallah-based Arab World for Research and Development (AWRAD) from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2, polled 704 Palestinian adults. The results show that 47% prefer a national unity government involving both Fatah and Hamas to govern Gaza post-war. Astonishingly, 17% favor a return to Hamass sole ruledespite the terror groups catastrophic leadership leading to Gazas destruction. In Yehuda and the Shomron, Hamas enjoys more support (25%) than the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (P.A.), which garnered just 10%. This comes even after Hamas orchestrated the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, resulting in the veritable razing of Gaza. Further underscoring the disconnect, terrorist and convicted murderer Marwan Barghouti remains the leading candidate for P.A. president. Meanwhile, 75% of Palestinians delusionally expressed satisfaction with Hamass performance in the ongoing war. The Biden administrations push for the P.A. to govern Gaza faces stark opposition from Israel, which sees the P.A. as complicit in terror. Yet the U.S. has not ruled out Hamass involvement in Gazas future governance. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The drone, equipped with thermal imaging, was instrumental in identifying a group of terrorists that included Sinwar. After the IDF opened fire on the group, Sinwar fled into a building, where another drone captured his final moments. The initiative began when Chaim Meisels, an American reservist in the IDF, visited a Teaneck shul as a guest. When asked how the community could contribute to the war effort, Meisels highlighted the need for additional equipment, including drones. Meisels noted a lack of helmets, vests, and gear for the nearly 300,000 reservists who responded following the Oct. 7 attack. In response, Teaneck donors, along with shul funds, contributed $10,000, enabling the purchase of drones for the IDFs 828th Bislamach Brigade. The excitement we all felt when we heard Sinwar was dead and that the drone we donated helped locate him was unreal, one donor told The Daily Wire. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Reforms to strengthen Yiwus cross-border trade and expand global reach unveiled 10:53, December 25, 2024 By Feng Fan ( Global Times The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, on Tuesday released a document aimed at deepening reforms in Yiwu, one of the country's key production and trade hubs, in East China's Zhejiang Province. The plan focuses on Yiwu's unique position in cross-border trade, supporting the city's approach to facilitating businesses' expansion overseas and the creation of an independent and controllable international marketing network. The document calls for the establishment of a secure and controllable overseas service network, encouraging businesses to develop independent websites, online service platforms, and other new commercial infrastructure to integrate global operations. Building an independent and controllable marketing and service network is to make it easier for businesses to expand internationally, upgrade overseas marketing networks and warehouses, and maintain control over their own channels, minimizing uncertainties, He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Tuesday. Yiwu's exports and trade have continuously evolved, shifting from low-end products to higher-end offerings. However, as it expands globally, the city faces challenges posed by new technologies and changes in the international market. Yiwu must deepen its understanding of international market rules and stay adaptable to ongoing shifts, He added. Yiwu plays a crucial role as an international trade gateway, according to the document from the NDRC. A total of 18 reform measures are listed in the document across five key areas to enhance market procurement, integrate domestic and foreign trade, improve logistics, refine market mechanisms, and optimize the business environment. The new round of reform aims to accelerate progress in both "buying global" and "selling global," ultimately achieving a comprehensive global trade model, Li Jun, a senior NDRC official, told a press conference on Tuesday. The reforms will provide better support for small and medium-sized enterprises to engage in international market competition, Li said. The document also clarifies Yiwu's future development directions, particularly in the field of cross-border e-commerce, Zhang Yi, CEO of iiMedia Research Institute, told the Global Times on Tuesday. He added that the plan outlines clear strategies for reform and expansion, offering a roadmap for Yiwu's role in the global trade landscape. By implementing this reform package, Yiwu will strengthen its position as a global hub for small commodity trade, ensuring stable product supply and expanding its sourcing and sales networks. This includes improving the logistics infrastructure, such as the China-Europe freight train services, as well as expanding air and maritime routes, Zhang noted. Yiwu's role extends beyond being a physical trade and transport hub, serving also as a critical node for the flow of goods in and out of China, said Zhang, noting that Yiwu's trade network is not limited to Chinese manufacturers, making it vital to integrate domestic and foreign trade standards and establish strong market channel connections. The document also mentions supporting factors, such as enhancing capital, land, talent, and data availability to support trade transformation, industrial upgrading, and urban development. It also highlights measures to foster a world-class business environment, facilitate foreign investment, and improve compliance protections for small businesses. Yiwu has already seen significant growth in foreign trade. According to data from Yiwu Customs, the city's total trade value reached 613.99 billion yuan in the first 11 months of 2024, up 17.6 percent year-on-year, surpassing last year's total and setting a new record. Exports during this period surged by 17.4 percent to 542.06 billion yuan, while imports rose by 19 percent to 71.93 billion yuan. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova has expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the crash of the AZAL plane flying Baku-Grozny, Trend reports. She shared a publication on X in this regard. The news of the loss of life as a result of the crash near Aktau of an airplane belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines has shocked each of us. I express my deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured, the publication of Gafarova reads. To note, today a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan were on board the plane, which crashed in Aktau. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane, the ministry said. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Houthi terror group in Yemen has raised its alert level to the highest status possible in preparation for another IDF strike on their infrastructure, the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Wednesday. According to the report, the Houthis reinforced its forces in disputed areas against the legitimate government that opposes the Houthis [and is backed by Saudi Arabia], and instructed shipping companies to evacuate their warehouses at the Hodeidah port in preparation for an imminent Israeli attack, which will be different from its predecessors. The report added that according to Yemeni sources, the Houthis are also preparing for the possibility of a popular uprising against them. Houthi intelligence services sent messages to residents in various areas to avoid talking on the phone or posting on social media about the sites that were struck in Israeli and US attacks. The report comes the same day that the Houthis launched a missile at Israel for the fourth time within a week and the day after Defense Minister Yisrael Katz threatened to begin targeting Houthi leaders in Yemen in the same manner that Israel dealt with Sinwar in Gaza, Haniyeh in Tehran, and Nasrallah in Beirut. Ynet reported on Wednesday that there is currently a dispute between the IDF and the Mossad about how to address the Houthi threat, with the Mossad pushing for a direct attack on Iran and the IDF recommending another attack on Yemen. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A suspected vehicular ramming attack occurred near Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem, leaving at least one Israeli injured. Preliminary reports indicate the suspect fled in the direction of Hebron, prompting a large-scale response from security forces, including the IDF, police, and emergency services. Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedic Eli Gartner provided an update on the victim, describing him as a 25-year-old male in moderate condition. He sustained head and abdominal injuries following the suspected terrorist attack, Gartner said. The injured individual was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center for treatment. Authorities are actively pursuing the suspect and have increased security measures in the area. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) In a landmark achievement, the One Israel Funds 30th Anniversary Gala raised a transformative approximately $10 million to complete the first-ever medical complex in the Binyamin region, including an emergency and trauma center. This monumental event, held in New York, featured keynote participation from Ambassador-designate Governor Mike Huckabee, alongside leadership from the Binyamin Council and prominent donors. The funds raised mark a critical step in realizing Governor Yisrael Ganzs long-held vision to bring lifesaving medical care closer to home for the over 100,000 residents of Binyamin and surrounding areas. This vision was born from tragedy. In 2016, Malachi Rosenfeld, a promising young athlete, was fatally wounded in a terror attack near his home. Despite the best efforts of responders, he succumbed to his injuries during a lengthy transport to Jerusalem for treatment. Similarly, soldier Yanai Weissman, who heroically intervened during a stabbing attack at a supermarket, also lost his life in 2015 due to the absence of nearby emergency care. These tragedies echo the plight of many in the region. Governor Ganz shared that two more lives were recently lost while en route to distant hospitals for urgent careanother stark reminder of the critical need for local emergency services. Eight years ago, I vowed we would never endure such tragedies again, said Governor Ganz, who personally accompanied Weissman during his final journey. Thanks to the vision and leadership of the One Israel Fund and the generosity of our partners, this dream is becoming a reality. Together, we are saving lives and strengthening the future of Judea and Samaria. Scott M. Feltman, Executive Vice President of One Israel Fund, remarked: For 30 years, One Israel Fund has dedicated itself to addressing the critical needs of the residents of Judea and Samaria, ensuring that these communities not only survive but thrive. The Nanasi Medical Center is a shining example of what we can achieve when we unite to support the heartland of Israel. John and Nina Nanasis generosity will forever leave a legacy of saving lives in Binyamin. The highlight of the evening was the extraordinary contribution of John and Nina Nanasi, who shared their inspiration: Our visit to Binyamin moved us deeply. This is the heartland of the Jewish people, and it is an honor to partner in a project that will provide essential medical care to so many. In recognition of their pivotal role, the new medical center will bear the Nanasi family name. The Nanasi Medical Center in Shaar Binyamin, will serve as a state-of-the-art facility offering emergency care, advanced imaging, dialysis, and a wide range of medical services under one roof. Phase 1, now fully funded, is set to open within two years. Future phases will expand to include comprehensive services such as CT and MRI imaging, a womens health center, pulmonology, gastroenterology, and more. Since its inception, One Israel Fund has worked closely with the Binyamin Development Fund and other partners to secure funding for this critical initiative. The first donor who initiated the project was Mrs. Cherna Moskowitz, of blessed memory, a true friend of the Binyamin, Judea and Samaria communities. Governor Huckabee underscored the projects importance in his keynote address, reaffirming his unwavering support for Judea and Samaria and the vital role of such infrastructure in safeguarding the regions future. Eliana Passentin, Director of Binyamins Foreign Desk, added: The collaboration between the Binyamin Council and the One Israel Fund exemplifies the unity and determination of Israels supporters. Together, we are building a brighter and more secure future for the residents of Binyamin and beyond. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 25. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan has expressed condolences regarding the tragic plane crash in Aktau, Trend reports. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan extends its heartfelt condolences following the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft in the city of Aktau, which resulted in the loss of passengers lives. Sharing in the irreparable grief of the peoples of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, we express our solidarity and offer words of support to the families and loved ones of the victims. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured in the crash and hope for their swift return to their families. By the order of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Kazakh side has formed a special commission and is providing necessary assistance at the site of the incident," the statement reads. Earlier today, a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 25. Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry expressed condolences over the plane crash in the city of Aktau, Trend reports. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic airplane crash in Aktau, Kazakhstan, which claimed the lives of many. On behalf of the Uzbekistan Foreign Ministry, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and close ones of the victims during this difficult time. Wish a speedy recovery to all injured," the ministry's statement reads. Earlier today, a passenger Embraer 190 aircraft, flying the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. According to AZAL, the Embraer 190 plane that crashed in Aktau was carrying 62 passengers and 5 crew members, a total of 67 people. In connection with the crash, December 26 has been declared a day of mourning in Azerbaijan. Amazing but True: Indonesian Hajj pilgrims to wait 25 years for their turn If you are in Indonesia and wish to perform Hajj, you will have to wait for over 25 years, it comes to fore after a glance at the waiting list in the country Wednesday December 25, 2024 1:12 AM , Zohair M Safwan, ummid.com [An Indonesian Haj pilgrim upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia for Hajj] Jakarta: If you are in Indonesia and wish to perform Hajj, you will have to wait for over 25 years, it comes to fore after a glance at the waiting list in the country. Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah performed in the month of Dhul Hijjah the last month of the Islamic Calendar. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory on every Muslim who can afford physically as well as financially, travelling to Makkah and bear the expenses to stay in the Holy City. Therefore, hundreds of thousands of Muslims from around the world plan their Hajj pilgrimage every year. But, only luckiest of them some 2.5 million from across the world, get the chance to visit Makkah. This is because of the quota system formulated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to limit the number of Hajj Pilgrims for better facilities, ease and hassle free Hajj experience. Hajj Quota System The Kingdom every year fix the total number of Hajj pilgrims say for example 2.5 million in 2024. This is then distributed between all the countries of the world based on the population of Muslims. Indonesia has the worlds largest Muslim population. Accordingly, the Hajj quota of Indonesia is the highest in the world. In 2024, a total of 241,000 Indonesians had performed Hajj. The Indonesia Hajj quota based on the population of Muslims is 221,000. In addition to this, Saudi Arabia had allotted a Special Hajj Quota of 20,000 to Indonesia in 2024. As per the Hajj quota by country for the year 2025 (Hajj 1446AH) announced by Saudi Arabia, same number of Indonesians - 241,000, will get chance to travel to Makkah for the upcoming Hajj season. Hajj Waiting List Indonesia However, the actual number of Indonesians willing to perform Hajj is far more than the quota allotted to the country. Because of this, the Hajj waiting list touches new height every year. As per the latest figures, there are about 5.4 million Indonesians in the Hajj waiting list of the country. It means that if a Hajj aspirant has applied today his or her turn will come only after 25 years later, according to Jakarta Globe. Official data also indicates that the registered would-be pilgrims represent only 0.31 percent of Indonesias 210 million Muslims. [An Indonesian woman performed Sajdah ash-Shukr (Prostration of gratitude) as soon as she landed in Madinah - the City of the Prophet (Peace be upon him)] The Central Statistics Agency data on the other hand shows that at least 17 million Indonesian Muslims are both physically and financially prepared to undertake the pilgrimage. The Indonesian government has previously lobbied Saudi authorities for an increased Hajj quota. Because of this the country was granted a Special Quota of 20,000. Religious Affairs Minister of Indonesia, Nasaruddin Umar, while attributing the long waiting list to the limited capacity of key sites in Saudi Arabia's holy cities said that the government has refrained from further lobbying due to the sensitivity of the issue. Meanwhile, many Indonesian Muslims have sought alternative pathways to perform the Hajj due to the abnormally long waiting period, including applying through other countries such as the Philippines and China. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Corporal Hasan: The Last Guard of Al-Aqsa Corporal Hasan stood guard at Masjid al Aqsa for approximately 65 years since the Ottomans retreated from Palestine Wednesday December 25, 2024 11:59 PM , ummid.com News Network [Corporal Hasan stood guard at Masjid al Aqsa for approximately 65 years since the Ottomans retreated from Palestine. (Image: TRT World)] In December 1917, when the Ottoman Army had very sadly lost the holy city of Jerusalem and the British troops entered, they wanted a small force of the Ottoman Army to remain behind in the city to prevent looting, maintain order and safety, and avoid a potential negative public reaction. In military terms, this troop is known as the rear-guard, and according to tradition, the victor of the war never treats rear-guard troops in a captured city as war captives. Among this rear-guard troop was a soldier by the name of Corporal Hasan. Nobody had heard of Corporal Hasan until 1972 when the Turkish journalist, Ilhan Bardakc, accompanied Turkish officials and businessmen on a courtesy visit to Palestine. On the fourth day of their visit, the Israeli officials led them around in historical and touristic places and they finally arrived at Masjidul Aqsa. Ilhan explains: I felt thrilled while climbing to the top of the sacred Masjid. They call the upstairs courtyard 12,000 chandelier courtyard where Sultan Selim I (one of the great Ottoman rulers) lit 12,000 candles in chandeliers. The magnificent Ottoman Army performed Esha Salaah by candlelight (in this place). At the top of the steps in the second courtyard of Masjidul Aqsa, Ilhan saw a man over 90 years old who drew his attention. He was nearly two meters tall and had some old clothes upon his aging body, but was still standing bold and upright. Ilhan looked at his scarred face, which looked like someone had overturned some barren soil on it. Ilhan asked the foreign affairs official who was this person standing in the courtyard. The official replied saying: I dont know, maybe an insane man. He has always been standing here, he never asks anything from anyone and never looks at anyone. Ilhan was not satisfied with that answer. Although he was initially unsure whether he should speak to him, he eventually decided to approach him. He realized that despite getting closer, the old man did not move. Ilhan approached the old man and greeted him with salaam to which he replied. When Ilhan asked him what he was doing there, the old man replied: I am Corporal Hasan from the 20th Corp, 36th Battalion, 8th Squadron heavy machine gun team. He continued like a soldier giving a brief: Our troops raided the British on the Suez Canal front in the Great War. Our glorious army was defeated at the Canal, and thus to withdraw was necessary now. The heirloom lands of our ancestors were about to be lost one by one. And then, the Brits pressed upon the gates of Quds, and occupied the city. We were then left as rear-guard troops at Quds. My rear-guard troop consisted of 53 privates (a certain rank in the army). We got the news that after the truce (Armistice of Mudros) the army was discharged. Our lieutenant approached us and said, My lions, our country is in an arduous situation. They are discharging our glorious army and calling me to Istanbul. I have to go. If I do not, I will be in defiance of authority; failing to obey the order. Anyone can return to the homeland if he wills, but if you follow my words, I have a request from you; Quds is an heirloom of Sultan Selim. Remain on guard duty here. Do not let the people worry about Ottomans have left; what are we going to do now. The Westerners will gloat if Ottomans left the first qiblah of our beloved Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Do not let the honour of Islam and the glory of Ottomans be trampled on." He continued: Our troop stayed in Quds. And, almost suddenly the long years vanished. My brothers from the troop passed away one by one. We were not mowed down by the enemy, but by the years. Only I am left here. Just me, a corporal Hasan in the grand Quds. He then asked Ilhan for a favour: When you arrive in Anatolia, if you pass towards Tokat (a city in Turkey), please visit my commander Lieutenant Mustafa, the man who deployed me to guard Masjidul Aqsa and trusted these sacred places to me. Kiss his hands for me and tell him: Corporal Hasan from Igdr Province of the 11th machine gun team still remains at Quds as you deployed him. He did not abandon his duty and wishes your blessings, commander. Ilhan agreed while holding back his tears. He grabbed Corporal Hasans coarse hands kissing them again and again, and bade him farewell. Corporal Hasan thanked him saying he knows it is impossible to see Turkey before death arrives. When Ilhan returned to Turkey, he went to Tokat to honour his words and traced Corporal Hasans commander, Lieutenant Mustafa Efendi, through military records. However, the commander had already passed away years ago. In 1982, Ilhan held a telegraph in his hands with the message: The last Ottoman guardian at Masjidul Aqsa has passed away today. This would mean that he stood guard for approximately 65 years since the Ottomans had retreated from Palestine. (TRT Wrld/Ilm Feed) Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. There is no expectation of the delivery of the injured or the bodies of the deceased from the plane crash near Aktau today, the press secretary of Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Nermin Khalilova, told reporters, Trend reports. Since the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines [AZAL] plane occurred in Kazakhstans territory, investigations are still ongoing there, she said. She emphasized that official agencies would provide the public with detailed information once the investigation is concluded. Khalilova also added that the relatives of the victims are donating blood at the General Prosecutor's Office, and 14 people have been sent there. Earlier today, a passenger plane Embraer 190, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 6 citizens of Kazakhstan, 3 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, 5 crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Azerbaijan has declared mourning on December 26 due to the plane crash. Imagined Reality: Bethlehem Pastor tears into Zionist idea of 'Greater Israel' The idea of 'Greater Israel' that Israel and its supporters want the world to believe in order to create a Zionist state in Palestine is a case of imagined reality based on incorrect interpretation of Bible, Rev. Munther Isaac said. Wednesday December 25, 2024 12:30 PM , ummid.com News Network [Nuns walk along the Church of the Nativity - traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve, in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is set to mark on Wednesday December 25, 2024 a second subdued Christmas during the war in Gaza (Image: Associated Press/Matias Delacroix)] Bethlehem (Occupied Jerusalem): The idea of "Greater Israel" that Israel and its supporters want the world to believe in order to create a Zionist state in Palestine is a case of imagined reality based on incorrect interpretation of Bible, Rev. Munther Isaac said. Rev. Munther Isaac, the Palestinian Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, came to limelight last year after his church displayed a nativity featuring the baby Jesus draped in a keffiyeh amid a heap of rubble, representing the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza. When you look at what they are saying, that there is no occupation, that it is Judea and Samaria (rather than the West Bank), it clearly shows their imagined reality of Palestine from their biblical understanding, Trumps (understanding), (removed from) any reality on the ground, whether it is international law or the reality we are living in, Isaac said in an interview with Arab News. Isaac said the most dangerous thing about the holders of this ideology is that they have a totally different sphere or reality to them. It is the imagined biblical times. God has given the land to Israel, and it does not matter what international law says. It does not matter that Palestinians have lived on this land for generations. To them, the only reality that matters is the way they understand the Bible, he said. Isaac also slammed the double standard of the Zionists who on one hand wants separation of state and religion, and on the other hand, try to impose their imaginary beliefs on everyone. I find it strange that these are the very same people that preach to the world about the separation of state and religion, yet here they are imposing their own religious beliefs on me and our people, and they want all of us in the Middle East to accept not only their religion but to accept the way they interrupt the Bible, which is something not all Christians agree on. And they want to impose it on Arabs, on Palestinians, even on Palestinian Christians with a total disregard for reality or international law, Isaac said. Isaac was also damning in his assessment of the US President-elect Donald Trumps new cabinet picks, including the new US ambassador to Israel, Michael Huckabee, who has said he does not believe there is an Israeli occupation. When he says there is no occupation, I want to take him with me when we take our kids to school every day, and we pass by a checkpoint with (Israeli) soldiers pointing their guns at us, Isaac challenged Trump and Huckabee. Interestingly, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a July 2024 ruling said Israel is an occupying power which has unlawfully occupied the Palestinian land that must end earlier than later. Palestinian Christians from Jerusalem and Bethlehem turn Christmas parade into protest against the Genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/gXkpnuKGkN PALESTINE ONLINE (@OnlinePalEng) December 25, 2024 Following the ICJ verdict, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted on September 18, 2024 a historic resolution calling Israel to end the occupation of the Palestinian lands in 12 months. Meanwhile, Bethlehem believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, cancelled all Christmas celebrations for the second year in row in solidarity with the Palestinians suffering because of the brutal Israeli war in Gaza and other occupied lands. This comes after the Bethlehem civic body announced cancellation of all Christmas celebrations, and instead limiting the event to special prayers. The civic body said prayers, including the Church of Nativitys famed midnight mass, will still be held in the presence of the Catholic Churchs Latin Patriarch, but the festivities will be of a more strictly religious nature than the festive celebrations the city once held. On Christmas Eve on Tuesday, Bethlehem was bereft of its usual holiday cheer, with no lights nor a giant tree adorning its central Manger Square, no crowds of tourists, and no marching youth bands that otherwise mark the occasion. 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 JEE Advanced 2025 | Information Brochure, Registration, Admit Card IIT Kanpur has released the JEE Advanced 2025 Information Brochure on its official website jeeadv.ac.in Wednesday December 25, 2024 3:33 PM , ummid.com News Network JEE Advanced 2025 Information Brochure: IIT Kanpur has released the JEE Advanced 2025 Information Brochure on its official website jeeadv.ac.in which provides the complete schedule of the important entrance test, syllabus, eligibility criteria, online registration and admit card release date besides related information. IIT Kanpur had earlier confirmed that JEE Advanced 2025 will be held on Sunday May 18, 2025 in online mode. The premium institution responsible to conduct JEE Advanced this year has now released on its official website JEE Advanced 2025 Information Bulletin. The 118-page Information Brochure is in PDF and can be downloaded from the JEE Advanced website. JEE Advanced 2025 Date According to the time table released by IIT Kanpur, JEE Advanced this year will be held in online mode on Sunday May 18, 2025 in two shifts. While JEE Advanced Paper 1 will be held on May 18, 2025 from 09:00 am to 12:00 pm, Paper 2 will be held on the same day from 14:30 to 17:30. JEE Advanced 2025 registration process will begin on April 23, 2025. The last date of online registration will be May 02, 2025. The last date of fee payment is May 05, 2025, candidates should note. There are different fees for Indian Nationals, Overseas Indians and Foreign Nationals appearing for JEE Advanced 2025. Candidates should refer the Information Bulletin for fee structure. JEE Advanced 2025 Admit Card Download Date As per the schedule released by IIT Kanpur, JEE Advanced 2025 Admit Card will be published for download on May 11, 2025. Registered candidates will be able to download their admit cards till May 18 before the start of the entrance exam. IIT Kanpur has also published the tentative list of cities and towns where JEE Advanced exam centres will be located. The exact exam centre allotted to a candidate will be printed on Admit Card (Hall Ticket). JEE Advanced 2025 Answer Key Candidates planning to appear in JEE Advanced this year should note that the response sheet and OMR sheet of the candidates will be published on May 22, 2025 whereas JEE Advanced 2025 provisional answer keys will be released on May 26. JEE Advanced 2025 final answer key will be published on June 02, 2025. JEE Advanced result will be prepared based on the final answer keys. The JEE Advanced 2025 result along with the rank list will be published on June 02, 2025, IIT Kanpur said. Candidates should also note that round-wise counselling for JOSAA 2025 will start after the result of JEE Advanced 2025 is declared. The IIT Kanpur had earlier released new Eligibility Criteria for this years entrance exam, which is applicable for both local and foreign candidates. Candidates planning to appear for JEE Advanced this year can in the meantime visit the official website "jeeadv.ac.in" for eligibility, syllabus, age limit and mock test. JEE Advanced 2024 Toppers JEE Advanced 2024 was held in India and abroad on Sunday May 26, 2024. The JEE Advanced 2024 result was declared on June 09, 2024. Ved Lahoti, Aditya and Bhogalapalli Sandesh had respectively secured All India Rank 1, AIR 2 and AIR 3 in the JEE Advanced 2024. The female JEE Advanced topper in 2024 was Dwija Dharmeshkumar Patel - IIT Bombay. 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 Neither Stars nor Planets, JuMBOs are actually Protostars In major celestial breakthrough, scientists have claimed solving the mystery of JuMBOs - Jupiter-mass binary objects, the peculiar objects first discovered in 2023 by the James Webb Space (JWS) Telescope Wednesday December 25, 2024 9:47 PM , ummid.com News Network [Orion Nebula. Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope - ESA] In major celestial breakthrough, scientists have claimed solving the mystery of JuMBOs - Jupiter-mass binary objects, the peculiar objects first discovered in 2023 by the James Webb Space (JWS) Telescope. Back in scientists observed 42 pairs of these free-floating planetary-mass objects in the Orion Nebula Cluster. These pairs, untethered to a parent star yet bound together, defied conventional formation theories for both stars and planets. The JWS Telescope had spotted 42 pairs of mysterious Jupiter-sized Objects lurking about the Orion Nebula. These objects, untethered to a parent star yet bound together, defied conventional formation theories for both stars and planets. A team of researchers led by Richard Parker of the University of Sheffield, alongside undergraduate Jessica Diamond, revisited an older theory to explain their formation and found that JuMBOs are actually Stellar cores also known as protostars. These Stellar cores have been violently unwrapped by massive, powerful stars similar to kids excitedly unwrapping presents on Christmas Day, reported Space.com. Old idea helped the researchers The researchers discovered this by revisiting an old idea to explain the new phenomenon. The theory revolves around "photo erosion," a process during which massive and violent stars - O-type or B-type stellar objects, blast other stars with high-energy radiation to strip away their outer layers. This idea fits because the star-forming Orion nebula is replete with hot and massive OB stars. "We are using quite an old idea - that radiation from massive stars is so strong it erodes the gas 'core' that eventually forms a star," Parker told Space.com. "The radiation removes some of the material from the core, reducing its mass, but also compressing the remaining material so that it efficiently forms a low-mass object", he added. The fact that stars commonly form in binary systems was used by the team revisiting a paper published exactly 20 years ago. The researchers then applied the photo erosion framework to demonstrate that a stellar binary could be photo-eroded to form a JuMBO pairing. 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 Nepal Quran Contest ends with record participation Holy Quran Memorization Competition 2024 ended in Nepal with the participation of over 750 contestants both male and female, with a Prize Distribution Ceremony held on Monday December 23, 2024 Wednesday December 25, 2024 5:10 PM , ummid.com News Network Kathmandu: Holy Quran Memorization Competition 2024 ended in Nepal with the participation of over 750 contestants both male and female, with a Prize Distribution Ceremony held on Monday December 23, 2024. Organised under the supervision of the Saudi Embassy in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, in coordination with the Muslim Commission affiliated with the Nepalese government, this was the second Quran Competition in the landlocked central Himalayan country in South Asia. The inaugural competition was held earlier in the year with participation of 350 male and female Quran memorizers. In the second Quran Contest held on December 21 and 22, 2024 over 750 contestants from different areas of Nepal participated. Of them, 18 were declared winners and honoured with prizes. The competition featured four categories, and was open to boys and girls from various Islamic, government, and non-governmental schools and centers in Nepal. Besides others, the closing and award ceremony was attended by undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance for Islamic Affairs Awad Al-Anzi, Saudi Ambassador to Nepal Saad Nasser Abu Haimed and Nepalese House of Representatives Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire. [Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance for Islamic Affairs Awad Al-Anzi and other guests honoured the top winners.] While addressing the award ceremony, Al-Anzi emphasized that Saudi Arabia's message aligns with the "pure and true teachings of Islam", and the values of goodness, justice, mercy, and kindness that the religion teaches. He stressed that the Kingdom has been committed to this approach since its establishment. The ministry's undersecretary described this competition, alongside other international Quran recitation and memorization competitions, as an extension of Saudi Arabia's great care for the Quran. Muslims comprise about 5% of Nepal's population. In recent years, Islam emerged as the fastest-growing religion in Nepal, now ranking as the second-largest faith by number of followers. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. DNA analysis is being taken from close relatives of those injured in the plane crash near Aktau, Trend reports with reference to the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan. The Prosecutor General's Office continues to investigate the criminal case related to the plane crash near Aktau (Kazakhstan). It is noted that DNA tests are currently being taken from close relatives of the victims in the administrative building of the Prosecutor General's Office, located at 160 Suleiman Sani Akhundov Street (near the Darnagul metro station). "To take the appropriate tests, family members of those injured in the incident should contact the specified address or the district (city) prosecutor's office at their place of residence. If they have additional questions, they can call the Prosecutor General's Office call center at "961", as well as the hotline at "161" and (012) 361 16 42," the Office said. (@FahadShabbir) SHRJAH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 25th Dec, 2024) Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the directives of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the inaugural edition of the Sharjah Festival of African Literature (SFAL) is set to take place from January 24 to 27 at the University City in Sharjah. Organised by SBA, the debut edition, themed The Tale of Africa will welcome over 20 African authors and novelists, including Nobel laureates in literature, to strengthen cultural exchange between Africa and the Arab world, provide a platform to celebrate African literary heritage and foster dialogue among writers, intellectuals, artists, and audiences. Sheikha Bodour said: The Sharjah Festival of African Literature stands as a testament to the profound capacity of literature to bridge continents and illuminate shared human truths. By celebrating the enduring legacy of African storytelling, we transcend cultural divides and honour the boundless creativity that defines our collective heritage. This festival opens new channels for cultural exchange, nurturing understanding and appreciation between Africa and the Arab world through the universal dialogue of self-expression. The festival is an opportunity to encourage the participants to foster cultural ties between Africa and the Arab world, in an atmosphere that celebrates creative diversity. Guests, including two Nobel laureates in literature; Tanzanian writer Abdulrazak Gurnah and Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka, alongside leading Emirati writers, will shine light on the pivotal role of African literature and art in enriching the global cultural landscape. Commenting on the festival, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: "SFAL reflects our unwavering commitment, under the leadership and directives of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA, to opening new literary horizons and redefining the map of global cultural engagements by highlighting the literature of African nations, deeply rooted in humanity's collective memory. The festival serves as an invaluable cultural platform, honouring African literature and uncovering its treasures and influence, and establishes a foundation for a global cultural dialogue that extends across continents." He added: "The festival nurtures the exchange of expertise among writers, publishers, researchers, and audiences. Focusing on African literature and its pioneers, alongside the aesthetics of African culture, traditions, and arts, creates an opportunity to foster innovative critical studies and enhance the understanding of its historical and artistic implications. SFAL does not only augment the repository of knowledge on African literature but also sets the stage for a new model of cultural relations that goes beyond the recognition of Africas creative legacy to celebrating and appreciating it." The 4-day cultural event will be home to a diverse agenda, including panel discussions, childrens workshops, musical concerts, African culinary experiences, an art exhibition, art performances, and a variety of food trucks, deepening appreciation for African culture and enhancing communication between Emirati and African communities. (@FahadShabbir) ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 25th Dec, 2024) UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, discussed enhancing cooperation between the UAE and Turkiye in various fields in reflection of the strategic relations that unite the two countries. His Excellency Hakan Fidan conveyed to His Highness the UAE President the greetings of His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye, and his wishes for further progress and prosperity for the UAE. In turn, His Highness conveyed his greetings to His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wishes for Turkiye to experience continued growth and development. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed developments in the middle East, stressing the need to intensify efforts to prevent the expansion of regional conflict, which threatens security and stability, and pursue a clear path to peace that ensures stability and security for all. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Turkish Foreign Minister also discussed the latest developments in Syria, underscoring both countries' firm stance towards Syria's stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as their joint support for the aspirations of the Syrian people for security, stability, and development. The meeting was attended by H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security, and Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State. SARGODHA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) Like the rest of the nation,the people of Sargodha were celebrating the 148th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah with zeal and enthusiasm.Several small and large ceremonies were arranged to mark the day. The day was started with special prayers at mosques across the district,seeking progress, prosperity, and unity of Pakistan.The national flag was hoisted at major government and private buildings, symbolizing the nation's deep reverence for the Father of the Nation. Nationwide, special ceremonies and activities were organized, including seminars, conferences, debates, cultural events, and exhibitions.These events aimed to highlight the life, struggles, and achievements of Quaid-e-Azam, while promoting his vision of progressive, inclusive, and democratic Pakistan. Schools and colleges hosted debates, art competitions, and essay-writing contests, focusing on his principles of unity, faith, and discipline. Meanwhile,Radio Pakistan aired special programs and documentaries throughout the day,shedding light on Quaid-e-Azam's pivotal role in the creation of Pakistan. Sargodha Arts Council organized an exhibition featuring rare photographs and portraits of Quaid-e-Azam. The exhibition aimed to educate the younger generation about his monumental struggle and sacrifices for a separate homeland. A documentary showcasing his life and achievements was also screened during the event. Commissioner of the Sargodha region, Muhammad Jahanzaib Khan Awan, and Deputy Commissioner Sargodha were the chief guests at the exhibition and other ceremonies marking the Quaids birth anniversary. Addressing the gathering, Commissioner Muhammad Jahanzaib Khan Awan emphasized that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a man of immense willpower and extraordinary qualities. He highlighted that Jinnahs unwavering determination led to the creation of Pakistan, securing a bright future for the nation. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) Christmas festivities are in full swing at churches across the Federal capital, with the district administration actively monitoring the arrangements to ensure everything runs smoothly. In this regard, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Usman Ashraf, made visits to several churches to oversee the preparations and meet with church officials, said a spokesman of the ICT administration here. During his visits, the ADC was briefed by senior police officers about the security measures in place. He directed all assistant commissioners to remain in the field and maintain vigilance throughout the celebrations. Meanwhile, the ADC also urged security personnel to extend full cooperation to the Christian community during the holiday season. The district administration emphasized its commitment to ensuring safe and peaceful Christmas celebrations for all. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MUZAFFARABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) The Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has said that the great leader, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the one who not only changed the history but also the geography of the Indian subcontinent. He transformed the political, economic, and social landscape of the world by realizing the dream of a state for which nations struggle for centuries. Quaid-e-Azam not only defended the identity of Muslims as a separate nation but also turned an ideology into a political reality. His commitment, integrity, and discipline continue to guide us and are proof of his greatness. The Prime Minister expressed these views in a special statement issued here on the birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Prime Minister further stated that Quaid-e-Azam called Kashmir the jugular vein of Pakistan. He always supported the Kashmiri people, and it was due to his love for them that wherever he went in Kashmir, the people were fervently devoted to him. Even today, he remains alive in the hearts of the Kashmiri people. The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir saluted the Kashmiri people who raised the word of truth in the face of India's worst oppression. He affirmed that the time is not far when occupied Kashmir will be liberated and become part of Pakistan. MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Ali Bukhari paid glowing tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his birth anniversary, praising his unparalleled leadership, unwavering determination and tireless efforts that led to the creation of Pakistan. Speaking at a ceremony held to mark the occasion, the DC highlighted Quaid-e-Azam's philosophy of Unity, Faith and Discipline, which laid the foundation for building a great nation. The event included a cake-cutting ceremony, which he performed alongside CPO Sadiq Ali Dogar and MPA Salman Naeem here on Wednesday. Prayers were also offered for the safety and prosperity of the country during the ceremony. Addressing the audience, Deputy Commissioner said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned a Pakistan where every citizen would enjoy equality, justice and equal opportunities for progress. He said that Muhammad Ali Jinnah's Pakistan was a symbol of peace, love and development. He further reiterated the administration's commitment to implementing public welfare projects in line with Quaid-e-Azam's vision, ensuring the development and well-being of the nation. The ceremony served as a reminder of the enduring legacy of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his invaluable contributions to the creation of a prosperous and united Pakistan. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan on Wednesday paid homage to the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, highlighting his visionary leadership and relentless efforts that led to the creation of an independent and sovereign state. In his statement, Syedaal Khan emphasized Jinnahs enduring principles of unity, faith, and discipline, urging the nation to adopt these values as a roadmap for progress. Quaid-e-Azams principles remain guiding values for our success even today. We must embrace his ideology and work together to transform Pakistan into a developed and prosperous nation, he said. Reflecting on Jinnahs determination and unwavering resolve, Syedaal remarked, His indomitable spirit reminds us of the power of unity and collective effort in achieving great goals. By adhering to Quaid-e-Azams vision, we can strengthen Pakistan as a progressive and robust state. He particularly called upon the youth to play a central role in realizing Jinnahs vision for Pakistan. Our future lies in the hands of the younger generation. They must embody the values taught by Quaid-e-Azam and strive to lead Pakistan toward success, he stated. Syedaal Khan prayed for the nations stability and prosperity. May Allah keep Pakistan steadfast and grant us success in achieving our national objectives. Ameen. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Aftab ur Rehman Rana has unveiled the plan to launch Sightseeing Double Decker Bus Service in Islamabad. He was giving a briefing to the tourism industry stakeholders here on Wednesday. On this occasion, Naveed Anjum, Manager of TDCP, Mukhtar Ali Manager TICs and Sadia Nauman, Manager P&P of PTDC and representatives of main hotels of Islamabad were also present in the briefing session. The briefing revealed that Islamabad Sightseeing Double Decker bus service will be launched in January 2025 under the join venture of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) to promote tourism in the capital city of Islamabad. Mr. Rana, while giving a power point presentation, informed that government is committed to use all its energies to promote tourism in Pakistan to make it a major sector of economic growth. He said this new initiative will provide the visitors of Islamabad a unique experience to explore the key monuments and tourist sites of capital city through a guided tour twice a day on daily basis with pick and drop facility from all major hotels in Islamabad. In the second phase of this program, PTDC in collaboration with private sector will also launch weekend sightseeing tours of tourist sites around Islamabad including Taxila, Rohta Fort, Ketas Raj, Kallar Kahhar, Khewra, Takht-e-Bahi, Murree, Patriata and Peshawar. Mr. Rana said that this modern and ecofriendly double decker bus service is a landmark initiative of PTDC and TDCP which will greatly help in improving the tourists appeal of capital city of Islamabad. He said, PTDC has already developed an integrated tourism plan for Islamabad with a aim to promote the image of capital city as the gateway tourist destination of Pakistan through a collaborative approach of all the key stakeholders from public and private sector. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has paid rich tribute to the wise and great leader of the Muslim world, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his 148th birthday anniversary here on Wednesday. In his message on Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's birth anniversary, Mohsin Naqvi said that this day demands a commitment to make Pakistan a great country according to Quaid-e-Azam's vision. He added that unity, brotherhood, religious tolerance and coexistence are the true message of the day. Interior Minister said that Quaid-e-Azam laid great emphasis on the importance of minority rights and religious freedom, adding that the founder of Pakistan was a great champion of protection of minority rights and religious tolerance. He stressed that as a nation, we have to move forward by adhering to the principles of Quaid-e-Azam for the promotion of minority rights and religious tolerance. He emphasized that we have to put aside personal differences in the national interest and think of the beloved homeland. Interior Minister said that Quaid-e-Azam changed the course of history for the rights of Muslims of the subcontinent through his passionate leadership. He brought Muslims together on one platform and realized the dream of an independent Muslim state. He highlighted that thanks to Quaid-e-Azam's tireless struggle, today we are breathing in an independent homeland and this kindness of the founder of Pakistan cannot be repaid. He stated that Quaid-e-Azam's eternal role in the creation of Pakistan is a huge milestone. Mohsin Naqvi further said that Quaid-e-Azam had dreamed of a society based on tolerance, forbearance, equality and tolerance and for such a welfare society, everyone will have to join hands so that the dream of the Quaid-e-Azam can be fully realized. He emphasized that as a nation, we have to follow the guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline and this is the best way to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam. He said that only true, honest and sincere leaders like Quaid-e-Azam change the destiny of countries, the goal of sustainable development and prosperity can be achieved by following the instructions of Quaid-e-Azam. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Unable to establish the initial cause of the plane crash near the city of Aktau, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev said, Trend reports. "It is impossible to even establish the initial cause, because there are specialists for this. They will carry out the work. Then it will be clear. I can't talk about it now," he said. The Deputy Prime Minister said the plane entered Kazakh airspace at 11:02 local time, but contact with it was lost at 11:28, and at 11:37 it collided with the ground. The nation is commemorating the 148th birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah across the country including the capital city of Islamabad with great spirit and fervour ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) The nation is commemorating the 148th birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah across the country including the capital city of Islamabad with great spirit and fervour. All mainstream media, radio stations and social media platforms resonated with patriotic songs on this occasion. A special report aired on Pakistan Television News (PTVnews) according to which the nation came together to pay tribute to Pakistan's founding father M.A. Jinnah by playing many national songs, documentaries, and special programs. The report highlighted Quaid-e-Azam's unwavering commitment to the creation of a separate homeland for Muslims. Citizens from all walks of life are taking to social media to express their admiration for the Quaid and share their favourite songs, including "Hum Zinda Qaum Hain," "Ae Watan Ke Sajeele Jawanon," and "Youn Di Azadi K Dunya Huye Hiran". The documentaries featured rare archival footage and interviews with renowned historians, providing a glimpse into the Quaid's vision for a prosperous and democratic Pakistan. This is a day to remember the struggles and sacrifices of our beloved Quaid i Azam "Youn Di Azadi K Dunya Huye Hiran" still gives me goosebumps said a group user on Facebook. Television channels and radio stations played patriotic songs, including iconic ones "Dil Dil Pakistan" and "Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan." Social media platforms were also abuzz with tributes to Quaid e Azam, as Pakistanis from all walks of life shared quotes, images and videos to honour the national hero. The day serves as a reminder of Quaid's vision for a democratic, prosperous, and tolerant Pakistan and inspires Pakistanis to work towards realizing that vision. "Salute to the Quaid for his unwavering vision and leadership. You will always be in our hearts and minds", said a twitter user while sharing a post. "The Quaid's message of unity, faith and discipline is more relevant today than ever. Let us strive to follow in his footsteps said an Instagram user. "Quaid e Azam' s legacy continues to inspire generations of Pakistanis. Let us honour his memory by working towards a better future for our country" said a group of students in Facebook post. "Today we remember Quaid's unwavering commitment to the creation of Pakistan. Let's pledge to work towards realizing his vision for a prosperous and democratic Pakistan, said a WhatsApp user on his status story. (@FahadShabbir) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Affairs, Engr Amir Muqam here Wednesday said that Pakistan has been created after a matchless democratic struggle by the Muslims of subcontinent led by father of the nation Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Addressing a function in connection of 148th birthday anniversary of Quaid e Azam at PMLN Secretariat here, Engr Amir Muqam said that Quaid e Azam had changed the world geography through a peaceful democratic struggle and had created Pakistan on August 14, 1947 on world map. He said that those people, who remembers their past and leadership are successful in life. Engr Amir Muqam said that it was day to make a firm pledge to work hard for achievement of all those objectives for which Pakistan was created by our forefathers and address all the challenges. He said that Pakistan was a powerful country of 141 million people with a strong professional army, an atomic power and no one would be allowed to keep an evil eye on it. Engr Amir Muqam said that Prime Minister has allways talked for Charter of Economy and his recent bold stance in support of the country's atomic and missile programs has reflected aspirations of the entire nation. He said that no dictation from any country against atomic or missile program would be accepted. Engr Amir Muqam reiterated that criticism against state institutions should be avoided, adding that civil disobedience call was not in the country's interest. Engr Amir Muqam said that Pakistan is our first priority and consistent efforts are required for strengthening of its economy and make it stronger. He said that our security forces, police and civil society rendered great sacrfices for Pakistan and has kept the national flag high. He said that armed forces of Pakistan had allways come for the help of the nation whether it was war against terrorism, earthquake, floods or other disasters and made them out of troubles. Engr Amir Muqam said that former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has made Pakistan an atomic power, laid network of motorways and enhanced the country's prestige. Welcoming the recent dialogue between Govt and opposition parties, Engr Amir Muqam said that Govt believed in constructive and meaningful negotiations under the constitution and legal framework for solution of problems. He said that share of NFC award given to KP should be used for welfare of people rather than agitation politcs, adding KP rulers should compete with Punjab and Sindh Govt in service delivery and good governance. The irrational civil obedience call would only damage Pakistan and it's people, he said, adding KP Govt failed to restore peace in Kurram. Engr Amir Muqam reaffirmed Govt commitment to continue work for the stability and progress of Pakistan. Due to Govt successful economic policies, he said that foreign investment started coming back to the country, stock exchange achieved heights and price hike reduced to 4 digit which is a major triumph. Earlier, Engr Amir Muqam cut the cakes of the birthdays of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and PMLN Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. APP/fam (@FahadShabbir) Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentary leader in the Senate, on Wednesday expressed optimism that talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could lead to an amicable resolution of the countrys ongoing political tensions ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentary leader in the Senate, on Wednesday expressed optimism that talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could lead to an amicable resolution of the countrys ongoing political tensions. In an interview, Senator Irfan Siddiqui reaffirmed the governments commitment to a peaceful resolution with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), emphasizing that dialogue and reconciliation are the only solutions to the countrys challenges. He expressed hope that government-opposition negotiations would pave the way forward. Senator Irfan Siddiqui emphasized that the government is ready to move forward and called for tolerance among members of the PTI negotiation committee. He urged them to engage in constructive discussions and refrain from provocative statements to ensure a productive and peaceful resolution process. He clarified that the PTIs written demands will be reviewed in the committees next meeting. Senator Siddiqui stated that the aim of this move is to ensure transparency and address the oppositions concerns. He further noted that PTIs decision to submit its Charter of Demands in writing will lay a strong foundation for negotiations. He stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has agreed to engage in constructive dialogue, with their proposals set to be considered. He emphasized the importance of national unity and paid tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his birthday, stressing that unity is crucial for the countrys progress. He urged all Pakistanis to put aside their differences and unite for the bright future of the country, as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan, Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir on Wednesday felicitated the Pakistans nation on Quaid-e-Azam Day to the Pakistans nations and also urged to follow the path and vision of founder of Pakistan Quaid- e - Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In a message released here, he said that on behalf of the Embassy of Tajikistan in Pakistan, I extend warmest greetings to the people of Pakistan on the occasion of Quaid-e-Azam Day. Today, we commemorate the birthday of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and a visionary leader who fought tirelessly for the rights and freedom of the Muslim people of the Indian subcontinent. His unwavering dedication and perseverance ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan, a homeland for Muslims, on August 14, 1947, he said. As we celebrate Quaid-e-Azam Day today on December 25, we honor not only the legacy of Muhammad Ali Jinnah but also the values of unity, resilience, and determination that he embodied. His leadership and vision continue to inspire generations of Pakistanis and serve as a beacon of hope for the country's future. On this special day, I would like to express my deepest admiration for the people of Pakistan and their remarkable achievements. Tajikistan and Pakistan enjoy a strong bond of friendship and cooperation, and we look forward to further strengthening our ties in the years to come. Once again, I extend my warmest greetings to the people of Pakistan on Quaid-e-Azam Day. May this day be a celebration of Pakistan's rich history, its vibrant culture, and its bright future. SARGODHA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) COMSTECH, the Permanent Standing Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Pakistan, and the University of Sargodha agreed to jointly collaborate on a special fellowship program for refugee and displaced researchers and scientists under COMSTECH Science Exile Program. This decision was made in a meeting between COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chaudhry and University of Sargodha Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qaiser Abbas. The University of Sargodha was also a member of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence. During the meeting, Professor Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chaudhry emphasized the importance of this project and said: "Millions of people have been displaced due to conflicts around the world, severely affecting research and higher education. This fellowship program will provide an opportunity to displaced and refugee scholars, who have not yet found a safe host country, the opportunity to continue their research within the institutions of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence. " Applications were being invited from scholars, researchers, and scientists from conflict-affected areas such as Afghanistan, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.The program aimed to promote academic stability and enable displaced researchers to continue their valuable work. All travel, tuition fees, accommodation, and food expenses for the recipients will be covered. Professor Dr. Qaiser Abbas Vice Chancellor University of Sargodha, expressed his gratitude to COMSTECH for this significant fellowship project. He highlighted that the university already provides modern hostel facilities for international students and researchers on its campus and will fully support this initiative. This collaboration reflects COMSTECHs ongoing commitment to supporting refugee scientists and researchers, promoting education and scientific advancement, and assisting scientists from Muslim countries. (@Abdulla99267510) News of Google Wallet creates wave of excitement, although Google has to confirm it yet KARACHI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Dec 25th, 2024) Google Wallet, a digital payment system, is likely to reach Pakistan soon. The latest reports said that the Google digital wallet service would be launched shortly as a leaked notice from the developers revealed the development. Pakistan is among several countries where the Google digital wallet service will be launched shortly, read the notice. Google, however, has yet to confirm an official launch date but the news has created a wave of excitement among potential Pakistani users of Google Wallet. In addition to Pakistan, Google Wallet services are also expected to launch soon in El Salvador, Egypt, Venezuela, Bermuda and Cambodia. Google Wallet was previously known as Google Pay, which is a digital wallet and payment system that allows for fast and more secure transactions. In Google Wallet, the users can store bank cards, boarding passes, tickets, and other digital passes, similar to a wallet. The app uses encryption and device security features to ensure the protection of personal data. Google Wallet is a reliable option for those looking to adopt mobile payments instead of physical cards. (@ChaudhryMAli88) PortauPrince, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Dec, 2024) Two journalists covering the reopening of a hospital in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince were killed Tuesday in a shootout involving gang members, a local media collective told AFP. Journalists Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean were killed "during an attack by bandits from the coalition 'Viv Ansanm' ('Living Together')" at the State University of Haiti Hospital, Robest Dimanche, spokesperson for the Online Media Collective, told AFP. Other journalists were injured in the shootout and are being treated at another clinic, Dimanche added. The State University of Haiti Hospital, also known as General Hospital, had been closed since February after it was attacked by members of the same gang coalition as Tuesday's attack. According to initial reports, assailants opened fire at the clinic as it was being reopened. A witness told AFP that some people sustained injuries, but couldn't say how many. "Journalists injured during an armed attack by the bandits of Viv Ansanm" on General Hospital, Gazette Haiti said on X, posting photos of injured people lying on the hospital floor. "Journalists and other press workers. .. inside the building. It is total panic in the city center," the newspaper added. Radio Tele Gelaxie also reported an attack on General Hospital and said that several journalists had been hit by gunfire. Last week, Viv Ansanm set fire to another clinic in the capital Port-au-Prince, Bernard Mevs. Nobody was hurt, but a large part of the hospital was destroyed. Tuesday's shooting is the latest instance of growing turmoil in the capital of the beleaguered Caribbean nation, where attacks by armed gangs have been escalating in multiple neighborhoods for over a month. In early December, nearly 200 people were killed in a massacre led by a "powerful gang leader" against "voodoo practitioners," according to the United Nations and a local NGO. A multinational mission in support of Haitian police, led by Kenya and backed by the UN and the United States, has had little impact on the frequency of attacks by armed groups, who are accused of committing numerous murders, rapes, looting and kidnappings for ransom. The attacks also target key buildings and infrastructure, which forced the closure of the capital's airport to commercial flights in November. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 26. The condition of the Azerbaijani citizens injured in the Baku-Grozny flight crash is good, with the exception of three people who are in intensive care, Minister of Emergency Situations Kamaleddin Heydarov told journalists, Trend reports. "We inspected the scene of the incident together with the Minister of Transport. Later we visited the injured. The injured are in good condition, except for three people who are in intensive care," the minister said. Kamaladdin Heydarov also said that after the identities of those killed in the plane crash are established, their bodies will be delivered to Azerbaijan. "On the advice of doctors, the victims were not transported to Azerbaijan today due to their psychological state. Those who received minor injuries will probably be transported to the country in the coming days, perhaps tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," the minister said. On December 25, an Embraer 190 passenger plane flying the Baku-Grozny route crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. Preliminary reports indicate there were 37 Azerbaijani citizens, 6 Kazakh citizens, 3 Kyrgyz citizens, and 16 Russian citizens on board. AZAL confirmed that the Embraer 190 carried 62 passengers and 5 crew members, bringing the total number of people on board to 67. In early December, China tightened export controls on dual-use goods to the United States. A recent report warns that this ban could disrupt the production of over 20,000 components used by the U.S. military, particularly in naval systems and nuclear missile technology. Click here for the full story in Mandarin. A Chinese professor has sparked widespread outrage after asking a visiting Kazakh diplomat during a think tank event how to make Chinese women "obediently have children." The controversial remark, made in mid-November, surfaced online recently, triggering a wave of anger across China, particularly among women. Click here for the full story in Mandarin. A Russian-born U.S. citizen already imprisoned in Russia on a bribery conviction has been handed a second 15-year jail term for espionage, Russian news agencies reported Tuesday. A Moscow court brought espionage charges against Gene Spector in August 2023. Details surrounding the case were not made public. The U.S. State Department said it was aware of reports of the sentencing of a U.S. citizen in Russia and was monitoring the situation. Spector, formerly an executive at a medical equipment company in Russia, was previously sentenced to more than three years in prison in September 2022 for enabling bribes to an aide of former deputy prime minister Arkady Dvorkovich. The aide, Anastasia Alekseyeva, was sentenced to 12 years in April for taking bribes of two expensive overseas vacation trips. Dvorkovich was a deputy prime minister under Dmitry Medvedev from 2012 to 2018. He is currently head of the international chess federation FIDE. Sitting before a pile of dilapidated shacks and ashes in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, 80-year-old Rohingya refugee Amena Khatun began weeping as she talked about her 60-year-old son, Abul Hair. He was well and alive next to us, less than 24 hours ago, she told VOA. And then, the fire broke out. At least two people were killed and over 4,000 rendered homeless Tuesday by the sudden outbreak of a massive fire in the Rohingya refugee camp in Kutupalong. More than a million Rohingya people reside in bamboo-and-tarpaulin shacks across Coxs Bazar, with several thousand others pouring in over the last few months, fleeing clashes in their native Myanmar between the government and the rebel Arakan Army. At around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Khatun, alongside thousands of other Rohingya people in Kutupalong, first noticed the fire. My son had initially left our shelter with us when the fire started. But he went back to retrieve some important documentsand never made it out as he got stuck behind the intense flames, said Khatun. Our lives are made to depend on the few documents we do possess as stateless refugees. But now, my sona loving father of fiveis gone along with the documents, all because of the sudden fire. According to the Coxs Bazar-based Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, or RRRC, of Bangladesh, the casualties include at least 19 Rohingya people, who were injured in the fire. The catastrophe also destroyed crucial infrastructure in the refugee camp like water tanks, tap stands, toilets and bath stalls. Mosques and offices of RRRCs partner organizations were also damaged. Scant relief efforts RRRC Commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman told VOA that the fire was brought under control by their officials, including the camp-in-charge, volunteers and the fire brigade. We had to demolish some shelters to prevent the fire from spreading. We, alongside the UNHCR and partner NGOs, have ensured that everyone left homeless has a temporary roof to sleep under, starting tonight, he said. The U.N. World Food Program, WFP, will serve the fire survivors regular meals "until they are fit to take care of themselves again, Rahman said, adding that his team hopes to build them new shelters as soon as possible. While the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, fire service and civil defense senior official Tanharul Islam told reporters Tuesday that an investigation has been launched. However, survivors of the fire told VOA that as of Wednesday morning, they had not yet received any relief assistance. We have not received any help from the authorities or local NGOs yet, said Khatun, the surviving parent of Abu Hair who lost his life yesterday. We dont even know how the fire started. A six-year-old boy, Burhanuddin, was the other camp resident killed in Tuesdays fire. His father, 34-year-old Muzifur Rahman, echoed Khatuns remark regarding assistance after the tragedy. In fact, our Rohingya refugee community in Coxs Bazar has never been educated on any safety measures or protocols we are to follow to prevent or survive such fires, he said. Recurring problem across borders Bereaved father Rahman said that he is especially worried about his surviving family members because such fires are surprisingly common in the Rohingya refugee camps. It makes me wonder if many of these fires are caused deliberately, he said. Over 1,000 shelters were destroyed in a fire believed to have been started accidentally by a mud oven, mentioned by the UNHCR in their social media post, in the same camp in January of this year. In 2023, a fire that burned down the shelters of over 12,000 Rohingya refugees in Coxs Bazar was described as a planned act of sabotage by a senior government official, who said that the arson was carried out by militant groups. VOA had reported that the fire was started by feuding Rohingya gangs in the camps. On the other side of the border, in India, many Rohingya refugees living in camps face the same challenge. The Social and Political Research Foundation has reported that at least 12 mysterious fires broke out across Rohingya refugee camps in India between 2016 and 2021. Many of the incidents of arson are suspected to have been orchestrated by right-wing Hindu nationalist groups in the country. Responsibility for a 2018 fire in India that wrecked over 50 Rohingya refugee shelters was claimed by the youth wing of the ruling right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP. Mohammed Arfan, a senior member of the Wash, Sanitation and Hygiene project with Community Partners International in Bangladesh, said that Rohingya refugee families in Coxs Bazar live in overcrowded and extremely cramped shelters made of highly flammable material, often cooking with gas cylinders in unsafe conditions. These families have survived a genocide and lost everything already. Now, they face yet another tragedy. They are not just statistics, but parents, children and grandparents who have lost their homes, memories and loved ones, he said. This fire is a reminder that we need to do more, not just in the aftermath of these tragedies but to prevent them from happening at all. Ro Mayyu Islam contributed to this report from Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh. Talks between China and Japan's foreign ministers in Beijing have paved way for Japan to host China's foreign affairs chief next year, and mutual agreement to hold a security dialogue as soon as possible, Japan said on Wednesday. No details were given for when the events will take place but Japan's Takeshi Iwaya told reporters after his meeting and a working lunch with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that both agreed on continued high-level talks, including potentially an economic dialogue during the 2025 visit. The one-day visit is Iwaya's first to the Chinese capital since becoming Japan's foreign minister in October, to discuss thorny issues with his country's largest trading partner. It follows an agreement between leaders of both countries to work towards a mutually beneficial strategic relationship. Ties between the neighbors -- trade partners with close economic and investment ties but rivals in security and territorial claims -- are complicated with long-standing geopolitical disagreements and historical wartime sensitivities. Iwaya raised several security concerns, urging China to take "necessary action" including removing a buoy Japan had identified and believe was installed by China in the exclusive economic zone near one of Japan's southernmost islands. "I also expressed my serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea...and the increasing activity of the Chinese military," he said. On regional concerns, Wang and Iwaya discussed North Korea. Iwaya sought for China to partake in "a responsible role in maintaining peace and security in the international community," he said. Japan has expressed "grave concern" over North Korea's security alliance with Russia, in which North Korea stands to gain advanced military technology and combat experience. Wang stressed in the meeting that the significance of the countries' relationship went beyond bilateral ties. "If China-Japan relations are stable, Asia will be more stable," Wang said at the start of their meeting. Visa rules and seafood ban In reciprocity to China's eased visa rules, Japan will remove some requirements for three-year multiple entry tourist visas for Chinese citizens and allow those on group visas to stay up to 30 days, an increase from the previous 15. The country also has introduced a new 10-year multiple entry tourist visa. Last month, Beijing expanded its visa-free arrangements to include Japan until the end of 2025, restoring a policy that was suspended during the pandemic. China also extended the stay period to 30 days from 15. Japanese citizens were able to enter China without a visa for up to 14 days before COVID-19. Iwaya pointed out that addressing the safety and security of Japanese nationals was important to increase travel between Japan and China. Cases of Japanese nationals detained under China's anti-espionage law and the lack of transparency around the law have led to Japanese people feeling hesitant about traveling to China, Iwaya said, calling for more transparency and the release of those detained. Their discussion of China's ban on Japanese seafood, highly expected on the agenda, did not indicate any easing on restrictions, but only that both sides agreed to "properly implement" a recent agreement. A major sticking point in bilateral ties has been Japan's discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant that Beijing strongly opposed and responded to by tightening inspections on Japanese goods. China was Japan's largest export market for aquatic products until Beijing fully banned them in protest against Tokyo's actions. Both governments reached an agreement in September that obligates Japan to set up a long-term international monitoring arrangement allowing stakeholders such as China to conduct independent sampling of the treated water. That was expected to restart the imports but China still wants reassurances from Tokyo that it would fulfill its commitment before "adjusting relevant measures" and gradually restore imports that meet standards and regulations. However, both countries were ready to restart talks on resuming Japanese beef and rice imports. Christians in Israel celebrate a more somber and subdued Christmas this year. Ukrainians mark Christmas as well with prayers for peace, and the Vatican was filled with excitement on Christmas Eve as the faithful gathered to witness Pope Francis inaugurate the Holy Year by unlocking the Holy Door of St. Peters Basilica. Syrian refugees in Europe are worried about their future following the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The incoming Trump administration inherits efforts by the U.S. space agency, NASA, to return astronauts to the surface of the moon. Plus, a Christmas barnacle in Spain faces an uncertain future amid climate change. A baby girl froze to death in southern Gaza, the head of the enclave's Ministry of Health said Wednesday. The newborn was at least the third baby to die in recent days in the cold. The girl's father, Mahmoud al-Faseeh, told The Associated Press that he had wrapped her in a blanket to try to keep her warm in the family's tent in the al-Muwasi camp outside Khan Younis. "It was very cold overnight and as adults we couldn't even take it. We couldn't stay warm," he said. Baby Sila woke up crying three times in the night. In the morning, "she was like wood," he said. They rushed her to a field hospital, but she did not survive. "[Sila] died from the cold," her mother, Nariman, told CNN on Wednesday. "I was warming her and holding her. But [we] didn't have extra clothes for me to warm this girl." The overnight low was 9 degrees Celsius, and their tent did not keep the wind out, Mahmood al-Faseeh Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra, the children's ward director at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, confirmed the baby died of hypothermia, as did two others, both less than 1 month old, in the past two days. According to The Associated Press, Israel is allowing more aid into Gaza: an average of 130 trucks a day in December, up from about 70 in October and November. Before the war, about 500 trucks entered daily. Houthi missile attack The Yemen-based Houthi militant group said Wednesday that it fired a ballistic missile at the Tel Aviv area in central Israel, an attack that prompted air raid sirens to sound but caused no damage. Israels military said it intercepted the missile before it crossed into Israeli territory. The missile was the second in the span of two days launched by the Houthis and the latest in a campaign they say is in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. In addition to launching missiles at Israel, the Houthis have also disrupted the key shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with attacks against ships. Israeli officials have become more direct in their rhetoric toward the Houthis in recent days, pledging to take action against the Iran-backed group. Hostage deaths The presence of Israeli troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths in August of six hostages held in Gaza, according to the results of an investigation by the Israeli military released Tuesday. The six hostages, including Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were taken by Hamas militants during the October 7, 2023, raid on Israel. They were killed by Hamas after nearly 330 days in captivity. The military's report found that "ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists' decision" to kill the six hostages. Their bodies were found 48 to 72 hours later in a tunnel in late August, the report said. The military was operating in that area of southern Gaza because the likelihood that hostages were there was considered medium to low, the report said. "The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement on Tuesday. Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in their 2023 attack on southern Israel and took about 250 others hostage. There are still around 100 hostages being held in Gaza, though at least one-third are believed to be dead. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 45,300 people, according to the Gaza health ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and fighters in its count. The United States, United Kingdom, European Union and others have designated Hamas as a terror group. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. A formal request by Bangladesh to India to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after she was ousted by mass student-led protests, poses a diplomatic conundrum for New Delhi, say analysts. Since Hasinas exit, who was New Delhis close ally during her 15-year rule of neighboring Bangladesh, India has been trying to build ties with the new administration that has requested her return to face a judicial process. Confirming that it has received a diplomatic note for her extradition, Indias foreign ministry said on Monday that we have no comment to offer on this matter. Political analysts say relations with Dhaka, which are already fraught, are likely to be further strained over the extradition request. This places Delhi in an uncomfortable position and will undermine ties with the interim government because India simply cannot accede to this request, said Manoj Joshi, distinguished fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. She has sought political sanctuary here. The extradition request for Hasina came two months after the Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal issued arrest warrants for the countrys former prime minister. She was summoned to appear to face charges of "crimes against humanity" that took place during demonstrations in which hundreds were killed. However, analysts say there is no likelihood of India acceding to the extradition request. Both countries have an extradition treaty, but it allows for requests to be refused if the offense is of "political nature." There are no circumstances under which I can envision New Delhi granting this request, said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute, Wilson Center, in Washington. Hasina has arguably been India's closest friend in the neighborhood, and for a long time. New Delhi isn't about to turn on her. It will likely try to invoke one of the clauses in the extradition treaty to justify not turning her over to Dhaka. The formal request to New Delhi comes two weeks after talks between India's foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, and the interim government in Dhaka raised hopes that ties between the South Asian neighbors would stabilize. It was the first high-level diplomatic meeting between the two countries since Hasinas exit stressed relations. India has complained about what it said were attacks on minority Hindus in the Muslim-majority country in recent months. Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, who met Misri, said the reports were exaggerated and asked India to help clear the 'clouds' that have cast a shadow over the relationship in recent times. Both countries said they were keen to pursue constructive relations. The extradition request, however, will be seen as a dampener on efforts to bring the relationship back on an even keel. The Bangladesh government is putting pressure on India, saying that if you want friendly ties, then repatriate her, said analyst Joshi. Indias strong backing for Hasina during her 15-year rule was seen by many in Bangladesh as having contributed to the erosion of democracy in the country and had deepened anger against India, according to analysts in Dhaka. Hasina was perceived as an authoritarian ruler who had clamped down on dissent. In Bangladesh, there is widespread support to bring Hasina back to face trial. If India does not repatriate her, which it is unlikely to do, this will deepen anti-India sentiment in the country, according to Khandakar Tahmid Rejwan, a researcher with the Bangladesh Peace Observatory in Dhaka. Hasinas presence in India has made it challenging for Delhi to develop friendly ties with the new interim government in Dhaka. For India, a strong relationship with Bangladesh is important to ensure stability along their 4096-kilometer-long border in a neighborhood where it already confronts Pakistan and China along hostile borders. It is also important for the security of its northeastern states that share a border with Bangladesh. Trade has grown and both countries have built connectivity projects to boost economic ties. India will soft pedal the extradition issue for the time being, said Tara Kartha, director of research and analysis at the Center for Land Warfare Studies in New Delhi. Hopefully, once an elected government comes, they will moderate their stand, over a period of time. There is an anti-India feeling, but you will certainly not give a signal to the entire neighborhood that you will not stand by a former ally. Yunus has said Bangladesh's next elections will be held in late 2025 or early 2026. While the issue will be an irritant over the coming months, analysts say in the long run, both countries will smoothen ties. India likely knew Bangladesh would make the (extradition) request, and I'm sure Dhaka assumes New Delhi will say no, said Kugelman, who said that while the relationship is in a bad place, the issue is something that they can work around." Israel and Hamas accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts on Wednesday, as the two sides inch closer to a deal that could wind down the 14-month war in Gaza. The two sides appear closer than they have been in months to reaching an agreement that would bring home dozens of hostages being held in Gaza. However, talks have come close before, only to collapse. Although Israel and Hamas have expressed optimism that progress was being made toward a deal, sticking points remain over the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, people involved in the talks say. On Wednesday, Hamas accused Israel of introducing new conditions related to the withdrawal from Gaza, the prisoners and the return of displaced people, which it said was delaying the deal. Israel's government accused Hamas of reneging on reneging on understandings that have already been reached. Still, both sides said discussions are ongoing. Israels negotiating team, which includes members from its intelligence agencies and the military, returned from Qatar Tuesday evening for internal consultations, following a week of what it called significant negotiations." During its October 7, 2023, terror attack on southern Israel, Hamas and other groups took about 250 people hostages and brought them to Gaza. A previous truce in November 2023 freed more than 100 hostages, while others have been rescued, or their remains have been recovered over the past year. Israel says about 100 hostages remain in Gaza at least a third of whom it believes were killed during the Oct. 7 attack or died in captivity. Sporadic talks have taken place for a year, but in recent weeks there's been a renewed push to reach a deal. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office next month for his second term, has demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages, saying on social media that if they're not freed before he is sworn in, there will be HELL TO PAY. Families of the hostages are becoming increasingly angry, calling on the Israeli government for a ceasefire before Trump is sworn in. After Israels high-level negotiation team returned from Doha this week, hostage families called an emergency press conference in Tel Aviv, pleading for a ceasefire and a complete end to the war. Shir Siegel, the daughter of Israeli-American Keith Siegel, whose mother was released after more than 50 days in captivity, said every delay could endanger their lives. There are moments when every second is fateful, and this is one of those moments, she said. The families are planning a special candle lighting ceremony in Hostages Square Wednesday, marking the first night of Hanukkah. The agreement would take effect in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, according to Egyptian, Hamas and American officials. The last phase would include the release of any remaining hostages, an end to the war and talks on reconstruction. Hamas has been designated as a terror group by the United States, Britain and other Western countries. Israels bombardment and ground invasion into Gaza have killed more than 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. The offensive has caused widespread destruction and displaced some 90% of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times. Hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid tent camps along the coast as the cold, wet winter sets in. Relatives of hostages held in Gaza lit the first candle of Hanukkah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Some relatives cried during the lighting while holding banners with images of their loved ones who are still held captive in Gaza after more than a year. "Families of the hostages, we all pray that even today, they will return to Jerusalem, to the Holy Land, safe and well," said Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime ministers office said, after what it called "a significant week" of talks. After months of deadlock, the United States, Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamass attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was some progress in efforts to reach a deal but added he did not know how long it would take. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Azerbaijan has shared its experience in the supervision system with Uzbekistan, Trend reports via the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA). A delegation from the National Bank of Uzbekistan (NBU) visited the CBA to study the supervision system for non-bank credit organizations (NBCOs). During the visit, the NBU delegation took part in an information exchange on the following topics: new regulations adopted for the supervision of NBCOs, business models, development dynamics, consumer protection in financial services, combating the legalization of criminal proceeds and financing terrorism, as well as enhancing financial inclusion. The NBU delegation also held meetings with the Azerbaijan Microfinance Association, the Entrepreneurship Development Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Agricultural Credit and Development Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan. The meetings focused on discussing the principles of cooperation between NBCOs and these organizations, as well as their financing processes. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Kosovo's election appeals authority on Wednesday canceled a ban on the main party of the ethnic Serb minority, allowing it to field candidates in the upcoming parliamentary election. The Electoral Panel for Complaints and Appeals decided that the party, Srpska Lista, or Serb List, has "fulfilled the political terms to be certified for registration." The panel overturned a decision Monday by the Central Election Commission, which declined to certify the Srpska Lista party because of its nationalist stance and close ties to neighboring Serbia. The panel ruled that the commission's decision was "contrary to the legal dispositions referring to the application and certification of the political subjects." Of the 10 seats reserved for the Serb minority in the 120-member parliament, Srspka Lista holds nine. It will put up 48 candidates for the parliamentary election on February 9, expected to be a key test for Prime Minister Albin Kurti, whose governing party won in a landslide in 2021. Western powers also expressed concern about the commission's decision, fearing it might further aggravate the tense ties between Kosovo and Serbia, despite their efforts to normalize them. Kosovo was a Serbian province until NATO's 78-day bombing campaign in 1999 ended a war between Serbian government forces and ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo. The war left about 11,400 dead, mainly ethnic Albanians, and pushed Serbian forces out. Kosovo proclaimed independence in 2008, which Serbia doesn't recognize. Belgrade still considers Kosovo as its province and has a major influence on the Serb minority there. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Tuesday they have launched a counteroffensive against the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army to take back areas near Syria's northern border with Turkey. The SDF is Washington's critical ally in Syria, targeting sleeper cells of the extremist Islamic State group scattered across the country's east. Since the fall of the totalitarian rule of Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, clashes have intensified between the U.S.-backed group and the SNA, which captured the key city of Manbij and the areas surrounding it. The intense weekslong clashes come at a time when Syria, battered by over a decade of war and economic misery, negotiates its political future following half a century under the Assad dynasty's rule. Ruken Jamal, spokesperson of the Women's Protection Unit under the SDF, told The Associated Press that their fighters are just over seven miles (11 kilometers) away from the center of Manbij in their ongoing counteroffensive. She accused Ankara of trying to weaken the group's influence in negotiations over Syria's political future through the SNA. "Syria is now in a new phase, and discussions are underway about the future of the country," Jamal said. "Turkey is trying, through its attacks, to distract us with battles and exclude us from the negotiations in Damascus." A Britain-based opposition war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says since the SNA's offensive in northern Syria against the Kurds started earlier this month, dozens from both sides have been killed. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke on Tuesday with Turkish Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler, according to Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder. He said they discussed the ongoing situation in Syria, and Austin emphasized that close and continuous coordination is crucial to a successful effort to counter IS in the country. They also discussed the importance of setting the conditions to enable a more secure and stable Syria. Ankara sees the SDF as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. Turkish-backed armed groups alongside Turkish jets for years have attacked positions where the SDF are largely present across northern Syria, in a bid to create a buffer zone free from the group along the large border. While the SNA was involved in the lightning insurgency led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham that toppled Assad, it has continued its push against the SDF, seen as Syria's second key actor for its political future. On Monday, the SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami said the group's forces pushed back the Turkish-backed rebels from areas near the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates, a key source of hydroelectric power. He said the SDF also destroyed a tank belonging to the rebels southeast of Manbij. The British-based war monitor said on Tuesday that the Kurdish-led group, following overnight fighting, has reclaimed four villages in the areas near the strategic dam. Turkish jets also pounded the strategic border town of Kobani in recent days. During Syria's uprising-turned-conflict, the Kurds carved out an enclave of autonomous rule across northeastern Syria, never fully allying entirely with Assad in Damascus nor the rebels trying to overthrow him. Even with the Assad family out of the picture, it appears that Ankara's position won't change, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's landmark visit to Syria maintaining a strong position on the Kurdish-led group in his meeting with de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa of HTS. "It has turned the region into a cauldron of terror with PKK members and far-left groups who have come from Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Europe," Fidan said in a news conference after the meeting. "The international community is turning a blind eye to this lawlessness because of the wardenship it provides [against IS]." With the ongoing fighting, SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi has expressed concern about a strong IS resurgence due to the power vacuum in Syria and the ongoing fighting, which has left the Kurdish-led group unable to carry out its attacks and raids on the extremist group's scattered sleeper cells. Tens of thousands of children, family members, and supporters of IS militants are still held in large detention centers in northeastern Syria, in areas under SDF control. Taliban officials in Afghanistan reported Wednesday that at least 46 people were killed in an eastern border region because of an overnight aerial bombing that allegedly was conducted by Pakistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban government spokesperson, stated that the attack on Tuesday evening targeted four locations in Barmal, a remote mountainous district in the Afghan border province of Paktika. "The total number of dead is 46, most of whom were children and women," Mujahid told the Agence France-Presse news agency, adding that six more civilians were wounded. The veracity of his claims regarding the purported casualties could not be ascertained from independent sources. The Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Wednesday that it had summoned the acting Pakistani ambassador to Kabul to deliver a strong protest note regarding the airstrikes conducted by Pakistani military jets in Barmal. The statement condemned the attack and warned that such actions are viewed highly irresponsible and will inevitably bear repercussions. It did not elaborate. While Pakistan has not commented on the allegations it had carried out the strikes, Pakistani security officials told reporters on condition of anonymity that the country carried out counterinsurgency precision airstrikes in Barmal. The officials, who were not authorized to interact with the media publicly, asserted that the military actions targeted multiple locations in the Afghan district that were associated with the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. Islamabad maintains that the globally designated terrorist group orchestrates lethal attacks on Pakistani civilians and security personnel from its Afghan sanctuaries. The Afghan Ministry of National Defense condemned the strikes as barbaric and a clear act of aggression by Pakistan in violation of international laws. It asserted that both Afghan nationals and Pakistani refugee families residing in Barmal were the victims of the attack. "The Islamic Emirate considers this brutal bombing a violation of international principles and a clear act of aggression," said the Afghan Ministry of National Defense, using the official title of the Taliban government. "This cowardly attack will not go unanswered," the statement warned, without elaborating. The aerial attack came two days after heavily armed TTP militants stormed a security outpost in South Waziristan, a Pakistani district bordering Barmal, and killed 16 soldiers in one of the deadliest insurgent raids on Pakistan's military in recent months. Tuesday's strikes also came on a day when Taliban leaders hosted meetings with a high-level Pakistani delegation, marking the resumption of such interactions after a yearlong pause because of terrorism allegations. Taliban leaders have consistently denied allegations that Afghan territory is being used as a launching pad for attacks. The de facto Afghan government maintains it does not support the TTP or any other foreign militant group, describing the violence in Pakistan as an "internal problem" for the neighboring country to resolve rather than blaming Kabul for the crisis. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that Russian forces attacked his country with more than 70 missiles and that targets included Ukraines energy infrastructure. Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Zelenskyy said. U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attacks later Wednesday. The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian peoples access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid. Let me be clear: the Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace and safety, Biden said in a statement. The United States, Biden said, has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way. I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Ukraines military said it shot down 59 of the missiles, as well as 54 of the 106 drones Russia used in its attacks. The drones and missiles targeted energy facilities in the Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Poltava and Zaporizhzhia regions, the Ukrainian air force said. Russias Defense Ministry said in a statement it struck critical energy infrastructure facilities that support Ukraines military. In northeastern Ukraine, Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said the city came under a massive missile attack and was later hit with a Russian drone. Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor, said the attacks damaged civilian infrastructure and injured at least six people. Ukraines largest private energy company, DTEK, said Russian missiles caused serious damage and forced power cuts in Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa and Kyiv. In an attack aimed at millions of Ukrainians simply wanting to celebrate the holy day, Russia caused serious damage to DTEK thermal generation facilities, the company said in a statement. The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses destroyed 58 Ukrainian aerial drones, a number that is higher than typical in the daily exchange of drone attacks between the two sides. The ministry said 26 of the intercepts took place over the Belgorod region and 23 over Voronezh, with other drones being shot down over Kursk, Bryansk, Tambov and the Sea of Azov. Officials in Kursk said Ukrainian shelling in the region killed at least three people. Voronezh Governor Aleksandr Gusev said on Telegram that the Ukrainian attacks damaged several houses and a power line. Some information for this report was provided by Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Temulun Togchug, 17, born to a Mongolian couple who fled to the United States, recently stood before the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China in Washington to testify about the worsening human rights situation in Southern Mongolia. With conviction, Temulun shared with U.S. lawmakers the efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to erase Mongolian heritage and culture in her family homeland. Click here for the full story in Mandarin. Strong magnitude 5.9 earthquake at 138 km depth 24 Dec 22:44 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 2 minutes. 24 Dec 22:45: Now using data updates from EMSC ... [show all] ... 24 Dec 22:45: Magnitude recalculated from 5.7 to 5.6. 24 Dec 22:48: Magnitude recalculated from 5.6 to 5.7. Hypocenter depth recalculated from 229.2 to 132.6 km (from 142 to 82 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 44 km (28 mi) towards E. 24 Dec 22:49: Magnitude recalculated from 5.7 to 5.8. 24 Dec 22:53: Epicenter location corrected by 13 km (7.9 mi) towards E. 24 Dec 22:55: Epicenter location corrected by 4.5 km (2.8 mi) towards N. 24 Dec 22:57: Epicenter location corrected by 13 km (8.1 mi) towards W. 24 Dec 23:02: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 131.0 to 110.8 km (from 81 to 69 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 4 km (2.5 mi) towards NNE. 24 Dec 23:02: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 110.8 to 131.0 km (from 69 to 81 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 5.2 km (3.2 mi) towards S. 24 Dec 23:02: Now using data updates from USGS 24 Dec 23:20: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 125.2 to 138.0 km (from 78 to 86 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 9.9 km (6.1 mi) towards WSW. 30 Dec 02:16: Epicenter location corrected by 8.2 km (5.1 mi) towards E. 16 Feb 04:15: Epicenter location corrected by 3.9 km (2.5 mi) towards NNE. Update Tue, 24 Dec 2024, 22:48 Moderate yet deep earthquake of magnitude 5.6 just reported 30 km southwest of Tinogasta, Argentina A second report was later issued by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), which listed it as a magnitude 5.5 earthquake. Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter. Weak shaking might have been felt in Tinogasta (pop. 14,500) located 30 km from the epicenter, Fiambala (pop. 8,100) 68 km away, Vinchina (pop. 2,800) 69 km away, Londres (pop. 2,600) 88 km away, and Chilecito (pop. 42,200) 102 km away. VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported a magnitude 5.6 quake in Argentina near Tinogasta, Departamento de Tinogasta, Catamarca, only 6 minutes ago. The earthquake hit early evening on Tuesday, December 24th, 2024, at 7:42 pm local time at an intermediate to considerable depth of 229.2 km. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.A second report was later issued by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), which listed it as a magnitude 5.5 earthquake.Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter.Weak shaking might have been felt in Tinogasta (pop. 14,500) located 30 km from the epicenter, Fiambala (pop. 8,100) 68 km away, Vinchina (pop. 2,800) 69 km away, Londres (pop. 2,600) 88 km away, and Chilecito (pop. 42,200) 102 km away.VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app . This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake. Download the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Android | iOS and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Earthquake details Date & time Dec 24, 2024 22:42:25 UTC - Local time at epicenter Tuesday, Dec 24, 2024, at 07:42 pm (America/Argentina/Catamarca GMT -3) Status Confirmed (manually revised) Magnitude 5.9 Depth 138 km Epicenter latitude / longitude 28.2047S / 67.3646W Tinogasta, Catamarca, Argentina Also near: Chile 162 km (101 mi) away Seismic antipode 28.2047N / 112.6354E China Quality 138 seismic stations Shaking intensity IV Light shaking near epicenter Felt 11 reports Primary data source USGS (United States Geological Survey) Nearest volcano Incapillo (145 km / 90 mi) Weather at epicenter at time of quake Overcast Clouds 21.4C (71 F), humidity: 38%, wind: 2 m/s (3 kts) from NNE Estimated seismic energy released 4.5 x 1013 joules (12.4 gigawatt hours, equivalent to 10676 tons of TNT or 0.7 atomic bombs!) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 5.9 | about seismic energy [ show map ] [ smaller ] [ bigger ] Quake possibly felt by 1.2 million people According to preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake might have been felt by over 1.2 million people across 2 countries: Argentina (1.2 million) and Chile (2,950). For most people (79.5%), the quake might only have felt as barely noticeable or weak shaking if at all (intensities I-III). Approx. 230,000 people were in areas with According to preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake might have been felt by over 1.2 million people across 2 countries:(1.2 million) and(2,950). For most people (79.5%), the quake might only have felt as barely noticeable or weak shaking if at all (intensities I-III). Approx. 230,000 people were in areas with light shaking (intensity IV), the highest intensity this quake likely produced over inhabited areas. MMI Level Shaking (1,170,000 in total) (1,170,000 in total) Possible damage I Not felt None II Very weak (0.31%) 3,570 None III Weak (79.24%) 927,100 Probably none IV Light (20.46%) 239,400 None or minor only V Moderate Minor VI Strong Minor to Moderate VII Very strong Moderate VIII Severe Significant IX Violent Heavy X Extreme Catastrophic Estimated number of people exposed to shaking from the earthquake by intensity (data coverage corresponding to attached map) Map of expected ground shaking intensity according to the MMI scale (shakemap, source: USGS) Map with population density (from white to black) in the area around the quake's epicenter (source: USGS) Alert level for this earthquake: Level GREEN Based on seismic and statistical models, USGS estimates that the risk of fatalities and damage from this earthquake is low. The main factors that contribute to this evaluation are: The maximum expected ground shaking from this quake was unlikely to reach dangerous levels over populated areas; it should not have surpassed intensity IV ( Light ) on the MMI scale significantly. ) on the MMI scale significantly. A large number of people was exposed to shaking from the quake, but only to weak intensities. The quake occurred relatively deep under the surface (138 km or 86 mi depth). This significantly weakened the shaking on the ground of this quake if compared to a magnitude 5.9 event at shallower depth. shaking (intensity IV), the highest intensity this quake likely produced over inhabited areas.Based on seismic and statistical models, USGS estimates that. The main factors that contribute to this evaluation are: Comment Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and rubble/field stone masonry construction. A magnitude 7.4 earthquake 129 km south of this event struck Caucete, Argentina on November 23, 1977 (UTC), with estimated population exposures of 430,000 at intensity VIII and 20,000 at intensity IX or greater, resulting in a reported 70 fatalities. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses. Source: USGS Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Expected fatalities The risk of fatalities from this quake is considered low and classified as Level The risk of fatalities from this quake is considered low and classified as Level GREEN , the lowest on a color scale from Green (low) to Red (very high). USGS estimates that there is a 65.3% chance that there are no direct fatalities as effect of shaking and a 30.2% chance that between 1 and 10 fatalities occurred. The likelihood that there are more than 100 fatalities is less than 1%. Expected economic damage The economic impact of this earthquake is expected to be minimal or small (Level , the lowest on a color scale from Green (low) to Red (very high). USGS estimates that there is a 65.3% chance that there areas effect of shaking and a 30.2% chance that between 1 and 10 fatalities occurred. The likelihood that there are more than 100 fatalities is less than 1%.The economic impact of this earthquake is expected to be minimal or small (Level GREEN ). Only light damage if any should have occurred. USGS calculates an 65.3% chance of total economic loss in the range of 0-1 million US Dollars and a 30.2% risk of losses between 1 and 10 million US Dollars. Total economic loss from this quake is not likely to surpass 10 million US Dollars (less than 1% chance). ). Only light damage if any should have occurred. USGS calculates an 65.3% chance of total economic loss in the range of 0-1 million US Dollars and a 30.2% risk of losses between 1 and 10 million US Dollars. Total economic loss from this quake is not likely to surpass 10 million US Dollars (less than 1% chance). User-reports for this quake (14) felt in up to approx. 350450 km (217280 mi) distance, with isolated cases to have felt the quake even 1,109 km (689 mi) away. The majority of reports came from Cordoba (2 reports), a city of 1.3 million people in 471 km (293 mi) distance southeast of the epicenter, Argentina, Buenos Aires (2 reports), the capital of La Rioja (2 reports) (143 km or 89 mi to the south). See the Argentina and Chile . Out of these, 11 people indicated they felt it. The quake was reported to have been, with isolated cases to have felt the quake even 1,109 km (689 mi) away.The majority of reports came from, a city of 1.3 million people in 471 km (293 mi) distance southeast of the epicenter,, the capital of Argentina with 2,900,000 inhabitants in 1,111 km (690 mi) distance southeast of the epicenter, and(143 km or 89 mi to the south). See the list of places where most people reported this quake further below. User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale Contribute: Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it. Flag as inappropriate. Mark as helpful or interesting. Send your own user report! Translate La Rioja Capital (148.9 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s : Esta en mi escritorio y senti el temblor primero como la sensacion de vertigo y luego como un movimiento de arriba a abajo no era ondulante como otras veces Fiambala / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : No tengo experiencia en estos fenomenos. Estamos de vacaciones. Me encontraba en la cama y senti que el depto temblaba. Fue un momento de gran confusion. Cordoba Capital (470.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Estaba en la pc/escritorio, y me senti mareada, cuando fue demasiado me di cuenta de que era un temblor, todo lo colgante se balanceaba visiblemente. Miraflores, Catamarca (472.5 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s Tinogasta, Catamarca (24.6 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) Santiago de Chile, Provincia de Santiago, Metropolitana (659.1 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s : Twmblor Puerto Iguazu, Misiones / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Sao Bento do Sul, Santa Catarina / not felt (reported through our app / not felt La Rioja, departamento La Rioja, Argentina, (175.4 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 30-60 s copiapo / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 30-60 s SAN MIGUEL DE TUCUMAN (262.9 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging La Pintana, Provincia de Santiago, Metropolitana (669.1 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Arauco, Departamento de Arauco, La Rioja (67.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) Coquimbo, Elqui (430.2 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) List of cities/places with most reports Place Distance from epicenter Average reported Shaking Intensity Nr. of reports Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina (Pop.: 1,317,298) 471 km (293 mi) SE of epicenter IV: Light shaking 2 Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires F.D., Argentina (Pop.: 2,891,082) 1,111 km (690 mi) SE of epicenter V: Moderate shaking 2 La Rioja, La Rioja, Argentina (Pop.: 178,872) 143 km (89 mi) S of epicenter V: Moderate shaking 2 Coquimbo, Coquimbo, Chile (Pop.: 161,317) 432 km (269 mi) SW of epicenter IV: Light shaking 1 Arauco, La Rioja, Argentina (Pop.: 13,720) 70 km (43 mi) SE of epicenter VI: Strong shaking 1 San Miguel de Tucuman, Tucuman, Argentina (Pop.: 548,866) 261 km (162 mi) NE of epicenter II: Very weak shaking 1 Santiago, Santiago, Chile (Pop.: 4,837,295) 663 km (412 mi) SW of epicenter II: Very weak shaking 1 Tinogasta, Catamarca, Argentina (Pop.: 14,509) 25 km (15 mi) NW of epicenter V: Moderate shaking 1 Note: Only reports with latitude/longitude coordinate positions given (14 in total) could be used for statistics. What is Intensity and the Mercalli Intensity Scale? The amount of shaking that occurs on the surface due to an earthquake is called the intensity. It is commonly measured on the so-called Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) ranging from 1 (not felt) to 10 (extreme shaking), and given in Roman numerals as I,II,...IX, X, and often displayed with color codes ranging from light blue to dark red. Earthquake intensity depends mainly on the magnitude and depth of the quake as well as the distance from the epicenter: The further away, the less shaking intensity occurs. Read more about the MMI scale! The amount of shaking that occurs on the surface due to an earthquake is called the intensity. It is commonly measured on the so-called Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) ranging from 1 (not felt) to 10 (extreme shaking), and given in Roman numerals as I,II,...IX, X, and often displayed with color codes ranging from light blue to dark red.Earthquake intensity depends mainly on the magnitude and depth of the quake as well as the distance from the epicenter: The further away, the less shaking intensity occurs. Number of reports by intensity Shaking intensity Number of reports Min-Max distance from epicenter (*) Average distance (*) I: Not felt 2 6681,299 km (415807 mi) 984 km (611 mi) II: Very weak shaking 2 263658 km (163409 mi) 461 km (286 mi) III: Weak shaking 1 472472 km (293293 mi) 472 km (293 mi) IV: Light shaking 3 149470 km (92292 mi) 350 km (217 mi) V: Moderate shaking 1 2525 km (15.315.3 mi) 25 km (15 mi) Notes (*) Reports are filtered to exclude those that are likely highly inaccurate or esaggerated. Only reports with latitude/longitude coordinate positions given (14 in total) could be used for geographic statistics. further below. Compare Quake Data Data for the same earthquake as reported by different agencies The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision. Mag Depth Time GMT 2024-12-24 Epicenter Agency 5.9 138 km 86 mi 1.9 km 22:42:25.776 25 km SE of Tinogasta, Argentina Epicenter uncertainty: 6.9 km USGS (United States Geological Survey) 5.88 133 km 82 mi 5.1 km 22:42:24.39 0.17s La Rioja Province, Argentina 12 km (7.7 mi) epicenter difference with USGS GFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences) 5.7 150 km 93 mi 22:42:00 CATAMARCA (Argentina) 6.2 km (3.9 mi) epicenter difference with USGS INPRES 6.0 116 km 72 mi 22:42:26 158 km al NO de La Rioja 15 km (9.6 mi) epicenter difference with USGS CSN (National Seismological Center (Centro Sismologico Nacional)) 5.84 0.3 10 km 6.2 mi (*) 22:42:12.948 0.19s Event of magnitude 5.8, near of Tucuman 37 km (23 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 6.2 km RENASS (Reseau National de Surveillance Sismique (ReNaSS)) 5.8 0.2 134 km 83 mi 22:42:25.196 La Rioja Province, Argentina [Land: Argentina] 9.1 km (5.7 mi) epicenter difference with USGS INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia) 5.9 145 km 90 mi 22:42:26.35 0.15s CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA 4 km (2.5 mi) epicenter difference with USGS EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre) 5.9 138 km 86 mi 22:42:25 La Rioja Province, Argentina 7.7 km (4.8 mi) epicenter difference with USGS IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology) 5.8 108 km 67 mi 22:42:23 La Rioja Province, Argentina 8.4 km (5.2 mi) epicenter difference with USGS GeoAu (Geoscience Australia ) 5.9 138 km 86 mi 22:42:26 23 km SSE of Tinogasta, Argentina 10.9 km (6.8 mi) epicenter difference with USGS NNSN (Norwegian National Seismic Network) 5.8 132 km 82 mi 22:42:25 La Rioja Province, Argentina 22 km (13 mi) epicenter difference with USGS OBSIS (Observatorio Sismologico da Universidade de Brasilia) Notes: (*) A depth given as 10 km often means that the the depth of the quake could be not determined with sufficient accuracy. 3 aftershocks for this quake For this earthquake, 3 aftershocks have been detected so far. The strongest was a magnitude 2.9 quake that hit 11 days after the mainshock in 6.1 km (3.8 mi) distance, in 31 km southeast of Tinogasta, Catamarca, What are aftershocks? Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known as aftershocks that occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock. [More info] Aftershocks are typically at least one order of magnitude smaller than the main shock. Their size and frequency decreases with time. What about this quake? Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likely ruptured beneath a surface of approx. 79 km2 (=31 sqare miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 15 km (10 mi). [More info] Aftershocks for this quake can be expected to occur during the days and few weeks following the quake at or near the same fault, at distances of up to approx. two times the length of the rupture zone, or in this case 31 km (19 mi). The often broadly linear arrangement of aftershock epicenters encompasses the rupture zone of the main shock ( Aftershocks for this quake can be expected to occur during the days and few weeks following the quake at or near the same fault, at distances of up to approx. two times the length of the rupture zone, or in this case 31 km (19 mi). The often broadly linear arrangement of aftershock epicenters encompasses the rupture zone of the main shock ( see map below ). Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known asthat occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock.Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likelyas a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 15 km (10 mi). Recorded aftershocks, latest first (3 quakes) Date and Time GMT Mag Depth Distance Region Details Jan 5, 2025 03:19 am (Catamarca) 10 weeks ago 11 days after main shock 2.9 147 km 6.1 km (3.8 mi) E of main shock CATAMARCA (Argentina) More Jan 2, 2025 09:46 am (Catamarca) 10 weeks ago 9 days after main shock 2.8 137 km 9.9 km (6.2 mi) SW of main shock CATAMARCA (Argentina) More Dec 29, 2024 12:30 am (Catamarca) 11 weeks ago 4 days after main shock 2.6 140 km 13 km (8.4 mi) S of main shock 33 km SE of Tinogasta, Tinogasta, Catamarca, Argentina More Dec 24, 2024 07:42 pm (Catamarca) 11 weeks ago - felt 5.9 138 km 0 km - This quake 25 km SE of Tinogasta, Tinogasta, Catamarca, Argentina Main Shock (this quake) More Map of aftershocks For this earthquake, 3 aftershocks have been detected so far. Thethat hit 11 days after the mainshock in 6.1 km (3.8 mi) distance, in 31 km southeast of Tinogasta Argentina , on Sunday, Jan 5, 2025 on 03:19 am (Catamarca local time GMT -3). Earthquake statistics Average number of earthquakes Based on data from the past 25 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 217 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi): Mag. 6 or higher: 0.03 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 31.3 years) per year (or 1 quake every 31.3 years) Mag. 5 or higher: 1.46 quakes per year per year Mag. 4 or higher: 18.2 quakes per year per year Mag. 3 or higher: 93 quakes per year (or 7.8 quakes per month) per year (or 7.8 quakes per month) Mag. 2 or higher: 217 quakes per year (or 18.1 quakes per month) The area where this quake occurred has a high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 4 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 30 to 35 years. Number of quakes per year This December, audiences have two excellent stealth Christmas movies to choose from. But only one truly captures the holiday spirit. Illustration: Focus Features/Everett Collection, A24 Spoilers ahead for the plots of Nosferatu and Babygirl. This holiday season, we all have the chance to watch a Christmas movie that uses repressed sexual fantasies to dig deep (so deep) on gender dynamics, societal expectations, and the relationship between self-acceptance and desire. The only question is, which one will you choose Babygirl or Nosferatu? The art of the stealth Christmas movie is as abstract as it is delicate. Theres no one way to make a Christmas movie that is not a Christmas movie; over the years, the canon has grown to include everything from capers to kids movies. Nicole Kidman helped pioneer the art of the erotic Christmas movie in Eyes Wide Shut, and this year, shes back with Babygirl in which she plays a tech CEO who has an affair with a junior colleague because while shes secretly kink-curious, her husband seems like the kind of guy who insists on calling sex making love. Meanwhile, in Nosferatu, Lily-Rose Depp is a Victorian Cassandra a young woman whose spiritual (and sexual) connection to the supernatural world annoys her husband and friends. On the surface, these movies dont have much in common besides their December 25 release dates and the quiet use of Christmas trees as seasonal markers. Dig a little deeper, and you might notice that theyre telling similar stories with very different approaches and even more disparate conclusions. But if you ask me and so far, no one has only one of these movies captures the true meaning of Christmas. The case for Babygirl In Babygirl, all Nicole Kidman wants for Christmas is a good orgasm. Her character, Romy, runs a robotics company called Tensile (lol), and her husband, Jacob (Antonio Banderas), is a theater director. Right off the bat, these two represent a clash between worlds: Romy, who likes cold plunges and replacing human workers with robots, stands in for the brave, materialistic new world, and Jacob, who quietly worries that hes becoming irrelevant both at work and at home, symbolizes the old, creative, spiritual world. From the very beginning, when Romy fake-climaxes with soft, feminine moans only to run down the hall, masturbate to pornography, and grunt out a real one, we know that these two are struggling to connect. Feelings of emotional isolation are a hallmark of both the real-life holidays and the movies they inspire. Consider George Baileys suicidal despair at the start of Its a Wonderful Life; Charlie Browns struggle to feel appropriately happy in A Charlie Brown Christmas; Kathleen Kellys grief from missing her mother in Youve Got Mail; Kevin McAllisters hatred for his family in Home Alone. The list goes on and on and on, and the unifying theme is the same: The holidays are an excellent time for an existential crisis. More often than not, our disaffected leads respond to their sadness by toying with the idea of turning their lives upside down. George Bailey nearly kills himself before a guardian angel shows him what his hometown would be like without him; Charlie Brown steps out of his comfort zone to direct a play; Kathleen Kelly flirts with a pen pal while questioning her relationship with a New York Observer columnist played by Greg Kinnear; Kevin McAllister (unintentionally and then gleefully) tests out life without his huge family. In Babygirl, Romy starts an affair with an intern. As she herself acknowledges, their relationship is hot because it could potentially blow up her entire life as she knows it her marriage, her job, everything. A less interesting version of this movie might cast Romys paramour, Samuel (Harris Dickinson), as a confident dom who sweeps her into his thrall, but writer-director Halina Reijn refuses us such black-and-white simplicity. Samuel and Romys first tryst is one of the funniest scenes in the movie because its an awkward struggle to figure out rules and expectations. Neither of them seems to have done anything quite like this before. Samuel isnt a helpless victim or a sexual savant, just like Romy isnt a predator or a helpless masochist (although her husband does hold some fascinating ideas about female masochism). Instead, Romy and Samuel seem to find in one another exactly what they want an accepting, empathetic sexual partner whos game to bring all of their strange fantasies to life. Jacob has the theater, and Romy, who spends most of her day playing the part of Strong, Confident Woman, has a series of hotel rooms. But as often happens when Christmas movie characters act out their fantasies, the result is not quite what Romy imagined. When things inevitably blow up and Jacob finds out, he casts her out of their Manhattan apartment to live in their country house. (As anyone whos watched a Hallmark movie knows, Christmas-movie leads must travel to a rural setting to discover their hearts truest desires.) Ultimately, she realizes what she knew all along but couldnt admit: She doesnt want to end her marriage. She just wants to find the safety within it to voice what she truly wants. At first, Jacob thinks female masochism is a male fantasy. Ultimately, however, he realizes that by denying Romys sexual fantasies, hes actually been refusing her the agency she wants and deserves in their relationship. In the end, we see the couple having the kind of sex Romy has wanted from the beginning. And isnt that really what most Christmas movies are about realizing that the answer to all of your unfulfilled desires was sitting right next to you all along? God bless us, everyone. The case for Nosferatu Now, on to the Gothic horror set in Victorian-era Germany. Unlike Romy, whose husband cant quite stomach her sexual desires at first, Lily-Rose Depps character in Nosferatu, Ellen, struggles with a partner who rejects her sexual advances because hes too busy chasing money. Okay, okay to be fair, that only happens one time. Still, given how early on in the proceedings Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) rejects his new wifes plea for more time in bed, its significant table-setting. While Ellen laments that their honeymoon was too short, Thomas brushes cat hair off his vest and gently tells his silly, horny wife that hes running late for a big meeting. Sigh. Maybe hed be more attentive if he knew that shed just woken up from a sexy dream about an ancient, malevolent spirit? While Babygirl largely plays with the tropes of traditional yuletide cinema, Nosferatu sinks its teeth deeper into Christian themes and imagery and not just by showing off a Christmas tree and playing O Tannenbaum from a music box. Ellen, who first connects with the evil Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard) by crying out to a guardian angel, a spirit of comfort, spirit of any celestial sphere, moans and writhes whenever he makes contact in her dreams. Her eyes tend to close or roll back, and at times, her contact-free pleasure mimics the release seen in statues like the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. The imagery is part of a bigger symbolic whole. Much like the Virgin Mary, who was touched by the Lord in ways her community could not understand, Ellen finds herself strangely connected to the supernatural plane. While Mary wound up inexplicably pregnant, Ellen finds herself tantalized by a monstrous entity who calls to her in her sleep and says ominously carnivorous things like, You are not for the living. Then again, maybe Ellen is really more of a Christ figure. She might not perform miracles, but as she tells Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz (Willem Dafoe), shes always been a little different. For instance, she says, I always knew the contents of my Christmas gifts. And when her husband makes his way to Romania to deliver client papers to Count Orlok and secure his position at the real-estate firm where he works as an assistant, she begs him not to go because she knows already that the trip is doomed. Later on, the professor reveals that Ellen is part of a larger prophecy in which she must sacrifice herself by laying with the beast (in this case, Orlok) until sunrise to save humankind. In the heathen times, you might have been a great priestess of Isis, he tells her. Yet, in this strange and modern world, your purpose is of greater worth. You are our salvation. In that moment, Ellens wide black bonnet almost looks like a Goth halo. But like so many great prophets before her, Ellen is not so well received in her time. Thomas treats her visions like childish delusions; Friedrich Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), a friend whom Thomas basically appoints as Ellens male guardian while hes away, hires a doctor who prescribes such treatments as drugging Ellen with ether, stuffing her into a corset, and tying her to the bed. (You know, that tried-and-true trifecta.) Even Ellens lifelong best friend, Anna Harding (Emma Corrin), eventually grows tired of her doomsaying. For the sake of the children, she pleads, Christmastide is upon us. Why must you remain so exasperatingly contrarian? As someone who has also been told more than once to stop being such a bummer around the holidays, I found this devastatingly relatable. But imagine how much worse it would be if you were correctly predicting the apocalypse and everyone kept telling you to smile more. The Ellen-as-Christ metaphor goes further, too. Just like Judas sold Jesus out for a bag of coins and sealed it with a kiss, Thomas unwittingly signs his wife over to Orlok for a sack of bullion. Sure, Judas did it on purpose while Thomas did it by signing a document he couldnt read, but in some ways, isnt Thomass infraction even worse? Imagine finding out your husband transferred his vows over to some random, rotting stranger, all because he was too eager to secure the bag to get a sketchy document translated. This is not how you secure a job in real estate. At this point, you may be thinking: Laura, you do realize that the Christmas story ends when Jesus is still a baby, right? To that I say, first of all, my religious upbringing mostly consisted of watching the Jesus of Nazareth VHS box set a few times, so truthfully, no, I forgot that. But more importantly, Id argue that Nosferatu is still a Christmas movie because its a story about overtly Christian themes and art while unraveling a yarn in which people act like assholes toward a budding prophet which is, in fact, the same introduction that baby Jesus got to the world. Its not a perfect 1:1, but hey, even biopics take some liberties. The verdict So, as weve clearly established, both Babygirl and Nosferatu are, indeed, Christmas movies. But which ones the better yuletide classic? Obviously, its really a matter of taste. But for me, Babygirl is the clear winner. I generally prefer a more oblique Christmas tale, and also, using a woman as a sacrificial lamb who must fornicate her way into an early grave for the sake of humanity just feels a little too I dont know puritanical for my tastes. Ultimately, Babygirls strength as a Christmas movie comes from its ending, which centers on forgiveness of a different kind. Throughout the film, we see that Romy and her daughter Isabel (Esther Rose McGregor) share a kind of mutual understanding. Romy doesnt chastise her daughter for cheating on her girlfriend, or for smoking in the house, or for being a sourpuss during a family Christmas portrait session. She meets her where she is asks her how she feels about the girl she cheated with; bums a drag from her cigarette; politely asks her to change outfits. And when Isabel visits Romy at the country house, where shes living in exile for her sins, she doesnt flame her mother for her infidelity. Instead, she simply asks her to come home. She also shares something curious: Ever since he found out about his wifes infidelity, Jacobs been reading the Bible. One could interpret this as a man retreating into religious conservatism, but it turns out that Jacobs Bible studies have led him toward a more fundamental lesson (one that probably wouldve struck close to home for Joseph when he doubted Marys whole immaculate conception story): Forgiveness is everything. By letting go of his anger and embracing the opportunity to ask Romy what she truly needs, Jacob makes them both whole. If thats not a reason to deck the halls, I dont know what is. 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. Photo: A24 via YouTube Spoilers, including the ending, follow for the film Babygirl. Was there a time in my life before I saw Harris Dickinson swaying those gangly limbs and that tattooed body to the bombastic, celestial, undeniably sexy Father Figure? Im sure there must have been. But I, like Nicole Kidmans titular babygirl ruining her life for this man after seeing him calm down an angry dog, am enthralled. I am transfixed. I have watched and rewatched this white boy wasted, British up-and-comer edition sequence too many times. Samuel getting down to George Michaels most iconic song is the scene in Babygirl because of how smartly it plays with seduction, gender roles, and sexual power. Babygirl is at its best when it lets its characters desires just flow like in the Father Figure scene, which communicates everything we need to know about how CEO Romy Mathis (Kidman) and her intern Samuel (Dickinson) are approaching this affair. When it begins, Romy has already undressed in front of Samuel at his behest, lowered herself to her knees to perform (off-screen) oral sex, and has been told by Dickinson in his husky, flat-American-accented whisper, Youre my babygirl. So far, shes been the submissive one; theyre both playing roles, but Romys is usually that of the performer, doing what Samuel asks and getting rewarded for it with his attention and a steady stream of milk. But when that first note of Father Figure hits, their dynamic shifts. Now its Samuel performing for Romy, a reversal that allows us a raw, vulnerable glimpse into Samuels sense of self one that tells us he is authentically a fuckboi. And we all get to delight in it. First, the hard cut: Samuel in a medium shot, shirtless, standing alone in the frame, as those stuttering first notes and thumping synth line drop in. Then, the long take: He has a cut-crystal glass of brown liquor in his hand (this is key) as he bumps along to the music. His gold chain (also key) is on, his shirt is off, and his tattoos are out, and when he sways, were seeing them fully for the first time. (For Dickinson newbies, he played a heavily inked hacker in A Murder at the End of the World, during which he coaxes Emma Corrin into singing along with Annie Lennoxs No More I Love Yous. Its pretty cute.) As Samuel sashays toward the camera, the Old English KES text on his upper right arm and a gigantic open-mouthed snake on his left come into frame. Scratchy little symbols on his fingers become more distinct as he takes another sip of his drink and waves his hand in front of his face. And, the piece de resistance on his right ribcage: A winged cherub in a black balaclava mask wielding a machine gun, a fantastically fuck-it image that seems to fly as he twirls, body rolls, shimmies, and dips. Babygirl isnt especially interested in providing backstories for its central characters. Romy and Samuels characterization is just thin enough that its distracting whenever director and writer Halina Reijn tosses out certain details: Romy was raised in a cult and thats maybe why shes into erotic scenarios where she gives up control okay? Samuel worries hes self-destructive I mean, obviously? Romys husband Jacob (Antonio Banderas) hates his wifes various floral aprons well, my man, I dont see you packing your daughters lunches! But Samuels tattoos, and especially that cherub (which is actually one of Harrisons, along with the snake, the finger tats, and the KES, inspired by Ken Loachs gorgeous, same-named film), tells us all well ever need. Its a sign of his youth and impetuousness, his nihilism and menace. Hes declarative and ready to strike, while also free and at ease in his own body in a way Romy never is. All those layers make this scene feel prickly and barbed. Its Magic Mike XXL as Samuel twists and grinds; its The Bodyguard when he lifts and carries Romy in his arms; its a fantasy that emphasizes the eroticism of being catered to by another persons willing body. As Romy sits queenly in a throne-like chair watching him do this little Chippendales routine for her, she seems like the one now in control of their dynamic. But as the one displaying himself for consumption, Samuel has power, too, in deciding what she sees and how she sees it. Think of the opening lines in Father Figure: Thats all I wanted/Something special, something sacred/In your eyes/For just one moment/To be bold and naked/At your side. Romy and Samuel are at their most open and bare here in terms of what they want from each other to be adored, and to be attended to. This sexual idyll cant last, of course. Samuel and Romy will each get stalker-y; his girlfriend, who happens to be Romys assistant, will blackmail her; Romy will confess a heavily edited version of the affair to her husband Jacob. (She seemingly leaves out that her and Samuels safeword was his name, the movies funniest detail.) But for the length of Father Figure, Babygirl gives us the familiar version of this story, the one where an 80s needledrop accompanies a bad boy getting loose in his own skin. Theres comfort in recognition, and pleasure in anointing a new daddy (especially one with such a perfectly illustrative tattoo). Fire away, Harris! Photo: Rowland Scherman/Getty Image; Searchlight Pictures In its retelling of Bob Dylans rise through the Greenwich Village folk scene and eventual decision to go electric at the Newport Folk Festival, A Complete Unknown is unafraid to indulge in a few flights of fancy scenes that blatantly didnt occur as written, but that nonetheless consolidate some larger idea about Dylan. In one of the more egregious instances, the Cuban Missile Crisis is happening, and panic strikes New York City, where Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) is shown frantically packing a suitcase then racing out into the streets. After failing to hail a cab, shes drawn into the Gaslight Cafe by a familiar voice its Dylan, of course, rising to the moment by performing Masters of War. He finishes the anti-war dirge, grunts something about finding someone to love in troubled times, and passionately makes out with Baez on his way out the door, cheating on his girlfriend in the process. The worst version of Complete Unknown would have included much more of that kind of schlock with Timmy-as-Bob proceeding to Forrest Gump his way through the early 60s, an audience of slack-jawed onlookers occasionally asking who wrote this song?!! (Theres a fair amount of that in the film, as is.) What makes the movie work, though, is what happens immediately after that scene: Baez calls Dylan on his bullshit. After waking up together, the two discuss music and how they each learned to play guitar. Speaking in his phony, placeless accent, Dylan claims he worked in a traveling carnival as a kid and learned to play some funny chords from a nomadic cowboy named Wigglefoot. Clearly used to people indulging his beatnik self-mythologizing, he looks briefly stunned at Baezs response: Youre full of shit. In covering Dylans rapid evolution from Woody Guthrie acolyte in 1961 to impish rock star in 1965, Complete Unknown charts a tumultuous few years in his relationship with Baez from their early encounters as mutual admirers, to the period when a then-ascendant Baez helped Dylans career by covering his songs, to the juncture when Dylan became bigger than either of them could have imagined. Along the way, the movie also presents a biopic-ified version of their on-again-off-again romance, in which the primary tension apart from Dylans general assholery is the fact that era-defining songs pour out of him while Baez struggles to write anything. (Her effortful, ornate songs, Dylan says in the film, are like the oil paintings in a dentists office.) In one effective inversion of a music-biopic trope, Dylan stops by the Chelsea Hotel to hook up with Baez. Afterward, in a fit of inspiration, he sits at a desk in his underwear to eke out a few key lines of Its Alright, Ma (Im Only Bleeding). Rather than being impressed, Baez calls him out. Why did you come here? she asks. To make me watch you write? Whatever factual liberties the movie takes with their relationship, it successfully continues one of the best threads from the major Dylan documentaries including D.A. Pennebakers Dont Look Back and the two Martin Scorsese films, No Direction Home and Rolling Thunder Revue, which collectively remain the best cinematic articulations of Dylans whole Thing. In each of them, Baez undercuts Dylans lore-building in ways that arent only hilarious, but essential to piercing the smoke and mirrors he cloaks himself in. Over the course of his now six-decade-plus career, Dylans mythology has somehow become able to absorb anything thats thrown at it. A sharp left turn into Christian music? Sure. Neglecting to show up to the ceremony to receive his Nobel Prize? Of course. Recording a song for the hagiographic Ronald Reagan movie but not his own biopic? Thats Bob for you. In most of these scenarios, Dylan himself was in control, toying with how we perceive him and obfuscating any glimpses into who he actually is. Baez, thankfully, has always been able to puncture the facade. Dont Look Back, Pennebakers 1967 documentary (currently streaming for free on the Criterion Channel), tracks Dylans 1965 tour across England, which occurred right before the endpoint of A Complete Unknown and finds Dylan at his spikiest, leaning into the idea of celebrity as performance and sparring with any journalist who dares to slap a label on him. At one point, Dylan is in the backseat of a car, sunglasses on, reading a newspaper with a headline about himself on the front page and occasionally talking to the musician John Mayall, whos crammed into the middle seat. Baez, meanwhile, sits on the other side wearing a cowboy hat, lazily eating a banana and looking thoroughly bored. As the two men mumble, she sings a few lines of Dylans then-new song Its All Over Now, Baby Blue, changing the word fire to banana. (Yonder stands your orphan with his gun / Crying like a banana in the sun.) No one comments on it, but Pennebaker deftly zooms in on Baez, underscoring the moment as one of the few times in the documentary when Dylan is being toyed with rather than doing the toying. (The two ended their romantic relationship after the tour.) Elsewhere, Baez has undercut Dylans lore in less comic ways, such as in No Direction Home, where shes one of several talking heads to set the record straight on how relatively nonpolitical he actually was, despite the cultural association of him with the civil-rights movement and the youth politics of the 60s. At protests, Baez says, kids would often ask her where Dylan was, only for her to have to break it to them that he never comes. (She also busts out a pretty good impression of the guy in the doc, which shes used to great effect onstage.) In the end credits of A Complete Unknown, the film brings its Baez arc to a tidy conclusion, noting that she eventually wrote one of her biggest songs, Diamonds and Rust, about her relationship with Dylan. In real life, the two supposedly havent interacted in person since 1984 after a disastrous reunion-tour attempt, though theyve each spoken kindly of each other in various documentaries. While promoting her 2023 documentary Joan Baez: I Am a Noise, Baez told Variety she buried any resentment she had toward Dylan after drawing a portrait of him when he was young and listening back to his early music. She wrote him a letter, she says, explaining how all of that bullshit just drained away, and that was that. I may never see him again, she said, and thats okay too. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The criminal case on the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines plane near Aktau is under special control of the General Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan, the statement of the General Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan said, Trend reports. The General Prosecutor's Office announces the creation of an interdepartmental investigative-operative group to investigate the circumstances of the crash of the aircraft of Azerbaijan Airlines near Aktau. The group, led by special prosecutors, includes employees of the transport prosecutor's office, the Interior Ministry, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The Chief Transport Prosecutor has been sent to the scene as part of the government commission. The Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan took the investigation under special control, the statement of the Prosecutor General's office said. To note, the passenger plane Embraer 190, flying from Baku to Grozny, crashed 3 kilometers from the airport of Aktau. As many as 67 people were on board, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members. James Cox A total of 138 prisoners have been approved for temporary release this Christmas, with the periods of release ranging from a few hours up to seven nights. Many of the prisoners being released are nearing the end of their sentences and the "overriding concern when considering the applications is the safety of the public". In addition to compassionate and humane considerations, other criteria taken into account include the nature and gravity of the offence, length of sentence served to date, prior record on temporary release, behaviour while in custody and previous criminal history. The periods of release vary from a few hours up to seven nights. All releases are subject to stringent conditions and any offender who "breaks these conditions may be arrested and returned immediately to prison by the gardai". The sensitivities of victims are an issue that has also been taken into account, according to An Garda Siochana. A statement from the Irish Prison Service read: "Additional specific conditions will also apply in relation to victim cases. Furthermore all registered victims with the Irish Prison Service Victim Liaison Service will be informed in the cases where prisoners are receiving Christmas Temporary Release." Below is the figures of temporary release over the last few years: Mass Times Mass on Christmas Christmas Eve will be at 6.30pm and on Christmas Day at 8.30am and 11am. There will be no evening Mass on St Stephen's Day. St Saviours raffle The organisers of the Christmas raffle would like to thank each and everyone of you who donated so generously to fill our hampers. Thank you to those who sponsored prizes, Esther Fitzgerald for her beautiful Christmas cake, Bobby Kennedy who donated another beautiful Christmas cake, all the businesses in the area who sponsored prizes including Musgrave Cash and Carry, Air-con, Tesco Lisduggan, Billy Murphy Butchers, Kiely Butchers and Byrne Butchers Lisduggan. Thanks also to Ballybeg stores for allowing us to sell our raffle tickets in store and to all who supported the raffle in any way. All monies raised will go towards the upkeep of the church. As the raffle took place on Sunday, December 22, we will give the results in the next issue. Active Retired ARA What a night the members of the Edmund Rice ARA had at their annual dinner dance this year, which was held in the Majestic Hotel, Tramore. A wonderful night with great food and Music. A special thank you to our committee, especially Anne who organised the night and bus, and also to the hotel staff who were so nice on the night. A great night was had by all. All in the Edmund Rice Active Retired ARA send birthday wishes to our member, Kay Carberry. Kay celebrated her birthday on Thursday, December 19. We also wish Joan Sheenan a very happy birthday, Joan celebrated her special day recently. Happy Birthday A very Happy birthday is wished to Thomas Condron, Ardmore Park who celebrated his birthday on Thursday, December 19. Birthday wishes come to him from his mam Ann and all the family. A very happy birthday is wished to Josephine Connolly, Carraige an Aird, who celebrated her birthday on Thursday, December 19. Birthday wishes come to her from all her family especially all the McCarthy Family. Parish News Our parish shop is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 12pm, for items including Baptismal certs, Mass cards and holy water. Also, in stock medals and Baptism candles. Please support your parish shop. Mass Times Mass Times in St Saviour's Church daily are 10am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with no Mass on Wednesdays. Sunday Mass times are 8.30am, 11am and 5.30pm. If you need assistance from the St Rose of Lima St Vincent de Paul Conference, Ballybeg please phone 051 350725 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Baptism The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated every Sunday at 12pm. A weeks notice is required. Please contact the parish office for details. For marriage, three months notice must be given. Like us on Facebook: stsavioursbb and Fr Robert Grant PP, is always available on Sundays to take mass bookings or offerings of for mass. Novena Prayers Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Novena Prayers are offered every Monday morning and there is a Petition Basket at the back of the church. Confessions are heard after morning mass. Care of the Sick Please contact the parish office if you have a relative or neighbour sick at home or in hospital who would like to be visited or added to the first Friday calls. Those calls take place between 10am and 12pm. You can contact the office at 051 376032, email: stsaviourspo@gmail.com or contact the parish text only mobile on 089 239519. The writers of the this coumn wish everyone, family, friends and readers a very happy Christmas and a healthy New Year. St Paul's Notes Mass time for Christmas Christmas Eve in St Paul's Church is 7.30pm and on Christmas Day at 8.30am and 11.30am. Mass times in Butlerstown are Christmas Eve at 7pm and Christmas Day at 10am. Sympathy Deepest sympathy to the Fitzgerald family on the death of a much loved dad and grandad, Thomas (Tom) Fitzgerald, Larchville, who died peacefully in UHW on Saturday, December 14. His remains lay in repose on Monday, December 16, at Falconer's Funeral Home, Tramore. Requiem mass was celebrated for the repose of Toms soul in St Paul's Church, Lisduggan on Tuesday, December 17, followed by burial in St Marys Cemetery, Ballygunner. He was predeceased by his wife May, his grandson baby Adam, his parents Tommy and Catherine and his sister Kathleen. He is survived by his children Sharon, Hazel, Niall, Barry and Keith, his nine grandchildren, sons-in-law Jim and Kevin, daughters-in-law Elaine, Lavena and Kellie, his sisters Anne and Joan, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. May his gentle soul rest in peace. New Street Lights Great to see the new modern street lights going up in Templars Hall. Templars Hall is over 20 years old now and its great to see these new street lights going in for the safety of the residents and visitors to the area. Well done to all. Please look out for your elderly neighbours over the Christmas time and make sure they are ok for everything. Sympathy Deepest sympathy to the Begadon family on the death of a much loved father and grandad, Martin (Sonkey) Begadon, Belvedere Drive, and formerly of Pearse Park and ex-Waterford Crystal. Martin passed away peacefully in the care of the staff of St Vincent's Unit, Dungarvan Community Hospital, surrounded by his family on Friday, December 13, aged 90. His remains lay in repose at Falconer's Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 17, with prayers. Requiem mass took place for the repose of his soul on Wednesday, December 18, in St John's Church followed by burial in St Mary's Cemetery, Ballygunner. Martin's funeral cortege passed by his residence on route to the church. He was recently predeceased by his wife Maura. He was also predeceased by his parents John and Josie and his sister Hon. He is survived by his daughters Valeria, Janet and Joanne, his seven grandchildren and great grandchildren, sons-in-law Liam, Derek and David, brothers Paddy and Jimmy, sister Ester, sisters-in-law Kathleen and Rita, brothers-in-law Jima and Pat, nephews, nieces, extended family and his many friends. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Wishing all our readers a very happy New Year. Any items for this coloum can be emailed to marian.murphy@hotmail.com before Thursday each week. Book Launch 'St. Pauls, Lisduggan The History', was successfully launched at The Parish Centre recently. Bishop Phoncie Cullinan, the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Jason Murphy were among those in attendance. The publication tells in a myriad ways, the story of our parish community, from its beginnings to the present day. It should stand as a tribute to all who played a part in the formation of the parish. Full of memories of the development of the parish over the years. Community Support Larchville/Lisduggan Residents Association, The Knights Templar Parish Restoration Project, and Plant the Parish wish to thank most sincerely the local community for their support for their recent fund raising event in Lisduggan Shopping Centre. Great appreciation goes to the many families who donated toys, which were then refurbished by the association and passed on to children who were delighted to receive them. Many thanks to the volunteers who manned the stand in the shopping centre, gave of their time bringing the various items and displaying them for sale. Everything was sold by donation only and the funds collected will all be used wisely by the above organisations. There are no overheads and all money goes to the organisations who look after our area so well. Well done all. Anniversary In loving remembrance of Breda Collins, Comeragh Green, Lismore Lawn, whose anniversary occurs at this time. Breda was very involved in the community and was a Minister of the Eucharist in St Pauls Church. She was also the life and soul of St Pauls Scout Group and led the Beavers for over 40 years. Breda was also part of the National Training Team with the Scouts. Hundreds of leaders owe their excellent training to her. Always remembered by her husband Billy Collins and her daughters Jessica, Ellen and Catriona and her three grand-children. She was daughter of Denny and Eileen Gleeson and sister to Catherine, Eleanor, Ann, Angela and brother John. Her family, friends and Scouting Ireland came out in force for her recent anniversary Mass. The parish, the community and Scouting Ireland are far poorer for her passing. Ar dheis De go raigh a h-anam delis. Christmas Dinner The annual Christmas Day dinner for those in need, under the auspices of the Knights of St Columbanus, will take place as usual at 12.30pm in St. Josephs School, Parnell St Waterford. The function has now been running without a break for well over 70 years. Anyone, and particularly those who are far from home, who would not otherwise enjoy a Christmas dinner on that day will be very welcome. Just turn up at 12.30pm. The dinner is of course completely free to the men and women attending. Remembrance The Collins family, Larchville, remember especially at this time their daughters Mary, Melissa, Sarah and Kelly and wish them a happy Christmas in Heaven. The girls were always smiling and loved a good party and to sing and dance. They loved arts and crafts and their mother Teresa still has some lovely items made by them. The girls are always remembered for making everyone smile. Santa's Grotto Santas Grotto and Elves Workshop is at Paddy Brownes Bar on December 20, 22, 23 and 24. Help the elves in their workshop and visit Santa in his Grotto and get a present. The cost is 10 per child. For further details ring 089 2459888. Lets have some fun this Christmas. Children's Party Larchville/Lisduggan Residents ran a very successful Community Christmas Party at St Pauls Parish Centre on Sunday, December 15. A wonderful time for children as Santa made a surprise visit with presents for every girl and boy. What a great afternoon celebrating together as a community. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made the day such a memorable occasion for the children. Thanks to the many people who donated time, toys, made sandwiches and helped in so many ways go raibh mile maith agaibh. Great people in a great parish. China boosts international logistics with launch of Chongqing-Vientiane rail-road freight service 10:55, December 25, 2024 By Chen Qingrui ( Global Times A train runs on the railway that constitutes part of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor on August 2, 2024. (Photo/Xinhua) China's international logistics network took another step forward with the launch of the first Chongqing-Vientiane cross-border rail and road freight service focusing on autos and motorbikes under the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor on Tuesday, China Media Group (CMG) reported. Experts noted that this was a significant expansion of the international logistics corridor for Chongqing and China's western region's auto and motorcycle industries, injecting strong momentum into economic and trade ties between Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality and ASEAN countries. The train, carrying 30 containers of motorcycles and parts valued at approximately 10 million yuan ($1.37 million), will travel along the China-Laos Railway, and is expected to reach Vientiane in five days, according to CMG. Simultaneously, a cross-border road freight service carrying motorcycles, parts, and electromechanical products departed from the Nanpeng Highway Bonded Logistics Center (Type B) in Chongqing. The service is expected to arrive in Vientiane in four days, and complements the rail corridor, leveraging their combined strengths for enhanced connectivity. This rail and cross-border road freight service forms an integral part of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, seamlessly combining railway and road transport routes to establish a comprehensive logistics chain linking Chongqing, Vientiane in Laos, Bangkok in Thailand, and Selangor in Malaysia, Liang Haiming, dean of Hainan University Belt and Road Research Institute, told the Global Times on Tuesday. He highlighted the freight service's significant role in boosting the international competitiveness of products from Chongqing and the Western region, emphasizing its flexibility in cargo transfer and cost efficiency. This initiative further strengthens China's international logistics network. Meanwhile, Chongqing exported 2.214 million motorcycles, securing its position as the top exporter in China in the first half of this year, Chongqing Daily reported. Annual motorcycle production in the city is projected to surpass 6 million units, with a total output value exceeding 100 billion yuan, including more than 2 million electric motorcycles. Liang added that cross-border transportation has broadened access to international markets, especially in Southeast Asia, for goods from Chongqing and surrounding regions, creating new opportunities for exporters. The rail and road freight services will also expand markets for Chongqing's automotive and motorcycle industries, enhancing international industrial collaboration, he said. In the first 10 months of this year, China's trade volume through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor reached 1.15 trillion yuan ($158.1 billion), an 8.8 percent year-on-year increase, outpacing the national average growth rate by 3.6 percentage points, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). GAC reported that the corridor's operational quality and efficiency continue to improve. Starting from Chongqing, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor now links 126 countries and regions with 548 ports. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Kazakhstan's Emergency Situations Ministry has revealed details of a plane crash near Aktau, Trend reports. Today, December 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. local time, the Department of Emergency Situations of Mangistau region received information from the dispatcher of Aktau airport that the aircraft Embraer 190AR of Azerbaijan Airlines, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, declared an emergency and requested a landing at Aktau airport. The expected landing time was scheduled for 11:25, the information from the Ministry reads. Meanwhile, forces and means of the Emergency Situations Department of the Mangistau region were immediately deployed to the scene. At 11:30, I received information about the crash of the plane 3 kilometers from the airport. In this regard, the forces and means of the Emergency Situations Ministry were additionally dispatched at a higher rank. Based on the Emergencies Ministry Command Center, a Republican Headquarters was established, which included representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport, National Guard, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other agencies. A total of 701 personnel and 82 units of equipment of civil protection services are involved in the operation. The fire was localized as of 11:45 and liquidated by 12:05. At 14:10, 29 people, including 2 children, were taken to medical facilities. At present, rescue work continues, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan says. The ministry announced that an air ambulance flight from Astana has been deployed to Aktau to provide medical assistance. To get up-to-date information about the incident, hotlines are functioning: in the Command Center of Astana city: 8-7172-55-96-21, 55-96-83; in the Emergency Situations Department of Mangistau region: 8-7292-31-90-91 At this hour, the hotlines received only 272 calls. Further updates on the progress of rescue and recovery work are expected, the information reads. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel By Cillian Sherlock, PA Hundreds of people have taken part in charity Christmas swims across Ireland. In Dublin, swimmers braved the cold water on an otherwise mild morning in Clontarf, where a picturesque sunrise featured bursts of gold, pink and red emerging behind the capitals famous Poolbeg Stacks. People take part in the Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club annual charity Christmas swim in Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. The colourful scene overhead was matched by families arriving in Christmas jumpers, swimming togs and outdoor changing robes. They were taking part in the annual Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club charity Christmas swim in aid of the RNLI. Lucy Winkelmann takes part in the charity Christmas swim. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Santa hats were hurriedly replaced by swimming caps as toes were cautiously dipped into the sea amid scattered involuntary exclamations of ooh ringing out across Dublin bay. Others dived straight in while their friends and family, and a few pets, watched. Some observers, though, said they could never do it. Helen Doogue, a volunteer with the RNLI, collected donations. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. There was a flurry of frantic towelling off as Helen Doogue, a volunteer for the RNLI, explained how the Clontarf fundraising branch started. She was one of three members of Clontarf yacht club who were rescued by the RNLI in an incident several years ago. The water was described as very cold Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Some time afterwards, the RNLI asked the group if they would be interested in helping to start a fundraising branch. She said her family has had many interactions with the RNLI over the years and added: Were delighted to say we owe them a debt. Swimming caps and father Christmas hats were worn for the occasion (Brian Lawless/PA) The 2024 swim marks Helens 50th year of involvement with the Clontarf fundraising branch with only one year relocated to the Clontarf Baths because of the tides. She has witnessed all sorts of conditions, including the breaking of ice at the top of the slip. Some swimmers entered more slowly than others. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. This year though, she said it was a doddle even when compared with a message from Thailand, where she said friends were sipping mojitos after a lifeboat swim. Were nearly at that stage here, she said as hot whiskeys were prepared for those who needed to warm up. The swim is an annual tradition. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Lucy Winkelmann, who swims in Clontarf every day, said there was a lovely group of people involved, as she shared some cake that was given to her by a friend. It was very nice, everyone always brings something down. People pose for a photo before the swim. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. She said it was not so painful for those who did it regularly, adding that she was planning to take it easy for the rest of the day although that does include cooking Christmas diner. Sean Mulligan said the water was very cold, but that the mild accompanying weather made it a lovely day to do it. He said he was delighted to start a Christmas day tradition with Jill Owens and their 10-week old daughter Maisie as all three wore Santa hats. Sean Mulligan and Jill Owens with their ten-week-old daughter Maisie Mulligan. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Asked if he would bring Maisie along sometime in the future, he said: Hopefully, maybe with a wetsuit on her, and added: Might get her mother in next year. Ms Owens added: Ill have no excuse next year. Andrea Guzman, from Colombia. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Swimmers from around the world also turned up. Andrea Guzman, from Colombia and now living in Artane, said she came down to share the sunrise with everyone and have a little swim. Through chattering teeth, she added that it was very, very cold. John OReilly, 81, from Raheny, has been taking part in the annual swim since its beginning. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. It was very different. Sea water in Colombia would be always warm, so it was nothing like that. But this gives you the energy for the cooking time, opening presents and you wont feel tired for the rest of the day. However, she noted that swimmers were planning to warm up with some coffee and perhaps that drop of whiskey too. Other sea swims had been organised across the island, including on Inchydoney beach in Cork and Blackrock Pier in Galway. Lucy Murphy, from St Mary's Secondary School in Ballina, has been recognised as a finalist in this years Poetry Aloud competition. The competition challenges second-level students across the island of Ireland to recite a prescribed poem from memory. Organised by the National Library of Ireland (NLI) and Poetry Ireland, in partnership with University College Cork, this years competition drew 358 entries from schools across the island. There were 29 finalists in this years competition from across 15 counties, from Antrim to Dublin and Mayo. The competition has been putting poetry to the forefront of students minds since 2007. It has three categories: junior, intermediate, and senior. The prescribed poems for this year were Forecast by Geraldine Mitchell (junior category), Counting the Winter Days by Nithy Kasa (intermediate category) and Nocturne by Eavan Boland (senior category). The late poet Seamus Heaney was a supporter of the Poetry Aloud competition, citing the extraordinary way in which it seeks to celebrate the joy of speaking and listening to poetry, as well valuing the North-South dimension to the all-island event. Dr Audrey Whitty, Director of the National Library of Ireland, commented: "Poetry Aloud is a powerful celebration of spoken word, which brings young people from across the island of Ireland together to breathe fresh life into the work of Irelands greatest poets. The competition highlights the enduring power of poetry to move, inspire and unite. Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, said: The late Seamus Heaney loved Poetry Aloud, he always said that it brings poetry into the memory and affections of the young in a way that will make it a lifelong possession and value. Poetry Ireland is thrilled to carry on the work of making poetry a lifelong possession for young people through Poetry Aloud 2024." By Rachel Vickers-Price, PA The number of young people spending Christmas Day alone has doubled, according to new research that compares festive attitudes and behaviours in 2024 and 1969. According to a study by the Policy Institute at Kings College London, one in nine people say they will be spending Christmas Day alone this year. That number has increased from one in 20 who said the same 55 years ago. While the share of people aged 65 and over who said they would spend Christmas Day by themselves has remained the same since 1969 15% of over 65s the number for other demographics has risen. The study was carried out by the Policy Institute at Kings College London (Jacob King/PA) The biggest increase was seen among the youngest surveyed, where one in 11, or 9%, of people aged 21 to 34 said they will be spending Christmas Day alone. Only one in 100 said the same in 1969. Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at Kings College London, said the data indicates that Christmas now seems just a little bit lonelier and less magical than it was 55 years ago. The proportion of people spending the day itself alone has doubled, were less likely to say we enjoy it, and a lot less likely to think parents should encourage their children to believe in Santa, he said. But this doesnt mean weve given up on Christmas indeed a large majority of eight in 10 still say they do enjoy it, and nine in 10 will spend it with family or friends. The research which is based on two nationally representative surveys of UK adults aged 21 and over in 2024 and 1969 is part of a series of studies updating survey results from decades ago to understand changes in Britains core beliefs and ways of living. Other data found that 80% of people today say they enjoy Christmas, which has dropped slightly from 86% in 1969. A large chunk of Britons also believe that stores push Christmas and festive goods onto consumers far too early in the year, with 79% agreeing with that statement. More people say Christmas is too commercialised in 2024 than in 1969 (Ben Birchall/PA) Men have seen the biggest change in attitudes on Christmas in retail, with 81% of males surveyed saying Christmas goods are sold too early up from 59% in 1969. The religious significance of Christmas has also dwindled in the UK, with 60% of people stating that Christmas is a family occasion, rather than a religious one. When asked 55 years ago if Christmas was more about family than religion, 53% of respondents agreed, indicating a decline in the Christian faith in Britain. As per the Office of National Statistics, 2021 census data shows that less than half of the population in England and Wales describe themselves as Christian. No religion was the second most common response on the census, increasing to 37.2% from 25.2% in 2011. Cast during the dress rehearsal for the Wintershall estates nativity play held in a barn on the estate in Guildford, Surrey in 2023 (Aaron Chown/PA) Professor Duffy said that while things have changed significantly in the world when compared with 1969, the collated data also shows that some things have not changed at all. These long-term trends are also useful in reminding us that some things have remained the same, despite the huge changes seen, he said. 1969 was the year man landed on the moon, John and Yoko staged their bed-in for peace, the death penalty was finally abolished, and our current King was invested as the Prince of Wales. But even back then, eight in 10 were complaining that Christmas was too commercialised exactly the same proportion as today. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 25. Kyrgyzstan and Bahrain have held talks on opening direct flights between the two countries, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, the discussions were led by Deputy Minister Sanjar Bolotov and Bahrains Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Mohammed Ghassan Adnan Sheikho. During the meeting, the two sides also addressed the status of ongoing documents under review, the dynamics of trade between the two nations, and the untapped potential for growth in bilateral trade. Special attention was given to the development of tourism. The Deputy Minister also informed the Ambassador about upcoming investment forums in Kyrgyzstan and invited representatives from the Kingdom of Bahrain to participate. Additionally, the prospects of attracting investments and the establishment of a joint development fund were discussed. Both parties agreed to strengthen cooperation between their business communities, particularly through the chambers of commerce and industry in both countries. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Allentown, PA (18103) Today Any morning clouds give way to partly sunny skies; a milder afternoon with highs back above the 60-degree mark. . Tonight Becoming cloudy overnight with some patchy fog and drizzle possible late at night. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, December 25. Russia is Tajikistan's main strategic partner, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Trend reports. The ending year was notably fruitful for our relations: as per the annual statistics, Russia has emerged as Tajikistan's primary trade and economic partner, with trade turnover increasing by about 20 percent, while cultural and humanitarian connections are actively progressing. Today, I am prepared to engage in a discussion regarding these and other matters pertaining to our relations, as well as international and regional security issues, Rahmon said. The Russian president underscored throughout the discussions that bilateral relations are progressing favorably. Tajikistan is our ally and a valuable economic partner. The Russian Federation is the foremost trading and economic partner of Tajikistan and ranks second in investment; last year saw an increase, and this year will also experience a little rise, Putin said. Putin indicated that a roadmap for collaborative efforts of the intergovernmental commission for the forthcoming years has been established. There are very good areas of cooperation; they were not chosen by chance: everything prepared by the governments of the two countries is aimed at developing not only our relations but also at implementing exactly those projects in which Tajikistan, as a country with a rapidly growing and developing economy, is interested. We are pleased with all your endeavors and all your successes, the Russian President said. To note, Russia is the foremost commercial partner of Tajikistan. From January to September 2024, bilateral trade rose by 10.1 percent, totaling $1.08 billion. Russia has the second position, following China, regarding investments in Tajikistan's economy, amounting to $1.6 billion in capital. Russia satisfies around 90% of Tajikistan's petroleum product requirements. Additionally, around 36,000 Tajik students and postgraduates are enrolled in Russian universities. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 25. Uzbekistan has temporarily suspended the activities of its Zaamin airport, Uzhydromet (the state governing body authorized for the solution of tasks in the field of hydrometeorology in Uzbekistan) told Trend. The airport is undergoing the second phase of repair and modernization work to accommodate large airlines. In addition, work is underway to modernize meteorological devices. The completion of the above-mentioned work and resumption of passenger reception at Zaamin Airport will be announced additionally. On September 1, 2023, Uzbekistan opened its Zaamin airport in the Jizzakh region. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The government's powers will be diminished during the current government in Iran (the current government in Iran has been in power since August 2024), First Vice President of Iran, Mohammad Reza Aref, said at the first meeting of the Supreme Governing Council in Tehran on December 25, Trend reports. According to him, there are no more obstacles in the country due to the shrinking powers of the government. The current Iranian government intends to empower governors in executive matters. Thus, each governor will be the president of a province. Decisions in all fields except politics, security, and defense will be made by the provinces themselves. According to the current government, the province itself will have its own opinion and decision-making power, and the province will form a small parliament. Border provinces will be able to make agreements and establish trade relations with neighboring countries, he said. Iran's First Vice President added that a statement has already been made to provincial governors in this regard, urging them to make preparations and proposals for the devolution of governmental powers to the provinces. To note, while there have been several views in Iran in recent years about diminishing the powers of the government, no serious steps have yet been taken in this direction. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. The Araz transit corridor will connect Iran with the European market through Azerbaijan, the project manager of the Iranian part of the Araz Trade Corridor Yousif Rasouli told local media, Trend reports. According to him, with the commissioning of the Araz transit corridor, the countries located in East Asia will be connected to Europe through Iran and Azerbaijan and will play an important role in cargo and passenger transportation. Rasouli noted that, from the Iranian perspective, the entrepreneur in this project is Iran's Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructure Company. Khatamul-Anbiya Construction Headquarters in Iran is carrying out the work on this project. The project works are scheduled to be completed within 36 months. Currently, the construction works are about 20 percent complete. He stated that the construction of a bridge measuring 374 meters in length and 27 meters in width is underway across the Araz River. An Azerbaijani contractor is building half of the bridge under Azerbaijan's control, while an Iranian contractor is building the other half. The Iranian official noted that a protocol of the meeting of the co-chairmen of the joint working group was signed on the construction in 2023 of a road border bridge and a crossing over the Araz River at the checkpoints of the state border between Iran and Azerbaijan Aghband (Azerbaijan)-Kalala (Iran), as well as the crossing of a railway line and railway bridges across Iranian territory between the East Zangezur economic region and Nakhchivan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace has decided to lift restrictions imposed on the country's most used platforms, WhatsApp and Google Play, as a first step, the statement of the press service of the Iranian president said, Trend reports. Meanwhile, it is noted that a meeting of "Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace" was held the previous day under the chairmanship of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baghir Ghalibaf and Judiciary Chairman Ghulamhusein Mohseni-Ejei. The meeting considered the review of policies related to several restrictions in the virtual sphere and put forward the comments of relevant bodies. The meeting also highlighted the support for localized platforms. To note, amid social protests in Iran over the years, restrictions have been imposed on most foreign platforms and applications. The lifting of the restriction that currently applies to the two platforms mentioned above is seen as a step towards removing the restriction imposed on other platforms. Four years ago, 350 elephants died near Botswana's Okavango Delta, but the cause of their deaths was a mystery. It turns out that blue-green algae fatally poisoned them. All the elephants died between May and June 2020. From the positioning of some of the carcasses, it was clear that the deaths were sudden. Many were face down, suggesting that they had collapsed. Researchers quickly ruled out several causes. The elephants were too big to have starved. Nor did poachers kill them because all tusks were intact, and there were no bullet wounds. Vultures fed on the carcasses, eliminating human poison, which the scavenging birds detect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pandemic stopped further on-site investigations. Many suspected the elephants had died from toxic algal blooms, but they could not prove this. A team of researchers from Botswana and the UK took up the challenge. Using satellite data, they tracked algal blooms across 3,000 waterholes in the region during 2020. Davide Lomeo, lead author of the new study, said, We identified 20 waterholes near fresh carcasses that experienced increased algal bloom events in 2020 compared to the previous three years combined. By mapping the positions of the carcasses in relation to the affected watering holes, it became clear that the two were linked. The number of dead animals hinted at the strength of the toxins. It seems that the elephants keeled over within 88 hours of drinking the contaminated water. They walked an average of 16.5km before the toxins killed them. An elephant in a small Botswana waterhole. Photo: Jerry Kobalenko Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mass die-off sparked huge concern at the time. Botswana has one-third of all African elephants. If conditions like this had continued or recurred, it could have had a huge impact on the endangered elephant population. Algae might sound harmless, but the waterholes hosted blooms of cyanobacteria, a group of algae that produces incredibly harmful toxins. During the dry season, most of Botswana's elephants depend on a small number of these waterholes. They come from far and wide and have to drink there until the rains come. Algal blooms do not occur year-round, but they were much more prevalent in 2020. The weather in Botswana shifted dramatically that year, moving from incredibly dry to incredibly wet much faster than usual. Researchers believe that the sudden influx of rain suspended nutrients closer to the surface of the waterholes. This created the perfect conditions for these toxic blooms. The team warns that as climate change makes Botswana hotter and drier, events such as the 2020 die-off could occur again. It's no surprise that many of the products sold under Costco's private label, Kirkland, are made by some quite familiar household names. So, few were shocked when Moneywise credited California wine behemoth E&J Gallo as the producer of Kirkland Signature's California wines. What may take wine lovers aback is the number of Costco's private label wines that are made by well-regarded and well-reviewed wineries around the world -- and at significantly lower prices than the bottles sold under the wineries' own labels. Although Moneywise dug into the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau's registry to uncover Gallo's link to Costco wines, the warehouse giant is often willing to give credit where credit is due. You can sometimes find the winemakers' name is right on the front of the bottle or, at the very least, on the back label. You'll also find those names on some of Costco's best and worst wines. For example, Guilliame Gonnet, a third-generation winemaker in the Rhone Valley, produces Kirkland's Chateauneuf-du-Pape and its Gigondas. The Kirkland Chateauneuf-du-Pape sells for less than $20 compared to $37 for the same style wine produced under Gonnet's name. The Kirkland Gigondas is under $14, compared to an average $25.65 for the vintner's own label. In addition to the low prices, you may also be able to get some wines otherwise unavailable in the United States. Another Rhone Valley vintner, Patrick Lesec, makes Kirkland's Cotes du Rhone Villages but a similar wine produced under Lesec's own label is hard to find in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The Grocery Store Barbecue Sauce We Can't Get Enough Of Costco Wines Are Sourced All Over The Globe Wine bottles in Costco's store - The Image Party/Shutterstock You'll spot the names of respected winemakers and wineries whether you're buying red, white, or rose at Costco. Kirkland Premier Cru Chablis is made by Pierre Brissy, the winemaker for Jean-Marc Brocard. A 2023 Chablis from the same winery recently won a silver award from the Cathay Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition. The Kirkland 2021 vintage sold for $18.99, compared to the winery's 2022 Premier Cru Chablis, which has an average price of $43. The Kirkland Signature Cotes de Provence Rose Wine is produced by Olivier Sumerie, who has been producing wine in Provence since the 18th century. In fact, one of the family's chateaus is thought to be the first vineyard planted in France. Costco doesn't just work with quality winemakers in France. Other winemakers from whom Costco have sourced wines include Alexander Van Beek, a vintner in both France and Italy, Gianni Maccari of Ridolfi in Montalcino, Sarah Cabot of Precept Wines in Willamette Valley, Oregon, and Broquel Winery in Mendoza, Argentina. Costco may no longer be the largest wine retailer in the U.S., but it's clear you can get some great tasting wines from notable producers at prices significantly below those of the producers' own labels. Check the label on Kirkland Signature wine bottles carefully. You never know what treasures you will find. Read the original article on Chowhound. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) In a few hours, Santa will be delivering gifts to children across Southeast Louisiana. Santa got an early start on his route this morning, and you might be wondering where he is now. Puppeteer shares how Mr. Bingle first got his strings WGNO talked with Chief Master Sergeant John Storms about how NORAD tracks Santa, how many gifts Santas delivered so far and how fast he and his reindeer travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch WGNOs Amy Russos full interview with Storms in the video player at the top of this story to find out how you can track Santas location. 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. Police officers shot and killed one person in Middletown on Christmas Eve, according to our media partners WCPO-9 TV. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Front Line Advisors Daniel Hills told WCPO-9 TV that Middletown police were called to the Olde Towne Apartment in the 1000 block of Park Lane for reports of two men fighting at approximately 7:19 p.m. TRENDING STORIES: Officers knocked on the apartment door and identified themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WCPO-9 TV reports that the suspect opened the door with a firearm and allegedly pointed it at the officers. Police then shot the suspect. The suspect was later pronounced dead, according to WCPO-9 TV. It is unclear if they were transported to the hospital. No police officers were hurt in this shooting. The suspects identity was not immediately available. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) was called to investigate this shooting. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Video above is from KSNs Veteran Salute on June 5, 2024 WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Olen Mitchell, the 103-year-old Hutchinson World War II veteran, who KSN News featured as part of our Veteran Salute, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, his family announced to KSN News. Mitchell was born in Oklahoma in 1921, and he spent his early childhood in Elkhart before moving to Hutchinson, where he worked at Dillons stocking shelves. Mitchell was drafted in 1943 after Pearl Harbor was bombed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had to report to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and I did, and took the physical and passed and was inducted to the U.S. Army, Mitchell told KSN this summer. Mitchell was sent to an infantry training center for 16 weeks, where he was taught how to be a rifleman. He was then shipped to Italy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his service, he received a Purple Heart after being shot in the face while fighting the Germans on the front lines in Italy. This past summer, Mitchell traveled to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Kansas Honor Flight said Mitchell joined them for Honor Flight 16 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 KSN-TV. Whether a large and fuzzy social media sensation or deep-sea slug slunking around the oceans Midnight Zone, there are still so many exciting animals on Earth just waiting for their close-up. In that spirit, here are the 11 of the most exciting animal stories that Popular Science covered this year. First photo of a newborn great white shark Wildlife filmmaker Carlos Gauna and University of California, Riverside biology doctoral student Phillip Sternes took footage of what could be the first newborn great white shark ever recorded. CREDIT: Carlos Gauna/The Malibu Artist. A wildlife filmmaker and biology doctoral student took what could be the first picture of a newborn great white shark. Filmmaker Carlos Gauna and University of California, Riverside biology doctoral student Phillip Sternes were looking for sharks near Santa Barbara on Californias central coast. Most great whites are gray on top with white bellies, but Gauanas drone camera showed a roughly 5-foot-long shark pup that had more white on its body than normal. When they enlarged the photos they saw that a layer of white skin appeared to be shedding as it swam. The team believes that they observed a newborn great white shedding its embryonic sac. The images and findings are described in a study published in the journal Environmental Biology of Fishes in January. Tardigrades: Built darn tough An enlarged image of a microscopic tardigrade. These invertebrates are considered close relatives of arthropods and are found in a variety of habitats around the world. CREDIT: Deposit Photos It was quite a year for tardigrades. These microscopic creatures commonly called water bears can survive in environments with extreme temperatureswithout water or oxygenand withstand radiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, we learned that these microscopic creatures have a molecular sensor that detects uninhabitable elements of their environment. It then tells them when to go dormant and when it is safe to resume their normal activities. These findings were detailed in the journal PLOS ONE. Scientists also uncovered some new clues to their ultra resilience in April. A surprising mechanism in the DNA goes into overtime to repair DNA that has been exposed to the deadly radiation. When they are exposed to radiation, tardigrade cells harness the power of hundreds of genes to create new proteins used to repair DNA. These proteins then ramp up the level of DNA repair to levels study co-author and biologist Courtney Clark-Hachtel called ridiculous. The year of the cicada Two broods of periodical cicadas are set to emerge from underground for the first time since 2007 and 2011. CREDIT: Deposit Photos While 2024 was technically the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese zodiac, it was the year of the cicada in some parts of the United States. Trillions of chirpy, red-eyed periodical cicadas emerged from underground in a rare double emergence event. These specific types of cicadas crawl out from below the ground every 13 or 17 years and can make as much noise as a jet engine. During the Cicadapocalypse, Brood XIII and Brood XIX cicadas emerged at the same time from roughly April to July. The Northern Illinois Brood is a 17 year group and stretches across parts of Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and northern Illinois. The Great Southern Brood emerges every 13 years and is primarily located in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, George, North Carolina, South Carolina, and importantly, southern Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parts of Illinois turned out to be the center of the Cicadapocalypse, a four-year-old child finding a one-in-a-million blue-eyed cicada. I would put the periodical cicadas as a natural phenomenon in the same category as Aprils total solar eclipse, Penn State University entomologist Michael Skvarla told Popular Science. [Related: Anglerfish are so much more than just their dangly bioluminescent lures.] Mantis shrimp punches caught on camera These fierce crustaceans use their tails as shields to defend against the explosive punches of their rivals. CREDIT: Patrick Green. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These ocean oddities are known for their impressive eyesight, Herculean strength, and punches with the force of a 22-caliber bullet. With cameras that are about 1,000 times faster than a regular camera, University of California, Santa Barbara ecologist Patrick Green captured footage of their fights. He found that their shields can absorb an additional 20 percent of the shock coming from a rival mantis shrimp. Using their tough tail plates in a coiled way appears to help the mantis shrimp to dissipate more energy than their armor can absorb alone. The findings were detailed in a study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology in May. Call me by your elephant name Two juvenile elephants greet each other in Buffalo Springs National Reserves in Kenya. CREDIT: George Wittemyer. Elephants use various vocal cues and to convey meaning and could also be using something akin to individual names. Wild African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) appear to address one another with name-like calls, a very rare ability among non-human animals. The findings were described in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution in June. In this study, a team used machine-learning methods to analyze recordings of 469 calls or rumbles made by wild African elephant femaleoffspring groups in the Amboseli National Park and Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves in Kenya. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that we were able to get such clear cut results with the playback experiment was pretty surprising, Cornell University behavioral ecologist Michael Mickey Pardo told Popular Science. It was incredibly difficult to get the recordings for the playback experiment, because we needed very clear recordings of rumbles made in a long-distance contact calling context where we knew who the caller was and who the receiver was. Honestly, I was a little shocked that the results were statistically significant. [Related: Great apes may have cognitive foundations for language.] A one in 100 million lobster Colorful lobsters like this one found in New Hampshire are the result of naturally occurring genetic variations. CREDIT: Seacoast Science Center. In July, a lobsterman fishing off the coast of New Castle, New Hampshire found a candy-colored lobster. The crustacean was donated to the Seacoast Science Center, a marine science education organization in Odiorne Point State Park. Now, its crazy color does not mean that it actually tastes sweet or like candy. Its hue is the result of a very rare genetic mutation. Lobsters commonly have multiple layers of a carotenoid pigment known as astaxanthin that show as layers of red, yellow, and blue, Sam Rutka, an Aquarist II at Seacoast Science Center, told Popular Science. When all these layers are stacked they give the lobster a mottled blotchy pattern of oranges, reds, blues, pinks, purples, yellows, and browns that form the lobsters camouflage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, these pigments are either not expressed or are overexpressed. The results are more colorful lobsters. They appear in shades of blue (about 1 in 2 million), red (1 in 10 million), split-colored (1 in 50 million), albino (1 in 100 million), and cotton candy (1 in 100 million). Live long and prosperwith frogs Boophis janewayae is named after Captain Kathryn Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager. Theses tree frogs in thai genus are found across the rainforests of Madagascar. CREDIT: Mark D. Scherz There are seven new species of tree frogs to add to the family tree. Scientists found these seven species in the lush rainforests of Madagascar. They were all named after captains from the sci-fi series Star Trek, due to the strange, high-pitched whistling sounds that sound a bit like the sounds that they make. The new species were described in a study published in October in the journal Vertebrate Zoology. The newly discovered species are from the genus Boophis. They are found across the island of Madagascar and communicate with other frogs with their signature whistling sounds. When the research team heard the calls, they immediately reminded them of the sound effects used across the various Star Trek series. The names Boophis kirki, Boophis picardi, Boophis siskoi, Boophis janewayae, Boophis archeri, Boophis pikei, and Boophis burnhamae were also fitting due to the amount of trekking through the rainforest that the team needed to do in order to find the frogs. Pygmy hippos seize the spotlight Haggis the pygmy hippo was born on Wednesday October 30 at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. CREDIT: RZSS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after Thailands Moo Deng became a social media sensation, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotlands (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo welcomed their own pygmy hippo named Haggis. The bouncing baby girl was born on October 30 to Otto and Gloria. Pygmy hippos are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily in Liberia. Adult pygmy hippos generally weigh between 350 and 600 pounds, or about the same as some domestic pigs. By comparison, they are about 10 times smaller than a standard-size hippo, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Despite their stocky size, these large mammals can really move. They can run roughly 18 miles per hour on average, comparable to lizards and humans. Pygmy hippos are listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN). Only an estimated 2,500 remain in the wild due to habitat loss from logging, minding, and other human activities. A coral as big as a blue whale A diver from National Geographic Pristine Seas measures the worlds largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands. CREDIT: Photograph by Manu San Felix, National Geographic Pristine Seas. Scientists found the worlds largest known coral bobbing around in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It is 111 feet wide, 104 feet long, 18 feet high, and 600 feet around. It is a conglomerate of individual creatures called coral polyps that have grown over 300 years. Instead of a coral reef like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia that is a network of several colonies, this is a standalone coral that has grown uninterrupted for centuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mega coral is mostly brown, but has some splashes of bright reds, yellows, and blues. The rippling waves mirror the oceans surface. It is a Pavona clavus and provides crustaceans and fish with shelter and a place to breed and live. It was also uncovered by accident. The team of explorers from National Geographic initially thought that it was a shipwreck due to its large size. A closer look revealed that it was, in fact, a giant living organism. [Related: Mountain lions in Los Angeles become night owls to avoid humans.] How squirrels can go for months without a drop to drink Thirteen-lined ground squirrel. CREDIT: Courtesy of the Gracheva lab. Just as many across the United States were sitting down around the Thanksgiving table for a feast, a study was published in the journal Science that details how hibernating ground squirrels can go for six to nine months without any water. Specific brain regions that are involved in triggering thirst are strongly suppressed. Combined with previous findings, the new research lends clarity on an extreme mammalian strategy for staying underground for so long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, this physiological mechanism alone isnt enough to fully explain the lack of thirst. Other signals that trigger thirst, like hormones related to kidney stress and low blood volume still circulate throughout the mammals bodies, which should, by all standard measures, be crying out for fluids. However, even when active during hibernation and offered water, the squirrels still avoid it, per this new study. Orca whales attack some pretty big fish Killer whales surface to breath before taking a whale shark down and delivering a rapid, final blow. CREDIT: Kelsey Williamson. One of the planets apex predators, its no big secret that orca whales are incredible hunters. This year, scientists discovered two more examples of just how adept they are at going after prey. In South Africa, a solitary orca nicknamed Starboard was observed eating a great white shark for the first time and the predation event was detailed in a study published in March in the African Journal of Marine Science. Starboard the orca was working alone to incapacitate and consume an eight foot-long juvenile white shark in only two-minutes. Later, the orca was observed carrying the sharks liver in its mouth. The event is challenging conventional beliefs about the whales cooperative hunting behaviors in the region. The worlds biggest fish may also be on the menu for a unique pod of orcas off the coast of Mexico. They may be going after whale sharks. At almost 60 feet long, whale sharks are the largest fish on the planet and can certainly feed a big and hungry orca whale. The orcas appear to be targeting the whale sharks ventral sidethe area near their bellies. This part of their bodies is the least protected, so is particularly vulnerable. There is less muscle and cartilage on their ventral side, which would allow the orcas easier access to important blood vessels like the aorta. The findings were detailed in a study published in November in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. Authorities arrested 117 suspects during a massive crackdown on retail theft across California. The daylong operation, led by the California Highway Patrol, took place on Dec. 20 amid a rise in thefts during the holiday time, officials said. Law enforcement agencies from across the state participated in the large event which resulted in 117 arrests for organized retail theft and related crimes. Officers recovered 767 stolen items which were worth over $38,000. Photos of the arrests show a collection of stolen clothes, shoes, fragrances and more. Three stolen vehicles were also found, along with two illegal firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges the suspects faced included petty theft, grand theft, organized retail crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and auto theft. Through proactive enforcement operations and strong partnerships with local law enforcement and retailers, we were able to protect the states businesses and consumers during one of the busiest times of the year, said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. A collection of stolen merchandise was found during a statewide retail theft crackdown including clothing, shoes, fragrances and more. (California Highway Patrol) Three stolen vehicles wee found during a statewide retail theft crackdown. (California Highway Patrol) A collection of stolen merchandise was found during a statewide retail theft crackdown including clothing, shoes, fragrances and more. (California Highway Patrol) A collection of stolen merchandise was found during a statewide retail theft crackdown including clothing, shoes, fragrances and more. (California Highway Patrol) $150,000 worth of stolen merchandise discovered in Orange County retail theft bust The state stands committed to protecting consumers, especially as they go about the final shopping sprint before the holiday season, said Governor Gavin Newsom. Im proud of the efforts of CHP and local law enforcement to protect consumers and businesses throughout California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crackdown was a collaborative effort between 10 law enforcement agencies and 56 retail partners. Agencies involved included: Hemet Police Department Los Angeles Sheriffs Department Los Angeles Police Department Glendale Police Department Bakersfield Police Department Woodland Police Department Walnut Creek Police Department Livermore Police Department San Ramon Police Department The CHPs Organized Retail Crime Task Force was created in 2019 and has been involved in over 3,200 investigations, leading to the arrest of more than 3,500 suspects and the recovery of $51.3 million worth of stolen goods. The suspects identities were not released by CHP. Anyone with information on organized retail theft is encouraged to call the California Highway Patrol at 1-800-835-5247. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 25. Russian diplomats have been sent to Aktau to verify information and help their compatriots who survived the passenger plane crash of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), Spokesperson of Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said during the weekly briefing today, Trend reports. She emphasized that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide information promptly as it becomes available. "The Russian side is maintaining close contact with the relevant ministries and departments of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan," Zakharova added. To note, today AZAL's Embraer 190 passenger plane, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, crashed 3 km from Aktau airport. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan reported that 37 citizens of Azerbaijan were on board the plane, which crashed in Aktau. According to preliminary data, 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, six citizens of Kazakhstan, three citizens of Kyrgyzstan, and 16 citizens of Russia were on board the airplane. AZAL announced that 62 passengers, five crew members, and a total of 67 people were on board the Embraer 190 airplane flying Baku-Grozny, which crashed in the city of Aktau. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Chronicle of Philanthropy released its annual list of the biggest charitable gifts from individuals or foundations this year, and the leading 12 donations total more than $6 billion. The three largest contributions make up half of the total amount, and two of the dozen gifts were made by the same donors. Check out who gave the most money to charity in 2024 and to what. #9: Four Way Tie: $150 million Bryon Trott in 2012. - Photo: Bloomberg / Contributor (Getty Images) Four donors shared ninth place this year, giving $150 million each: Barbara Britt, the widow of former Time Warner Cable (CHTR) CEO Glenn Britt, gave $150 to Dartmouth College for financial aid; Hyatt (H) Brown, a retired insurance executive, and his wife, Cici Brown, gave $150 million to The Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, Florida; Ernest Stephens Jr., a financier, and his daughter Tessa Stephenson Brand, an event planner, gave City of Hope $150 million for pancreatic cancer research; and Byron Trott, chair of BDT & MSD Partners merchant bank, and his wife Tina Trott, gave the STARS College Network $150 million through their foundation to help rural students graduate college. #8: $185.7 million Jackie, Jeff, and Mike Bezos. - Photo: MOLLY RILEY / Stringer (Getty Images) Jeff Bezos parents, Jackie and Mike Bezos, gave the Aspen Institute $185.7 million through the Bezos Family Foundation to establish the Center for Rising Generations. #7: $350 million Photo: Kym Illman / Contributor (Getty Images) Walmart (WMT) heiress Alice Walton gave Mercy Health $350 million to create a cardiac care center. #6: $400 million Photo: Jared Siskin / Contributor (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roy Vagelos, the former chairman of Merck (MRK), and his wife Diana Vagelos gave the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons $400 million. #5: $502.4 million Photo: Michael M. Santiago / Staff (Getty Images) Netflix (NFLX) co-founder Reed Hastings and his wife Patty Quillin gave $502.4 million to their own fund, the Hasting Fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. #4: $716.1 million Photo: Kevin Dietsch / Staff (Getty Images) Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) CEO Warren Buffett gave $716.1 million to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. #2: Tie $1 Billion Ruth Gottesman. - Photo: Brent N. Clarke / Contributor (Getty Images) Ruth Gottesman, professor emerita at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, gave $1 billion to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine for financial aid. Former NYC Mayor and Bloomberg founder Michael Bloomberg also gave $1 billion to Johns Hopkins University for financial aid. #1: $1.1 billion Photo: Bloomberg / Contributor (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, who gave the fifth-largest donation, also made the biggest gift of the year. They donated $1.1 billion to their own fund, the Hastings Fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. PENFIELD, N.Y. (WROC) Thirteen vehicles were broken into during Christmas Eve Mass Tuesday at St. Josephs Catholic Church, deputies said. News 8 attended the Christmas Eve mass when this reportedly happened. These images show the site just prior to the time deputies said it happened. (WROC/Emalee Burkhard.) According to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, deputies were called to check out the break ins on Gebhardt Road around 3:30 p.m. On scene, deputies discovered that 13 vehicles had their windows smashed, with items inside taken. It happened sometime between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A silver 2019 Kia Sorento was also stolen, deputies announced. The vehicle had a Virginia license plate: XFH4706. Big crowds for St. Josephs Christmas Eve Mass No suspect information is available. As the investigation continues, deputies asked anyone with information 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 RochesterFirst. 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: Antonio Tony C. Reyes. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Antonio Tony C. Reyes, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. 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: Ashley Megan Eckles. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Ashley Megan Eckles, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. ATMORE, Ala. (WKRG) Two men were arrested Tuesday after they were allegedly trespassing on the grounds of the Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections. UPDATE: Man killed in Baldwin County deputy-involved shooting identified An ADOC news release said ADOCs Law Enforcement Services Division, the K-9 Bureau, the Atmore Police Department and the Poarch Creek Police Department responded to reports of possible trespassers near the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release said K-9 handlers found Derrick Bean and Keith Davis in a wooded area near the facility. ADOC officials said Bean and Davis were found to be in possession of about 448 grams of marijuana, 28 grams of methamphetamine, 8 grams of cocaine, fentanyl, various cell phones and charging blocks. Bean and Davis were both arrested and taken to the Escambia County Jail. They are both charged with three counts of attempting to commit a controlled substance crime, prohibited activities, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute and first-degree marijuana possession. Watch the SWAT Team arrest a Mobile homicide suspect (video) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ADOC officials said Bean was also charged with third-degree possession of a controlled substance and second-degree promoting prison contraband. ADOC is still investigating, and further charges could be 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 WKRG News 5. Two people were killed in a fire early Wednesday morning at an apartment complex in east Charlotte, according to the Charlotte Fire Department. CFD says burning candles were left unattended, which caused a fire around 3:30 a.m. in an apartment on Spanish Quarter Circle. Officials said the apartment had smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that were not functional because the batteries had been removed. The fire was quickly extinguished, but firefighters found the two victims inside the home, and they were originally taken to the hospital before they died from their injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CFD said three cats were also killed in the fire. According to the fire department, no other apartments were damaged in the fire. The victims havent been identified yet. CFD Reginald Johnson wrote on Twitter that the department expresses our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims. (VIDEO: 16-year-old girl shot, killed in Gastonia) State police in Western Pennsylvania have charged two men in a murder-for-hire plot after one of the suspects allegedly confessed to his pastor. NBC News affiliate WJAC reports David Vanatta, 49, and Colton Baird, 32, both of Elk County, were jailed for an alleged plot to kill Vanattas ex-wife. An affidavit obtained by WJAC states Vanetta confessed to a pastor that he paid Baird $2,000 to kill his ex-wife. The pastor then reported the information to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the ex-wife was never harmed. Online court records show Vanatta and Baird are facing several charges, including criminal solicitation - criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit criminal homicide and attempted homicide. Both men are being held in the Elk County Prison without bail. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Bird flu ripped through a Washington state wildlife sanctuary, killing 20 big cats, the center said in a Facebook post, calling the deaths a "significant loss." The first cat got sick around Thanksgiving, Mark Mathews, director of the Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Shelton, told NBC affiliate KING of Seattle. By early December, the state had confirmed cases of bird flu in their cats. In a Facebook post Friday, the sanctuary announced the deaths. They include five African servals, four cougars, four bobcats, two Canada lynx and one each of the following: Bengal cat, Amur/Bengal tiger, African caracal, Geoffroy's cat and Eurasian lynx. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This tragedy has deeply affected our team, and we are all grieving the loss of these incredible animals," the sanctuary said, asking the community for assistance. Mathews told KING that at the end of November, he had 37 cats and now he has 17. Some of the cats were featured on the sanctuary's website. Tabbi, an endangered half-Bengal and half-Amur tiger, enjoyed playing in the water, the site states. Hannah, a cougar, was brought to the sanctuary as a cub from Wyoming after her mother was killed. The website described Hannah as "sweet" and said she liked "sneaking up on volunteers." Mouse, a Geoffroy's cat and one of the smallest animals at the sanctuary, captured the hearts of everyone who met her, the website stated. Mathews told KING that the deaths were a living nightmare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every day, its just kind of you wake up and you think hopefully its a bad dream, but its not," he said. Mouse, a Geoffroy's cat, died after contracting bird flu at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington in Shelton. Health officials confirmed that more than half of the sanctuary's animals had contracted avian influenza, the Facebook post stated. The virus primarily spreads through infected bird secretions and droppings. Carnivorous mammals can contract it by coming into contact with infected birds or a contaminated environment. The sanctuary said cats are particularly vulnerable to bird flu and symptoms can progress rapidly, "often resulting in death within 24 hours due to pneumonia-like conditions." To protect the other animals and prevent further spread, the sanctuary is under quarantine and will remain closed until further notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deaths come as zoos across the country have started taking precautionary measures. Five zoo animals died from bird flu outside Phoenix and one animal died at a zoo in Seattle. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Maine Morning Star crew (from left to right): AnnMarie Hilton, Emma Davis, Lauren McCauley and Eesha Pendharkar. As we turn the corner on another year and reflect back on what passed and what may come, I asked my staff to think about the stories that meant the most to them. Maine Morning Stars reporters work day in and out documenting the actions and impacts of Maines leaders. Sometimes, they have the opportunity to shine a light where there was none, or meet someone whos lived experience crystallizes the stakes of the debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are devoted to making sure Maine people are better informed consider this our gift to you but they are usually learning, as well, and often their greatest lessons make for the most memorable stories. Lauren Emma Davis When I reflect on the past year covering the Maine Legislature for the first time, I think about the parts of the lawmaking process that arent necessarily flashy or headline grabbing. I think about following each step of the deliberations for two competing data privacy proposals that legislators on both sides of the aisle described as the most intense and lengthy of their tenures, and the non-partisan staff that made it all possible. And I recall the broader picture that emerged later, when I dove into the money and Big Techs influence on the plans. I think about the most substantive change to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act since it was signed in 1980, but also how different the final law looked from the initial proposal and how that one change came after years of attempts at more sweeping reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some bills succeeded, such as the tribal sovereignty bill, although in a pared back form. But for others, like the data privacy proposals, the hours of work didnt result in a new law. And sometimes, often, the public may get every indication that legislation is on track to become law but in the end it doesnt. And even to those closer to the action, its not obvious why. As Maine Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford) told me, People are scratching their heads, like, what happened? This is because of a part of the funding process that allows bills to die a quiet death. We at Maine Morning Star followed several bills through every step of the lawmaking process, from introduction, deliberations and amendments in committee, committee passage, floor votes and so on. The so on is key, and heres why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bills can pass both chambers, but if theyre not explicitly funded in the state budget, lawmakers place them on whats called the appropriations table to vie for unappropriated money. That said, even inexpensive bills or bills that require no funding can land on this table, and die by way of it. While I had closely tracked several bills that ended up on the table proposals to create an African American and Wabanaki studies advisory council, formalize the renaming of places through a designated state board, establish a unit to enforce violations of the Maine Civil Rights Act, among others the overall picture was still very unclear. While the Legislature will produce point-in-time lists of bills throughout the session, it doesnt publish a total list of all legislation that has landed on the table, nor what the ultimate outcome is for each of those bills. So I committed to tracking each step of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee to get that full picture. Last year, at least 250 bills were placed on the table. Not counting a few measures incorporated into the budget, just 21 of those bills were funded and actually become law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even knowing that, the reason why bills die can be convoluted. A lawmaker can support a bill in floor votes but decide to leave it on the table, knowing it is a place where that legislation could die without having to state their opposition publicly. Critics of this process have raised concern about that lack of accountability, and many lawmakers are hoping for rule changes this session. Well have to see what happens there, and Ill be eager to continue to walk you through the deliberations and nuances, as nothing is ever as black and white as it seems. AnnMarie Hilton Summing up the nearly 300 stories I wrote this year feels next to impossible. But they took me from a reporter who had never covered a legislative session to one who knew the best spots in the House gallery and the LD number for every piece of gun legislation. Those first few weeks of covering the Maine Legislature felt like how I imagine it would feel to drink from a firehose. There was legislative lingo coming out of my nose, or so it felt. Early on, most of my time was spent with the housing committee, learning about what the people sitting in Augusta were planning to do about shelter funding and a proposed constitutional right to housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The beginning of the session is also when I learned about the states troubled child welfare system. I didnt know what to expect when I was assigned to the Legislatures Government Oversight Committee, but covering the groups review of the Office of Child and Family Services was a responsibility I didnt take lightly knowing the little lives that were at the center of each conversation. The hours I spent listening to those meetings sparked some of my most noteworthy accountability stories such as one about how a buggy software system meant to improve the child welfare system was reportedly making it worse. Now, back to those gun bills. Since I was covering the commission tasked with investigating the Lewiston mass shooting, it felt logical for me to cover the legislation that was introduced in light of the event. Ill never forget watching Arthur Barnard, whose son, Arthur Strout, was one of the 18 people killed in the October 2023 shooting, stand with lawmakers for a press conference introducing a slate of bills that he hoped would prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Covering the Lewiston shooting will always be a significant part of my career. It taught me a lot about my adopted home state and about the people who share it with me. When the anniversary rolled around, I asked lawmakers to reflect on the responsibility they bear in moments of tragedy like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This summer, I passed the housing reporting baton off to Eesha Pendharkar, who has already done a fantastic job, and turned my attention toward environmental and climate coverage. Though I was already covering agriculture and the states budding offshore wind industry, I quickly learned there is no shortage of stories to tell about energy, climate goals and even food waste. My midwesternness was certainly showing when I ran around Sears Island in May looking for the sand dune that caused a hiccup in the states plan to build an offshore wind port. But I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the community, its history and the people for whom offshore wind isnt just about clean energy goals, but about a paycheck and being able to afford to stay in the place they call home. There were also many, many stories I wrote leading up to, during and after the Nov. 5. election. Election coverage is important and truly a labor of love. Never before have I parsed through 550 roll call votes. It pushed me as a reporter to learn about campaign finance and cover at least half a dozen debates, but I hope it left readers feeling more informed at the polls. Two hundred and eighty some odd stories in one year and I feel like Ive only scratched the surface of what there is to report on in Maine, but Im thankful for the chance to keep track of everything from which jacket U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree wears (and more importantly, why) and what lawmakers are going to do about all the food that ends up in Maines landfills. Eesha Pendharkar Before I started working at the Maine Morning Star, I had been immersed in education reporting at the national level for a few years, and was looking forward to the opportunity to be in the communities I reported on, and take on a few more beats Ive always been interested in, such as criminal justice, housing and health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past few months, I went from feeling like an expert in interviews about K-12 schools to beginning my conversations with sources with questions like, Can we start with you explaining Medicaid to me? My favorite part of reporting is that we get paid to learn more about the world, so immersing myself in something new has been truly rewarding, and while Ill always be an education reporter at heart, my favorite stories this year were not about our public schools or colleges. What started with an emailed tip (initially sent to reporter Evan Popp, who I replaced when he went to law school) in my first week on the job turned out to be a monthslong look into syringe service programs, the tensions with the municipalities they operate in, and how the people they serve are caught in the middle as a result of this conflict. My favorite aspect of the story was watching the interactions between the providers and program participants, and how much they appeared to be a true community, looking out for each other. While many people who participate in the program are unhoused, one person who had found housing returned to the day of the pop-up syringe exchange to visit their friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeless people have more friends than you or me, one of the program managers told me, and I realized that often we write about homelessness without talking to or thinking about what the experience of homelessness must be like, and more importantly, the support these people have to find within their encampments when they often lack it beyond. Which leads me to my second favorite story, which was part of a national series on camping bans and homelessness with our parent organization, States Newsroom.This time I went to Lewiston for an in-person interview with a city councilor, but ended up spending a few hours shadowing unhoused people shuttling their belongings from a day center to the public library, then later waiting around in a snowy public park for the warming center to open. At the end of that day, I was able to drive home with the heat blasting and retreat to my apartment, but the feelings of frustration and displacement from those few hours will not leave me. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE American actress and model Paris Hilton made a splash on the Internet by showing footage from a Christmas photo shoot. The 43-year-old star posed in front of a shimmering Christmas tree in a revealing outfit consisting of only one bow. ADVERTISIMENT The celebrity shared the photos on her Instagram page. The provocative photos provoked a strong reaction from the celebrity's followers, as the post gained more than 319 thousand likes in less than a day. "Everything is wrapped and ready for the holiday season," the actress wrote under the post. Paris Hilton appeared in front of the camera almost completely naked. The model covered her chest with a large pink bow and put on a leather glove. The star opted for Hollywood curls with a side parting, which added volume to her hair. For jewelry, the actress chose massive earrings and put on pink heels. ADVERTISIMENT Paris Hilton also flaunted her toned figure in another look that was a bit more private. She wore lace lingerie, which she paired with a white fluffy cape. The provocative photo shoot made a splash online. Followers showered the celebrity with compliments. "Incredible! You are a gift!" "This is so hot. Merry Christmas! "The most luxurious mom in the world!" Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Donald Trump and Nikki Haley. A Marlboro County town upended after its mayors death. The end of an era in Darlington County. There were political storylines almost every month across the Grand Strand and Pee Dee some of which helped shape the national campaigns of White House hopefuls. Heres our picks for the top political stories of 2024. Trump goes on the offensive at CCU Donald Trump has repeatedly thanked South Carolina for its strong support, and he came to Conway in February with a plea for that continue as he was locked in a GOP primary with his former UN ambassador, Nikki Haley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump wasted no time making headlines, at one point saying hed encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want at any NATO member that doesnt pay its dues. He also questioned the absence of Haleys husband, Michael, by her side as he campaigned. Michael Haley was on deployment with the National Guard in Africa at the time and Trumps remarks not only drew a swift rebuke from Haley, but found their way into attack ads. Trump also used his CCU stop to field test his policies on border security an issue that helped propel him back into the Oval Office. Nikki Haley vows to fight on In January, the former South Carolina governor made a CCU campaign stop of her own, where she promised supporters that she was staying the race despite dropping early primary contests in New Hampshire and Iowa and missing endorsements from top state Republicans. Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign event in Conway, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Kelley) Several hecklers interrupted her speech, but Haley continued at one point barbing Trump for refusing to debate her. Haley was introduced by Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time Haley suspended her campaign in March, she had become the first Republican woman to win two Republican primaries, taking Washington, D.C. and Vermont. McColl left without a mayor, police The small Marlboro County town was rocked in November first by the resignation of its five-person police force and then the highway death of its mayor George McColl just after Thanksgiving. Despite Marlboro County sheriffs deputies contracting with the town, a Texas-based nonprofit said says after Garners death it was sending citizen patrols to help monitor safety a plan that it rescinded following harsh criticism from local officials. The back-to-back crises in the tiny town of about 2,000 thrust it into international headlines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A special election to fill Garners seat is slated for March 4. Interim mayor Brian Blue said Dec. 20 he plans to run for the office. Political newcomer headed to Columbia State Sen. Gerald Malloy of Darlington had beaten opponent JD Chaplin comfortably in 2020, continuing his decades-long run in the General Assemblys upper chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Election Day, Chaplin a Hartsville farmer pulled out a narrow 278-vote win, deepening the GOPs majority in Columbia. Malloy filed a challenge two weeks later, citing irregularities mostly in Lee County and requesting another election. On Dec. 2, Malloy conceded and the Senate District 29 seat that covers all or parts of Chesterfield, Darlington, Lee, Marlboro and Sumter counties turned red. Chaplin was quickly appointed by Senate leadership to several powerful committees, including judiciary and transportation. Lawsuits, firings in Atlantic Beach In early November, three members of Atlantic Beachs town council stood outside at night and fired their attorney and manager because the government building was locked in an effort to prevent the meeting from taking place. It was the latest wrinkle in a saga that continues in the Horry County town, where a flurry of legal filings all the way to the state Supreme Court have still not brought clarity to exactly whos mayor, more than a year after the local election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, attorneys fees continue to mount. Through October, the town has racked up $81,000 in lawyers fees $61,000 tied to contested races. Record-breaking turnout shows massive interest in 2024 races Both Horry County and South Carolina saw their highest voter turnout numbers since 2008, keying Palmetto State routs for President-Elect Donald Trump and U.S. Rep. Russell Fry who made it to Congress in 2022 partly on the strength of his endorsement. By the time polls closed at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5, 77% of Horry Countys eligible voters had done so either in-person or through the early window, state Election Commission data shows the highest mark since 2008, when turnout hit 73%. That participation matched statewide turnout of 77% also the biggest number since 2008. In all, 2.56 million ballots were cast, including 207,168 in Horry County. Florence opts for a change at the top Florence residents in June essentially chose sitting city council member Lethonia Peaches Barnes as their next mayor, unseating Teresa Myers-Ervin in a June Democratic primary that saw her take nearly 61% of the vote. With no Republican opponent on Election Day, it was a coronation for Barnes, who didnt any time rolling out her first major initiative: A five-point plan to reduce crime in the Pee Dees largest municipality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnes hopes to restore the community policing team, creating incentives for officers to live inside high-crime neighborhoods and cracking down on nuisance businesses. Pee Dee law enforcement getting new looks Longtime sheriffs in Darlington and Marlboro counties were ousted in November after heated contests in both races. Charles Lemon, who in August was acquitted in his federal excessive force trial, saw his 2021 suspension immediately lifted. He returned to work, but couldnt win another term as a write-in candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larry McNeil, who was appointed interim sheriff during Lemons legal proceedings, took a three-way Democratic primary in June and then beat Charles English on Nov. 5. Darlington Countys sitting sheriff, James Hudson, dropped his re-election bid to Republican Michael B. August. Hudson was first elected in 2020. Greg Hembree is the face of major school choice legislation Republican lawmakers have been clear that school choice will be near the top of 2025 legislative agenda, and state Sen. Greg Hembree of North Myrtle Beach is leading that effort. As Senate Education Chairman, Hembree is guiding a bill that would send millions in lottery revenues to families in need of private school tuition assistance replacing a taxpayer-backed trust fund system deemed unconstitutional by the states Supreme Court in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said more than 2,600 students were enrolled in the trust fund before the Supreme Courts ruling. The Lumbee Tribe gets long-sought Congressional win In mid-December, the U.S. House voted 311-96 in favor of granting federal recognition to the 55,000-member Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, whose ancestral grounds are in Robeson County. In 1956, Congress acknowledged the Lumbees as being American Indians but denied them benefits of a federally recognized tribe. A 2016 opinion by the U.S. Department of Interiors top attorney reversed a 1989 agency position that the Lumbees couldnt petition for eligibility opening the door for Congressional action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, its up to the U.S. Senate to get law to President Bidens desk before Congress recesses. If that doesnt happen, there could be promise for it next year, as President-Elect Trump has long said he favors federal recognition. * * * 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. Millions of you have turned to Popular Science each month in 2024 to see the latest scientific breakthroughs and technological debacles and everything in between. Using a secret formula of readership statistics, social activity, and curatorial instinct, we have collected 22 (why not!) stories spanning everything from DIY home tips to (so-called) gates of hell to (real) transparent mice. Peruse our most popular headlines of 2024 below and click through to read the stories. An image of the Sun from June 20, 2013, at 11:15 p.m. EDT. Credit: NASA/Goddard/SDO We love answering our readers questions in our series Ask Us Anything. When posed with a question of what to do with Earths ever-mounting piles of e-waste, plastic, recalled microwaves, bedbug-ridden couches, beached tankers, what have you One of our readers had the idea of shooting it all into the sun. Popular Science contributor Harri Weber seriously considered the proposal and consulted experts to see if it was viable in one of our most read stories of the year. Short answer: No. But why? The answer is practical. (If youre feeling inspired, you can always submit your burning questions using this form. Nothing is too outrageous for us to tackle, clearly.) A pair of mountain goats camera trapped walking along a hiking trail near Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canada. Credit: Madeleine Wrazej, Parks Canada & UBC WildCo If you were on the internet at all during the first two years of the pandemic, you may have seen a very persistent meme floating around. It insisted that while we were sequestered to our homes by well-meaning health authorities, the lack of human activity in the outside world had resulted in a sort of ecological Renaissance. Turns out that that wasnt actually true. Popular Science contributor Lauren Leffer dug into the real science behind the viral (but fake) phenomena. And no, dolphins werent swimming in the Venice canals. Sorry. Credit: Popular Science The Mastervoice Butler in a Box was the original home voice assistant, first introduced way back in 1983, costing more than $4,000 a pop in todays money. Our intrepid video team set out to find it and reactivate it more than forty years later. It was a journey! Watch us unravel the ancient gadgets rich history and try, try to make it work. Drinking collagen likely wont harm you, but we wanted to know if it could help. Image: DepositPhotos Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happens if you ingest collagen? A $4 billion market will tell you that its benefits are plentiful, especially if youre trying to revitalize your skins youthful glow. Contributor Hannah Seo digs into the claims on a granular nay, molecular level. For more on collagen drinks, dermatology advice, and the wild world of under-regulated supplements, read the story. Dont let your old sunglasses end up in a landfill. Image: DepositPhotos You know you can recycle, upcycle, and repair your old sunglasses instead of contributing to piles of garbage (which, we repeat, you cannot just launch into the sun) and wasting money? Of the countless projects, tips, and guides weve published this year, something about sunglasses piqued your interest. A container of Yellow #5 dye. Credit: USNSF It may sound like stuff of science fiction, but, with the help of physics and chemistry, scientists have turned the bellies of live lab mice nearly transparent, allowing for an unobstracted view of the pumping and throbbing innards within. Oh, also they used a dye commonly found in your most orange snacks. Wild! You can read our feature story with interviews with the scientists and catch us on NPR, if you dont believe us. A single orca whale named Starboard was observed hunting and killing a great white shark in June 2023. Credit: Christiaan Stopforth (Drone Fanatics SA), Arianna Di Bari (Shark Studies Center Scientific Institute), Leigh Carter (Go Dive Mossel Bay), Towner et. al. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Usually, orcas hang and hunt in pods, but this solitary creature with a taste for blood took on one of Earths most formidable predators all by itself. Our resident expert all things under the sea Laura Baisas observed this gnarly display of nature. Hong Kong Customs on March 27 detected a suspected case of large-scale gold smuggling involving air freight, and seized about 146 kilograms of suspected gold with an estimated market value of about $84 million, at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows the suspected smuggled gold which was moulded and camouflaged as air compressor parts. Credit: Customs and Excise Department Hong Kong We love a good heist and airplanes! Staff writer Andrew Paul spotted this particularly creative one earlier this year. All that effort and creativity, but the alleged smugglers did not get away with it this time. A light microscopy image shows the marine algae Braarudosphaera bigelowii, which is a potentially large evolutionary step. This algae absorbed a bacterium called UCYN-A and formed a new organelle called a nitroplast. The black arrow is pointing to the nitroplast. Credit: Tyler Coale This was the first documented case of two lifeforms merging into one in an extremely rare case of primary endosymbiosis. In a lab experiment, a type of marine algae and a bacterium had combined into one living organism. Scientists predict that this event could not have happened in the last billion years that we know of! A huge thermokarst crater showing the damage to the permafrost and our climate, Batagay, Russia. Credit: Padi Prints / Troy TV Stock / Alamy Stock Photo There are many natural landmarks on our planet named after a biblical destination of eternal damnation. But this one in particular appears to be growing. Uh-oh. Credit: Popular Science Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In yet another popular video on the history of lost technology, we explore RCAs ill-fated attempt at making the home media system Selectavision 400 happen. It was a disaster for the company. Of course, we had to get one of these and try to make it work. The struggle was real. You dont necessarily want your phone charging up all the way. Image: De an Sun/Unsplash Did you know that theres a sweet spot of optimal battery power for your Android phone? Shocking, we know, but its not 100%. Popular Science contributor and tech hacks extraordinaire David Nield breaks down the mechanism behind the perfect charge. Whether or not you can handle it psychologically is up to you. Dont just toss your used coffee grounds in the trash. Credit: DepositPhotos Did you know coffee grounds can reduce odor and boost compost? Neither did we until inspired DIYer Debbie Wolfe outline this and many more uses for this supposed waste product. For more home tips from Debbie, check out her herb drying guide, food pickling instructions, and microwave cleaning tips. The alligator gar is an example of a living fossil. These plants, animals, and fungi show very little species diversity or physical differences from ancestors that lived tens of millions of years ago. Credit: Solomon David Humans grow and change. Its part our nature. Not this guy. Gar the dart-shaped fish has been found to have the slowest rate of molecular evolution among all jawed vertebrates, with its genome changes much more slowly than other vertebrates walking and swimming around the globe. That might explain the old soul look in Gars eyes. Snowmobiles have been permitted inside Yellowstone since 1963, and must be approved sleds that have fewer than 6,000 miles on the odometer. Credit: Ben Dann/Ski-Doo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kristin Shaw, our contributor for all things auto, dug into the history of Ski-Doo, the only snowmobile quiet enough to be allowed at Yellowstone National Park. If youre interested in rules, regulations, and snowmobile design, please enjoy this deep dive. A decade into an insect invasion, theres some hope on the horizon. Credit: DepositPhotos We were told to squish as many of these brightly-patterned bugs as we could, but has it made a difference? In this very through feature from Lauren Leffer, we not only answer your burning question but break down exactly how invasive species get designated and dealt with. Read it and explore the scientific mysteries of ecological imbalance. Meanwhile, keep squishing. A nearly 15-foot-long Burmese python devours a 77-pound deer in Florida. Credit: Ian Bartoszek / Conservancy of Southwest Florida Well let the scientists speak for this one: Watching an invasive apex predator swallow a full-sized deer in front of you is something that you will never forget. Yikes! Revisit the gnarly snippet of nature and try, try to unsee it. Look after your computer and it should last you for longer. Well, maybe not *this* long. Credit: DepositPhotos These basic but very important tips that apply to both Windows and macOS will not only keep your computer running smoothly, they will help you declutter your life. Try them out and find out for yourself. A lot goes into how we hear. Credit: DepositPhotos Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ever touched the soft flesh bags dangling from your ear and wondered, what are these even for? (Besides wearing earrings, of course.) We dipped into the latest science on vestigial organs and offered some very convincing theories on the evolutionary mystery of earlobes in this Ask Us Anything feature. Credit: Stan Horaczek Ever wondered how electronic drums and cymbals work? What do they sound like? What do they feel like? This hands-on breakdown from Stan Horaczek offers a detailed look at the technology. Willis blue scuti Gibson pulled off the achievement on December 21, 2023. Credit: YouTube This one was close to Andrews heart, and were glad our readers shared the interest. At the intersection of luck and technology, meet the kid that finally beat this game, daw at the look on his face, and learn more about the history of Tetris kill screens, mods, and hypertapping. Colorful lobsters like this one found in New Hampshire are the result of naturally occurring genetic variations. Credit: Seacoast Science Center Laura spotted this ultra-rare specimen on a New Hampshire local news outlet and interviewed the scientists that received it as a donation. Get a better look at its ombre claws and learn how it came to be this way. Then, stay tuned for more amazing animals, groundbreaking inventions, and handy tips in 2025. 2024 has been a year of unprecedented headlines even for an election year. The conviction of Donald Trump. An assassination attempt just weeks later. An abrupt end to Joe Bidens candidacy, followed by the rise and fall of Kamala Harris. It was a historically chaotic and consequential year on the campaign trail, and beyond. America saw intense protests on campus colleges over the Israel-Hamas war, a rising gender divide among the youth and the kind of widening polarization that can even fracture families. It might have been too many events to fully process in one year, so POLITICO Magazine has you covered. Check out these 24 stories many of them our top reads of the year that will help you understand what just happened and whats to come under Trump 2.0. PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Crews were cleaning up a slick roadway in Dumfries that had caused a crash on Tuesday afternoon. At 4:22 p.m., the Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) said officials were investigating a crash near mile marker 20 on Joplin Road. Shoppers search for perfect gift while last-minute holiday shopping in Clarksburg A spokesman for the department said a car crashed due to oil or a slick substance in the roadway. The three people in the car sustained minor injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PWCPD advised the road would be closed for several hours in both directions for cleanup to prevent any further 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. DENVER (KDVR) Three people were taken to the hospital after two vehicles crashed in the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood of Denver Wednesday morning. Aurora police: Vehicle fleeing shooting crashes into light rail train, 4 taken to hospital The Denver Police Department said in a post on X that officers are investigating the crash, which happened at North Tower Road and East 56th Avenue. Police said three people were taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information was immediately available. Police said drivers can expect delays 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 FOX31 Denver. In a tragic aviation accident, an Embraer 190 aircraft, operating under flight number J2-8243, crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau. The flight, which originated from Baku, Azerbaijan was en route to Grozny, Russia, and it had 67 people onboard. According to Kazakhstans Emergency Ministry, the crash has resulted in a devastating toll, with initial reports indicating more than 30 fatalities. Miraculously, at least 32 passengers survived the catastrophic incident. The Ministry has been actively coordinating the emergency response and providing updates as rescue efforts continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aircraft was traveling from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to Grozny in the North Caucasus when it encountered an in-flight emergency that necessitated a diversion to Aktau, Kazakhstan. Onboard were 67 individuals, comprising 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz nationals, including five crew members. Preliminary reports from aviation authorities suggest that a bird strike may have precipitated the emergency situation, leading to critical navigation challenges for the crew. Eyewitness accounts and mobile phone videos circulating online show that the aircraft descended steeply before crashing into the ground and erupting into flames. The footage shows significant portions of the fuselage torn away from the wings, with the remainder of the aircraft lying upside down in the grass near the crash site. These videos, consistent with the airlines livery and the aircrafts registration number, give a visual confirmation of the severity of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation regarding casualties and survivors has evolved as search and rescue operations progressed. Kazakhstans Emergency Ministry initially reported 25 survivors, but subsequent updates have revised this number to 29 hospitalized survivors, including two children. The ministry has also confirmed the recovery of four bodies so far. At the same time, the exact number of fatalities remains uncertain. The survivors, some of whom are critically injured, are currently receiving medical treatment in local hospitals. Further development and investigations Immediately following the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines took swift action to address the tragedy, changing its social media banners to solid black in mourning and committing to keep the public informed as details unfolded. The airline has been closely cooperating with emergency services to aid in the rescue operations and support the victims' families. In Kazakhstan, emergency services quickly mobilized to the crash site, providing medical assistance and coordinating rescue efforts. The robust response included deploying numerous emergency workers and medical teams to treat the injured and support recovery operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Internationally, the incident drew a swift response from Russia. President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences and directed Russias Emergency Ministry to dispatch a plane equipped with medical workers and emergency equipment to assist Kazakhstan in managing the aftermath of the crash. Preliminary investigations into the cause of the crash have focused on a possible bird strike and subsequent GPS jamming, which may have led to navigation difficulties. FlightRadar24 reported that strong GPS jamming had caused the aircraft to transmit erroneous ADS-B data, complicating the flight path before the crash. The aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, expressed their readiness to assist with the investigation, in a statement to the Associated Press, emphasizing their commitment to understanding the factors leading to this accident. Additionally, Azerbaijani authorities have dispatched a high-level delegation, including the countrys Emergency Situations Minister and Deputy General Prosecutor, to Aktau to lead an on-site investigation. President Ilham Aliyev has also cut short his visit to Russia, where he was scheduled to attend a Commonwealth of Independent States meeting in St. Petersburg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon his return, Aliyev issued a statement of deep sorrow, extending his condolences to the victims' families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Russian President Vladimir Putin also conveyed his condolences in direct communication with President Aliyev and during his address at the CIS meeting, highlighting the tragedys impact on the region and the collaborative response efforts. As the investigation continues, authorities from all involved nations are working diligently to provide updates and support to those affected. Azerbaijan Airlines has pledged ongoing transparency and regular updates regarding the investigation's progress and the measures being taken in response to the crash. A 34-year-old Clinton man has been arrested in connection with the theft of wire in Scott County that involves three other suspects, police say. Dillon Schnitzler, who was arrested on a warrant, faces felony charge of first-degree theft, second-degree criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony; and a serious misdemeanor charge of trespass injury or damage greater than $300, court records show. Dillon Schnitzler (Scott County Jail) Three other Quad Cities-area men face charges after deputies say they, too, were involved in the theft of wire at a Scott County farm, court records show. (Clockwise from top left) Lane Brewster, Russell Parker and Jason Preston (Scott County Jail) Lane Brewster, 40, of Thomson, Illinois; and Russell Parker, 55, and Jason Preston, 49, both of Clinton; face felony charges of conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony and first-degree theft, according to court records. An early-morning theft of wire on a farm At 2:42 a.m. July 27, the Scott County Sheriffs Office received a theft report from a farm on 283rd Avenue in Princeton, Iowa, according to arrest affidavits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of the investigation, deputies determined that Schnitzler and three other suspects, between mid-July and early August, conspired to steal wire and spools of wire worth $15,000 and in doing so one or more engaged in conduct constituting the crime (by stealing wire and wire spools,) affidavits show. The other three men also were arrested on warrants, and are scheduled for preliminary hearings Dec. 27 in Scott County Court. Schnitzler was being held Tuesday on $15,000 bond in Scott County Jail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Jan. 3 in Scott County Court. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Strap in, science enthusiasts! The future has arrived. 2025 is gearing up to be an epic year of scientific showdowns and breakthroughs. Picture a world where nuclear reactors power up cities as fast as quantum computers solve complex problems, and brain-computer interfaces unlock human potential like never before. This isn't the plot of a sci-fi blockbuster, but this could be the world in 2025. From bold space explorations to pioneering particle physics experiments, the coming year is set to be a spectacular showcase of innovation. Prepare to be amazed as we take you through seven scientific and technological revolutions about to unfold in 2025. Nuclear energy boom As the global demand for clean and scalable energy solutions ignited the spark for nuclear energy with tech giants betting big on it. In 2024, the world embraced the nuclear renaissance. Now, 2025 will be the crucial 'prove-it' year for nuclear energys resurgence. Approximately 65 nuclear reactors are under construction in 16 countries, with plans to complete 12 by 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, India and China each complete three, while Bangladesh and Russia add two each, and South Korea and Turkey add one each. Around 90 reactors with a combined capacity of roughly 90 GWe are planned, with over 300 more proposed, predominantly in Asian nations where economic growth and electricity demand are rapidly increasing. Despite new reactors coming online, the number of operational reactors has remained relatively stable due to the retirement of older units. Over the past two decades, 107 reactors were retired while 100 new reactors began operations. Presently, about 440 nuclear reactors are in operation across 32 countries worldwide, including Taiwan, with a total capacity of about 390 GWe. In 2023, these reactors contributed approximately 2,602 TWh, accounting for about 9% of the global electricity supply. Recognizing the potential of advanced nuclear technologies to meet sustainability objectives, tech giants such as Google are making substantial investments in this sector. Notably, Google has also collaborated with Kairos Power to integrate nuclear energy into its grid, complementing its reliance on renewable sources like wind and solar. The future of nuclear power looks promising, with projections indicating a nearly 3 percent annual growth in global nuclear power generation through 2026, setting new records by 2025. This optimistic outlook was bolstered by a joint declaration signed at the COP28 climate conference in December 2023, where over 20 countries committed to tripling nuclear capacity by 2050, translating to an additional 740 GW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Innovations in nuclear technology continue to evolve, with developments such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) offering versatile and efficient solutions. This trajectory is not only taking us to a greener tomorrow but also contributing to local economic growth and job creation. Closing in on the quantum age Quantum computing, a concept that has fascinated physicists for over four decades, is quickly realizing practical applications. This technology, rooted in the principles of quantum physics, offers processing capabilities far beyond those of traditional computers. It is set to amplify our scientific endeavors by enabling the modeling of complex phenomena that classical computers can't efficiently process. Recent advancements have edged "quantum utility" closer than ever. For example, Google's latest quantum processor, Willow, demonstrated its potential by solving a computational problem in just five minutes, that the most powerful supercomputers could not tackle within the age of the universe. This achievement highlights the unique ability of quantum computers to manage tasks with an extensive array of variable inputs, making them particularly suitable for simulating complex systems, from molecular interactions in drug development to tricky economic forecasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commercial quantum computing landscape has seen significant contributions from pioneers like Canadian-based D-Wave Quantum Inc., which in 2011 became the first company to sell quantum computers. Major tech entities such as IBM, Google, and Amazon Web Services and startups like Universal Quantum and PsiQuantum Corp. are actively developing this technology. Notably, companies including Microsoft and Intel are progressing towards building scalable, practical quantum supercomputers, with Intel shipping a silicon quantum chip with notably smaller qubits than conventional designs. Despite their prowess, quantum computers are not intended to replace conventional computers for everyday tasks that involve sequential processing of simpler, isolated data sets. Instead, they are being developed to handle high-complexity problem-solving. Looking ahead to 2025, the quantum computing field is expected to achieve critical milestones such as increased qubit count and coherence times, advancements in quantum algorithms, integration with classical supercomputers, improvements in quantum error correction, and broader adoption of quantum-safe cryptography. Connecting minds and machines with BCI in 2025 Entering 2025, the brain-computer interface (BCI) frontier is witnessing significant developments, particularly in China. The country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has outlined ambitious plans to pioneer BCI devices that span a range of applications from medical rehabilitation to virtual reality enhancements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A standout innovation is NEO, a wireless, minimally invasive BCI system equipped with eight electrodes. This device, positioned over the brain's sensorimotor cortex, is specifically engineered to restore hand mobility in individuals with paralysis. NEO's clinical trials, initiated in 2023, have already shown promising outcomes. After nine months of home use, a participant with a spinal cord injury regained the ability to perform daily tasks such as eating and drinking independently. Plans are in place to move the implant to larger-scale trials by 2025. In the realm of fully implantable BCIs, Paradromics emerges as a notable player. It distinguishes itself by recording from single neurons and utilizing durable materials that enhance the longevity and safety of the implants. The company is gearing up for its clinical trials slated for 2025. Meanwhile, New York-based Synchron is making strides in the United States by integrating generative AI technology into its endovascular BCI systems. This development aims to enhance communication capabilities for individuals with motor impairments, allowing for more interactive and intuitive use of BCI platforms. Technological advancements are also expected in non-invasive BCIs, such as those utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Improvements are also anticipated in areas like materials science and device miniaturization, leading to less invasive devices and ones which are more compatible with human tissue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scope of BCI applications is expanding, with potential new treatments for neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and depression. Moreover, BCIs are set to play an increasingly vital role in neurorehabilitation, aiding individuals in recovering motor functions lost to conditions like paralysis and stroke. As BCI technology advances, it also prompts a deeper examination of the ethical and regulatory aspects of interfacing technology with the human brain, indicating that discussions in these areas will become more prevalent and important. Big space aspirations for 2025 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for space exploration, building on the successes of 2024, which included the first successful lunar landing by a private spacecraft. In January, ispace, a Tokyo-based company, will make its second attempt to land on the Moon with the Venture Moon mission, which includes a lander and a micro-rover. Similarly, Houston's Intuitive Machines will deploy a lander to the Moon's south pole, carrying crucial instruments like a NASA ice drill and a mass spectrometer to analyze subsurface materials. Additionally, NASAs Lunar Trailblazer will orbit the Moon to map surface water, further enriching our lunar exploration efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The year will also witness significant advancements in studying solar winds with two major missions. The SMILE (Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) satellite, a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, aims to explore the interaction of solar wind with Earth's magnetic field. Simultaneously, NASAs PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission will use four satellites in low Earth orbit to study the Suns atmosphere and produce 3D imagery that will answer long-standing questions about solar energy distribution in the Solar System. NASA's SPHEREx mission is another highlight of 2025, poised to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. This observatory will map the sky in 102 colors using near-infrared light, collecting data on over 450 million galaxies and more than 100 million Milky Way stars, helping to decode the universe's origins. Additional notable missions include the Fram2 private space mission by SpaceX, embarking on the first crewed polar orbit spaceflight; the Sierra Space Dream Chaser, testing its reusable spaceplane capabilities with a mission to the ISS; and NASAs EscaPADE mission, launching on Blue Origins New Glenn rocket to study Mars' magnetosphere, directed by the University of California, Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory. Evolution of humanoid robotics Naturally, since artificial intelligence is getting smarter, in 2025, integrating AI into robotics will further enhance how robots interact with the living world. While the arrival of fully autonomous robots may still be some distance away, there has been considerable progress in developing robots that mimic human capabilities, such as walking, talking, and expressing emotions, thanks to AI. This integration is crucial in taking some of the world's most advanced robots to the next level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sophia, for instance, is celebrated for its human-like conversational abilities and facial expressions, utilizing AI to analyze and respond to language effectively. Atlas excels in complex movements and environmental navigation, leveraging AI to handle tasks requiring advanced physical interactions. Unitree, the quadruped robot, is known for its dynamic movement and obstacle navigation, and it is capable of performing intricate maneuvers like backflips. Ameca stands out for its realistic facial expressions, using AI to enhance human-robot interactions. The figure is designed for versatility, employing AI for object recognition and manipulation and adapting effortlessly to various environments. These robots have seen enhancements in their capabilities throughout the year, driven by hardware improvements and AI advancements, further blurring the lines between human and machine interactions. Looking ahead to 2025, the trend of integrating AI to refine decision-making and optimize workflows in robotics is expected to continue. Robot manufacturers are developing generative AI-driven interfaces that allow more intuitive control over robots through natural language, bypassing the need for complex coding. This would enable robots to process and respond to detailed commands, understand complex situations, and even exhibit creative thinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Developments to watch for include the commercial deployment of robots like the Tesla Bot, an empirical way to gauge the practical use of robotics in everyday environments. Additionally, major investments by leading companies like Amazon or Google, potentially in home robotics, indicate a broader acceptance and integration of robotics in consumer spaces. Further advancements in AI, particularly in computer vision and natural language processing (NLP), will enable robots to perceive their surroundings better and interact more naturally with users. These advancements are moving us to a future where highly autonomous robots are integral to our daily lives. The rebirth of supersonic travel in 2025 Commercial aviation is on the brink of a transformative turn, with advancements in supersonic and hypersonic technologies that will drastically reduce global travel times. These innovations in aircraft design not only focus on speed but are also aimed at achieving quieter, more environmentally friendly supersonic travel, resurrecting a mode of transportation that has waned since Concorde's retirement. NASA has recently achieved a significant breakthrough with its X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft. On December 12, at the Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, NASA completed the first full burn test, a critical milestone before the projects full flight testing in 2025. The X-59 is designed to cut down long-distance flight times significantly, both domestically within the United States and internationally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boom Supersonic is also making advances with its Overture supersonic passenger jet. On December 19, 2024, Booms prototype, the XB-1, completed its 10th test flight, achieving a new top speed of Mach 0.95 and reaching an altitude of 32,417 feet, approaching the typical supersonic flight level of about 34,000 feet. This test positions the XB-1 on the cusp of breaking the sound barrier, anticipated in early 2025. Notably, the XB-1s speed has surpassed the cruising speeds of major commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380, showcasing its potential to revolutionize air travel by combining speed with advanced performance capabilities. Additionally, Venus Aerospace is testing the limits of air travel with its revolutionary hypersonic jet. With the expected inaugural test flight in 2025, this aircraft promises to connect London and New York in just one hour, traveling at speeds up to Mach 6 (3,600 mph/5,795 km/h). The Venus Detonation Ramjet 2000 lb Thrust Engine, or VDR2, is at the core of this development, enabling previously unimaginable speeds that could significantly alter the future of international travel. These advancements signal a historic moment in aviation, where the combined efforts of NASA, Boom Supersonic, and Venus Aerospace initiate a new supersonic era of rapid, efficient, and sustainable air travel. Digging the universe with particle physics In 2025, the particle physics community anticipates the commencement of operations at the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, Sweden. After more than a decade of construction, this state-of-the-art facility will emerge as the world's most powerful neutron source. Utilizing a high-speed proton beam directed at a heavy-metal target, the ESS will generate intense neutron pulses to probe the structure and dynamics of various materials. This tool will offer scientists unprecedented insights into the properties of matter, supporting advances in energy storage, sustainable technologies, pharmaceuticals, and biological systems. Additionally, research at ESS will explore new materials critical for energy production and storage, such as superconductors and batteries, contributing to solutions for global challenges like climate change, environmental pollution, and resource scarcity. The ESS represents a collaborative effort among 13 European countries, enhancing scientific cooperation and knowledge exchange on a global scale. Simultaneously, plans for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) are progressing at CERN, the European particle-physics laboratory outside Geneva, Switzerland. A detailed feasibility study, expected to conclude in 2025, will assess the financial, technical, and environmental aspects of constructing a massive particle accelerator with a 91-kilometer circumference. This ambitious project, envisioned as the successor to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), aims to start construction in the 2030s. The FCC will be situated approximately 200 meters underground, a tunnel that could encircle an area larger than Chicago, and is planned to include four experimental halls. The FCC is designed to operate at significantly higher energies than its predecessors, enabling more precise measurements of particles like the Higgs Boson. This enhancement will deepen our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature. It could lead to the discovery of new particles and phenomena that extend beyond the current Standard Model, such as supersymmetry, extra dimensions, and dark matter. These investigations are crucial for unlocking further secrets of the universe. Every year, members of the British royal family gather at a private estate to celebrate one of the most important winter holidays, Christmas. However, even on this day, Their Highnesses follow special rules and traditions. ADVERTISIMENT Mike Tindall, Princess Anne's son-in-law, disclosed that the monarchs pay special attention to a private dinner that takes place behind closed doors a few days before Christmas. According to him, a large number of royals gather in one room, but they do not sit at the same table, the Express writes. The former English rugby player married Queen Elizabeth II's eldest granddaughter, Zara Phillips (Tindall), in 2011, and since then he has spent almost every Christmas with the royal family. He noted that one of the interesting features of the celebration is that during lunch, adult members of the British royal family sit separately from the children. ADVERTISIMENT For example, once there were about 70 guests in the palace. They were all in one large room at ten different tables, but there was not a single young royal person nearby. As Mike Tindall noted, the Windsor children enjoy their meals in a separate room. This year, Charles III organized a Christmas dinner at Buckingham Palace on December 19. Among the guests were: His Highness and his wife Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the King's brother Andrew, his wife Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, Lord Frederick Windsor and his family, and other monarchs. It is noted that lunch at Buckingham Palace is often organized for Their Highnesses, who will not attend the official celebration in Sandringham. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Merry Christmas Eve and happy holidays, Borderland! Conditions were on the warmer side during the day, but the skies are looking good over El Paso as we await the arrival of Santa Claus. El Paso will drop just below 40 for Tuesdays low. Come Wednesday, Christmas Day, a high near 70 is expected. Winds will accompany the warm temperatures, blowing in from the southwest at 10-15 mph in the afternoon. Gusts can reach speeds as high as 30 mph and blowing dust will be a factor in drier areas. Winds will decrease slightly come evening, but overall, the day will be a windy one. For Thursday, we will see those winds die down and be left with cooler temperatures. A cold front entering the region Christmas night will leave the Sun City with a high in the low 60s and a low around 40. Similar conditions are expected for Friday and Saturday, with cool breezes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One last gradual warm-up is in store for December where temperatures near 70 will return Sunday and Monday. Lows will be near 40 with mostly sunny skies. Another cold front will drop us down to the low 60s on Tuesday. Overnight, New Years Eve, a low near 35 is forecasted. New Years Day will produce a high around 60 starting the new year with more seasonably average temperatures. From our team to your family, happy holidays! Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. InCahoots, abandoned Mission Valley country bar, catches fire on Christmas Day SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A fire broke out on Christmas morning at an abandoned country bar in Mission Valley and smoke could be seen from nearby freeways. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department responded to a fire Wednesday morning at the former InCahoots Dance Hall & Saloon at 5373 Mission Center Road in Mission Valley. Abandoned country saloon catches fire in Mission Valley This comes nearly two months after a fire broke out at the abandoned building in late October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire officials said both fires are considered suspicious. In total, nearly 50 firefighters and personnel were on the scene battling the blaze that broke out at 10 a.m. on Christmas Day, the fire-rescue department reported. The structure was fully engulfed and thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the former dance hall. By 11:15 a.m., not much was left of the building as you can see below. Former In Cahoots Dance Hall in Mission Valley burns down on Christmas Day (FOX 5/KUSI) The fire-rescue department reports a fire investigator has been assigned. No injuries have been reported. FOX 5/KUSIs Juliette Vara contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Dec. 24Meg Wright wants Starbucks Corp. executives to negotiate a fair contract that includes protected benefits and increased wages. But that contract hasn't come to fruition in a yearslong battle between company executives and officials of the national organization Starbucks Workers United, representing workers like Wright at New Mexico's only unionized store located at Rio Grande and Interstate 40. Wright and other workers at the Albuquerque Starbucks participated in a nationwide, five-day strike on Tuesday what union officials are saying is the largest to date in response to failed commitments by the Seattle-based coffee chain made earlier this year to reach a labor agreement and resolve unfair labor practice charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike by Starbucks employees joins a growing list of standoffs this year between organized labor and corporations, including a seven-week strike by Boeing workers in the Seattle area that ended in November and another by Amazon workers at delivery hubs in California, New York, Georgia and Illinois that started last week. "I have worked in food and beverage service on and off for about 25 years, and it has always been a struggle to make ends meet, to feel OK about work," said Wright, a Starbucks barista joined on the picket line Tuesday morning by about a dozen others. "Even though this company, on the surface, offers benefits and pay above the really bad minimum wage, it's still not a living wage." The Christmas Eve strike by Albuquerque Starbucks workers follows a vote to unionize the Rio Grande store in September 2022 and other walkouts by members and supporters in the months since. A dozen supporters and workers, about half of which are employed at the Rio Grande location, woke up early Tuesday to begin picketing in front of the store's south and west ends. They chanted "No contract, no coffee" and "People over profits" and waved signs such as "Union busting is disgusting" to passersby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It felt like the biggest win to see them out on the picket line," said Naomi Martinez, a volunteer organizer for Starbucks Workers United based in California. "I think it's already difficult to get workers to work together, be excited, get out on the picket line, even when you're surrounded by other stores. But they've been standing strong on their own for so long now, and so to see that energy still be so high and just to see their commitment to the movement ... it's just so inspiring." A national contract that also "accounts for different stores or different areas based on their needs" has not yet been reached with Starbucks, Martinez told the Journal. Union officials in a Monday news release said both sides have engaged in "hundreds of hours of bargaining and countless hours of preparation for each session." "After all Starbucks has said about how they value partners throughout the system, we refuse to accept zero immediate investment in baristas' wages," Lynne Fox, president of Starbucks Workers United, said in a statement. "Union baristas know their value, and they're not going to accept a proposal that doesn't treat them as true partners." A Starbucks spokesperson couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday. "Our new CEO makes more than $50,000 per hour, and we're making below a living wage," Wright said, with car horns honking in the background. "We're the ones who are making the coffee, serving the customers, getting to know the customers (and) working faster and faster and faster because we're under constant time pressure to get stuff out." Rough estimates place Maines remaining volume of firefighting foam with PFAS at upward of 40,000 gallons. Despite a 2020 recommendation by the Governors PFAS Task Force to inventory and collect AFFF stocks, no progress toward that goal has been realized in nearly five years. (Brendan Bullock) This story is the first in a series, A Fire Hose of Forever Chemicals, which can be seen in entirety here. During 21 years working as a municipal firefighter, I had hyper-exposure to foam, recalled Jim Graves, director of training at the Maine Fire Service Institute. Graves entered the fire service at age 17 and was later sent to foam firefighting school, a weeklong training in the selection and use of these chemical fire-suppression agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fires are classified by the material ignited, and only Class A fires involving wood, cloth, rubber and some plastics respond well to water. Class A foam is typically used on structural fires because it penetrates into materials to quell flames quickly. Class B or aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF, called A triple-F) targets flammable and combustible fuel fires, which water can spread. A cascading arc of AFFF, formed by mixing a small percentage of concentrate with a high volume of water, can slide quickly across the surface of a fuel spill, creating a thin barrier that effectively deprives flames of oxygen and suppresses fuel vapors. The efficiency of AFFF relies on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a vast class of thousands of synthetic chemicals characterized by nearly unbreakable carbon-fluorine bonds. First used in World War II, PFAS were subsequently added to hundreds of types of consumer and industrial products due to the chemicals ability to repel water and oil, resist heat, and reduce surface tension. Corporate documents reveal that chemical manufacturers like 3M and DuPont knew a half-century ago that fluorinated chemicals posed serious health risks. PFAS persist indefinitely in the environment and accumulate in bodies potentially disrupting hormonal, immune and reproductive systems, and increasing the risk of various cancers. AFFF became a staple on military bases in the 1970s, not long after its development by 3M and the U.S. Navy. By 1988, the federal government mandated its use at commercial airports (a stricture that held until May 2023). Use of AFFF foam increased among Maine fire departments in the 1980s and 1990s, with 70% of departments in a recent survey reporting that prior to 2022 they used the foam, at least occasionally, primarily for combustible fuel fires, vehicle fires and routine trainings. (Brendan Bullock) Some municipal fire departments, particularly those near highways, industry and airports, also kept stocks on hand for vehicular and other fuel fires and for use in periodic trainings. A recent survey of Maine fire departments (see sidebar) found that 70% used AFFF prior to 2022, at least occasionally, primarily for combustible fuel fires, vehicle fires and routine trainings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When military bases in Maine closed, they gave some AFFF (made to military specifications, high in PFAS) to municipal departments around the state. Smaller departments always had access to that mil-spec foam, one fire chief observed. AFFF became a staple tool for many departments because it worked remarkably well. It was a truly amazing chemical engineering accomplishment, Graves said, but horrible, as we have now learned. Not safe as dish soap In 2001, a consultant told a technical committee of the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that the toxicity and persistence of two PFAS compounds that Class B foams can degrade into PFOA and PFOS could be a death warrant. Manufacturers changed methods to produce PFAS formulations with shorter carbon chains, and marketed those AFFF concentrates to fire departments as a sustainable substitute. But over time, many of the newer compounds proved to be just as toxic, and more mobile and persistent in ecosystems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States began to control AFFF use in 2019, and in 2021 Maine banned its manufacture, sale and distribution (temporarily exempting airports and oil terminals), and mandated containment and reporting of any use. Maine also banned AFFF in firefighter training, but through the preceding decades we trained with foam because it was required, Graves said, referring to the voluminous standards the NFPA sets for fire departments. If we had known, we would have stopped using [foam] way earlier. Firefighters were assured that AFFF was safe as dish soap, and the concentrate looked similar a pale amber liquid stored in sparsely labeled 5-gallon pails, 50-gallon drums or translucent 250- to 330-gallon totes. The concentrate could become viscous at times, congealing around valves. Graves recalls once having to reach into a tank of AFFF concentrate up to his shoulder to release a clog. Convinced that all firefighting foams were harmless, departments used them not only at live fires and trainings but occasionally, when requested, for recreational purposes. Various foams (of unknown class) were spread for birthday parties and at parks for community events so that children could slide and romp in what seemed like a bubble bath run wild. Fire departments throughout Maine and around the country did not confine foam use to live fires and trainings. Upon request, they would periodically spread foam in parks or other settings so that children could frolic in it. (Contributed photo) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent research indicates that some legacy PFAS compounds like PFOA and PFOS may transfer readily into aerosol form. When the State of Michigan tested foam at a highly contaminated lake, it found PFAS levels as high as 220,000 parts per trillion (ppt). Yet little research has been done on health effects from inhaled particles of AFFF, according to a spokesperson for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For many firefighters, AFFF may be the most significant source of exposure to PFAS, a working group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, part of the World Health Organization) concluded. In 2023, the IARC classified PFOA as carcinogenic and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Cancer has become the leading cause of death among active firefighters. North Americas largest union of first responders, the International Association of Fire Fighters, reports that in 2023 occupational cancer accounted for 72% of the line-of-duty deaths among its U.S. members. Firefighters are 9% more likely than the general population to develop cancer and 14% more likely to die from it, a federal study found. A fire station sign reads: You cant train too hard for a job that can kill you. (Brendan Bullock) Through training, appropriate equipment and careful practices, firefighters work to minimize the hazards inherent in fires, smoke and diesel truck fumes. But they were never warned that chemicals in the AFFF spewing out of firehoses and blowing about them like snow could get into nearly all of their organs and remain for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It freaks me out so bad that the firefighters of Maine had no clue, Graves said. Honestly, Im scared for a lot of my generation. He has already lost many firefighter friends to cancer. Colleagues in the fire service share Graves sense of being trapped in what he terms a bad lottery, expecting not a winning ticket but a devastating illness: Many of us are sadly waiting for the day that we get a diagnosis. Risks of scattered AFFF stocks The threats posed by AFFF extend far beyond the fire service. AFFF is responsible for some of the largest PFAS releases to the environment, Washington States Department of Ecology wrote recently in a 260-page environmental impact statement. These are also the most complex, costly, and difficult to investigate and remediate. The longer AFFF concentrate sits at dispersed locations around Maine, Graves said, the greater the likelihood it will get spilled or dumped. Public awareness of that risk rose after a hangar fire suppression system at Brunswick Executive Airport malfunctioned last August, mixing water with roughly 1,450 gallons of PFAS-laden concentrate to fill the massive structure four to five feet deep in foam. That spill, which could affect the community and watershed for generations, was far from anomalous. Brunswick Landing, the converted compound of a former U.S. Navy air station, has had at least a dozen other inadvertent AFFF spills recorded during and after its military use, including another hangar spill in 2019 and a 2012 hangar spill of 2,000 gallons of concentrate discovered by the Brunswick Sewer District. The Aug. 19 AFFF spill at Hangar 4 of Brunswick Executive Airport, the site of a former U.S. Navy air station, was one among at least a dozen other AFFF spills recorded during and after the militarys tenure there. (Martha Spiess) For 30 years ending in 1990, the former station hosted fire trainings (many of which likely involved foam discharge), according to an environmental assessment prepared for the Brunswick Armed Forces Reserve Center. The report also noted that expired AFFF would be discharged to various grassy areas around [the Naval Air Station] from fire vehicles for routine maintenance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an assessment of airport fires at Department of Defense facilities nationwide, the U.S. Air Force found that just one fire had occurred over three decades (extinguished by a water deluge system) while chemical foam had discharged accidentally once every two months on average over 15 years, resulting in one death, 21 injuries and more than $24 million in mishap costs. Two months prior to the Brunswick accident, 800 gallons of foam concentrate spilled at an Air National Guard facility in South Burlington, Vermont. Fire suppression systems used in oil and gas storage and transport, many of which rely on AFFF, can also malfunction. Rack systems used to transfer oil and gas from storage tanks to trucks have built-in sprinkler systems that are prone to accidents, according to Philip Selberg, chief of the South Portland Fire Department. Oil terminals are subject to Maines AFFF law as of January 1, 2025, but to Selbergs knowledge only one local terminal has transitioned to a fluorine-free substitute. (That terminal owner, Global Partners, declined Maine Morning Stars request for an interview.) Awareness of risks associated with AFFF has increased since the state restricted its use in 2021, but deliberate dumping of foam concentrate remains a concern. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has spent several years overseeing remediation of a site where intentional dumping occurred in 2020. A U.S. Air Force Assessment found that chemical foam systems at military installations discharged accidentally once every two months on average over 15 years, resulting in one death, 21 injuries and more than $24 million in mishap costs. Foam from the recent Brunswick spill carried PFAS chemicals into surrounding ecosystems. (Steve Walker) During routine well monitoring at a closed demolition debris landfill in Gorham, DEP staff learned that the towns public works staff had dumped 500 gallons of AFFF concentrate from the fire station into the landfill several months earlier. That discovery led to a protracted investigation and remediation (with costs borne by the municipality), involving multiple environmental assessments and removal of contaminated soil, according to agency records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AFFF can also be deployed inadvertently, due to confusion among firefighters (many of them volunteers) who face a vast and ever-changing array of foam formulations. In New Hampshire, contractors for the state recently identified about 250 AFFF formulations from roughly 40 manufacturers. Maine fire departments received clear guidance not to use AFFF in training and to report its use to the DEP, but they never got instructions on separating AFFF stocks and storing them carefully until they can be collected to reduce chances of unintended use. Drums of AFFF concentrate in Hangar 6 at the Brunswick Executive Airport, photographed in November 2023, date back to 1985 and 1989 according to product labels, exceeding the longest expected lifespan by roughly 15 years.(Courtesy of Ed Friedman/Friends of Merrymeeting Bay) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some AFFF containers in Maine far exceed the products long shelf life, which ranges from 10 years to 25 years. Plastic drums of PFAS-laden concentrate stored at the Brunswick Executive Airport (as of November 2023) had production dates in the mid- to late 1980s. Not a simple switch A wide range of fluorine-free foams (called F3) are now available, and two independent entities have tested some of these products to ensure that they are not unlike earlier PFAS reformulations regrettable substitutions. Anila Bello, a researcher with the Department of Public Health at the University of Massachusetts Lowell who surveyed fire-training facilities nationally, has observed how that earlier deception left fire professionals skeptical about current marketing claims. Having been told that shorter-chain PFAS were safe during the foam transition that occurred in the mid-2000s, [firefighters] are very hesitant transitioning to F3 foam; they want it to be truly safe for human health and for the environment, she said. Theyre concerned that theyll be in the same situation 10 or 20 years from now. A toxicological study of six PFAS-free foams concluded that the new formulations, when compared to earlier products with PFAS, appear to have a lower likelihood of environmental persistence and bioaccumulation and to have lower oral human health toxicity. However, the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council cautions that all Class B foams (including F3 ones) can be problematic if the foam reaches drinking water sources, groundwater [or] surface water with the potential for acute aquatic toxicity and nutrient loading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even fire departments ready to adopt F3 alternatives can be slowed by the costs and the logistical hurdles of selecting appropriate foam, training staff in its use, and purging AFFF from existing equipment so it does not contaminate the new foam. Fire departments ready to adopt F3 alternatives can be slowed by the costs and the logistical hurdles of selecting appropriate foam, training staff in its use, and purging AFFF from existing equipment so it does not contaminate the new foam. (Brendan Bullock) In South Portlands case, the needed foam research took considerable time and expense, including sending staff members to different out-of-state product demonstrations to determine which new formulas might work best knowledge that fire departments cant derive from white papers written for chemical engineers, Selberg said: Its a bit of a leap of faith to be sure that what you buy is going to work for you. The South Portland Fire Department recently settled on a replacement foam that Selberg has confidence in, but now the department needs to coordinate with seven oil terminals, each of which is mandated to keep a reserve of AFFF on-site but all of which rely on the city for fire services. The foam that terminals select for replacements, he said, needs to be something we as a department are familiar with so if we respond to a facility, we can all work together. One of the largest concentrations of AFFF still stored in Maine is in South Portland, where seven oil terminals along the Fore River are mandated to keep reserves on hand for the Citys fire department to use. Legislation that prevents oil terminals from purchasing new AFFF takes effect Jan. 1, 2025. (Alex MacLean) Once departments acquire F3 foams, they need to rid foam equipment of residual AFFF. That process, typically involving a series of rinses, is complicated by the need to save rinse water for safe disposal (a process outlined in detail by states like Washington and Connecticut). Maine has no central clearinghouse for information on the foam transition so departments like South Portlands have been fielding frequent calls since the August 19 airport hangar spill. Brunswick has upped the ante for everybody: I cant tell you how many calls Ive gotten from departments wanting to know what to swap, how to swap, Selberg said. Suddenly, its a big deal. Honestly, it should have been a big deal for us five years ago, right? Until Brunswick happened, weve all been sitting around waiting to figure out if someone would take the lead. And sadly, we havent. A missed opportunity Five years ago, Graves and two dozen other individuals knowledgeable about Class B foam were invited to serve on an AFFF Working Group of the Governors PFAS Task Force, which formed to develop a strategic plan for the states PFAS response. The working group drafted recommendations, endorsed by the task force and published in January 2020, that could have set Maine on a path toward gathering and securing all remaining AFFF stocks, a step that might have prevented the Brunswick spill. The task force recommended in part that all fire departments in the State of Maine be required to disclose the type and quantity of current inventory of Class B AFFF, and that protocols be established for safe storage and routine inspection. It called for a state-level funding mechanism that would allow the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the DEP to develop and execute a Class B AFFF takeback and/or replacement program that does not financially burden Maine fire departments or their municipalities. The state-level funding mechanism, a prerequisite for many of the other working group recommendations, was never established. In response to inquiries from Maine Morning Star, spokespersons for MEMA and the DEP indicated that any progress toward an AFFF inventory and takeback (or buyback) program await funding. Even the mandated reporting of AFFF use is in essence voluntary, according to DEP spokesperson David Madore, because it was an unfunded initiative. We do not have the financial resources or staff required to implement the program, he wrote. Fourteen states have now taken action to limit uses of AFFF, according to the nonprofit Safer States, but few states have created the sort of dedicated revenue source that the Maine task force envisioned. Funded by a tax on tanker fuel transport, Colorado helps fire departments cover foam replacement costs by buying back AFFF at $40/gallon. The tax also supports a grant program that helps public water systems, private well owners and local governments sample waters for PFAS contamination, including those affected by past AFFF use. Connecticut appropriated $3 million to help fire departments transition off fluorinated foams, providing grants for disposal of AFFF concentrate and rinsate from decontaminating trucks and equipment. Without a provision to cover municipal costs for foam replacement, budgetary pressures or the Yankee penchant to use things up before acquiring replacements could drive fire departments to retain their remaining AFFF stock. As South Portland has learned, the foam transition entails extensive labor and costs in research, retraining and equipment cleaning that extend beyond replacement foam purchases. Asked what the fire department would like going forward, Selberg replied: The best-case scenario is the State comes in tomorrow and says Inventory what you have, well come down and get it, and well credit you so you can buy what you need. Right now, that burden is going to be on our city to do all those things. Determining how much AFFF is in Maine The AFFF Working Group discovered during its 2019 research that completing a statewide inventory would prove challenging. An initial survey sent to 305 fire departments by the Office of the State Fire Marshal garnered just 61 responses. Among 20 industry partners with potential AFFF (like paper mills and oil terminals), eight responded. Until Brunswick happened, weve all been sitting around waiting to figure out if someone would take the lead. And sadly, we havent. Philip Selberg, South Portland Fire Department chief Incomplete state-level data complicates the work of undertaking an inventory. Maine currently lacks a comprehensive database of all the states fire departments, and only 259 out of an estimated 378 departments report to the state. MEMA and staff of the Fire Marshal both informed Maine Morning Star that they have no current contact information for industry partners. As of 2022, the Maine Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan documented more than 19,000 gallons of AFFF stored in just four communities. Former military bases represent another significant source, with an estimated 6,000 gallons of AFFF concentrate at Brunswick Landing alone (although numbers are still in dispute). Factoring in other military sites, airports, helipads, paper mills and fire departments, AFFF accounting becomes speculative. The DEP estimated the total volume statewide in 2022 at 48,000 gallons but that was simply an extrapolation from the limited responses to the AFFF Working Group survey. A recent survey completed by Maine Morning Star, which like the states 2019 survey had only a 20 percent response rate, reported roughly 4,000 additional gallons at municipal departments beyond those counted in the oil spill plan. A similar extrapolation, adding in the 25,000 gallons from industry and military sources, would total 45,000 gallonsclose to the DEPs original estimate. Laying the groundwork for success in AFFF collection For Maine to successfully gather back most of the remaining AFFF, it will need an accurate inventory of where the foam concentrate is stored. Achieving a high response rate on an inventory is clearly challenging but not impossible. North Carolina undertook an AFFF inventory with roughly three times the number of fire departments Maine has (1,217 departments spanning 2,119 sites, when counting multiple stations) and achieved a 100% participation rate. Brian Taylor, the State Fire Marshal, said he knows what Maine is up against, given that his office typically gets a 10% return rate on surveys and both states have a high proportion of departments staffed entirely or mostly by volunteers. In North Carolina, Taylor said, the AFFF inventory was mandated and strongly supported with boots on the ground regional resource people (affiliated with the North Carolina Collaboratory) who could help local departments compile the needed information. The state also has three foam research analysts to help gather and manage data, at an annual cost of roughly $300,000, according to Taylor. North Carolina plans to conduct an annual AFFF inventory until all remaining stocks are collected, with about 11% gathered and stored by the State to date). Its foam analysts are also helping gather data for a state investigation of water quality at wells located near fire departments and training areas. To make AFFF reporting easier, Taylors office encouraged the development of a new application within a software system already used to report fire incidents by many fire departments nationally. That AFFF management application is now available to any state at no added cost. Use of that reporting software is mandated in North Carolina but remains optional in Maine, according to State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler. It was given to departments in 2014 and 91 percent of reporting departments in the state now use that software, according to the Fire Marshals office. Getting rid of AFFF Following up on Maines AFFF law, the DEP delivered a progress report to the legislature in March 2022 that identified obstacles to disposing of the foam concentrate stocks. The primary options at that time involved incineration or transport to a hazardous waste dump. Incineration of surplus AFFF by the Department of Defense had already generated PFAS contamination downwind of incinerators, indicating that temperatures in a typical incinerator do not fully break down PFAS (a concern confirmed by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance document last spring). Survey findings Among the fire departments that responded to the Maine Morning Star survey: 28% still have AFFF stocks stored on site 7% report using AFFF since restrictions took effect in January 2022 13% have begun acquiring fluorine-free foams Transporting PFAS out of state to hazardous waste facilities in fenceline communities runs counter to the environmental justice provision Maine must apply in its own siting decisions regarding solid waste facilities. Landfills can contaminate groundwater and surface waters with PFAS from leachate and can emit PFAS in a gaseous form. Since 2022, experimental approaches to break down AFFF into relatively benign elements have advanced, with some methods now being piloted at a commercial scale. Two states, Ohio and New Hampshire, have sent their AFFF stocks to a new plant in Columbus, Ohio that uses superheated water to break apart the strong fluorine-carbon bonds in PFAS, a process known as supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). This highly energy-intensive process is still new and while it doesnt appear to generate problematic PFAS byproducts, it does produce hydrofluoric acid, which the EPA notes may require protections for worker health, emission controls, and reactor care. A 2022 U.S. Government Accountability Office report noted that maintenance can also be difficult and costly because of the intense heat, pressure and corrosive by-products generated during treatment. New Hampshires contract to dispose of 9,924 gallons of AFFF using SCWO is costing roughly $500,000, according to Andrew Gould of the states Department of Environmental Services. Once the material is processed, the state will be provided per-batch confirmation of destruction to help protect the participating fire departments and airports from liability. (PFOS and PFOA are now listed as hazardous waste under the federal Superfund law, but the EPA has issued a policy explicitly stating that it does not intend to pursue entities such as fire departments, local airports and water utilities.) In its 2022 report to the legislature, the DEP indicated that it does not recommend pursuing long-term consolidated storage of waste AFFF at this time. Until the U.S. EPA provides final guidance on management of this waste stream, the Department recommends ensuring that existing stocks of AFFF are stored safely in place. Nearly three years later, the EPA appears no closer to issuing final guidance, having just updated its interim guidance in April 2024. The August foam spill at Brunswick Landing undercut public confidence that remaining AFFF stocks can or will be stored safely in place. By mid-September, Maine Rep. Dan Ankeles (D-Brunswick) had submitted three bill titles to the legislature, including ones that would mandate and fund both an AFFF inventory and a takeback program. Details are still being finalized in concert with the DEP and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Maine could collect AFFF and store it until a thorough analysis of emerging technologies is completed. Now that oil terminals in Maine are becoming subject to the AFFF law, they will be transitioning off fluorinated foams. Staff of the South Portland Fire Department have been meeting with oil terminal representatives and are considering disposal options for the Citys remaining stocks of AFFF. We dont have the facilities to keep it other than how we keep it, Selberg said. The departments AFFF containers are stored in climate-controlled settings, but theyre not bermed off or protected with secondary containment to catch leaks. Planning for the removal and replacement of 3,000 or so gallons of foam concentrate, he adds, the logistics and cost of that are pretty burdensome. The city recently allocated $125,000 in federal American Rescue Plan funds to begin that transition. Ive been approached by some of the terminals here about going in with them and getting rid of [AFFF stocks] through one of the waste contractors, Selberg said, but I dont really know where its going. So am I just sending it to some poor county in the middle of nowhere and making it their problem? Surveying fire departments To learn more about PFAS in and from firefighting, the nonprofit news site Maine Morning Star and the nonprofit Pulitzer Center collaborated with researchers at the Rutgers School of Health on a survey of Maine fire departments. The lead researcher, epidemiologist Judith Graber, conducts ongoing research on firefighters in four Maine departments through a Cancer Assessment and Prevention Study, part of a national Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study. The survey, conducted in cooperation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Maine Fire Chiefs Association, the Maine State Federation of Firefighters and the Professional Fire Fighters of Maine, was sent out in July 2024 to 378 fire departments, with follow-up reminders. The results shared in this series reflect the 77 surveys received. (That 20 percent response rate is identical to a state survey specific to AFFF distributed in 2019.) Given the relatively low response rate, the data shared in this series does not reflect the breadth of Maines fire service (estimated by the Maine State Federation of Fire Fighters at around 7,200 firefighters statewide). For example, the survey has a higher proportion of departments mostly or entirely staffed by career firefighters (34 percent, rather than the 7 percent estimated in a federal fire department registry). Graphics and text highlights from the survey can be found here. Maine Morning Star is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Voters at Anchorage City Hall wait in line to cast their ballots on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. City Hall, in downtown Anchorage, was one of the designated early voting sites in the state's largest city. The director of the Alaska Division of Election answered some pointed questions at a legislative hearing last week. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Alaskas elections chief defended her divisions management of the 2024 elections at a legislative hearing last week, but she acknowledged that logistical challenges created problems for some voters. Carol Beecher, director of the Division of Elections, reviewed the operations during a more than two hour hearing of the state House Judiciary Committee. She fielded questions from the committees chair, Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, and other Republicans about election security and possible fraud, and she answered questions from Democrats about problems that led to rural precincts being unstaffed or understaffed, which presented obstacles to voters there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance said she did not intend to cast blame, but that she hoped the hearing would lead to more public trust in the elections process. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the process of the 2024 election, not the results. Its not about the outcomes, but about making sure that every legal vote gets counted in a timely manner, and asking what improvements can be made in the process, she said. A lot of the public has reached out to me and expressed a lot of frustration and concern around a lot of the activities of this election, she said. So this is an opportunity for us to have a conversation with the director of elections and the public so that we can gain an understanding about what happened and how the actions that we can take in the future. Beecher responded to Republican committee members queries about safeguards against fraud and the possibility that non-citizens are casting votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We often get asked about U.S. citizenship as regards elections, and we are only required and only allowed to have the person certify and affirm on the forms that they are a citizen, and that is sufficient, Beecher said. We do not do investigations into them based on citizenship questions. If there was a question about citizenship that was brought to our attention, we may defer that to the department of law. Residents are eligible to vote if they are a citizen of the United States, age 18 years or older and have been registered in the state and their applicable House district for at least 30 days prior to the election. Eligible Alaskans are automatically registered to vote when they obtain their state drivers licenses or apply for Alaska Permanent Fund dividends. Beecher said the division investigated and found no evidence of non-U.S. citizens being registered through the PFD system. This is not happening where somebody is marking that they are not a citizen and are receiving a voter registration card, she said. Vance said many Alaskans remain worried, nonetheless, about non-citizens casting votes. I think people are wanting a stronger position regarding the ability to verify citizenship for the people wanting to vote, she said. So can the division take action to verify citizenship on its own, or does it need statutory authority? Beecher confirmed that the division does not have the authority to verify citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom Flynn, a state attorney, advised caution in response to Vances suggestion. We should be also wary of the limits that the National Voter Registration Act and its interpretation can place on citizenship checks and the federal voting form requirements, said Flynn, who is the states chief assistant attorney general. The National Registration Act of 1993 prohibits states from confirming citizenship status. Carol Beecher, the director of the Alaska Division of Elections, answers questions from reporters on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. She had just been appointed to the post at the time. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) In response to questions about opportunities for fraud through mail-in absentee voting, Beecher said the state relies on the information voters provide. If an individual applied for an absentee ballot, and all of the information was in our voter registration system that you were eligible to vote, etc, and you had a legitimate address to send it to, then you would be mailed an absentee ballot, she said. Each ballot is checked for appropriate voter identification information. Ballots are coded by district, and then given another review by another group of election workers, including an observer, she said. The observer has the opportunity to challenge that ballot. If they challenge a ballot, a challenge is sent to me, and then I review the information based on what the challenge is, and Ill often confer with [the Department of] Law, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaska has notably low voter turnout, but also a steadily changing voter roll as its one of the most transient populations in the nation, with voters moving in and out of state. On Election Day, Alaska has a mix of districts with ballot scanners and hand count precincts, usually in rural areas with a small number of voters, as well as voting tablets for those with disabilities. Ballots scanners record ballot information which is encrypted before being sent to a central server in Juneau. All voting machines are tested ahead of time, Beecher said. For hand count precincts, ballots are tallied up and poll workers call in the results to the divisions regional offices, she said. We had about 15 people on phones to take the calls that evening, and the phone starts ringing immediately, and all of the different precincts are calling in, she said. Division workers also helped poll workers properly read rank choice ballots, she said. And so theres a lot of discussion that can happen on that phone call. Its not necessarily just as simple as going through the list. The division of elections has 35 permanent staff who are sworn to remain politically impartial and who work in five district offices to administer the elections in the 60 legislative districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beecher said the division reviews its processes, systems of communications, challenges and improvements needed in each election cycle. The division has lists and lists and checklists and handbooks, and is very good and diligent about making sure that process and procedures are lined out and checked, she said. Rural Alaska problems Administering elections in rural communities is an ongoing challenge in Alaska. Beecher answered questions on several incidents, including voters in Southwest communities of Dillingham, King Salmon and Aniak receiving the wrong ballots that had to be corrected. In August, a mail bag containing a voted ballot and primary elections materials from the village of Old Harbor on Kodiak Island was found on the side of the road, near the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. We dont have control over the materials when they are in the custody of the post office, in this case, it was one of their subcontractor carriers, she said. We werent told [what happened] specifically, but I know that the post office has processes when mail is lost like that, and they do deploy their processes with that contractor. Vance said that incident was serious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope the state is pursuing further accountability, because this is a matter of public trust that something so important was dropped out of the truck along the roadside, she said. It looks extremely negligent. Beecher said training and retaining poll workers is essential for running elections smoothly. So one of the challenges that we run into, and frankly, its not just in our rural areas, the turnover of poll workers is a reality, Beecher said. The division conducts in-person poll worker trainings, and provides support with video tutorials and by phone. I voted stickers are seen on display in the headquarters offices of the Alaska Division of Elections in Juneau on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) This year, in the western Alaska community of Wales, the designated poll worker was not available and so the division of elections located a school teacher late on election day to administer the polls. It was not ideal, she said, but they had trained back up poll workers ready to deploy this year. We had trained people who were situated at all the various hubs, so Anchorage, Fairbanks, Utgiagvik, Nome, and they were trained and ready to be deployed to some of these polls should we run into a situation where we didnt have poll workers on the day, she said. So we werent able to get them to Wales only because of the weather. They were there at the airport ready to head out there. But we did send them to Egegik, and there were polls there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding to Rep. Cliff Groh, D-Anchorage, Beecher said one thing she would have done better would have been to ensure that the official election pamphlet was more carefully reviewed and checked for errors. A notable error in the published pamphlet was the misidentification of Republican House candidate Mia Costello as a Democrat. Secondly, I would have made sure that our advertisement that had a name in it would not have used names, she said, referring to a rank choice voting education materials giving examples with fake elector names, including Odem Harris which Republicans pointed out filled in a first choice vote for Harris, also the Democratic presidential candidate. And thirdly, I wish that I had done a better job of anticipating the level of communication that was expected and needed, Beecher said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to a question about the ballot measure seeking to overturn the ranked-choice system, Beecher said there was no evidence of fraud. The measure failed by just 743 votes. We did not see something that would indicate that anything untoward happened with ballots. That simply was not something that was seen in the results, she said. Beecher suggested some improvements for legislators to consider this next term. Those included an expansion of mail-only precincts, paid postage for ballots and a requirement that mail-in ballots be sent earlier rather than postmarked by Election Day. On ballot counting, doing it sooner, she said. So potentially changing the time frames of receiving absentee ballots to having everything have to be received by Election Day. The latter would be a big change for Alaska, which has long counted mail-in ballots as long as they are postmarked by Election Day. Some changes may be warranted, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are not perfect. We know that, she said. And we really look to doing better, and [are] wanting it to be better, and that people are confident that it is managed in a way that they have trust in the integrity of the process. The next Legislative session starts on Jan. 21. Under the new bipartisan majority, Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, is set to chair the committee in the coming session. The Altamonte Springs Police Department arrested a man after an officer-involved shooting Christmas morning. ASPD responded to a service call Wednesday morning around 10:43 a.m. on the 700 block of Florida Blvd. The caller was concerned over her husband, as he demonstrated concerning behavior the night before and requested officers escort her inside the residence to pick up Christmas gifts. Although the family did not believe Scherer was inside, officers discovered he had locked himself in a bedroom, according to a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Woman arrested for attempted murder accused of stabbing victim over bad tip in Kissimmee Officers instructed the family member to leave the residence and began communicating with Scherer, attempting to persuade him to come outside. During the encounter, Scherer broke through a window while holding a handgun and moved toward other family members who were standing outside. Officers gave loud verbal commands to Scherer, urging him to drop the weapon, while a secondary officer deployed his taser in an effort to use non-lethal means. Read: FHP: Fatal head on crash on Christmas Eve in Orange County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scherer ignored the commands and turned toward his wife while raising the firearm, forcing an officer and a deputy with the Seminole County Sheriffs Office who was assisting, to discharge their weapons. Officers immediately rendered medical aid to Scherer, who was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Scherer was later arrested facing the charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Read: Orlando police ask public to help locate missing 12-year-old boy Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Federal Aviation Administration briefly issued a nationwide ground stop for all American Airlines flights the morning of Christmas Eve, as the airline said a technical issue was affecting flights. The FAA said the ground stop was issued at the request of the airline, on one of the busiest travel days of the year. American Airlines later explained that a vendor technology issue led to the hour-long ground stop Tuesday morning. That technology issue impacted systems needed to release flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That issue has been resolved and flights have resumed, the airline said. We sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this morning. Its all hands on deck as our team is working diligently to get customers where they need to go as quickly as possible. Just before 8 a.m. ET, American Airlines said the ground stop has been lifted and flights were starting to board, which the FAA confirmed. American Airlines noted the airline has 3,900 scheduled flights today, a little over half of the over 6,400 flights scheduled yesterday. Earlier, American had said: Our teams are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Social media users delayed at their gates had reported issues with having their boarding passes scanned. X users asked American Airlines when the issue would be resolved. American responded: Our team is currently working to get this done. An estimated timeframe has not been provided, but theyre trying to fix it in the shortest possible time. This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Ban Ki-moon: 'Xi has demonstrated proactive and crucial leadership' 13:15, December 25, 2024 By Chen Shangwen ( People's Daily Photo shows Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General. (Photo by Chen Shangwen/People's Daily) "I met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on many occasions. Our interactions and friendship are based on a common understanding that humanity shares the same planet and a common future," said Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General, in a recent interview with People's Daily. Ban noted that consensus-building and win-win cooperation are crucial to effectively addressing global challenges and ushering in an even better future for humanity. Ban still vividly remembers his first meeting with Xi. It was in July 2005 when Xi, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, visited South Korea. Ban, who was his country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the time, hosted a welcome dinner at his residence. During their conversation, Ban deeply felt that Xi is a man of action who truly understands people's concerns. During his tenure as UN Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016, Ban valued and actively supported China in playing a greater role on the international stage. In September 2015, at Ban's invitation, Xi attended summits marking the 70th anniversary of the UN at the UN headquarters in New York. During the visit, he presented China's Zun of Peace as a gift to the UN on September 27, and delivered an important speech at the general debate of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly on September 28, both of which left a lasting impression on Ban. The gift Zun of Peace is modeled after Zun, which literally means reverence, and is a bronze ritual object used in ancient China. It represents China's high regard and support for the UN. "This exquisite Zun of Peace, imbued with classical charm, now graces the UN headquarters in the Delegates Lounge," Ban told People's Daily. He said that the gift embodies the aspiration of China and its people to promote peace, development and win-win cooperation, reflecting the shared values between China and the UN. During the speech at the general debate of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, Xi called for working together to forge a new partnership of win-win cooperation and creating a community of shared future for mankind. "Xi provides the world with the crucial concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, offering inspiration to UN member states," said Ban, who believes that in today's world, people in all countries share the same future, and everyone should work together. "Xi is a visionary leader of a major country with real wisdom," observed Ban. "He bears in mind the whole world, and shows genuine kindness and sincerity to his friends." During the interview, Ban shared a heartwarming story with People's Daily. Ban recalled that he had studied Chinese language and calligraphy when he was young, and continued to hone his skills in Chinese calligraphy after joining the UN. "During my meeting with Xi, I never mentioned my love for Chinese calligraphy. After knowing my interest, he specially presented me with a set of writing materials - ink brush, ink, Chinese Xuan paper, and ink slabs," Ban recalled. "The gift was so precious that I couldn't bear to use it. I have been carefully preserving it." "I very much admire the philosophical thoughts embedded in traditional Chinese culture, such as 'the greatest virtue is just like water,' and often share these words of wisdom with delegates from different countries," Ban said. Ban believed that the notion that "the greatest virtue is just like water, nurturing all things without competing with them" represents the ability to exert full effort when needed. "This is also what I have felt from Xi's leadership and Chinese people's character," he added. With increased exchanges with Xi and deepening observations of China, Ban has gained a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese philosophies and solutions. "China is playing an increasingly important role on the world stage, and Xi has demonstrated proactive and crucial leadership." Addressing climate change is crucial for global sustainable development. Ban noted that Xi has actively promoted global climate governance and played a significant and constructive role in response to climate change. "Under Xi's leadership, China is committed to promoting low-carbon and sustainable development and vigorously developing renewable energy, demonstrating admirable determination and actions," Ban said. Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General, is interviewed by People's Daily. (Photo by Yuan Xiaohai) Development is a common cause for the people of all countries. In Ban's view, China has been working with other countries to achieve shared development and prosperity. He gives a range of examples: through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China actively supports developing countries in infrastructure development and green growth; under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China joins hands with African countries to advance modernization and improve people's livelihoods; and China has proposed the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilizations initiative, offering new solutions to addressing global challenges. "These ideas and actions are inseparable from Xi's foresight. He always believes that China can only do well when the world is doing well, and when China does well, the world will get even better," said Ban. "Under Xi's leadership, China has been continuously engaging in UN affairs and providing support to other developing countries, for which I am deeply grateful," he added. In April 2018, Ban was elected chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA). He believes China's steadfast support has become a solid force for BFA's continuous development, significantly contributing to consensus-building and cooperation among all parties in Asia. "We must unite and cooperate to continuously strive for shared peace and prosperity," Ban remarked. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) New Year's Eve is one of the most anticipated holidays around the world, but sometimes it doesn't live up to the hype. Therefore, in order to fully enjoy the festive atmosphere, you should choose a place where there are no long queues in pubs and the streets are filled with festive lights ADVERTISIMENT The rating of European cities that are the best to celebrate the New Year's Eve was compiled by one of the European low-cost airlines and published by the Express. Its experts collected data on nightlife in these capitals, as well as prices in bars and restaurants. They also took into account the number of hashtags on Instagram, which indicates how many beautiful photos you can save. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, has topped the list of the best European cities to celebrate the New Year's Eve. Known for its vibrant nightlife, gothic architecture, and affordability, it boasts 548 bars and clubs, the largest number in Europe, as well as low prices for prosecco, a traditional holiday drink. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, with more than 19 million Instagram hashtags, Prague is among the top ten Instagrammable destinations, so the holiday pictures you bring back from your trip will make your friends very happy. Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is the second best European city to celebrate New Year's Eve. Relax in the Szechenyi Thermal Baths, the largest mineral baths in Europe, then head out to explore the city's historic streets and choose among the 208 bars and clubs to party. Social media enthusiasts will appreciate its status as the 10th most Instagrammed city and 8th highest in TikTok searches. Barcelona, Spain, is suitable not only for summer but also winter. The city offers 453 bars and clubs and the second cheapest prosecco in Europe. Take photos at the famous Sagrada Familia, as Barcelona ranks third on Instagram hashtags and leads in TikTok searches. In general, here is the list of the 10 best cities to celebrate the New Year's Eve: Prague, Czech Republic Budapest, Hungary Barcelona, Spain Lisbon, Portugal Berlin, Germany Sofia, Bulgaria Riga, Latvia Bucharest, Romania London, England Madrid, Spain Subscribe to OBOZ.UA on Telegram and Viber channels to keep up with the latest developments. A Haitian mother holds her baby inside a tent in the large migrant camp near an international bridge at the U.S.-Mexico border on September 21, 2021 in Del Rio, Texas. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images) In a cabin in the Kaw Valley, a few miles northwest of what is now Lawrence, the first baby boy of white parents was born in Kansas. His name was Napoleon Boone (yes, of the famous Boone family and yes, named after that Napoleon) and he arrived Friday, Aug. 22, 1828. Napoleons entry into the world is notable mostly because, well, it was noted. Its one of the first recorded births to white parents in the confines of the present state that historians can date. We know because it was written down, that he was the 12th child of Daniel M. and Sarah Boone, was a grandson of the Daniel Boone. One of Napoleons brothers remembered in a letter decades later that the cabin was on the north bank of the Kansas River, where the government had by treaty directed their father to instruct members of the Kaw nation in the art and science of agriculture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of Napoleons birth, 197 years ago, Kansas wasnt yet a state or even a territory, but part of the vast swath of land from the Mississippi River to the Rockies acquired through the Louisiana Purchase. This land, purchased from France in 1803, about doubled the size of the United States. Through no effort of his own, Napoleon was born an American. Other white children were in the same happy lot. There was Susan Dillon, born in 1830 at the Shawnee Indian Mission in present-day Fairway, and Maria Meeker, born in 1834 to Baptist missionaries in Johnson County. Like Napoleon, they were among the first seven or so white children born in Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a difficult number to pin down, retired historian John Mark Lambertson told me. Although widely reputed to be the first white child born in Kansas, Napoleon Boone may actually have been the second. The first, Lambertson said, was likely Lucia Francis Pixley, born in 1826 or 1827 to Christian missionaries in what is now Neosho County in southeast Kansas. But any way you count it, these children were all Americans. Yet they were aliens in a land that had not yet opened to Anglo settlement. Lambertson, who served 19 years as the director of the National Frontier Trails Museum at Independence, Mo., said all these first white children were born to fathers who were connected to an Indian agency, a religious mission, or perhaps the army at Fort Leavenworth. White settlement would not officially open until 1854, when Kansas became a territory. Lucia and Napoleon and the other children and their families lived in areas populated mostly by indigenous people who were barred by the Constitution from being citizens of the United States. Citizenship for Native Americans would not come until 1924, with the Snyder Act. Voting rights would come even later, granted with glacial advance on a state-by-state basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been thinking about Napoleon and the other first white children of Kansas because President-elect Donald Windrip Trump promised in an interview last weekend to end birthright citizenship for newborns as part of his mass deportation plan for immigrants. Trump said he would seek to repeal birthright citizenship by executive order. He is also considering removing immediate family members of the deported, even though some may be U.S. citizens, to keep families together. Believe him, because hes packing his administration with the Macgoblins lined up to do it. Hes announced Stephen Miller you remember, hes the guy who looks like hes sweating to beat Indiana Jones to the Ark of the Covenant as chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser. Miller said a few days ago mass deportations would be the top priority from the first day of Trumps new administration. While legal scholars doubt Trump can actually end birthright citizenship because of the pesky 14thAmendment to the Constitution, Im not so sure. Trumps loyalists seem to care little for the rule of law, and some of those loyalists are on the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bias, if not outright racism, has always played a part in our national memory. We know about Napoleon Boone and the others because a century and more ago, predominately white historical societies and the readers of white-owned newspapers were obsessed with these sorts of firsts. The Kansas first white children are regional versions of the American fascination with Virginia Dare, born in 1587 at the lost colony of Roanoke, the first child of English parents in the New World. The village of a hundred or so colonists on the Outer Banks of North Carolina disappeared by 1590, leaving little trace except for the enigmatic word Croatoan carved on a tree. The Virginia Dare mystery has become part of American myth and folklore, inspiring novels and plays and sadly white nationalists, including the anti-immigrant VDARE Foundation. If youre interested in the real history behind the Roanoke colony, dont let racists with fringe theories dissuade you from studying up on it. If youre intrigued by the story of Napoleon Boone or Maria Meeker, by all means pursue your interests. The story of Jotham Meeker, the father of Maria, is particularly interesting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He likely brought the first printing press to Kansas, and at the Shawnee Baptist Mission produced a 24-page primer in the Delaware language. He would go on to print newspapers in 10 different Native American tongues, using a phonetic system. In 1837, he would found his own mission among the Ottawas in present-day Franklin County, Kansas. He died there in 1855. Maria Meeker died in Nebraska, aged 87. Susan Dillon died in Kansas City, aged 83. Napoleon Boone went to California, where he died in 1850. He was 21. We dont easily know the fates of the many hundreds of Native American and Black children who were contemporaries of Maria and Susan and Napoleon, but we do know they were born without citizenship. Some were also born into chattel slavery, and the records we have of them have come down to us because they were recorded as property in census records and probate cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elects desire to end birthright citizenship is just the latest in a long tradition of wicked plots to demonize, disenfranchise and own other human beings. The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, granted formerly enslaved people the constitutional rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights, including birthright citizenship. But in the regressive backlash to Reconstruction, there was a catch. For many years, the Supreme Court ruled that the amendment did not extend the Bill of Rights to the states, notes the National Archives. A legacy of Reconstruction was the determined struggle of Black and White citizens to make the promise of the 14th Amendment a reality. While these citizens did not succeed in empowering the 14th Amendment during Reconstruction, they effectively articulated arguments and offered dissenting opinions that would be the basis for change in the 20th Century. But the citizenship that most of us have taken for granted since our births no matter what our color is now in jeopardy. Lets assume, for a moment, that Windrip invokes the Insurrection Act, mobilizes the U.S. military, and succeeds in bullying or conning his way into revoking birthright citizenship. Imagine the scenes that would play out across the country, in which armed troops conduct raids and set up checkpoints in which they ask for documentation to prove youre a citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, theyd be asking for your papers. Will a drivers license suffice? Well no, because you dont have to be a U.S. citizen in most states to get a drivers license. What about a Social Security card? Mine says its not to be used for identification purposes. Then I guess that leaves a birth certificate issued before Jan. 20, 2025, a green card, a valid U.S. passport, or some other kind of special documentation yet to be devised. I doubt that Ill be asked to show any papers, because Im a white guy of a certain age. But the question for me as it should be for you is what happens when were at a checkpoint and see an entire family dragged out of their vehicles and put on the side of the road, hands behind their heads awaiting the deportation bus? What if some of those family members are clutching have citizenship papers? How about when the neighbors next door with the newborn are rousted in the middle of the night? What do we do when a young mother is in her nightclothes, shivering with cold and fight? What then? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The choice will be simply to watch and do nothing or put ourselves bodily between the authorities and the oppressed and go to jail ourselves. This is just a thought exercise now, but one that could become real soon enough. Never mind all the talk about the murderers and the drug dealers being deported. Undocumented immigrants have a much lower rate of committing violent crimes or dealing drugs than U.S.-born citizens. They are also hard-working and do the kinds of jobs, such as meat packing and housekeeping, that many Americans refuse. Care about children? Deportation of a family member can have serious mental and physical effects on children. Imagine the upheaval of deporting newborns and their parents. Many undocumented families from Central and South America endure dangerous jungle passages teaming with violent criminals to reach a chance at a better life. From the beginning, the greatness of America has been woven from the human threads that came from elsewhere. The tired and poor and huddled masses should not be sorted by color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, an expectant mother who is an undocumented citizen is waiting somewhere in the United States and watching the plan for mass deportation unfold. She may have been here for years, or she could have been recently arrived from Venezuela or Guatemala, having risked her life to swim across the Rio Grande. She could be worried that she might not have the child by the January inauguration. If she delivers after that date, her child might not be granted birthright citizenship. That child could become human contraband, subject to the whims of immigration quislings and federal troops. A child does not choose the circumstances of their birth. A newborn is perhaps the only completely innocent human being, thrust into the current of human events, full of promise but also uniquely vulnerable. What kind of society sees a newborn as a threat? Not the American society we know. A hundred years from now, it is my fervent hope that some Kansas historians will be studying documents from our time the birth certificates, letters, and family photos and noting the Marias and Soledads and Nestors who were born to undocumented mothers Jan. 20, 2025. And I hope all of them became citizens by birth despite the sickness now dominating American politics. This commentary was first published by the Kansas Reflector, which like NC Newsline, is part of the national States Newsroom network. The Wall Street Journals explosive report detailing President Joe Bidens rapid mental decline and the extensive, deliberate cover-up by aides should be a wake-up call to the fragile balance upon which our Republic rests and underscores the vital role transparency plays in preserving its integrity and health. For years, the White House dismissed obvious issues with Biden and spun tall tales of a vigorous President working behind the scenes. If the reports are true, it seems that for much of his administration, Biden either abdicated his authorities or they were assumed by unelected bureaucrats. For too long, unelected bureaucrats have wielded too much power in Washington operating outside the limits of checks and balances and unaccountable to voters. This is fundamentally un-American and undermines the very foundations of our nation. We elect our leaders, and they derive their authority from the consent of the people. Regardless of your party affiliation, this is a fundamental principle that makes America the beacon of hope for freedom loving people across the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats also what makes Elon Musk and his relationship with President-Elect Donald Trump so concerning. Its not that Musk was wrong when he used his platform to expose the Christmas tree funding bill masquerading as essential legislation to keep government open. Truthfully, this short-term funding bill never should have seen the light of day. Voters made it clear in November that they were tired of business as usual in Washington and any attempts to load up a spending bill with pet projects should have been a non-starter for the Speaker. No, the problem we are facing is that we have someone that appears to be making decisions and pushing an agenda that has no accountability to the voters. Musk is an unelected official and no amount of spin will wipe away the fact that it was Musk that drove the policy debate and shutdown possibility. Trump only weighed in hours later. Americans will never believe this was all part of some genius plan concocted by Trump to expose excessive spending by Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unfortunate, because things were going well for Republicans. Trump hit the ground running essentially assuming office the moment he was elected. Sure, there have been some misses with his appointments, but the Senate seems to take its advise and consent role seriously. Luckily, Americans were spared the certain disaster that would have been if former Rep. Matt Gaetz been sworn in as Attorney General. There was a renewed sense of hope in America. Maybe it was because the election was decisively won. Maybe its because after the stock market soared in the days following Trumps victory and Americans saw more money in their retirement accounts. Maybe its because there is a new vigor in Washington that sharply contrasted with that of Joe Bidens low energy. While it might not be at the level of morning in America optimism, echoes of history repeating itself were unmistakable. Thats one reason the shutdown showdown felt like an unforced error unnecessary chaos that derailed the progress and questioned Republicans ability to govern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the funding crisis has been delayed and the threat of a shutdown will soon fade from our memories, the ramifications will be lasting. The showdown illustrated that Musk has the ability and desire to alter policy. Just because we may agree with the outcome, we must say no to unelected bureaucrats making decisions and driving policy. The ends do not justify the means. This is our government, and accountability starts with each of us actively participating. Its not just a right its our shared responsibility to make sure our government truly serves the people. This holiday season, lets commit to embracing transparency, speaking out, and reclaiming the strength of our collective voice. The time for absentee citizenship is over. Together, we can shape a government that reflects the will and values of the people. Matt Wylie is a S.C.-based Republican political strategist and analyst with over 25 years of experience working on federal, state and local campaigns. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, speaks during a news conference following a House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 10, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) Editors note: This commentary discusses the topic of suicide. If you or someone you know if contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Lost in the furor over whether Congress could agree on a stopgap spending bill to avoid a government shutdown was another rift over the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which even has some powerful Republicans at odds with one another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill purports to hold social media companies accountable for cyberbullying over their platforms, and its supporters include parents whose children have taken their own lives or were harmed as a result of social media harassment. The KOSA proposal, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., easily cleared the chamber in a 91-3 vote in late July. Yet it has not advanced to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, and its proponents have turned up the pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., as of late to advance the bill before years end. Republicans whove rallied behind the bill and urged its passage include Elon Musk, Donald Trump Jr., U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabeee Sanders. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, has sponsored the Kids Online Safety Act which passed the Senate but is stalled in the U.S. House. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2024) Yet Johnson has remained steadfast in his decision not to rush the act through in its current form. Pressed by reporters in the Capitol hallways in recent days, the speaker insists he still stands behind the spirit of the proposal. He was asked a week ago if KOSA would be approved before years end. I dont see that as being likely at this point, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speaker has frequently spoken favorably about the need to address childrens safety online, spokeswoman Athina Lawson told the Illuminator in an interview Wednesday. The KOSA bill has been referred to a House committee and will continue to move through the legislative process, she added. Blackburn believes more than parliamentary procedure is holding up her bill, however. In a joint statement with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Issued Tuesday, she was very blunt in her criticism of House leadership. To be clear: the blockade against safeguards and accountability was about padding Big Techs financial bottom line, not principle, the senators said. Blackburn and Blumenthal also referenced the suicide of 15-year-old Jesse Harrington in October. He took his own life after becoming addicted to Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, while the House sat on its hands at the behest of Mark Zuckerberg, they wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Houses active obstruction of the Kids Online Safety Act will tragically result in the deaths of even more children like Jesse, their statement said. Johnsons specific concerns within the bill include its potential to impinge on First Amendment free speech rights and a duty of care provision that defines what social media companies can be held accountable if young users are harmed through their content. Lawson noted that Johnson has held more than 20 meetings with KOSA advocates and is committed to working on a consensus solution to the issues he has with the bill. Maureen Molak is among the KOSA supporters whos met with the speaker and his staff multiple times. Her 16-year-old son David took his life in 2016 after he was the target of bullying on Instagram. Molak said the company did nothing to curtail the abuse even after his friends reported it online. From left: U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, Maurine Molak, and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., are pictured at an April 2024 fundraiser for Gonzales in San Antonio. (Courtesy Maureen Molak) In an interview this week with the Illuminator, Molak said she personally met Johnson in April during an invitation-only Republican fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, in San Antonio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked him if he would commit to advancing KOSA, passing KOSA this year, she said. And he said, Oh, yes, you know, were going to advance KOSA. It is so needed. Thank you so much for your advocacy. Keep it up, because what kids are experiencing online is terrible, and weve got to do something about it. Molak said the Senates overwhelming bipartisan support left her feeling confident the measure would become law. But as months went by with no action in the House, she met with Johnsons staff and others on Capitol Hill to get an explanation. Molak said she considered the hangups mentioned in those meetings fairly minor. Theres just a lot of powerful people who are in support of this bill, she said, and if you have an issue with something, you dont just dig your heels in and not come out with a solution. Molak said she was aware that Meta has proposed a $10 billion artificial intelligence data center in Louisiana, but she stopped short of saying it has anything to do with Johnsons stance on KOSA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawson, the speakers spokeswoman, also dismissed any connection between the project and the legislations current status. Other members of the House Republican Conference have KOSA concerns similar to Johnsons, given its potential to squelch conservative viewpoints on social media. Their opposition to KOSA is mirrored on the other end of the political spectrum. Voices from the LGBTQ community fear the guidelines could limit their expression online, and the American Civil Liberties Union feels the legislation would control what people can access online and censor protected speech Molak said there was hope that the KOSA provisions would find their way onto the stopgap spending bill lawmakers need to approve in order to prevent a government shutdown this weekend. But Johnsons stance and the precarious status of the continuing resolution needed to keep the federal government afloat make that scenario extremely unlikely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump has been noticeably silent on the matter, something that Molak said she has noticed. If Trump was able to weigh in on this right now, and we were able to get it passed this year, it sure would make him a hero, she said, because it would be one less thing the Republicans would have to worry about next year. (Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.) Dec. 24ANDERSON An Anderson man has pleaded guilty to felony charges of child molesting and possession of child pornography. Marcus P. Delvaux, 54, 1700 block of Lindberg Road, entered pleas of guilty to two counts of child molesting and a count of possession of child pornography in Madison Circuit Court Division 6. The plea agreement caps his sentence at six years. Madison Circuit Court Division 6 Judge Mark Dudley set sentencing for Jan. 17. The state's case was presented by Deputy Prosecutor Dan Kopp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson police arrested Delvaux in August on suspicion of fondling a young girl several times starting when she was 12 years old. During a Kids Talk forensic interview, the girl said Delvaux would touch her inappropriately and that he possessed child pornography. The investigation was started following a report made on the Indiana Department of Child Services Hotline. When interviewed, Delvaux denied any inappropriate contact. A search warrant on his cellphone showed nude pictures of females of undetermined age. Forensic analysis of Delvaux cellphone and laptop found at least 10 images of child pornography, depicting sexual conduct by girls age 10 and 16. Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863. Joe Biden has urged Americans to treat each other as neighbours, not enemies, and Argentinas libertarian president Javier Milei declared long live freedom, damnit as world leaders shared messages to commemorate Christmas. The US president, who will hand the White House keys to Donald Trump in January, said he hopes this Christmas that Americans will look at each other as who we really are fellow Americans, fellow human beings. Theres so much that unites us as Americans, so much more that unites us than divides us, Mr Biden said following the intensely divisive US presidential election. Joe Biden said there is so much that unites us after a divisive presidential election (EPA) He added: Were truly blessed to live in this nation, and I truly hope we take the time to look out, not at one another, for one another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we sing O Holy Night, may I wish for you, for our nation, now and always that we will live in the light of liberty, hope, generosity, kindness and compassion, dignity and decency. He was joined Sir Keir Starmer who used his message on Christmas day to send a special thank you to all those who are working over the Christmas period. Keir Starmer paid tribute to those working over the Christmas period (EPA) Here, The Independent looks around the world at what leaders from across the globe have said this Christmas. As war still rages in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky condemned an inhumane strike by Vladimir Putin on Christmas. The Ukrainian president said: Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Mr Zelensky said. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Vladimir Putin as inhumane (EPA) He said more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 attack drones were used to strike Ukraines power sources. Kyiv managed to shoot down at least 50 missiles and a significant number of drones, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Canada, prime minister Justin Trudeau said Christmas is the time of year to slow down, rest and connect with the people you love most. He added: Its a moment to put our phones down and our politics aside, even when that one cousin makes it really hard, and to focus on what really matters. Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, posted a characteristic message on his X page, reading: Merry Christmas, long live freedom damn it. Justin Trudeau said Christmas is a time to focus on what really matters (The Canadian Press) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australian PM Anthony Albanese kept it simple, saying only: Merry Christmas, Australia. He later posted a thank you to extraordinary Australian Defence Force personnel serving at home and overseas this Christmas. The United Nations X account said from our UN family, to yours, sending everyone our warmest seasons greetings. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen used a Christmas message to look back at a year in which uncertainties reigned over the world. Ursula von der Leyen said it had been a turbulent year (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) She wrote on X: Europes unity was put to the test, once again. Once again, we stood together. On Christmas Day, we can celebrate the strength of our Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will tackle the big tasks lying ahead with hope and confidence. Merry Christmas. And French president Emmanuel Macron, who has had a turbulent political year, paid tribute to the victims of Cyclone Chido which devastated its Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte earlier this month. We have a fraternal thought for our fellow citizens in hardship, illness or solitude, and for the Mahorais who are coping after this terrible cyclone, helping each other, preparing to rebuild together, Mr Macron said. Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to victims of Cyclone Chido (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) He added: Being able to count on each other is what makes the Nation. France draws its strength from each of you, from all of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Olaf Scholz said times are damn rough (REUTERS) German chancellor Olaf Scholz, also on the ropes politically, said times are damn rough and that we are all feeling that right now. But he added: We are a community with a common future and we are strong. I wish you all a peaceful holiday. A voi e alle vostre famiglie, i miei migliori auguri per una giornata colma di serenita e gioia. Buon Natale pic.twitter.com/VsCUZafViF Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) December 25, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, who has just been dubbed Europes most influential politician by Politico, posted a cheerier message alongside a grinning selfie. To you and your families, my best wishes for a day filled with serenity and joy Merry Christmas, she said. Benjamin Netanyahu thanked allies for their support (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he deeply appreciated the steadfast support of our Christian friends around the world as it is fighting on seven fronts. You have stood by our side resiliently, consistently and forcefully as Israel defends itself from barbarism, he said. And he added: I wish the Christian community in Israel and around the world blessings for a Merry Christmas from the Holy Land. FELIZ NAVIDAD VIVA LA LIBERTAD CARAJOhttps://t.co/AWj2zRanpa Javier Milei (@JMilei) December 25, 2024 Irish Taioseach Simon Harris paid tribute to all of the children across Ireland who have been counting the sleeps until Christmas Day. I want to wish you a magical Christmas morning, he added. Only one person is believed to still be missing from the wreckage of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, N.C., Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb told The Hill. Officials believe the person is deceased and have not publicly disclosed their identity out of respect for the family. Law enforcement spent months surveying areas flooded with rainwater, looking for people who were injured or deceased. At one point, search records had more than 500 individuals missing, but disaster relief efforts have helped locate hundreds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said one of the largest tasks to overcome was the lack of power, which shut down phone lines and provided limited internet access. Despite the obstacles, neighbors and police officers advanced their probe with door-to-door efforts to recover local residents. Their success comes amid a larger project to rebuild communities in the area. Hurricane Helene destroyed 60 miles of rail track managed in part by Norfolk Southern, which has been working with the CSX freight transportation company to repair damaged railroads. Their goal is to reopen trains with service lines running through Tennessee to North Carolina in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Aspiring congresswoman and controversial MAGA cheerleader Valentina Gomez has sparked outrage once again after posting a video in which she appears to simulate executing an immigrant. The 25-year-old, who tried and failed to be elected as the Missouri Secretary of State earlier this year, said in the disturbing clip that undocumented persons who committed violent crimes deserve to be ended. In the video, posted to X on Monday, Gomez is seen firing a handgun into the back of the head of a dummy tied to a chair with a black bag over its head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its that simple, public executions for any illegal that rapes or kills an American. They dont deserve deportation, they deserve to be ended, she says. Public executions for any illegal that rapes or kills an American. pic.twitter.com/OSYD8zOIyx Valentina Gomez (@ValentinaForUSA) December 23, 2024 The video has been flagged by X as potentially violating the platforms rules against violent speech, but it had not been removed as of Tuesday. Public executions for any illegal that rapes or kills an American. Gomez captioned the video. It quickly sparked outrage from other social media users, with some branding the Colombian native as a psychopath. Whats wrong with these people? one wrote. Theyre unhinged, mentally ill, and sociopathic, replied another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics even included the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who wrote: She is not just an American fascist. She is Colombian. And being a migrant, what she wants is to unleash hatred against migrants. Most Americans are killed by Americans. Gomez, a Republican candidate for Missouri Secretary of State who made headlines for outlandish campaign videos, lost her election by a wide margin (valentinaformissouri / Instagram) The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nations largest Latino civil rights groups, condemned Gomez for glorifying the type of vigilantism that has led to deadly consequences in our nation and feeds into the anti-immigrant lie, LULAC denounces violent crime in our nation and expresses its deepest condolences to its victims and their loved ones, the groups presidet Roman Palomares said in a staatement. However, we believe in the Christian principles of justice, not retribution. Using public executions as a hook to a politically motivated message fuels blind hatred. This kind of language is intended to appeal to an extreme base of individuals who believe the lie that all immigrants are here to harm others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, others seemed to agree with Gomezs stance, including fellow MAGA firebrand and Trump acolyte Laura Loomer who posted. Love this. After X started restricting the video, Gomez claimed that she was the biggest threat to the establishment because I call it like I see it. I give people hope, and I dont need their money. Remember, nobody is coming to save us. Stay strapped, she said. The sentiment of Gomezs video echoes that of President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously called for expanding the death penalty to those people who have arrived in the country illegally who kill a citizen or police. Trump has railed against Joe Bidens decision to pardon the majority of federal death row inmates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gomez has frequently shared outrageous or shocking videos on her social media pages and has consequently been banned from Instagram. In previous clips she frequently used homophobic slurs, and in one video, set two LGBTQ-inclusive books on fire. She has characterized the literature as grooming, indoctrinating and sexualizing. In her latest video, the aspiring congresswoman simulated a mock execution of an immigrant (@ValentinaForUSA/X) During the 2024 election campaign she called Vice President Kamala Harris a hoe and little b****, used the word f****t to describe transgender people and described Democrats as full of gay s***, among other things. Her bold rhetoric ultimately did not play well with voters. Gomez gained only 7.4 per cent of the vote with finishing sixth out of eight candidates in the race for Missouri Secretary of State. Last week she announced that she was running for Congress in Texas and relocating to the state to challenge Republican congressman Dan Crenshaws seat. I dont fear pdfs, criminals, or the crooks in DC. I only fear God, she wrote in a post announcing the move. Christopher Nolan is preparing another epic project that promises to be a real cinematic event. The director is known for his large-scale and innovative works, and this time his new movie, The Odyssey, is making a stir even before the start of filming. ADVERTISIMENT Universal Pictures has announced that the mythical action movie will be shot with the latest IMAX technology. The film is expected to be released on July 17, 2026, offering viewers a unique visual experience, Variety reports. The Odyssey tells the story of the ancient Greek hero Odysseus, who overcomes numerous obstacles on his way home after the Trojan War. Homer's ancient Greek poem remains one of the most influential works of literature, and its adaptation for IMAX promises to take the epic to the next level. This will be the first time that the Odyssey has been presented on such a large scale using advanced filmmaking technology. The star-studded cast reflects the high expectations. Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron will play the main roles. This combination of talents promises an emotional and dynamic development of the characters within the epic story. ADVERTISIMENT The director and his team plan to begin filming in 2025, immediately after the completion of the triumphant Oppenheimer project. Nolan, along with producer Emma Thomas, is working on the script and will bring it to life under the banner of his own company, Syncopy. The story of the Odyssey has appeared on the big screen many times before, but none of the previous adaptations have taken such a technological approach. From classic films of the early 20th century to modern comedic interpretations, Homer's poem remains a source of inspiration for artists around the world. Tom Holland, who will play one of the key roles, admitted that he himself knows little about the project. In the podcast The Dish, the actor shared that he was very impressed with Nolan, and although the details remain a mystery, he is looking forward to working on the film. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Russia has withdrawn the majority of its forces from Syria, weeks after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Vladimir Putins troops have vacated key positions, including the Qamishli base in northern Syria, Ukraines main military intelligence directorate has said. Russia still maintains a presence in coastal Syria at Khmeimim air base and the port of Tartus, but reports indicate it is preparing to either significantly draw down or withdraw fully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The withdrawal highlights Moscows shifting priorities, raising questions about its ability to maintain influence in the region amid ongoing instability. But it also raises doubts about Russias ability to project its power into Africa. A Russian military attack helicopter at Qamishli airport in north-eastern Syria, now abandoned by Moscows troops, earlier this month - Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images Control of the two main bases in Syria is vital for Kremlin missions to funnel aid, military kit and mercenaries to Africa, the core of Putins personal neo-colonialism project. He has deliberately fanned coups in west Africa, and dazzled its leaders with offers of cheap energy, grain, spy satellites and security as part of his global fight against the US and its allies. The Council on Foreign Relations, a US-based think tank, says of the Kremlins Africa project: Russias overarching goal is to gain more support for its vision of a multi-polar world order based on weakened Western influence. Wagner mercenaries boarding a helicopter in Mali, where the Russian group played a key role in supporting the military junta installed by a coup in 2020 - French army/via AP Analysts say Putin decided that the West was vulnerable in former European colonies in West Africa specifically Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and the Central African Republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so he targeted them. In Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, coups encouraged by Russia since 2021 have installed pro-Kremlin military juntas who have become regular guests to Moscow. Meanwhile, France and the US have been forced to dismantle military bases in the region. In return for backing these coups and the resulting military governments, Putin expects pro-Russia policies that include supporting its policies at the UN, blaming Ukraine and the US for global terrorism, and handing over the rights to valuable minerals and mines. But, there was one major obstacle to Putins plan to undermine the West through Africa. Supply lines. The route from Russia to west Africa is a long one, too long for heavily laden Russian cargo aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And this was where Russias Khmeimim air base and Tartus naval base in Syria came in. They became vital cogs for the Kremlins resupply routes for west Africa. Control over naval and air bases in Syria is vital for Russian interests throughout Africa, said the US-based Atlantic Council think tank this week. Russian cargo planes could land at Khmeimim to refuel halfway to Libya, where Russia has also built a foothold by supporting rebels based in Benghazi, or roughly a third of the way through flights to west Africa. Khmeimim Russian solider guards a military convoy at Hmeimin air base in the Latakia coastal region of Syria - Umit Bektas/Reuters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Russian An-124 heavy transport aircraft with its nose cone lifted on the ground at Khmeimim air base - Maxar Technologies/via Reuters The Tartus base became Russias main replenishment and repair base in the Mediterranean Sea, giving the Russian navy a safe harbour and hub to project power and influence towards north Africa. The problem for the Kremlin now is that it doesnt have a deal with Syrias new Islamist government, which captured Damascus earlier this month, to allow it to keep control of these two bases. Samuel Ramani, an associate fellow at the RUSI think tank and the author of the book Russia in Africa, described the collapse of Assads regime as a geopolitical and status defeat for Russia that not only creates logistical problems but undermines its reputation with pro-Kremlin dictators in Africa. The Syrian model of counter-insurgency based on authoritarian stability was Russias main offering to autocracies in crisis in Africa, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even Kremlin insiders have started to concede that the collapse of the Assad regime in 11 days means that Russia needs to rein in its global ambitions, and perhaps accept its role as a regional power. The collapse of the former Syria is bad news for Russia since its military presence there significantly expanded Moscows space of action in both the Middle East and Africa, wrote Fyodor Lukyanov, a Russian foreign affairs analyst. Last week, Russian forces in Syria were videoed pulling back from smaller forward operating bases to Khmeimim and Tartus. Rebels have been told not to attack Russian forces, but the Kremlin has said that it has not yet secured a hard deal to keep the bases. And, as John Foreman, a former Royal Navy officer who previously served as British military attache to Russia, explains, there are not many decent alternatives to these two bases as resupply and power-project points for the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Libyan air bases are a poor substitute for Khmeimim in terms of facilities, runways, location, and security, he said. Russia has some leverage in east Libya, but it is reliant on getting permission from its allies there to use their harbours and air bases. This week US officials said that the Kremlin was in talks to upgrade port facilities in Libya. It has also flown out air defence systems from its bases in Syria to Libya. In Sudan, Russia is effectively sponsoring both sides in a civil war and is still trying to negotiate access to Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Both options are far more complicated, expensive and fragile than shifting kit and men through the Syrian bases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which brings us back to west Africa. Fall in Russian activity predicted In Bamako, Malis capital, Ulf Laessing, director of the Sahel programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a German think tank, said that he anticipated a drop-off in Kremlin activity in the region because of the logistical problems created by the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. Its fair to say that Russia wont be able to expand any further, like Chad which they probably had in their sights, he said. I am also not sure they will be able to keep their current operations in Mali, Niger, Central African Republic or Burkina Faso at the same level. Essentially, the unravelling of Putins pet project in Syria, less than 10 years after his much-heralded intervention there, threatens to undermine his operations in Africa too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, Kaja Kallas, the EUs foreign affairs commissioner, said she was determined to convince Syrias new government to close Russias bases to cut the Kremlins influence in Africa. Syria was always the Achilles heel of the Kremlins African project. And Putins enemies know this. 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. Blake Lively is at the center of a legal battle that sheds light on a controversial PR tactic known as astroturfing. In a complaint filed last Friday, the It Ends with Us actress accused her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, of sexual harassment and alleged that his PR team orchestrated a calculated, retaliatory smear campaign to damage her reputation and disrupt her businesses. At the core of Livelys allegations is astroturfinga strategy designed to manipulate public opinion by creating the illusion of grassroots support or backlash. The complaint claims that Baldonis crisis PR firm, The Agency Group (TAG PR), coordinated social media efforts to portray her as controlling and difficult during the films production. In a statement shared on Monday, Dec. 23, lawyer Bryan Freedman defended Baldoni's crisis publicists at The Agency Group (TAG PR), stating that they "operated as any other crisis management firm would when hired by a client experiencing threats by two extremely powerful people with unlimited resources," and emphasizing that they were simply doing their job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PEOPLE previously reported in August that Baldoni brought on crisis PR manager Melissa Nathanknown for representing Johnny Depp during his high-profile legal battles and worked with publicist Jennifer Abel amid the release of his movie adaptation of Colleen Hoovers bestseller. In a statement given to The New York Times, Lively shared her motivations for filing the complaint, saying, "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted." Baldonis legal team pushed back on the claims, with Freedman telling PEOPLE that the allegations were "false" and "intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt." Theo Wargo/Getty Blake Livley What Is Astroturfing? Astroturfing is named after synthetic grass, and it mimics grassroots movements to create the illusion of public consensus. Dr. Joan Donovan, a Boston University professor and expert on disinformation, told PEOPLE, Its about faking a crowd. When social media accountswhether fake or realare coordinated to push a narrative, its astroturfing. These campaigns arent organic. Theyre designed to look like genuine public opinion, but theyre completely manufactured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Chico Camargo, a research associate at the Oxford Internet Institute, notes that astroturfing tactics have evolved alongside social media. Its not just bots anymore. Real people are often paid or incentivized to post coordinated content, Camargo says. This makes it harder to distinguish genuine engagement from fabricated campaigns. He added, "Astroturfing goes back as far as propaganda itself. Spreading a rumor is an early form of it. The honest way to do crisis management, for example, would be putting out a statement or addressing issues directly. But then you have gray areas, like sending someone to an event to make them look good or like they support certain causes." He continued, "You see it a lot in politicsgetting a crowd to welcome a candidate to make it look like theyre loved. Whether its corporate politics, sports, or even Hollywood, youll see astroturfing. For example, if you want buzz around a movie, you might pay people to show up at a theater or post on social media with a hashtag to get things going. Even though that sounds harmless, its still astroturfing." Weaponizing Misogyny The complaint alleges that TAG PR exploited misogynistic stereotypes to fuel the smear campaign against Lively. According to experts, this tactic is common in Hollywood and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PR firms know how to tap into stereotypes, Donovan explains. In this case, its the trope of women in power being controlling or demanding. These narratives resonate with audiences predisposed to believe them, and astroturfing amplifies them to devastating effect. Donovan draws parallels to alleged tactics used during the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial, where coordinated narratives disproportionately targeted Heard. Misogyny on social media is rampant, Donovan says. PR firms know this and use it to their advantage by leaning into these biases. Getty Images amber heard and blake lively amber heard and blake lively Legal and Ethical Implications While astroturfing exists in a legal gray area, it often crosses ethical boundaries. Encouraging people to post hashtags or opinions is usually fine, Camargo says. But when it involves fake accounts, harassment, or disinformation, it crosses into unethicaland sometimes illegalterritory. The Path Forward Whether this case goes to trial or is settled quietly, experts say it raises important questions about PR practices in Hollywood. Astroturfing operates in the shadows, Camargo says. Its a tool PR firms use to control public perception, but its rarely discussed openly. Read the original article on People Dec. 24An attorney representing the family of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins criticized New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez on Tuesday calling him "the Grinch" for blocking an appeal of a judge's decision to toss a criminal case against actor Alec Baldwin. The effort to prosecute Baldwin in Hutchins' fatal shooting on the movie set ended this week when the special prosecutor withdrew her appeal of state District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer's decision to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter against the actor at his trial. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said Monday that she was halting the appeal because the New Mexico attorney general's office did not intend to "exhaustively pursue the appeal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney general's office has sole authority to appeal criminal cases, she said. Gloria Allred, a Los Angeles attorney representing Hutchins' parents in a civil lawsuit against Baldwin, held a news conference Tuesday expressing disappointment with the decision to end the appeal. Allred also took aim at both the judge and the attorney general for the failed effort to prosecute Baldwin. "First, Judge Marlowe Sommer took the criminal case away from the jury, depriving them of the ability to decide the criminal case against Alec Baldwin," Allred said Tuesday in a news conference streamed online. "Then, the New Mexico Attorney General, Raul Torres, decided that he would not allow the justices of the New Mexico appellate court to decide if the trial judge's decision was correct." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldwin was holding a pistol when it discharged on the set of the Western movie "Rust" outside Santa Fe, killing Hutchins in October 2021. The involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin imploded during his trial in July when it was revealed that ammunition was brought to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office by a man who said the rounds could be related to Hutchins' killing. Prosecutors said they considered the rounds unrelated to the criminal case. Baldwin's attorneys argued that prosecutors "buried" evidence that could have exonerated the actor. Marlowe Sommer tossed the case halfway through trial, finding that investigators and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allred said that the conclusion of the criminal case allows a civil lawsuit filed by Hutchins' parents and sister against Baldwin to proceed in New Mexico civil court. The suit was on hold pending the outcome of the criminal charges against Baldwin. "Although the Attorney General of New Mexico, Raul Torres, is the Grinch who stole this Christmas, we will work to ensure that a future Christmas will be without this Grinch," Allred said. Torrez's spokeswoman, Lauren Rodriguez, said the attorney general's office declined to appeal the dismissal "in light of the significant procedural irregularities identified by" the judge. "An appeal in this matter would have been untenable in light of Judge Marlowe Sommer's detailed finding that critical evidence had been withheld from Mr. Baldwin's defense team and her blistering assessment of the special prosecutor's gross mishandling of the case at trial," Rodriguez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Torrez also wanted to avoid adding to the $750,000 cost of Baldwin's criminal prosecution, she said in a written statement. "We believe it is in the best interests of justice for the criminal matter against Mr. Baldwin to remain closed and hope that Ms. Hutchins' family can obtain important answers and a sense of closure through their still pending civil action," Rodriguez said. Allred represents Hutchins' parents, Olga Solovey and Anatolli Androsovych, and her sister, Svetlana Zenko, in a civil lawsuit pending in 1st Judicial District Court in Santa Fe. Now that Baldwin is free of criminal liability, he no longer has constitutional protections from self-incrimination, allowing Allred to depose the actor and pursue the civil action, she said. "We have confidence that a New Mexico jury, if allowed to decide our civil case, would do the right thing," Allred said. "We as their lawyers will do anything and everything that is legally possible and appropriate to win justice for Helena and her family." DENVER (KDVR) Police in Aurora are investigating a shooting and a crash that followed shortly after involving a vehicle and a light rail train, sending four people to the hospital Wednesday morning. The Aurora Police Department responded to a report of a shooting near 18494 E. Kepner Pl. in Aurora at 8:13 a.m. While police were responding, 911 received another call for service at 8:24 a.m. on a report of a crash involving a vehicle and a light rail train near Sable Boulevard and Ellsworth Avenue. The Aurora Police Department responded to a report of a shooting near 18494 E. Kepner Pl. in Aurora at 8:13 a.m. While police were responding, 911 received another call for service at 8:24 a.m. on a report of a crash involving a vehicle and a light rail train near Sable Boulevard and Ellsworth Avenue. During a press conference Wednesday morning, Aurora Police Commander Matthew Brukbacher said that a preliminary investigation suggests there was a shooting in the parking lot. Multiple people were involved and multiple rounds were fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Police said all the people involved in the shooting got into a Mazda and fled from the scene at a high rate of speed. The Mazda then crashed into a Regional Transportation District light rail train near Sable Boulevard and Ellsworth Avenue. It appears based on video that the Mazda tried to beat the train crossing the intersection and ended up striking almost directly against the drivers compartment of that train, Brukbacher said. Police in Aurora are investigating a shooting and a crash that followed shortly after involving a vehicle and a light rail train, sending four people to the hospital Wednesday morning. (KDVR) Police in Aurora are investigating a shooting and a crash that followed shortly after involving a potential suspect vehicle and a light rail train, sending four people to the hospital Wednesday morning. (KDVR) Police in Aurora are investigating a shooting and a crash that followed shortly after involving a potential suspect vehicle and a light rail train, sending four people to the hospital Wednesday morning. (Photo courtesy: FOX31 viewer) Police in Aurora are investigating a shooting and a crash that followed shortly after involving a vehicle and a light rail train, sending four people to the hospital Wednesday morning. (KDVR) Police said four people, including three men and one woman, were taken to the hospital. Five people were inside the vehicle, and police said four of them were taken to the hospital. The driver sustained critical injuries and the others sustained minor injuries. One of the passengers sustained a gunshot wound from the shooting scene, but police said they did not appear to have life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The light rail train operator was also taken to a hospital and all four occupants of the light rail were uninjured. Some people were detained, but the investigation was ongoing as of Wednesday afternoon. Police said that there will be charges filed. Police said investigators believe the incident was family-related, or that those involved knew each other. As far as were aware there are no outstanding suspects from the shooting at this time, and there is no danger to the community, Brukbacher said. Sable Boulevard and Ellsworth Avenue were closed in the area and are expected to remain closed for several hours. At about 3:15 p.m., all lanes of Sable Boulevard were reopened. The train was knocked off the tracks and will be out of service for an extended period. Shuttle buses were in use to get customers to their destinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Aurora Police Department is working with RTD Police in the 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 FOX31 Denver. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Space Workforce Incubator for Texas officially launched out of Austin as a nonprofit focused on building a pipeline of skilled workers for the states booming space economy. SWIFT said its mission is to fill 50% of new space industry jobs with a Texas-driven workforce. Its a network of people who care about building the space industry. Making Texas the number one space for space business in the world. Dr. Leon Vanstone, SWIFT Vice President According to Texas 2036, a nonpartisan public research and advocacy organization, Texans hold roughly one in 10 of all space industry jobs nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The space industry is projected to grow into a $1 trillion industry in less than 20 years, Texas 2036 said. In 2023, Governor Greg Abbott signed a law that established the creation of a Texas Space Commission. Texas Space Commission opens up applications for $150M grant The group will distribute $350 million in taxpayer dollars toward the development of the space industry in Texas. Gap in workforce training SWIFT claimed there is a gap in accessible aerospace workforce training programs, and that it identifies critical gaps in accessible aerospace training and testing opportunities that must be addressed to fully realize Texas potential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit said it will unite educational institutions, industry leaders and aspiring engineers. Building the connective fabric, or the connective tissue, and centralizing it so that no matter where an interested party might be, said SWIFT Co-founder Geoff Tudor. The organization provides shared access to rocket testing platforms and hands-on mentorships to prepare students for aerospace engineering. This gives some opportunity to people that might not be in a four-year institution like UT, maybe theyre going into ACC as a pathway, or maybe theyre going into another community college, like San Jacinto College, Tudor said. We want to give them a platform through which they can get hands-on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SWIFT said it will act as a hub for post-secondary institutions and a magnet for high school talent. This shared infrastructure will provide aspiring engineers with the hands-on experience necessary to excel in rocket systems, subsystems, and beyond. SWIFT announced it awarded grants to the Rice Eclipse Rocket Team and the Texas A&M Rocket Engine Design Team to advance their designs and development projects. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. This is an adapted excerpt from the Dec. 14 episode of Ayman. If you listened to President-elect Donald Trump and his Republican allies during the campaign, it was clear they were running as the pro-free speech party. I will bring back free speech in America because its been taken away, Trump said at a rally in September. Theyve taken away your free speech, and the fake news is a threat to this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump is the candidate of the First Amendment, JD Vance told the crowd at another rally in October. Hes the candidate of free speech. But just one month after his election victory, the so-called free speech candidate is threatening to go after a cornerstone of the First Amendment, the free press: They [the media] like us much better now, I think, Trump said recently at the New York Stock Exchange after Time magazine named him person of the year. If they dont, then well just have to take them on again, and we dont want to do that, Trump added. If that wasnt enough, likely members of Trumps incoming administration have also attacked free speech. Starting with Kash Patel, whom Trump would like to lead the FBI. Were going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections, Patel said on Steve Bannons podcast. Whether its criminally or civilly, well figure that out. Then theres Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trumps pick to lead the Health and Human Services Department. Upon endorsing Trump, Kennedy argued it was the Democrats, not the Republicans, who were the ones silencing people they disagreed with. However, Kennedy is now indicating that, if confirmed, hell likely fire around 600 employees at the National Institutes of Health who dont agree with his vision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont forget Trumps first buddy, billionaire Elon Musk. The owner of X, who will be in charge of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, fancies himself a free speech absolutist. Musk said earlier this year on his social media platform that without free speech, all is lost. But during his tenure as the owner of X, the company has suspended the accounts of journalists critical of him or his Republican allies like Vance. And now, despite never being elected by anyone, Musk is threatening Senate Republicans with a primary challenger backed by him if they dont fall in line and support Trumps nominees. Patel, Kennedy and Musk have given a clear warning to any potential Trump dissidents: Fall in line or face the consequences. And its all in service of Trump, a man who has called for the jailing of anyone who desecrates the American flag. Someone who has threatened to go after the broadcast licenses of outlets over coverage he doesnt like. Someone who, according to Rolling Stone, is reportedly planning to escalate his war on leakers and the press using media subpoenas, communications seizures, whistleblower prosecutions and legal threats against news outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As one conservative lawyer familiar with Trumps plans for the media warned in that report, Itll be brutal. The idea that Trump and his allies are free speech champions was always absurd. For them, free speech means they get to shout the loudest and silence everyone who disagrees with them. Allison Detzel contributed. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Credit: X / @yarotrof An Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed on Christmas Day was likely shot down by a Russian military air defence system, a UK-based aviation security firm has said. The crash immediately prompted speculation that the aircraft was shot down by Russia after it took a detour of hundreds of miles in the wrong direction and crash-landed with holes in the fuselage. Russian military bloggers have suggested the plane, which crashed near the Kazakhstan city of Aktau, could have been mistaken for a Ukrainian drone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident, which killed at least 38 people and injured a further 29, took place after a significant detour, which could have been caused by GPS jamming. The Embraer 190 aircraft made an emergency landing 3km from the Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, on Wednesday. It was flying from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya in the north Caucasus. Credit: @clashreport/X Footage of the crash, circling online, showed the plane making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Other footage showed part of its fuselage ripped away from the wings and the rest of the aircraft lying upside down in the grass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian military bloggers and some aviation analysts have suggested holes in the fuselage of the craft may have been caused by shrapnel from an anti-aircraft missile. The crew on the aircraft reported a collision in the air before the plane began its emergency landing, which the Russian aviation authorities initially suspected to have been caused by a flock of birds. However, it was later revealed that one of the planes oxygen tanks had exploded, prompting speculation that the collision was actually an encounter with Russian air defences. Vladimir Putins forces have militarised the area the plane was flying over, on a detour that had not been planned by the airline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plane was attempting to land at a Russian airport in Grozny, which at the time of landing was under attack by Ukrainian drones. Osprey Flight Solutions, an aviation security firm based in the United Kingdom, warned its clients that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was likely shot down by a Russian military air-defence system. Osprey provides analysis for carriers still flying into Russia after Western airlines halted their flights during the war. Andrew Nicholson, chief executive officer of Osprey, said that the company had issued more than 200 alerts regarding drone attacks and air defence systems in Russia during the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This incident is a stark reminder of why we do what we do, Nicholson wrote online. It is painful to know that despite our efforts, lives were lost in a way that could have been avoided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Credit: @clashreport/X Baza, a Telegram channel with links to the Russian security services, said the holes look like those left after a shelling or explosion with striking elements. Rybar, an influential Telegram channel with 1.3 million subscribers, also confirmed Bazas description, saying the damage to the fuselage resembles striking elements of an anti-aircraft missile. He continued: The plane itself was heading to Grozny - at that time, a raid by launched Ukrainian UAVs was actually being repelled over the region. Several drones were shot down over Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia and neighboring Ingushetia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the crash, Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, said he was returning home from Russia where he had been due to attend a summit on Wednesday, Russias RIA news agency reported. One of the planes oxygen tanks had exploded - Azamat Sarsenbayev Mr Putin expressed his deep sympathies to Mr Aliyev following the crash, said Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman. Unfortunately, Azerbaijans president Aliyev was forced to leave St Petersburg. Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau, Mr Peskov said. We deeply sympathise with those who lost their relatives and friends in this plane crash and wish a speedy recovery to all those who managed to survive, he added. 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. 25 (UPI) -- An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger flight from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed in Kazakhstan while attempting to make an emergency landing, with dozens feared dead. The plane had been carrying 67 people, 62 of them passengers, from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Chechnya, when it crashed Wednesday morning near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The Kazakh Health Ministry released a list of 29 survivors, including two children, but the number of dead was not yet confirmed. The survivors were hospitalized with various injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's state aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, said in a statement that the plane had been attempting to make an emergency landing in Aktau after colliding with a flock of birds in the air. Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed the plane had crashed 1.8 miles outside of Aktau. The Kazakh Emergency Situations Ministry said flames had erupted at the crash site, but were quickly extinguished. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared Thursday a day of mourning for the victims of the crash. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing. Scientists are warning of an impending volcanic eruption that humanity is not ready for. According to them, the chances of this happening this century are one in six, and there is no plan to deal with it. ADVERTISIMENT According to MailOnline, such an event, according to climate science professor Dr. Markus Stoffel, could cause climate chaos. After all, greenhouse gases released over the past century could make the effects of such an eruption even colder. The earth has already experienced a similar eruption of the Tambora volcano in Indonesia in 1815. It released 24 cubic miles of gases, dust, and rocks into the atmosphere, causing a sharp drop in global temperatures. Crops failed, famine spread, disease increased, and tens of thousands of people died. ADVERTISIMENT Unlike the "year without a summer" that followed the eruption of Tambora, a 21st century megavolcano will add to the devastation already caused by humanity's dependence on fossil fuels. "The consequences could be even worse than in 1815. The world is more unstable now," explained geologist Dr. Michael Rampino. Research by volcanologist Dr. Thomas Aubrey shows that a hotter, more turbulent atmosphere will spread sulfur dioxide and the cooling sulfate aerosols it produces more quickly, amplifying the cooling effect. A wider distribution of these compounds in the air that reflect sunlight will make them more effective, reducing the likelihood of collision and sticking together. "There is a 'happy medium' in terms of the size of these tiny and shiny particles - the 'right' size range where they are very effective at scattering sunlight," explains Cambridge University researcher Dr. Anja Schmidt. ADVERTISIMENT According to a study she conducted with Dr. Aubrey, our future and likely hotter atmosphere will absorb 30% more solar energy under certain "global warming" scenarios that will occur in the near future. "We estimate that it will increase surface cooling by 15 percent," commented Dr. Aubry. However, according to Dr. Stoffel, who teaches at the University of Geneva, there are also worrying uncertainties, as scientists are only at the beginning of forming an idea of what might happen. The scientist explains that they have very poor data on old volcanoes, and this makes it difficult to reconstruct a model of their impact. To compensate for this, climatologists, geologists, and other researchers are piecing together atmospheric data frozen in time in ice cores and embedded in old tree rings. These measurements show that several volcanic eruptions over the past thousands of years have temporarily cooled the planet by about 1-1.5 degrees Celsius. ADVERTISIMENT The epic Tambora eruption of 1815, for example, lowered the average global temperature by about 1 degree Celsius. Modern satellite data has the ability to record how much sulfur dioxide has been released into the atmosphere. However, even these added sensors and other seismic tools are still not enough for scientists to know the future of the volcano. "What's next and when is impossible to predict," says Stoffel. He hopes that researching possible worst-case scenarios can help the public and policymakers better prepare for everything from evacuation plans to preparing food aid in case of crop failures around the world. ADVERTISIMENT A 21st century eruption would affect a much more densely populated and interconnected world, where dramatic shocks could have deadly and unexpected consequences. According to Dr. Aubrey, climate change could even affect the behavior of volcanoes themselves, as melting and disappearing glaciers over the underground magma pool could increase the pressure that holds it in. He noted that more extreme precipitation, exacerbated by climate change, could also lead to a "steam bomb"-like detonation as moisture seeps deep into cracks near both active and dormant volcanoes. "We are currently working on creating a map of the volcanoes that are most sensitive to climate change," said Dr. Aubrey. It is known that approximately 716 volcanoes worldwide, or 58 percent of volcanoes that are active and located above ground, could be triggered by heavier precipitation, increasing the likelihood of a dangerous mini-ice age. "Therefore, we can expect potentially more eruptions," the scientist added. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The man accused of killing his girlfriend on Sunday appeared virtually in a North Las Vegas courtroom Tuesday as the victims family packed inside to face the man who attended their holiday parties. Boyfriend faces charges in North Las Vegas womans murder North Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Belinda Harris denied bail for Markeem Benson, 29. Police arrested him on Monday. Benson faces charges of murder with the use of a deadly weapon and being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, according to police records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renise Wolfe, 33, was found shortly after 10:15 a.m. on Sunday inside an apartment on East Rome Boulevard near Centennial Parkway and 5th Street and died after medics arrived at the scene, police said. Wolfe was identified Monday by officials from the Clark County Coroners Office. I just want people to know what a blessing she was, and I had her for 33 years, said Tracy Coleman, Wolfes mother. Renise Wolfe, 33, was found shortly after 10:15 a.m. on Sunday inside an apartment on East Rome Boulevard near Centennial Parkway and 5th Street and died after medics arrived at the scene, police said. (Photo credit: Ashley Tuttle) Tattoo artist honored after deadly shooting in North Las Vegas I dont want anyone to think that my daughter was a bad person, Coleman said. She was the sweetest person. She only had one traffic ticket in her whole entire life, shes never been in trouble for anything, ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coleman embraced her daughters and other family members and friends on Tuesday outside the courtroom. A few minutes earlier, inside the courtroom, prosecutors described in detail her daughters killing. The victim was shot behind the ear from the back of the head, four times, so he claims there was a struggle and the gun went off, said Michelle Jobe, the Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney, adding that there was no evidence of self-defense. Wolfes mother, Tracy Coleman, said Nene, as Renise was affectionately called, and Benson began dating in July. Coleman said she took her daughter and Benson out on Dec. 12 to celebrate his birthday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank God for his dad, because his dad called the police, Coleman said. So, I appreciate that his dad did that, and I dont understand why you would take the life of someone. Court records show that on Nov. 14, Benson was sentenced to 36 months of probation for attempted robbery. Judge Harris said she denied him bail due to his probation status at the time of his arrest. Benson is scheduled to return to North Las Vegas Justice Court on Thursday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The bald eagle has landed in the U.S. code after President Joe Biden signed a bill Tuesday making the predator the official national bird. Congress passed the measure with unanimous support. Although the bird of prey is at the center of the Great Seal of the United States, it was never formally recognized as the country's official bird. Some of the Founding Fathers Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were tasked with creating a national seal but simply couldn't come to an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1782, a version of the seal with a bald eagle was submitted by Secretary of the Continental Congress Charles Thomson and approved. Most Americans are familiar with the seal's eagle carrying a flag-emblazoned shield holding an olive branch in one talon and arrows in the other. Franklin was historically against the decision, arguing in a letter to his daughter that the bald eagle was "a bird of bad moral character." A bald eagle in Montana. Either way, the U.S. has not had an official bird in the almost 250 years since its founding. Minnesota resident Preston Cook has long hoped that the eagle would ascend into the U.S. code, even writing a draft a bill and sending it to lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook described himself as having a lifelong obsession with the bald eagle, and took it upon himself to push for a change when discovering that there was no official U.S. bird. He wrote a simple piece of legislation that would change the code to say that, The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., then led a bipartisan group who brought it to the Senate floor in July. It passed unanimously before sailing through the House last week with no opposition. The bald eagle is a symbol of our countrys freedom and strength and with our legislation now signed into law, the bald eagle is officially our national bird," Klobuchar said on Thursday. Cook told NBC News earlier this month that this is one overlooked piece of history he felt compelled to fix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) Gas stations like Buc-ees along I-10 in Baldwin County are packed as a record number of travelers head to their holiday destinations. Pensacola Opera to kick off 2025 with The Marriage of Figaro Clay Ingram with Triple-A said more than 119 million Americans will be traveling a distance of 50 miles or more nationwide. The southeastern region of the country is almost always the busiest region, said Ingram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the weather is a little bit more conducive, and we get a lot of drive-through traffic. People heading to the Gulf Coast or heading to central Florida to Disney World or Universal Studios or more recently we are seeing a lot more people heading to the cruise ports all along the Florida Coastline. Todd Allendorph was among the many travelers making a pit stop at Buc-ees Tuesday afternoon. Were coming from Orlando were headed home now, said Allendorph. Allendorph said his family has traveled about 1,600 miles over a five-day period. Families like the Allendorphs are a part of the 90% of travelers that are hitting the roads for the Holidays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Triple-A recommends getting your car checked out by a certified technician before going on a road trip. Thomas Hospital staff collects food, socks for needy Baldwin County residents At least take a few minutes and check your fluid levels, check your tire pressure, check your wiper blades, your bulbs around the car to make sure all your light, break lights, signals, headlights, said Ingram. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. A recent column I wrote about the need to keep funding high-speed rail sparked some email responses from readers as far away as Idaho. Needless to say, one of those readers thinks I need a mental-health eval. But hey, at least they are reading! For those unaware, high-speed rail was the brainchild of former Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown. The concept: Have a electric (nonpolluting) train system that can whoosh passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco (and vice versa) at over 200 mph. The trip would take less than three hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My column, published online Dec. 18, opined that Northern California congressmember Kevin Kiley should not try to end all federal funding for the bullet train. Further, I advised Elon Musk to quit his longstanding opposition and instead get with the program. My reasoning is based on the fact that $13 billion has already been spent constructing rail line, bridges and other structures in the San Joaquin Valley. Any Fresno-area resident traveling Highway 99 north or south sees the big structures that will carry the fast trains over the roadway. Opinion It would be a total waste to end the project and leave those facilities unused, or even under-utilized, should some future secondary purpose be found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least, that is my thinking. Here are snippets of the emails with different points of view. You either work for a union, need to be in a mental institution or were paid for this piece. Likely all three. _ Will Stuart Mr. Stuarts phone number on his signature line indicates he may live in the Bay Area. If that is the case, he would benefit from high-speed rail whenever he wanted to go to Southern California. So, maybe, he could someday benefit. But he seems to doubt that will ever happen. I dont belong to a union. As for my mental health, I am human, just like anyone else. Your comparison of the federal interstate project to the high speed rail completion timeline is absolutely absurd. Do you realize tens of thousands of interstate miles were built in 36 years? Given your estimations on the completion date for the Merced to Bakersfield line is damn near same amount of time it took to build the national interstate system. So 30 years to build a pitiful 164 miles is OK with you? What an embarrassment that California will never live down. Typical of California. A boondoggle scam for the unions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want my federal dollars to stay in Idaho. If its so important to you and the rest of your global warming zealots in California, you and your state pay for it. _ Skip Thompson The point I was making in comparing the high-speed rail to the U.S. highway system was that both took time to complete. Critics of the bullet train often point to how long it is taking to build. It is just the nature of big, complex projects. And dont forget, much of the nations highways were constructed before environmental laws fully kicked in. I wonder how many federal research dollars have been spent to fight potato diseases to benefit the farmers in Idaho. I like potatoes, so it is money well spent. Just wondering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Californians like to drive. Trains are for Europeans or American outliers who live in a handful of US cities. Those who like public transportation could/should move to NYC or Boston. Build more highways. Subsidize auto gas, end fuel taxes. _ John This reader does not give a full name or hometown, but he likely is in California and clearly enjoys driving. Heres the thing: Climate change is requiring a new means of transport. We cannot keep driving solo in gas-powered cars for everything. That is why electric vehicles make sense for those who want to go solo. Besides, high-speed system is not meant to get around in cities. It is intended for us to get around our state, on electric trains that dont create air pollution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The power grid is falling apart, but at least well be able to take a choo-choo between Fresno and Bakersfield. _ Art Gary Anyone who uses choo-choo in an email gets me to smile! Mr. Gary is unaware, however, that Californias power grid is far from falling apart. In fact, this summer the grid reached a milestone: 100 days with 100% renewable energy powering the state for at least part of each day. That effort will just keep ramping up. As for just riding to Bakersfield, I wonder if Mr. Gary has ever been to Hodels Country Dining in Bakersfield, 50 years of tradition as Kern Countys best buffet. Yum! Thanks to those who write to keep me honest. Heres hoping for more in the new year. A sampling of the books that writers for The Conversation consider worthy of your time. Its that time of year again and weve invited 30 of our writers, from fields as disparate as wildlife ecology and mathematics to literature and politics, to share their best books of of 2024. Of course, best books lists are subjective, relying on what people have read and remembered. But we always love finding out which books lingered for our writers. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, the Books & Ideas team set ourselves the hard (but fun) task of picking our own best books too. Suzy Freeman-Greenes best book was Hazzard and Harrower: the letters, edited by Brigitta Olubas and Susan Wyndham (NewSouth): four decades of correspondence between two fiercely intelligent writers as vivid, felt and dramatic as a fine novel. (Honorable mention: Samantha Harveys Orbital). James Leys pick was Blue Lard (NY Review Books) by dissident Russian novelist Vladimir Sorokin. It is not for the faint-hearted: a bizarre and baffling mashup of science fiction and alternative history, cut with outrageous grotesquery and irreverent parodies of classic Russian literature. (Honourable mention: Rachel Kushners Creation Lake.) And Jo Cases best book was Liars (Picador), Sarah Mangusos electric, vividly poetic fragmented divorce novel (the standout in a fertile 2024 genre): a masterclass in balancing cold precision and blazing emotion. (Honourable mention and close second: Fiona McFarlanes inventive fictional riff on true crime, Highway 13.) Dennis Altman There are many ways of reading Jock Serongs Cherrywood (Fourth Estate), and it helps to know Enid Blytons Magic Faraway Tree and the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy. Regardless, Serong has created a magical world, illuminated by language that is both lyrical and straightforward. Central to the story is the history of a stack of timber, sourced mysteriously from somewhere in the Caucasus, which links two periods of time, divided by 70 years, all flowing together in a wonderful mix of realism and fantasy. Dennis Altman is vice chancellors fellow and professorial fellow, Institute for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University. Robyn Arianrhod Ive enjoyed several recent books, including Dava Sobels fresh retelling of Marie Curies story and my pick, Jim Baggott and John L. Heilbrons challenging but compelling Quantum Drama: From the Bohr-Einstein Debate to the Riddle of Entanglement (Oxford University Press). This detailed history of quantum theory includes a terrific explanation of the mysterious Bell inequality which enabled experimenters to prove Einsteins spooky concept of entanglement is real and a fascinating glimpse into key players personal, political and philosophical responses to their bizarre quantum discoveries. Robyn Arianrhod is an affiliate in the School of Mathematics at Monash University and author of Vector (New South). Michelle Arrow Lauren Samuelssons witty, illuminating history of the Australian Womens Weeklys food pages A Matter of Taste (Monash University Publishing) reveals their influence on how Australians cooked, ate and entertained in the 20th century. Its also a fascinating account of changing gender roles: food was largely womens domestic responsibility and could be a chore, but also provided a space of creativity. This is a view of Australias past from the kitchen bench, rather than the drivers seat of the family car. Ill bet your mum would love it for Christmas. Michelle Arrow is professor of history, Macquarie University. Jumana Bayeh The Sunbird by Sara Haddad (University of Queensland Press) is a short book, a novella, designed to be read in one sitting. It was written after the Gaza war commenced and conveys an urgency to tell the Palestinian story. It focuses on Nabila Yasmeen, a Palestinian woman who lives in Australia because she was exiled from her native Palestine during the 1948 Nakba. The Sunbird jumps across time (1948 and 2023) and space (Palestine and Australia) to capture Nabilas ongoing displacement and her relentless desire to go home. Jumana Bayeh is an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts at Macquarie University. Hugh Breakey Jonathan Haidts The Anxious Generation (Allen Lane) makes two key claims. First, the kids are not alright: compared to earlier generations, Gen Z has almost twice the chance of serious mental health disorders and related episodes. Second, a major cause is the smartphone. Problems arise not only from what happens on smartphones, but what doesnt happen. Children need unsupervised play, physical risk-taking and relationships with actual peers. Haidt recommends social media be banned for those under 16, but he also urges parents to recognise that social media is not the only source of teenage mental health concerns. Hugh Breakey is deputy director, Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law, Griffith University. Mridula Nath Chakraborty In The Distaste of the Earth (Penguin India), Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, author of Funeral Nights (2021), continues his fabulist storytelling about mythic archetypes, against the backdrop of his beloved Khasi Hills rainforests. Subverting the tragic star-crossed lovers folktale of Manik Raitong the Wretched and Khasi Queen Liang Makaw, Nongkynrih extends oral storytelling traditions to create an utterly irreverential narrative. Part poetry, part philosophy and part critique, this is a fascinating glimpse into a world weary of humankind and wise in its Aesop-like vision of our contemporary moment. Mridula Nath Chakraborty is senior lecturer, Monash Intercultural Lab, Monash University. Intifar Chowdhury I dont usually pick up memoirs by those who know theyre about to die theyre unbearably sad. But Alexei Navalnys Patriot (Bodley Head) is a darkly comedic exception. Surviving a Federal Security Service (FSB) assassination attempt, Navalny returned to Russia to defy Vladimir Putin, knowing the Kremlin wouldnt let him go. They didnt. Written from prison, Patriot immortalises his unshakeable hope for a beautiful Russia. With sharp wit and boundless courage, Navalnys story transcends borders, reminding us of the enduring power of resistance. His voice and vision live on. Intifar Chowdhury is a youth researcher and lecturer in government at Flinders University. Tom Doig My discovery of 2024 was Children in Tactical Gear (University of Iowa Press) by Peter Mishler, winner of the Iowa Poetry Prize. Its a technicolour nightmare of whiteboards and bullets, plastic and product placement. Mainly free verse, there are moments of fixed rhyme and metre which I usually hate. But I love this: he stands with me, / barefoot, in a whirlpool / of trash, my dark hair collecting / ballistic ash. The collection is a bleak, pitiless vision of corporate, consumerist America. It would make a perfect Christmas gift. Tom Doig is an investigative journalist and lecturer in creative writing, University of Queensland Charmaine Papertalk Green One favourite pick for 2024 is Anita Heiss Dirrayawadha (Simon & Schuster Australia), a groundbreaking Wiradyuri nation historical novel set at the time of Wiradyuricolonial contact in rural New South Wales. This book is a reminder to Australia of the truth-telling needed to wipe away the historical colonial amnesia narratives curated to make Aboriginal people invisible nullius. This book invites deep listening to a Wiradyuri and Australian story, carrying forward resilience, memory and Country. Charmaine Papertalk Green is a visual artist and poet, and research fellow, School of Allied Health, Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia. Nick Haslam Eighty-five years after his death, is there anything left to say about Freud? Andrew Blauners fine collection On the Couch: Writers Analyse Sigmund Freud (Princeton University Press) answers an emphatic yes. A dream-team of leading writers consider subjects ranging from Freuds first scientific paper (on eel testicles) to the shadowy figure of his wife Martha, and his love of dogs. The book offers lucid, deeply personal reflections on the complicated legacies of psychoanalysis. Is it a failed system, a model of radical doubt, or a humanising corrective to a culture of shallowness and artificiality? Nick Haslam is professor of psychology, University of Melbourne. Alexander Howard Elfriede Jelineks The Children of the Dead (Yale University Press), originally published in 1995, is now available in English for the first time, in a masterful translation by Gitta Honegger. Its a haunting exploration of Austrias Nazi past and its failure to confront the Holocaust. Hypnotic and unsettling, Jelineks darkly satirical novel yokes avant-gardism and popular culture together, offering an unflinching reckoning with history. With antisemitism and the far-right on the rise in Europe, it feels more urgent and relevant than ever. Alexander Howard is senior lecturer, English and Writing, University of Sydney. Tony Hughes dAeth The book I most enjoyed this year was Brian Castros Chinese Postman (Giramondo). An elliptical meditation on the indignity of ageing and the inevitability of death might not be everyones recipe for a relaxing summer read. Yet Abe Quin, Castros alter ego, has a downbeat charm, with his limpid turns of phrase, self-deprecation and seething hatred of hypocrisy. In Castros work, there is a bleakness teetering on the edge of farce and a pathos bubbling through quotidian reverie, but the situations bounce back on the springs of his irony. Then the humour drops away and we meet a man reflecting on his life with astonishing candour. Tony Hughes dAeth is chair of Australian literature, University of Western Australia. Allanah Hunt Murriyang: Song of Time by Stan Grant (S&S Bundyi) is a book you will remember for a lifetime. Grant writes with such deep reverence and reflection around ideas of time, spirituality, history, philosophy and physics. The sections on Grants father, Wiradjuri leader Uncle Stan Grant Sr, are the books true heart, making me reflect on my own relationship with my parents with deeper understanding. Grants book is about building a bridge of love: with parents, with community, even with those who espouse racist ideologies. Allanah Hunt is lecturer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland. Andy Jackson Anthologies are so diverse, a readers enthusiasm often wanes at certain points. But Woven, edited by Anne-Marie Te Whiu (Magabala Books), is a breathtaking exception. This collection of 15 collaborations between First Nations poets from Australia and overseas is consistently compelling and formally ingenious, with lyrical, political punch. Joy Harjo with Ali Cobby Eckermann, Tony Birch with Simon J. Ortiz, and Raelee Lancaster with essa may ranapiri are standouts. But all the conversations in the book brilliantly enhance solidarities, while allowing differences to cohabit with care. Andy Jackson is a poet and creative writing lecturer, University of Melbourne. Philip Johnson I first read Alice Drivers reporting on slaughterhouse workers in the US South in the New York Review of Books in 2021. Life and Death of the American Worker (Atria/One Signal Publishers) is the book-length investigation Ive waited for since. From Arkansas, but reporting for years from Mexico and Central America, Driver was uniquely equipped to get to know the Spanish-speaking workers who prop up the US meat industry. When Covid hit, she was immersed in this world. She offers incredible insights into the expendable lives powering an essential industry. Philip Johnson is lecturer, College of Business, Government and Law at Flinders University. He researches crime and violence in the Americas. Natalie Kon-yu In Tell Me Everything (Viking), Elizabeth Strout demonstrates why she is one of the best living writers in the Anglophone world. Its hard to summarise the plot there is some narrative tension about a court case, a hard death and a love story but these are not the point of the book. If there is a point, it is that there is a multitude of conflicting stories within us and all of them shape us, whether we know it or not. Natalie Kon-yu is associate professor, creative writing and literary studies, Victoria University. John Long Stanley Tuccis What I Ate in One Year (Fig Tree) is exactly what we all need in these strange times. While Tuccis prose immediately piques your curiosity about Italian cooking, it dives much deeper than just food. My favourite parts are the unexpected moments of profound humanity as he reflects on the value of family, friendships, mortality and the downsides of being famous. Tuccis year is exposed in this engrossing, humorous, heartwarming book. A delicious memoir of gastronomy, love, loss, death and pasta. Oh yes, and more pasta! John Long is strategic professor in palaeontology, Flinders University. Julienne van Loon I loved Michelle de Kretsers Theory & Practice (Text Publishing) for its formal experimentation and for its post-critique flavour. How does de Kretser do both those things and write such a page turner? Its a disturbing read and a thoughtful one. Disturbing because distrust, betrayal and other familiar exclusionary tactics reproduce themselves in the world of the narrator. Thoughtful because de Kretser urges us to look at the relationship between theory and practice with clear-sightedness and care. Julienne van Loon is associate professor in creative writing, School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne Peter Mares The most recent data shows CEOs of Australias top listed companies take home 55 times average adult earnings. Yet such inequalities rarely feature in public policy. The focus is on tackling disadvantage and increasing opportunity, without addressing entrenched privilege and unequal outcomes. Poverty is a politically safe topic, argues Ingrid Robeyns. Inequality raises uncomfortable questions about societal structures, political choices and power differences. In a democratic society, we should argue about how much inequality is (un)reasonable. Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth (Allen Lane) can help that conversation. Peter Mares is adjunct senior research fellow, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University. Vijay Mishra We have been told authors die in the act of writing. What strikes me about Salman Rushdies memoir, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder (Jonathan Cape), is his engagement with death in its very materiality, its corporeality, as he describes what it is like to be confronted, after the fatwa, with a second death. Written without sentimentality or accusation, this is an extraordinary account that makes us think of death not as a theoretical premise that informs the act of writing, but a living reality for an author who dared to challenge age-old assumptions. Vijay Mishra is emeritus professor of English and comparative literature, Murdoch University. Lynda Ng This year, the Booker judges overlooked a piercing reflection on racial identity in favour of a novel set on a space station. While we may like to believe the existential threat of climate change will ultimately overturn racial politics, Percival Everetts James (Mantle) forces us to consider the ethics of embracing such a post-racial fantasy. Everetts reimagining of Mark Twains classic Huckleberry Finn imbues the runaway slave Jim with ingenuity, agency and gravitas. His scintillating prose elicits a long overdue reckoning with the literary canon. Lynda Ng is lecturer in world literature (including Australian literature), University of Melbourne. Julian Novitz Alan Hollinghursts Our Evenings (Picador) follows Dave Win from his youth in 1960s England through to the era of Brexit turmoil and pandemics. While the history is sweeping, the novel focuses on significant yet understated moments, particularly those that reflect on Daves close relationship with his resilient mother and his entanglement with a wealthy family encountered while a scholarship student at boarding school. Hollinghursts preoccupations are on display: class, sexuality, race and power, generational shifts, legacies and memories. Dave is an excellent lens for exploring these concerns and perhaps Hollinghursts most engaging protagonist to date. Julian Novitz is senior lecturer, writing, department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology. Edwina Preston My pick is British historian William Dalrymples The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World (Bloomsbury). After hearing him speak about this book in Melbourne a few weeks ago, I purchased and devoured it. It is, in written form, a reflection of Dalrymples erudition and passion: a vastly and methodically researched resetting of cultural truths that puts India at the centre of South-East Asian culture and religion, and positions Indias Golden Road as every bit as important as the Silk Road. Edwina Preston is a novelist and Ph.D. candidate in the School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne. Carl Rhodes Byung-Chul Hans The Crisis of Narration (Polity) is an indictment of the loss of community and identity in a world drowning in information and all-too-easy clickbait answers. Narrative, in Hans words, no longer anchors us in being. Storytelling has been reduced to political pitches and advertisements. We are left with storyselling where dissemination and manipulation lock us into the moment like a just-swiped selfie. Is all hope gone? It would be hard to describe Hans book as positive. But The Crisis of Narration offers a provocative, novel and insightful way to reconsider politics and community in the age of information. Carl Rhodes is dean and professor of organisation studies at UTS Business School. Euan Ritchie Observing wildlife and communing with nature brings immense joy to my life. Bill Bailey extraordinarily talented multi-instrumentalist, actor and quirky comedian is also known for his adoration of animals. So, its unsurprising I was instantly drawn to My Animals and Other Animals: A Memoir of Sorts (Quercus). A quick skim of the contents hooked me. With stories like Radioactive Sea Lice, Hissing Cockroaches and The Chicken that Went Bad, I simply had to read on. Complete with gorgeous drawings, its the delightful, heartwarming romp youd expect. Euan Ritchie is professor in wildlife ecology and conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University. Matthew Sharpe Future historians will puzzle about how, in 2024, a twice-impeached convicted felon facing indictment for his role in insurrectionary violence was returned to office by popular vote. John Ganzs When the Clock Broke (Farrar Straus Giroux) will be a work of reference, as it is for anyone today trying to understand how America cracked up. Ganzs scope is sweeping, his prose incisive. He shows that Trump did not come from nowhere. MAGAism is the product of over three decades of radicalisation on the right. Ganz does not preach; he simply reports, leaving readers to draw the links between then and now. Matthew Sharpe is associate professor in philosophy, Australian Catholic University. Elfie Shiosaki Award-winning writer Nam Les form-breaking book of poetry, 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem (Scribner Australia), is a bracing reckoning with identity and representation, each poem a distinct vantage point from which to examine the violence of identity, with both clarity and ambiguity. With unpredictable and destablising movement, Le masters language, its form and its register, only to break it, demonstrating the power of language to erase identity on one hand and resist erasure on the other. Elfie Shiosaki is associate professor, The Centre for Social Policy Research, Australian National University Emma Shortis In the endless stream of hot takes on American politics, Nick Bryants The Forever War (Viking) is a breath of fresh air. This beautifully written book reminds us that Trump is both symptom and cause, both new and old. The Forever War meticulously makes sense of the unresolved contradictions of American history, unpicking tired mythology to clearly argue that Trump and his support is the product of that inescapable history. Emma Shortis is adjunct senior fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University. Wanning Sun Ying Qians Revolutionary Becomings (Columbia University Press) is a fascinating study of how Chinese documentary cinema shaped the revolutionary politics of the 20th century. It traces the emergence of early documentaries about colonial war and transnational revolutionary networks. The author analyses how documentary impacted political and social change during the Mao and post-Mao periods. She is deeply empathetic to revolutionaries aspirations and actions, but insists on learning hard lessons from Chinas revolutionary past. It promises to be rewarding reading, likely to stimulate scholars, documentary-makers and cinema lovers alike. Wanning Sun is professor of media and cultural studies, University of Technology Sydney. Jen Webb Dominique Hecqs Volte Face (Liquid Amber Press) is an exquisite collection of prose poems: poems written in sentences and paragraphs rather than lines, while obeying the grammar of poetry rather than prose. The book is crammed with luscious words and impossible juxtapositions that, articulated (by the poet) and contemplated (by the reader), seem entirely true. This work is a fugue of language, whose poems eschew reportage. Instead, they work through gestures of recognition, instances of spotting something unexpected from the corner of the eye. Jen Webb is distinguished professor of creative practice, Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. BEULAH, Ala. (WRBL) A devastating Christmas Eve shooting in the Beulah community has left two young women, who were stepsisters and roommates, dead. 18-year-old Jalen Holmes is in custody facing capital murder charges. LCSO: Jalen Holmes The Lee County Sheriffs Office reported around 3:48 p.m. CST, their 911 Center received a call about gunfire near Lee Road 2113 and US 29 North in northeast Lee County. Deputies were directed to a residence in the 100 block of Lee Road 2113, where they encountered Holmes and discovered two unresponsive females, ages 18 and 19, who had suffered apparent gunshot wounds. Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton pronounced Madison Daly, 18, and Kayden Lynch, 19, both of Beulah dead on scene. The decedents will be transported by the Lee County Coroners Office to ADFS Montgomery Medical for postmortem examination. The circumstances leading up to the death of the decedents are being investigated by the Lee County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities revealed prior to the shooting, Holmes allegedly assaulted his mother at her home next door to the crime scene and took a handgun from her residence. Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots before the 911 call. Evidence suggests the suspect left his mothers home and entered the neighboring residence, where the victims were found. Two 9-year-old twin girls were reportedly at the residence but had left shortly before the shooting, avoiding the violence. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact the Lee County Sheriffs Office Investigations Division at 334-737-7155 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867). 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 WRBL. President Joe Biden signed 50 new bills into law in a Christmas Eve signing spree as he wraps his last month in office. Among the new laws was legislation to fight child abuse at residential treatment facilities, to prevent hazing on college campuses, and a measure that finally designates the bald eagle as the national bird. Many of the bills signed by the outgoing Democratic president on Tuesday were bipartisan effortsincluding the bill finally acknowledging the bald eagle. Although the iconic bird of prey is featured prominently on symbols, including the governments official seal adopted in 1782, the U.S. did not have an official national bird. The efforts to make the bald eagle official were spearheaded by Preston Cook, the co-chair of the National Eagle Center in Minnesota, who first discovered that the country did not have a national bird, according to a Washington Post profile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other laws addressed longstanding controversies, including hazing on college campuses. The Stop Campus Hazing Act is the first federal anti-hazing legislation approved by Congress, on the heels of several high-profile deaths on college campuses. The bill directs any higher education institution that receives federal funding to report incidents of hazing in their annual security reports, and to produce publicly available campus hazing transparency reports. Another bill, named the No Congressionally Obligated Recurring Revenue Used as Pensions To Incarcerated Officials Now Act, or No CORRUPTION act, was written to prevent former members of congress from collecting their retirement payments if they are convicted of felonies related to their official duties, according to Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV)s office, one of the bills co-sponsors. Another high-profile bill signed into law was the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, a bill championed by socialite Paris Hilton, who even testified before Congress in June about her own experiences of inhumane treatment at four schools for troubled teenagers she attended in her adolescence. The House passed the SICA unanimously last week, and Hilton celebrated the win by teasing a future in politics or advocacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesdays signing spree comes in the middle of a flurry of action from the White House. On Monday, Biden signed an $895 billion defense spending bill that included controversial language added by congressional Republicans that bans the militarys health care from covering some gender dysphoria treatments for the children of service members. In a statement on Monday, the Biden administration said it strongly opposed the section, arguing that it undermines our all-volunteer militarys ability to recruit and retain the finest fighting force the world has ever known by denying health care coverage to thousands of our service members children. However, Biden still signed the bill into law, drawing criticism from LGBTQ rights organizations . Biden also vetoed a law that would have expanded the federal judiciary by 66 judgesa formerly bipartisan law passed by the Senate in August but was only brought to a floor vote in the Republican-controlled House after President-elect Donald Trump won in November. President Joe Biden spent Christmas Eve signing 50 bills into law, including one piece of legislation supported by Paris Hilton and another designating the bald eagle as the U.S. national bird. The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, backed by Hilton, a socialite and activist, is designed to hold teenage treatment centers and care facilities accountable. Hilton spent time on Capitol Hill promoting the measure. This month, the Senate voted unanimously to support the bill, and it passed the House by a vote of 367 to 33. Biden signed the law Tuesday. Hilton, meanwhile, has expressed interest in possibly becoming an elected official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden also signed legislation, sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, and Minnesota Reps. Brad Finstad and Angie Craig, making the bald eagle the official bird of the U.S. Bald eagles are a historical symbol of the United States representing independence, strength, and freedom, the bill states, also noting that the bird remains the leading insignia for all branches of the United States military. The co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center, Preston Cook, who helped push for the legislation, said in a statement earlier this month that the Bald Eagle has symbolized American ideals since its placement on the Great Seal in 1782. "With this legislation, we honor its historic role and solidify its place as our national bird and an emblem of our national identity," he added. US President Joe Biden speaks during a holiday visit to patients and families at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 20, 2024. Biden signed 50 bills into law on Christmas Eve (AFP via Getty Images) Among the other bills signed on Christmas Eve was the Stop Campus Hazing Act, which creates disclosure regulations at federally funded universities, requiring them to report on campus hazing incidents in their annual security reports. On-campus fraternities and sororities often take part in hazings as part of their pledging proceedings. North Carolina State University has found that more than half of college students take part in some kind of hazing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden signed two bills renaming local post offices in honor of community leaders in Texas and California. A post office in Bastrop, Texas will be renamed after Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh, a CIA intelligence officer and Army soldier who spent more than 50 years serving the U.S. Meanwhile, a post office in San Francisco, California, will be renamed after the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The president also signed a number of bills to rename federal buildings, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs community clinic in Lynchburg, Virginia, which is now the Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic, The Hill noted. The Veterans Affairs medical center in Tulsa, Oklahoma was renamed after the late Sen. Jim Inhofe. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A bill that would expand the use of emotional support dogs in Michigan courtrooms is headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmers desk. In September 2018, a Michigan law allowed emotional support dogs to enter courtrooms. They can be used as victims of child abuse, sexual assault, and crimes involving vulnerable adults testify. Bill would expand use of therapy dogs in Michigan courtrooms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Kathleen Feeney with the Michigan Court of Appeals, who sat on the Kent County Family Circuit Court bench for 22 years, said shes seen the struggles child victims can have in court. These kids have such a significant trauma history that lots of times, they cant tell their story, Feeney said. She said having support dogs by a victims side can make a big difference, as they stand just feet away from their accused assailant. This helps them keep their blood pressure lower, stay in their prefrontal cortex rather than being frightened so they can recall facts better, they can testify more accurately, Feeney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current law only allows emotional support dogs to be used by victims under the age of 16, people with a developmental disability or vulnerable adults. But there have been efforts to make the dogs available to more individuals. Unfortunately, there are way too many children who are the victims of sexual abuse. And people dont want to talk about it, they dont want to think about it, but we have to do everything we can to support these kids, Feeney said. Chill facility dogs support Forest Hills students Last year, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 248, which would allow children aged 17 and under to use a support dog. The Michigan House recently approved the bill, sending it to Whitmer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think having a chance to come in and tell what happened to them and see that they can hopefully obtain some justice for themselves will be the first step in helping them overcome that trauma, Feeney said. The bill also expands the definition of courtroom support dogs, giving American Kennel Club-approved therapy dogs the ability to assist. Feeney said this is crucial, as many current support dogs are getting older. These are the same dogs that you see at TSA in the airport. These are the same dogs that are doing Ruff Readers at the libraries, Feeney said. She added that the bill is about helping kids and adults through traumatic experiences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope that this does not get caught up in politics, that everyone sees how necessary this is, Feeney said. The bill officially went to the governor on Dec. 19. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Ukraine has received 150 million euros, transferred to the state budget by the European Union. The money will be used to pay for meals for primary school children, support farmers, and restore ports and other critical facilities. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Ministry of Finance. The aid is allocated on a grant basis, which means it is non-refundable. This is the second tranche under the agreement between Ukraine and the EU on financing the Support for Ukraine's Early Recovery program (State Development and Resilience Contract). The funds of the second tranche will be used to: providing free meals for children in grades 1-4 EUR 65 million; restoration of port infrastructure EUR 50 million; support for uninterrupted agricultural production and access to finance for agricultural producers EUR 20 million; restoration of critical facilities affected by Russia's armed aggression, including transport infrastructure, critical and municipal facilities, utilities, social infrastructure, and residential premises EUR 15 million. ADVERTISIMENT The total value of the contract is EUR 300 million. Ukraine received the first tranche of 150 million in December 2023. "The funds will be used to provide free school meals, support critical infrastructure, food security, and reconstruction projects that are vital for Ukraine's recovery. Amidst the war, the Government of Ukraine continues to support recovery efforts to ensure comfortable living conditions for Ukrainians, support businesses, and, as a result, the recovery of Ukraine's economy. I am grateful to the EU countries and institutions for their systematic support in all possible directions," said Minister of Finance of Ukraine Serhii Marchenko. OBOZ.UA also reported that on December 23, Ukraine received the seventh tranche (based on the results of the sixth review) from the International Monetary Fund under the record-breaking EFF (Extended Fund Facility) program totaling $15.6 billion. The next tranche amounted to USD 1.1 billion, which will be used to support the state budget. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Bill Clinton has been discharged from the hospital, one day after developing a fever. The former U.S. president, 78, was diagnosed with the flu and treated for his symptoms at a Washington D.C.-area hospital before being discharged on Tuesday, Dec. 24, Clintons deputy chief of staff Angel Urena shared on X (formerly known as Twitter). ... His family are deeply grateful for the exceptional care provided by the team at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and are touched by the kind messages and well wishes he received, Urena continued. He sends his warmest wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season to all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day before, Urena shared on X that Clinton was admitted for testing and observation but remained in good spirits. Related: Bill Clintons Memoir Citizen Centers Our Common Humanity: Live in the Present, for the Future (Exclusive) A source also told NBC News the current situation is "not urgent." The insider continued, "The former president will be fine. He developed a fever and wanted to be checked out. He is awake and alert." Clinton will be home for Christmas, though it is unclear how this would affect his annual holiday tradition of visiting his daughter Chelseas family, including her three kids Charlotte, 8, Aidan, 6, and Jasper, 3 with wife Hilary Clinton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hillary says I've always been our family's Christmas elf," he said in 2021. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "We always go down on Christmas Eve, spend the night and have Christmas Day with them," he continued. "And I think it's the right thing to do, intergenerationally. And then we normally go to the train display at the Bronx Zoo. It's great." He also shared in an interview on Live with Kelly and Mark that he has embraced the nickname pop-pop, which has been passed down from generation to generation in their family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Bill Clinton Says His 'Small' Family's Decades-Long Thanksgiving Tradition Involves About 40 People (Exclusive) "It's what Chelsea called Hillary's dad. And you know, we have a great time together. It's a good deal," he told Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos in November. "Would you say that's the number one most powerful position in the household? Being pop-pop of the family?" Ripa asked. "Depends on what day it is. Some days it's the least most powerful," he joked. "But it has the longest cool list." This isnt the first time the 42nd president has been hospitalized. He previously had a quadruple bypass heart surgery in 2004 and had another procedure in which two stents were added into his heart in 2010, according to CNN. He was also hospitalized for a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream in 2021, per the outlet. Read the original article on People BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) There were travel pains Christmas Eve for those flying American Airlines. A technology issue caused the Federal Aviation Administration to ground all of the airlines flights Tuesday morning. The issue was resolved, and flights are back in the air. Most of them were running on time by Tuesday afternoon. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport did not see heavily impacted flights because of the American Airlines ground stop Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Airlines said that the technology issue was caused by a vendor and impacted systems needed to release flights. Were about 30 minutes behind, but thats OK, said Bill Corbin, who was flying to Oregon to visit his grandchildren for Christmas. We will get there eventually. American Airlines lifts ground stop order after technical issue Ella Rosenthal is travelling to see friends for Christmas. She said the ground stoppage was not a concern as she prepared for her flight. I fly a lot, so these types of things I think tend to happen here and there, but Im not too worried about it, Rosenthal said. Ive seen TSA here in Birmingham a lot worse than what it is looking like right now. Im not too worried about it. I have also a decent layover in Charlotte, so Im really not worried about making my connection either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this morning, American Airlines wrote in a statement. Its all hands on deck as our team is working diligently to get customers where they need to go as quickly as possible. The airline put out a travel notice regarding the stoppage, allowing for passengers affected by it to have more flexibility when rebooking or changing travel plans. If you do a flight coming up Tuesday or this holiday season, American Airlines stated the most recent information can be found on its mobile app or 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 CBS 42. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The Christmas concerts and large church services in the days leading up to the holidays mark a very busy time of year for the technicians at Bobs Piano. They are among the very few professional piano tuners in the KELOLAND region. Scott Rogers and Ben Watkins barely had time to meet with us, on this day both were hitting the road, driving hours to work on pianos in need of their talents. Papa Woodys to close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I love everything about the piano, said Rogers. Its the essence of music the keys are the scale right in front of you, said Watkins. Both men started working for Bob Schoppert shortly after High School, eventually taking over the business as co-owners. They can tune anything, from spinets to uprights to consoles and grands, theyve done it all. So this A was tuned already, so Im going to tune this D to this A and once I hear where that is Ill go down to that G and then it just keeps progressing from there, said Rogers as he showed us how he tunes. I always tell people there is a reason I tune pianos because I cant play, he said chuckling. Watkins has a great way of explaining the tuning process to those of us who dont have that musical ear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In tuning when you have unison and they are slightly off, its like two light towers and their lights are going like, this is off and this is off and then also sudden the blink together, thats the same thing with tuning. For Watkins, tuning pianos to perfection is a joy, and it comes naturally. Always as a little kid, tuning drinking glasses around the table you know drink a little bit of that ding dong ding dong trying to make a song, just tuning everything, said Watkins. My favorite is when I get done tuning a piano and I play a little something like that and people ask me, so do you play? I guess not, said Rogers laughing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Watkins and Rogers are done tuning a piano, they each have something special they like to play to make sure everything sounds right to them. For fun, Watkins plays a little bit of Lynyrd Skynyrds classic Freebird. It takes a few notes but its easy to recognize. At Bobs Piano, not only do they tune pianos, they store them and even repurpose them, like this wine rack made from a piano. Pianos often come with emotional attachments for families, so many memories center around them. Investigators looking for the person who shot and killed a pet horse So this is a 1916 Steinway Model O, said Rogers. The baby grand belongs to a woman from Elk Point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her dad passed away and this was sitting in his old living room in his farm house and she decided she wanted to restore it and keep it in the family, Rogers explained. Some restoration projects take more work than others and some are very satisfying. The keys and the case are original but just about everything else has been replaced. A brand new action so it plays like a new piano. Essentially it is a new piano except for the outside. She decided to leave it, he said. Rogers admits there is a sense of achievement that comes with being able restore something that means so much to the owner. Over the years these two have had their brushes with fame tuning pianos for some big stars. Back when bands traveled with pianos at the old arena wed go and tune so like Alabama on and Amy Grant used to travel with a piano, said Rogers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ray Charles, Barry Manilow, Kenny G, John Denver, Dr. John was at the Jazz Fest, Aretha Franklin, got to tune for her too, said Watkins reading from a list. A lot of the people we tune for are just very, very accomplished pianists whether they are famous or not, Im kind of in awe of how theyve mastered the keyboard, said Rogers. Both say what they love about their job is being around others who appreciate music and the piano as much as they do. Bobs Piano website can be found here and his Facebook page can be found here. Like the rest of us, the Ben and Scott are celebrating the Christmas Holiday and enjoying a little time off. But come next week, they will be hitting the road again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the way the baby grand featured in this story is up for sale, so if you are looking for a last minute Christmas gift give them a call. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 body was found in the wheel well of one of the main landing gears of a United aircraft when it arrived in Maui on Tuesday, United Airlines confirmed in a statement to CBS News. United Flight 202 left Chicago's O'Hare Airport the morning of Dec. 24, and the body was discovered upon landing at Hawaii's Kahului Airport. There is no information yet about the person's identity. The plane had previously flown from Sao Paulo, Brazil, on a direct flight to Chicago, according to Flight Aware. After a layover of about 4 and a half hours, the aircraft left O'Hare for the direct flight to Maui. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airline said it is working with law enforcement on the investigation to discover how the person was able to enter the wheel well of the Boeing 787-10. "The wheel well was only accessible from outside of the aircraft. At this time, it is not clear how or when the person accessed the wheel well," a United Airlines spokesperson said. Maui Police said in a statement: "The Maui Police Department is currently conducting an active investigation regarding a deceased individual discovered on an incoming flight from the mainland this afternoon. At this time, no further details are available." FDA issues highest-level recall for Costco eggs over salmonella risk Passenger airliner crashes in Kazakhstan Harsh travel, weather conditions could impact millions across U.S. after Christmas A body was found in a wheel well of a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Hawaii, authorities said. The body was found in the well of one of the main landing gears after flight 202 landed at Mauis Kahului Airport on Christmas Eve, a spokesperson for United Airlines said. The plane, a Boeing 787-10, left Chicago around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday for the more than eight-hour flight to Hawaii, landing shortly before 2:15 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. The wheel well was only accessible from outside the plane, and it wasnt clear Wednesday how or when the person accessed the space, according to United. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airline is working with law enforcement to investigate, the company said. The Maui Police Department confirmed it was investigating a deceased person discovered on an incoming flight from the mainland. The investigation was continuing, and the police department had no additional information to share Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson said. A body was found in a wheel well of a United Airlines flight upon landing Tuesday in Maui, Hawaii, according to the airline. Upon arrival at Kahului airport in Maui on Tuesday, a body was found in the wheel well of one of the main landing gears on a United aircraft, the airline told The Hill in a statement. The passengers flew on a Boeing 787-10. The airlines Flight 202 took off from Chicago OHare International Airport at around 9:31 a.m. local time and after nearly nine hours landed at Kahului Airport at around 2:12 p.m. local time, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wheel well was only accessible from outside of the aircraft, the airline said. At this time, it is not clear how or when the person accessed the wheel well. The Maui Police Department told The Hill in an emailed statement they are actively investigating the discovery of a deceased individual on an incoming flight from the mainland. United said it is working with authorities on the investigation. No further details from authorities were available. Updated at 8:07 p.m. EST on Dec. 26. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 body was discovered in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight that arrived in Maui from Chicago. Flight UA202 arrived at the Kahului Airport on Tuesday afternoon. On the ground, officials discovered a body inside the wheel well of the aircraft, prompting an investigation by the Maui Police Department. The airline does not yet know how or when the person accessed the wheel well. Upon arrival at Kahului airport in Maui on Tuesday, a body was found in the wheel well of one of the main landing gears on a United aircraft, United Airlines said in a statement to CNN. The wheel well was only accessible from outside of the aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maui Police Department has few details to release to the public, a spokesperson told local outlet Hawaii News Now. A body was found inside the wheel well of a United Airlines flight on Christmas Eve (Getty Images) The Maui Police Department is currently conducting an active investigation regarding a deceased individual discovered on an incoming flight from the mainland this afternoon, the department spokesperson said. At this time, no further details are available. The Independent has contacted the Maui Police Department for more information. Hiding in a planes wheel well is the most common method used by stowaways, according to CNN. However, its often fatal, as stowaways can develop deadly hypothermia and hypoxia as the plane climbs, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Stowaways can also get crushed as the landing gear retracts. This end-of-year holiday season, nearly 120 million people will travel away from home, according to the American Automobile Association. This will include a record number of air travelers, the organization predicts. The town, breathing history and romance, turns into a real fairy tale at Christmas. Bright lights, the aroma of coffee and chocolate, and the melodies of Christmas carols create a unique holiday atmosphere. Today we tell you what to see and where to visit during the winter weekend. ADVERTISIMENT Christmas market Located on Svobody Avenue and Rynok Square. The attraction is held annually from December to January. The event was first held in 2009. It was the first of its kind in Ukraine. Tourists can buy ceramics, jewelry, handmade jewelry and toys. You can also taste donuts, dumplings, and hot chocolate. We also recommend going to the main Christmas tree in front of the Lviv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. A symbolic anti-tank "hedgehog" was placed on top of the tree. Rynok Square We recommend going shopping first. The festive installation has been delighting Lviv residents and visitors for ten years in a row. It was created by a talented craftsman, and now a defender of Ukraine, Anton Lubiy. The composition consists of seven two-meter figures carved from poplar and painted by children. ADVERTISIMENT There is an open-air skating rink nearby. You can rent equipment here. Be sure to take a stroll through the old streets. On the eve of the holiday, many establishments set up large-scale themed decorations. They will be great areas for photo shoots. Angel Square Every year, the traditional ceremony of installing the main didukh of Lviv is held near the majestic Garrison Church. The four-meter-high symbol of Ukrainian Christmas becomes a city decoration and a reminder of the centuries-old traditions of our ancestors. By the way, it was made by the craftsmen of the Klymentiy Sheptytsky Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life. ADVERTISIMENT This year, representatives of the authorities and clergy, defenders of Ukraine, young carolers, and all concerned Lviv residents and guests joined the festive procession. The event was held on December 24 at 12:00. Shevchenko Grove It is located on the territory of the Ascension Landscape Park. The location is considered not only a landmark cultural institution but also a historical center for the revival of national traditions. Its goal is to popularize the culture, folk architecture, and ancient life of the western part of Ukraine. Today, it houses more than 21,000 items and about 110 large-scale architectural objects. ADVERTISIMENT Tourists can visit old manors and see what they look like inside. By the way, part of the territory is divided into 6 ethnographic zones: Boikivshchyna, Lemkivshchyna, Hutsulshchyna, Bukovyna, Podillia, and Lvivshchyna. Every year, caroling with stargazers and artistic nativity scenes are held here. There is also a shop with live animals. Potocki Palace The first building was built in the classicist style. However, in 1860-1861 it was dismantled. In 1880, the construction of a new residence began. Today the building is made in the style of French classicism. On the ground floor, tourists can see the grand reception halls. They were decorated with gilding, marble and paintings. Travelers can make an atmospheric photo shoot near the Christmas decorations. Ready to warm your heart? Go to meet the festive Lviv! Only verified information is available in our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A 7-year-old boy critically injured Saturday by a falling drone during a holiday show at Lake Eola Park remains in intensive care, his mother said Monday in a post on a GoFundMe page. Zander is out of surgery and still fighting! Jessica Lumedge wrote. I will be missing work at this time, and he will be celebrating Christmas in the ICU. The boy, Alezander, underwent emergency open-heart surgery Sunday after one of several drones that fell from the sky during the Holiday Drone Show struck him in the chest and mouth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe page for Alezander has raised more than $24,000 of the $50,000 goal through more than 840 donations. The Federal Aviation Administration announced Saturday evening on X, formerly Twitter, that its investigating. It was remains unclear Tuesday what caused the drones to collide and fall. About 25,000 people attended the evening event. Adriana Edgerton, the boys other mother, said in an interview with WESH-TV that her family was watching the show when multiple drones fell from the sky. Everyones natural instinct was to duck and scatter, Edgerton said. Before we realized it, my daughter found my son on the floor unconscious. He had blood coming out of his face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Orlando city spokesperson Tuesday did not return a message seeking comment. The city had said in a news release that there were technical difficulties during the show. Just before 7 p.m. the Orlando Fire Department responded to calls that a person was injured by a drone, according to the release. The city then canceled the 8 p.m. show Its third year in Orlando, the show was organized for its second year by Sky Elements based in Fort Worth, Texas. Representatives did not return calls or emails Tuesday seeking comment. A company statement released Sunday said: Sky Elements Drones wants to extend our sincere hope for a full and speedy recovery for those impacted at our Lake Eola show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On its website, the company states that one of its missions is safety and protecting onlookers, staff members and property at all times. Safety is our number one priority, borderline obsessed, the website states. Videos from the Lake Eola show posted on social media show multiple green and red drones falling from the sky. In one video posted to X, user MosquitoCoFL Podcast showed drones falling as Lake Eolas famous swans vigorously flapped their wings and quickly moved away. _____ Kevin Cox was an icon in Fresnos craft beer scene, a pioneering master brewer responsible for some of the areas best known brands. This is my playground, Cox told The Fresno Bee in an interview in 2002. He was talking about Butterfield Brewing Co., which he helped open in 1989 and where he oversaw production of more than 50,000 gallons of beer a year. He could have as easily been talking about the craft beer community as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox died on Sunday. He had just turned 66 years old. We lost a legend and a rockstar in the brewing community, Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co. wrote in a post on its social media. Cox was a founding partner and the brew master as the company established itself as the hub of Fresnos Brewery District. His recipes included the General Sherman IPA, among others. Tioga-Sequoia would not be where we are today without Kevin. Shown in a file photo from August 2002, Kevin Cox the brew master at Butterfields in the Tower District in Fresno started out by making his own beer from his home, which later turned into a career for him. From wine maker to brewer Originally, Cox came from wine work and was cellar master at Heitz Cellar in Napa before moving with his family to Fresno. Beer was a hobby. His wife, Terry Cox, remembers it as a beers-around-the-world thing. He enjoyed trying styles popular in other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The beer making started from a home-brewing kit she bought for him as a gift. He started making beer on my kitchen stove, she told The Bee on Monday. He would share the batches he made with friends, who always seemed eager for more. When he outgrew the kitchen, he moved into the garage where there was space for kegs and kettles. His beer was award winning. There were first-place finishes at competitions at the county fair in Napa, and then at the California State Fair. But it was an award from Zymurgy Magazine that really put him on the radar with those in the industry, Terry Cox says. Then, the offers started coming in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He got job offers to help start breweries in Salt Lake City, Long Beach and ... Fresno. At the time (the 1990s), the American craft beer resurgence was in its infancy, says Tioga-Sequoia president Mike Cruz. The industry was dominated by American lagers and exploring other styles was relatively new thinking. There were few brewers (and few breweries) working with different ingredients like hops. Cox was one first to make a West Coast IPA in California, Cruz says. Hes been around that long. From the beginning, he was interested in sharing his knowledge of the craft. Thats what kept him going every day, Terry Cox says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While at Butterfield, he started teaching classes on beer making and was a founding member of the Central Valley Worthogs, a home brew club that coalesced around a sign-up list posted at the brewery. A lineage of brewing in Fresno area And his influences can be seen (or rather tasted) not just at Tioga-Sequoia, but at breweries across the central San Joaquin Valley. Several brewers who worked under Cox have gone to run breweries themselves, including Rick Boucke at Southgate in Oakhurst, Matt Bolden at 1852 Brew Co. in Visalia and Tommy Caprelian at House of Pendragon in Sanger. Kevin played a pivotal role in my journey as a brewer, Caprelian posted in a remembrance on social media. Without him, House of Pendragon Brewing Co. might never have come to life. He gave me my first professional brewing job after brewing school. His mentorship, friendship, and belief in me gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of starting my own brewery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, Cox had retired from brewing and taken a job driving a school bus in Caruthers. It was a job he loved, his wife says. Tioga-Sequoia is working with the family to honor Cox and is planning for a celebration of life as soon as everyone takes some time to grieve. Until then, everyone here at Tioga will all raise a pint of General Sherman IPA in his memory. Butterfield Brewing Company pioneered craft beer in Fresnos Tower District in the 1990s under the work of head brewer Kevin Cox. Brewmaster Kevin Cox is shown in September 2003 using a hydrometer to check the sugar level on a beer. Cox was in charge of the brewing process at Butterfields Brewing Co. for 14 years and also when it became Sequoia Brewing Company. Advertisement Advertisement BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) The Bridgeport Police Department is seeking the publics help in identifying two subjects it says are connected to a fraud case at a local business. According to a post from the department on social media, Officer Fiber is requesting that the public help identify the two people seen below in reference to a fraud that occurred at the Home Depot location located off U.S. Route 50. Courtesy: Bridgeport Police Department Courtesy: Bridgeport Police Department The subjects appear to be a middle-aged man with a beard wearing a gray t-shirt and a black ball cap and a woman with black hair and a black long-sleeved shirt. They were last seen driving what appears to be a dark-colored BMW SUV. Courtesy: Bridgeport Police Department Courtesy: Bridgeport Police Department Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact Officer Fiber by email at Nfiber@bridgeportwv.gov or by calling 304-848-6105. 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 WBOY.com. LONDON As Britains royal family gathered for Christmas dinner, the festive cheer closed out a turbulent 2024. The year has proved challenging for the royals, most notably with dual cancer diagnoses for King Charles III and Kate, the Princess of Wales. In a nod to that reality, Charles delivered his annual King's Speech from a former hospital chapel a break with tradition, and the first time in more than a decade that the Christmas address has not been recorded from a royal palace or estate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his speech, Charles extended a special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who he said had "supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed." He also sent his thoughts to those affected by the many conflicts raging across the world, spoke of meeting veterans on the 80th anniversary of D-Day and referenced his recent visit to the South Pacific for the Commonwealth Summit as evidence of how the diversity of culture, ethnicity, and faith provides strength, not weakness. I wish you, and all those you love, a most joyful and peaceful Christmas, Charles said. Charles' annual Christmas message will come from Fitzrovia Chapel in central London, once the chapel of Middlesex Hospital. Christmas is a really important occasion for the royal family, Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fairs royal correspondent, told NBC News, noting that the last time the public saw the family all out smiling, doing what they love, which is meeting members of the public, was Christmas Day last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The royal family is spending the holiday at Sandringham estate in Norfolk, on Englands eastern coast. The estate has been among the homes of five generations of British monarchs. On Christmas morning, they attended the traditional service at a church near Sandringham House and took part in a walk where they greeted members of the public. Senior royals attended the traditional Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church. However, much of the rest of their holiday celebration will remain private, capping off a year that Prince William described as brutal, following the cancer diagnoses of both his wife and father. Its been dreadful. Its probably been the hardest year of my life, William told NBC News international partner Sky News last month. Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace last week, but William and his family, as well as Charles brother Prince Andrew, were among the notable absences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement William and Kate did not attend, as they were already in Norfolk with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Neither Charles nor Kate has revealed what kind of cancer they were diagnosed with. Andrews absence, however, was another huge blow to him and the family, Emily Nash, royal editor at Hello! magazine, said in an interview with NBC News last Thursday. The scandal-plagued prince hit headlines again last week after a British High Court ruling said he had cultivated an unusual degree of trust with a man alleged to be a Chinese spy. Andrews office said in a statement that he ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised. Andrew had previously been linked to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and in 2021 Virginia Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew accusing him of sexually abusing her on separate occasions in the 1990s, when she was 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew has repeatedly denied the allegation. He later paid a substantial sum to settle Giuffres lawsuit. A onetime war hero, Andrew served in Britains Royal Navy and flew a number of missions during the 1982 conflict with Argentina over the remote Falkland Islands. He returned his military affiliations and royal patronages in January 2022. He has lost any sort of public life and work, and now hes having to absent himself from private family gatherings, Nash said. Its all about protecting the reputation of the royal family. Hes in the eye of the storm at the moment, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Andrew attended a Christmas Day service at Sandringham with the rest of the royal family, so he has come back in from the cold somewhat in the past, but right now that doesnt look like its happening anytime soon, Nash said. Earlier this month, Kate continued a long-standing tradition by hosting her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey in London. The service was closed to the public, though 1,600 members of the community were invited to attend. The service was recorded Dec. 6 and aired by British broadcaster ITV on Christmas Eve. William, Kate and their children during the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicholl, reflecting on the significance of Kates concert, said she brings not just the nation together on Christmas Eve for her carol concert, but also the royal family, her family. I think it closes [the year] on a note of hope and optimism. In January this year, Kate was hospitalized for nearly two weeks to undergo abdominal surgery for unspecified reasons. Testing revealed she had cancer, and she later disclosed in a rare video statement that she was undergoing chemotherapy, her first public acknowledgment of her health struggles amid widespread speculation. In September, Kate said she had completed chemotherapy treatment and would return to a light schedule of public engagements through the end of the year. In February, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles, now 76, had been diagnosed with cancer. The statement said he chose to share his diagnosis in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He resumed public duties as king in April after progress was made in his treatment. The illness had raised speculation that Charles may even abdicate the throne, a possibility royal experts say is unlikely but highlighted the challenges to his rule. An investigation published last month by the U.K.s Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches program uncovered details about about the royal familys property empires and the tax-free business deals they have struck with taxpayer-funded government institutions to maintain their wealth. Small anti-monarchy protests also greeted Charles during an October trip to Australia, which is set to vote on a referendum on whether to remain a constitutional monarchy. The death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, revived debates among Commonwealth countries about leaving the monarchy, with some planning referendums to vote on whether to remove Charles as head of state. Meanwhile, Camilla, 77, has also faced health challenges. A chest infection caused her to miss last months Remembrance events, which honor British and Commonwealth service members who lost their lives in conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This only added to the uncertainty surrounding the health of the royal familys senior members this year. Despite the years challenges, it has brought the royal family so close together, particularly the Princess of Wales and the king, given their shared experience with cancer, Nicholl said, adding: I think theyve never looked tighter as a family. However, this closeness within the royal family highlights the divide with Charles younger son, Prince Harry. Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, along with their children, Archie and Lilibet, are not attending Christmas at Sandringham. Their children have only met their grandfather on less than a handful of occasions, Nicholl said. There is very much a divide, both physically and metaphorically, between Harry, who lives in California, and the rest of the royal family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Harry has spoken of his hopes for reconciliation, Nicholl noted, it does seem some way off. Harrys memoir, released at the start of 2023, made headlines for its revelations and allegations. In the spring, Harry officially considered himself a resident of the U.S., according to a U.K. regulatory filing. He and Meghan relocated to California in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties. While the door has always remained open for the king, Nicholl said, he wants to have a relationship with his son. There is a fundamental issue that theres been a breakdown of trust here. I think Harry needs to earn that trust back. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com LONDON King Charles and his family took part in a longstanding Christmas tradition, strolling together to St Mary Magdalene, a 16th-century church on the Sandringham estate, for Christmas morning service. Members of the family, including Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, greeted well-wishers and accepted flowers following the service on the estate which is owned by the British royal family. More from WWD The Princess of Wales and Prince William attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham in Norfolk, England. The Princess of Wales wore a forest green coat by Alexander McQueen, a matching hat by Gina Foster and a Black Watch tartan scarf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The princess often chooses Black Watch for the Christmas Day walkabout, and in the past has worn an Alexander McQueen coat dress with the dark blue and green plaid pattern. Queen Camilla also wore a forest green coat, and completed the look with a pea green hat with a colorful bird feather pinned at the front. She carried a Chanel handbag. Other members of the family included Princess Beatrice, who is pregnant with her second child, and Zara and Mike Tindall and their children. Beatrices father Prince Andrew stayed away this year in the wake of yet another media scandal, this time involving a past friendship with an alleged Chinese spy. The royals have been spending Christmas at Sandringham since 1988, a tradition started by the late Queen Elizabeth II. King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales greet well-wishers on their way to Christmas Day service on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England. This Christmas gathering is particularly poignant, given that King Charles and the Princess of Wales were both diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. They are recovering, and the king has announced that he will continue to undergo cancer treatment in the new year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Princess of Wales has slowly been easing her way back into public life, carrying out engagements on behalf of the family. In November, she attended the annual Remembrance Sunday service led by King Charles at The Cenotaph war memorial in central London. Earlier this month, Middleton hosted the Together at Christmas carol service, and joined Prince William to welcome the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher to London for their state visit to the U.K. The 42-year-old princess took to social media in June to announce her plans to return to royal duties. Later in the day, King Charles broke with tradition and gave his Christmas address from a community center rather than a royal residence. He appealed for peace around the world and thanked the medical staff who have been treating him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am speaking to you today from the chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital in London now itself a vibrant community space and thinking especially of the many thousands of professionals and volunteers here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth who, with their skills and out of the goodness of their heart, care for others often at some cost to themselves, the king said in a pre-recorded speech broadcast at 3:00 p.m. local time. From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed. I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement, added the king. View Gallery Launch Gallery: British Royal Family at Christmas Service in Sandringham: Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen, Zara Tindall in The Fold and More Looks [PHOTOS] Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger was once investigated in connection with a home invasion a few miles from where he allegedly butchered four college students, according to a chilling report. Kohberger, who is accused of murdering four University of Idaho students at their off-campus home in Nov. 2022, was named a person of interestbut ultimately clearedin the break-in in Pullman, Washington, ABC News reported. The revelation came as ABC obtained body camera footage of police responding in October 2021 to a report of a masked intruder at the residence, which is less than 10 miles from where the slayings occurred in Moscow, Idaho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I heard my door open and I looked over, and someone was wearing a ski mask and had a knife, the woman living at the home told cops. I kicked the s--t out of their stomach and screamed super loud, and they like flew back into my closet and then ran out my door and up the stairs. As in the Idaho slayings, the intruder entered the home in the early morning hours, was masked and silent for the duration of the break-in. No suspect was identified at the time of the Washington case, but authorities named Kohberger as a person of interest after he was arrested on Dec. 30, 2022, in connection with the murders of college students Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Madison Mogen, 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohberger was cleared in the earlier home invasion after cops determined that his height did not match the suspects and that he was not yet enrolled at Washington State University at the time of the incident. We have no reason or evidence to believe he was involved in this burglary at this time, Pullman police told the ABC News. But experts say the unsolved Washington case could be crucial in the Idaho trial, as his defense lawyers try to get jurors to consider whether there could be other suspects. Kohbergers trial is set to begin in April and continue through November. The trial will be split into two phasesone to determine his guilt or innocence, and the other, if hes found guilty, to determine whether he should receive the death penalty. According to an ABC News report, Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, was earlier investigated regarding an alleged home invasion in Washington state that occurred a year before the Idaho killings Authorities told the news outlet that Kohberger is no longer considered a person of interest in that case Kohberger's trial for the Idaho killings is scheduled for August 2025 Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, was previously investigated in connection to a home invasion in Washington state a year before the killings in Moscow, Idaho. According to bodycam footage shared by ABC News, police in Pullman, Washington, responded to an alleged home invasion in 2021 less than 10 miles from the off-campus residence where the four University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20 were fatally stabbed. As reported by ABC News, the female resident in the bodycam footage tells police that a masked intruder broke into her Pullman home at approximately 3:30 a.m. and held a knife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Mom of Idaho Murders Victim Madison Mogen Speaks Out on Delayed Trial: 'Legal System Is Not About Victims' I heard my door open, the woman says, per the bodycam footage, and I looked over and someone was wearing a ski mask and had a knife. And so I kicked the [expletive] out of their stomach and screamed super loud, and they like flew back into my closet then ran out my door and up the stairs. In a Pullman Police Department report, added ABC News, the suspect was silent during the incident. Authorities were not able to find a suspect or evidence after one of the roommates immediately contacted police. 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. On Dec. 30, 2022, Moscow Police said that Bryan Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania in connection with the Nov. 13, 2022, murders of Chapin, Kernodle, Mogen, and Goncalves in Idaho. According to a probable cause affidavit seen by PEOPLE, authorities believe the fatal stabbings took place between 4 and 4:25 a.m. It also added that a sheath of the knife used in the killings was left at the scene in the bed where Mogen and Goncalves were found dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit stated that one of the surviving roommates said they saw the killer, described in the document as "a figure clad in black clothing and a mask," who walked past her as he left the crime scene. ABC News reported that 13 days after the arrest, Kohberger was named by authorities as a person of interest in the Pullman, Washington incident. Related: The Cause of Death of the 4 Murdered Idaho College Students Confirmed by Coroner However, according to the police report, the female resident described the suspect as between 5-feet 3-inches and 5-feet 5 inches tall, while Kohberger is 6 feet tall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also said that Kohberger, a Pennsylvania resident, had not yet enrolled in Washington State University or visited the institution as a prospective student, ABC News reported. The Pullman Police Department also told the news outlet that Kohberger is no longer a person of interest in the alleged Pullman home invasion, saying: We have no reason or evidence to believe he was involved in this burglary at this time The unsolved case has now been closed, reported ABC News. Related: How Idaho Murders Suspect Bryan Kohberger Is Trying to Avoid Possible Death Sentence: 'Kitchen Sink Approach' In May 2023, a grand jury indicted Kohberger for the Idaho murders. A judge entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Kohberger when the suspect was silent when asked for his plea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Buckmire, a legal analyst for ABC News, told the outlet that Kohbergers defense may try to use the alleged 2021 break-in at the Pullman, Washington, residence to raise reasonable doubt at the suspects murder trial, slated for August 2025. Read the original article on People Congressman Salud Carbajal announced the House and Senate have agreed on the biennial U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water project bill called the Water Resources Development Act that this year includes $8 million to build a 2.5-mile pipeline that would connect Los Osos to the State Water Project. The 12-inch pipeline would connect to the existing pipeline near Morro Bay and would bring Northern California reservoir water to the Central Coast. Also in the measure, Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier said the college worked with Carbajal to secure authorizing language in the bill to build a turnout and 1.1-mile pipeline to the city of San Luis Obispos water treatment facility located at the north end of Cal Polys main campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funding will still need to be sought in an appropriation request. The Cal Poly project will allow interconnection for between 100 and 400 acre-feet of state water to allow for future housing growth on campus as well as providing significant resilience to Cal Poly and the city of San Luis Obispo, Lazier said. Cal Poly already owns a 9% capacity share in the citys water treatment plant, and this additional water supply could be integrated into the existing water distribution with minimal additional treatment, Lazier said. Los Osos in the home stretch on pipeline project For Los Osos the news is a game changer. Los Osos is 100% dependent on rain-fed groundwater for its drinking supply and an additional supply will be welcome, said Ron Munds, general manager of the Los Osos Community Services District which is shepherding the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assuming the President signs the bill, the project still needs the Army Corps of Engineers review and approval, Munds said. According to Greg Hass, a Carbajal media representative, that will probably be in March. I will be reaching out to the Corps to get the project on their radar even though the bill hasnt been signed, Munds. Were in the home stretch but its still not finalized. The Los Osos CSD would likely negotiate for a water supply with the county who has a contract with state water and a surplus allotment. Munds has previously said the community of 14,000 would need 200 acre-feet annually that would be sunk to replenish the groundwater supply or traded for groundwater not pumped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement in late November, Carbajal announced that multiple local projects will be funded. The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a bipartisan deal reached between the House and the Senate on legislation containing more than $53 million in Central Coast water projects championed by Carbajal. The deal authorizes funding for water projects in Ventura, Los Osos, Los Olivos, Montecito and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Water infrastructure is critical to the continued functioning of our communities on the Central Coast, Carbajal said. As a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have worked this year to see critical projects in our communities approved by Congress to ensure we invest in clean, accessible water access for all of our residents. What Central Coast projects will Corps of Engineers water act help fund? The Water Resources Development Act is biennial legislation crafted by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program to carry out projects to improve the nations ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill supports locally driven projects that also deliver regional and national benefits to strengthen the United States global competitiveness and supply chain, grow the economy, move goods throughout the country, protect communities from flooding and more. The final version of the act follows negotiations over recent months to reconcile House- and Senate-passed versions of the legislation. Central Coast projects authorized by the 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) are: $18.25 million for the City of Venturas Seaside Transfer Station $18.25 million for improvements at Montecito Sanitary Districts Water Treatment Plant $8 million for the Los Osos Water Pipeline Project $5 million for the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Canyon State Water Pipeline project $4 million for wastewater processing upgrades at the Los Olivos Community Service District John Lindt is the editor of the news website Sierra2theSea.net. A barricade is set up at a homeless encampment by the City of Las Vegas. (Michael Lyle/Nevada Current) 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. A series examining how local governments regulate and criminalize homelessness. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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 can punish people for sleeping outside on public property, even if there arent other adequate accommodations for them to go. The nations high court ruled that cities that ban camping on public property are not violating the Eighth Amendments restriction on cruel and unusual punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Nevada Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nevada Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Hugh Jackson for questions: info@nevadacurrent.com. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Some Portlanders are out of a home after a car crashed into a house, broke a gas line and started a fire on Christmas Eve, according to Portland Fire & Rescue. Just before 11:15 p.m., crews responded to reports of the vehicle crashing into the front of the home near Northeast 24th and Weidler Street, after officials said the driver failed to navigate into a turn. Oregon bill would ban utility rate increases amid unresolved wildfire lawsuits Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews say they soon found a NW Natural gas line had been hit, which caused the flames to shoot into the air and give the appearance that the fire was covering the entire home. However, officials said the main body of the fire only covered one side of the home, leaving little structural damage. Crews kept hoses trained above the flames, while they came up with a plan to clamp the gas line, authorities said. USPS driver catches alleged mail thieves stealing packages, 2 arrested It took about an hour to get the fire and gas line under control. A pet was rescued from the home and no injuries were reported. However, at least one resident was displaced due to the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KOIN 6 reached out to police to learn more about the driver of the car. This story will be updated when we hear back. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. On December 24, a NASA spacecraft made history by approaching the Sun closer than any spacecraft before. This record was achieved by the Parker Solar Probe. ADVERTISIMENT The NASA probe, which is considered the fastest object in the world, flew at a distance of 6.1 million kilometers from the sun, withstanding the terrible heat of the outer atmosphere of our star, the corona. This flight was the 22nd time Parker was so close to the sun, Space writes. However, it is not yet known whether Parker survived, as NASA had to lose contact with the spacecraft during this flyby. The first proof that everything went well will come on December 27, the agency reports. "No human-made object has ever passed this close to a star, so Parker will really be returning data from uncharted territory," says Nick Pinkin, Parker Solar Probe mission manager at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). ADVERTISIMENT The spacecraft that touched the sun was traveling at 692,000 km/h, breaking its previously set speed record. For comparison, this is about 300 times faster than the top speed of a Lockheed Martin jet fighter here on Earth. This incredible feat of speed was achieved with the help of seven gravitational "boosts" from Venus flybys, the last of which took place in November 2024. But breaking records is only a side effect of Parker's main mission: to collect more data about the solar corona by flying as close as possible through the stellar atmosphere. In particular, the spacecraft had to withstand temperatures of 980 degrees Celsius. Since gravitational attraction is so strong at this distance, the probe must move incredibly fast to avoid slipping into the heart of the Sun, MailOnline writes. Scientists hope that these data will help solve the long-standing mystery of the Sun's outer atmosphere, which has bothered them for decades. The so-called "coronal heating problem" refers to the fact that, despite the fact that the corona is farther away from the Sun's main energy source (its core), it is much hotter than the Sun's surface, the photosphere. Parker will continue its mission by making a flyby of the sun on March 22, 2025, followed by its last scheduled flyby on June 19, 2025. During both of these approaches, the spacecraft will approach the sun almost as close as it was on Christmas Eve, when it was traveling at the same speed. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Sen. Ben Cardin stopped in the Annapolis Maritime Museum on Dec. 6 as part of his farewell tour in the state, meeting with Anne Arundel county leaders, advocates and organizers. Photo by Danielle J. Brown. Sen. Ben Cardin traveled to different parts of the state in recent weeks on a farewell tour and gave his last speech on the Senate floor, but Marylands senior senator makes one thing clear: Its not goodbye, just goodbye for now. The Maryland Democrat hasnt determined yet what his next steps will be but even after 58 years in elected office, Cardin says his time in politics is not over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been a long journey, Ive been very fortunate, Cardin said in a recent interview. Im proud of what Ive been able to get accomplished. It was 18 elections people really trusted me. Born in Baltimore on Oct. 5, 1943, Cardin attended the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Maryland School of Law, but got his start in politics early. He won election to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1966 while still in law school, at age 23. He would serve in the Maryland House for the next 20 years, the last eight of which as the Speaker of the House, which he sees as a highlight of his career. I think the years as Speaker were really impactful to me, Cardin said. U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D). Photo by Bryan P. Sears. Speaker of the House, youre selected by your peers. Thats because they know you best. Its not only an honor but an opportunity, he said. The Speaker can really do a lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was elected to represent Marylands 3rd District in Congress in 1986, taking the seat vacated by another Maryland political icon, Barbara Mikuski, when she became Marylands first female senator. In 2006, he was elected to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Paul Sarbanes, who stepped down after 30 years in the Senate. There he served as chair of the Small Business Committee and was elevated last year to the chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after then-chair, Sen. Robert Menendez, was forced to step down in the face of a federal indictment on bribery charges. Cardin who counts passage of the Magnitsky Act, which allows U.S. to impose financial and travel sanctions on foreign officials, as one of his main achievements considers his time as chair of Foreign Relations Committee as another career highlight. Being United States senator the most unique institution in the world, he said. And to be a part of that Senate family is truly unique. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his 58 years as an elected official, Cardin has waded into almost every political topic, from authoring a bipartisan bill to expand retirement programs, to pushing childrens dental care for federal health care programs, and championing the health of the Chesapeake Bay, among others. But in May 2023, Cardin announced that he did not intend to seek reelection. Im proud of what Ive been able to get accomplished. It was 18 elections people really trusted me. U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin His departure is bittersweet for the Democrat. On one hand, by stepping down he helped make way for Marylands first Black female U.S. senator in former Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat who beat former Gov. Larry Hogan for the job in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, 2025 will usher in a second Donald Trump administration, and Cardin fears that the political atmosphere is more divided than ever. We have a nation that is very divided. And I hope that the Trump administration recognizes that, I hope that they try to bring our nation together, he said. As he makes his way out of public service for the timebeing, he wants to impart to both Marylanders and the states political leaders that people have to listen to others in order to make progress. It is so important, when you listen to each other, get everybody at the table, youre going to get better results. You get better solutions. Solutions that will last a longer period of time, rather than changing every two years, Cardin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for whats next, hes not quite sure what retirement from public service will look like, but he assures that he will continue to be a part of the political sphere in one way or another, and may return things that he focused on as an elected official such as foreign affairs, civic engagement or environmental work. Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan presenting U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) with a key to the city for his many years of public service. Aug. 16, 2024. Photo by Danielle J. Brown His last full year as a congressman also worked as a farewell tour. In August, he hosted his last town hall as a U.S. Senator at the Maryland Association of Counties Conference in Ocean City, where Mayor Richard Meehan presented him with a key to the city for his environmental protection work in the area. He spent November and December traveling to the different regions of the state to thank local advocates and officials for their work throughout his near 60 years of service. Its an opportunity for me to sort of thank my partners. This has been a real team effort, he said. And the local officials, particularly, weve worked seamlessly to try to get things done for our constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of his last victories was helping to secure 100% federal funding to replace the fallen Francis Scott Key Bridge, an effort that took until the early morning hours of Dec. 21, in one of the last votes of the current Senate. On Dec. 10, Cardin gave his final speech on the floor of the Senate. I come to the Floor today to say goodbye, as difficult as this may be, he said. Marylanders have trusted me to represent them for 20 years in the General Assembly, eight years as Speaker of the House, 20 years in the House of Representatives, and 18 years in the United States Senate, including, now chairing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Of course, the work of a legislator is not easy it requires perseverance, patience, a sense of humor and optimism, he said. That can make the world a better place, even in the face of often horrible and seemingly insurmountable challenges. CURRITUCK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) The Currituck County Sheriffs Office has arrested a 32-year-old Carrsville man in connection to an overnight vehicle pursuit on Wednesday. At around 12:40 a.m., the CCSO received a call from the Chesapeake Police Department about a vehicle pursuit heading into Currituck County from the state line. Photo Courtesy: Currituck County Sheriffs Department A Currituck Deputy clocked the vehicle at 100 mph and attempted to stop it. Deputies pursued the vehicle that was driven by Brandon Wade, 32, and deployed the stop sticks around the Coinjock area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after, the vehicle ran off the road and stopped. At the wreck scene, Wade gave up without incident. Wade was charged by CCSO with Flee/elude arrest, Reckless driving, fail to maintain lane and speeding. He is currently in custody at the Currituck County Detention Center under $100,000 secured bond. Virginia charges are pending. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. The Indiana State Police are investigating a police-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a Logansport man, according to a press release for the ISP Peru Post. Preliminary investigations by Indiana State Police detectives revealed that at approximately 12:23 a.m. Tuesday, deputies from the Cass County Sheriffs Office responded to a residence in the 3000 block of West 500 South on the border of Cass and Carroll counties regarding a report of two individuals who had been stabbed. Upon arrival, deputies discovered one victim and began administering life-saving measures. While retrieving additional medical supplies from their patrol vehicle, a deputy spotted a man identified as Christopher S. Evans, 35, of Logansport, armed with knives. The deputy issued several commands to Evans, but he failed to comply, leading to an altercation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evans charged at the deputy, who retreated into an adjacent field. The deputy subsequently discharged their weapon, striking Evans at least once. Despite life-saving efforts, Evans succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Notification to Evans family has been made. One victim remains in critical but stable condition, while the other victims injuries are not considered life-threatening. No deputies were injured during the incident. The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure for the Cass County Sheriffs Office following an officer-involved shooting, according to the release. The Indiana State Police is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Carroll County Coroners Office and the Carroll County Prosecutors Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be submitted to the Carroll County Prosecutors Office for review. The Cass County Sheriffs Office has yet to release any statement on the incident. The Indiana State Police, at the request of the Cass County Sheriffs Office, are investigating a police-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a Logansport man, according to a press release for the ISP Peru Post. Preliminary investigations by Indiana State Police detectives revealed that earlier this morning, at approximately 12:23 a.m., deputies from the Cass County Sheriffs Office responded to a residence in the 3000 block of W. County Road 500 S. on the border of Cass and Carroll counties regarding a report of two individuals who had been stabbed. Upon arrival, deputies discovered one victim and began administering life-saving measures. While retrieving additional medical supplies from their patrol vehicle, a deputy spotted a man identified as Christopher S. Evans, 35, of Logansport, armed with knives. The deputy issued several commands to Evans, but he failed to comply, leading to an altercation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evans charged at the deputy, who retreated into an adjacent field. The deputy subsequently discharged their weapon, striking Evans at least once. Despite life-saving efforts, Evans succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Notification to Evans family has been made. One victim remains in critical but stable condition, while the other victims injuries are not considered life-threatening. No deputies were injured during the incident. The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure for the Cass County Sheriffs Office following an officer-involved shooting according to the release. The Indiana State Police is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Carroll County Coroners Office and the Carroll County Prosecutors Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time, the release said. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be submitted to the Carroll County Prosecutors Office for review. The Cass County Sheriffs Office has yet to release any statement on the incident. Twinkling lights, stars, bells and revolutionary flags are strung above the ancient streets of the old city of Damascus. A young man dressed as Baba Noel goes from house to house with a band of trumpet players and drummers handing out gifts as others clatter by on a horse, holding the new flag of Syria aloft. The bars and restaurants of the Christian quarter of Bab Sharqi play carols on repeat. Christmas spirit and decorations arrived a little late this year, as Syrias Christians held their breath, waiting to see what place theyll have in a new Syria, and whether promises of protection would be kept. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the courtyard of the Mariamite cathedral in Damascus, Salman Hussein, 19, is putting the final touches on the nativity scene with his brother and a school friend. Normally we would put the decorations up earlier but we put them on hold for a bit because we were worried about HTS, he tells The Telegraph, referring to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Sunni Islamist rebel faction that led the offensive that overthrew the Assad regime. But they said Christians would be protected, and also that women would not be forced to wear hijab, Mr Hussein adds. A lot of Muslims have helped us put up decorations in the streets this year for the first time, to say they are with us in the new Syria. Its reassuring. Christian Syrians lift crosses as they rally in the Duweilaah area of Damascus to protest the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama - AFP But in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah near Hama, a Christmas tree was set ablaze by masked figures on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The act led to furious protests across the country as Christians demanded their rights be upheld by the new regime. The response from HTS was swift: the men were arrested and a representative from the Department of Military Operations visited the charred tree and promised the local community that the perpetrators who he called foreign fighters would be punished beyond your expectations and that the Christmas tree would be restored. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, those responsible were not Syrian and came from Islamist group Ansar al-Tawhid. This country is for us again Back in the capital, down at the Bab Touma intersection, a street vendor is doing a brisk trade in Santa hats. By the old stone gate, another Christmas tree has just gone up. A group of young people are decorating it, among them some girls in hijabs are singing Jingle Bells in Arabic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaa Sami and Angelina Jolie Naddour organised the small event via social media. Mr Sami, who is Muslim, returned to Syria from Norway the day after Assad fled. He met Ms Naddour a week ago at a community effort to clear rubbish from a local railway. The pair quickly decided they wanted to put up a Christmas tree in the square. The day before, Mr Sami had called HTS and asked for permission. They were very open to it, he says. So now we feel like this country is for us again. For the past 60 years, we havent had that feeling. We always felt that the country was for Assad and his family. Christmas decorations are about to go up in Bab Touma, old Damascus Throughout the decades that the Assads ruled Syria, the family sought to portray themselves as protectors of Syrias many religious and ethnic minorities, both fellow Alawites as well as Christians, Kurds and Druze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regime played on fears that revolution and rule by the Sunni Arab majority would compromise religious freedom or even lead to violent persecution and expulsion. While some are worried that may still come to pass, they say the so-called protection offered by the former regime which tortured, gassed and bombed its citizens before burying them in mass graves was just an illusion. Of course we are worried, everybody is worried, says Daiana, a young Druze woman who declines to give her last name. Shes browsing the window of a small shop behind the St George church with a Christian friend, looking to buy some last-minute decorations on display among the golden crosses, prayer beads and icons. But its not true that Assad protected minorities. Politically maybe, but in real life for everyday people? No, he didnt. The mood is more subdued in the basement of the Roman Orthodox Church one suburb over. Instead of Christmas lights, a group is putting up LED spotlights in the dark streets in an attempt to bolster security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents say the neighbourhood has experienced a series of thefts and looting incidents since Assad fled the country. Theyre not sure who is behind them and said the new authorities have responded when called, but people are still anxious. We were getting by under Assad Mourhaf Shallah, an engineer, usually helps with church events and was halfway through finishing decorating the buildings, when the rebels began their rapid 12-day advance from Idlib on Nov 26. He says: If wed known, we wouldnt have even put up the decorations in the hall. We only had one day of the Christmas market, then we saw Aleppo fall and we knew that in two days HTS would be in Damascus, so we called it off. Mr Shallah points to a poster advertising Christmas Day lunch. The event has been cancelled, and the usual midnight mass has been moved to Christmas morning and scaled down for security purposes. He says hell come to church to pray and then go straight home. He doesnt trust the new government to maintain security. Nicolas al-Barakat, an IT student, makes house calls as Baba Noel delivering presents with a group of friends from church Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS who now goes by Ahmed al-Sheraa, has sought to reassure minorities and promised a new era far removed from sectarianism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: Being part of the Islamic environment does not mean the exclusion of other sects. On the contrary, it is our duty to protect them. Despite his statements, Mr Shallah isnt convinced that Mr Jolani and HTS have truly abandoned their roots in al-Qaeda. In Idlib, he was Jolani, now he comes here and hes Ahmed. These reassurances dont reassure me, he says. Mr Shallah felt safer under Assad. We didnt feel under threat. Yes, there was corruption and political life was not free, you couldnt speak. But we were getting by for 50 years. We werent part of politics, we just got on with our lives. He worries that unless the caretaker government takes steps towards a democratic and secular state, he and his community will have no choice but to leave. The feeling of Christmas is slowly returning Nearby, Rasha Melhem and a friend sit on a bench in George Khoury Square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Melhem isnt Christian, but each year her family puts up decorations. We took them down a week ago when HTS came. We worried that because were not even Christian wed get in more trouble, she says. The decorations in her house had come down, but she hadnt repainted her fingernails, decorated with holly bushes in green and red. For us, Christmas is fun, its about having a good time and feeling safe and warm. And the feeling of Christmas is slowly returning. 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 Century of Citizenship Rhyia Joyheart, 26, is no stranger to the day-to-day grind of 21st-century life, such as rising rent, high grocery bills, and long hours spent in city traffic. Born on Wyomings Wind River Indian Reservation and currently working at Denvers Urban Indian Health Clinic, Joyheart says bringing resources to Indigenous communities involves working with systems that are designed to exclude them. Its become my passion to become a translator for our community, in the sense of making a spot at the table, Joyheart says. I do feel at times the only way to get anywhere is to assimilate to the system. Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act a century ago, granting citizenship to all noncitizen Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States. Today, Native Americans claim dual citizenship, recognizing their identity with both their tribal nations and the United States. But this relationship is far from simple. Advertisement Advertisement USA TODAY traveled to Wind River to learn from Indigenous community leaders about how they balance these identities a century onwards, and what gives them hope for a better future. More: Native Americans fight barriers to voting, 100 years after being recognized as U.S. citizens Moving history, changing borders Wes Martel, of Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho heritage, sits with a plate of hash browns and fried eggs in front of him. At 74, hes been active in tribal politics, buffalo restoration, environmental protection, and the fight for water rights. He thinks that Native Americans still live under the same legal constraints as they did a century ago. He points to the Doctrine of Discovery, enacted by the Pope in the 15th century, which gave control of land to settlers who discovered it. The Vatican renounced the Doctrine, but it was cited by the U.S. Supreme Court as recently as 2005. Wes Martel, 74, Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho, drinks coffee at the Shoshone Rose Hotel and Casino on the Wind River Indian Reservation on July 20, 2024. He also takes issue with the authority the U.S. government holds over Native Americans, known as plenary power, defined as complete or absolute authority granted to a governing bodywithout limitations. In Martels words, Congress can do whatever the hell they want. Advertisement Advertisement All this makes Martel question the equality of Native American citizenship. Its 2024, as a tribal member, I cant own land, Martel says. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has to hold it in a trust for me. Martel points out that tribal nations along the Colorado River are reclaiming water rights and says that a brighter future is possible when Indigenous communities fight back. If youre just going to give me some more Christianized, colonized attorneys, I dont want no part of it, Martel says. We need some pit bulls for treaty law, constitutional law, and to fight this plenary power bullshit. Advertisement Advertisement Martel sips his coffee and talks about the history of Wind River. An 1863 treaty had the territory of the Eastern Shoshones stretching as far as present-day Utah and Colorado. Laws and treaties cut the reservations size by 95 percent. The U.S. government moved the Northern Arapaho Tribal Nation to Wind River in 1878. At the turn of the 20th century, allotment and leasing acts opened up land to white settlers. Their descendants own property today, making Wind River a checkerboard of Indigenous and settler discovered land. Clarence Thomas, 60, Pima, sits in his kitchen in Fort Washakie on the Wind River Indian Reservation on July 20, 2024. Sitting at his dining table in a maroon Arizona Diamondbacks shirt, Clarence Thomas, 60, questions the borders that define modern sovereignty - not just Wind River. Thomas descends from the Onk Akimel Oodham (Pima) tribal nation near todays U.S.-Mexico border and moved to Wind River for his wife, who is Eastern Shoshone. Thomas ancestors historically roamed throughout the Southwest. Thomas says that tribal cousins now live across the U.S.-Mexico border. He prickles at the idea of closing it. Advertisement Advertisement This whole country is full of those who immigrated here. And we as Indigenous people, we just watch them come and go, Thomas says. But yet they are the ones who always will say, lets stop the immigrants. Assimilation, bridging two worlds Jeff Means, an Oglala Sioux, argues that the notion of citizenship as a gift to Native Americans is disingenuous. As an associate professor of History and Native American and Indigenous studies at the University of Wyoming, Means says its the culmination of decades of policy designed to blend American Indians into white society. All that you have left are the Natives whove known nothing else but reservation life. And theyre struggling desperately to try and maintain their identity and their sovereignty and independence, Means says. Youre now declaring these people citizens of a completely different nation. Clarence Thomas, 60, Pima, stands outside of his house in Fort Washakie on the Wind River Indian Reservation on July 20, 2024. Thomas says his elders taught him a similar message Advertisement Advertisement Citizenship in itself came with you will do it this way, but thats the only way youll do it, Thomas says. And in that, everything else is gone. And even to this point, were still, as tribal people, trying to gain that back. But its still a fight. Reinette Curry, 40, wears heart-shaped beaded earrings and a blue t-shirt. Curry works at the University of Wyoming and pushes for Indigenous education and cultural preservation. She says a level of assimilation can be a necessity, but community building is the ultimate goal. Reinette Curry, 40, Northern Arapaho, Pyramid Lake Paiute, and Northern Ute, sits inside a tent at the Ethete Powwow Grounds on the Wind River Indian Reservation on July 20, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Although were getting educated out in the white mans world, were able to come back home and bring that education in, Curry says. She tells her children and younger community members, If you go off to college and you get educated, you can use that as a tool to fight for our people. The impact of federal policy plays out in Currys personal life. Curry, while an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho tribal nation, also has Northern Ute and Pyramid Lake Paiute heritage. The Bureau of Indian Affairs instituted blood quantum in the 1880s. Its a sort of inversion of the Jim Crow Souths one-drop rule that measures a persons amount of Indian blood to determine tribal eligibility. As Currys family and others have children with members of other tribes, or with outsiders, they become less Indigenous in the eyes of the United States government. This can make them less eligible for tribal membership and benefits. It was basically placed to eventually fade us out, Curry says. Advertisement Advertisement Curry sits inside a white canvas tent as the roar of a summer thunderstorm lashes against its sides. She explains that parents encourage their children to form partnerships with other Indigenous people to avoid the risk of losing their tribal status and associated benefits. Tough conversations like that we as Native people have to have, other people dont have to have, Curry says. An honest narrative, a path forward Rhyia Joyheart, 24, Northern Arapaho, Eastern Shoshone, and Flathead, stands at the edge of the Ethete Powwow Grounds on the Wind River Indian Reservation on July 20, 2024. When Joyheart, whos Northern Arapaho, Flathead, and Eastern Shoshone, looks at the last century, she sees a reluctance to truthfully tell a story that could repeat itself. Theyre like okay, yeah, get over it, but they dont understand that its not that simple. How can you get over a genocide of a people? Joyheart asks. We understand that what has happened is in the past, but it doesnt mean that it couldnt happen again. Advertisement Advertisement A desire for an honest look at history isnt unique to Joyheart and Native Americans. Japanese internment camps have been transformed into museums. In Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture documents the timeline of the cultural and civil rights abuses against Black Americans. Although there is a National Museum for the American Indian, Joyheart wants broader recognition of the unique challenges Indigenous people have overcome. President Joe Biden took a step forward to reconciliation when he recently apologized for abuses committed at government and church-run boarding schools. Earlier this month, the Department of the Interior announced an oral history initiative with the National Museum of American History to preserve the stories of survivors of the federal Indian boarding school system. The schools played a crucial and often harsh role in assimilating American Indians into non-Indigenous society. Their legacy lingers at Wind River, to this day. Thomas tells the story of his grandfather greeting a teacher at a boarding school in his native language. Advertisement Advertisement And she [the nun] kept hitting him every time he said that ... finally, when he started learning the language, what she was saying was, Dont speak your dirty language to me and dont look at me. Thomas says, Dont look at me. Look down. Joyheart, who beads and sews regalia for young powwow dancers, says more teaching of Native American history is needed, both inside and outside her communities. A lot of our Native people are rediscovering a lot of the history within our own stories, Joyheart says. Allison Sage, 66, Northern Arapaho, sits in his pickup truck at the edge of the Ethete Powwow Grounds on the Wind River Indian Reservation on July 20, 2024. Allison Sage, 66, Northern Arapaho, works to connect youth on Wind River with these histories. He tells a favorite joke from the front seat of his pickup truck. In the 1800s ... General George Armstrong Custer told Congress dont do nothing till I get back, Sage says. The oft-mythologized Custer died in the Battle of Little Big Horn - and in Sages eyes, the federal government hasnt changed its tune since: They divide you up, then they conquer you. Sage saddles up with youth from around Wind River for monthly healing rides to connect young people with their cultural heritage. The annual highlight is a pilgrimage to the site of Custers defeat. We go every year to the Battle of the Little Big Horn victory ride, which is the decolonization ride, Sage says. Wes Martel, 74, Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone, stands in the parking lot of the Shoshone Rose Casino and Hotel on the Wind River Indian Reservation on July 20, 2024. Martel, sitting over his breakfast, believes the government has failed Native Americans, but he has faith in the strength of tribal communities. He has five great-grandchildren. When asked about his wishes for them, he emphasizes health, happiness, food on their table, and an understanding of our lodges, ceremonies, and medicines. Strength in our families and our communities, thats all were trying to do, Martel says. But nobody gets it. Reinette Curry, 40, Northern Arapaho, Pyramid Lake Pauite, and Northern Ute, stands at the edge of the Ethete Powwow Grounds on the Wind River Indian Reservation on July 20, 2024. Curry is optimistic that this strength and these practices will find future generations so they can continue to be proud of their culture no matter where life carries them. Just a few generations removed from the violence of boarding schools, and with a new understanding of intergenerational trauma, Curry is already seeing the results. Now we can start teaching our babies at a younger age. And so I get excited when theyre dancing and singing and singing songs in our language, Curry says. So much hope that our kids are going to learn all this, and theyre going to be able to hold us down when were all gone. One hundred years after the Indian Citizenship Act, Joyheart stands in a field of tall grass, sharp peaks of the Wind River mountains behind her, her gaze brushing over a ring of trucks and tents, everything tinged rose by the setting sun. Just a few generations ago, her regalia and the dance she performs were outlawed. We live in our childrens past, Joyheart says. Meaning that when were long and gone, that all of our cultural teachings and legacies are going to carry on with them. Cy Neff reports on Wyoming politics for USA TODAY. You can reach him at cneff@usatoday.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CyNeffNews This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wyoming's Wind River residents talk tribal politics, US citizenship TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The U.S. Department of Defense issued a statement about the recent spike in drone sightings across the country. The FBI has received more than 5,000 reports of drone sightings over recent weeks, and nearly 100 generated leads are under investigation. 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, reads a statement from the U.S. Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, several viewers contacted 8 On Your Side with more questions and concerns. Gazing up at the night sky is now a focal point of conversation. Reports of drone sightings across the country are climbing, including several that have been spotted in Tampa Bay. Definitely keep your eyes to the sky, said Diego Paul, a St. Petersburg resident. Theres something interesting happening. Paul recently captured a drone hovering above the St. Pete Pier and surrounding area. On the top of it there was a light and a sphere that was spinning, Paul said. When it was over my car it was very crystal clear that it was a drone. It was at least 4 to 6 feet wide. It was definitely not a medical helicopter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Tampa, Ray Eckstein saw two drones flying above the intersection of County Line Road and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. It wasnt making any sound and that seemed unusual to me, Eckstein said. We have people in authority who tell us one hand that theres nothing to worry about, but on the other hand they dont know what they are. With more drone sightings are reported, Eckstein is calling on officials for transparency during their investigation. Until these are identified for certain and what their origin is, its definitely concerning, Eckstein said. I would certainly like some answers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Police arrested and charged a man accused of pointing a firearm at a school bus. The Charles County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) said that 47-year-old Richard William Ellis was charged on Dec. 20 with 16 counts of first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and other related offenses. Police warn about porch pirates amid increasing package deliveries during the holidays Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said that he pointed a gun at a school bus that was dropping off Piccowaxen Middle School students. Ellis turned himself in on Dec. 23. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) An annual toy drive in the Midstate is spreading cheer to children in the hospital. It all started with a childhood cancer survivor and his family who wanted to give back to all of the organizations that helped them. Chase Kemberling was four when he was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma. By January 2014 he was in remission. During his time in the hospital, we were so fortunate to have organizations like the Ronald McDonald House come and deliver toys pretty much on a daily basis to Chase, says Chases mom Emily Kemberling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kemberlings wanted to pay that gesture forward, so Chase-ing A Cure was formed. Chase and his brother Travis collect toys throughout the year. Their first delivery was Easter 2014. Theyve delivered toys to children in local hospitals every Christmas since Chase won his fight against cancer. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest The Chase-ing A Cure official toy hauler trailer pulled up to the Ronald McDonald House two nights before Christmas for the 11th annual toy drive. Families there were able to pick presents from a wide variety of toys for all ages. When families are in the hospital, one of the very last things they should have to worry about is maybe having those special gifts underneath the tree on Christmas morning, says Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Pennsylvania Executive Director Karla Mitchell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell says toys can help keep kids active and motivated while undergoing treatment. Chase-ing A Cure also holds fundraisers for different cancer organizations throughout the 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 ABC27. MENOMONIE A Chetek woman accused of vehicular homicide, stemming from a head-on crash Feb. 25, has entered a not guilty plea. Barbara J. McLennan, 57, was charged in March in Dunn County Court with homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle. She remains free on a signature bond. At a hearing last week, McLennan entered a not guilty plea. Judge Christina Mayer set the next court date for March 6. The trial is set to begin Dec. 8. A final pretrial was set for Oct. 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, the Wisconsin State Patrol handled the investigation into a two-vehicle head-on crash at 12:52 p.m. Feb. 25 near Highway F. When the state trooper arrived, she was told by Menomonie Fire Department personnel that the male driver in a sedan had sustained fatal injuries. After speaking with other law enforcement officers, fire personnel, and witnesses on scene, it was determined the pickup truck driver had crossed the center line traveling southbound in the northbound lane, the troopers report states. She spoke with the driver of the pickup, identified as McLennan, who was later transported to a hospital in Menomonie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I approached the crash scene, I observed a pickup and a sedan both with heavy front-end damage positioned across both lanes of traffic with the area of impact appearing to be in the northbound lane of Highway 25, her report states. The sedan, a gray Pontiac Bonneville, sustained severe damage to the drivers compartment, there was airbag deployment, and a deceased male was trapped in the drivers seat. The pickup, a maroon Ford F150, also had severe front-end damage and airbag deployment. Due to positioning of the vehicles involved it appeared the pickup was southbound on Highway 25 and the sedan was northbound. The male driver was visually identified as a Boyceville resident. The trooper later met with McLennan at the medical center, who admitted she had attempted to pass a slower-moving vehicle in front of her, and she struck the oncoming car. She admitted she was at fault for causing the crash. The trooper was able to obtain video surveillance footage that captured images of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video shows brake lights from the maroon Ford F150 and the front end, the truck drop which would be consistent with braking prior to impact with the Pontiac Bonneville, the criminal complaint reads. It does not appear the Pontiac Bonneville braked or took any evasive actions to avoid a crash prior to impact. McLennans series of events she provided in her statement matched the series of events shown in the crash scene video. The new 9th generation Toyota Camry in the Glorious Edition was shown in official photos. The special modification is inexpensive. This version of the business class sedan will contribute to the model's additional popularity. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA reminds, the new Toyota Camry Glorious Edition for the 2025 model year is positioned as an improved version that was redesigned and received additional equipment. The bumpers have been visually refined with new sporty decorative elements. Special 19-inch wheels were added. The interior of the Toyota Camry Glorious Edition features automatic climate control, projection mode, and improved trim. The price of the Toyota Camry Glorious Edition starts at $27,800. This modification is still available on the Chinese market, where the base version is sold from $23,900. Traditionally, cars are always cheaper in China due to low labor costs, quality of materials and equipment. For example, in the United States, the new model costs at least $29,495. And the price of Toyota Camry XV80 in Ukraine is about $35,000. CHEYENNE In its final meeting of the year, the Cheyenne City Council discussed several items, including ones concerning the Unified Development Code (UDC), a potential man camp on Cheyennes south side and camping on public property. Zone change Last week, Tru-Grit Land Development rescinded a proposal regarding a potential 200-unit man camp near the northwest intersection of West Allison Road and Walterscheid Boulevard due to a lack of confidence that it would receive approval from the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the project is no longer set to continue at that location, the developer still hoped the city would approve a zone change so that they do not have to redo the zone change application process and can begin planning which other potential development could go on the property. The property was annexed to the city around 40 years ago and was never given a zone district. With approval from the city, the property would be given the AG Agricultural zone district. Without a zoned district, the city currently has no governing regulations on the property. With the assurance that the man camp project would not proceed at the location, members of the City Council said they felt more comfortable with the zone change to act as a holding zone pending any development updates. If somebody is annexing or theyre rezoning a property, and they dont know what they want to use that property for, we usually have them go to AG because it is an easier zone to zone from to a specific zone, depending on what that proposed use is going to be, said Connor White, a planner with the Cheyenne Planning and Development office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the developer were to come back to the city with a plan similar to the man camp for the property, they must go through the Board of Adjustment and then the City Council for contract approval. So, we still have some control over what happens there, said council member Mark Rinne. As this is our standard practice, I would urge us to just zone it, get it over with, and go from there. The zone change passed on second reading, with council members Michelle Aldrich and Jeff White voting against it. Council member Pete Laybourn did not vote, as he was absent. The item will come before the City Council at their next meeting for final approval. Facade materials on multi-family developments Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the City Council approved an amendment to the UDC with the hopes it would incentivize more affordable housing developments. Monday evening, the same amendment came before the governing body, this time allowing the change on all multi-family developments, not just ones designated as affordable housing. The goal of this change is to make development cheaper for the developer, incentivizing more development and ultimately passing that cost reduction on to the consumer. The change would remove an existing requirement that 30% of a multi-family developments facade contain brick or stone to ensure aesthetic consistency across the town. Developers say this adds an unnecessary expense and pushes other developers to prefer investing in the county because it is cheaper to build there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason Stephen, owner of Gateway Construction, said the change would make development cheaper. I do believe there is a cost difference. I just went through today and came up with some actual quotes that we had for doing stone versus stucco versus siding, he said. He reported that stone is about $17 per square foot, stucco is $12 per square foot, and hard board or normal siding comes in at $8 per square foot. So, I do believe that does help, cost-wise. But more than that, I think its more about just having choices. I think that just making it specific to a specific material really limits what we can do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council member Tom Segrave asked if Stephen had any evidence that the reduced development costs are ever passed on to the consumer. Stephen said that it could give developers more flexibility in negotiating a lower price point. Segrave said he doesnt see this change as a significant enough cost saving to impact the affordability of housing. Aldrich said that while she believes some developments without the brick or stone requirement may not be as aesthetically pleasing, it is better to let the market dictate that. Im not sure that young people necessarily see brick and stone as being as aesthetically pleasing as my colleague from Ward 2 (Segrave) and I do, but I think that there is something to be said for designer choice, she said. I look at some of the projects weve had done in Ward 3 that I would say are extremely ugly, but people tend to be renting those. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UDC amendment was approved on third and final reading, with all counselors voting in favor except Segrave. Laybourn was absent. Camping on public property ordinance The governing body also approved an ordinance that would create a permitting process for outdoor camping within city limits. If approved, it would decrease the penalty for those criminally prosecuted for camping in public spaces. The purpose of the change is to allow outdoor camping by Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts and those visiting for Cheyenne Frontier Days. This creates the following changes: * The director of the Community Recreation and Events Department would have the ability to designate locations on public property that are appropriate for camping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * The ordinance replaces any mention of Crow Creek with waterways of the city. Crow Creek is currently a popular spot for camping, but the city wants to expand it to include more areas. * Creates a permitting process to allow for legal camping. * Jail time would no longer be a punishment for violating this code, and the maximum fine for violation would be reduced from $750 to $50. * City staff would collect personal property due to emergency abatement and hold it for 48 hours before they could dispose of it. I think this is an important piece that will allow ... Community Recreation and Events to be able to offer these permits and be able to also charge for the fees that need to be charged in order to clean up after groups leave and people are no longer using that site, Aldrich said at the councils previous meeting. The ordinance was approved unanimously. Laybourn was absent. CHEYENNE Local Starbucks employees joined a nationwide effort this week to put financial pressure on the company following a series of unsuccessful labor negotiations. Wyoming stores joined the baristas fast-growing unfair labor practice (ULP) strike, which hit historic levels Tuesday as hundreds of stores from coast to coast joined the walkouts, according to a union news release. Wyoming union bargaining delegate Madi Oates works at the Starbucks on Central Avenue downtown, the first Starbucks to unionize in Wyoming. Oates has been a part of the negotiations for better wages and benefits, which have been slowly chugging along since April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Negotiations have really stalled on the companys end in the last couple of months, Oates said. Last week, they offered us 34 cents (an hour) for yearly raises, which is nowhere near what we are offering in our proposal. Were all out here to have a livable wage and fight for better health coverage (and) benefits. Oates joined a small, but vocal group of her peers Tuesday morning outside of the Starbucks at 5800 Yellowstone Road, greeting incoming customers with chants of No contract? No coffee! and When we fight, we win. So, were here to put the pressure on the company, Oates said. We want them to pick up the pace. We want them to come back to the table with something real. ULP strikes began last Friday after Starbucks backtracked on the path forward agreed to with workers and their union over the future of organizing and collective bargaining, according to the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday marked the fifth and final day of the baristas strike over unfair labor practices and stalled negotiations, dubbed The Strike Before Christmas. Cheyenne isnt the only place where Starbucks baristas are feeling the impacts of poor wages and lacking benefits; more than 5,000 workers at more than 300 stores nationwide were expected to walk off the job Tuesday, according to Starbucks Workers United. Service Employees International Union International President April Verrett and Workers United President Lynne Fox were set to walk a picket line together in Philadelphia. Lauren Hollingsworth, a barista from Ashland, Oregon, pointed to the extreme difference in wages between baristas and the amount of money that coffee giant is willing to pay its executives, a fact painted across signs at the picket line in Cheyenne. I am paid $15.49 an hour as a barista, while Starbucks CEO Brian Niccols compensation package has been valued at more than $50,000 an hour when you break it down, Hollingsworth said in the release. Half the baristas in my store drive 30 minutes one way because they cant afford to live closer to work. Thats absurd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starbucks has lost its way. We know because we see it every day in our stores. My coworkers and I made the difficult decision to launch unfair labor practice strikes in hundreds of stores across the country because we know that investing in baristas is the only way to turn things around. These strikes are an initial show of strength, and were just getting started. Stores in Cheyenne made the same difficult decision, striking Tuesday and closing all but the one location on Yellowstone Road. Virtual union representative Ashley Kyle said that at this point they were unsure of what else they could do. (The 34-cent raise) isnt even livable, Kyle said. In September, Starbucks hired Niccol as CEO, offering him a compensation package worth at least $113 million. For Kyle and other picketers in Cheyenne, it was frustrating to see the company spend so much on a CEO and continue to not invest in baristas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, more than 60 store locations were forced to close amid the ongoing ULP strikes, according to Starbucks Workers United. Workers walked out during the final days before Christmas, which are traditionally one of Starbucks busiest customer traffic times of the year. Oates and Kyle joined representatives from across the country in advocating for their peers and spending hours preparing for negotiating sessions. The company has repeatedly pledged publicly that it intended to reach contracts by the end of the year, and the two parties have advanced dozens of tentative agreements at the table, according to Starbucks Workers United. Workers United delegates prematurely ended our bargaining session and refused to return to the bargaining table, Starbucks Executive Vice President and Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly said in a statement Friday. It is certainly disappointing given the progress weve made to date; since April, weve held more than nine bargaining sessions over 20 days. We have reached more than 30 meaningful agreements on hundreds of topics Workers United delegates told us were important to them, including many economic issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement added that Starbucks offers $18 per hour on average and best-in-class benefits. The combination of our average pay and benefits equates to an average of $30 per hour for baristas who work at least 20 hours per week, the statement reads. According to Starbucks, these benefits include health care, free college tuition, paid family leave and company stock grants. No other retailer offers this kind of comprehensive pay and benefits package. Workers United proposals call for an immediate increase in the minimum wage of hourly partners by 64%, and by 77% over the life of a three-year contract, Kelly added in her statement. These proposals are not sustainable, especially when the investments we continually make to our total benefits package are the hallmarks of what differentiates us as an employer and what makes us proud to work at Starbucks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Starbucks, more than 95% of stores have continued to operate during these strikes. Despite Starbucks claim that the union chose to walk away from bargaining last week, Starbucks Workers United stated that the company has yet to present workers with a serious economic proposal. Less than two weeks before the end-of-year negotiating deadline, Starbucks proposed an economic package that Starbucks Workers United says has no new wage increases for union baristas now, and guarantees a 1.5% wage increase in future years, which amounts to less than 50 cents an hour for most baristas. Starbucks officials stated that they are ready to continue negotiations when the union comes back to the bargaining table. This is another example of an unhealthy codependent relationship in which walking away is hard, if not downright, difficult. In this case, it is the United States that is grappling with the sudden announcement that China would no long export to this country vital elements that include gallium, germanium, antimony and other super hard materials. They are dual use products. Several of them are used in the manufacture of advanced superconductors and in military applications such as armored piercing rounds and military explosives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Utah boasts the first mine in the world to harvest gallium and germanium, the Apex Mine in Washington County operated intermittently from 1884 to 1962, reopened and is now idled. The Utah Geological Survey says none of these banned materials are mined in Utah. In fact, China remains the largest source of these vital elements. China currently provides 54% of the U.S.s germanium needs, a key component in infrared technology and fiber optics. Gallium, used in semiconductors, has not been mined in the U.S. since 1987. The U.S. Geological Survey said it is believed that the vast majority of gallium is used in smartphones and other computer devices, while more than half the germanium is used in infrared optics and fiber optics. Why the ban? The Institute for Energy Research says it is simple. The Biden-Harris administration expanded its curbs on technology to China by prohibiting the sale of certain types of chips and machinery and adding 140 Chinese companies to a restricted trade list. According to Biden-Harris administration officials, the limits were a routine action to update existing curbs and close loopholes that some businesses had used to circumvent restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The institute says it was the third such action against China, including an attempt to prevent it from catching up to the United States in developing advanced chips for military equipment and artificial intelligence. But it is a tough relationship to put controls on. The Chinese government controls the supply chains of the critical minerals and rare-earth elements through subsidies, slave labor, and purchases of ore in Africa and Latin America. By making it harder to mine for these minerals in the United States and requiring the use of green technologies, the Biden-Harris administration is helping China expand its market power, the institute said. The U.S. imports gallium from Japan (26%), China (21%), and Germany (19%), along with other smaller suppliers. In a laboratory at TU Bergakademie in Saxony, Freiberg, professor Martin Bertau works on a red mud reactor. According to Freiberg scientists, gallium is contained in red mud, the production waste from aluminum manufacturing. | picture alliance The institute says although the U.S. has domestic deposits of these minerals, they have not been mined in large quantities, though some projects are now exploring ways to extract them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an example, researchers are working to extract valuable elements from an old coal mine in West Virginia and a lignite mine in North Dakota. Additionally, Perpetua Resources is developing an antimony mine in Idaho with support from the U.S. government, which awarded the company a $510,500 grant from the Department of Defense. At present, China, Russia, and Tajikistan control 90% of the global antimony supply. The fallout Markus Roas, a metals business manager at Indium Corporation, said U.S. only had a weeks worth of germanium and gallium remaining, and that was in September before the total ban was implemented. Until this point, the exports of gallium and germanium were a fraction of what they once were. The Sourceability article said that doesnt even address the cost. Since the partial ban on antimony in August, the price of antimony trioxide has more than doubled to over $39,000 per metric ton. Its a sign of the times. The military uses of Sb (antimony) are now the tail that wags the dog. Everyone needs it for armaments, so it is better to hang onto it than sell it. This will put a real squeeze on the U.S. and European militaries, Christopher Ecclestone, a principal and mining strategist at Hallgarten & Company in London, told CNN shortly after Beijing announced the curbs on antimony exports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is no secret that antimony prices worldwide continue to hit fresh record highs after a prolonged period of supply constraints, said United States Antimony Chairman Gary Evans. The upswing in prices has gathered pace which is underpinned by depleting domestic antimony resources in China as well as other parts of the world. The ban will challenge many semiconductor manufacturers in the coming months. After two years of flat consumer demand, exacerbated by the global semiconductor shortage, many companies are predicted to struggle to stay afloat. Access to critical raw materials like gallium, germanium, and antimony is becoming increasingly important due to the heightened demand for electronics due to AI. Money and the military Like any codependent relationship starting to spiral downward, the fallout is dramatic. The Diplomat reports that the resulting supply disruptions from Chinas new export ban could have a multibillion-dollar impact on the U.S. economy. For example, the U.S. Geological Survey recently calculated that if China blocked all exports of gallium alone, U.S. gross domestic product could decline by up to $8.2 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Chinas export ban takes immediate effect, the U.S. defense industrial base could experience short-term mineral shortages and higher prices. This should not be taken lightly: mineral shortages can impede defense manufacturing and undermine the strength of the military, just as the United States experienced during World War II. The Center for Strategic and International Studies stressed a key victim in this trade war is the U.S. military. Gallium, germanium and antimony are vital inputs for defense technologies. China is making significant investments in munitions and acquiring high-end weapons systems and equipment at a rate that is five to six times faster than that of the United States. In terms of strengthening military preparedness, China is operating in a wartime posture while the United States is operating in a peacetime posture, it said. Even prior to the new restrictions, the U.S. defense industrial base lacked the capacity and surge capabilities to meet defense technology production needs. Bans on vital mineral inputs will only further allow China to outpace the United States in building these capabilities. The News Chinas tech giants are fast catching up to US rivals in developing advanced artificial intelligence. Though Washington has restricted Beijings access to cutting-edge semiconductors in a bid to curb its AI sector, Chinese companies have recently released models that are comparable with those released by American counterparts. China is catching up faster, one former OpenAI researcher told The Wall Street Journal, while The Wire China noted the country benefitted from a major stockpile of chips, as well as a huge pool of talented engineers, brutal domestic competition, and rock-bottom energy costs. Still, as time goes on, Chinese companies limits on access to the highest-end chips will hamper their growth: The gap is poised to widen, the Journal noted. China claims to have achieved a 'world record' in shipbuilding by developing a massive cargo ship similar to its Fujian aircraft carrier. Named Fan Zhou 8, the cargo ship has an unprecedented carrying capacity of 58,000 tons. The ship recently completed five days of trials and has now been declared ready for all kinds of sea operations. The flat-top cargo ship is claimed to have strong seaworthiness and also meets the requirements of the Polar Code, according to local media reports. Authorities have also maintained that the ship can navigate in small drifting ice floes. Sailing tests conducted Multiple professional sailing tests in the waters east of Shanghai were conducted, proving the flat-top cargo ship's seaworthiness. The heavy load carrier, built in 2024, is currently sailing under the flag of China and has a length of 850 ft (256 m) and it's 167 ft (51 m) wide, according to Marine Vessel Traffic. The location of the cargo ship is now seen around South China, as per online ship trackers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ship has a range of 16,000 nautical miles, which is equivalent to about 18,392 miles. It's also being claimed that the vessel can go to speeds exceeding 15 knots and traverse areas with small drifting ice floes, making it polar-ready. The ships deck occupies most of the hull and is capable of transporting a wide range of cargo, including offshore oilfield, wind, and nuclear power equipment, as well as large vessel steel structures or sections. Chinese bloggers have compared the size of the deck to the Fujian, the countrys first domestically developed aircraft carrier, which is estimated to be about 984 ft (300 meters) long and 229 ft (70 meters) wide, according to South China Morning Post. China advancing shipbuilding capabilities China has been advancing its capabilities to produce higher-value vessels, reflecting its strategic focus on expanding its maritime infrastructure and industrial output. However, the ultimate purpose of the Fan Zhou 8 remains uncertain. Although it has been painted in civilian green with no aircraft markings. But its size, similar to the Fujian aircraft carrier, has sparked speculation about its potential military applications. MSC Irina, the worlds largest container ship, was also built in 2023 in China. The vessel, which is currently en route to the port of Yantian, is about 400 meters long and 51 meters wide. Not first to be developed in China The Chinese industry, which continued to leverage substantial state support and production capabilities, experienced about 18% and 43% year-on-year growth in output and orders in the first half of the year, according to official data. The industrys growth is expected to continue as global market demand increases and the Chinese military expands its naval capabilities, including the size of its fleets, according to SCMP. Reports have also claimed that the latest deck vessel is not the first to be developed in China, where the industry has been experimenting with new kinds of ships in recent years, most notably the state-owned giant China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Wednesday condemned comments by the Philippine defence minister about China, calling them "baseless accusations" that "maliciously attacked" China's ruling Communist Party. Gilberto Teodoro said on Tuesday that the Philippines has the right to allow the deployment of a U.S. missile system in the country despite Chinas continued opposition to it, Philippine media reported. China's embassy in Manila said in a statement that Teodoro's remarks were "filled with ideological bias, factional confrontation, cold war mentality". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It urged Manila to quickly withdraw its deployment of the mid-range U.S. Typhon missile system. The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Teodoro said he was responding to a Chinese government spokesperson's opposition to the missile deployment, according to Philippine media. (Reporting by Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom) Researchers in China are exploring innovative methods to extract lithium from low-quality brines like seawater and salt lakes. In order to facilitate the production of lithium batteries for use in construction and energy storage, these developments seek to access plentiful but untapped sources. According to a Nanjing University study, the increasing demand for renewable energy technology and electric vehicles (EVs) could cause the present lithium supply to run out as early as 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Chinese online news outlet, because of the impending shortage of supplies, scientists are looking into novel ways to extract lithium from unusual sources like salt lakes, seawater, and even sediment deposits all around the world. Surge in demand The need for sustainable lithium extraction techniques is being driven by the growing demand for renewable energy technologies and EVs. Conventional methods, such as mining hard-rock ores and removing lithium from brines, are energy-intensive, emit a lot of greenhouse gases, and disrupt land and deplete groundwater. These methods lead to supply chain and environmental issues, underscoring the need for effective and sustainable substitutes. Because of their broad availability and large stocks, low-quality brinessuch as sedimentary liquids, geothermal fluids, oilfield-produced waters, seawater, and some salt lakesrepresent a promising but untapped resource. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_laWbMJUfOo&pp=ygUaRVYgaW50ZXJlc3RpbmcgZW5naW5lZXJpbmc%3D However, due to low lithium contents and high magnesium-to-lithium ratios, lithium extraction from these sources is still technically difficult. Advanced extraction techniques are required to make the most of these resources. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), hard-rock ores from places like Zimbabwe and the highly concentrated brine resources in South America are the main sources of lithium for China, the largest refiner of lithium in the world. To meet domestic demand, Chinese mining companies have expanded operations in Zimbabwe, bolstering global lithium supply chains. Dominating lithium-ion battery production, China accounts for 77 percent of the worlds EV batteries, with combined exports exceeding $139 billion in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite emerging alternatives like sodium-ion batteries, lithium-ion batteries are expected to remain dominant due to their superior efficiency and energy density. Rising demand could deplete global lithium reserves by the end of the decade, underscoring the urgency for innovative solutions. Optimizing brine resource Researchers introduced the term low-quality brine to describe sources with lithium concentrations below 0.26 grams per liter or magnesium-to-lithium ratios exceeding 6.15. These circumstances put traditional extraction techniques to the test, which concentrate lithium by evaporating water and separate it from other elements using chemicals. For such brines, conventional methods are ineffective due to low concentrations and the co-extraction of undesirable components. The researchers investigated developments in pre-concentration and direct extraction techniques to solve these problems, according to SCMP. An enhanced precipitation technique created by a group from Chengdu University of Technology efficiently eliminates magnesium while reducing lithium loss to 0.4 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMdeEpMCalk&pp=ygUfbGl0aGl1bSBpbnRlcmVzdGluZyBlbmdpbmVlcmluZw%3D%3D At a salt lake in Qinghai, researchers from Nanjing University found that solvent extraction methods had an effectiveness of over 65 percent for lithium recovery. Other innovative approaches examined include filtration membranes that use pressure gradients or electrical fields to separate lithium, as well as electrochemical methods leveraging ion properties, reports SCMP. According to the study, optimizing lithium extraction from low-quality brines may involve combining various approaches. Efficiency could be increased, for example, by combining extraction with seawater desalination or incorporating renewable energy into the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The potential of low-quality brines to contribute significantly to sustainable lithium production, bolster energy storage systems, and further the global shift to cleaner energy sources was highlighted by the researchers. The details of the team's research were published in the journal Nature. By Liz Lee and Sakura Murakami BEIJING/TOKYO (Reuters) -Talks between China and Japan's foreign ministers in Beijing have paved way for Japan to host China's foreign affairs chief next year, and mutual agreement to hold a security dialogue as soon as possible, Japan said on Wednesday. No details were given for when the events will take place but Japan's Takeshi Iwaya told reporters after his meeting and a working lunch with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that both agreed on continued high-level talks, including potentially an economic dialogue during the 2025 visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The one-day visit is Iwaya's first to the Chinese capital since becoming Japan's foreign minister in October, to discuss thorny issues with his country's largest trading partner. It follows an agreement between leaders of both countries to work towards a mutually beneficial strategic relationship. Ties between the neighbours, trade partners with close economic and investment ties but rivals in security and territorial claims, are complicated with long-standing geopolitical disagreements and historical wartime sensitivities. Iwaya raised several security concerns, urging China to take "necessary action" including removing a buoy Japan had identified and believe was installed by China in the exclusive economic zone near one of Japan's southernmost islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I also expressed my serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea...and the increasing activity of the Chinese military," he said. On regional concerns, Wang and Iwaya discussed North Korea. Iwaya sought for China to partake in "a responsible role in maintaining peace and security in the international community," he said. Japan has expressed "grave concern" over North Korea's security alliance with Russia, in which North Korea stands to gain advanced military technology and combat experience. Wang stressed in the meeting that the significance of the countries' relationship went beyond bilateral ties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If China-Japan relations are stable, Asia will be more stable," Wang said at the start of their meeting. VISA RULES AND SEAFOOD BAN In reciprocity to China's eased visa rules, Japan will remove some requirements for three-year multiple entry tourist visas for Chinese citizens and allow those on group visas to stay up to 30 days from the previous 15. The country has also introduced a new 10-year multiple entry tourist visa. Last month, Beijing expanded its visa-free arrangements to include Japan until the end of 2025, restoring a policy that was suspended during the pandemic. China also extended the stay period to 30 days from 15. Japanese citizens were able to enter China without a visa for up to 14 days before COVID-19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iwaya pointed out that addressing the safety and security of Japanese nationals was important to increase travel between Japan and China. Cases of Japanese nationals detained under China's anti-espionage law and the lack of transparency around the law have led to Japanese people feeling hesitant about travelling to China, Iwaya said, calling for more transparency and the release of those detained. Their discussion of China's ban on Japanese seafood, highly expected on the agenda, did not indicate any easing on restrictions, but only that both sides agreed to "properly implement" a recent agreement. A major sticking point in bilateral ties has been Japan's discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant that Beijing strongly opposed and responded to by tightening inspections on Japanese goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China was Japan's largest export market for aquatic products until Beijing fully banned them in protest against Tokyo's actions. Both governments reached an agreement in September that obligates Japan to set up a long-term international monitoring arrangement allowing stakeholders such as China to conduct independent sampling of the treated water. That was expected to restart the imports but China still wants reassurances from Tokyo that it would fulfil its commitment before "adjusting relevant measures" and gradually restore imports that meet standards and regulations. However, both countries were ready to restart talks on resuming Japanese beef and rice imports. (Reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing and Sakura Murakami in Tokyo; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Edmund Klamann) Beijing has pledged to continue to promote close communication "in various fields" with Seoul despite its current political turmoil, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yeol on Tuesday. The 30-minute call marks the first publicly acknowledged ministerial conversation between Beijing and Seoul after President Yoon Suk-yeol imposed martial law earlier this month, a crisis that continues to destabilise South Korean politics. "China has taken note of recent changes in the domestic situation in South Korea ... China adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and believes that South Korean people have the wisdom and ability to properly handle domestic issues," a Chinese foreign ministry statement 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. "China is also willing to continue to make good use of bilateral dialogue and cooperation mechanisms in various fields, strengthen interactions at all levels and people-to-people exchanges, and enhance mutual understanding and trust with South Korea." Cho told Wang, "there is no change in our government's position of continuing to develop the [South] Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership, even under the acting presidential system", according to the South Korean foreign ministry. The ministry said Beijing and Seoul would conduct further diplomatic communication through "director-level consultations". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also touched on three-way cooperation between Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo. The ministers agreed that "China-Japan-South Korea cooperation is conducive to the respective development of the three countries and regional peace, stability and prosperity", according to the Chinese side. Wang and Cho discussed the situation involving North Korea and agreed to maintain strategic communications. Pyongyang has signalled hostility to South Korea multiple times since last year and redefined relations with its southern neighbour, designating it a "hostile state" in its constitution in October. "China always advocates resolving the [Korean] peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation and will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability on the peninsula," Wang said, according to the Chinese readout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The North Korean army was reportedly sent to Ukraine battlefields to support Russia earlier this year, creating another layer of uncertainty. Beijing faces multiple challenges from the Korean peninsula. Seoul's political unrest and deteriorating North-South relations amid impeached president Yoon's drive to strengthen security cooperation with Japan and the United States are all of concern to Beijing. Under Yoon's right-wing presidency and US President Joe Biden's Indo-Pacific alignment drive in the last few years, Seoul is looking for a balanced approach to navigate the dual trade orbit of the US and China. Despite joining the Chip 4 alliance with Taiwan, Japan and the US, South Korea - a semiconductor hub - has also conducted numerous high-level dialogues with China on trade and supply chain security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang called for South Korea to expand investment in China and said China stood ready to "strengthen coordination with the South Korean side to jointly maintain the stability and smooth flow of the global production and supply chain". The US became South Korea's number one export destination in December 2023, surpassing China for the first time since 2004, but China immediately retook the top position in January. Within three months, the US had again taken top spot. However, China indisputably retains its position as South Korea's largest trading partner, with South Korea importing nearly twice as much from China as from the US in 2023. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. By Ryan Woo, Ethan Wang and yukun zhang BEIJING (Reuters) -In China's take on Squid Game, fraudsters are preying on the financially distressed in a slumping economy with promises of prize money, debt restructuring and other schemes that are not always what is promised. Unlike the dystopian South Korean TV series, which returns to the small screen for a second season on Thursday, Chinese players taking on "self-discipline" challenges do not risk their lives if they lose. But courts have found some participants in isolation challenges - who pay hundreds of dollars to stay in a room for days, following prescribed rules in the hopes of winning as much as 1 million yuan ($140,000) - are being scammed. And regulators are warning people about dodgy debt relief claims. Isolation challenges, often advertised on Douyin, as TikTok is known in China, have risen in popularity this year as the world's second-biggest economy slows. It grew at the weakest pace in more than a year in the three months to September, spurring policymakers to pledge fresh measures to boost household incomes among other steps. The long lists of rules in the challenges include toilet breaks not exceeding 15 minutes and bans on touching the alarm clock more than twice a day. Many players cry foul when they do not survive their first day for infractions caught on surveillance cameras, which they dispute. In October, a court in the eastern province of Shandong ordered an organiser to refund 5,400 yuan ($740) in sign-up fees to a player surnamed Sun, ruling the contract was unfair and "violated public order and good morals". Sun was trying to win 250,000 yuan by surviving a 30-day isolation challenge with rules forbidding smoking, use of electronic devices, consumption of alcohol and contact with anyone outside the room. On the third day of the challenge, organisers said Sun had covered his face with a pillow, breaking a prohibition on players obscuring their faces. The Cyberspace Administration of China, which regulates the country's internet, and ByteDance, owner of Douyin, did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. The National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) warned the public on Tuesday not to fall for "debt intermediaries" claiming to help people restructure their borrowings or improve their credit profiles. Touting their services through phone, texts, flyers and ads on social media, such intermediaries claim they can help secure new loans or provide temporary funds, but the regulator warned the services come with a high fee. Restriction of access to the state registers of the Ministry of Justice, including the Register of Real Estate Rights, due to a Russian cyberattack does not pose a risk of illegal seizure of Ukrainian property. All such statements are manipulations. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the Ministry itself. They noted that, from a legal point of view, registration is not just making an entry in the State Register of Real Estate Rights. "The basis for registration are documents issued or certified by a competent entity. That is why property owners must be sure that their rights are inviolable. All actions in the registry are automatically recorded: who performed the registration action, when and what it was. Therefore, the alleged illegal seizure of property due to limited access to the registry is nothing but manipulation," the statement said. At the same time, the Ministry of Justice reminded that due to the largest Russian cyberattack in recent times, it is now impossible to obtain data from the registry or make changes. The estimated time for restoring the registers is 2 weeks. ADVERTISIMENT What will happen to the data of Ukrainians Minister of Justice Olha Stefanishyna emphasized that no data leakage was recorded as a result of the Russian cyberattack on Ukraine's state registers. All information contained in electronic systems is backed up and will be restored, so there is no question of data loss. "I have received information from the head of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection that the data leak has not yet been confirmed," said the head of the Ministry of Justice. She clarified that the registers are now in "quarantine" and additional checks are being conducted. "The most important thing is that there is no threat of data loss, all registers will be restored. I ask citizens to be patient," Stefanishyna assured. ADVERTISIMENT She also explained that all state registers have backups. The information is reserved in the full form in which the registers worked before the attack. It is with the data set that was "recorded" before the attack that the registries will return to work. According to the head of the Ministry of Justice, problems may arise only with data that was entered within a few hours during the attack itself. Separate decisions will be made regarding such information. As reported, despite the large-scale cyberattack on Ministry of Justice's registers, Ukrainians can use a number of notary services by contacting such specialists. In particular, notarial acts can be performed without using and entering information into the Inheritance Register, the Unified Register of Powers of Attorney, and the Unified Register of Special Forms of Notarial Documents. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Four years ago, a Nashville resident set off a bomb in a recreational vehicle along Second Avenue on Christmas morning. The impact led to the suspects death, hundreds being displaced from their homes, businesses shuttered and historic buildings heavily damaged. A major rebuild is underway in the area. Just this month, another portion of the street opened to traffic. News 2 went down to Second Avenue to check on the progress. NOV. 2024 | Luke Combs Category 10 opens on 2nd Avenue Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heather Dallenbach is the manager of Nashville Souvenirs on Second Avenue in downtown Nashville. She also managed the previous business in the location at the time of the Christmas Day bombing in 2020. I walked down the back alley, and this building did not have a back wall. It was really crazy. I was like, were in for a bit of a renovation here, Dallenbach recalled. Nearly everything was gutted and replaced. All of the walls are new. All of the ceilings are new. Everything downstairs has been completely redone. All new windows, all new back wall, like a whole bunch of everything redone, Dallenbach said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sixty-five buildings, many of which date back to the 1800s, were damaged in the bombing, and now the rebuilding is closer to being done. AUG. 2024 | New owner plans to convert Old Spaghetti Factory building into short-term rentals Thats actually where the outdoor dining is going to be and then this is the unobstructed pedestrian pathway, pointed out Michelle Scopel, senior project manager for the Metropolitan Development and Housing Authority. Both of those are new, highly-requested additions to Second Avenue with the goal of attracting more local residents. Downtown is thriving with tourism, but having something for locals to come to, maybe with your family, for lunches, for happy hours with your friends, whatnot, theres just a lot of need for that, Scopel said. Of course, the tourists are going to benefit from that, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MDHA is leading the citys nearly $39.5 million rebuild of the streetscape that started in May of 2023. JULY 2024 | Short-term rentals approved above former 2nd Ave Old Spaghetti Factory The buildings are all privately owned, so any work for that they had to do for rebuilding is really up to them to do that, Scopel explained. You can still see a scattering of buildings that have not rebuilt. Theres a lot of reasons for that, and insurance is a big piece of it. The businesses that did rebuild have been open to customers during construction. As far as the street restoration, the north block, closest to the Metro courthouse, opened to vehicle traffic in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was a huge celebration, and honestly, that was really the first time we were able to celebrate anything on Second Avenue since the blast, Scopel said. The entire street really was able to smile, which was wonderful. The south block, between Commerce Street and Broadway, just reopened December 20, ahead of schedule. The final block, in the middle of 2nd Avenue, between Commerce and Church Streets is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County Prior to the blast, there were a lot of vacant buildings and a lot of it wasnt quite what it was in the heyday. I think actually this project, the way that were rebuilding, the way weve worked with all of the businesses here and with their vision and how they can utilize it, I think what were going to be putting back is so much better than what was here, Scopel said. Im really excited to see 2nd Avenue thriving again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so are the businesses. This is such a just a historic and important area to downtown that its going to be beautiful to see it just reopen and be reinvigorated, Dallenbach said. I know the citys kind of got the focus to push more people down here and bring that back to the businesses down here, which were just really looking forward to. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. In Bellingham on Tuesday, it wasnt the Grinch trying to steal Christmas but four of them. The thieves were caught on surveillance video breaking into a local business. These people dont know what Christmas is, says Don Hartleben, who manages Dank of America. The dispensary was broken into around five in the morning. The thieves deserve a lump of coal, but instead, gifted themselves more than $5K worth of merchandise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance video shows a stolen car smashing into the front of Dank of America before four masked thieves run in. The four are seen putting dozens of items into grocery sacks before running out of the shop. Theyre in and out within two minutes. Store employees called the police after they were alerted to the alarm. Hartleben says officers arrived quickly but werent fast enough to make arrests. Employees are appalled by their attempt to ruin Christmas. It disturbed all our plans, says Thomas Wartinger, who owns the shop. I was home going to unwrap presents with the grandkids when this all happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The damage to the store building was extensive. What these people dont realize is, we are a small business. This is going to come out of our pocket. Were not some big corporation, says Hartleben. Adding to his frustration, theyre not the only Bellingham business who had their holiday plans hijacked by break-ins. A barber shop, sandwich shop, and Vietnamese restaurant also fell victim to the nightmare before Christmas. Hartleben hopes that the community will show up to support the broken-into businesses in the new year. I will not let this bring my holiday down, says Hartleben about Tuesdays theft. Atlanta police are investigating after a woman was shot to death on Christmas Eve. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 6 p.m., officers responded to a person shot call at 1113 Smith Street SW. When police arrived, they found a woman with an apparent gunshot wound. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. TRENDING STORIES: Authorities did not say if the shooting occurred inside or outside the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her age and identity were not released. Investigators are working to learn what led up to the shooting. The investigation is ongoing. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Bad weather wasnt the only concern for Texans and their holiday travels Tuesday morning. The Federal Aviation Administration said American Airlines requested a ground stop for all of its flights for one hour early Tuesday, Dec. 24 due to a vendor technological issue. On top of that, thunderstorms are expected to roll in before noon. The Fort Worth area is already under a flash flood warning until 11:30 a.m. The airline groundings combined with the bad weather was horrible timing for the millions of travelers expected to fly over the next couple of days. The Transportation Security Administration said it expects to screen nearly 40 million passengers traveling for the holidays through Jan. 2. Many holiday flights are already sold out, making delays and cancellations even more complicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, there are currently 532 delays and eight flight cancellations so far at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, according to FlightAware. More trending stories from our newsroom: U.S. Rep. Kay Granger experiencing health challenges How Ross Perot Jr.s grand vision changed Fort Worth forever Historic Fort Worth fire station turns into fancy hotel What is a ground stop? The FAA said American Airlines requested a ground stop at 7 a.m. ET. A Ground Stop (GS) is a traffic management initiative (TMI) requiring aircraft that meet specific criteria to remain on the ground at their origination airport, according to the National Business Aviation Society. Ground stops are implemented when air traffic control is unable to safely accommodate additional aircraft in the system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ground stops are most frequently used for weather events, equipment outages, catastrophic events, aircraft accidents, construction or security incidents. Airline operations resumed schedule an hour later at 8 a.m. Forecast for Dec. 24. Whats the weather in Fort Worth? The Fort Worth National Weather Service forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms from noon until before midnight on Dec. 24. Threats of damaging winds and hail are present. Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25, is predicted to have no rain or storms, with a forecast of clouds and a high of 62. An 80 percent chance of thunderstorms returns on Dec. 26, with a high of 69. Continue to monitor the forecast and stay up to date with NWS alerts. The bald eagle has been a symbol of the United States for a very long time. However, it only recently received official recognition as the national bird on Christmas Eve, December 24. President Joe Biden signed Senate Bill 4610 into law. Specifically, the bill adds a new section to Title 36 that officially designates the bald eagle as the national bird of the nation. Before this bill was signed, while the bald eagle was widely recognized as a symbol of the nation and appeared on the Great Seal of the United States, there was no specific law formally naming it the national bird. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reportedly, Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota introduced the bill that officially designated the bald eagle as the national bird. The bald eagle has been described as a "historical symbol of the United States representing independence, strength, and freedom." Bald eagle's importance The bill emphasized that the bald eagle is a bird native only to North America. It was chosen as the coat of arms for the US in 1782. Moreover, the bald eagle continues to be a prominent symbol in all branches of the U.S. military. Reportedly, the bill highlighted the bald eagle's cultural significance: it's important to many Native American tribes and a prominent symbol across all levels of the U.S. government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A constituent alerted Senator Klobuchar to the fact that the bald eagle had never been officially declared the national bird, prompting her to introduce the legislation. A resident's effort Reston Cook, a resident of Wabasha, Minnesota, has been collecting eagle items for over 50 years. His collection of eagle items is extensive, exceeding 40,000 pieces. He was surprised to learn that the bald eagle was not officially the national bird. "If it had an eagle on it, I'd buy it," Cook told NBC News. "I may have gotten a little carried away in my collecting here, but I've loved the whole process." Wabasha also has the National Eagle Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2010, Cook was working on a book based on bald eagles, when he came across this fact. This prompted him to commence a multi-year lobbying campaign to secure official recognition for the bald eagle. His efforts ultimately proved successful when President Biden signed the legislation into law. Benjamin Franklin, one of the nation's founding fathers, did not favor the bald eagle as the national bird. He criticized it as a "bird of bad moral character" for its perceived laziness in hunting. Reportedly, Franklin preferred the wild turkey, but he never formally proposed it as the national bird. With Bidens presidency and the year coming to an end, he signed 50 bills into law on Christmas Eve, CBC reported. Some of these included legislation protecting teenagers in residential treatment facilities, anti-hazing legislation in college premises, and stopping pensions for convicted members of Congress. Stormy seas along the California coast calmed a bit for the Christmas holiday, but powerful ocean waves were expected to return to the Bay Area for the rest of the week. Waves up to 30 feet high were expected to crash ashore in Northern California between Thursday morning and Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service issued a high-surf advisory, warning swimmers and boaters to beware of dangerous conditions. The Bay Area will see high temperatures in the low 60s and a strong chance of rain with patchy fog throughout the weekend, according to meteorologists. The rain could cause flooding in local creeks and heavily paved areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early in the week, as the ocean raged against the coast, the outer portion of the historic Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed, plunging three people into turbulent waters; all of them were later rescued. Storm-tossed debris killed a man in Monterey Bay. While waves of this magnitude are uncommon, the deadly conditions are consistent with this time of year, when the surf is usually highest along California's coast, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Brayden Murdock. "The last time we saw some swells like this was probably early January 2023," Murdock said. "So it's not terribly common to get this extreme but this time of year, it's not out of the question." "Luckily, it's one of the coldest times of year, so there's not too many people out and about on the shoreline," he added. "But there are some things that people need to be cautious about." The winter storms also caused flooding on highways and major roads in Berkeley and Oakland, and a rock slide in rural Sonoma County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Southern California, conditions were milder. After a foggy and overcast start to Christmas morning, the clouds dispersed, allowing the sun to come through. Weather Service meteorologists had forecast waves cresting between 5 to 10 feet in Los Angeles and Orange counties for Christmas Day. The highest waves, up to 15 feet, were anticipated to last through the week farther north in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. High temperatures were expected to remain in the upper 60s for the remainder of the week, with no rain in the forecast. Meteorologists cautioned motorists about powerful gusts in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys that could make driving difficult for larger vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blustery weather spells trouble amid abnormally dry weather in Southern California. Downtown Los Angeles has typically received about 4 inches of rain by this point in the wet season, which begins in October and lasts through March. So far this year, it has gotten about 0.16 inches. Gusts of up to 60 miles per hour will create elevated wildfire risk, especially next week, when Santa Ana winds could funnel dry, hot air through Southern California mountain passes, according to Ariel Cohen, the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. The highest threat was expected to be next Monday through Thursday, "when the drier air and somewhat warmer temperatures will bring a higher fire-weather risk," Cohen said. Earlier this month, the Franklin fire ignited more than 4,000 acres in Malibu. The fast-moving blaze, largely driven by strong Santa Ana winds, damaged or destroyed dozens of structures and encroached on the campus of Pepperdine University. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The News Christmas celebrations worldwide were marred by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as tensions in otherwise buoyant Syria. Russia launched what Kyiv described as an inhuman attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure, employing more than a hundred missiles and drones. In Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian Christians marked a second consecutive sombre Christmas despite renewed hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza: This year, we limited our joy, the towns mayor said. And in Syria, Christians protested in Damascus after video circulated of a Christmas tree being set alight, an incident blamed on foreign fighters but which nevertheless harmed fledgling levels of trust in the countrys de facto Islamist rulers. BETHLEHEM, West Bank Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza. The cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the towns economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehems income almost all from the Christmas season. The number of visitors to Bethlehem plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. A surge of violence in the West Bank, where more than 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis have been killed in militant attacks, has greatly stalled tourism. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war, access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been limited, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the Israeli economy to contract by 25%. In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad, he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they had been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water. We hope by next year at the same day wed be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem, said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman who prayed for the war to end. We dont feel happy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million residents spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. Elsewhere, worshippers found connection despite difficult times. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris celebrated its first Christmas Eve Masses since a devastating fire ravaged the medieval landmark in 2019. About 2,000 people joined an afternoon Mass one of four held on Tuesday including worshippers and other visitors marveling at the restoration of the recently reopened cathedral. Some American tourists in Paris crafted their trip to ensure they could attend Christmas Eve services at Notre Dame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They did such an amazing job, said visitor Aly Beinert. It looks beautiful. It blew us away. The Paris Archbishop symbolically reopened Notre Dames grand wooden doors on Dec. 7 with three resounding knocks, with guests including President-elect Donald Trump, U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britains Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In Saydnaya, Syria, a large crowd gathered near a historic monastery on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. The celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and its infamous prison, where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood by the illuminated tree some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year is different theres happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ, said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as isolated incidents. At City Church in Madison, Wisconsin, lead pastor Tom Flaherty urged congregants at a candlelight Christmas Eve service to open their hearts to Gods grace. Happiness comes from what happens. Joy comes from a much deeper place, and it doesnt matter whats going on around you, Flaherty said. So number one, joy comes from Gods love, and forgiveness. Eight days earlier, there was a deadly shooting in the school on the churchs campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend, the congregation hosted a funeral for Rubi Patricia Vergara, the 14-year-old freshman killed when another student opened fire. A teacher was also killed and several others injured before the shooter shot herself and later died at a hospital, police said. American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. In Virginia, hundreds of sailors and their loved ones got an early Christmas present when the USS Cole docked at its home port in Norfolk after seven months at sea. Families bundled in coats and blankets, shed tears of gratitude and held signs bearing the sailors names and photos. Volunteers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, answered calls Tuesday from curious children inquiring about Santas location. At least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command each year to track Santas whereabouts. NORADs beloved Santa tracking tradition has endured since the Cold War, when a Colorado newspaper mistakenly printed a phone number for Santa that connected kids to the joint U.S. and Canadian defense command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turron (nougat candy) to seafarers. The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodriguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbor. A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines Tuesday, but some saw the beauty in it. Im actually glad its falling, said driver Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas. Former world heavyweight champion Denis Lebedev criticized Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) and Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) for not fighting in the rematch on December 21. The Russian expressed confidence that the boxers should have taken more risks, although the fight turned out to be incredibly interesting for fans and experts. ADVERTISIMENT Lebedev voiced this opinion in a commentary to the propaganda publication Sport-Express. The former athlete added that Usyk continues to demonstrate incredible skills and is by far the best in the super-heavyweight division, where he has defeated all the top fighters, but he did not rule out another confrontation between the Ukrainian and Fury. "I think a third fight is quite possible. It was a great fight. Fury wanted to win, it was obvious. To be honest, I thought there would be a fight this time. I'm surprised! Such mastodons... Why didn't anyone choose the tactic of forcing a fight? I always looked at my opponents. I'm sure they did the same. Didn't they take into account the fight between Dereck Chisora and Usyk... And now with every fight Oleksandr is showing himself better and better. He hasn't changed his movement technique. His speed hasn't dropped. Everything is classic," Lebedev said. ADVERTISIMENT It should be noted that another Russian media outlet ridiculously accused Usyk of "siding with terrorists." After the rematch with Fury, our compatriot reminded the Russians of the will of the Ukrainian people by raising the saber of Hetman Ivan Mazepa above his head. The details of this performance were later revealed. We would like to remind you that all three judges of the Usyk-Fury 2 fight gave the victory to the Ukrainian boxer with a score of 116-112. In addition, it became known what result was recorded by artificial intelligence. ADVERTISIMENT Former champion Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) gave his version of the rounds. And the legendary Lennox Lewis admitted that he was not impressed with the fight. This angered Tyson, who called himself the strongest with a difference of at least three rounds. The Briton also staged a demarche after the fight. At the same time, impressive statistics of the opponents' punches in the fight were published. A photo showed what Fury's face looked like after 100 missed punches from Usyk. After the victory, the Ukrainian boxer decided on his next opponent and also made a confession about his rematch with Tyson. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Paris Fury's reaction was caught on camera when Oleksandr was announced the winner of the rematch with Tyson. In addition, the fight was shown in a famous cartoon. And in Russia, fake words of the British about Volodymyr Zelensky began to spread. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! When Santa Claus climbed down the chimneys of some Charlotte homes to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve, he may have found he was beaten to the punch by almost a week by the citys police department. For the last 50 years, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departments Explorers Christmas Project has delivered gifts to kids of all ages ahead of Christmas a tradition that continued on Dec. 19. Its my favorite day, said Ryan Botzenmayer, CMPDs youth program coordinator who has been running the project for 10 years. Taking the items to the families, seeing the joy, seeing the love, seeing them excited that CMPD is coming theyre not expecting us and they see that were there for a good reason, and its awesome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Botzenmayer said the program is funded by donations and was on track to deliver gifts to nearly 1,700 kids across 600 households this year. Its a significant leap in growth from 1974, when the program started at Quail Hollow Country Club when now-retired Deputy Chief Glen Mowrey held a toy drive and got enough toys for 15 families. Officer Ryan Botzenmayer, left, sitting at a table near the gifts that volunteers would put in bags for deliveries. Officer Francis Auayang, right, stands nearby. At a press event held before officers began deliveries, which featured Chief Johnny Jennings, Botzenmayer said the department had over 10,000 toys this year. A nonprofit, The Spokes Group, raised enough money for almost 800 bicycles, and CMPD gets some of those bikes to give as gifts, he said. Jennings said the department has given gifts to nearly 87,000 children in total since the program was started, and about 35,000 families. Thats just amazing to see, he said. How the impact that our community has on people and those who are less fortunate than we are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other nonprofits helped with toy drives or donated money to help police purchase gifts or make sure families get a holiday meal, Botzenmayer said. Quail Hollow is still a partner, he said, as well as The Salvation Army, which shared a warehouse with the department in south Charlotte, just off of South Boulevard. The Salvation Army filled bags with gifts and gave them to families waiting just outside in line. Botzenmayer said he appreciates the collaborative spirit between the department and other organizations, as well as the volunteers who help. Many, including his daughter, have been longtime volunteers, he said. At the warehouse on Dec. 18, the day before delivery day, Botzenmayer, officers, and volunteers scrambled to fill bags. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bags were labeled with a Christmas-themed version of the departments logo. The bags CMPD fills with gifts to be delivered to families throughout Charlotte ahead of Christmas. Tables and containers on the CMPD side of the warehouse overflowed with toys, games and collectibles. Botzenmayer said they called the area toyland. Volunteers shop and place the items into the bags and then stack them next to each other near rows of bicycles of different sizes. Botzenmayer said many households were referred by officers who met families while responding to calls. Others, he said, were past participants or reached out after hearing about the program. Families who are referred submit wish lists from their children. Deliveries were planned through Christmas Eve. And the department also delivered some gifts to Western North Carolina. Bags with Christmas gifts for families throughout Charlotte. Officers have gone to Walmart in the last couple of weeks to try to fulfill wish list requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police officers, we respond to crises every day, and this is us showing up in a different capacity, Botzenmayer said. Its bringing joy to that family, and not during a crisis. Officer Francis Auayang has been participating in the Explorers Christmas Project since he was 14 and a member of the departments high school explorers program, he said. Although he didnt help deliver this year, instead staying back and assisting at the warehouse, its still his favorite part of the program. One of his favorite memories was on delivery day when a mother cried after seeing the gifts, he said. Just to see that somebody in the general public is seeing a police officer and crying for a happy reason brought a lot of joy, Auayang said. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus Starbucks employees join a nationwide strike heading into the holidays. Thousands of Starbucks employees have gone on strike and a group of Columbus workers joined the protests today, saying theyre concerned and disappointed with the company. Union organizer Jason Perlman explained that striking is not the first thing workers want to do but they hope by doing so, their demands will be addressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen the corporate greed thats happened across America, Perlman said. Sometimes the only way to get the attention, to get what you deserve is to actually take a stand for yourself, stand up and go on strike. Since last week, over five thousand employees from more than three hundred Starbucks stores nationwide have been on strike. Today was the fourth-day Columbus-based workers took part in the strike. Barista Ruby Walters noted its due to unfair labor practices. Walter also says the company is not meeting certain demands in the contract negotiations like an increase in minimum wage. I would say to keep in mind the ways that the people who make your coffee are often overworked and underpaid, Walters said. A lot of us have to make some sacrifices this holiday season just to be out here and demonstrate our power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers explained they have been put in situations like being tasked with running drive-thru, in-store, and mobile orders with only two employees present. Those on the picket line feel confident about staying on strike. We saw what happened during the pandemic when so many workers stood up on strike, got record raises, Perlman said. We saw what happened with the UAW, theres no reason that cant happen with Starbucks workers. One of the things I think as Americans, we have to stop doing its job, and shaming each other and every worker who helps create $1,000,000,000 profit for a company ought to get their fair share. Whether youre a barista at a Starbucks or whether youre putting cars together for Ford. A statement posted by the company on Monday says in part The union chose to walk away from bargaining last week. We are ready to continue negotiations when the union comes back to the bargaining table. Union organizers say they are still trying to move forward and reach an agreement with the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Donald Trumps inaugural committee is expected to raise the most cash in the history of such events perhaps upward of $150 million, and certainly more than the record $107 million he raised for his first presidential inauguration. A good chunk of that cash is coming from companies that previously expressed dismay about the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that Trump instigated to try to avoid transferring power to President Joe Biden. As The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday night, the Trump inaugural fund has received donations or pledges from at least 11 companies or lobbying groups that pledged to cut off or pause their political giving after Jan. 6. Though it is common for large companies to donate to Democratic and Republican inaugural committees as somewhat implicit signals that theyre hoping for business-friendly behavior in the new presidential era there is something extra explicit about the transactional desires during this seasons corporate attempts to shove cash into Trump-related coffers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump himself certainly sees it that way. In the past few weeks, Trump has at times asked close allies about how much major corporations have donated to the inaugural committee, and has sometimes inquired about specific companies by name, a person with direct knowledge of the matter tells Rolling Stone. Earlier this month, when the president-elect asked about one big-name corporation and was told it hadnt donated, Trump replied, Well, they better do it soon then, this source adds. This all comes at a time not just when corporate America is scrambling to secure influence in the revival of Trumps Washington; it comes after Trump and senior members of his government-in-waiting and inner sanctum have openly threatened to use the vast powers of the federal government to retaliate against media properties, prominent companies, nonprofit groups, and others who Trump and co. deem as crossing him too much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this Biden-Trump presidential transition, a recent, sudden lawsuit settlement between ABC and Trump to the tune of roughly $15 million was widely viewed within ABC News as a capitulation by ABC and Disney to the incoming president, as well as the delivery of a large sum of please-dont-hurt-me cash from a corporate parent that has a lot of business before the government. The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee, organized as a nonprofit, wont have to publicly disclose its donors for some time, but news reports indicate its raking in big donations from some of Americas best-known corporations. Some of the top donors include: Amazon ($1 million); AT&T; Bank of America; Charter Communications ($1 million); Coinbase ($1 million); Ford ($1 million); General Motors; Goldman Sachs; Intuit ($1 million); Stanley Black & Decker ($1 million); Toyota ($1 million); and Uber ($1 million, plus another $1 million from its CEO). Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is giving $1 million. The powerful drug lobby Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers, or PhRMA, is kicking in $1 million, as is Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Axios recently published a list of the special access and perks that major donors are entitled to in the lead-up to his inauguration. Donors who give $1 million or more are offered six tickets to a MAGA victory rally; six tickets to a Cabinet reception with Trumps top nominees; two tickets to an intimate dinner with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and his wife; six tickets for an interfaith Sunday service with Trump and his wife; a candlelight dinner with Trump and Melania; as well as six tickets to Trumps swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20, the parade, and a starlight ball. As The New York Times reported, there is no limit on the size of donations to the Trump inaugural committee. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Fire Departments (EPFD) Combined Search and Rescue (ComSAR) team rescued two injured hikers from separate fall incidents on Christmas afternoon, Dec. 25 in Franklin Mountains State Park. According to fire officials, the first call came in at 11:36 p.m. to reports of an injured hiker who had fallen in the area of Aztec Cave Trail in the Tom Mays Unit. Shortly afterwards at 12:13 p.m., reports came in of a separate injured hiker on Smugglers Pass, near the eastern part of Transmountain Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ComSAR has rescued both hikers and both were transported with minor injuries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo has freed 14 of the 17 Chinese men arrested on suspicion of running an illegal gold mine in the country, authorities said late on Tuesday. The men, who are travelling back to China, were detained last week along with others from Congo and neighbouring Burundi after failing to produce the required documents during a crackdown on unlicensed extraction of the minerals in the central African nation. Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, the governor of South Kivu, the province where the men were arrested, told reporters he was shocked to hear news of their release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese miners owed $10 million in unpaid taxes and fines to the government, he added. Around 60 Chinese nationals were at the site and officials detained the 17 who appeared to be in charge. The Chinese embassy in Kinshasa has not responded to requests for comment. Burundi's embassy said it was still waiting for details from its representative in Bukavu. Bernard Muhindo, South Kivu's finance minister and acting mines minister, said the intention was to improve the system. "The idea is not to go on a manhunt, but rather to clean up the mining sector so that reliable partners can work properly and legally," he told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The central African country says it has been struggling to stop unlicensed companies and in some cases armed groups from exploiting its rich reserves of cobalt, cooper, gold and other minerals. Competition over mining operations has fuelled fighting in the region that borders Rwanda. (Reporting by Yassin Kombi, Writing by Jessica Donati, editing by Ed Osmond) A group of 21 House Democrats signed a letter urging the president to exonerate former civil rights leader Marcus Garvey, according to a statement sent by the lawmakers to ABC News on Monday. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) led the panel of lawmakers -- mostly from the Congressional Black Caucus -- to exonerate Garvey on the heels of President Joe Biden's commutation of 37 sentences from federal death row on Monday. Garvey, one of the earliest internationally-known Black civil rights leaders, was convicted of mail fraud in 1923 and was given a five-year sentence, according to a letter sent to Biden from the Congress members, obtained by ABC News. President Calvin Coolidge pardoned Garvey two years into his sentence. Garvey was immediately deported to his birth country of Jamaica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Exonerating Mr. Garvey would honor his work for the Black community, remove the shadow of an unjust conviction, and further this administration's promise to advance racial justice," the lawmakers said in the letter to the president. "At a time when Black history faces the existential threat of erasure by radical state legislatures, a presidential pardon for Mr. Garvey would correct the historical record and restore the legacy of an American hero." Congress members have been trying for decades to clear Garvey's name, according to the congress members. Congressman John Conyers led hearings in 1987 for the House Judiciary Committee on Garvey's exoneration. Congressman Charles Rangel introduced resolutions, highlighting alleged injustices against the former civil rights leader in 2004. PHOTO: Jamaican born African American nationalist Marcus Garvey, circa, 1920. (Library of Congress) "Exactly 101 years ago, Mr. Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in a case that was marred by prosecutorial and governmental misconduct," The congress members said in the letter. "The evidence paints an abundantly clear narrative that the charges against Mr. Garvey were not only fabricated but also targeted to criminalize, discredit, and silence him as a civil rights leader." The White House did not immediately reply to ABC News' request for a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garvey, who was born in Jamaica in 1887, was a notable Pan-Africanist, believing that people of African descent around the world should be unified because of their alleged common interests. Garvey was the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) which was created to challenge racial inequality, according to the lawmakers. The organization championed self-determination and economic independence for Black people at a time when Jim Crow laws oppressed African Americans and colonization subjugated Africans on their own continent. Garvey also established the Black Star Line, one of the first Black-owned shipping companies in the Western Hemisphere, connecting Black businesses across the Americas, according to the lawmakers. The civil rights leader eventually wanted to route the vessels to Africa for a redemption program, according to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. He wanted to establish a nation for those who were born into slavery or were the descendants of enslaved people, according to The Washington Post. Garvey also created the Negro World Newspaper which, at its peak, reached a circulation of 200,000 readers weekly, according to the congressmembers. PHOTO: Congresswoman Yvette Diane Clarke speaks during 33rd Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jan. 21, 2019, in New York City. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press via Getty Images) Garvey shared the segregationist views of the Ku Klux Klan as he sought a separate state for those of the African diaspora, according to The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Biden commutes sentences of nearly all federal death row inmates "I regard the Klan the Anglo Saxon clubs and white American societies as far as the Negro is concerned, as better friends of the race than all other groups of hypocritical whites put together," Garvey said according to The New York Times. Other Black civil rights activists were outraged. W. E. B. Du Bois said Garvey was the most dangerous enemy of the Negro race and was either "a lunatic or a traitor," according to PBS. Du Bois also said Garvey "suffered from serious defects of temperament and training." PHOTO: Jamaican born African American nationalist Marcus Garvey, circa, 1920. (Library of Congress) MORE: Selma's 'smallest freedom fighter' reflects on Civil Rights Movement 59 years later Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The newly formed Bureau of Investigation, later becoming the FBI, and the director of its intelligence division, a-young J. Edgar Hoover, brought mail fraud proceedings against Garvey in connection to the sale of Black Star Line shipping stock, according to The Washington Post. He was sentenced to five years in prison and served two years before his pardon and eventual deportation by Coolidge. The FBI declined ABC News' request for a comment. Garvey never returned to the U.S. again, according to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. "As we approach the conclusion of your administration, this moment provides a chance to leave an indelible mark on history," the lawmakers told Biden in their letter. ABC News' John Parkinson contributed to this report. Congress members urge Biden to exonerate Black civil rights leader Marcus Garvey originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Members of the Conneaut Lake Fire Department were called out early Monday morning for a cold water rescue. Around 5:30 Monday morning, calls went out for four people in a canoe that needed assistance just south of the Hotel Conneaut. $1 million Mega Millions ticket sold in Crawford County One person had reportedly fallen into the water, and with the frigid water conditions, firefighters had to move in fast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple units arrived on scene, including the scuba team from Crawford County, who used a hovercraft to get out over the icy water. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News All four stranded canoers were brought back to shore safely in just under an hour. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A man who fatally stabbed a woman near Rockford and injured her two children has lost a bid to have his convictions overturned. Jacob Ryan was sentenced to life without parole for the 2021 stabbing death of Ciara Paul. Pauls two children, ages 2 and 5, were injured. Man sentenced for killing woman, injuring her children It happened at her home off of Myers Lake Avenue near Belding Road in Cannon Township. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryan was arrested at a Greyhound bus station in Toledo. He and the victim had been in a long-distance relationship, according to court records. Family honors woman killed near Rockford Ryan appealed his jury trial convictions, saying the evidence against him was insufficient. The Michigan Court of Appeals disagreed. In addition to a life sentence, Ryan got 37 to 60 years for the attacks on the two children. He is at a state prison in southeast Michigan. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO On Thursday, Chicagos Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) offered new details on a shooting involving a CPD officer over the weekend. According to police, the shooting unfolded in the 5700 block of West North Avenue, in North Austin, just before 1 a.m. on Saturday morning. Police were called to the scene after a report of shots fired in the area, but COPA said when officers arrived, they spotted an undetermined number of individuals engaged in a gunfight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 in custody after CPD gunfight with shooting suspect on West Side As the officers exited their vehicle, COPA said the individuals began shooting in their direction, and that is when one of the officers returned fire, but nobody was hit. Two of the individuals who were allegedly involved in the gunfight then fled the scene, but one of them was taken into custody a short time later. COPA said one person was hit by gunfire and taken to the hospital in good condition, but it is unclear if they were involved in the shooting. According to COPA, the officers were not injured in the shootout. It remains unclear what led to the initial shooting, and officers said multiple firearms were recovered from the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have not identified or announced charges against anyone involved. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland CPDs Investigative Response Team and Chicagos Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) are investigating the incident. CPD said it is fully cooperating with the COPA investigation. According to CPD, the officer involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a minimum period of 30 days. COPA confirmed that the initial interaction and subsequent shooting were captured by body-worn cameras and said materials related to the incident will be shared by February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those with information on the shooting can contact COPA on their website or by calling 312-746-3609. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Outgoing Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) said she is open to mounting another run for office in the future. In the meantime, the two-term lawmaker will organize and work on the same issues she focused on long before she stepped foot on Capitol Hill. The possibilities are endless. All I know right now is that I am not going anywhere. Im going to keep fighting for the issues that I fought for before I ever entered Congress, and since Ive been in Congress, Bush said in an interview with Politico Magazine that was published Wednesday. Running for office again is not off the table at all. I did not expect to only be in Congress for four years, and so I do believe at some point I will run again, whether its for Congress or something else, I dont know, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The progressive Democrat said, I dont have any plans right now, but its not off the table. What I will do, though, is I will organize and I will work on the same issues and more that I started with before I ever made it to the Congress. Bush, who represented Missouris 1st Congressional District in the House, failed to secure a third term on Capitol Hill. She was defeated in the primary by St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell in early August. The race saw a massive influx of spending by outside groups, with pro-Israel organizations spending the most in the contest against Bush who has been critical of Israels war against Palestinian militant group Hamas. The loss was another blow to the progressive squad in Congress as Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) was unseated by Westchester County Executive George Latimer (D) in late June. Both Bush and Bowman joined the squad after winning their respective House races in 2020. Following their primary losses four years later, the groups numbers are on the downturn. Regardless, Bush argued the remaining squad lawmakers in Congress, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), will keep fighting for people who have the greatest need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The squad will keep fighting. First of all, the squad is big. And I know we want to make the squad just out to be a few people, but we dont do this work by ourselves, the racial justice activist said. The numbers will be lower for the 119th Congress, but they will keep fighting for people who have the greatest need. Theyre not going to change their priorities and what they believe, Bush said. The number of people in Congress on the team will just be smaller. But theyve never been silent. Anyone who underestimates our power is severely mistaken, because we arent going anywhere, and I will always be squad. Im not going far. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. During his Christmas message, Pope Francis called on Ukraine and Russia to start negotiations. The pontiff is confident that the establishment of a dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow will help end the war. ADVERTISIMENT According to Francis, it is necessary to achieve a just and lasting peace. This was reported by the Vatican News portal. The bishop of the Roman Catholic Church said that it is necessary to show courage to "open the door to negotiations." The pontiff emphasized that at Christmas he calls on every people and nation to dare to become pilgrims of hope to silence the weapons. "Let the weapons be silenced in long-suffering Ukraine! May there be enough courage to open the door to negotiations and gestures of dialogue and meeting to achieve a just and lasting peace," the Pope said. The 88-year-old Francis also called for an end to conflicts political, social, or military in countries such as Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. It is noteworthy that Pope Francis has previously stated that Ukraine must have the courage to raise the "white flag" and begin negotiations to end the war with Russia. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, on Christmas morning, Russia used more than 70 missiles and over a hundred kamikaze drones against Ukraine. The main target of the occupiers was the energy infrastructure of our country. Earlier, explosions were reported in Dnipro and Kharkiv. In the latter of the two cities, there were arrivals in several districts, and civilians were injured. Fires broke out at the sites of the explosions, and there was also destruction. As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Russian terrorist army launched a missile attack on the territory of the Ivano-Frankivsk region. Putin's terrorists once again targeted critical infrastructure facilities. As a result of the attack, part of the region was left without electricity. By the way, during the attack, one missile landed on the territory of the NATO member state of Romania. However, the Romanian Ministry of Defense said that the air surveillance system allegedly did not detect any missiles. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! KANSAS CITY, Mo. Voters in Kansas City, Missouri will be deciding if they want to renew a sales tax to build a new city jail. If approved, it would go up just west of the countys new jail off of 40 Highway, where the Heart Village Mobile Home Park used to be. A Vote Yes supporter is Councilman Crispin Rea. He says hes spent the last year trying to come up with a solution to this issue. We need a detention element to our public safety strategy, he said in an interview with FOX4 Tuesday. Were doing a lot of other things on public safety, but we also need this piece. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rea supports a renewal of the cent public safety sales tax that shoppers in the city already pay. Renewing it for 20 years would help fund a new 250 bed city jail. Eye drops recalled nationwide due to fungal contamination The current tax expires June 30, 2026. If someones charged with a city crime, currently they go to Nevada, Missouri in Vernon County or Warrensburg in Johnson County. The city contracts with them for about 105 beds. A lot of folks arent aware of our difficult situation with sending inmates an hour away and not being in control of their care and not being in control of their release, Rea continued. Folks certainly feel the impacts of that when we have to release folks prematurely and they come back to the same neighborhood, and they continue to commit a certain level of crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fellow Councilman Johnathan Duncan was the lone no vote on this issue going before city voters at Thursdays council meeting. When it comes to the city jail, Rea says the people who would go there would be those who violate municipal ordinances. Rea says people who commit property crimes, assaults, and domestic violence would go there. Tuesday, Duncan talked about the people who would go there too. Our municipal detainees are not murderers, theyre not rapists, theyre not people who have shot somebody, he said. They are not even the serial burglars who are breaking into downtown businesses. They are not people who are stealing cars. By and large, these are low level crimes, and I do not think that widely the public understands who is actually going to be housed in our detention facility. Duncan says the city approved $16 million separately for a renovation of the Kansas City Police Department downtown headquarters to put in a holding facility there. He says hes internally thought about writing an Op-Ed in the Kansas City Star before the vote on why he wont be supporting it. He did something similar before the stadium sales tax vote in April of this year. He voted no in that election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android I think if anyone tells you that they are 100% positive that the vote will pass, that they are delusional, he continued when asked if he thought the jail vote will pass. You think about the juxtaposition of the school bond vote on the same ballot, and you compare that to the jail vote, which is essentially what it will be, Are we going to fund our schools, or are we going to fund our jails?' The jail vote will be April 8, 2025. As Duncan mentioned, its also the same day Kansas City Public School voters will decide on their bond issue. KCPS hasnt been able to pass such a bond since 1967. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LANSING The Mackinac Bridge Authority plans to charge a 2.3% "convenience fee" for tolls paid by credit cards starting in 2025, although the bridge fare is not increasing. The Authority, in a November press release, cited the rising costs of transaction fees from credit card companies, which totaled $341,761 in 2024, as the reason for the new convenience fees. "Though this convenience fee will not cover all credit card processing costs, it will help defray those costs in a way that will allow us to continue directing most of our toll revenues to the never-ending job of maintaining and operating the Mackinac Bridge," Authority Chairman Patrick "Shorty" Gleason said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MBA took action at a November meeting in Sault Ste. Marie. A recording of the meeting is available to view on YouTube. Here's what we know about the new fees. What percentage of drivers pay by credit card? The current average credit card fees for tolls paid is 3.07% and about 12% to 13% of tolls are paid by credit card. The convenience fee will add about 9 cents for the typical $4 toll for passenger vehicles. Does the Authority accept all credit cards for fares? The Authority said that because of "relatively higher credit card processing fees" for American Express, currently at 4.79%, the Authority will discontinue acceptance of those cards for payment beginning Jan. 1, 2025. How much does it cost to cross the Mackinac Bridge? The fare is $2 per axle or $4 for passenger vehicles. All other vehicles are $5 per axle. When will the new fee take effect? The new fee would take effect Jan. 1, 2025. What if I pay cash at the Mackinac Bridge? Customers who pay in the toll lanes can avoid the credit card fees by paying cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MacPass holders can make deposits with cash or electronic checks to avoid the fees. What is MacPass? MacPass is the Mackinac Bridge Authoritys prepaid toll-account program, which uses windshield-mounted stickers. MacPass customers can use toll lanes designated for MacPass by the overhead signs, or any open lane. MacPass holders with passenger vehicles also can qualify for the commuter discount toll if they make both a northbound and southbound trip within 36 hours. The toll will be $4 for the first trip, but customers will not be charged for the return trip if completed within 36 hours. Each vehicle you register must have a special sticker on the inside of its windshield. You won't have to make a complete stop at the fare gate, but will have to slow until the gate rises and allows you to pass. How do I sign up for MacPass? You can sign up for an account and make an initial deposit online. How much does MacPass cost? Following a recent downward adjustment, the initial deposit for MacPass is $40. The refill deposit requirement is $20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, each sticker costs $1 and separate vehicle information is needed for each vehicle registered. There also is a $7 administration fee to start. How many vehicles pass over the Mackinac Bridge? Data for 2024 on the Authority's website showed that 451,731 vehicles crossed the 67-year-old Mackinac Bridge during the month of October, compared to 429,239 in 2023. August had the highest monthly total up to that point in 2024, with 640,000 vehicles crossing. Around 4 million vehicles had crossed the bridge through October this year. What's the weather at the bridge today? You can see daily photos of the Mackinac Bridge online. They are updated every minute. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Mackinac Bridge to charge new fee when tolls paid by credit card WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) First response crews responded to a three-vehicle accident near Greeleyville Tuesday afternoon with serious injuries. The collision occurred on Highway 52 South near Gambles Crossroads and Greeleyville, according to the Williamsburg County Fire Department. Two individuals were freed from being trapped in the wreckage and airlifted to a local hospital for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A section of the road has reopened, after all lanes were closed. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area and take an alternative route. News 2 has reached out to authorities 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 WCBD News 2. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) A judge raised the bond for three men accused of placing card skimmers at ATMs in Connecticut from $500,000 to $750,000, and now state police are warning about how you can keep your data safe. CSP: Men placed skimmers on Connecticut ATMs Card skimmers go over real card readers and make digital copies of you information. Liberty Bank alerted troopers on Wednesday that two customers had reported that money had been taken out of their accounts, according to state police. The unauthorized transactions came from the same ATM in Newington. Additional incidents happened in Berlin and West Hartford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims that came about from this one were Liberty Bank customers, and this helped narrow it down and find these individuals, Sgt. Luke Davis with Connecticut State Police said. The vehicle linked to the crime had been rented out of the Los Angeles International Airport and was overdue by nine days. GPS tracking on the vehicle tracked it from the Hartford area and into Wethersfield. The vehicle was boxed in at another ATM. Tom Uzan, 24, of France, and 23-year-old Ioan Kanalos, of Romania, were arrested at the scene. Tsounis Panagiotis, 26, of France, was taken into custody after running away. All three have been charged with third-degree identity theft, third-degree computer crime, fourth-degree larceny, illegal use of a scanning device, fraudulent use of an ATM, illegal use of a payment card, illegal reproduction of a payment card and illegal possession of personal identifying information access device. Panagiotis is facing an additional charge of interfering with an office Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sean Grant, of Hartford, has had his information stolen before. I had to call and put a freeze on the accounts and all that, call the credit bureau sign up for something called like LifeLock, which helps identity theft, he said. It was only like a $200 charge, so it wasnt crazy. State police recommend using an ATM inside of a bank, which are harder to skim from. Contact your local police if you suspect your information has been stolen. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Two U.S. legislators for Colorado introduced a bill this month aimed at funding partnerships between law enforcement and mental or behavioral health providers, such as Denvers STAR program or Grand Junctions co-responder program. According to information published by the office of Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat representing Colorados 6th Congressional District, the legislation would create a way for health professionals, case managers and outreach teams to respond and engage with people experiencing crises related to mental health, poverty, homelessness or substance use disorders. Could Trump expand the federal death penalty? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado has proven that community policing improves public safety and saves tax dollars by meeting mental health and drug-related emergencies with resource-based responses, Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat who also introduced the bill Monday, said in a release. Law enforcement should focus on violent crime while trained health and social service professionals de-escalate emergencies and connect individuals with services they need. This legislation draws on Colorados leadership and expands the successes of community policing nationwide. The goal is to have the right people on hand to de-escalate challenging situations. Weve seen community policing work in Colorado, and Im glad to partner with Senator Bennet to bring this public safety model to the rest of the nation, said Crow in a release from his office. Our bill will help ensure law enforcement has the resources to protect our communities and connect people in need with local mental health and other life-saving services. Co-responder programs in Colorado According to the U.S. legislators, Denvers Support Team Assisted Response program, or STAR, has responded to almost 7,500 calls for service since the program began in June 2020 through December last year. Grand Junctions co-responder unit has responded to over 3,200 calls, including 1,036 behavioral health calls in 2023 alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data gathered in 2023 by The Associated Press showed at least 14 of the most populous U.S. cities have mental health crisis response programs. The Denver STAR program has often been cited as a national model, and its funding totaled over $7 million between 2021 and 2023. Denvers STAR teams use a range of items, from medical gear and blankets to Cheez-Its. The Associated Press reported in 2023 of one recent instance when the STAR team spent three hours more time than police could likely have spent with a Denver newcomer who was living on the streets. The team helped him get a Colorado ID voucher, groceries, and medications and took him to a shelter. WellPower clinician Jane Lemaux loads supplies into a STAR van in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. The STAR program uses clinicians and EMTs or paramedics to respond to nonviolent mental health crises, instead of police. Data gathered by The Associated Press show at least 14 of the 20 most populous U.S. cities are hosting or starting such programs, sometimes called civilian, alternative or non-police response teams. They span from New York and Los Angeles to Columbus, Ohio, and Houston, and boast annual budgets that together topped $123 million as of June 2023, the AP found. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert) Keys hang on a wall at an ambulance bay in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. The citys STAR program uses clinicians and EMTs or paramedics to respond to nonviolent mental health crises, instead of police. Data gathered by The Associated Press show at least 14 of the 20 most populous U.S. cities are hosting or starting such programs, sometimes called civilian, alternative or non-police response teams. They span from New York and Los Angeles to Columbus, Ohio, and Houston, and boast annual budgets that together topped $123 million as of June 2023, the AP found. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert) Leigh Foster, who supervises paramedics in Denvers alternative policing program, works at an ambulance bay in the city on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. The STAR program uses clinicians and EMTs or paramedics to respond to nonviolent mental health crises, instead of police. Data gathered by The Associated Press show at least 14 of the 20 most populous U.S. cities are hosting or starting such programs, sometimes called civilian, alternative or non-police response teams. They span from New York and Los Angeles to Columbus, Ohio, and Houston, and boast annual budgets that together topped $123 million as of June 2023, the AP found. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert) A woman walks past an ambulance bay as a STAR van exits in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. The STAR program uses clinicians and EMTs or paramedics to respond to nonviolent mental health crises, instead of police. Data gathered by The Associated Press show at least 14 of the 20 most populous U.S. cities are hosting or starting such programs, sometimes called civilian, alternative or non-police response teams. They span from New York and Los Angeles to Columbus, Ohio, and Houston, and boast annual budgets that together topped $123 million as of June 2023, the AP found. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert) Ryan Kenny, the Vail Police Department chief, said that the Eagle County co-responder program has helped connect trained mental health clinicians and community paramedics with those having mental health crises, and resorting to law enforcement when needed. The program has drastically reduced emergency room visits and worked to keep patients in their homes while getting the services they need. Someone experiencing a mental health crisis needs the support and expertise of professionals who are trained to recognize and respond to their specific symptoms, Kenney said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The co-responder program in Eagle County has limited law enforcements role in these incidents and allowed law enforcement to dedicate their time to public safety. The work Senator Bennet is doing ensures that co-responder programs like the one in Eagle County have the support they need to continue to provide these critical services, Kenney said. Can you wear headphones while driving in Colorado? If passed, the SMART Community Policing Act of 2024 would dedicate money for collaborative partnerships with law enforcement, health providers, outreach teams and more to improve public safety and connect the proper resources to situations as they arise. The bill was introduced on Dec. 17. 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 FOX31 Denver. CHICAGO Several services were held at Holy Name Cathedral Christmas Morning. Parishioners inside Holy Name cathedral are the reason for the season. Christmas caroling kicked off about 11:20 p.m. and Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich lead the midnight mass service. The message is very clear. We are not to be afraid of our humanity but to embrace it. Not to be afraid of our weaknesses, our mortality, our limitations in life. When God enters into us, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a tradition every year in the city of Chicago Holy Name Cathedral has been broadcasting midnight mass live for decades. Four mass services were held at the church. People from all walks of life with different stories sharing the same beliefs gathered for worship and fellowship. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. D-Day veteran Dennis Donovan A D-Day commando whose unit landed in Normandy without helmets has died aged 100. Dennis Donovan served with 48 (Royal Marine) Commando and was part of a force that landed at Juno Beach on June 6 1944. None of them had helmets, only their green berets. The commando landed alongside the Canadian North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment. A spokesman for the Canadian Juno Beach Centre Museum said: It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of British veteran Dennis Donovan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The museum team sends their sincere condolences. The Ministry of Defence estimates that about 70 to 80 D-Day veterans are still alive. A Royal Marines History page about him states: Dennis arrived at 8.30am with the Canadian North Shore Regiment who had not yet secured the beach 48s battle started close to shore before even reaching the sands, they battled their way off the exposed beach against concentrated fire through St Aubin-sur-Mer and on to Langrune-sur-Mer suffering 25 per cent casualties. On June 7 they fought strongpoint to strongpoint in Langrune and lost many more men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They then fought their way to Sallenelles via DrouvresLa-Deliverande and Pegasus Bridge; they stayed in this area for about three months in slit trenches before breaking out. Dennis returned to the UK for signals training. When he returned the unit had already been through Operation Infatuate, the liberation of Walcheren and a lot of familiar faces were missing. The unit then operated on the river Meuse/Maas fighting the Germans in the wetlands and rivers of the Bieschbosh until the end of the war. He celebrated his 21st birthday here. After the surrender they were sent to Minden in Germany to clear an area for the Royal Navy HQ and from there they moved into the German countryside to protect farms and farmers and their families from being attacked by displaced persons. 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 dead body was found in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane at Mauis Kahului Airport on Christmas Eve. United Airlines said the unidentified mans body was discovered in the wheel well of one of the main landing gears on the Boeing 787-10 plane after it landed, the airline toldmultipleoutlets. Flight 202 departed from Chicagos OHare airport on Tuesday morning and landed at Mauis Kahului airport in the afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HuffPost has reached out to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, United Airlines and Mauis Kahului Airport for comment. Authorities said its currently unknown how or when the person accessed the wheel well. According to the airline, the wheel well was only accessible from outside of the aircraft. The Maui Police Department said in a statement to local news outlet Hawaii News Now that its currently conducting an investigation regarding the incident. At this time, no further details are available, the agency added. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Related... KAHULUI, Hawaii (AP) Maui police are investigating the discovery of a dead body in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane after it landed in Maui, the airline and police department said in statements on Wednesday. The body was found in the wheel well of one of the main landing gears on flight 202, which arrived at Kahului Airport from Chicago on Tuesday, United said in an emailed statement. The airline said the wheel well of the Boeing 787-10 was only accessible from the outside of the aircraft, and that it was unclear how or when the person accessed it. In an emailed statement, the Maui Police Department said it was actively investigating" the discovery of the dead body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither United nor the Maui Police Department shared further information. The Associated Press called Kahului Airport on Wednesday and was directed to a public affairs officer for the state department of transportation. A spokesperson for the department said in an email that it had no additional details beyond what United had confirmed. Dec. 24AUGUSTA The Maine Deadly Force Review Panel released a report Monday with new findings about the fatal shooting of Dustin Paradis, 34, by two officers from the Augusta Police Department in 2021. The review panel recommended that officers should have ready access to less lethal munitions and body-worn cameras, and that the department should have emergency response plans in place for similar events at shelters. The report's recommendations are based on the panel's review of investigative data, interview recordings, cruiser camera recordings, surveillance footage, emergency communications and other materials. Shortly after 6 p.m. on Oct. 13, 2021, Sgt. Christopher Blodgett and Officer Sebastian Guptill responded to calls about a man with a knife at a Hospital Street Bread of Life shelter who had reportedly assaulted a resident and was cutting himself. At the scene, the report said the officers encountered two people who were aiding the injured resident outside the kitchen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the kitchen, Paradis was standing 10 to 12 feet away holding a large kitchen knife, taunting the officers to shoot him. Ignoring multiple commands to drop the knife, Paradis began cutting his throat, then charged at the two officers with the knife in his hand. Both officers fired their handguns at him, striking Paradis, who fell to the floor and died at the scene despite life-saving measures. A minute and a half elapsed from the time the officers arrived to the time they shot Paradis, firing a total of 14 shots. Paradis died from multiple gunshot wounds. The panel, comprised of individuals with law enforcement and public safety experience, reviewed the incident on June 27, 2024. They observed that it was a continuing violent situation from before police arrival, and that the officers attempted to de-escalate. Paradis, with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and high-functioning autism, had a history of violent outbursts and prior interactions with police, leading to voluntary admission to the hospital for depression with suicidal ideation earlier that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel also observed that the officers were not equipped with Tasers, but that use of a Taser would not have been appropriative given the space constraints. The officers were not using body-worn cameras, which have since been deployed. The panel made three recommendations: law enforcement agencies should partner with facilities like Bread of Life to train together and develop response plans for emergencies; officers should have ready access to less lethal munitions and body-worn cameras; and that each department involved in the incident should respond to the report in writing, detailing any questions, concerns or remedial actions taken. Augusta Police Chief Kevin Lully was not immediately available for comment. Copy the Story Link Comments are not available on this story. Pomelo industry thrives in E China's Jiangxi People's Daily Online) 13:28, December 25, 2024 Guangfeng district in Shangrao city, east China's Jiangxi Province has cultivated a flourishing Majia pomelo industry. Photo shows Majia pomelos in Guangfeng district, Shangrao city, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo/Peng Jingru) Last year, the planting area of Majia pomelo, a local specialty fruit, in Guangfeng reached 200,000 mu (13,333.33 hectares), and the output of the fruit hit 205,000 tonnes. The district has nurtured and introduced pomelo processing companies. So far, the comprehensive output value of the Majia pomelo industry in the district has exceeded 3 billion yuan (about $411.3 million), helping over 50,000 agricultural households earn an extra income of 28,000 yuan annually on average. Majia pomelos, originating from Da'nan town, Guangfeng, are known for their sweet and juicy taste. The fruit, one of China's top eight varieties of pomelo, was listed as a protected product of a national geographical trademark. Photo shows pulp of Majia pomelos. (Photo/Xu Mengwen) In recent years, Guangfeng has established China's first pomelo germplasm resource experimental base by strengthening research and development and independent innovation capabilities, marking a significant step in quality enhancement. As a result, the yield per mu of Majia pomelos has increased by approximately 30 percent, and the fruit quality has improved significantly. The district produces 300,000 pomelo seedlings annually, effectively addressing farmers' previous challenges of seedling cultivation and variety shortages. Guangfeng has established standardized pomelo orchards and built a digital platform for the Majia pomelo industry. This ensures full traceability of the fruit - from production records to quality monitoring - marking the district's successful transition from traditional to intelligent farming methods. The district has also established a grading and testing center for Majia pomelos. By categorizing pomelos based on weight and sweetness, and implementing precise market-based pricing, the price of premium Majia pomelos is 8-12 yuan higher per kilogram. Photo shows Xitan Orchard, a standardized Majia pomelo planting base, in Guangfeng district, Shangrao city, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo/Liu Zhankun) Thanks to the introduction of processing companies, Guangfeng has developed over 100 products related to Majia pomelos in seven categories - beverages, food, health products, beauty products, medicine, seasonings, and tea. These products are sold to international markets including the UK, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Over the past years, Guangfeng has turned to e-commerce platforms to sell Majia pomelos. It has established three direct sourcing bases in partnership with Taobao and Tmall under China's e-commerce giant Alibaba. The district has improved cold chain logistics facilities and a three-tier logistics service system to ensure efficient delivery. Now Majia pomelo products can reach the Yangtze River Delta region within 24 hours with free shipping. A farmer transports Majia pomelos in Guangfeng district, Shangrao city, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo courtesy of the media convergence center of Guangfeng district) Recently, Xitan Orchard, a standardized Majia pomelo planting base, in Guangfeng was recognized as a provincial 3A-level scenic area, facilitating the integration of agriculture and tourism in the district. A tourist picks a Majia pomelo in Guangfeng district, Shangrao city, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo courtesy of the media convergence center of Guangfeng district) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) On the morning of December 25, Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. Kharkiv came under fire: at least seven enemy missiles hit the regional center. ADVERTISIMENT The city reported destruction, fires, and at least four injured civilians. The consequences of the attack on the regional center were described by the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, and the mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov. The mayor reported the explosions in Kharkiv at 06:03. According to the RMA, not only Kharkiv, but also Kharkiv district came under fire. "Kharkiv is under massive missile attack. There was a series of explosions in the city and there are still ballistic missiles in the sky. Stay in safe places," Terekhov said at 06:09. As of 06:10, it is known that the occupants have struck Kharkiv at least seven times. "One of the hits was recorded in the Saltivskyi district of Kharkiv. The rescuers and officials are on their way," Syniehubov said at the time. ADVERTISIMENT According to the city council, another hit was recorded in the Kyivskyi district of the city. "There is a hit to the Kyivskyi district: a fire started and the glazing of the surrounding buildings was damaged. Further information is still being clarified," Terekhov said at 07:00. Later it became known that several fires broke out in the regional center after the enemy strikes. Damage to civilian infrastructure was also reported. Experts began to eliminate the consequences of the attacks. Around 7 a.m., information about the first casualties began to appear. According to the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, as of 06:50, two men, one of them 39 years old, had sustained shrapnel wounds. Both victims were hospitalized. Terekhov provided other data: as of 06:40, he reported three injured in the Saltivskyi district of the city, with two of them in serious condition. ADVERTISIMENT Another victim was reported in Nemyshlianskyi district of Kharkiv. "In Nemyshliansky district, a private house was hit. One person was injured," said the mayor. The Kharkiv regional police noted that as of 07:25 they had information about three victims in Kharkiv, two of whom were taken to hospital. "At about six o'clock in the morning on December 25, the enemy started shelling the city. There were hits in Saltivskyi and Kyivskyi districts. Three men aged 39, 45 and 46 sustained shrapnel wounds, one of them received medical aid at the site, while the others were hospitalized. Residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and private cars were damaged. Fires broke out," the statement said. As of 08:13, Syniehubov said that six people were injured in three districts of Kharkiv as a result of the shelling. ADVERTISIMENT "From 06:00 to 06:29, the enemy launched massive missile attack on the city of Kharkiv. We recorded hits in the Saltivskyi, Kyivskyi and Nemyshliansky districts. At this moment there are six casualties. Several fires broke out in non-residential buildings, and rescuers continue to eliminate the consequences of enemy attacks," he wrote. Police, rescuers, volunteers and medics are working at the impact sites. "Investigators have opened criminal proceedings over violations of the laws and customs of war under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," the regional police said. As a reminder, on the morning of December 25, Russia launched both cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukraine. The explosions occurred in Kharkiv and Dnipro, and there were victims. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW) In a devastating turn of events on Christmas Eve, a house fire on Brandston Avenue in Elyria claimed the life of a 29-year-old man, left two young women and another man narrowly escaping with their lives, and caused extensive damage to three homes. The fire, which erupted around 3 a.m., destroyed the home where it started and caused significant damage to two neighboring houses. Elyria Fire Chief Joseph Pronesti described the scene as both tragic and overwhelming for first responders. Driver killed in collision with parked semi truck Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its tragic, its tragic for the family. Its tragic for my firemen, said Chief Pronesti. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a massive blaze engulfing the small single-family home. Despite their efforts to contain the flames, the fire had already spread to adjacent properties. A lot of fire. For a small house like that. Just an incredible amount of fire, Pronesti added. Tragically, first responders found the 29-year-old man deceased in a bedroom once they managed to extinguish the flames. Chief Pronesti noted that two young women and another man, who were also inside the house at the time, managed to escape the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was identified as Watu Brown, 29, of Columbia Station. The unanswered question remains why the young man couldnt make it out. I do not know. Its just one of those things. We might not ever know, Pronesti said, citing the extensive fire and smoke damage. Jennifer George, a neighbor who lives next door, described the chaos and fear she felt when she realized something was wrong. I was about to go to bed. I turned the lights off, and five minutes later, I heard people screaming. So, I looked out the window, George recalled. The scene was nothing short of surreal. I was just in awe. I thought I was dreaming. They are over there, and the flames are just everywhere, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FDA says decongestant in many cold medicines doesnt work. So what does? The destruction left behind is extensive: The house where the fire started is a total loss, with damages estimated at $120,000. The two neighboring homes sustained damages of $20,000 and $40,000, respectively. In light of the tragedy, Chief Pronesti urged residents to prioritize fire safety, particularly during the holiday season. Please check your detectors. Make sure you have a fire escape plan. Do not steal batteries from your smoke detectors for Christmas toys. Officials confirmed that no other injuries were reported. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, however, the cause is believed to be accidental. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Denmark plans to invest at least $1.5 billion to enhance Greenland's defense capabilities. The announcement follows Donald Trump's renewed interest in purchasing Greenland for strategic reasons. Greenland holds strategic value because of its location in the Arctic and its resources. Denmark's government announced a defense package for Greenland worth at least $1.5 billion after President-elect Donald Trump reiterated that he wanted the US to purchase the Arctic territory. The Danish defense minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, told a local media outlet that Denmark would invest "a double-digit billion amount" in kroner to buy two new inspection ships, two new long-range drones, and extra sled patrols in Greenland. "It is ironic that it coincides with the announcement from the United States," Poulsen said, suggesting that the two events aren't necessarily related and that the investment was previously planned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity." A 2019 report by The Wall Street Journal said that Trump had repeatedly expressed interest in buying Greenland. Trump's Monday comments followed a separate post suggesting the US could take over the Panama Canal. He made the comments about Greenland in a post announcing the PayPal cofounder Ken Howery as his pick for US ambassador to Denmark. Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, is between the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans and has a population of roughly 56,000. The island is home to the US military's northernmost base and has strategic value because of natural resources and proximity to the Arctic, where Russia and China are already increasing activity. Denmark is a US ally and NATO member. Greenland's prime minister, Mute Egede, responded to Trump's post on Monday by saying, "We are not for sale and will never be for sale." The Danish prime minister's office echoed Egede's statement, saying Greenland wasn't for sale but open for cooperation. Read the original article on Business Insider DENVER (KDVR) Vacant buildings are not only eyesores, but the Denver Fire Department is warning that they can also be dangerous. The agency said that when the temperature drops, people out in the elements will seek shelter trying to stay warm. Due to the fire risk, firefighters are asking homeowners to keep a close eye on the dozens of properties that have been left empty. 3 arrested for criminal trespassing in vacant Denver building: Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the city and county of Denvers Neglected and Derelict Building List, there are 207 empty buildings. Denver Fire Department told FOX31 its a safety hazard. It was called in by a neighbor or someone living close to the vacant property, said Captain Luis Cedillo with Denver Fire. He is referring to a vacant building fire where crews had to put out the blaze on Kalamath Street. Cedillo said it started from squatters starting a fire inside. Even though they are protected from the rain or from the snow they are still going to be cold inside, said Cedillo. So, typically they will light up a fire. An open flame inside the structure so that they can stay warm. With no one living inside, it can take time before 911 is called allowing the fire to spread. Cedillo said that in his 13-year career with the department he has seen his fair share of vacant property fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy avoids head-on crash with driver, arrests motorist moments later for DUI There have been injuries and more than likely the injuries occur within that structure. On occasion, the damage can extend to neighboring homes. So, the idea that its going to be confined to that structure is not always right. It can, but it also can depending on the size of the fire it can damage additional homes, said Cedillo. Neighbors may not have thought it was going to affect them and now their side of the house is burned. Cedillo said some of the biggest challenges crews face when responding is time, stability and access. So for us to make entry it really makes us work twice as hard to make entry to the building that have been secured by the owner, said Cedillo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why local fire departments are sending out a warning for Colorado residents to stay alert this winter season. Theyre asking residents to keep their eyes open for anything unusual inside of abandoned homes. Man wanted on multiple Colorado warrants sentenced in New Hampshire firearm case Its a community effort. The most important thing is to be aware. No matter where you live we all know our neighbors and we know the foot traffic around our area that we live in, said Cedillo. Be aware that if you see broken windows or doors that are supposed to be closed are now opened thats a problem. By notifying 911 and calling saying theres some suspicious activity happening, we can prevent a vacant structure fire from happening down the road. Thats whats going to eventually occur. Fire officials did not have an exact number of how many vacant property fires they have responded to this year, but they say calls have increased in the last three months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DOUGLAS County, Co. (KDVR) A Douglas County Sheriffs Office deputys quick reflexes are being credited with helping them avoid a head-on crash with another motorist. This incident took place during a time of year when the number of people driving under the influence typically rises dramatically. Dashboard camera video shows the Douglas County deputy driving down a road in Castle Pines east of Interstate 25 last week. We want to feel safe: Aurora jewelry store break-in caught on camera Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the agency said that the deputy saw the vehicle coming toward them, head-on as it was trying to illegally pass another vehicle. In the video, the deputy turns the cruiser around to stop the driver. After that, the deputy arrested the other driver for DUI and possession of a controlled substance, according to the departments spokesperson. Like in many places, driving while under the influence is a big problem in Douglas County. Its huge. In Douglas County we are going to arrest more people for driving under the influence in 2024 than we have ever arrested before and theres just no reason for it, Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said. Sheriff Weekly told FOX31 that he added traffic officers and is also increasing the number of patrols this holiday season to look for DUI drivers. FOX31 learned that one deputy alone has made more than 1,000 DUI arrests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Weekly described the deputy as a DUI Machine who has a special knack for getting impaired drivers off the street. Local law enforcement increase staffing for holiday drunk driving incidents In this day and age, there is no reason for people to be driving intoxicated. One bad decision can cost peoples lives. It could cost you your life, Weekly said. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is asking drivers to plan before going to a holiday party. Planning could mean the difference between life and death, the organization said. They forget to make that safe ride home. That safe ride means a sober driver. Thats something you plan before you leave for the party. That you have planned to get a ride share. You plan to use alternative modes of transportation such as RTD or public transportation, MADD Colorado State Executive Director Rebecca Green said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite warnings, many drivers still drive impaired. The organization is asking people to take a moment to consider the consequences. I would say there will be 190 new cases of families this year that will have an empty seat at their table because of impaired driving. They lost someone this year for something that is 100% preventable, Green said. Madd has started a program with a ride-share company that offers a discount designed to encourage people to not drive under the influence. MADD also has partnerships with a ride-share program this holiday season to provide $7 ride credits with Uber, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol. Reliable THC breathalyzer could be possible thanks to CU Boulder research Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valid statewide, ride credits can be redeemed using code SAFECO24 in the Uber app starting Dec. 25 through Jan. 1, 2025, while supplies last. Additionally, MADD National has partnered with Uber to raise funds for victim services during Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Uber will match donations to MADD made in the Uber app up to $250,000 now through the end of the 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 FOX31 Denver. A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. December 1968 was a difficult time for many in the world, as war and hostages, riots and assassinations drew our attention. But a trio of U.S. astronauts brought the Christmas spirit to Americans from high above our planet. Here is one account of the Apollo 8 mission from The Associated Press, as told on Christmas Day, 1968: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To this day, that 1968 mission is considered to be NASAs boldest and perhaps most dangerous undertaking. That first voyage by humans to another world set the stage for the still grander Apollo 11 moon landing seven months later. There was unprecedented and unfathomable risk to putting three men atop a monstrous new rocket for the first time and sending them all the way to the moon. The mission was whipped together in just four months in order to reach the moon by years end, before the Soviet Union. There was the Old Testament reading by commander Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders. Lastly, there was the photo named Earthrise, showing our blue and white ball humanitys home rising above the bleak, gray lunar landscape and 240,000 miles in the distance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humans had never set eyes on the far side of the moon, or on our planet as a cosmic oasis, surrounded completely by the black void of space. A half-century later, only 24 U.S. astronauts who flew to the moon have witnessed these wondrous sights in person. Todays focus is on the Christmas message the astronauts shared with the world: In this Dec. 18, 1968, file photo, Apollo 8 astronauts, from left, James Lovell, command module pilot; William Anders, lunar module pilot; and Frank Borman, commander, stand in front of mission simulator prior to training in exercise for their scheduled six-day lunar orbital mission at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. | Associated Press Millions tuned in on Christmas Even when Frank Borman, Bill Anders and Lovell circled the moon. A television camera on board took footage of the crater-filled surface as the astronauts read Bible verses describing the creation of Earth. They circled 10 times and began reading from the Book of Genesis on the last orbit. Its a foundation of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, Lovell said of choosing Genesis. It is the foundation of most of the worlds religions. ... They all had that basis of the Old Testament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea of bringing people together by a flight to the moon where we encompassed everybody in our thoughts is still very valid today, Lovell said. The words that we read are very appropriate. Here are selected stories from Deseret News archives of the Apollo 8 mission which began Dec. 21 and ended with an ocean splashdown on Dec. 27, Christmas observations and other great tidings: Apollo 8 astronaut marks 1968 Christmastime broadcast to Earth NASAs 1st flight to moon, Apollo 8, marks 50th anniversary Inside the newsroom: Reaching for the moon and finding something greater Should faith groups have a say in the future of space travel? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lovell never got to be the man on moon New crisis, old debate what shall NASA do? Ex-astronaut Borman sees no moon in future Where the love light gleams Apollo 13 commander speaks at BYU on successful failure This famous photo, known as "Earthrise," was taken by the crew of Apollo 8 as they orbited the moon in late December 1968. | National Aeronautics and Space Administration In our opinion: We honor 6 Utahns who put America in space In our opinion: The giant leap wasnt just about mans achievements One giant leap: 40 years later, Apollo moon landing remains pivotal If youre counting down to the annual Detroit Sandwich Week like its founder Carlos Parisi posted on Instagram, as of Tuesday evening, it was two more sleeps. Now, that sleep is down to one. The annual December event, which got its start nearly a dozen years ago, starts Thursday. A sandwich and overall food enthusiast, Parisi is the owner and founder of Aunt Nees, whose products include Detroit made tortilla chips, salsa and guacamole sold at Eastern Market and several metro Detroit stores. Detroit Sandwich Week takes place over five days starting the day after Christmas at six restaurants and deli's in metro Detroit. Detroit Sandwich Week started out while Parisi worked at a corporate job. During the holiday season, Parisi and others were able to take longer lunch hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those first couple of years, the store owners would tank us so much for visiting on a less than busy week, Parisi said in text message to the Free Press. As time went on, we found that we were making a real impact for these local businesses, and that became part of the mission." What started out as three to six people spread to more from people from the office and then with more friends, Parisi said. Carlos Parisi founded Detroit Sandwich Week nearly a dozen years ago. Over the years, as the five-day event grew, but true to its mission of a way to support local businesses during the period between Christmas and New Years. We have anywhere from 60 to 200 people per place, per day! Parisi said. Its such a fun vibe of gathering and a celebration of the sandwich, each other and local business. Mudgie's Deli and Wine Shop is a stop on this year's Detroit Sandwich Week event. Now in its 12th year, the event has set days and Thursday through Monday (Dec. 26-30) this year and specific restaurants designated as meet-ups spots for sandwiches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parisi also founded a Detroit Sandwich Party that took place last September at Eastern Market. The inaugural sandwich festival paid homage to the humble sandwich featuring lots and lots of sandwiches, plus music and drinks. According to Parisi, the one-day Detroit Sandwich Party event drew thousands to Eastern Market. Festival goers sampled sandwiches provided by more than two dozen vendors. Parisi said a Detroit Sandwich Party is planned for 2025. This years Detroit Sandwich week features six stops. All events begin at noon with the exception of the 6 p.m. Sandwich Party at Roccos Italian Deli in Midtown on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's the lineup: Thursday Mitsos Greek Food & Coffee 2614 Riopelle, Detroit This Eastern Market spot is known for its gyros sandwiches and Greek platters served with a variety meats and accompaniments. Friday Mudgies Deli and Wine Shop, 1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit. This famed Corktown spot is known for its hearty sandwiches piled with fresh cut meats and cheeses, soups, its wine shop and more. Saturday Gonellas , 295 Oakwood, Detroit. Gonellas is home to Italian sub sandwiches ordered by the number of layers of meat 6, 8, 12, 14 and 18 and 1, 2 or 3 layers of cheese. Roccos Italian Deli (6 p.m. Sandwich Party), 3627 Cass Avenue, Detroit. This Midtown deli is known not only for deli sandwiches, but cocktail, specialty wines, cured meats, cheeses and olives. Sunday Ladder 4 Wine Bar, 3396 Vinewood St., Detroit. This southwest Detroit Ladder 4 Wine bar is in a former Detroit firehouse. In 2023, Ladder 4 Wine Bar was named the Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Restaurant of the Year. Monday Tall Trees Cafe, 817 Livernois, Ferndale. This Ferndale spot opened next door to Secret Bakery just a few days ago. Tall Trees Cafe, according to its Instagram page, bills itself as a sandwich shop and lunch counter. 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: Detroit Sandwich Week starts Thursday: Where the locations are Pope Francis in his Christmas message on Wednesday called for talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war that followed Moscow's full-scale invasion two years ago and has killed tens of thousands. In his Christmas Day "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and world) address, Francis mentioned the Ukraine conflict directly and called for "the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation". Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to thousands of people in the square below, the pope said: "May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine!" He also called for "gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis, who has been pope since 2013, was criticised by Ukrainian officials this year when he said the country should have the courage of the "white flag" to negotiate an end to the war with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had previously ruled out engaging in peace talks without the restoration of Ukraine's pre-war borders. But Zelenskiy has shown an increasing willingness in the weeks since Donald Trump's re-election as U.S. president to enter negotiations. Earlier in December, Zelenskiy raised the idea of a diplomatic settlement that would involve a "freezing" of the current battle lines and the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine. Russia has demanded that Ukraine abandon its ambitions to join the NATO military alliance. The 88-year-old Francis, celebrating the 12th Christmas of his pontificate, called for an end to conflicts, political, social or military, in places including Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. Gaza situation 'extremely grave' Francis, who has recently grown more critical of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, describing it last week as "cruelty", also renewed his call for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Hamas war and for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called the humanitarian in Gaza "extremely grave" and asked for "the doors of dialogue and peace (to) be flung open". The Israeli-Hamas war began when Hamas-led Palestinian militants attacked southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking more than 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. Israel's retaliatory campaign, which it says is aimed at eliminating Hamas, has killed more than 45,000 people, mostly civilians, said authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. The campaign has displaced nearly the entire population and left much of the enclave in ruins. Francis opened a Holy Year for the global Catholic Church on Tuesday evening, Christmas Eve, which will run through Jan. 6, 2026. A Catholic Holy Year, also known as a Jubilee, is considered a time of peace, forgiveness and pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, the pope said the Jubilee year should be a time for "every individual, and all peoples and nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions". Francis also said it should be a time "to tear down all walls of separation". He called for a "mutually agreed solution" to bring down the border wall that has divided the Mediterranean island of Cyprus between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus since 1974. (Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Ed Osmond) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Francis calls for peace in Ukraine, Middle East on Christmas Big banks around the world have been pledging to reduce their net carbon output to zero for years now. A new report alleges that they've been going back on their word by funding massive Big Oil projects. What's happening? While the world works to come together and protect our planet, giant companies like BP and Shell continue to expand the production of gas and oil. To do this, they need a tremendous degree of funding. Perhaps the only place that funding can come from is major banks. But while well over 100 big banks around the planet have made net-zero pledges to avoid funding a net positive contribution of carbon into the atmosphere, it seems Big Oil is still finding that funding. A report from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism alleges that over 180 companies have acquired funding for dirty energy expansion projects from supposedly net-zero banks. The report claims that the money raised by these banks nears a staggering $1 trillion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically mentioned is the British banking giant NatWest. The report states that the bank helped BP raise half a billion dollars in 2023. NatWest has pledged to cut its climate impact in half by 2030 and go net zero by 2050. Even if these banks are making internal environmentally conscious changes, funding massive projects to increase dirty energy production contradicts them entirely. It's, without a doubt, an egregious example of greenwashing. In other words, their comparatively small efforts, gestures, and publicly stated intentions appear more to sanitize their image rather than make a real difference in winding down the biggest contributions to the overheating of the planet. According to John Lang, founder of Net Zero Tracker, "There's no way we can meet the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement if we continue financing the exploration of oil and gas." "It's indefensible," Lang said. Why is Big Bank greenwashing important? The world's hope to reduce dependence on oil and gas depends on these giant banks to make good on their word. If they continue to do the opposite or even continue to push back their goals, then the world may see its carbon output increase significantly rather than decrease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as long as they've got the funding they need, Big Oil companies will continue to oppose efforts to protect the environment and public health. Could America stop using oil and gas by 2050? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind What's being done about big bank greenwashing? It may seem an insurmountable task to stop big banks and Big Oil from doing whatever they please, but there are ways we can make an impact. That impact can start by reducing our own dependence on oil. The International Energy Agency's 10-Point Plan to Cut Oil Use highlights some of the ways the world can do that. Among the ideas the document shares are working from home when possible and using public transportation or car sharing if not. Another way to take a stand against the big banks and their greenwashing is to track the progress of their net-zero pledges and to avoid using them whenever possible. You can do that by keeping an eye on the Net Zero Banking Alliance through BankTrack or reviewing green bank and credit card options through Bank for Good. 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. In Oklahoma, the Bible has been the subject of much conjecture due to the state schools superintendent's controversial plans to incorporate the Bible into the public school curriculum and the Oklahoma State Department of Education's purchase of Lee Greenwoods "God Bless the U.S.A. Bible," commonly referred to as the "Trump Bible," at his leading. But Christianity's holy book is currently making headlines for an entirely different reason this Christmas. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Bible sales are surging across the country, even as print books sales remain much the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news outlet's story attributed the increase in Bible sales to first-time buyers, with sales up 22% in the U.S. through the end of October, compared with the same time period last year, according to Circana BookScan. Total U.S. print book sales were up less than 1% in that period, according to the Circana BookScan, the Wall street Journal reported. Several Oklahoma ministers and religious leaders said it's good news that the Good News is making its way into the hands of more people across America. Others, including Mart Green, founder and chief executive officer of Mardel Christian and Educational Supply, along with two Bible scholars, also weighed in. "I think there is an appetite to know who God is and what God has to say about life and living, and how best we can govern our lives according to his plans and his will, based on his precepts and examples in Scripture," said the Rev. Major Jemison, senior pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Axel McNutt, 16, from Coalgate's Cornerstone Church, reads during the Oklahoma Bible Reading Marathon at the Capitol in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Sister Maria Faulkner, of the Trinity, a religious sister, shared similar comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Each person, down deep, is hungry for God, and needs the daily nourishment of this divine relationship," she said. "On our pilgrimage of life, our hearts and souls are not satisfied with virtual reality. We need real presence God speaks to us through his word, and we encounter Emmanuel, ('God with us.')" Faulkner, founder of the Gospel of Life Dwellings + Disciples (GOLD), said she prefers to hold the sacred word of God and to read it in printed form, particularly because she feels that accessing the Bible on a digital device opens one up to more distractions and superficiality. More: This denomination has the second most churches in Oklahoma and it's growing The Rev. Mark Story, rector of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Edmond, said he found a portion of the Wall Street Journal's Bible sales story particularly interesting because it focused on celebrities and influencers who have turned to the Bible for insight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I honestly think that in this day and age, personal witness to the value of Scripture is very, very important, and for someone to say that 'Reading the Scriptures provided me with some insight into my life's purpose,' I think is really valuable," he said. The Episcopalian leader said the Bible isn't a book about philosophy. "It's an invitation to see your life within the context of God's movement through time," he said. Bible 'brings people hope' Green, who founded the Mardel chain of Christian education stores in 1981, is part of several initiatives whose primary goal is to share the Gospel in a variety of formats, including digital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A member of the Green family who founded Oklahoma City-based Hobby Lobby arts and crafts, Green said he was thrilled by the uptick in sales of the holy book, a trend that Mardel began seeing in 2023. More: 'We want 95 percent of the world to have a full Bible,' OKC man says of translation effort "As a Christian and a believer in Jesus, I believe he's a great hope for the world," Green said. People can find out about Jesus in various ways, he said, but the No. 1 way is through the Bible. "So, it's exciting for me, because I think it brings people hope, I think it brings peace, I think it brings joy to people," Green said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're in a country that's in discontentment, and I would say that's one thing we all agree on. So, the Bible is a place to get answers. I think if people will objectively come to God's word and read it, that it will speak to them." 'God breathed' words Bible scholars offering their opinion on the Bible sales increase included Jeremie Beller, dean of the Bible college at Oklahoma Christian University and congregational minister at Wilshire Church of Christ, along with Lisa Wolfe, Ph.D., endowed chair of Hebrew Bible at Oklahoma City University's Wimberly School of Religion. Wolfe said she was surprised to learn that sales of print Bibles have increased. "The scholar in me would love to see data from other organizations, as well as breakdowns in this data to understand it better," she said. "I wonder whether these are all Christian Bibles? Protestant Bibles? Jewish Bibles? Devotional? New translations?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, Wolfe said she bought new Bibles in the past year. More: Reel reconciliation Film tells inspiring story of missionaries' deaths "So, I suppose that means I should not be surprised that other people did, as well," she said. Wolfe said the Bible sales data is interesting considering that nearly every Bible translation is available for free online. To her, it seems possible that consumers are interested in Bibles that have new commentary provided in them. That was the case with one of the new Bibles she bought this year, the "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition SBL Study Bible." Wolfe said the commentary in this Bible is provided by Bible scholars from all over the world who are members of the academic guild, the Society of Biblical Literature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the notes and sidebar articles in this study Bible focus mostly on the ancient historical context of the biblical material, providing information that represents the scholarly consensus, as well as some insights from various perspectives, and overall information a person wouldn't necessarily get unless they had studied the whole Bible and its historical context rigorously for many years. The other Bible Wolfe purchased was the "First Nations Version: an Indigenous Translation of the New Testament." "I think it would be especially fitting for people in Oklahoma to read this new translation," she said. Lee Greenwoods "God Bless the U.S.A. Bible," commonly referred to as the "Trump Bible." Beller said as a Christian who believes in the authority of Scripture, he celebrates more people engaging God's word in any form. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I do suspect that people are looking for stability in the midst of uncertainty in our culture, politics and personal lives," he said. However, the Bible scholar said he worries about what people expect from Scripture. Christians, he said, believe Scripture is inspired, or "God breathed." More: Meet some of the most influential faith leaders in the Oklahoma City metro: Community builders, advocates and spiritual confidantes "For people who expect Scripture to function like a self-help guide, they might be disappointed," Beller said. "Yes, there are lots of practical life lessons scattered through Proverbs, the Sermon on the Mount and the Book of James. However, to borrow the words of Jesus, Scripture testifies of him." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along those lines, he said the Bible isn't a magical book, and its message is much more than a guide of "how to win at life." "Scripture is about how a sovereign, almighty God is at work to redeem a broken world," Beller said. "Scripture invites us into that story, to partner with God in the work of redeeming what is broken. That story does connect with readers personally, but in a way that calls me to trust in God and follow his will." Opening door to God's word Wolfe said she's hopeful about the reported sales increase. "I hope people will read their Bibles with curiosity," she said. "I hope they will learn something new; read a part of the Bible they have never known about before. I hope Bible readers will pause when someone else tells them what it means for their life, and investigate that on their own, and I hope Bible readers will consider not only what it means to them today, but what it meant in its historical context." Like Green, Beller said it's important to note that biblical Scripture ultimately points people to Christ. He said reading Scripture as an end in itself would be like buying a TV and spending all of one's time reading the owner's manual and never turning the TV on. "Scripture points us to the person of Christ and the calling of God," Beller said. "Speaking through Isaiah, God said, 'my word will not return to me void (Isaiah 55:11).' Any engagement with God's word opens the door for greater things, if we are willing to seek God." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why are more people buying Bibles? What Oklahoma faith leaders say On the morning of December 25, the Russian terrorist army launched a massive missile attack on the territory of Ivano-Frankivsk region. Russia once again targeted critical infrastructure. ADVERTISIMENT As a result of the attack, part of the region was left without electricity. This was reported by the head of the Regional Military Administration Svitlana Onyshchuk. According to the RMA, during the morning air raid alert, Russians fired missiles at Prykarpattia. The enemy attack resulted in a power outage in part of the region. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Experts continue the work to eliminate the consequences of the missile attack. "Christmas morning once again showed that nothing is sacred for the aggressor country. At the time when we celebrate one of the greatest religious holidays - the holy Christmas - the enemy attacked us with missiles, trying to destroy the energy infrastructure in order to plunge us into darkness," Onyshchuk said. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, during the attack on the western regions of the country, a number of Russian missiles violated the airspace of Moldova. Monitoring channels reported that some of them also entered Romanian territory. As a reminder, on December 25, Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. In particular, the Russians attacked DTEK's thermal power plants. The strikes severely damaged the equipment of the TPPs. Earlier, explosions were reported in Dnipro and Kharkiv. In the latter, several districts were hit, and civilians were injured. Fires have broken out at the impact sites, and there is also destruction. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! (KRON) In what has been described as a paw-sitive act, a dog that was left in a car for three days was rescued by Marin County Sheriffs Office deputies on Christmas Eve. Deputies teamed up with humane officers to rescue the poor pooch. Muni to offer free rides on New Years Eve Together, were spreading holiday cheer, one wag at a time! the sheriffs office wrote on Facebook. Lets make the world a little brighter, one paw-sitive act at a time! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a photo accompanying the post, the dog appeared to be healthy and happy to be enjoying a bowl of water after being freed from its car confinement. There was no immediate word on who left the dog in the car or if any charges were filed against 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 KRON4. (NewsNation) Country music legend Dolly Parton has made it her mission to improve literacy through her Imagination Library book giveaway program. The book delivery program has put over 2 million free books in young childrens hands each month, and literacy advocates are planning to expand its reach even further. Advocates are asking Gov. Kathy Hochul for money in the next state budget to make New York an official state for the program, expanding access to the books to more children, according to Spectrum News. This funding would make New York an official Dolly Parton Imagination Library state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where is Santa? Follow his Christmas 2024 route There are currently 79 Dolly Parton Imagination Library programs in New York state, according to Spectrum News. However, its costly, with the United Way of the Greater Capital Region spending around $20,000 a month. What becoming a Dolly Parton Imagination Library State would do, the state right off the rip, it assumes half of those costs. So its going to enable us to enroll more kids, go further, faster and make sure we can get more books into the hands of more children to set up families for this early childhood success, President and CEO of the United Way of the Greater Capital Region Peter Gannon told Spectrum News. In August, Parton celebrated the expansion of her Imagination Library of Kentucky. The program reaches children in all 120 counties, Gov. Andy Beshear said at the event. More than 120,000 Kentucky children nearly half of all preschoolers in the state are currently enrolled to receive books through the program, first lady Britainy Beshear said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eggs added to FDAs updated healthy claim food list Parton launched Imagination Library in 1995 to honor her father, Lee, who couldnt read or write. The program started in her home state of Tennessee. Since the program started, books have been sent to more than 240 million kids in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. To sign up your child up for Imagination Library or to donate, click here. NewsNations Taylor Delandro contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. HONOLULU (KHON2) It was an unsettling and tragic discovery on Christmas Eve when the body of a dead man was discovered inside the wheel well of a United Airlines flight from Chicago after landing on Maui. The incident remains under investigation, but Jay VonBrimer, a veteran pilot said there are procedures in place to prevent exactly this type of thing from happening. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You We look at all the flight services, and especially in the gear-well. We make sure theres no personnel or anybody in there, VonBrimer explained. Every aircraft has to be inspected right before flight, after all the all the ground equipment is clear of it, and after all the ground personnel are clear of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VonBrimer said pilots are required to do pre-flight inspections before every flight. He said he doesnt think this was an accident. Its got to be intentional. Nobody would be stuck there unintentionally, he said. They just didnt understand how non-survivable it would be to try and ride that aircraft up at those altitudes for that period of time. According to VonBrimer, the wheel well is extremely dangerous. Theres minimal space, hot equipment and lots of moving parts. You could lose limbs or be hit by spinning tires when they come into retract up into the wheel well. Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaiis Kilauea volcano Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The temperature is also deadly. These long haul flights, theyre probably up at 38,000 to 42,000 feet, and the temperatures are probably between minus 30 to minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit. So thats difficult to survive, even with the best winter equipment, he said. And that part of the plane is not pressurized so there is very little oxygen. You dont get enough oxygen to your brain. That thing is Mount Everest, where people are on oxygen, VonBrimer explained. Even if youre in superb shape you might be able to last, maybe five,10, 20 minutes. But a normal persons useful consciousness there, its maybe 20 to 60 seconds. Theyd be passed out and be dead in two minutes from the lack of air pressure and not be able to get oxygen to your blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While VonBrimer said survival is highly unlikely, someone did survive back in 2014. A 15-year-old survived a flight from San Jose to Maui after stowing away on a Hawaiian Airlines flight by hiding in a wheel well. Surveillance video showed the boy coming out about an hour after the plane landed at the Kahului Airport. He told authorities he was trying to get to Somalia to see his mother. He did not face any 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 KHON2. ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDHN) As the days till Christmas wind down, Downtown Enterprise was alive with festive cheer and a steady stream of last-minute shoppers checking off their holiday lists. Local businesses reported one of their best seasons yet, with Christmas Eve capping off weeks of strong sales and community support. For David Hample, owner of High Country Hobbies, opening on Christmas Eve was a new experience and a successful one. This is the first year weve really decided to open on Christmas Eve Day, but its been a fairly brisk day. Had a lot of people by, which is great, Hample shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Shopaholic, owner Debbie Gaydos expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support this holiday season. Weve had an amazing Christmas. Its been more than we ever dreamed possible, to be honest with you. And Christmas Eve, we always look forward to being open on Christmas Eve. Many people are coming in getting that last gift. For shoppers like Rachel Carter, every open storefront made a big difference. I actually am going to need because I live in Michigan right now, and so between work and weather and a sick kid, some of the shopping did not get done, Carter said. She added her appreciation for businesses staying open late into the holiday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am grateful to the shops that are staying. I just left the Olive Fruit and was shocked to find out theyre open till 5 today, so I was eternally grateful for that to get some last-minute stocking items. As the holiday shopping season came to a close, store owners emphasized the importance of community support and the connections built through local businesses. We have some amazing people running boutiques and stores down in this area, and we continue to grow, Gaydos said. People come downtown and shop local because theres more options now. They can get what they want downtown, which is a dream come true. 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. Dozens have died after a passenger plane crashed on Christmas Day. According to the BBC, the Azerbaijan Airlines flight had been traveling from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in Russia when it caught fire as it made an emergency landing near Aktau in Kazakhstan. The outlet, citing local officials, reported that dozens of people had been killed in the crash. Per CNN, at least 28 people survived the crash, including two children. Authorities also told the outlet that the survivors had been taken to hospital. Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan/Anadolu via Getty The Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed on Dec. 25, 2024 The Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed on Dec. 25, 2024 The Associated Press reported that Kazakhstans Emergency Ministry confirmed in a Telegram statement that 67 people, including five crew, were on board the plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PEOPLE has contacted Kazakhstans Emergency Ministry, Azerbaijan Airlines and The Ministry of Digital Development and Transportation of the Republic of Azerbaijan for comment. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan/Anadolu via Getty The scene of the crash in Kazakhstan The scene of the crash in Kazakhstan In an initial statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) and translated to English, the airline wrote, According to preliminary information, the passengers included 37 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian citizens, 6 Kazakh citizens, and 3 Kyrgyz citizens. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members. There were no children among the passengers, and information about the injured will be provided shortly, they added. According to the information, there are survivors who are receiving initial medical assistance. Contacts are being established with the Kazakh authorities, and the necessary operational support is being provided by Kazakhstan's emergency rescue agencies at the scene. Issa Tazhenbayev/Anadolu via Getty Azerbaijan Airlines flight crash on Dec. 25, 2024 Azerbaijan Airlines flight crash on Dec. 25, 2024 According to CNN and Reuters, a video showed the aircraft circling before hitting the ground and bursting into flames. Passengers covered in blood were also seen coming out of the wreckage shortly after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the planes manufacturer Embraer said, "We are saddened to learn of the incident today near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Further updates will be provided as soon as more information is confirmed and Embraer is authorized to release. We stand ready to assist all relevant authorities. Our concerns and sympathy go to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones affected by the accident. Read the original article on People The News Azerbaijan Airlines on Friday said a preliminary probe found the plane crash that killed 38 people this week was due to physical and technical external interference as questions grew over Russias potential involvement. The airplane was flying from Baku to Grozny in southern Russia on Wednesday when it changed course toward Kazakhstan to attempt an emergency landing, authorities said. Baku government sources told Euronews that early investigations showed the aircraft was struck by a Russian air-defense missile. Reuters reported a source as saying: No one claims that it was done on purpose. However, taking into account the established facts, Baku expects the Russian side to confess to the shooting down of the Azerbaijani aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Azerbaijani investigators also announced on Friday that flights have been suspended to several Russian airports. Moscow officials warned against hypotheses and pointed to a bird strike, while experts cautioned more information is needed to definitively say what caused the crash. SIGNALS Missiles have become the biggest danger for airplanes worldwide Sources: The Wall Street Journal, The Economist If Wednesdays crash is confirmed to have occurred due to an air-defense missile, it would mark the third major downing of an airplane since 2014 due to armed conflict, making shootdowns the largest cause of fatalities on commercial airlines over the past 10 years, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. Yet little progress has been made on creating standardized rules for operating commercial flights in war zones, and airlines can struggle to balance safety risk calculations with the costs of canceling flights or taking longer flight paths. One country that has taken steps to improve safety is Israel, whose air-traffic control tracks incoming missiles, and has told airlines to carry more fuel in case they need to be put in a holding pattern due to rocket fire, The Economist reported. Russia suspected of disrupting Europes airspace Sources: El Pais, ERR, Politico Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has been widely accused of jamming GPS systems in large parts of Eastern and Northern Europe, disrupting flights and marine transport. While airlines have alternatives to GPS for navigation, the interference inevitably reduces the safety and efficiency of aviation, one expert told El Pais. Western officials and experts believe the disruption is coming from Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave next to Poland, although European officials are divided about whether the interference is intentional. While Estonia has called the jamming a hybrid attack, Finnish authorities said it was most likely a side effect of Russias self-protection to stop GPS-guided drones. Western sanctions are crippling Russias airlines Sources: Izvestia, Kommersant, The Washington Post Sanctions have hit Russias aviation sector hard, preventing Moscow from accessing spare parts for its commercial fleet that consists primarily of Western-made planes. Russia has started cannibalizing some of the existing fleet to keep planes flying and is attempting to make its own parts. The risks have increased dramatically, the head of a Russian aviation think tank wrote, adding that the industry is spending a lot of resources to compensate for the sanctions. You can extend whatever you want, but you cannot extend the laws of physics, one Russian aviation safety expert told The Washington Post, warning that planes are being used well beyond their serviceable life. Dozens were killed Wednesday after a passenger plane carrying 67 people from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed in Kazakhstan, authorities said. The Azerbaijan Airlines flight, which crashed near Aktau, a city in southwestern Kazakhstan, had 62 passengers and five crew members on board, Kazakhstans Emergencies Ministry said in a post on Telegram. The Kazakh Health Ministry later published a list of 29 survivors, including two children. Kazakhstans Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said 38 people were killed in the crash, according to the Kazakh news outlet Tengrinews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bozumbayev told the Tengrinews that the bodies were "mostly burnt" and would be taken to a morgue for identification. The Russian state news agency Ria Novosti reported that the passengers were 37 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russians, 6 Kazakh citizens and 3 Kyrgyz citizens, citing the Kazakh Transport Ministry. Emergency specialists work at the crash site. The flight was en route from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia's Chechnya region but was diverted to the Russian city of Makhachkala, about 100 miles east of Gronzny, because of fog, the press service of the Grozny airport told the Russian state news agency Tass. The Embraer 190 aircraft made an emergency landing approximately 1.8 miles away from the city of Aktau, according to a statement released on Telegram by Azerbaijan Airlines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary investigation found the plane collided with birds and was diverted to Aktau because of an emergency on board, according to a statement issued on Telegram by Russias aviation authority, Rosaviatsia. The investigation is ongoing and additional information regarding the incident will be provided, Azerbaijan Airlines said in a statement released on Telegram. There was a fire at the crash site, but it had been "completely extinguished," the Kazakh Emergencies Ministry said. It added that a total of 150 personnel and 45 units of equipment were involved in the emergency response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had called his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, to express his condolences. We deeply sympathize with those who lost their loved ones in this air crash, and wish a speedy recovery to those who survived, Peskov said, adding that Aliyev had been forced to leave St. Petersburg where he had been due to attend a summit. Aliyev declared Thursday a national day of mourning in Azerbaijan. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased passengers in a post on his Telegram account Wednesday morning. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistans Paktika province reportedly killed at least 46 people, mostly civilians, including children, according to Afghan Taliban spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat. Six more people, mostly children were wounded in the region, Mr Fitrat said, according to AFP. Barmal district of Paktika was bombed by the Pakistan Army late today. Most of civilians whom are Waziristani refugees, were targeted, and a number of civilians including children were martyred and injured, the Afghani ministry of defence said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security officials, speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the airstrike targeted a training facility in Paktika province, bordering Afghanistan, with the aim of killing insurgents. Local residents told the AP that at least 13 people were killed, adding that the toll could be even higher. Meanwhile, Mohammad Khurasani, the spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has claimed a toll of 50 people, including 27 women and children. The TTP is a separate group and a close ally of the Afghan Taliban that seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 as US and Nato troops withdrew from the country after 20 years of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Countries across the world have been hesitant to recognise Afghanistans Taliban government due to the harsh measures it has imposed since its takeover, especially in restricting the rights of women and minorities. Afghanistans ruling Taliban government denounced Tuesdays attack, calling it an act of aggression in violation of all international principles, claiming most of the victims were refugees from the Waziristan region. Pakistani Army soldiers give a uniform and national flag to the father of soldier Umar Hayat, one of the 16 soldiers killed in a militant attack at a checkpoint in the Makeen area of the Upper South Waziristan district (EPA) The Islamic Emirate will not leave this heinous act unanswered; rather, it considers it its right to defend its territory and sovereignty, Afghanistans ministry of national defence said. Pakistans government and military officials did not immediately comment on the alleged attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest incident follows an earlier air strike by Pakistan on Afghanistans border that killed eight civilians in March. Since the Talibans takeover, Afghanistans border tensions with Pakistan have escalated. Islamabad has accused Taliban authorities of harbouring militant fighters and allowing them to strike Pakistan allegations which Kabul has denied. While Pakistan has experienced several militant attacks in the last two decades, there has been a marked uptick in recent months. Islamabad has accused the Taliban of not doing enough to curtail militant activity across the shared border an accusation that the Afghan Taliban denies, claiming it does not encourage attacks on any country. This article was originally published in Spotlight Delaware. Blanca wants to know whats next. She was brought to the United States as a child after leaving her home in Acapulco, Mexico, and is now preparing to graduate from Delaware State University. Shes worried. For nearly four years, shes been able to pursue a degree at DSU while undocumented through TheDream.US, a national program that provides scholarships to undocumented students. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The programs full-ride Opportunity Scholarship has granted the 21-year-old college junior, who asked not to use her full name for safety concerns, the freedom to attain higher education without financial or citizenship restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But her graduation looms and that tenure is coming to an end. Without work authorization in America, she may be limited to entrepreneurship, business ownership or independent contract work all while possessing an undergraduate degree. What are we going to do after college, youre just gonna have a degree with literally nothing behind it, Blanca asked. Shes not alone in asking the question. Blanca is one of at least four fully undocumented students at DSU who have received TheDream.US scholarship and are preparing to leave its benefits behind sparking anxiety and worries about what comes next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Opportunity Scholarship was created by TheDream.US, a national nonprofit scholarship program backed by the New Venture Fund, for undocumented students who live in locked out states where they largely have no access to higher education either because theyre forced to pay out-of-state tuition or because their state will not admit them into universities. The scholarship covers up to $100,000 for bachelors degree tuition, housing, meals and fees, at five partner colleges in another state, including DSU. The students are part of a growing population of thousands of scholarship recipients who are studying while fully undocumented. About 74% of the over 4,500 TheDream.US scholars enrolled in college during the 2024-2025 academic year are fully undocumented, according to Hyein Lee, chief operating officer of TheDream.US. This means that three out of every four scholarship scholars are attaining higher education without any form of temporary protected status (TPS). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fears and anxieties of undocumented students have only been amplified by the precipice of a second Trump administration. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to enact nationwide mass deportations against undocumented immigrants during his second administration. Its really like, whats next, Blanca asked. Thats really the main question after college, OK, now what? (From left to right): Blanca, Elizabeth, Melissa and Nerchka are all recipients of TheDream.US Opportunity Scholarship and have been studying at Delaware State University for the past three years. (SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY JOSE IGNACIO CASTANEDA PEREZ) Seizing an opportunity TheDream.US launched in 2014, two years after then-President Barack Obama created Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) through executive action. DACA was intended to provide temporary relief from deportation to thousands of young immigrants who were studying or working in the country. A requirement of DACA was to be in school, however, higher education was largely out of reach for many undocumented students because they did not have access to federal financial aid and limited access to state aid. TheDream.US was created to help these students attain higher education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, the program was only open to students who had DACA or Temporary Protected Status, a designation that temporarily protects people who cannot return to their country safely. The program was expanded to include fully undocumented students after then-President Trumps administration sought to rescind DACA in 2017. Today, theres been over 260 TheDream.US scholarships awarded to DSU students, according to Lee. Blanca is one of hundreds of Delawareans who meet the eligibility criteria for DACA but have been barred from entering the program because its been tangled in federal litigation since 2017. With new applicants barred from entering and rigid eligibility requirements in place, DACA recipients have aged and the programs population has continuously decreased over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The percentage of fully undocumented scholarship alumni without work authorization nearly tripled from 3% to 8% over two years, according to the 2024 TheDream.US alumni survey report. Many of the current scholars arrived in the country after the June 2007 cutoff date, making them ineligible for DACA under the original rules. Even if the program were to be operating today, many of those students would not even be eligible for the program in the first place, Lee said. Two days after Trump won the presidential election last month, DSU President Tony Allen sent a letter to the universitys undocumented students. Allen, who is a close ally to President Joe Biden, described being among the people who were deeply troubled by the election result, and underscored the universitys support for undocumented students. Absolutely nothing that has happened on a political level has changed or will change the Universitys position of support, the letter stated. You are not alone, and help is and always will be here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen encouraged students to fill out a form to receive free legal consultation from the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, an advocacy group of university and college leaders. OK, now what? Receiving the scholarship was like repeating a cycle for Elizabeth. Her mother left her family in Veracruz, Mexico, to migrate to the U.S. in search of a better life for her and her daughter. Now Elizabeth was preparing to do the same. Elizabeth, who also asked not to use her full name, would have to leave her family and home in North Carolina behind to study in Delaware while undocumented. I had to do it, she said. Were young, were leaving everything weve known, our whole comfort zone, our whole comfort city, everything to come to this state where we dont know anyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, after nearly four years of studying in Delaware, Elizabeth doesnt want to return to North Carolina. She wants to see her years of study pay off but she doesnt know whats next. Its scary, she said. The last thing we want to do is do all this and go back where we came from. Jahaira, a 21-year-old sophomore at DSU, cried when she received the Opportunity Scholarship. She came to the U.S. when she was 13 years old after being separated from her cousin at the U.S.-Mexico border near Eagle Pass, Texas. She was sent back to Mexico where she remained in the custody of the Mexican government for six months. Her mother, who lived in Myrtle Beach, S.C., had to return to Mexico, retrieve Jahaira and cross the border again without authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, the thought of the future pops into her mind. What if I graduate and I cant find a job, or no one can let me apply for a job? Jahaira said. TheDream.US offers internship and fellowship funding programs for undocumented students to be able to be paid for non-employment based opportunities at partner institutions. TheDream.US grants a stipend for the partner institutions to be able to pay undocumented students for professional development fellowship and internship roles. This year, 500 such TheDream.US scholars participated in the program. Jahaira has two years left in her business management degree under the scholarship. She has plans to open a painting company with her father, who has been painting for nearly 15 years, in order to have him eventually retire and take it easy. Until then, shes optimistic about her future after the scholarship ends. I still have hope, Jahaira said. Hopefully it can get better. For Tuesday, Dec. 24, WGNs Jewell Hillery and Jenna Barnes have the latest on new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGNs Medical Watch Health officials questioning rapid spread of H5N1 Bird flu Infectious disease experts say they are skeptical that the USDAs theory on how the bird flu is spreading in Californias dairy cows is the complete picture. Government officials insist they know enough about the virus to put a stop to it. But, since three infected herds were identified in California in late August, authorities have found the virus in 659 of the states 984 dairies. This is despite diligent efforts to control the spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now scientists are looking to see if the virus is being transmitted between farms, through local wildlife or infectious dust plumes. Drinking coffee, tea linked to lower neck, head cancer rates Research suggests drinking tea and coffee is linked to lower head and neck cancer rates. People who drank more than four cups of caffeinated coffee per day had a 17% lower chance of developing head and neck cancer compared to those who didnt drink the beverage. Nearly 10,000 people with head and neck cancers and nearly 16,000 people without those cancers were studied. The study was published in the journal, Cancer. Their research suggests even decaffeinated coffee has some benefits. Flu cases surge in Michigan Cases of the flu are on the rise in Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health officials say theyre already seeing patients with serious complications. Some flu patients are developing bacterial pneumonia. Michigans health department figures show vaccinations are down roughly 17 percent from last year. Experts believe the drop is due to COVID-19 fatigue, saying people are tired of hearing about vaccines and respiratory illness. Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGNs Dina Bair and the Med Watch team, including, the latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments, as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up 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 WGN-TV. On the night of Wednesday, December 25, the aggressor country Russia scrambled strategic aviation - a group of Tu-95MS bombers took off from the Olenya airfield in the Murmansk region. They were heading south, launching missiles at about 04:30 ADVERTISIMENT After 6 a.m., explosions were heard in Kharkiv and Dnipro, and there were reports of damage to equipment at power facilities in Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia regions. Civilians were injuried and a number of them were left without electricity. The Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russia was preparing for a massive attack at night. "A group of Tu-95MS was spotted taking off from the Olenya airfield (Murmansk region, Russia), heading southern," the military said. Also, according to monitoring channels, four Kalibr missile carriers were deployed in the Black Sea. Their total capacity is up to 24 missiles. At 4:30 a.m., they reported possible launches of cruise missiles from Tu-95MS aircraft from the Caspian Sea. About half an hour later, the Russians launched Kalibr missiles from Cape Miskhako in the Krasnodar Territory. The Air Force confirmed the launches from the Black Sea at 05:25. ADVERTISIMENT Around 5 a.m., the occupiers also carried out additional launches from the Volgograd region and the Caspian Sea, so a combined attack using both cruise and ballistic missiles was staged about an hour later. At that point, the Russians had 7 strategic bombers in the air: 4 from Olenya, and 3 from Engels. "We are expecting missiles from seven Tu-95ms and from the sea. The maximum number that could be launched is 28," stated Nikolaevky Vanek, calling on Ukrainians to charge their gadgets, as Russia will obviously target the energy infrastructure first. At around 08:00, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported Poland scrambled its aircraft because of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Kharkiv and the region At about 6 a.m., Russia launched ballistic missiles at Kharkiv. As of 06:06, monitoring channels reported at least 6 missiles. After that, there were more. ADVERTISIMENT Explosions were heard in the regional center. "Kharkiv is under massive fire. There were a series of explosions in the city and there are still ballistic missiles in the sky. Stay in safe places," Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said at 06:09. At 06:10, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, reported at least 7 strikes on the regional center. "Information about the victims and the consequences of the attack are being clarified," he added. According to preliminary data, one of the hits, Syniehubov added, occurred in the Saltivskyi district of the city, with specialists on their way. "Several fires broke out after the enemy strikes, there is damage to civilian non-residential infrastructure... Rescuers are working to eliminate the consequences. The threat of repeated strikes remains!" the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration wrote at 06:28. ADVERTISIMENT The first casualty was reported at the time too. A 39-year-old civilian man was hospitalized. According to Terekhov, around 06:30, at least three victims were reported in the Saltivskyi district of Kharkiv. Another victim was reported in Nemyshliansky one. "In Nemyshliansky district, a private house was hit. One person was injured," said the mayor. Hits were also reported in the Kyivskyi district of the city. "There is a fire at the impact site, the windows of the surrounding buildings were damaged. Further information is still being clarified," Terekhov said. The Kharkiv regional police noted that as of 07:25 they had information about three victims in Kharkiv, two of whom were taken to the hospital. "Around six o'clock in the morning on December 25, the enemy started shelling the city. There were hits in Saltivskyi and Kyivskyi districts. Three men aged 39, 45 and 46 sustained shrapnel wounds, one of them received medical aid at the site, and the others were hospitalized. Residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and private cars were damaged. Fires broke out," the statement said. ADVERTISIMENT As of 08:13, Syniehubov said that six people were injured in three districts of Kharkiv as a result of the shelling. "From 06:00 to 06:29, the enemy fired missiles at the city of Kharkiv. We recorded hits in the Saltivskyi, Kyivskyi and Nemyshlianskyi districts. As of this moment, there are six casualties. Several fires broke out in non-residential buildings, and rescuers continue the work to eliminate the consequences of the attack," he wrote. Police, rescuers, volunteers and medics are working at the impact sites. "Procesutors have opened criminal proceedings over violations of the laws and customs of war under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," the regional police said. According to Nikolaevky Vanek, Russia most likely used S300/s400 to attack Kharkiv. Dnipropetrovsk region ADVERTISIMENT At around 06:30, explosions were heard in Dnipro. "Since morning, the Russian army has been targeting Dnipropetrovsk region. They are trying to destroy the region's power system. Stay in a safe place until the air raid alert is over. Take care of yourselves!" urged Serhiy Lysak, head of the Dnipro Regional State Administration. Kyiv In Kyiv, after the alert was announced, citizens hid in the subway in search of protection from enemy terror. ADVERTISIMENT Ivano-Frankivsk region "There are no hits or debris fall in the region! However, there may be power outages and poor connection in certain areas!" Ruslan Martsynkiv, the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, described the situation at 08:00. In general, no hits were recorded in the region. ADVERTISIMENT "During the morning attack, the enemy targeted Prykarpattia. As a result, part of the region is left without power supply. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Experts are working to eliminate the consequences. I am grateful to each of them!" said Svitlana Onishchuk, head of Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration. Vinnytsia region The energy facilities of the region were under fire, and there is destruction. "As of this morning, thanks to the coordinated work of power engineers, all consumers have been reconnected. I thank all everyone for their responsiveness," said Natalia Zabolotna, First Deputy Head of Vinnytsia Regional State Administration. Russia, as usual, targeted Ukraine's energy sector At 06:24, Ukrenergo announced the preventive measures to limit electricity consumption across the country due to a massive enemy attack. ADVERTISIMENT "Check the website and official pages of your power company for the blackouts schedules in your region," they advised. This time, as in previous attacks, the invaders targeted Ukraine's power system. "The enemy is massively attacking the energy sector again. The transmission system operator (TSO) is taking the necessary measures to limit consumption to minimize the negative consequences for the power system. As soon as the situation allows, the power engineers will clarify the damage caused. Follow the official announcements. Stay in shelters while the danger lasts!" wrote Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko. In particular, the state energy and power company (DTEK) reported serious damage to equipment. "Today, Russia has carried out another massive terrorist attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The thermal power plants of the state-owned company were attacked. As a result, the equipment of the TPPs was seriously damaged. After the shelling ended, the power company promptly began to repair it," the statement said. ADVERTISIMENT Nikolaevsky Vanek called the morning shelling "unique": in addition to strikes on the energy sector, the Russians also tried to hit heat and gas supply facilities. "There will be problems with electricity as there is significant damage to the facilities in some places (from what I know so far). Then it's up to the power companies, as always," he wrote. Another "peculiarity", according to the Telegram channel, is that today the missiles "flew through the Pokrovsk area" for the first time after a long break. As reported, on Tuesday, December 24, Russian troops hit a residential building in Kryvyi Rih with a ballistic missile. As a result of this attack, one man was killed. There were also injured, including a minor, with several people rescued from under the rubble. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) Frustration is mounting as changes to the Intracoastal Bridge are causing headaches for drivers. Traffic is being rerouted from the old northbound and southbound bridges onto the new structures, but the shift hasnt been as smooth as many had hoped. Baton Rouge community prepares for Hanukkah According to Rodney Mallett, Communications Director for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), some confusion is to be expected during a transition of this scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anytime your driving pattern changes, there will be some confusion, Mallett said. The new Intracoastal Bridges, located on LA-1 heading into Baton Rouge, are designed to ease congestion and improve safety. The bridges now feature wider lanes and shoulders, offering a significant upgrade compared to the older infrastructure. Theres plenty of signage, its striped properly, and if people pay attention to the signage, it should limit the confusion, Mallett said. DOTD says the long-term benefits of the new bridges outweigh the temporary frustrations. The updated design promises improved traffic flow, reduced delays, and fewer shutdowns for repairs, which Mallett emphasized will benefit the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be safer. Were not going to have to shut it down to make repairs like weve had to do so many times. Its just going to be a lot better for that community,Mallett said. While the current traffic configuration is expected to remain in place until mid-2025, the project isnt yet completed until 2027. The old bridges will eventually be demolished as part of the plan. In the meantime, DOTD urges drivers to remain patient and vigilant during their commutes. Pay attention to the signs. I always say that people need to not drive distracted. Put the phone down, pay attention to the signs, wear your seatbelt, and be patient with other drivers, Mallett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drivers should expect ongoing adjustments as construction progresses, but officials are confident that the improvements will lead to safer and more efficient travel for all. 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 BRProud.com. MOSCOW (AP) A Russian court sentenced a Dutch citizen to three years in prison Wednesday after he was found guilty of punching a police officer. Harry Johannes van Wurden was arrested and placed under house arrest following an altercation with a police officer in central Moscow in October, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing police. It said that van Wurden punched the officer in the face following a disagreement about a knocked-down road sign. Van Wurden was found guilty of using violence against a government official by the capitals Khamovnichesky District Court, Russias Interfax news agency said. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of foreign nationals from the U.S. and Western Europe have been jailed in high-profile cases in Russia in recent years. Some analysts have said that Moscow may be using jailed Westerners as bargaining chips as tensions remain high over the Kremlins military operation in Ukraine. Those detained included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. All three Americans, who were freed as part of the largest prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War in August 2024, vehemently denied the charges brought against them, which range from espionage to spreading false information against the Russian army. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and his Latvian counterpart Baiba Braze have said that Russias deliberate attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Christmas Day suggests that the Kremlin is not interested in pursuing peace. Source: Caspar Veldkamp and Baiba Braze on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Veldkamp tweeted that Russia carried out a large-scale attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure on the morning of 25 December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This malicious timing shows that Putin is not interested in peace, only in the destruction of Ukraine. In 2025, we will remain committed to stop this cruel aggression," he wrote. On Christmas morning, Russia launched another massive attack on Ukraine's energy sector. This malicious timing shows that Putin is not interested in peace, only in the destruction of Ukraine. In 2025, we will remain committed to stop this cruel aggression. Caspar Veldkamp (@ministerBZ) December 25, 2024 Meanwhile, Braze wrote that "The butcher in the Kremlin is not interested in peace, Russias policy is war." "The only way to get to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is to continue supporting [Ukraine] on the battlefield, in the energy sector, financially and politically, while containing Russia," she stressed. The butcher in Kremlin is not interested in peace, Russias policy is war. The only way to get to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is continue supporting on the battle field, in the energy sector, financially and politically, while containing Russia. #PeaceThroughStrength https://t.co/NNcJV3vdBF Baiba Braze (@Braze_Baiba) December 25, 2024 Background: Trump-nominated Ukraine-Russia envoy General Keith Kellogg has condemned Russias large-scale missile strike against Ukraine this Christmas but said that the "world is closely watching actions on both sides". Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that a Russian missile had violated Moldova's airspace on the night of 24-25 December. The Romanian authorities have not confirmed reports of a Russian missile flying over their territory. Support UP or become our patron! Space junk has filled up so much of Earth's orbit that it's endangering satellites and astronauts. The company Kayhan Space issues roughly 1,000 space-collision warnings per day. Earth-orbit experts fear debris will cause an "unstoppable chain reaction" that cuts off launches. So much junk is filling Earth's orbit that collision avoidance has become a busy business. "We're talking about the dead satellites, the rocket bodies, the fairings, the wrenches, the gloves, and things like that that have been left up in orbit," physicist Thomas Berger said in a press briefing at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in Washington DC on December 11. Along with those recognizable objects, there are millions of bits of debris in orbit traveling faster than a bullet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All that stuff is building up and increasing the risk of explosive space collisions, which is dangerous for astronauts and satellites. A space-debris hit to space shuttle Endeavours radiator, found after one of its missions. NASA Earth's orbit is so crowded with junk now that roughly 1,000 warnings about possible impending collisions go out to satellite operators each day, Berger said. For example, Araz Feyzi, a co-founder of the orbital data company Kayhan Space, told BI in an email that some of its customer satellites get up to 800 alerts per day from the US Space Force. Siamak Hesar, the company's other co-founder, later wrote in a SpaceNews editorial that the company tracks "more than 60,000 alerts per week for a constellation of around 100 satellites." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of those warnings come from one neighborhood of Earth's orbit, around 550 kilometers (340 miles) in altitude, where SpaceX's Starlink satellites live. "It's getting difficult for satellite operators to determine which of these warnings is important and which they have to pay attention to," said Berger, who is the executive director of the Space Weather Technology, Research and Education Center at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Because trackers can't perfectly predict objects' positions in space, these collision warnings are triggered when objects are expected to pass each other at a close distance. Only a small fraction of warnings actually end in a collision. When space objects do collide, they eject high-speed debris in multiple directions, creating a new zone of hazardous junk in orbit. A projectile strikes a mock-up of a spacecraft in a NASA-Air Force test meant to simulate space debris collisions. Arnold Engineering Development Complex/Air Force "It could generate a chain reaction, an unstoppable chain reaction of further collisions, ultimately resulting in a completely filled-up space environment," Berger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the worst-case scenario, orbit could become so crowded that there's no safe space for new rocket launches. That's a situation experts call Kessler syndrome, and "that we hope to prevent," Berger said. Close calls and near-misses While rare, major collisions and explosions have happened a few times. In 2009, an American satellite and Russian satellite crashed together, ending in nearly 2,000 bits of debris large enough to detect at least 4 inches wide with thousands more smaller bits. In 2021, a Chinese satellite and a Russian rocket chunk collided, creating at least 37 pieces of debris large enough for ground systems to track. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And anti-satellite missile tests by Russia, China, and India have blown up dead spacecraft in orbit, sending thousands of chunks flying. Each of these events created its own field of hazardous debris which still rockets around the planet today with potentially dire consequences. For example, several times a year, astronauts on the International Space Station get debris alerts and prepare to evacuate if the station is struck. When this happens, spaceships docked to the station will burn their engines to push it out of the way. Satellite operators often respond to warnings by moving their satellites out of the way. SpaceX told the FCC in July that its satellites had conducted nearly 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers in just the first half of the year, Space.com reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, not all satellites are maneuverable. In March, NASA had to sit on its hands and watch as a long-dead Russian spacecraft careened toward the agency's TIMED satellite, which was designed in the 1990s and doesn't have the ability to move on command. Luckily, the two spacecraft missed each other by 17 meters (56 feet) not very far by space standards. "That would've been a hypervelocity impact creating thousands of pieces of debris," Berger said. Daniel Baker, who directs the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at UC Boulder, urged the US Congress to pass the ORBITS Act. The legislation would require federal agencies like NASA and the FCC to support technologies that can remove junk from orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I believe that we are watching the tragedy of the commons play out in low-Earth orbit right before our eyes," Baker said in the briefing. "We have to get serious about this and recognize that unless we do something, we are in imminent danger of making a whole part of our Earth environment unusable," he added. Read the original article on Business Insider PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) Shoppers in Pekin can expect new places to get their holiday gifts next holiday season. Tuesday morning, Cullinan Properties announced it will be adding more stores to the East Court Village. In March they announced Five Below and Maurices was coming to the shopping center. According to a company press release, in the fall of 2025, Pekin residents will see a new Ross Dress for Less and Marshalls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Pekin said East Court Village is currently undergoing a revitalization project. With this addition, city officials hope shoppers will have more options. Marshals, Ross, Five Below; these are three of some of the fastest growing retailers in the country right now, Kathleen Cullinan Brill said. They have such a broad appeal. We believe a lot of Pekin residents were forced to go outside seeking to do some of their shopping, just given lack of options. She continued to say Pekin residents like to shop locally, and that drew the company to the area. Brill said these additions has been in the works for years, and she is glad to see them come to fruition. The company plans on announcing even more storefronts next year in 2025 and for 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 CIProud.com. DENVER (KDVR) The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, representing two students in the Elizabeth School District among other stakeholders, is suing the Eastern Colorado district for removing books that personally violated some school board members partisan and political values. These removals violated federal and state constitutional free speech protections, the ACLU of Colorado wrote in its announcement of the case, calling the action a violation of the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment. It deprives students of access to a diversity of information and viewpoints. It also denies authors their right to share their books with students free from viewpoint-based censorship. New Jersey becomes latest state to prohibit bans on books in school, public libraries Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case refers to a decision made in September by the Elizabeth School District Board of Education wherein 18 books were banned from the districts libraries because officials cited inappropriate content, mostly sexual in nature. The banned books, according to the ACLU of Colorados lawsuit, are: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Beloved by Toni Morrison The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson #Pride: Championing LGBTQ Rights by Rebecca Felix Melissa/George by Alex Gino Its Your World If You Dont Like It, Change It by Mikki Halpin The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Looking for Alaska by John Green Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult Crank, Glass, Fallout, Identical, Burned and Smoke, all written by Ellen Hopkins The ACLU of Colorado also alleged that the Elizabeth Board of Education quietly removed at least one other book from the districts libraries, saying that Redwood and Ponytail by K.A. Holt was removed from the Running Creek Elementary library because it is about two girls who develop feelings for each other. 10 notable books of 2024, from Sarah J. Maas to Melania Trump ACLU complaint: Conservative politics behind book ban According to the complaint, the lawsuit was filed by the ACLU of Colorado on behalf of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a student at Elizabeth High School, a preschool student at Running Creek Elementary and The Authors Guild, which represents over 14,000 authors in all genres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that board meetings became contentious after the election of Booth and Olsen, who allegedly ran for the office on a mission to keep politically liberal ideologies out of Elizabeth schools. The lawsuit said that many contentious discussions were held to discuss LGBTQIA agendas and critical race theory. The lawsuit said that in February 2023, the Elizabeth High School Principal implored Board members Booth and Olsen to stop chasing ghosts, because false claims about CRT and LGBTQ agendas were hampering the schools work. President Olsen responded by saying that her concerns have not been about whats actually going on in schools, but on keeping what is on the outside out of our schools,' the ACLU complaint asserts. In March of 2023, more than half of the Board resigned, citing other Board members personal agendas and disregard for Board policy and ethics. The only two members who remained on the Board were Ms. Booth and Ms. Olsen. High school teacher and students sue over Arkansas ban on critical race theory Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powell was then appointed to the board, and two candidates who ran on a platform of conservatives for Elizabeth School Board were elected to the board in 2023. The lawsuit argues that people who have publicly questioned the boards partisan, political agenda were subject to public humiliation and retaliation. The lawsuit said many parents with children in the district are afraid to publicly express views that do not align with the Boards, because they fear being publicly shamed by Board members, being accused of bullying or harassing the District, or exposing their children to retaliation. The lawsuit also argues that the sensitive topics list disproportionately target authors of and characters of color and/or LGBTQ+ authors and characters. The ACLU of Colorado also asserted that at one point Anne Frank: A Diary of a Young Girl, in addition to 1984 and Brave New World were all initially on the sensitive topics list. Other books still on the sensitive topics list, according to the lawsuit filed on Dec. 19, include dozens of titles such as: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hunger Games, The Color Purple, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Catcher in the Rye, Gay Power! The Stonewall Riots and the Gay Rights Movement in 1969, Beyond Magenta Transgender Teens Speak Out A response to the complaint is due from the school district by Jan. 10, 2025, according to federal court records. Crow, Bennet seek to fund, expand co-responder mental health programs in US District administration say policy supports parental rights Elizabeth School District Superintendent Dan Snowberger said in a video posted to Facebook on Aug. 30 that the library protocol allows parents to know whats in the library through an online portal. He also said a curriculum review committee made up of teachers, parents and community members checked books in the collection against content reviews through a variety of websites. He did not say what those sites were, and if they say what political stance they hold. Snowberger stressed in that video that the books with sensitive content were not removed from library collections, but were limited to certain populations based on the content involved and parental choices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Sept. 11, the school district published a video wherein Board President Rhonda Olsen and Board Secretary Mary Powell addressed a 4-0 vote that removed 18 temporarily suspended books permanently from the districts library system. Olsen said that during her campaign for the board, she heard concerns from parents about content available to students and books their children had checked out. So that prompted us to do a review of our libraries overall, and in the school libraries we came across some books that we really questioned the academic value, what they were contributing to childs education, Olsen said. Ultimately, we came to the decision that (the temporarily suspended books) really didnt provide the academic content, that rich academic content that we want our kids to have in order to contribute to their success. Florida requires teaching Black history. Some dont trust schools to do it justice Powell said the board looked at seven sensitive topic areas when considering which books should be banned, including sexual content, graphic violence, racism, profanity, ideations of self-harm and religious views. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We put religious views on there because as a Christian, you may not want your child to read the Quran, and as a non-believer, you may not want your child to read the Bible, so we were trying to be fair and even-handed on how we dealt with the religious viewpoint topic, Powell said. Superintendent: Disappointed district is tied up in a political attack Snowberger said in a statement provided to FOX31 that district administration are disappointed that the district is being tied up in a political attack. It intends to vigorously defend itself and decisions made in the best interest of our children. Our board and I continue to stand behind your rights as parents to make important decisions about your children and will continue to use a common sense approach in selecting materials that are available in our schools, Snowberger wrote on Facebook. No one should have the right to take that away from you because their values may differ from yours. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snowberger also discussed the lawsuit on Facebook. The ACLU of Colorado has also filed for a preliminary injunction, seeking to have the books replaced in the libraries while the court battle is ongoing. It is sad that some want to force their political agenda on the district and cause parents to worry about what their children might check out from school, he wrote. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. An emergency state has been declared in Russia's Krasnodar Krai due to fuel oil contamination along the Black Sea coastline. Source: Governor of Krasnodar Krai Veniamin Kondratiev on Telegram; Meduza, a Latvian-based Russian media outlet Quote from Kondratiev: "Unfortunately, the oil spill along the shores of Anapa and the Temryuk district has persisted and shows no sign of stopping. Initially, experts and scientists expected most of the fuel oil to remain on the bottom of the Black Sea, which would have allowed for its collection from the water. However, the weather has disrupted these plans." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The governor said that rising temperatures are causing the fuel oil to rise to the sea's surface, leading to pollution of Russian beaches. He also mentioned that an emergency state was initially declared at the municipal level by the authorities of Anapa and the Temryuk district after the ship accidents that caused the oil spill. This emergency state has now been expanded to the regional level. Background: Reports emerged on the morning of 15 December indicating that two Russian tankers, Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239, were sinking in the Kerch Strait. Both vessels were reported to be broken in half, with fuel oil leaking into the water. Following the incident, Greenpeace Ukraine warned that Russia's militarisation of the Black and Azov Seas threatens to unleash a new environmental catastrophe. Support UP or become our patron! Dec. 24An employee was found dead at the New Hampshire Insurance Department in Concord on Monday morning, New Hampshire State Police said. Troopers responded to 21 S. Fruit St. about 9 a.m. for a report that an adult male employee had been found dead. Investigators were at the scene for several hours. Police have not released the name of the man who was found dead. The Union Leader has independently learned the man's identity, but has chosen not to publish it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This news is incredibly difficult to process and will undoubtedly stir a wide range of emotions," said Insurance Commissioner D.J. Bettencourt said in an email to the entire workforce "While this has been confirmed publicly, we remain steadfast in our commitment to honoring (name removed) memory with the dignity and respect he deserves." The death was not suspicious and there was no public safety threat according to law enforcement officials. Bettencourt described the employee as a "talented professional but also a cherished friend to many of us." "During this time, let us extend compassion to one another and to his family. If you have any questions or need additional support, please feel free to reach out to me, Keith Nyhan, or Jason Dexter." Bettencourt wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Together, we will navigate this difficult period. Let us uphold the spirit of community that defines us and support one another in every way possible." State police said anyone struggling with a mental health crisis can get free and confidential support for themselves, a friend or a loved one by calling or texting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. The investigation is ongoing. Everyone knows the Great Wall of China, but likely far fewer have heard of China's "Great Green Wall," which recently hit a major milestone after more than four decades of tree-planting. In November, workers in the northwest autonomous region of Xinjiang completed a roughly 2,000-mile "green belt" around the Taklimakan Desert, Reuters reported, citing state-run media. The Taklimakan, nicknamed the "Sea of Death," is China's largest desert. The work to enclose it is part of the larger Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, also known as China's Great Green Wall. This broader project that launched in 1978 represents one of the world's most extensive planting campaigns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's swath of planted forest is ultimately projected to span 13 provinces, encompassing more than 1.5 million square miles and 42% of the nation's land area by 2050, per a government website. Program goals include shielding China from sandstorms blowing in from the north and stopping advancing deserts such as in Xinjiang. At the Taklimakan section's completion, more than 116,000 square miles of trees have been planted, according to Reuters, helping increase China's forest coverage from around 10% in 1949 to more than 25% in 2023. In Xinjiang, forest coverage has grown from 1% to 5% in 40 years, Reuters reported. Not to be confused with another ambitious Great Green Wall in Africa, China's overall program has already "achieved remarkable success in terms of improving ecological stability and supporting the local communities," according to the government. Farmers in the arid north have reaped benefits, as Reuters reported in 2021. Per the outlet, countering desertification has become increasingly important as the planet warms and affects water supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After 1999, when the tree-planting sped up, things got much better," Wang Yinji, a farmer in northwest Gansu province, said in the 2021 Reuters report. "Our corn grew taller. The sand that used to blow in from the east and northeast was stopped." Over the years, the program has become better able to mobilize workers and volunteers, Reuters observed. It has also experimented to find the plants best suited to desert conditions. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Some critics have noted that the program hasn't prevented sandstorms in Beijing. Others, cited by Reuters, have critiqued low survival rates of planted trees, as well as the program's competition with agriculture for water and land. Some experts think the wall has only limited use against the onslaught of planetary warming and extreme weather. Ma Lichao, the Forest Stewardship Council's China country director, said that sandstorms hitting Beijing did not mean planting trees had failed but "showed it would no longer be enough to offset the impact of climate change," as Reuters summarized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other ways to address Earth's overheating include taking direct local actions, advocating for government solutions, and switching to energy sources that don't release heat-trapping gases. Yet many still feel there's a place for planting trees. "The completion of the Taklimakan Desert control project is not an end to desert control but a new beginning," Jiang Donghui, an official in Xinjiang, said in translation in a government news video. "We will continue to expand the green belt to ensure sustainable development [through] desert control." 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 trajectory of European politics in 2024 frequently generated the appearance of progress without achieving much concrete change. Whether elections resulted in parliamentary deadlock, as in France, or a big majority for a single party, as in the U.K., they rarely led to swift strategic successes. How the European Union and the U.K. overcome such political paralysis to meet pressing internal challenges and guard against external threatswhether from Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping or U.S. President-elect Donald Trump once he takes office in Januarywill be the dominant theme of European politics in 2025. French President Emmanuel Macrons shock move in June 2024 to call snap parliamentary elections was a bid to reaffirm his centrist movements grip on the legislative body. Instead, it led to parliamentary paralysis, with the left, center and far right each holding a more or less equal number of seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, the huge parliamentary majority won in the U.K. by the then-opposition Labour Party under Keir Starmer the following month seemed to embody the kind of political realignment that eluded Macron and other European Union leaders. Yet Starmers inability as prime minister to build momentum for economic growth or achieve the swift improvements in public services he had promised is another example of how structural constraints have limited European governments short-term room for maneuver. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. If other governments that also enjoy strong majorities can only achieve incremental improvements to public services and economic growth, then Europe in 2025 will continue to witness public backlashes against governing parties of the left and right that promised quick results when they were still in opposition. While European governments of every ideological hue have found themselves struggling, the primary risks for European integration are now to be found in countries that until recently still viewed themselves as the central decision-makers in the EU. In addition to France, Germany now faces political paralysis ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for early February, with government-formation negotiations likely to extend into the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campaigning in Germany is already dominated by anxiety over the countrysand Europeseconomic future. That reflects how the need to reshape economic production along carbon-free lines has become a particularly fraught reform dilemma across the northern EU states and post-Brexit U.K., which once constituted Europes economic core. The tension between public impatience and geopolitical pressures has put governing parties of all ideological hues in a near impossible bind on the national level. Yet has also created opportunities for EU institutions. Things arent all bad, of course. In Ireland, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael used deft policy moves as a governing coalition to weather and then roll back a fleeting surge of public support for the left-wing populism of Sinn Fein, allowing them to buck the anti-incumbent trend in recent elections. The electoral defeat is likely to force Sinn Fein, which still faces lingering public concerns over its historical links to the provisional Irish Republican Army, to work even harder to demonstrate that it accepts Irelands constitutional order. At first glance, the current crisis unfolding in Romania after its first-round presidential election, in which neo-fascist social media influencer Calin Georgescu unexpectedly won 22 percent of the vote, suggests trouble ahead for Romania and the EU as a whole. But it may ultimately demonstrate similar resilience among the countrys established political structures. Though Georgescus emergence reflects deep vulnerabilities within a political system that is mired in cronyism, the Romanian Supreme Courts decision to force a rerun of the election after significant Russian influence operations were uncovered signals how seriously key state institutions took the threat. The situation in Romania, in which a majority of voters are in equal measure shocked by Georgescus neo-fascism and frustrated with a discredited political class, encapsulates another major trend facing the EU in 2025: the continued rise of far-right movements with varying degrees of commitment to liberal democracy, amid popular disavowal of establishment parties. How the majority of equally shocked and frustrated voters responds to this populist threat to democracy, as well as the moves made by the political establishment to counter it, will have profound implications for the EU as a whole, next year and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This tension between public impatience and geopolitical pressures has put governing parties of all ideological hues in a near impossible bind on the national level. Yet the global scale of the challenges they face will create opportunities for EU institutions that have a greater ability to respond to crises that can overwhelm nation states. In 2025, the power to manage or generate change may increasingly sit at the EUs supranational level, meaning that politicians in Brusselsparticularly European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, but also those commissioners overseeing strategic portfolioswill be key players in 2025. But the EUs dominance of European politics is taking shape at a moment when the way politics is conducted in Brussels is also radically changing. The outcome of European Parliament elections in June strengthened the hand of anti-system populists and generated greater friction between more established political parties. That has fostered a more competitive and adversarial political environment in Brussels, in which support for the priorities of the commission or member state governments is not guaranteed. Faced with increasingly fractious and assertive members of the European Parliament, von der Leyen will need to put in far more work to secure parliamentary majorities for key legislation in her second term than was required during her first. This shift to confrontation rather than consensus between rival party machines in the European Parliament could ironically increase the similarities between EU-level and national politics at the very moment that the power of nation states in Europe is going into relative decline. As the EU becomes the central instrument through which Europeans overcome threats posed by Russian expansionism, Chinese competition and U.S. instability, it should surprise no one that the struggle for control of the EUs institutions is becoming increasingly intense. If 2024 was marked by signs that Europes old order is on its last legs, what emerges from the battle for control of the EU in 2025 might mark the beginning of what comes next. Alexander Clarkson is a lecturer in European studies at Kings College London. His research explores the impact that transnational diaspora communities have had on the politics of Germany and Europe after 1945 as well as how the militarization of the European Unions border system has affected its relationships with neighboring states. His weekly WPR column appears every Wednesday. The post For Europe, 2025 Will Be About Breaking Through Political Paralysis appeared first on World Politics Review. On the morning of December 25, Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. In particular, the Russians attacked thermal power plants. ADVERTISIMENT The enemy severely damaged DTEK equipment. This was stated by the company itself. "Today, Russia has carried out another massive terrorist attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. DTEK's thermal power plants were targeted. The massive attack severely damaged the equipment of the TPPs. After the shelling ended, the energy company promptly started to repair it," the company said. DTEK added that this is the thirteenth Russian attack on the Ukrainian energy sector since the beginning of the year. Ten enemy strikes have resulted in substantial damage to the company's facilities. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, DTEK's thermal power plants have been shelled more than 200 times. As a reminder, Russia launched both cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukraine on Christmas Day, with explosions reported in Dnipro and Kharkiv. In the latter, several districts were hit, and civilians were injured. Fires have broken out at the impact sites, and there is also destruction. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Washington state lawmakers started prefiling bills in December ahead of the 2025 legislative session. Certain proposals like a push to consecrate the states unofficial nickname could be reasonably described as fun. The 2025 session begins Jan. 13. In the month leading up to the starting gun, lawmakers can prefile bills that will be officially introduced on the first day. Now that prefiled bills have begun trickling in, here are some of the most colorful highlights. Evergreen State The Evergreen State would be cemented as Washingtons official nickname under Senate Bill 5000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sens. Jeff Wilson, a Longview Republican, and Mike Chapman, a Port Angeles Democrat, note that Washington has long been referred to as the Evergreen State via storytelling, word of mouth and license plate displays. This isnt the first time that Senate lawmakers have attempted to get the evergreen nickname enshrined in state law. The proposal passed the upper chamber for the past couple years but was not voted on by the House, according to the Washington State Standard. Election Day Election Day in Washington would become a recognized legislative holiday under House Bill 1116, sponsored by state Rep. Sharlett Mena, a Tacoma Democrat. It would be honored the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. Fair and free elections serve as the foundation of democracy in the U.S., and voting rights are among the greatest privileges of being a citizen, the bill states. Washington takes such freedoms seriously, and the state ranks relatively high in the nation in terms of voter participation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 1116 seeks to further boost voter mobilization and election awareness. Mena touched on the importance of elections in a Dec. 12 news release announcing her as chair of the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee. Our committee directly shapes policies that influence how we serve communities across Washington, she said in the release. From ensuring fair and accessible elections to strengthening relationships with tribes and responsibly managing gaming policies, our work is foundational to fostering equity, transparency, and representation in state government. Pacific Standard Time Wilson, the Longview Republican, and fellow state Senate lawmaker Manka Dhingra, a Redmond Democrat, are behind Senate Bill 5001: the latest push to make Pacific Standard Time permanent in the Evergreen State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doing so would eliminate Washingtonians need to adjust their clocks twice annually. State lawmakers have unsuccessfully tried for years to secure permanent PST or year-round Daylight Saving Time. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, recently voiced support for the latter. Ill work with anyone to make DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME permanent, Murray said in a Dec. 13 post on X (formerly Twitter). Its time to stop changing our clocks for no reason at all. In 2019, the Washington state Legislature passed a similar bill to adopt Daylight Saving Time permanently, but it could not take effect unless the U.S. Congress acted on it too, The Olympian previously reported. This latest proposal for year-round standard time would not need federal approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If perennial Pacific Standard Time got the green light, that would mean the sun during June would ascend at about 4 a.m. in Western Washington and wane at about 8 p.m., according to the Washington State Standard. Ill work with anyone to make DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME permanent. Its time to stop changing our clocks for no reason at all. pic.twitter.com/LZeHhMhCfI Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) December 13, 2024 U.S. Naval Academy Washington drivers could order a new special license plate under House Bill 1050 by state Rep. Clyde Shavers, a Clinton Democrat. The bill aims to create special plates to honor the U.S. Naval Academy. Examples of current designs include license plates commemorating the Armed Forces and breast cancer awareness. The proceeds from the U.S. Naval Academy plates, costing $40 initially and $30 to renew, would help benefit veterans and their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shavers graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served eight years in the Navy, according to his biography on the state House Democrats website. Kimchi Day Kimchi, the classic fermented-cabbage Korean dish, has boomed in popularity in the U.S. in recent years. Now Washington state lawmakers in both chambers and on either side of the aisle want to recognize its significance. Senate Bill 5046 and House Bill 1017 seek to recognize Nov. 22 of each year as Kimchi Day. In South Korea, Nov. 22 represents national kimchi day, the legislation states. The date itself holds meaning: Kimchi, composed of 11 major ingredients, is said to offer 22 health benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislations state Senate sponsors include Wilson, the Longview Republican, plus Sens. Keith Wagoner, a Sedro Woolley Republican; Bob Hasegawa, a Seattle Democrat; Claudia Kauffman, a Kent Democrat; Perry Dozier, a Waitsburg Republican; Javier Valdez, a Seattle Democrat; and Jim McCune, a Graham Republican. It was sponsored in the House by state Reps. Cindy Ryu of Shoreline; Mena, the Tacoma lawmaker; and Mari Leavitt of University Place all Democrats. The legislation notes that kimchi is tied to a rich cultural history and serves as a solid source of probiotics, calcium, potassium and other vitamins. Washington would join Virginia, Hawaii and California in recognizing Kimchi Day on Nov. 22. 3D-printed homes The United States has started seeing 3D-printed buildings crop up in the housing sector. Habitat for Humanity, for instance, reportedly unveiled its first 3D-printed home three years ago, which shaved about four weeks off the usual construction time. Now the technology is being acknowledged in Washington by Shavers, the Democratic representative from Clinton. House Bill 1029 would act to incorporate 3D-printed building construction into the states residential code over time. Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, likely has dementia, his lawyers say. Jeffries stands accused in an international sex-trafficking case. The illness means Jeffries won't be able to contribute to his own defense, his lawyers say. Ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries likely has dementia and possible Alzheimer's disease, casting doubt on his ability to stand trial in a sex-trafficking case, his lawyers have said. According to court papers filed Monday and seen by Business Insider, a neuropsychologist has assessed that "the combination of Mr. Jeffries' cognitive impairments" means that he would be unable to contribute to his own defense. Jeffries, 80, along with his partner Matthew Smith and a third man, were arrested in October on federal sex-trafficking charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, lawyers for Jeffries filed a motion to determine his competency to stand trial. The neuropsychologist found "a significant neurological deficit" after examining him in October last year and said her "initial diagnostic impressions" were consistent with dementia, the latest filing states. Follow-up tests this year gave further "diagnostic impressions" of dementia and "probable" late-onset Alzheimer's, it says. A diagnostic impression is a preliminary assessment of a patient rather than a final diagnosis. "The Michael Jeffries who presented himself did not even come close to resembling a Master's degree-educated individual," the filing said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issues include "impaired memory, diminished attention, processing speed slowness, and ease of confusion," it continued. The doctor has deemed his disease to be "irreversible" and said it will worsen over time, the filing said. A so-called competency hearing has been scheduled for June next year, the BBC reported. Jeffries, who left Abercrombie & Fitch in 2014, has pleaded not guilty to the sex trafficking charges, as have Smith and the third accused man. Prosecutors say that they ran an international sex trafficking and prostitution business, coercing vulnerable men connected to the company into taking part in "sex events." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between about 2008 to 2015, the accused men used the "so-called casting couch system" in their scheme, Breon Peace, the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, alleged in a news conference announcing the charges in October. The indictment states that the men used Jeffries' power and wealth "to run a business that was dedicated to fulfilling their sexual desires and ensuring that their international sex trafficking and prostitution business was kept secret, thereby maintaining Jeffries' powerful reputation." His arrest came after a high-profile BBC investigation cited a number of men who said they were exploited or abused as part of the events Jeffries is accused of. Jeffries was hired as CEO in 1990, ushering in a period in which the brand relied heavily on sex appeal to sell its preppy outfits. Huge popularity came alongside a 2003 class-action lawsuit that alleged racialized and looks-based discrimination against staff and prospective employees, which was settled in 2004 without admission of wrongdoing. Read the original article on Business Insider For the record: 1:34 p.m. Dec. 28, 2024: A previous version of this article gave the date of the killing as Dec. 21. It was Dec. 20. The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office filed criminal charges Tuesday against the ex-boyfriend of a 17-year-old girl who was fatally stabbed last week in Azusa. Daniel Rodriguez, 18, of Azusa was taken into custody Saturday and subsequently charged with one count of murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors alleged that the suspect committed the crime using a knife. Rodriguez, whose arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 8, is being held in jail in lieu of a $2-million bond. I want to express my deepest condolences to Angelina Gonzaless loved ones as they navigate this senseless act of violence and unimaginable grief, especially during this holiday season, Dist. Atty. Hochman said in a news release Tuesday. Our offices Family Violence Division will work to bring the offender to justice for the victim and her family. The murder charge comes days after the Dec. 20 stabbing inside a home in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue in Azusa. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said in a written statement that officers from the Azusa Police Department responded that Friday night to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside a home, officers discovered a 17-year-old girl suffering from stab wounds; she was taken to a hospital, where she later died, the Sheriff's Department said. The victims family identified her as Angelina Camillia Gonzales. Read more: Teenage cheerleader stabbed to death in Azusa days before Christmas. Police arrest her ex-boyfriend Robert Caraballo, Angelinas stepfather, told ABC7 that the suspect had picked Angelina up from a cheerleader banquet and taken her to his home. Her family, not knowing where she was, was eventually able to find her location by tracking her cellphone. When I got there, there was already crime scene tape up and forensics and all kinds of stuff. And I ran up to the officers like, Hey, my daughters in there. You know, my daughter is in there. Im trying to find her. Shes not home. And thats when they told me, Sit aside for a minute, Caraballo told the station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angelinas mother, Leticia Pimentel Caraballo, created a GoFundMe account to help pay for her daughters funeral costs. The page said Angelina was to celebrate her 18th birthday on Jan. 7. She had such a great future ahead of her, Pimentel Caraballo wrote. She had a heart of gold. She was my perfect, gorgeous Angel baby. I don't even have the words to say. I can't even cope. I need her, she added, Our family is devastated. 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. David MacHauer, second from right, and his fellow crew members of the Miss Bea Havin, a B-17G bomber of the 487th Bomb Group, U.S. 8th Air Force, that was shot down over Belgium on Christmas Eve, 1944. Back row from left: Howard A. Turnquist (pilot), 2nd Lt Thomas C. Chatterton (copilot), Parker (navigator), 2nd Lt Richard E. Ceder (bombardier). Bottom from left: T/Sgt. Warren J. Stanton (flight engineer), S/Sgt. Stanley Kleinman (radio operator), S/Sgt. Neil F. Matz (gunner), Cpl. Robert E. Sellers (gunner), Sgt. David H. MacHauer (ball turret gunner), S/Sgt Jefferson G. Gregory (gunner). Photo courtesy of Cheryl MacHauer Schexnayder Christmas Eve, 1944, behind enemy lines near the Germany-Belgium border at an altitude of about 25,000 feet, 20-year-old Loyola New Orleans law student David MacHauer was manning two machine guns from the belly of a B-17 bomber nicknamed the Miss Bea Havin. An anxious voice cackled through the intercom: Company front of 30 to 30 coming in at the tail! MacHauer rotated his gun turret toward the tail of his airplane and saw a large formation of fighter planes quickly approaching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a fleeting second, he thought perhaps they could be friendly aircraft. At this point in World War II, the B-17 heavy bombers would typically fly in large groups under the protection of smaller, nimbler fighter planes that would escort them from a base in England to their targets in Germany to engage any enemy aircraft that approached. The lumbering B-17s had machine guns mounted on all sides that could, at least in theory, defend against almost any angle of attack from enemy planes. But in practice, they were often at a disadvantage to German fighters that had much greater speed and bigger guns, so the best defense for the American B-17 was to have its own American fighter flying alongside it. This would have been the case on Dec. 24, 1944. However, a thick layer of fog on the ground in England delayed the U.S. fighter group that was supposed to escort the bombers. For this reason, MacHauer thought the planes he saw in the distance were the tardy escort fighters until the first flash of their cannons dispelled that hope. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MacHauer trained his gun sight on the enemy planes and fired back until he suddenly felt a shock, according to an entry in his war-time diary. This moment was the culmination of a series of decisions he had made just hours earlier some would later call fate or luck. Or, as one newspaper described, a Series of Fantastic Ifs. MacHauer manned the ball turret gunner position on the aircraft. This position required that he wedge himself into a spherical plexiglass dome that hung from the belly of the aircraft with twin .50-caliber machine guns protruding through the dome. He would enter through a small hatch and sit in the fetal position with hand and foot controls to spin the turret in almost any direction and fire like a large pan and tilt camera that shot bullets instead of photos. With a diameter of only 3.5 feet, the ball turret was a very cramped space cut off from the rest of the airplane and crew with no room for a chest-worn parachute, which all the other crew members wore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ball turret gunner typically had to leave his parachute in the cabin of the plane and hope his buddies could pull him back into the cabin and help get his chute on if they needed to escape the bomber. But to bail out with no assistance from someone in the aircraft and assuming the hydraulics still worked, the ball turret gunner would have to spin the turret to position its hatch inside the airplane cabin, open the hatch, disconnect his flight suit heating system and oxygen system, unclip himself from a safety strap, climb inside the plane, retrieve the parachute hopefully still where he left it connect it to his flight harness with two fasteners, and then bail out through an exit door. All this had to take place in an airplane falling to earth, likely on fire. Three key changes For about a week prior to the Christmas Eve mission, MacHauer and the U.S. 8th Air Force were grounded, unable to fly due to poor weather. Germanys Adolf Hitler took advantage of this and launched his last great counteroffensive of the war, the Battle of the Bulge, pushing the Allies back from Germanys border and trapping an entire division of American paratroopers numbering around 14,000, near Bastogne, Belgium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of MacHauers crew mates, waist gunner Neil F. Matz, described a feeling of anxiousness among the airmen at that time because they were hearing daily reports of heavy losses among the Allied ground troops and were unable to assist. Finally, the weather had cleared enough by the morning of Dec. 24 that MacHauers unit received orders to bomb an enemy airfield near Frankfurt, Germany. This would be his 17th mission. Before taking off, he made three changes to his flight gear. First, he traded in his standard issue chest-worn parachute for a back-pack parachute. He wrote in his diary that he was experimenting just to see if he could squeeze into the ball turret with a parachute on his back. He could. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, on all previous missions, he had kept his .45-caliber pistol unloaded with the magazine of bullets tucked away in a pocket because he felt it was an unwise thing to fly with a loaded gun. But for this mission, he loaded the pistol. Third, when a passerby from a separate bomber crew offered his chest holster to whoever wanted it, MacHauer accepted it. He had always carried his pistol in a waist holster, but for this mission, he decided to try out the new holster, which put his loaded pistol directly over his heart. These pre-flight changes, some more thought-out than others, would work in harmony that day to save MacHauers life. Any one of them removed would have made the others meaningless, resulting in certain death. The sudden shock he felt as the German planes attacked his squadron came from several 20 mm exploding shells that crippled the Miss Bea Havin, sending a molten fragment through the ball turret, then through MacHauers left boot, striking him directly in the chest and delivering what he would later describe as a terrific blow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not yet dead, he thought he was badly hit and tried to communicate through the intercom, but it was no longer working. He positioned the turret with its guns pointing straight down, opened the hatch and tried calling for help. He could only see one person, the radio operator, who signaled to him with a hopeless gesture. In his written accounts, MacHauer never really specified what that gesture was, but signs of doom were everywhere. The plane was in rapid descent; fire engulfed the entire right side of the aircraft. Later, it would come to light that the co-pilot, Thomas Chatterton of Oregon, was mortally wounded. Knowing he wouldnt live, Chatterton gripped the flight controls with whatever strength he had left and kept the airplane from spinning wildly, hoping it would give the rest of the crew a chance to bail out, according to a written account from Matz, the waist gunner. Without assistance to get out of the turret, MacHauer closed the hatch, and repositioned the turret with the hatch facing away from the plane to allow himself to simply fall out into the blue. But when he tried this, something caught him the safety strap. He had forgotten to untether himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After enough pushing and pulling he got it unfastened, but then he faced a new obstacle. The plane was on fire and falling, and flames were blocking his escape. The ground was coming up quickly. It was either risk the flames or meet certain death. He pushed himself through the hatch. MacHauer felt his face burning as he passed through the flames and fell away from the aircraft. He immediately pulled the ripcord on his parachute and watched it blossom. I was soon floating comfortably down to earth, he wrote. Here is where another chance circumstance came into play. The bombers had faced a pretty strong headwind as they crossed into enemy territory near the border. A tailwind could have nudged MacHauer into German territory, where he would likely be taken prisoner, but that headwind assisted him in floating westward across Allied lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He landed in an open field where two American trucks soon pulled up. The soldiers on the ground that day watched the air battle unfold and the bombers get shot down. They saw several parachutes open and sent vehicles to track them down before the Germans could do the same. They drove MacHauer to a field hospital in Liege, Belgium, to have his injuries treated. When he removed his flight jacket, a piece of metal fell to the floor with a clang. Thats when he first noticed his .45-caliber pistol, still holstered directly over his heart, had a large indentation in the steel grip where he had earlier inserted that fully loaded magazine of bullets. There was also a large tear in his boot and about a 3-inch hole in his flight jacket. The mangled .45-caliber pistol that saved David MacHauers life by deflecting a German shell fragment from penetrating his heart during an air battle in the skies above Belgium on Christmas Eve 1944. Photo by Wes Muller | Louisiana Illuminator It soon became clear what had happened. The German 20 mm fragment went through his boot and somehow missed his foot. After tearing through his flight jacket, it struck him flush over the heart where it bounced off the loaded grip of the pistol and then exited through the shoulder of his jacket, leaving a scratch on his left shoulder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After getting an X-ray and undergoing interrogation, which was a normal process for documenting such events, MacHauer was released that night and taken to another unit on the outskirts of Liege, where he ate a warm meal and went to bed. The following day was Christmas. He caught a ride on a cargo plane back to England that night. What a way to spend Christmas, but we were thankful we were able to spend it at all, he wrote. The following day, MacHauer was glad to see a few guys from other downed bombers in his squadron had returned, but it also made him wonder about his own crew mates. Before turning in for the night, he recorded an entry in his diary that he cut short in a manner that so remarkably depicted a quiet consciousness to which he was unwilling to yield his pen. I feel like a ghost without my crew. All my friends Word of the incident, which MacHauer called his close shave, travelled quickly to war correspondents in Europe, who pushed it through the wires back home. Those early press reports contain a few inaccuracies. The MacHauer surname, being an unusual one, was prone to misspellings. They also initially reported him as the lone survivor because he was the only one who had returned at that point. But over the next several days, Matz and two others trickled in. The remaining four crew members had either perished or were missing in action. Although he received a Purple Heart medal, MacHauer had to fly 16 more missions before the Army sent him home to New Orleans in 1945. As remarkable as the events of that Christmas Eve were for MacHauer, his greatest act of courage was yet to come. His most courageous act Straight news journalists almost never break from the third-person perspective of storytelling, so I ask our readers to allow me this rare exception. David MacHauer was my grandfather. He died in 1972 before I was born and while most of his four children were still relatively young. My mom was just a teenager at that time. My grandfathers World War II story was part of what compelled me to join the military. It is well known on my mothers side of the family and was required learning for all of us growing up, though in considerably less detail. The instruction came from my grandmother, Muriel Bonie MacHauer, a former math teacher who turned 100 in August. She also made sure we knew he became a Louisiana state senator and a city traffic court judge in New Orleans. My mom and uncles could recount some anecdotes from memory. He was stoic, faithful, assured and a stern disciplinarian at home and in the courtroom, according to their accounts. That was about the extent of what I and the other grandchildren knew about him. I had always assumed my grandfather had shaped the politically conservative views of our family. He was a registered Democrat, but party affiliation back then was not the same as it is today. When I began reporting for the Illuminator at the Louisiana State Capitol, I would often stop to look at his photo that still hangs in the ground floor hallway of the Senate chamber (near the Hainkel Room). It recently occurred to me how little I knew of his political career, which was during some of our nations most tumultuous times. With this Christmas Eve marking the 80th anniversary of my grandfathers scrape with death, I set out about a month ago to do some research, mostly through digitized newspaper archives and some diaries and letters my grandmother gave to me a few years ago. What I discovered was, at least for me, quite shocking. After finishing law school in 1946 and practicing law for a few years, MacHauer was elected to the Louisiana Senate in 1952. Just two years into his political career, he became embroiled in a political firestorm when the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark 1954 ruling in Brown v. Board of Education that said racial segregation in public schools was illegal. In immediate response, the all-white Louisiana Legislature began drafting a law to defy federal authority and engrave racial segregation into the Louisiana Constitution. The many news articles I found on this situation indicate my grandfather was the only senator, and perhaps the only lawmaker, to publicly oppose the legislation on the grounds that racial segregation was discriminatory and immoral. I cant vote to sustain a principle that has long been immoral and I now feel is illegal, he told his colleagues at the time, according to an Associated Press report from July 6, 1954. Just to be clear, there was one other senator and a handful of House members who voted against the bill, but they did not cite any beliefs in racial equality or acknowledge the immorality of segregation, according to news reports from that time. Rather, they questioned the legality of defying the U.S. Supreme Court or argued that more time should be spent trying to reach a compromise. Some called it a waste of taxpayer money. I dont agree with what the court did, but we wont get anywhere by defying them, Sen. Laurance Eustis of New Orleans said, according to the same report. Some who supported the segregation bill claimed to have no strong feelings about it but said they believed the people of Louisiana should get to decide on the matter. But my grandfather wasnt entirely alone in his stance. An Aug. 4, 1954, letter to the Times-Picayune from Prince A. Taylor Jr., who was the editor of a Christian publication, pointed to MacHauers statement from the month before and called it the one bright spot in the action of the state Senate. Despite my grave disappointment, I take hope in the courage and conviction of this one man, Taylor wrote. Even after it was clear his vote against the segregation bill would not affect its outcome, MacHauer still didnt waver on the issue and remained firm in what was an obviously lonely position in the Legislature, according to follow-up reporting in the Times-Picayune on Oct. 29, 1954. He reiterated his opposition to segregation, saying it is wrong to relegate people to second-class citizenship. If there were any doubt that racism was the driving force behind the bill, one need look no further than the last sentence of the Oct. 29 article, which quotes Sen. Gove Davis Sr. of Olla, who supported segregation and warned his colleagues against mixing races. Just look at your Bible if you dont believe me, Davis told fellow senators. Once you intermingle the races, within not too many years, the dark race will be obliterated. The white blood shall predominate. The 1954 Louisiana Legislature ultimately passed the segregation proposal, which then received overwhelming approval from Louisiana voters. Despite subsequent federal court rulings, it would be several more years before segregation ended in Louisiana schools. My grandfathers position was deeply unpopular at the time. Although lawmakers did not call him out directly by name, which legislative decorum rules would have prohibited, some suggested he was a communist sympathizer. Prominent politicians across the state branded him and other opponents traitors to the South and said they were selling out the white children of Louisiana. Some of the more vicious attacks came from Leander Perez, a prominent Democratic Party boss and district judge at that time. Perez was later venerated with a public park, statue, and a major thoroughfare in St. Bernard Parish bearing his name. My grandfathers legislative career ended with his first term. In 1956, he went to work as an assistant city attorney for New Orleans until 1960, during which time he made headlines for prosecuting associates of mafia boss Carlos Marcello. He was then elected city traffic court judge, an office he held for 10 years before illness forced him to retire. A history once lost to time According to his political track record and statements he made to the press, my grandfather held many views that, even by todays standards, would be considered liberal or even progressive. He believed in government transparency, sponsoring legislation that would have allowed grand juries to publicly disclose their findings on corruption investigations into public officials. He supported criminal justice reforms, passing laws that lowered sentencing for nonviolent narcotics violations and eased mandatory penalties for certain drunk driving offenses. He was a loyal supporter of labor unions and opposed a so-called Right to Work bill that corporations and employers used to weaken union membership in Louisiana. He also supported legislation that would have established citizen ballot measures in Louisiana, allowing citizens to petition for a new law or constitutional amendment. Later, as a judge, MacHauer lobbied for state financing of political campaigns as a means to reduce corruption and the influence of wealthy special interest groups. If the men you send into office are already bought in advance, youre never going to obtain the upright, progressive, creative legislation you need, he said, as quoted in an AP report from June 20, 1969. When I shared these findings last week with my uncle, Vernon MacHauer, he was also surprised. He wasnt aware of his dads stance against segregation in 1954 but said it does fit with some things he remembers growing up. He was definitely a man of principle, Vernon said. He recounted an incident in which his older brother, who would have been about 8 or 9 at the time, had drawn a Swastika in a notebook, not understanding what it meant. When their father saw it, he flew into a rage and took his brother to a separate room for discipline, Vernon said. The family was constantly turning away lavish gifts that people would try to deliver to their house, and refusing them would often lead to threatening phone calls, Vernon said. My mom, Cheryl, corroborated this and said her dads unwillingness to accept bribes angered a lot of people. So on the occasion their dad spoke about politics, it was often with aversion for the corruption he saw, Vernon said. Its easy to look fondly upon the past as if it were a simpler time vacant of the complicated problems of modernity. Its also easy to elevate the legacy of a deceased relative. But its just as easy to lose an otherwise accurate legacy to time. Im sure there were incidents in which my grandfather erred or committed transgressions, and he may have held some opinions that would be considered offensive. But why or how we overlooked his political record is unclear, and with Christmas Eve approaching and 2024 coming to a close, perhaps we can remember David MacHauer for his unwavering courage in the face of overwhelming adversity both in 1944 and 1954. Although Ive had his wartime diaries for years and have read them several times, last week I noticed for the first time a small inscription at the bottom of the page on which he began his entry for Dec. 24, 1944, the day his plane was shot down. The inscription states: Equal rights for all, special privileges for none. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com. Two major countries are teaming up to block new environmental protections in one of Earth's most pristine marine ecosystems, according to VOA News. The Australian Antarctic Division warns this resistance is "most concerning," especially given "the failure of some members to support the extension of existing krill management measures while the harmonization process is progressed." What's happening? During a recent meeting in Australia, China and Russia opposed key proposals to create new protected ocean areas and maintain limits on krill fishing in the Southern Ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposals included four new marine protected areas and the renewal of existing limits on krill fishing near the Antarctic Peninsula. Currently, fishing in this area is capped at 620,000 tons to prevent too much fishing in one location. Krill are small, shrimp-like creatures that feed penguins, seals, and whales. Why are blocked Antarctic protections concerning? The ocean around Antarctica is home to unique wildlife that depends on a delicate food chain. When too much krill fishing happens in one area, it can leave local penguin and seal populations without enough food. "If there's too much krill fishing in one small region of Antarctica, it will restrict the amount of food available to the seal and penguin populations," said Tony Press, an Antarctic expert at the University of Tasmania. Some analysts believe China wants to increase its influence in Antarctica through fishing rights, while Russia is believed to be aiming to disrupt international cooperation. Both countries are said to think creating more protected areas could limit future development in the region. What's being done about Antarctic conservation? Other countries in the 26-member Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources are pushing back. They're exploring ways to implement protective measures without Russian and Chinese involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission has successfully established two protected areas in the Southern Ocean before: one in 2009 and another in 2017. The four new proposed zones would increase the total protected area to 26% of the Southern Ocean. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Experts suggest diplomatic pressure and unified action from other countries could help overcome the blockage. "Other countries could decide that Russia and China's behaviors mean they would have to start implementing decisions among themselves," Press said. 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. CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) For Christmas, farmers would like something that would kill weeds because weeds are winning when they take the field. From the Farm: U of I Extension offers mental health resources for ag community Stu Ellis caught up with Illinois weed researcher Dean Riechers who said farmers should test for resistance on their fields. Spraying herbicides on the fields is a good way to test them, or farmers could also take leaf samples and send them into labs like at the University of Illinois for analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riechers said farmers are getting to the point where each fields population has to be diagnosed and tested for which herbicides do and dont work. It takes more time and effort to do so, but he thinks the weed problem has gotten to that point now. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Finding a fast food spot open on Christmas Day can be tricky. Whether you're just looking to grab a cup of coffee before opening presents or a burger before your big Christmas dinner, you need to make sure you've planned in advance and picked a spot you know will be open. If not, you might pull up to an empty store and be disappointed. Here's your complete guide to all of the Arizona fast food restaurants and coffee spots that will be open and closed on Christmas, including the store hours for popular spots like McDonald's, Chick-fil-A and Starbucks. These fast food spots are open on Christmas McDonald's : Hours vary by location, but most McDonald's locations will be open on Christmas. You can check hours for your local restaurant here. IHOP : IHOP locations will be open on Christmas. Hours vary by location, so check with your local store regarding their specific hours before visiting. Applebee's: Select Applebee's locations nationwide will be open on Christmas, although hours may be reduced, the company told USA TODAY. Hours vary by location, so customers should contact their local restaurant for specific holiday hours before visiting. Hooters : Hooters locations will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Christmas, the company told USA TODAY. Red Lobster: Red Lobster restaurants will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas, the company told USA TODAY. These fast food stores are closed on Christmas Chick-fil-A Chipotle Cracker Barrel Carl's Jr. Outback Steakhouse Carrabba's Italian Grill Texas Roadhouse Whataburger Chili's First Watch Is Subway open on Christmas? Subway restaurants are independently owned and operated, so hours vary by location. Customers should check with their local restaurant regarding specific holiday hours. Is Burger King open on Christmas? According to the company, holiday hours vary by location, so it is best to check with your local restaurant for its specific hours. You can find the closest restaurant to you using Burger King's store locator. Is Taco Bell open on Christmas? Hours vary by location, but you can check your local Taco Bell's hours here. Is Wendy's open on Christmas? Wendy's locations' hours vary by location. Check with your local restaurant for specific holiday hours. Is Starbucks open on Christmas? Starbucks store hours vary by location. You can find hours for a specific store using the Starbucks app or here. Is Dunkin' open on Christmas? Dunkin' hours vary by location. You can find hours for a specific store using the Dunkin' store locator or the Dunkin' Rewards app. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What restaurants are open on Christmas in Arizona? Your complete guide LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A deadly crash shut down part of Pahrump Valley Highway on Tuesday evening, according to Nevada State Police. Westbound Pahrump Valley Highway also known as State Route 160 was closed at State Route 159 shortly after 8 p.m., according to RTC of Southern Nevada. Drivers were advised to avoid the area and use other routes. Shortly after 9 p.m. westbound Pahrump Valley Highway opened back up past Mountain Springs however, a lane closure remained in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other information was released. This story will be updated 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 KLAS. As president-elect Donald Trump made his plans to deport millions of undocumented migrants known, Chinese border crossers began flooding group chats voicing fear that their stay in the US could be precariously short. "Once Trump gets in office, he'll kick all of us out," said one. A letter written by Chinese migrants, pledging to obey US laws and contribute to the country, began circulating soon after it was clear Trump had won. Those who signed the letter aim to present it to him on his inauguration day. 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. So far, Trump has said he plans to declare a national emergency and use the US military to accomplish his goal, as well as invoke the arcane Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to bypass migrants' due-process rights. Stephen Miller, his immigration policy adviser, has said that "vast holding facilities" will serve as "staging centres" for the operation. On November 19, Texas offered the federal government more than 1,000 acres near the southern US border to host detention centres. Trump made immigration policy a cornerstone of his 2024 election campaign, often invoking polarising rhetoric to describe migrant groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has suggested the Chinese who entered the US through the southern border were trying to build a covert army. On November 8, NBC News reported that Chinese migrants deemed of military age could be among the first targeted by Trump's plan, which he vowed to institute on "day one". The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment. But while Trump's deportation push is expected to surpass the scope of the efforts in his first term, it is likely to face significant legal and logistical challenges. Its success will also depend on cooperation from countries such as China that, until recently, have shown a lack of eagerness to repatriate their nationals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My message to the [migrant] community is to get prepared but not overreact," said Jose Ng of Chinese for Affirmative Action, a San Francisco-based non-profit that provides support to Chinese immigrants. Ng said that many "undocumented" Chinese were unlikely to face immediate removal because they have pending cases in US courts or may qualify for certain types of legal relief. Indeed, Tom Homan, Trump's new "border tsar", has said there will not be massive raids but "targeted" enforcement focusing on those with criminal backgrounds and outstanding deportation orders - a group that experts note Joe Biden's administration has already prioritised. Still, Homan has encouraged migrants to self-deport. "Undocumented" is a term broadly used to refer to those who intend to stay in the US but lack permanent legal status, regardless of whether they have overstayed a visa or entered the country without authorisation. Many have lived in the US for decades, and most are not criminals. Former US president Donald Trump visits the US-Mexico border at Eagle Pass, Texas, as seen from Piedras Negras, Mexico, in February. Trump made immigration policy a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign. Photo: Reuters alt=Former US president Donald Trump visits the US-Mexico border at Eagle Pass, Texas, as seen from Piedras Negras, Mexico, in February. Trump made immigration policy a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign. Photo: Reuters> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Various US groups put the overall undocumented population at 11 to 13 million. But many individuals contained in that figure can qualify for or are in the legal process of obtaining permanent status, including through asylum. According to the Migration Policy Institute, about 241,000 undocumented Chinese were in the US in 2021; that was before America began to see an unprecedented surge of more than 60,000 Chinese crossing its southern border without proper documentation between January 2023 and November 2024. Those with final-removal orders who have exhausted their right to appear in front of a judge are far fewer. Only about 72,000 Chinese received such orders between 1997 and 2024, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. Experts suggest that the recent wave of Chinese border crossers or others who entered during the Biden administration may be particularly shielded from Trump's plan, at least in its initial stages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's very unlikely that many Chinese who entered after January 2023 have a final order of removal because many of them are actually still waiting for their hearings," said Felipe Alexandre, an immigration lawyer who has worked extensively with Chinese clients in California and New York. Such hearings could take years to conclude, Alexandre added, citing the massive backlog in US courts. Experts also say it is unlikely that Trump could bypass migrants' due process rights using the Alien Enemies Act, a measure intended for wartime use. "Some people on the political right argue that illegal migration can qualify as an invasion," said Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that's a "bad argument" that courts have rejected, he said, adding that the government would also have to show that a foreign nation orchestrated the movement of people. For those with removal orders, "it's a matter of [US] Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) finding out where they are, picking them up and putting them on planes", said Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration law professor at Cornell University. But to carry out his full plan, Trump would have to ask Congress for more money to hire more ICE agents, create more detention camps for migrants awaiting deportation, and pay for flights, Yale-Loehr said. And that effort is likely to require Democratic support in both the US House and Senate, where Republicans hold slim majorities. Chinese migrants wait to be processed near Jacumba Hot Springs, California, after crossing from Mexico in May. Nearby San Diego became the busiest US corridor for illegal border crossings in April. Photo: AP alt=Chinese migrants wait to be processed near Jacumba Hot Springs, California, after crossing from Mexico in May. Nearby San Diego became the busiest US corridor for illegal border crossings in April. Photo: AP> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the American Immigration Council, a Washington-based pro-immigration group, a one-time mass deportation of an estimated 13.3 million undocumented people would cost at least US$315 billion. Even with more funding, ICE would likely require some cooperation from US states to identify individuals with removal orders - a push that could lead to stand-offs in some states. A number of Democratic lawmakers and governors, including those from California and New York - which are home to the greatest numbers of Chinese migrants - have indicated they would not cooperate with federal agents and would use legal tools to fight the administration's actions. The promises, partly driven by concerns over the disruption that a migrant exodus would cause to local economies, could lead to a patchwork of protections nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homan has threatened retaliation against non-cooperative states and law enforcement, but local authorities are not obliged to support federal immigration efforts. Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh of the Migration Policy Institute said that Trump in his initial months would probably seek obvious targets to show "high numbers and ease of removals", prioritising countries with friendly relations with the US, existing deportation or extradition agreements and geographical proximity. Topping that list, Putzel-Kavanaugh said, would be Mexico and Central American nations, instead of countries like China. Although not strictly required for deportations, China does not have a formal deportation or extradition agreement with the US. It has also stressed a strict identity vetting process before accepting deportees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a migrant with a removal order is apprehended by US authorities, receiving countries generally need to verify that the individual is their citizen before accepting a limited number at a time for deportation. For Chinese nationals to be repatriated, US authorities must provide their personal details - often obtained through the immigration processing system - to the Chinese embassy or consulates. The information is then forwarded to China's Ministry of Public Security, which tasks local authorities in the migrants' hometowns with verifying their identities - an effort that may prove unsuccessful. Additionally, many Chinese will not have valid passports or other travel documents that ICE requires for removal, according to Sin Yen Ling, a former defence lawyer with 20 years of experience. In the past, China often would refuse travel documents for individuals with criminal records or denied asylum claims, Ling said. For years, the US has accused China of stonewalling repatriation efforts, while Beijing has maintained that it would cooperate in returning those who could be confirmed to be Chinese citizens. In recent months, there have been some signs that Beijing's calculus has shifted. Although Chinese for decades have overstayed their visas in the US, the optics of tens of thousands of people leaving China, risking their lives traversing South and Central America and illegally entering the US, have not reflected well on Beijing. Washington has also been exerting greater pressure on China, and Chinese sources say the desire to improve tense relations has played a role in Beijing being more cooperative. This year, the US and China have cooperated on at least four chartered deportation flights carrying a total of 475 Chinese citizens. The Chinese embassy in Washington told the South China Morning Post in a statement that China would continue to "strengthen international law enforcement cooperation and work with relevant countries to jointly address the challenges brought by organised migrant smuggling". Undocumented Chinese migrants stand in line in front of US Border Patrol agents in Jacumba Hot Springs in January 2024. Many such migrants to the US begin their journey in South or Central America. Photo: Kyodo alt=Undocumented Chinese migrants stand in line in front of US Border Patrol agents in Jacumba Hot Springs in January 2024. Many such migrants to the US begin their journey in South or Central America. Photo: Kyodo> That said, priorities could differ for the two sides. Beijing wants dissidents and fugitives returned and Washington wants to deport ordinary economic migrants. According to some observers, Beijing may be less eager to cooperate in the second Trump administration. "Friction over trade or human rights could well lead China to press pause on cooperation with the incoming Trump administration on migrants," said Thomas Kellogg of the Centre for Asian Law at Georgetown University, while noting that Trump's deal making approach could add pressure on Beijing. Other factors, though, work in favour of those seeking rapid removal. While several of Trump's plans would likely spawn lawsuits - similar to those that stymied his first-term immigration policies - he has experience from his first administration and, probably, Congress and the courts on his side. Since the start of his first term, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the president has broad powers over immigration, and the court's 6-3 conservative slant is the most pronounced in recent memory, thanks in large part to the three justices Trump nominated. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have proposed using an expedited budget process to fast track deportation funding. Non-profits also say there are not enough resources to support undocumented migrants, including skilled immigration lawyers with language proficiency - a particular issue for Chinese, according to Ng of Chinese for Affirmative Action. Without competent attorneys, the likelihood of losing a court case significantly increases. Chinese migrants who don't speak English may not be aware of their full rights, risking removal despite being legally entitled to stay. Chen Wang, a Chinese migrant in New York, poses in front of his tent in May. Chen moved to the US after being criminally admonished by Chinese police for his anti-Communist Party posts on social media. Photo: AP alt=Chen Wang, a Chinese migrant in New York, poses in front of his tent in May. Chen moved to the US after being criminally admonished by Chinese police for his anti-Communist Party posts on social media. Photo: AP> For the Chinese who do return, the future looks bleak. Chinese sources told the Post these individuals could face a three-year ban on applying for a new passport, inclusion on immigration blacklists and intense monitoring by local police and district officials. Some, based on China's Exit and Entry Administration Law, could pay fines or face prosecution because of the methods they used to leave the country and whether they played a role in smuggling others. Deportees' social credit would also likely be deducted and their children could encounter problems when applying for government jobs requiring political and background screening, sources said. And that does not count the backlash awaiting some migrants from people at home. "Please do not send them back to China, we don't want trash," said The Upright Brother Lei, a nationalist blogger with more than 600,000 followers on Weibo, after the US announced its third deportation flight to China this year. For some still in the US, the fear of deportation has already come and gone. "All we can do at this point is abide by the law, prepare our asylum cases diligently and focus on living well," said Iris Zhao, who overstayed her tourist visa last year and whose brother and mother crossed the southern US border earlier this year. "If, unfortunately, we are deported, we can only accept it as fate." Additional reporting by Yuanyue Dang in Beijing 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. WASHINGTON (AP) The fate of President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet is still unclear after Republican senators spent much of December carefully dodging questions about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. s views on vaccines, accusations of sexual misconduct against Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard's 2017 meeting with then-President Bashar Assad of Syria. While some GOP senators have indicated they are all-in for Trumps picks, others have withheld support, for now, especially on some of his more controversial nominees. The dynamic is injecting uncertainty into the process as Republicans prepare to take the Senate majority in January with a four-seat margin and as Trump aggressively challenges them to confirm his Cabinet immediately. Its not unusual for senators to wait until after confirmation hearings to publicly announce a decision. But Republicans are under more pressure than usual as Trump and his allies make clear that they will confront senators who dont fall in line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You only have control of the Senate because of Donald Trump, the president-elects son, Donald Trump Jr., warned during a media appearance this month. Without that, youd be relegated to insignificance. There has been one casualty of the process so far former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, who withdrew from contention as attorney general after senators relayed private concerns. But Trump has enthusiastically stood by the rest, including Kennedy for secretary of Health and Human Services, Hegseth for secretary of Defense and Gabbard for director of national intelligence. With hearings starting by mid-January, before Trump is even inaugurated, senators will soon have to decide how closely they will scrutinize the nominees and whether they are willing to vote against any of them. Republicans will have a 53-47 majority, so Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any nomination if Democrats are united in opposition. The outcome of the confirmation process, and the level of dissent in the Senate, will likely set the tone for Trumps presidency and his relationship with Congress, which was frequently tumultuous during his first term. He often clashed with the Senate, in particular, but has signaled he expects Republican senators to be more compliant this time around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not about putting yeses on the board, its about keeping nos off the board, said Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, one of Trumps top allies in the Senate, who speaks with him frequently. While most Senate Republicans have scrambled to display as much loyalty to Trump as possible, a handful have made clear that they are willing to defend the bodys advise and consent role. Among the senators to watch are moderate Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and incoming freshman Sen. John Curtis of Utah. Anybody who wants to give me heat for doing my job, bring it on, Curtis said Sunday on ABCs This Week when asked about vetting Trumps nominees. This is my job. Its my constitutional responsibility. Still, even moderate senators have shied away from directly criticizing Trumps picks. And not a single Republican has gone on the record against a nominee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several of Trump's picks are expected to sail to confirmation, perhaps even with some Democratic votes. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has indicated he will support Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of State and Rep. Elise Stefanik for United Nations ambassador, as have a few other Democrats. For the more controversial nominees, though, party unity will be key. One of Trumps most embattled picks is Hegseth, a Fox News host and veteran who some see as inexperienced and has publicly questioned whether women should serve in combat. He has also faced allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking that he has denied. But it's all given some senators pause, despite Trump's enthusiastic support. Hegseth has faced particular pressure from Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, herself a combat veteran who has worked to address sexual assault in the military. She has met with Hegseth several times, and has not yet said she will support him. She will have a chance to question him, publicly and face-to-face, in a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing that is scheduled for Jan. 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though a hearing for Gabbard has not yet been set, senators will also be able to question her publicly and in a classified setting about her trip to Syria after the U.S had severed diplomatic relations. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying its important to open dialogue, but critics hear echoes of Russia-fueled talking points in her commentary. Assad fled to Moscow earlier this month after opposition forces overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his familys five decades of rule. While Republican senators have mostly refrained from publicly expressing concerns about Gabbards ties abroad, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow a full review of the governments files on her. Senators have been a bit more openly skeptical of Kennedy, who has long questioned the use of some vaccines. After a report in the New York Times that one of his advisers filed a petition to revoke approval for the polio vaccine in 2022, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement saying that efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed theyre dangerous, and 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 such efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McConnell, who had polio as a child, is leaving leadership next year but will stay in the Senate. His votes will also be closely watched after years of tension with Trump as he assumes a new role free from the responsibilities of leadership. Like McConnell, many senators have taken an advice approach, telling the nominees what they need to do to be confirmed. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis says hes told all of the nominees hes met with so far, go out and see what the press is saying about you, find your top 10 and disarm the conversation by having a good solution for why that isnt you. In addition, Tillis said, youve got to have a good showing in committee." The white trails left by airplanes have nothing to do with experiments that could have caused the catastrophic storm that left more than 200 people dead in Valencia, Spain, neither is there other out-of-control climate engineering that is causing torrential rains or droughts. However, beyond conspiracy theories, the human desire to try to control the weather is not a hoax. There are already scientific studies that show that rainfall can be increased artificially through cloud seeding with silver iodide. Why does it rain? Can it be made to rain? As Andrea Flossmann, co-chair of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) group of experts in this field explains, there is currently a renewed interest in various countries in techniques capable of modifying the weather. This is a concept that has been in the works for nearly 80 years, which first generated a lot of expectations and then collapsed completely because it could not be proven to work, but now it is making a comeback because of climate changes, as the situation becomes more desperate, says the emeritus researcher from the University of Clermont-Ferrand (France), referring to global warming. According to Jose Luis Sanchez, a professor of applied physics at the University of Leon, who has himself flown in planes to seed clouds, various investigations have been carried out in Spain in the past to try to artificially increase rainfall, such as the PIP project coordinated by the WMO in Valladolid between 1979 and 1981. They were not very successful: in the case of the PIP, it was not even possible to move on to the seeding phase. Nothing has been done again, which for me is a mistake; more research needs to be done on what happens inside the clouds to understand why some precipitate and others do not, he says. However, anti-hail nets with silver iodide burners are still used today, such as the one that has been in operation since 1976 in Madrid. In addition, there are currently farmers who buy their own anti-hail cannons with sound waves to protect their farms, although the experts consulted by this newspaper do not give much credence to the effectiveness of the latter. As for artificial rain, water experts stress that there are simpler options for increasing the availability of water resources, such as improving efficiency or saving. Moreover, in the event of a drought, this is not a technique that can be applied everywhere, as clouds are essential. Even so, if cloud seeding with silver iodide has not become more widespread, it is because of the difficulty in proving that it really works. The reason is the great diversity of clouds, Flossmann explains, we never have two identical ones, so we can seed one and not another to compare them later. To resolve this issue, the French meteorologist explains that there are two possible strategies. The first consists of carrying out much more massive cloud seedings hoping to find statistical differences, similar to the double-blind tests used by doctors. However, as she stresses, this has never been done because the studies are very expensive. The other strategy is being carried out and consists of focusing on clouds with less variability orographic clouds which are those that form in areas with relief. It has been carried out in the Rocky Mountains, where cloud seeding has managed to increase snow, in a region where water reserves are stored for cities in summer. In this case, there is confirmation that the principle can work, Flossmann notes. What techniques are there for cloud seeding? As Sanchez explains, countries such as the United States, Greece and Austria have been seeding clouds from aircraft for more than 25 years, and Canada and Bulgaria have been doing so for a little less time. Because of the use of aircraft, this is the most expensive system. The Spanish physicist jokes about the images of splendid blue skies crossed by the normal condensation trails of aircraft that are sometimes spread on social networks as if some chemical substance were being sprayed, when the real seeding necessarily takes place with clouds and sometimes in situations of great atmospheric instability. When you fly into a storm in an airplane, you feel like youve been pulled upwards, these are updrafts, says the physicist. In rain clouds, the updraft is tiny, at most two meters per second, but in storm clouds it can be between 10 and 30 meters per second, thats between 35 and 100 kilometers per hour [35-62 miles per hour]. Its very hard to get into storm clouds, but I love it, says this expert, who shows videos of silver iodide seeding from inside airplanes in a project against hail in Mendoza (Argentina), of which he is scientific director. In other countries, especially in Russia and China, but also in Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, rockets launched from the ground with artillery cannons are used to spread silver iodide in the clouds. Here the problem is that air traffic has to be stopped and that is why they are abandoning it, says Sanchez, who adds that in Bulgaria they have asked him for advice on changing to the Spanish model. In both France and Spain, the cloud seeding system is used to combat hail with burners installed on the ground, such as those in the regions of Madrid or Aragon. It is cheaper than airplanes and does not affect air traffic. In the case of the Madrid anti-hail network, in the 48 years it has been operating, it has always been managed by the Chamber of Agriculture and is made up of 14 automatic generators in which silver iodide is burned, located in agricultural areas in the southeast of the region. We have a collaboration with the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) that makes a specific prediction for this area and when there is a risk of hail greater than 50%, these are days when the generators are likely to be turned on, explains Vicente Diez, an agricultural technical engineer from the Chamber of Agriculture in charge of the network. Despite operating since 1976, he says that they do not have data on its effectiveness. A meteorological study is currently being carried out on the evolution of the climate in recent years in the Madrid region and neighbouring provinces, he says. Fight against hail The silver iodide seeding system is the same for trying to generate artificial rain or to fight hail; the difference is in the type of clouds and their thickness. As explained by Sanchez, rain clouds usually have a vertical extension of one or two kilometers, while those that generate dangerous hail can reach more than 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) in thickness, such as the cumulonimbus clouds that usually occur in Spain in summer, when it is hotter. At minus 12 or 15 degrees, one gram of silver iodide generates approximately one billion freezing nuclei at least, which will encourage many ice crystals inside the clouds to try to make the drops grow as they collide with each other, explains Sanchez. In this way, if they reach the necessary size, and depending on the temperature, they will turn into rain or snow. However, in storm clouds, which are much thicker and have a lot of water inside them, the problem is that hailstones are produced that grow too large, which can cause significant damage to agricultural fields or human settlements. Here, silver iodide tries to increase competition between ice crystals so that there is less chance of some of them becoming too big. For Flossmann, there are several risks to be taken into account when trying to manipulate the weather. The first is the danger of spreading chemicals that have toxicity problems. According to the French meteorologist, the quantities are very small at the moment, but she believes that this should be monitored. Another sensitive issue is the lack of regulation. At the moment, it is very different in each place and each country does what it wants, she points out. In France, the tests are promoted by private entities, farmers associations. There are countries where the meteorological services are usually in charge, while in other places like Wyoming it is scientists with water companies. And in China and Russia, it is directly the military that is in charge. Unlike so-called geoengineering solutions to modify climate conditions on a large scale which are now more in the realm of theory techniques to try to generate rain or reduce hail are much more local. However, they have another effect that is repeated all over the planet: they arouse real anger among residents. Although hoaxes such as chemtrails sound so crazy that they seem harmless, the reality is that these types of messages related to meteorology do take hold and generate a lot of tension. In fact, there are Spanish farmers who are now convinced that the drought they are suffering is the fault of cloud seeding in Morocco, or of the private anti-hail cannons used in irrigated fields. When it doesnt rain, these unfounded theories start to emerge, says Juan Esteban Palenzuela, territorial delegate of Aemet in Murcia, who explains that the water shortage in this Spanish region, where the last hydrological year was the driest since 1961-1962, has triggered tensions between dryland farmers who accuse other irrigated farmers of causing drought with their anti-hail cannons. Supposedly, these devices reduce the size of hail using sound waves. However, according to this meteorologist, the reality is that they have no scientific basis. And in no case can they alter the normal rainfall pattern. In fact, as Palenzuela points out, even the sowing techniques that have proven to be more effective achieve a little more precipitation water [...] When I say a little more, I mean that perhaps the rainfall increases by 15% or 20% at most. These anti-hail cannons, which are causing problems for some farmers, are sold by SPAG, based in Valencia. Alberto Gerada, director of operations for this company, does not give sales figures, but states that we are having annual internal growth of over 100%. Regarding the controversy caused by these devices, he acknowledges that the social noise is enormous. Paradoxically, he also says that in areas of northern Europe where it rains a lot, the complaint is the opposite, because there they claim that the system increases rainfall. The SPAG representative claims that current devices are not like the sonic cannons of the past and guarantees that their sound waves cause microcracks in the structure of the hail before it reaches the surface to reduce its damaging impact. However, Sanchez also questions whether they are of any use. In Spain, the law establishes that it is the hydrographic confederations that must authorize systems that modify the atmospheric phase of the hydrological cycle in order to avoid precipitation in the form of hail. In this regard, the Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) states that the River Basin Authority is not oblivious to the social impact that the use of these devices has caused, although it is true that it has a greater echo among certain economic sectors (mainly, the agricultural sector) and, logically, in those geographical areas where their use is more recurrent. After analyzing what Aemet says about these cannons, the CHS concludes that their use would have a very limited effect that could hardly be related to a decrease in rainfall in a region or a larger geographical area. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) As last-minute shoppers raced to pick up gifts for their loved ones, law enforcement officials urged people to be wary of card skimming and other scams after a two-day operation uncovered nearly two dozen skimming devices across in San Diego. The two-day operation, which was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service in tandem with San Diego law enforcement last week, encompassed visits to more than 150 local businesses to identify and remove illicit skimming devices from slots where consumers would place their debit cards. This technology is used by scammers to record ones card information, so they can then fraudulently use it elsewhere. Some are also equipped with cameras to steal pin information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Managing mental health during the holidays With the recent search, a total of 21 skimming devices were recovered in the county, preventing estimated financial losses of around $63 million, a spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service Los Angeles Field Office said in a release Monday. Skimming and other types of scams tied to point-of-sale terminals, like Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) fraud, has been on the rise over the last few years, many specifically targeting places like gas pumps and ATMs. People who are deploying these skimmers are going across all business sectors, deputy district attorney Brendan McHugh told FOX 5/KUSI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McHugh offered a few helpful tips for consumers to better protect oneself from falling victim to common point-of-sale scams: Take a look the card reader before placing ones card inside to check for signs of tampering or any unusual features. When inputting a pin number, cover the keypad with a hand. To reduce risk, only use secure, well-lit, indoor ATMs to pull money from a checking account. Use alternative forms of payment instead of a debit card, such as a credit card without a pin number or cash. Be wary of skimming devices in areas where tourists frequent, where scams are more common. When using a chip-enabled card, opt for inserting the chip instead of swiping the magnetic strip to reduce risk of fraud. FOX 5/KUSIs Jaime Chambers contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. CHICAGO Felony charges have been filed against a man accused of battering officers shortly after he was arrested in connection with the robbery of two Chicago Fire Department (CFD) employees who were responding to a call on the South Side. Officers said 20-year-old Jaylin Brewster has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated robbery with the indication they were armed, and two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers said the charges were handed down after two CFD employees were able to apprehend Brewster during an alleged robbery in Auburn Gresham. According to police, the incident allegedly unfolded just before 2 a.m. on Monday, in the 7900 block of South Throop Street, as the two CFD employees were responding to a call in the area. Officers said 20-year-old Jaylin Brewster has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated robbery with the indication they were armed, and two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer. Officers said while on the scene, Brewster allegedly approached the two men and told them that he was armed with a firearm before stealing an unknown amount of cash from them. But officers said the two men were then able to overpower Brewster during the alleged robbery and held him until police arrived on the scene. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, officers arrived on the scene and placed him into custody but during his arrest, Brewster allegedly battered responding officers. The extent of the officers injuries is unclear. The two CFD employees sustained minor injuries during the incident. No weapon was found on Brewster at the time of his arrest, police said. Brewster appeared in court on Wednesday for a detention hearing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Russian attackers and Ukrainian defenders have once again engaged in fierce battles over the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. The General Staff in Kiev said in its Wednesday evening situation report that 35 Russian attacks were reported around the city on the edge of the Donbass during the course of the day. "Three Russian armies are concentrated here against us," regional commander Viktor Trehubov was quoted by the news agency UNIAN as saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stated, "The battles here are very intense because the Russian occupiers are throwing all available forces forward and trying to break through our troops' defence lines." In the attempted pincer attacks on Pokrovsk, the Russian attackers reportedly suffered heavy losses. On the previous day alone, 133 Russian soldiers were killed, he said. These figures could not be independently verified. The Russian military is attempting to advance as close as possible to the outskirts of Pokrovsk and break through the defenders' left and right flanks. Trehubov described the situation, saying, "Since fighting in the city itself is very unpleasant, the enemy is trying to force battles in the outskirts to compel the Ukrainian forces to retreat and avoid a frontal assault." DENVER (KDVR) The third and final person accused in a training records fraud scheme out of the Adams County Sheriffs Office has pleaded guilty and was sentenced last week in the matter. Former Adams County Sheriffs Office Division Chief Michael Bethel pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Dec. 20 for his part in a law enforcement training records scheme that allowed him to claim credit for state-mandated training he did not complete. Previous coverage: Former Adams County sheriff pleads guilty in training records fraud scheme Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bethel was charged in the scheme alongside former Adams County Sheriff Rick Reigenborn and former Undersheriff Thomas McLallen, both of whom pleaded guilty and were sentenced earlier this year. The trio were accused of signing various training rosters for classes they did not attend and submitting training certificates to the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training organization. Bethel pleaded guilty to one count of felony forgery and two misdemeanor counts of second-degree forgery and first-degree official misconduct. He was sentenced to serve 24 months in a deferred sentence on the forgery charge and to serve a concurrent 24-month probation sentence for the misdemeanor charges. He was also ordered to pay $1,000 in fines and complete 100 hours of community service. Additionally, Bethel is required to relinquish his state peace officer certification and will not be eligible to be a law enforcement officer in Colorado. He was also ordered to write a letter of apology to the Adams County Sheriffs Office and to Colorado POST. According to prosecutors, the Adams County leadership was trying to count the training toward the required 2021 annual training hours. Officers in Colorado are required by POST to complete at least 24 hours of annual in-service training, which includes 12 hours of perishable skills like training in arrest control, driving and firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous coverage: Former Adams County undersheriff sentenced for fraudulent records scheme Law enforcement officers have an obligation to complete important training as a requirement of maintaining their certifications. For those who fail to do so, and who defraud the state about meeting those requirements, there must be consequences. Our department is committed to holding accountable those officers who undermine the trust in the profession and violate the law, said Attorney General Phil Weiser, who also serves as the chair of the Colorado POST Board as POST is a unit of the Criminal Justice Section of the Colorado Attorney Generals Office. If POST discovers the law enforcement agency was out of compliance with the boards rules, due to their officers failing to complete the required annual training, the state board could retract grant funding to the agency. A state law that was passed in 2020 authorizes the attorney general to enforce violations of POST training standards and allows the attorney general to impose fines or bring criminal charges if the violation was found to be intentional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OSLO (Reuters) - Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Wednesday authorities in his country were investigating an undersea power cable outage on a line connecting Finland and Estonia. An unplanned break in service on the Estlink 2 interconnector occurred at 1026 GMT, operator Fingrid said in a statement on the Nordpool regulatory web site, reducing its available capacity to 358 megawatts (MW) from an installed capacity of 1,016 MW. "Even at Christmas the authorities are on standby to investigate the matter," Orpo said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The interruption did not affect Finland's electricity supply, he added. Authorities in the region have been on high alert for potential acts of sabotage following a string of outages of power cables, gas pipelines and telecom links in the Baltic Sea in recent years, although subsea cables are also subject to technical malfunctions and outages caused by accidents. "An investigation into the incident has been initiated," Fingrid control room manager Arto Pahkin said in a statement. At the time of the outage the electricity had been flowing in the direction from Finland to Estonia at a rate of 658 MW, Fingrid said. (This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of the name to Pahkin, not Pahki, in paragraph 6) (Reporting by Terje Solsvik; Editing by Hugh Lawson) April 7, 1980, was a dark day in Shenandoah. That was the day the oldest Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in America went up in flames. The majestic gold domes of St. Michael the Archangel, a Shenandoah landmark, crumbled into ash under the intense heat of the inferno. So hot was the fire that it destroyed the parish rectory, damaged five homes near West Oak and Chestnut streets and scorched parked cars near the church. Flying embers ignited the roofs of homes as far as five blocks away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel F. Murphy, a member of Phoenix Fire Company who was one of the first on the scene, said the alarm was turned in at 12:50 a.m. When firemen opened the church doors, flames were coming through the floor, the Pottsville Republican reported. Within a half-hour, the building was engulfed. Nearly 45 years after the historic church burned, its legacy was recalled during the recent celebration of the 140th anniversary of St. Michaels, the first Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in America. Borys A. Gudziak, Metropolitan-Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, recalled how Eastern European immigrants founded the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From this town, this very place, that first letter went out saying send us a priest, recalled Gudziak, the leader of Ukrainian Catholicism in America. They wrote to the Metropolitan and said We lack God, who we can adore in our own way. Their appeal was answered when 27-year-old Rev. John Woliansky was sent to Shenandoah, where he celebrated the first Liturgy in Kern Hall on Dec. 18, 1884. Speaking from the pulpit, Gudziak marveled at the resilience of the often exploited immigrant coal miners who built the original church. Yet, they put their pennies together and built these fantastic churches, he said. I find it miraculous that these people worked together the way they did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporter Pat Purcells story, published the day of the fire, captured the magnitude of the inferno that consumed the original church. You could not put a price tag on it, Rev. John Bura, pastor, told Purcell. You couldnt build one like it today. Aside from the churchs distinctive Byzantine architecture, it contained priceless religious art and sculpture. When the last standing wall of the church crumbled, the smoke was so dense it was impossible to see across the street, Purcell wrote. Thousands of persons lined the street, watching the giant fireball consume the historic church. Hundreds of firefighters from across Schuylkill county valiantly fought the blaze. Despite their efforts, the wooden structure collapsed into rubble about four or five hours after it started in the church basement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire took a human toll as well. Several firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene, and three were treated at Locust Mountain State General Hospital. Three others had burns and minor injuries. Around 3:25 a.m., just under three hours after it started, bright orange flames erupted from the roof of the double-block parsonage, north of the church. Rev. Bura reported that nothing had been saved from the building. The fire was brought under control at 5 a.m. and declared out at 7:30 a.m., seven hours after it was reported. Three years and seven months later, as if arising from the phoenix, the cornerstone of a new church was dedicated by Metropolitan Archbishop Stephen Sulyk on Nov. 27, 1983. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are continuing the legacy of those who came to this country and established the first Eastern Rite parish in America, said Rev. Stephen Hart, of Annunciation BVM church. People of Ukraine today are not able to build churches in the Soviet dominated Ukraine. Those who wept at the burning of the original church rejoiced at the dedication of the new church. Many people cried as they watched fire consume their church during the early morning hours of Easter Monday in 1980, and saw the majestic gold domes of the landmark topple to the ground, Rev. Hart said, but today they came back to the same place rejoicing. A total of 15 people were slightly injured in a fire in a care and nursing home in the southern German city of Munich on Christmas Eve, the fire brigade said in an update released on Wednesday. It said the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage were still unclear. The fire brigade said 60 people were evacuated from the historical building before the fire spread to parts of the roof and bell tower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the statement, 120 firefighters were deployed and worked into the night to extinguish the blaze, removing the sheet metal facade of the bell tower in the process. Police reportedly closed off the surrounding streets during the operation. Some residents were moved to a different, unaffected area of the building as well as to a nearby building belonging to the Technical University of Munich, the fire brigade said. The injured were taken to hospital with mild smoke inhalation. DALTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Three people were displaced after a house fire ravaged a Dalton home Tuesday night. According to the Lackawanna County 911 Emergency Services Center, a house fire was called in around 8:45 p.m. to the 300 block of Fuller Road. Authorities say the fire was soon upgraded to a second alarm. The Dalton Fire Department headed the response to the incident with help from other units in Lackawanna and Wyoming County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dalton Fire Department Chief Ron Stacknick told 28/22 News responding crews took a defensive formation in battling the blaze. Chief Stacknick says crews cleared the scene at about 2:00 a.m. Wednesday morning. Fire continues through the night in Luzerne County Officials say that everyone made it out of the house and no one was injured. The Red Cross has been called to the scene to assist after two adults and one infant were displaced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Stacknick also explained two cats lived in the residence with one being found and the other currently unaccounted for. Authorities say the cause of the fire is unknown at this time and the PSP Fire Marshal is investigating. 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 PAhomepage.com. With dangerous weather conditions along Southern California waters, first responders have scaled back a search for two fishermen whose boat was discovered overturned on the rocky shoreline along Palos Verdes Estates. The fishermen, only described as two men in their 50s, launched from Cabrillo Beach Monday and were supposed to return by midnight. Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department launched an extensive search after they were reported missing, deploying drones, rescue boats and helicopters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two beachcombers who were out collecting shells along the Paseo Del Mar shoreline, Finley Murphy and Olivia Mozian, happened to see the wreckage. L.A. County Fire search and rescue crews search for two men missing after their boat was found overturned along the Palos Verdes Estates shoreline on Dec. 24, 2024. (KTLA) L.A. County Fire search and rescue crews search for two men missing after their boat was found overturned along the Palos Verdes Estates shoreline on Dec. 24, 2024. (KTLA) L.A. County Fire search and rescue crews search for two men missing after their boat was found overturned along the Palos Verdes Estates shoreline on Dec. 24, 2024. (KTLA) L.A. County Fire search and rescue crews search for two men missing after their boat was found overturned along the Palos Verdes Estates shoreline on Dec. 24, 2024. (KTLA) The [boat] was completely overturned, Murphy told KTLAs Gene Kang. There were holes in the hull and stuff scattered across the beach, a couple of life jackets, a propeller, coolers and kids life vests. L.A. County Fire Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Jake Miller told KTLA search and rescue crews have been working in challenging conditions. Death sentences of 2 ruthless Southern California serial killers commuted We pretty much saturated everything from the cliff all the way out into the ocean as best we could with nothing found, he explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As high tide, thick fog and a marine layer rolled in making the search even more difficult, the decision was made to scale the operation back, with officials saying they will scan the water by air for the next several days. Definitely a bummer with the holidays and awful for their families and this circumstance, Murphy 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. U.S. Marines in a communications shop played a little prank on naive young guys who arrived, right out of bootcamp, at Camp Pendleton many years ago. Our World War II-era radios had big glass tubes that broke or burned out often, so every private or Pfc spent some time running around Southern California to different supply shacks with a clipboard full of requisitions. If a kid looked young and innocent enough, the comms sergeant would send him out in search of some fallopian tubes. The joke was, company supply would say, Awww man, fallopians maybe you should try battalion supply, then battalion would say those are handled at division level, division would send the guy to regiment and so on. Pretty soon, our gullible naif would be filling out a form asking Washington to send us a big batch of fallopian tubes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What the settlement in so-called 'Don't Say Gay' lawsuit means for Palm Beach County schools I dont know how many young Marines fell for it. But when they sent me, I jumped in a Jeep and went to the camp PX to read comic books and drink milkshakes all day. Then I went back to the radio shack and acted all chagrined. Awww, you guys. The fallopian trick worked because the schools in those days taught nothing about human reproduction. We knew the crude terms for various activities and bodily attractions; we just didnt get any factual or biology-based stuff in the classroom. The Marine Corps probably replaced those big glass tubes with some kind of chips long ago, and the old salts surely have clever new hoaxes for recruits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe in a few years they can bring back the fallopian fakery at least for Marines from Florida. Our Department of Education, complying with legislative edicts, is yielding to the Victorian prudery of pressure groups like Moms for Liberty. The department has decreed that sex-education curriculums in public schools should avoid, as much as possible, discussion of what used to be blushingly called the facts of life. More on sex: "Loofah code" at Florida's largest retirement community more about confused than enthused The idea, often cited by Gov. Ron DeSantis, is that the state should educate, not indoctrinate. Therefore, instruction regarding human reproduction should start with abstinence and well, it should pretty much end there, too. Its a lofty ideal and scientifically accurate insofar as abstinence works every time its used. Governor Ron DeSantis speaks in opposition to Amendment 3 at the Police Benevolent Association Banquet Hall in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla., on October 30, 2024. DeSantis spoke for over 20 minutes and explained multiple financial, societal and criminal downsides to the proposed constitutional change that would bring legal recreational marijuana usage to the state. Only trouble is, going back to the time of Adam and Eve, it isnt abstinence thats failed its trying to abstain that a lot of people cant quite manage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A state government should not be emphasizing or encouraging sexual activity among children or minors, and is therefore right to emphasize abstinence, a Department of Education official told the Associated Press. But thats like saying learning about Beethoven will tempt children to write symphonies, or studying politicians will produce a generation of shameless liars. Remembering our own teens, we can safely assume middle and high school kids are already aware of this stuff, with no emphasizing or encouraging by teachers. It would be nice if we could keep our kids blissfully innocent well into adulthood. But we cant. What bothers the parental pressure groups and Republican legislators, really, is that instruction about sex will get into moral issues and acts that make some folks blush. If anybody really has to mention homosexuality, transgender matters or abortion, they want it framed as something shameful and perverse yknow, the right kind of indoctrination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is it better for young people to get factual information in the classroom, or have attitudes shaped by TV situation comedies or heaven forfend the internet? Education is education, even when it makes us uncomfortable, even when we wish we didnt have to talk about things. When my son was in fourth grade, there was a Newspapers in Education program that provided copies of our paper to the schools every morning. I offered to get my kids class signed up, and his teacher was delighted but asked that we wait until President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky were off the front page. OK, we can keep it age-appropriate. Fourth-graders dont need the same curriculum high schoolers will use. But any education is better than graduating high school thinking fallopian tubes are part of an old-time radio. Bill Cotterell Bill Cotterell's columns are distributed by The News Service of Florida. He is a retired state Capitol reporter for United Press International and the Tallahassee Democrat and can be reached at wrcott43@aol.com This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida schools need more than just say no sex ed | Opinion I have found my soulmate, when we are together everything flows in perfect harmony, but I am a little skeptical about whether he feels the same. It could be a fragment of a conversation between two friends in 2024. However, three of the expressions in that sentence originate in the philosophy of classical Greece, which bequeathed us a linguistic and cultural heritage that is part of our everyday vocabulary, although we have sometimes distorted its meaning over time. Platonic love? Few terms have more definitions than love, if we dare to define it. Plato tried about 2,400 years ago, drawing it as an instrument to reach beauty, the highest ideal of man. Difficult and costly, but attainable and affordable for anyone who wants to approach knowledge. What we understand today by Platonic love is an entelechy a word coined by his disciple Aristotle that today is defined by the Collins dictionary as actuality as opposed to potentiality something practically unattainable. Jose Carlos Ruiz, a professor of philosophy at the University of Cordoba and author of books such as El arte de pensar (The art of thinking, 2018), explains in a telephone conversation that platonic love today is considered something unattainable because it has been subjected to a certain prior idealization. My soulmate The primeval man was round, his back and sides forming a circle; and he had four hands and four feet, one head with two faces. The image is disturbing, but this is how Aristophanes narrates this myth in The Symposium, one of Platos best-known works. After offending the gods, Zeus ordered Apollo to split each individual in half, condemning them to forever search for their other half? Their soul mate? Harmony Philosophical concepts are changed or distorted over time because people tend to assimilate particular traits of the characters at the forefront of certain philosophical currents, affixing the anecdote more than the real meaning of the word, explains Jose Antonio Berenguer, an expert from the department of Greek and Latin Studies at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). He gives the example of the word harmony, which we use today to mean concord between people or objects, but in classical Greece it meant only union or assembly, not necessarily concord. Pythagoras (569-475 B.C.) relates harmony to music (a relationship that has survived to this day), specifically to a melody produced by the movement of the planets that the human ear is not able to hear. We are not as cynical as Diogenes We say that someone has Diogenes syndrome if they hoard things in an unhealthy way, particularly garbage. Paradoxically, the philosopher who gave his name to the disorder, Diogenes of Sinope (412-323 B.C.), was characterized by renouncing practically all material goods. His only belongings were a bag, a cloak, a staff, and a bowl. And, when he saw a child drink directly from the water he collected in his own hands, he got rid of the bowl because it seemed pretentious. This disdain for material things was a common trait of the members of his philosophical school, the Cynics, who rejected ostentation and the socially established. The word cynic today defines someone who acts with blatant falsehood or shamelessness, and this conception probably comes from some episodes in Diogenes life. Ruiz explains that during a banquet, to mock the philosopher, they threw bones at him like a dog (the word cynic comes from the Greek kynikos, which means canine), to which the philosopher responded by behaving like the animal: he raised his leg and urinated in the food of those who had offended him. Skepticism There are people who doubt the existence of true love: the love skeptics, they could be called, because Pyrrhon (360-270 B.C.) thought he was very clear about his philosophy until he accompanied Alexander the Great on his expedition to India and saw that there were people with very different ideas and ways of thinking. He created the skeptical school, which invited distrust in the possibility of knowing the truth. The word skepticism has retained its meaning almost unchanged, and the Cambridge dictionary defines it as doubt that something is true or useful. Hedonistic pleasure We call the pleasure-seeker a hedonist, as did Epicurus (342-270 B.C.). His idea of hedonism and pleasure, however, does not correspond to that of our time. Ruiz says that the important thing for Epicureanism was that pleasures were communal, and not selfish, and gave special importance to friendship and moderation. The Greek philosopher defended the necessary natural pleasures, such as eating and sleeping; the unnecessary natural pleasures, such as sex; and those that did not fall into any of these two categories, which were the least desirable. Stoically endure Some of the great philosophical thoughts are not only present in our society, they are also in fashion. This is the case of Stoicism, a school founded at the beginning of the third century B.C. by Zeno of Citium. These philosophers thought that it is possible to achieve freedom by being indifferent to material things and fortune, being guided only by reason, and being impassive in the face of negative events. Although the school originated in Hellenistic Greece, it reached the Roman Empire of Marcus Aurelius and influenced Christianity. One of its references was Seneca the Younger (4 B.C.-65 A.D.), a philosopher born in the Roman city of Corduba, modern-day Cordoba in Spain. It cannot be said that he put into practice the renunciation of material goods: Seneca, who was a multimillionaire, gave stoic advice when he was not much of one himself, says Ruiz of his countryman, who was a senator under four Roman emperors and had a fortune of 300 million sesterces, compared to the five that an average senator would have. The professor stresses that many Stoics did have to resign themselves to less affluent lives: Epictetus (55-135 A.D), one of the great Stoics, was born in Greece but was sold into slavery in Rome and advocated an exercise of constant restraint in which he distinguished what depends on you and what does not. A wise man had to be emotionally resilient to misfortune, and he was. From four to 118 elements: What is the world made of? Some of the philosophical ideas of the classical era have found their way into the movies. To give a recent example, in 2023 Pixar released Elemental, which tells the story of the difficult relationship between fire and water, which cannot touch each other. Although today chemistry has identified up to 118 elements, when we talk about them outside a laboratory we usually think of four, adding air and earth to this tormented couple. This idea did not come from Pixar, but from Empedocles of Agrigento, a philosopher of the fifth century B.C., who established that there are four elements: fire, water, earth and air. Friendship unites them and hatred separates them. Earlier, several pre-Socratic thinkers sought a scientific explanation for material facts, instead of resorting to religion or mythology, and laid the foundations of scientific thought: Anaximenes chose water as the elementary principle; Heraclitus, fire; Thales of Miletus, water; and Xenophanes, earth. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Dec. 24CUMBERLAND A Florida man is jailed and awaiting extradition after he was arrested Monday on a fugitive from justice warrant issued in that state, according to Cumberland Police. Police arrested Terry William Askins, 32, on the court order that was issued after Askins allegedly failed to register as a convicted sex offender. Adkins, a resident of Orange County, remained jailed Tuesday at the Allegany County Detention Center, pending court proceedings for his return there. No information was available as to how officers came into contact with Adkins before learning he was wanted on the warrant. As food trucks have multiplied across the country, customers have embraced them enthusiastically much to the frustration of brick-and-mortar restaurants. In 2023, the United States boasted nearly 53,000 food trucks, reflecting a nearly 20% increase from 2022, according to IBIS World, which tracks thousands of industries. And there are no signs of it slowing down: This trend of rapid growth has been consistent over the past five years. California, Texas, and Florida lead the country with hundreds of food trucks each. However, not all regions have been as accommodating, setting up roadblocks to food truck operations. Some cities have imposed restrictions on where food trucks can operate, limited their hours, and charged fees that operators say discourage their business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Entrepreneurs from cities like Chicago and New Orleans have long tussled with city governments that often prioritize the interests of established restaurant owners over mobile vendors. Related: The 10 Best Food Truck Cities in the U.S. On the other hand, some municipalities view food trucks as an opportunity to support fledgling businesses that might evolve into permanent establishments, ultimately boosting local tax revenue. But other municipalities have opened their arms to food trucks, seeing them as ways to support fledgling businesses that might eventually open permanent spots and provide more tax revenue. While some still require food trucks to hunt for space in parking lots, on service drives, and on crowded streets, others are carving out dedicated locations for them. Dearborns Peace Parks: a new home for food trucks In Dearborn, Michigan, adjacent to Detroit, city officials have taken a proactive approach to embrace food trucks. On a windy September Friday, they inaugurated the first of three new Peace Parks, designed to be vibrant community hubs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abdullah Hammoud, the 34-year-old mayor, envisioned these grant-funded parks as places where residents of all ages could buy food, shop for crafts, enjoy live music, and spend time outdoors with friends and family. Were trying to create a network of sister parks, Hammoud told Food & Wine. That is what bolsters a community: places where friends can gather, where neighbors share stories, where entrepreneurs have an opportunity to blossom, These parks, referred to as third spaces in economic development terms, aim to provide communal gathering spots distinct from home and work. The first park, transformed from a two-acre vacant lot in downtown Dearborn, was followed in November by a second park to the east, on the former grounds of Dearborn City Hall. A third park is under construction to the south. In all, the parks will cost $29.2 million to create. A foodie mayor and a culinary hub Mayor Hammoud, a self-proclaimed foodie, is clearly fired up about the culinary potential in Dearborn, a city of about 107,000 with one of the largest concentrations of Arab-Americans in the U.S. Known for his love of showcasing local cuisine, you can ask him for recommendations, and hell rattle off a list of places that range from ribs to Turkish food, coffee shops, and pastry places serving versions of the viral Dubai chocolate bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have new businesses setting up across the roadway because the park was placed here, Hammoud said. They have an opportunity to open up within this park, to sell their product, sell their food, to show what they have to offer. The emphasis on food trucks was clear at the park's opening ceremony. Signs reading Your Food Truck Here were prominently displayed, while vendors like Jabak Coffee House served espresso drinks to order, along with desserts and snacks; meanwhile, Mias Flower Truck offered fall bouquets. Catering teams circulated with plates of grape leaves, pita sandwiches, and sweets. The second parks ceremony featured Corn on the Corner, a rising star in Dearborns culinary scene. It has grown from a single truck parked at a gas station to a brick-and-mortar restaurant, serving hot chicken sliders, bountiful grilled cheese sandwiches, and corn off the cob, with various toppings. Dedicated food truck spaces are a model for growth The dedicated food truck spots in the Peace Parks were inspired by the trucks ad hoc use of parks around the city. Seeing the trucks pop up around town, Dearborn officials decided to offer them dedicated spaces with electrical outlets and a streamlined permitting structure that would make it easier for them to operate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While details like fee structures and vendor capacity are still being finalized, city officials are cautious about ensuring trucks can meet demand without frustrating customers or overshadowing nearby restaurants. For now, food trucks are integrated into city events, such as park dedications, but Dearborn officials have long-term plans to include them in festivals, on private properties, and in other public spaces. A broader vision for Dearborns culinary scene Dearborns food trucks are also bolstered by new ventures like The Canteen at Midtown, a fully halal food hall with a commissary kitchen and a food truck park hosting six vendors in its parking lot. They include The Munch Box, with burgers and sliders; The Terry Melt, with patty and steak melts; The Chicken Coupe, which serves chicken and waffles; The Bistro Box, with Italian food; Amo Sami's Shawarma, with shawarma sandwiches and Fratelli's Eateries, which makes pizza in a wood-fired oven. Inside the food hall, businesses such as Qahwah House, a Yemeni coffee chain that started on Dearborns east side, continue to expand. Hes got requests for hundreds around the globe, Hammoud said of the chains founder, which now boasts 20 U.S. locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once known for Ford Motor Companys massive Rouge manufacturing complex, which employed more than 100,000 people at its peak during World War II, Dearborn is embracing its evolution. And while its food businesses may not employ the tens of thousands that Ford once did, they are quickly becoming the heart and soul of Dearborns 21st-century economy. Read the original article on Food & Wine Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Nearly half a million households were left without power on Christmas Day in frigid weather after further missile attacks by Russia on Ukraine's damaged power grid, according to multiple reports. New drone and missile strikes by Russia across Ukraine, which officials say may or may not have entered other foreign airspace, began Tuesday night and continued into the morning on Christmas Day with the country's energy minister warning of power cuts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Wednesday more than 70 missiles, including several ballistic along with more than 100 drones, targeted Ukraine's energy sector and that Russia continues to "fight for a blackout in Ukraine," he wrote on Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least one person is dead after attacks in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region with at least six injuries in Kharkiv less than 20 miles to the Russian border, and more than a dozen other reported injuries in other parts of the war-torn eastern European country. There were outages in "several" regions, the Ukrainian leader says, and energy workers are working to restore power "as soon as possible." "While our countries celebrate Christmas, Kremlin chooses destruction," Moldova President Maia Sandu (seen in 2021 in New York City) said Wednesday. She reiterated how Russian missile strikes targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, adding that it likewise violated Moldovas airspace in the process, which "clearly violate international law." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Russia attacked its energy sector "again on a massive scale," Ukrainian Energy Minister German Halushchenko wrote on Facebook. Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor, confirmed at least seven missile strikes targeted the city. A sprinkling of infrastructure and residential buildings were damaged in the onslaught. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "According to preliminary data, our defenders managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a significant part of the drones," Zelenskyy said. "Unfortunately, there are hits," he added. DTEK, the country's largest energy provider, said Kyiv imposed rolling blackouts to stabilize the crippled grid and is the 13th time this year attacks on Ukraine's power grid have been carried out by Russia. Many civilians spent their morning taking shelter in metro stations as bombs fell across Ukraine. On Tuesday during Christmas Eve mass in the Vatican, Pope Francis took note of "war-torn Ukraine" by calling for "the boldness needed open the door to negotiation" and "gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace." Today, we mark both Christmas and the beginning of Hanukkah. It is very good that in Ukraine we can celebrate such holidays with respect for each other, communicate, live together and wish different people the same victory-the victory of light over darkness. And today, together... pic.twitter.com/GxSQNm7jTr Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 25, 2024 On Wednesday, Zelensky, 46, added it was "inhumane" for Russia's President Vladimir Putin, 72, to "deliberately" choose Christmas Day for his strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marks the second official Christmas Day since Ukraine distanced itself from the Russian Orthodox Church to bring it in-line with most of Europe which used to celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7. "Every Russian massive strike takes time to prepare," Zelensky said. "It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a conscious choice not only of targets, but also of time and date." U.S. officials and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were quick to criticize Putin's Christmas Day strikes. "Russia's Christmas gift to Ukraine: more than 70 missiles and 100 drones," stated U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, adding how for the third holiday season, "Russia weaponizes winter." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says a Russian missile allegedly passed or entered the neighboring Romanian and Moldovan airspace "reminding that Russia threatens not only Ukraine," he said on social media. But defense officials in Romania were unable to confirm if its airspace had been violated. According to the Polish Operational Command, Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to a Russian missile threat in western Ukraine. Meanwhile, the leader of Moldova condemned Russia saying her country "stands in full solidarity" with its neighbor. "While our countries celebrate Christmas, Kremlin chooses destruction," President Maia Sandu, 52, said on X. She reiterated how Russian missile strikes targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, adding that it likewise violated Moldova's airspace in the process, which "clearly violate international law," according to the Moldovan president. A former deputy sheriff with the Riverside County Sheriffs Department has taken his own life after his arrest earlier this month for trying to have sex with a minor, the Los Angeles Times reported. Anthony Russo, 52, had been out on $50,000 bail after his Dec. 11 arrest at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning where he worked at the time he was ensnared by undercover investigators. After receiving a tip on Dec. 10, an RCSD investigator posing as a 15-year-old contacted Russo, who shared explicit material and communicated his intent to meet with the supposed minor to engage in sexual acts, the sheriffs department said at the time of his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 52-year-old was taken into custody by RCSDs Special Investigations Bureau, booked on two felony counts and ultimately charged by the Riverside County District Attorneys Office with one felony count of knowingly distributing harmful material. Death sentences of 2 ruthless Southern California serial killers commuted He also resigned his role as a deputy in the corrections division of the sheriffs department. The San Bernardino County Coroners office confirmed to The Times that Russo was found dead inside his Lake Arrowbear Lake home on Dec. 20, though they did not provide any information on the nature of the suicide or say who discovered him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While RCSD officials told The Times they had no additional details on his death since that investigation is out their jurisdiction, they did offer condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss. Russo was scheduled to appear in court at the Riverside Hall of Justice on Jan. 24. Help is available to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis by calling or texting the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A former Riverside County sheriffs deputy arrested earlier this month and accused of attempting to have sex with a minor killed himself last week, according to authorities. Anthony Russo, 52, was found dead inside his Arrowbear Lake home Friday, the San Bernardino County Coroners office confirmed. The coroners office did not immediately respond to questions about who found him or the nature of the suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Riverside County Sheriffs Office said it had no details to provide since the case was outside its jurisdiction. The department did extend our condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss. Russo had been out on $50,000 bail after having been arrested Dec. 11 at Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he was assigned at the time of the criminal investigation. Read more: Nearly $3 million in psilocybin mushrooms seized in Riverside County He was arrested by the Riverside County Sheriffs Special Investigations Bureau after the agency received a tip, according to the sheriffs department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russo believed he was communicating electronically with a 15-year-old with whom he shared sexually explicit material and asked to meet up for sex, according to the sheriffs department. The person he contacted was instead an undercover investigator. Russo was booked on two felony counts. He was eventually charged by the Riverside County district attorneys office with one felony count of knowingly distributing harmful material. Russo was scheduled to be back in court on Jan. 24. 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. Yevhen Borysov, a former head of Odesa Oblast's military enlistment office, was arrested again in Kyiv on Dec. 25 after posting 39 million hryvnia ($931,652) bail and being released from a detention facility, the State Investigation Bureau said. The former official planned to hide from the authorities after his release from detention and flee abroad, the bureau said. In July 2023, Borysov was charged with illicit enrichment and violating military service regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Investgation Bureau said on Dec. 25 that, in addition to the previous charges, it had charged Borysov with forging documents to show he had sustained a combat injury, which resulted in him being paid additional compensation from April to June 2022, amounting to 165,480 hryvnias ($3,953). As part of the ongoing investigation by the State Bureau of Investigations, a court has transferred to the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) two properties in the Spanish resort town of Marbella. The assets include a 857-square-meter house valued at 4 million euros and a 223.9-square-meter office worth 510,000 euros. The properties are registered to the former military commanders mother and wife. An investigation published by media outlet Ukrainska Pravda in June 2023 looked into the property acquired by Borysov's family, which he initially denied. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Tyler Booth, the executive director of the Forsyth-Warren Tavern Living History Farm and Museum, said a meeting this past week has cleared the path to opening the facility. Booth said that at the meeting with the New York State Department of State Buffalo Board of Review on Dec. 18 he was validated with a ruling that his property is safe for occupancy. Of the four points brought up during the meeting interior work that Booth characterized as forcing him to put up drywall, as well as some work on a railing to the second floor, unhistoric signage for exits, unneeded fire alarms within the building, mandatory blacktopped parking and ADA accessibility issues two were declared moot by the board and the other two were determined in Booths favor, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They threw out the order to remedy by putting up drywall and declared it safe for occupancy, Booth said. Viewed on a digital recording of the meeting, Building Inspector Matthew Cooper told the board that a handrail on the second floor was not properly secured, but that it had been attended to. Cooper also said that whether Booth had done the work for ADA accessibility to the museum, he would leave that up to the board. Booth explained that hed put $14,000 into ADA accessibility of his own money and the museum also put in grant funding. Booth went on to say that while, technically, there was still some work to be done, the review board allowed the use of brick instead of concrete or blacktop on the driveway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a brick path, but were waiting for UB to do a landscaping survey to show what that looks like, he said. In the end, Booth said hed be opening by March and tours would commence. Any cease and desist notices from the town will be ignored, he continued, and if the town wants to go to court, hed be happy to defend his rights. According to the Department of State, a formal written determination will be forthcoming in a matter of weeks. The final decision and findings by the board needs to be in writing, said a representative of the NYS Department of State press office. Cambria Supervisor Don MacSwan and Building Inspector Matthew Cooper could not be reached for comment on Monday. More information on events and tours at the Forsyth-Warren Tavern Living History Farm and Museum will be forthcoming on the website at https://www.forsythtavern.com, Booth said. Dec. 25The first days in Austin as a freshman representative, the drive to Austin is approximately three hours from Huntsville for Trey Wharton. Elected in November 2024 as the Texas State Representative for District 12, Wharton has been going to Austin a day or two about every other week for the past several months. "The reason for that is to meet with other officials, incumbent legislators, and incoming freshman in Austin," Wharton said. "It will be very helpful to have relationships with several others already established when the 89th Session starts in January." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wharton is a businessman, community leader, and a longtime trustee on the Huntsville ISD School Board. He is a graduate of Huntsville High School, and attended Texas Christian University where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration-Finance degree. He has been married to his wife, JoLynne, for over 33 years and has two adult children. House District 12 includes all of Grimes, Madison, Robertson, Walker, and Washington County, and part of Brazos County. "Currently, I am in my actual work office about a day and half a week and then again on Saturdays to 'catch-up' on things that my team has been working on all week, while I have been either in Austin or traveling around the district," Wharton said. "I would not be able to do this without their support and they have been doing a phenomenal job over the past 12 months, while I was out on the campaign trail." While Wharton is out in the district, he usually has two to three scheduled meetings and an event to attend those same evenings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is rewarding to get to meet people and learn more about their community and what challenges they may be dealing with," Wharton said. "There are many different issues across the district and state. I am spending a lot of my time educating myself and learning from others with their experience about those issues, so that I can be as effective as possible in this role." The procedure of determining seniority for each incoming class is "probably the most interesting and funny method that I had no idea happens," Wharton said. To determine where each representative's office, house floor desks and parking spaces will be, is done by the least technological advanced manner. "We literally draw ping pong balls to determine the ranking," Wharton said, laughing. The list of freshman legislators is broken down into several categories ranging from alphabetical last name, alphabetical first name, and district number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Someone draws to determine the order the ping pong balls will be drawn and then each representative draws their own ping pong ball in that order," Wharton said. His group drew the method of "last name alphabetically" and that meant he was going to be the last one out of 30 to draw. "I did prevail and got number 6 after everyone else had picked," said Wharton, noting that the end of the line has its value. "You then spend half a day looking at all the available offices, parking spaces and desks on the house floor to determine what works best for you and what other legislators you will be neighboring with in the same hallway and on the floor," Wharton said. "Fortunately, I have an experienced Chief of Staff who was able to guide me in picking the most advantageous office and desk on the Chamber Floor." In the next issue of The Item, we will be discussing some of Wharton's top goals while in office. Contact Brenda Poe at editor@itemonline.com A small school district straddling the Fresno County border put the oft-mentioned saying of every vote matters to the test this election by passing a $20 million bond measure by a single vote. The Kingsburg Joint Union High School Districts Measure K school bond, which came before voters in three counties in the Nov. 5 election, failed by a margin of four votes in the initial election results. However, manual recounts in Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties shifted the measures outcome toward meeting the required 55% voter approval threshold by a margin of one vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recount in Fresno County added six additional votes in favor of the bond and a decrease of three no votes, while Tulare Countys recount added a vote against the bond in its vote count for Measure K. Kings Countys vote count for the measure remained the same after its recount. Combining the ballots from the three counties, Measure K received 4,350 yes votes and 3,559 no votes. Put another way: the bond measure squeaked by with 55.0006322% voter approval. Roughly 71.8% of voters who reside within the school districts boundaries voted on the Measure K bond. Fresno County has had at least five recounts in the last six statewide elections since 2020, but this marks the first time the outcome of a race changed as the result of a recount, according to James A. Kus, the Fresno County Clerk and Registrar of Voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do not remember seeing, at least in Fresno County, a measure that passed by one vote, Kus said. Weve had some measures recently fail by less than five votes. The office received a formal recount request from the districts superintendent, Ryan Phelan, on Dec. 6. The recount lasted three days, Kus said. In California, any voter can request a recount. The requester must pay for the cost of the recount. For the Fresno County recount, where the majority of votes were cast for the ballot measure, the district paid $15,000, Kus said. The change in the measures outcome was due to the addition of new ballots and human adjudication, Kus said. Sixty-nine challenged ballots were rejected during the initial count in Fresno County because they either lacked signatures or the signatures did not match the ones on file. Some of those ballots invalidity were challenged during the recount . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A representative of KJUHSD was present and observing. They walked through with staff and looked at all of those challenged vote-by-mail ballots, and then I went through and reviewed their challenges, Kus said. For most of them, I rejected them, but I actually agreed with some of them. Its a mix of that and some re-adjudication, so there were a couple of changes. Thats kind of what a recount is for. In Tulare County, the no vote increased by one during the manual recount because a ballot that was ruled to be an overvote in the first count was determined to show a clear intent to vote no on the measure, said Michelle L Baldwin, chief clerk at Tulare County. The recount of more than 1,200 ballots in Tulare County cost the district about $5,000. The Kings County Clerk did not respond to a request for comment. Fresno County announced its recount results Dec. 17, and Tulare, and Kings counties announced their recount results the week prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It gets a bit weird, but because this is cross-county, we dont actually certify their results, Kus said. It is the districts responsibility to combine the final results from each of the three counties and provide a final total. Phelan did not respond Monday to a request for comment. Phelan told The Bee in an email on Thursday that the district was not announcing the final total until the proper channels have confirmed the outcome and others have been notified of the results. Funds from the Measure K bond will be used to replace outdated HVAC systems, renovate classrooms, restrooms and other facilities, and make health, safety and energy efficiency improvements, according to the Kingsburg district. KJUHSD consists of three high schools serving approximately 1,200 students. The $20 million Measure K bond will be taxed at a rate of approximately $23.48 per $100,000 of assessed property value, generating approximately $1.1 million annually. Jenny Erpenbeck spent the night the Berlin Wall fell, November 9, 1989, in the manner of Fabrice del Dongo, the protagonist of The Charterhouse of Parma who found himself amid the chaos of the Battle of Waterloo, yet was completely unaware that it was taking place around him. Erpenbeck had met up with some friends that night and slept at one of their homes, where there was no television or telephone. She didnt hear about what had happened until the next morning on the radio. A definitional moment of humanity took place just a few blocks away, and she missed it. Thirty-five years later, Erpenbeck is perhaps Germanys most critically and popularly recognized writer, who has achieved considerable international success (possibly even greater than her renown within her own country) and who has a solid chance of someday winning the Nobel Prize. That definitional moment of humanity Europes last truly optimistic glimmer, the triumph of liberty over dictatorship changed her life, as it did those of millions of East Germans. Possibly, it was what made writers of her generation and other figures from the countrys current literary landscape, who continue to mull over that night and the changes that were to follow, the hope and the disappointment. To a certain extent, the events shadow hangs over all of Erpenbecks work, but nowhere so much as in her last book, Kairos, the winner of the prestigious Booker International Prize in 2024. In the beginning, there was euphoria. We were free and we could shop and travel, says Erpenbeck on a chilly fall morning in the apartment where she lives with her husband, an Austrian conductor, in Prenzlauer Berg, the most intellectual and bohemian of the old East Berlin neighborhoods. But in addition to being a liberation, at least as she remembers it, the fall of the Wall was something else. The end of the German Democratic Republic and its absorption by the Federal Republic of Germany represented loss: the loss of a country, one that ceased to exist. Without going into the question of socialism or no socialism, we experienced it as the collapse of our state, or of a state. Jenny Erpenbeck in Berlin on November 12, 2024. Patricia Sevilla Ciordia And this story that of euphoria and loss, of a country that disappeared and is today nearly imaginary, of a new country that was theirs, almost explains many of the problems and some of the neuroses of todays Germany. It is the story of the persistent division between East and West, the famous mental wall and continuing economic and social inequalities, in addition to the strength of populism in former GDR territories. It is a story that sometimes fiction explains better than anything else, through the work of authors like Ingo Schulze and Uwe Tellkamp, and phenomena like Erpenbeck herself and Clemens Meyer, the brilliant author of Die Projektoren (The Projectors), which Der Spiegel included on its list of the 100 best novels of the last century and considers a classic, despite the book having been published quite recently. Where does this strength come from, this style, these themes that have for some critics made these books the most fascinating to be produced by German authors? And why has the literature of the East become a battleground for the most acrimonious debates about what 1989 was, and what it means today? It is Friday night in Jena, home to poets and thinkers, the city of Goethe and Schiller which, like Waterloo, was the site of a Napoleonic battle. Today, it is an anodyne urban center like so many others in Europe, with commercial streets, every so often a kebab shop, with little to do after 7 p.m. except, perhaps, pay around $8 to listen to a writer speak in a library. This book is an event, proclaims the veteran literature professor who introduces Meyer and The Projectors to the audience of around 90 people. It is the novel of the century. A few days prior, Meyer provoked a scandal of the sort that enlivens the monotonous German literary scene. It happened at the Frankfurt presentation of the Deutscher Buchpreis, the countrys most prestigious literary prize. The Projectors, a thousand-page novel on which Meyer worked for more than a decade and which covers a swath of German and European history in the 20th and 21st centuries, was a finalist, but the jury ultimately chose Hey guten Morgen, wie geht es dir? (Hey, good morning, how are you?) by Martina Hefter. Upon leaving the ceremony, Meyer exclaimed: Fucking bastards! Even the tabloid Bild reported on this remark. In Der Spiegel, the author clarified why he was so angry. The prize tends to boost book sales, and he thinks the money would have been helpful in covering the costs of his divorce and paying off the nearly $36,800 he owes to tax authorities. He threw another dart at the prizes jury, saying, Nowadays, great literature is no longer valued. A book like mine, which covers the whole world and is a shot of fabulation in the tradition of Alfred Doblin and Gunter Grass " Portrait of the German author Clemens Meyer. Gaby Gerster Meyer lacks not for modesty. He rose to fame in 2006 with Als wir traumten (While We Were Dreaming), a novel about 1980s and 1990s Leipzig. Theres this nursery rhyme I know, reads its memorable opening lines. Sometimes I mouth it silently, sometimes I just start humming it and dont even notice because the memories are dancing in my head, no, not just any memories, the ones of the time after the Wall fell, the years we made contact? Nor is he in need of ambition, the will to measure oneself against the greats. Tellkamp, author of The Tower, another monumental novel that takes place against the backdrop of the bourgeoisie of late Communist Dresden in the 1980s, spares Meyers latest no praise in an email to El PAIS. The Projectors is comparable to The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass and Anniversaries by Uwe Johnson or, for readers, to Tu rostro manana (Your face tomorrow) by Javier Marias or Robert Bolano. At the reading in Jena and in conversations from that same day at a cafe in the afternoon and over evening drinks in a biergarten Meyer talks about Bolano and bullfighting; of the GDR authors who shaped him, like Christa Wolf, Brigitte Reimann and Wolfgang Hilbig; and of his memories of the fall of the Wall. He was 12 years old, living in Leipzig, and his parents had previously taken him to some protests that, especially in the city itself, helped to hasten the end of the regime. Meyer already had literary aspirations. It was a crazy time, he says. The 1990s were very important for me. We could see behind us, see what the GDR had been, and also see what we had in front of us. I took advantage of that freedom to read all the literature that I couldnt read before 1989. The Tin Drum wasnt published in the East, he says. A part of me will always be an East German writer, but just a part. A writer from the West would not have been able to write While We Were Dreaming, so linked to Meyers experiences in Leipzig during his adolescence. Its also difficult to think of someone from Stuttgart, Hamburg or Dusseldorf thinking up The Projectors, a tale that spans from World War II to the Balkan wars of the 1990s, referencing Western films made of the popular novels by Germanys Karl May, which found much success in the GDR. I had the idea in 2008 on a trip to Croatia, says Meyer. A writer and war journalist, Edo Popovic, brought me to locations where they filmed those strange Western German films in the 1960s about Karl May. I recognized the places immediately, because as a child, I was a total fan of those movies. The writer explained to me that in that same spot where they filmed the movies, 30 years later, the first conflicts between the Serbs and Croats broke out. Thats when I thought: This is powerful material. I have to do something. One could make a great novel with this about war and the madness of history. In 1941, the Germans destroyed Yugoslavia. In 1962, they went back to film movies. And 30 years later, Yugoslavia falls and theres a civil war. If there is something particularly East German about Meyer, it could be his vision, at once marginal, grandiose and panoramic in time and space: I deal with the great utopias of the 20th century. Why socialism failed and why it couldnt get rid of Stalin. Tito did it, but it didnt work there either. I see myself as someone to whom history came very close, in Leipzig in 1989. History happened there, and that is something quite unique. In a Leipzig cafe located in front of the Nikolaikirche, the church at which Bach was music director on this morning, the organist is performing Prokofievs Peter and the Wolf and nucleus of the 1989 peaceful revolution, Germanist Dirk Oschmann reminisces about those very days. He too was touched by history. Oschmann was a student immersed at the time in Thomas Manns Doktor Faustus. His attention was split between the wanderings of musician Adrian Leverkuhn and the TV news. A German book, he sums up, a book dealing with German philosophy, German misery, the long German history from Luther to Hitler and the role of the Romantics and Protestantism and art. All these issues were present, indirectly, in 1989. And I, of course, asked myself, What do I know now? He went to Berlin by train with his girlfriend to experience history up close. He took the 100 German marks that the FRG gave out to East Germans and spent them on Suhrkamp paperbacks, many of which were unobtainable in the GDR. It became clear to me that everything was going to change radically, he says, and also, for me. Oschmann, who is now a professor of modern German literature in Leipzig, published Der Osten: eine westdeutsche Erfindung (The East: A West German Invention). It is an essay on East German identity and how, almost four decades after the fall of the Wall, it is still shrouded in negative connotations and defined as a deviation from the norm, which is the West German identity. German essayist Dirk Oschmann in 2023. Jakob Weber On one hand, the literature of the East possesses what Oschmann calls a unique narrative capital life under the dictatorship, the revolution of 1989, the hard reconversion of the 1990s raw material that Western authors lack, their petty bourgeoisie lives so lacking in revolution, tragedy and heroic acts. On the other hand, the essayist decries how this literature has been locked up in a ghetto erected by the West that is meant to degrade it. He speaks of how authors like Christa Wolf, who had obtained lofty recognition in West Germany before 1989, were suddenly labelled as sentimental and moralizing kitsch, a literature that accommodated the Communist regime. The revelation of some of these writers links with the Stasi, the sinister East German secret police, put the final nail in the coffin of their reputations. The concept of GDR literature became damaged, like something from the past, says Oschmann. And it continues to damage the literature of authors who come from the East. Back in Berlin, the conversation continues in the book-strewn office of Erpenbeck, who is herself an author of a novel about the end of the GDR and the beginning of uncertain times in united Germany. Her book Kairos chronicles the disintegration of a country through the breakdown of the relationship between Hans, an intellectual sympathetic to the regime, and Katharina, a student. Everything is falling apart, Erpenbeck writes. She tells of how, during the Nazi years, many German writers, from Bertolt Brecht to Thomas Mann, left their homes. Later, the opposite took place: their homes abandoned them without them having gone anywhere at all. When Oschmann lamented how the concept of GDR literature continues to be wielded against contemporary authors, it was a reference to historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczucs criticism of Erpenbeck. In Friheitsschock (The Shock of Freedom), Kowalczuc, who, like Erpenbeck, grew up in East Berlin, recalls the Kairos authors familial roots, and seems to reproach her for them. Erpenbecks grandparents, Fritz Erpenbeck and Hedda Zinner, belonged to the circle of German Communists who were exiled to the USSR during World War II. After the war, they emerged as East Germanys intellectual elite. Kowalczuc argues that this colors their granddaughters gentler view of their vanished country. For her, 1989 was not a celebration of freedom, Kowalczuc writes. When you critique, you should read my other books, Erpenbeck offers in response. During our conversation, she pulls from her shelf a copy of Selbstbegragung (Self-Examination), the book that her grandmother Hedda Zinner published in 1989, a critical view of her years in Stalinist Russia. Her grandparents life was more complex, she says, than the image Kowalczuc paints of them as Communist fanatics. And in any case, she says, One would have to admit that I am two generations removed from them. Kairos touches a nerve, an intimate place in the identity of modern Germany, because it concerns the meaning of 1989. Liberation, yes, and democracy and prosperity and welfare in one of the most prosperous countries on the planet. But also, frustration, trauma. Erpenbeck removes more books from the shelves. Books about the Soviet years, Fritz and Heddas 1930s. Volumes with photographs from the 1990s in which drunkenness mingled with the vertigo of the unknown. Photographs like the one by Sibylle Bergemann that illustrates this article and that is currently being exhibited at the C/O Berlin gallery. It shows Potsdamer Platz in 1990, a person holding a kite that may or may not take to the air, the no mans land between East and West, the iconic broadcasting tower. An instant, an era. In one of the texts included in her book of essays Kein Roman (Not a Novel), Erpenbeck writes of how, despite of all the comforts she enjoys today, a trace of sadness remains that financial gain cannot erase. Can you imagine, she asks, how even in a country that is forever referred to as a rogue regime, one might have a happy childhood? She likes to think that this is possible, that its possible for a country to exist that has now vanished, is nearly imaginary today, where it was once possible to be content even if it all turned out to be a failure. She likes to believe that there is another model aside from radical consumerism, radical individualism, radical egoism. What is it? I certainly do not mourn the disappearance of the GDR as it was, and I dont think anyone does, she says in her Prenzlauer Berg flat. But how can I say this? I believe that the grief is over the possibility of something different, of alternatives. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition ST. LOUIS A century-old vacant school in St. Louis could be reopened but with a new purpose. An addict for years, James Boshears struggled to find the help he needed. There was nothing really offered. I had to come all the way to the city and even here in the city theres not many recovery or detox options, he said. Then he found Jubilee Ministries. Now sober, he is trying to be a part of the solution. Jubilee is raising money to turn the old Eliot School into Jubilee Wellness Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North St. Louis, our community here has become the dumping grounds for mental illness, addiction and the homeless just pervades our community. We see it every day, Pastor Andy Krumsieg, Jubilee Church, said. There are people dying around us, literally and we cant, as neighbors, leave this alone. The 51,000-square-foot vacant building will have a treatment clinic and 75 beds of recovery for addition. It is a $24 million project. The citys Community Development Administration just gave $4.8 million in grants to the project. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Ive seen the struggle, the downgrade of the community and now Im able to see it in a sober mindthe upgrade of the community starting with this, GarriOnn Adolph said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Boshears, Adolph found new hope with Jubilee. Its been amazing to be a part of a group like this because we have a structure thats not like anywhere else, he said. Adolph hopes to share that with more people through this new wellness center. I found a whole family. It builds a man up and teaches him the way things should be and not as they are, Boshears said. The plan is to break ground in the summer. The construction is estimated to take 1215 months. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has warned the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party not to exploit the attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg. "To the AfD, I can only say: Any attempt to exploit such a terrible act and to abuse the suffering of the victims is despicable," the Social Democrat (SPD) politician told the newspapers of the Funke Media Group in comments published on Wednesday. She added, "It only shows the character of those who do such things." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market last Friday, the AfD held a rally in the city on Monday, which, according to police reports, was attended by around 3,500 people. AfD chairwoman Alice Weidel, referring to the perpetrator identified as Taleb A, said that anyone who despises the citizens of the country that grants them asylum "does not belong with us." During the event, chants of "Deport! Deport! Deport!" were repeatedly heard. Weidel stated that people wanted to live in safety again. The perpetrator, who is in pre-trial detention, drove a car through the Christmas market in the capital of the state of Saxony-Anhalt on Friday evening. Five people were killed, and more than 200 others were injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigations into the motives of the doctor, who hails from Saudi Arabia and came to Germany in 2006, are ongoing. Recently, he increasingly expressed himself erratically and radically on social media. In an interview, the 50-year-old recently identified himself as a fan of X owner Elon Musk and the AfD, which, he claimed, pursued the same goals as he did yet, he also described himself as politically left-wing. Former German finance minister Christian Lindner has called for Syrian refugees in Germany to return to their home country after the sudden fall of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad. "For those people who came to us from Syria because of the civil war, returning home must be the rule," the leader of the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) told dpa in Berlin. "Those who want to stay can apply for permanent residency under our immigration law," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lindner said remaining in Germany must be tied to clear criteria, rather than an automatic process. "The key factors are whether the person can support themselves through work, whether they have committed any crimes and whether they clearly identify with our free and democratic constitution," he said. "As a host society, we have the right to decide. We cannot afford immigration into our social system," he added. According to the German Interior Ministry, around 975,000 Syrians currently live in Germany, most of whom arrived after 2015 as a result of the civil war in Syria. More than 300,000 of them have subsidiary protection, a lower legal status than asylum or refugee status, awarded on the basis of the war, rather than because of individual persecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A rebel alliance led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group launched a rapid offensive earlier this month, resulting in the ousting of al-Assad, who had ruled the country for over two decades. HTS has since established an interim government in Damascus. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired Lindner from his role as finance minister in November following months of fierce dispute over the 2025 budget and economic policy, triggering the collapse of Germany's centre-left coalition. Left in a minority government with the Greens, Scholz then lost a vote of confidence in parliament last week, paving the way for early elections on February 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Migration, long a hot-button issue in Europe's biggest economy, is set to play a major role in the campaign. Lindner said the German government should quickly negotiate an agreement with the new leadership in Syria for the country to take responsibility for its nationals living in Germany. He said Germany could be an attractive partner for the Syrian leadership in the reconstruction of the war-torn country. "But such a partnership must be based on reciprocity. If Germany supports the economic development of Syria, the expectation must be linked to the fact that a new Syrian leadership will work to ensure that exit obligations from Germany are fulfilled after the country has stabilized," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDP leader expressed reservation about the idea of offering financial assistance for Syrians who decide to return home, which has been floated by Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Party (CDU). Lindner said German taxpayers had spent many billions of euros on hosting Syrians in recent years. "I therefore view the financial start-up assistance for voluntary departure proposed by the CDU with scepticism," he said. The Gila County Sheriff's Office asked for the public's help in the search for a Globe woman missing for more than a year. Natalie Sabastian was last seen on Dec. 23, 2023, when she walked away from her home in Globe, a city about 90 miles east of the Phoenix area, according to the Sheriff's Office on Facebook. Sabastian, who has been missing for one year, "could be a victim of foul play" as detectives continued to investigate her disappearance, the Sheriff's Office said Tuesday. A $5,000 reward has been established for information that leads to her discovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are asking for the public's help with any information that would assist in the whereabouts of Natalie and bringing her home to her family," wrote the Sheriff's Office in a statement. Tipsters should contact Detective Chris McGroarty at 928-402-1872. Sabastian is described as a white woman in her 50s, with blond hair and blue eyes. A Facebook group dedicated to her safe return has more than 500 followers. Long history: This Arizona town is older than the US. Here's how to visit it and 11 other old towns This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Here's what we know about missing Globe woman Natalie Sabastian Deusdedit Ruhangariyo Special to ICT For Indigenous communities around the world, 2024 was a year of triumphs and challenges. They celebrated victories in human rights and cultural preservation while continuing to battle systemic inequalities. Through it all, their resilience and determination shone through. Victories In Canada, Metis bead-worker Jennine Krauchi received a prestigious art award. Renowned for her dedication to Metis beadwork, she was recognized by the Manitoba Arts Council with its 2024 Award of Distinction, APTN News reported. The award included a $30,000 prize and celebrated her contributions to artistic excellence and community involvement. For over 40 years, Krauchi promoted Metis beadwork globally, fostering cultural pride and artistic heritage. Her intricate designs, which incorporate both traditional and contemporary elements, have been showcased internationally, helping to raise awareness of Metis culture and history. Krauchis work is widely regarded as a bridge connecting generations through art and storytelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Australia, NAISDA Dance College, a leading First Nations arts training institution, received $13 million as part of the Federal Budget, National Indigenous Times reported. This funding was part of a $115.2 million allocation for eight national arts organizations under the Arts8 initiative, following a 2023 sustainability review. The college has been instrumental in preserving Indigenous dance traditions while offering students pathways to professional careers in the performing arts. With this new funding, NAISDA plans to expand its curriculum, enhance its facilities, and increase access for aspiring Indigenous performers from remote communities. In Brazil, the government announced a new plan to restore 12 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 under the Planaveg 2.0 initiative, Mongabay reported. Introduced at COP16, this effort aims to address climate change and protect biodiversity. By the end of the year, 5.6 million hectares were undergoing natural regrowth, signaling progress toward the ambitious target. Brazil, home to approximately 15-18 percent of the world's known species, has positioned itself as a leader in global biodiversity conservation. The initiative also emphasizes collaboration with Indigenous communities to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into restoration efforts, ensuring the sustainability of these vital ecosystems. Struggles In China, a report by the Uyghur Human Rights Project revealed that about 1 in 26 Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang region were incarcerated, representing the world's highest incarceration rate, Radio Free Asia reported. With approximately 3,814 individuals per 100,000 people behind bars, this figure was 47 times higher than China's overall incarceration rate of 80 per 100,000. The report estimated that as of 2022, 578,500 Uyghurs or other Turkic people were imprisoned, constituting over one-third of China's total prison population. Notable individuals imprisoned included Rahile Dawut, a Uyghur folklore expert, and Gulshan Abbas, a retired Uyghur doctor. Dawuts life sentence for "splittism" has drawn international condemnation, with many viewing it as part of a broader campaign to suppress Uyghur identity and culture. The findings, based on data from 2017-2022, linked many incarcerations to practicing Islam, such as Quranic study, highlighting the systemic targeting of religious practices. In China, Chinese authorities banned students in Nyagchu county, Sichuan, from using Tibetan in schools, mandating communication in Mandarin for "safety reasons, Radio Free Asia reported. This move followed similar restrictions, including the 2020 shutdown of private Tibetan schools and the prohibition of Tibetan language classes during winter breaks. The restrictions have sparked outcry from Tibetan rights groups, who argue that such measures are part of a broader effort to erase Tibetan culture and assimilate younger generations into Han Chinese society. Reports from the region indicate that parents and educators who resist these policies face severe repercussions, including fines and imprisonment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Philippines, proposed dams in Kalinga province on the Chico River created divisions among communities, with military operations heightening tensions, Mongabay reported. Villagers reported increased fear and conflict, with some areas experiencing bombings linked to hydropower projects. The Chico River, a vital water source and cultural symbol for Indigenous communities, has become a flashpoint for disputes over land rights and resource management. Local leaders have called for greater transparency and consultation, emphasizing the need to prioritize the well-being of affected families and preserve the rivers ecological integrity. In Suriname, the government launched the worlds first sovereign carbon credits under the Paris Agreement, but Indigenous communities claimed exclusion from forest conservation policies and revenue sharing, Mongabay reported. Critics argued the program violated the principle of free, prior and informed consent. Indigenous leaders expressed concerns that the programs benefits disproportionately favor corporate interests, leaving communities that have historically protected these lands without a voice in decision-making. The lack of consultation has fueled mistrust and highlighted the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights in global climate initiatives. In Canada, descendants retraced the steps of Indigenous veterans, including Sam Glode, who served in World War I, CBC News reported. Events in Flanders Fields commemorated Remembrance Day and Canadas Indigenous Veterans Day, highlighting their contributions to global history. Glode, a skilled sapper, played a crucial role in tunneling operations during the war, a dangerous and underappreciated task. His legacy, along with those of other Indigenous soldiers, serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Indigenous peoples despite facing systemic discrimination at home. The commemorative events in Belgium were a poignant acknowledgment of these contributions. Health disparities In Canada, Indigenous communities in Manitoba faced a surge in HIV infections due to systemic racism in the healthcare system. In Saskatchewan, the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation addressed disparities by building a 24-hour urgent care center to improve access to healthcare. The new facility, slated to open in 2025, is designed to provide culturally sensitive care and address longstanding gaps in services for remote communities. Leaders hope this initiative will serve as a model for other Indigenous communities seeking to reclaim control over their healthcare systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New Zealand, after five decades in service, financial pressures, loss of qualified staff, and declining enrollment numbers resulted in the closure of the Whangarei Childcare Centre after 50 years in operation, Te Ao Maori News reported. The decision to shut down the Northland center left families scrambling to find new childcare arrangements and long-term staff devastated. My final thoughts Indigenous communities around the world faced many highs and lows in 2024. They celebrated victories in human rights and cultural preservation while continuing to battle systemic inequalities. Through it all, they demonstrated their resilience and determination. As we move into 2025, I encourage Indigenous peoples to carry forward their unwavering spirit and strength. Your perseverance inspires us all and paves the way for a better future. I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my readers and ICTs supporters. Your commitment and engagement have been invaluable in amplifying the voices and stories of Indigenous communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a nonprofit news organization, we rely on your continued support to keep bringing you these important stories. Please consider supporting us in the year ahead to ensure that Indigenous perspectives and issues remain at the forefront of the conversation. Together, we can make a difference. And lastly, allow me to wish you happy holidays and a better year ahead. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. Hate in the Hamptons reared its ugly head. Swastikas and other antisemitic graffiti were discovered in a Montauk park last week. The vandalism inside the popular Shadmoor State Park included spray-painted scrawls of Nazi-era references to SS and der Jude, the German term for Jews. And this was the second time that antisemitic vandalism was discovered in the posh east end enclave since the Oct. 7 attacks. Rabbi Josh Franklin of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons was heartbroken but not shocked. Rabbi Joshua Franklin Rabbi Josh Franklin of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons was heartbroken but not shocked when he discovered the hateful rhetoric in the park last Thursday, the same day that an Israeli flag was ripped from his own East Hampton synagogue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im through being shocked because Ive seen this far too many times, he told The Post, adding, theres a sense of violation in the community. An emotional Franklin said the incident elicits a visceral response from my gut. He also noted hes regularly been called baby killer and Nazi in the wake of the 2023 massacre and ensuing war in Gaza. In a impromptu rally the rabbi helped organize the same day, a somber yet stoic Franklin told the crowd not to bow to gaslighters who try to paint Jews as hysterical for calling out antisemitism. Listen because [someone] might not be seeing something that we experience incredibly profoundly, he said, There is antisemitism and Jew hatred all over the place This is our reality. Longtime Hamptons residents expressed both anger and fortitude over the hateful expressions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an attempt at intimidation an evil attempt we see all over the world and we have to fight it, like weve fought it for thousands of years, said 86-year-old Mitchel Agoos, an east ender for 50 years. This is the second time in just over a year that Montauk has been victim of antisemitism. Rabbi Joshua Franklin Last weeks incident was the second time in a little over a year that Montauk has been rocked by such brazen antisemitism. Last year, Jewish-owned Naturally Good on Main Street was among the Montauk sites vandalized with swastikas, alongside scrawls of Free Palestine and Jeden Die, translated as Jews die. Michael Nicholoulias, a 74-year-old Montauk resident, was nabbed for the felonies. For Rabbi Franklin, it was a sobering wakeup call: I helped clean the graffiti off the storefront, which was something I never thought Id have to do as a rabbi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The East Hampton town police told the Post that it turned everything over to the state police, which is leading the investigation. A Stand with Israel rally this past July in East Hampton drew hundreds of participants. Courtesy of Rabbi Joshua Franklin These hateful acts are devastating and heartbreaking to our Jewish family, friends and neighbors tearing at the fabric of our entire community. Fortunately, the love for community is stronger here than the symbols of hate discovered in Shadmoor last week, Town of East Hampton Supervisor, Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, said in a statement to The Post. Maybe its because we are at the The End, but our community always stands strong together. We take care of each other. And we will continue to educate, create space for and keep safe every single one of our neighbors. As we stand for love, respect and acceptance for all. A Stand with Israel rally this past July in East Hampton drew hundreds of participants. Rally co-organizer Agoos stressed the importance of unity in the face of intimidation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to stand tall, be tough, and find these guys and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, said the Hamptonite of 50 years. Weve encountered antisemitism throughout the ages and it reared its ugly head after the Oct. 7 massacre. We have to stand up and be strong its the only way to defeat the scourge of antisemitism. The East Hampton town police is leading the investigation. Rabbi Joshua Franklin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Charlotte Klein Sasso of Amagansett, who grew up vacationing in Montauk, and has lived in the area full-time for 40 years, the most recent spate of antisemitism cuts me right to my core. This is not the Hamptons that I know. She said her Holocaust-survivor father, who first came to Montauk with his fellow survivors who also fought in the Hungarian Revolution, would be shocked at last weeks hate display. He would have been right there with me on the [town] green standing up and not hiding, she said of her late dad, who fell in love with the ocean after living in a land-locked country. He would talk about being proud of who we are, speaking out and encouraging people to come together and educate them. Sassos father was a Holocaust survivor. Courtesy of Rabbi Joshua Franklin The public events around Hanukkah should draw even more crowds, Jews and non-Jews alike, she said. This is about unity more than ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin imparted a timely message for Hanukkah, a holiday celebrating Jewish victory in the face of annihilation. Although there are those who harbor hatred toward Jews and attempt to intimidate us with acts of vandalism or violence, we refuse to cower in fear. Hanukkah teaches us to spread light, even in the face of darkness. This is not merely an act of resistanceit is the sacred responsibility inherent in the story of Hanukkah, he said. For those who are not Jewish, we warmly invite you to join in this mission of kindling spiritual light to dispel the darkness. Stand with your local Jewish communities, participate in a menorah lighting, and, while youre at it, share some latkes with your Jewish friends. Together, we can illuminate the world. Norway recently suspended its plans to open up vast tracts of seabed for deep-sea mining, a practice that can harm fragile marine ecosystems. Previously, the country was set to hand out mining licenses for more than 100,000 square miles of seabed, according to a report by Agence France-Presse via Phys.org. However, the Socialist Left Party blocked the move in return for supporting the minority government's 2025 budget. Conservationists celebrated the news, with Greenpeace Norway's Frode Pleym telling Reuters, "It should be the nail in the coffin for the destructive industry." Should we be digging into the ground to find new energy sources? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind However, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoer said to private broadcaster TV2 that this was only a postponement, not an abandonment of the country's licensing plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deep-sea mining poses an environmental conundrum. On one hand, it helps provide access to elements like copper, cobalt, zinc, and rare earths that will be necessary to build a greener future. For instance, Japanese researchers recently discovered precious metal deposits in the Pacific Ocean that could contribute to EV battery production for decades. However, mining activities can damage fragile marine ecosystems. Harvard International Review calls out the dangers of deep-sea mining, including the potential release of carbon stored in the seabed, as well as noise and light pollution that could disrupt animals' ability to survive. All of this could impact human communities that rely heavily on fishing, the publication added. According to Phys.org, Norway said it has included "tough safeguards" into its proposed licensing system and that licenses could be canceled. But environmental groups like Greenpeace have vowed to fight against any attempts by the country to reopen licensing, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Norway's decision to proceed with opening up vast areas of ocean for destructive mining activities on the seabed is an unprecedented management scandal," Karoline Andaur, CEO of World Wildlife Fund-Norway, said in a statement prior to the announcement of the licensing halt. "We have never seen a Norwegian government so arrogantly ignore all scientific advice and defy the warnings of leading marine researchers." 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. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) 2024 was a busy year for Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. From preparing for medical cannabis to business expansions and more. Eyewitness News Daybreak anchor Joe Bird spoke with the Governor and took a look back on what he accomplished over the previous year, and what he sees looking forward to the upcoming year. You can view the full interview in the video player below. Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg is leaving the throne. On Tuesday, Dec. 24, the 69-year-old royal announced his abdication during his Christmas Eve speech. This comes after his late father Grand Duke Jean had done the same for his abdication on Christmas Eve in 1999. Grand Duke Jean had been on the throne for 36 years before his abdication. In his speech, Grand Duke Henri, who has reigned since 2000, announced that he was leaving ahead of his son Prince Guillaume of Luxembourgs, 43, accession to the throne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I look back today, after almost 25 years, I do so with deep gratitude and humility. It has been a period during which Luxembourg has made much progress, and I am pleased to have been able to be part of that journey with you, together with the Grand Duchess, he said. Cour grand-ducale Luxembourg/Instagram Prince Guillaume and father Grand Duke Henri Prince Guillaume and father Grand Duke Henri Related: What's Going on with the Royal Family of Luxembourg? All About Transfer of Power from Father to Son It has been a quarter of a century of challenges, opportunities and hopes for a better future: of technological and economic progress, of social change, but also of many conflicts, he continued. All were moments that made us reflect and brought us closer together as a nation. Grand Duke Henri added, And we have remained united to make Luxembourg even more inviting and sustainable. We have always taken targeted measures to ensure that none of us are left behind or excluded. The strength, and indeed the future, of our society lies in its ability to show solidarity. Patrick van Katwijk/Getty From Left: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, : Grand Duke Henri, Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie From Left: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, : Grand Duke Henri, Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie Related: Royal Court of Luxembourg Reveals Date When Grand Duke Henri Will Begin Transfer of Power to His Son The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Grand Duke Henri will officially step down on Oct. 3, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news comes after his son Prince Guillaumes recent new royal responsibilities. Back in June, it was announced that the prince would take over his fathers official governing duties. 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! In October, a Lieutenancy Ceremony at the Grand Ducal Palace saw Prince Guillaume appointed as Lieutenant-Representative of his father. In addition to Prince Guillaume, Grand Duke Henri also shares Prince Sebastien, 32, Princess Alexandra, 33, Prince Louis, 38, Prince Felix, 40, with his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 68. Read the original article on People A month ago, Donald Trump appointed Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, to his incoming presidential administration. The owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, will direct the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) beginning in January, and has promised to send shockwaves through the system. That same day, Andrea Ixchiu, a Maya Quiche activist originally from the lands known as Guatemala who is currently living in exile in Mexico, and who is the coordinator of the Hackeo Cultural organization, launched an initiative alongside 74 other Mesoamerican First Nations human rights advocates that is designed for online resistance. They founded a social network that is free of racist and neoliberal discourse as an alternative to Musks platform. His algorithms exclude us. In the conversation about climate change and the environment, we are not present. Social networks like X and Instagram have become filled with messages of hate, she says in a telephone interview. Currently, the platform has 266 members and a peer-led content moderation system. Milpamerica.org is an autonomous network for posting stories about Mesoamerica and its diasporas. The platform was created in order to connect land defenders, climate justice warriors, communities in resistance and the diaspora and dissidents who fight for Mother Earth. The idea was not only driven by Musks appointment. It also stemmed from users rumblings about how best to exchange knowledge in the digital era, and from elders insistence on the fact that neither governments nor corporations will solve the climate crisis. Andrea IxchIu's profile on Milpamerica. Hackeo Cultural Its call to action was mobilized through a chain of dozens of environmental activists who had become sick of mainstream social media. They penned a mission statement for Milpamerica in which they collectively named a living solution to climate change. We are the communities, collectives and peoples who cure bodies territories spirits in times of ecocide and genocide, states the text. How can the internet be done differently? For Ixchiu, 37, the innovative aspect is that it has a model of assembly governance. Milpamericas open-source coding allows for the addition new functions with the goal of connection, rather than profit. It can also be fully audited by a horizontal team. There are corporate agendas that invest millions in spreading hate on the other social networks. They are absolute masters of segregation discourse. We all notice it more in election seasons, she says. That is why extractivism, land dispossession and genocides are advancing rapidly. We the people have no space in these environments. Detail from posts on the new social network created by activists across Latin America. Hackeo Cultural According to a report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Nicolas Levrat, 70% of the victims of hate crimes and comments on social media come from minority groups. In addition, the report found that such groups referring to members of the African diaspora and First Nations are also more likely to be affected by restrictions and bans implemented by social media content moderation systems. That tendency has been exacerbated since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic through extremist groups and populist figures around the world who promote disinformation and conspiracy theories. The creators of Milpamerica have designed the platform with these facts in mind. The social networks rules are straightforward and minimal in fact, theres only four. The platform is a violence-free space that does not allow racist, classist and sexist comments of any kind that violate people, communities or Mother Earth. Its primary goal is the defense of land. It is an autonomous server that is cooperatively administered and that does not steal or sell your information to third parties. Finally, it extends an invitation to organize, to defend territories, bodies and spirits, to reforest hearts. The app allows users to upload photos and videos and features technological support, but does not offer a stories feature (content that is eliminated after 24 hours). Milpamerica allows users to create personal accounts, follow other users and employ filters. Its a social network like any other, but without all the bad, says Ixchiu. One is none #CulturalHacking, reads the bio of one of its users. Making the radical commonsense. Multidisciplinary team of narrative action, reads another. There are many more people like us who want to form bonds with other communities, explains Ixchiu, who says that there is a lot of enthusiasm around digital alternatives. There has been participation from many activists from Mexico to Costa Rica and a great exchange of knowledge. Social media is changing and there are many new ways of using and even creating it. A photograph posted by a Milpamerica user. Hackeo Cultural Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The start to a new life. Just six words made an impact on Lily Ebert in 1945, a year after she and her family were forced out of Hungary and sent to the notorious death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, where her mother, younger sister, brother and over 100 members of her extended family were killed in the gas chambers. Ebert and two of her sisters were chosen to work for the Nazis until they were no longer useful, her great-grandson Dov Forman, 21, recently told The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April 1945, Ebert and her sisters were on a death march when American-Jewish forces liberated them. One of these soldiers gave Ebert a banknote with a hopeful message: The start to a new life. Good luck and happiness. Now, her story and memories are among the many honored in Nikki Schreibers new book Humans of Judaism, a collection of over 200 moving stories of Jewish identity and perseverance, including those of Holocaust survivors, artists, inventors, founders, celebrities and personal family histories. Lily Ebert and Dov Forman dedicated their online presence to Holocaust education. Andrew Matthews Pool/Getty Images One of these soldiers gave Ebert a banknote with a hopeful message: The start to a new life. Good luck and happiness. Dov Forman/X Nikki Schreibers book Humans of Judaism is a collection of over 200 moving stories of Jewish identity and perseverance. Artisan Books Forman said this photo shows Lily and her sisters and some friends with allied forces a few months after liberation. Dov Forman/X Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, at a time of rising antisemitism, people are turning to heartfelt stories like these to find light in the darkness. Lily Ebert really was personal to me, Schreiber shared with The Post. Its a tough reality, but the treasure and hopefully the comfort to the surviving family is to see that there are various outlets offering to further the legacy. I hope its something meaningful. For Forman, having Eberts story live on through the heartwarming book means so much. To the world, she was this heroine, an inspiration. She was a hero to so many. To me, she was just my great-grandmother, and to our family she was just that ever-present queen of our large, loving family, Forman shared. An unbelievable reunion Lily Ebert after being made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by King Charles III during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Jan. 31, 2023. Getty Images Seventy-six years after Ebert was saved, Forman posted a photo of the banknote on X (then Twitter) during the COVID-19 pandemic, and thanks to the power of social media, she was able to connect with the late soldiers children on a video call in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unbelievable. I never knew something like this could happen. It was a fantastic feeling, Ebert told NBC at the time. It was really special. It felt like we were family, we just clicked, Forman added. To the world, she was this heroine, an inspiration. She was a hero to so many. To me, she was just my great-grandmother, Dov Forman told The Post of Lily Ebert. @dovforman/instagram Formans post went viral online, leading them to find the soldiers family. Dov Forman/X Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From there on, Ebert and Forman dedicated their online presence to Holocaust education, and with over a billion views across all platforms and 2 million followers, many found themselves inspired by Ebert including King Charles III, who commissioned a painting of her for Buckingham Palace. Ebert had made a promise to herself that if she survived the Holocaust, she would educate the world to make sure something like it would never happen again. And she did, writing a memoir entitled Lilys Promise and sharing her story with the world before she died at the age of 100 in October. King Charles III commissioned a painting of Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert for Buckingham Palace. Arthur Edwards WPA Pool/Getty Images Ebert devoted her life to education to ensure nothing like the Holocaust would ever happen again. Dov Forman/Instagram Lily Ebert and Dov Forman meeting with King Charles III. Dov Forman Having her story included in the Humans of Judaism book keeps her memory alive, Forman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its obviously a massive loss, but to know that she lives on in so many people, and in these books, and that she inspires so many to live their lives in such amazing and positive ways, Forman said. To know that so many people do what they do because of my great-grandmother is so special for us as a family. I think each contributor that participated its their story, its the entire book for them, Schreiber added. Its so wild its really just meaningful. Humans of Judaism Stories like Eberts have become a way for Schreiber to deal with her own grief. After her father passed, she decided to honor his memory by starting the Humans of Judaism Instagram account, telling stories of lament and ultimately hope. The release of Schreibers book coincided with the 10th anniversary of her social media page, and coincidentally, the tome also came when the Jewish community was suffering collective grief during a time when levels of antisemitism had reached a record high amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timing was pretty wild with what was going on in the Jewish world, Schreiber said. This was birthed out of my own personal grief, and here I stand again 10 years later in a personal community grief with everybody. With her great-grandson, Ebert wrote a memoir entitled Lilys Promise and shared her story with the world before she died at the age of 100. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert lights a candle during a National Holocaust Memorial Day event at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on January 26, 2017, in London. Getty Images Ebert with her great-great-grandchild. Humans of Judaism/Instagram The hand-selected Jewish stories range from famous and notable people like Louis and Lillian Zabar, the founders of the world-famous Zabars market, to Holocaust survivors like Ebert to everyday people with extraordinary stories. However, picking specific tales for the book had a bit more intention and consideration, taking gentle care of their families stories and treasured history, Schreiber said. This past year was an interesting one, she admitted. On the one hand, you want to tell your stories; on the other hand, were publicizing information, names, things like that it got a little trickier this year, Im not going to pretend it didnt. Louis and Lillian Zabar are the founders of the world-famous Zabars market, which still stands on West 80th Street and Broadway. Nikki Schreiber Adam Margules Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Working on the book through and past the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Gaza added another significant layer of purpose and meaning to her project. Im really hoping it provides readers with the same strength that really held me up during a low point, Schreiber said. And the book seems to be bringing some light to the darkness experienced by those in the Jewish community who could benefit the most, Schreiber said. One unnamed person featured in the book was sitting shiva (the Jewish mourning period) with a few families on his block and told Schreiber, I read your book this weekend, and it just gave me such a strength that I needed. Combat hate and lead with love Nikki Schreiber and her father in Jerusalem before he passed away. Courtesy of Nikki Schreiber Schreiber has used her Instagram page and now the book as a creative expression to bring hope to the world. She trusts the book will show the Jewish community that youre not alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im hoping theres a little bit of strength just knowing that were all dealing with it. Many of the stories featured in the book are displays of regular people showcasing their advocacy. We all have our own way of doing something positive and significant to combat hate and lead with love, and everybody has it in their own voice and style, Schreiber explained. Its such an important component because we cant exist without the wonderful love we have of our friends, neighbors and supporters. It helps you to see what people risk and what people do, and I think thats such an important part of how the world goes around. Forman said to get through tough times, its important to look for those community heroes, those people who have got through in the past and who inspire us to continue going today. Its not just about people learning about the sadness, but also taking inspiration of how they can build a better life when going through such hard times and how things will get better, because the world, especially now, so often seems so dark, he continued. But my great-grandmother always used to say that better times, better days will come. At a time of rising antisemitism, people are turning to heartfelt stories like these to find light in the darkness. Artisan Books The Humans of Judaism exhibit is currently on display at the Weitzman Museum in Philadelphia. Courtesy of Nikki Schreiber And while the Humans of Judaism Instagram page is consistently sharing uplifting stories, sometimes its beneficial to get off social media and put the screens away especially when hateful comments seem to be never-ending, Schreiber suggested. Have this in print, have it proudly in your home, she said of the book, out in time for Hanukkah. I find it to be just like a family photo album. Theres no my story. Its our story. An Azerbaijani airliner crashed into a fireball Wednesday near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau and the internet is abuzz with theories as to what caused it. A Kazakh official said 67 people were onboard and 38 people died, according to Associated Press. Some details are still emerging about the cause of the crash, but some are speculating that Russia may have shot the plane down. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at a news conference that it was too soon to speculate on the reasons behind the crash, pointing to bad weather as the reason the plane diverted from its original course. "This is a great tragedy that has become a tremendous sorrow for the Azerbaijani people," he said. The Azerbaijan Airlines plane, an Embraer 190, was traveling from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus before it attempted an emergency landing. AP reported that Russias civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, said that the plane struck a flock of birds. DEVELOPING: Plane which crashed in Kazakhstan suffered external damage, according to experts. The pilots sent a distress call around the time Russian air defense was responding to a Ukrainian drone attack. Kazakh deputy PM, asked whether the plane was shot down: "I dare not pic.twitter.com/ZnJyJSmZES BNO News (@BNONews) December 25, 2024 However, images and video appearing on social media of the crash depict strange holes on the rear fuselage that some say arent consistent with an avian collision. BNO News reported that The pilots sent a distress call around the time Russian air defense was responding to a Ukrainian drone attack. When asked whether the plane was shot down, Kazakh deputy prime minister Kanat Bozumbayev said, "I dare not make premature statements." According to the Wall Street Journal, the planes intended destination in southern Russia was in an area where Moscows air defenses have recently battled Ukrainian drones. In 2018, international investigators concluded that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down on July 17, 2014 while flying over eastern Ukraine, was hit by a Russian missile. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) For the second time in less than a year, the Greensboro community is mourning the loss of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. Flowers, candles and handwritten notes have been placed outside the Greensboro Police Department in honor of Officer Michael Horan, a seven-year veteran of the department who was killed just days before Christmas. His patrol car, now covered in tributes, has become a symbol of the grief and love felt throughout the community. This has got to end, said Nicky Smith, who visited the memorial on Christmas Eve. This is as sad as it can get. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community members, local business owners and law enforcement officers from nearby agencies have come to pay their respects. Some left flowers and notes, while others dropped off food and supplies for officers working at the station. Tracy Fulk, president of Lodge 79 of the Fraternal Order of Police, said she met Horan earlier this year during a training session. She described him as having a large personality and a deep passion for his work. He kind of owned the room when he came in. He was happy He talked about his service in the Coast Guard and the things he accomplished there, and then he talked about everything he was doing here in the Greensboro Police Department, Fulk said. Horans death has taken an emotional toll not only on his colleagues but also on their families. Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said she was in a meeting with the city manager when they learned the news. She described how he stepped out to take a call and returned visibly shaken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sure that every family last night thought, Is this worth it? Will my spouse come home? Will my dad come home? Or my mother? My son or daughter? Im sure every family was reevaluating their life decisions, Vaughan said. The loss of Horan is a painful reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily. It comes less than a year after the death of Sgt. Dale Nix, another Greensboro officer who was killed in the line of duty last December. Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers visited the memorial Wednesday and reflected on the emotional impact of Horans death. It really has taken me to a different level, Rogers said. Thinking about him experiencing the last seconds of his life while his children and wife are left behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the tragedy, the City of Greensboro is offering grief counseling and peer support to officers and their families. Vaughan said the city is also planning a proper celebration of Horans life and service. This isnt just about mourning the loss of an officer, Vaughan said. Its about supporting the people who protect us every day and reminding them that their work matters. A fundraiser has been set up. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Gang members opened fire during the reopening of the main hospital in Haitis capital of Port-au-Prince, killing two journalists and a police officer. Journalists Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean were shot dead during an attack by bandits at the State University of Haiti Hospital on Tuesday, said Robest Dimanche, spokesperson for Haitis online media association. Other journalists were wounded in the shootout and were being treated at another clinic, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A police officer was also killed, Lionel Lazarre, a Haitian National Police spokesman, said. The State University of Haiti Hospital, also known as General Hospital, had been closed since February after it was attacked by members of the same gang coalition Vivre Ensemble (Living Together). Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility on Christmas Eve. But as journalists gathered to cover the event, the shootout started. A journalist cries outside a clinic where several of his injured colleagues were being treated - Johnson Sabin/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Street gangs control up to 85 per cent of Haitis capital, often carrying out mass killings at random, battling rival gangs for territory and seizing key public buildings and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video posted online by journalists trapped inside the hospital during the attack showed what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes covered in blood. One of the men had a lanyard with press written on it around his neck. Journalists injured during an armed attack by the bandits of Viv Ansanm [Vivre Ensemble] on General Hospital, local news outlet Gazette Haiti reported on X, formerly Twitter, posting photos of wounded people lying on the hospital floor. The newspaper described scenes of total panic in the city center. Leslie Voltaire, president of Haitis transitional ruling council, termed the shooting unacceptable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We send our sympathies to the families of the victims, and particularly the police and journalist associations. We assure them that this attack will not stand without consequences, he said. Street gangs control most of Haitis capital, often carrying out mass killings at random - Johnson Sabin/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Last week, Vivre Ensemble gang members set fire to another clinic in Port-au-Prince, the Bernard Mevs hospital. Nobody was hurt, but a large part of the facility was destroyed. Tuesdays shooting is the latest instance of growing turmoil in the capital of the beleaguered Caribbean nation, where attacks by armed gangs have been escalating violence in multiple neighborhoods for more than a month. In early December, nearly 200 people were killed in a massacre led by a powerful gang leader who accused the civilian victims, most of whom were elderly, of being voodoo practitioners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A multinational mission in support of Haitian police, led by Kenya and backed by the UN and the United States, has had little impact on the frequency of attacks by armed groups, who are accused of committing numerous murders, rapes, looting and kidnappings for ransom. The attacks forced the closure of the capitals airport to commercial flights in November after planes were shot at. 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. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) Haitis media association says 2 reporters were killed, several wounded in gang attack at Port-au-Princes main hospital. During President Joe Bidens final major address on the economy, he did what he does best: wax poetic about the old days of the United States Senate, the institution that defined him. He told an especially instructive story about when he returned to the Senate as vice president and went into the Senate dining hall, where a central dining room table used to stand. Thats were Democrats and Republicans would once meet and talk. You walk in a long table sitting, I guess, 16, 18 people on the right, parallel with the table, he said. And you walk through an archway, and there was a table going the other way. One was the Democratic table. One was Republican table. And when there werent enough to sit at any one table, then they all sit together. Some people might roll their eyes at Bidens nostalgic storytelling. But he was talking about something subtly important. Washington is more divided than ever. Even the Senate, which sees itself as a vestige of bipartisanship, is more caustic than it has been since the height of the Civil War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to really dislike an individual that you strongly disagree with when you find out his wife is dying of breast cancer or he just lost a child or hes having serious physical problems himself, Biden continued, as he reminisced about the days when Democratic and Republican senators were forced by location to converse with each other every day. Hes not the first senator I know who has lamented the end of the Senate dining table tradition. These days, senators operate on a much-mocked French work week where they arrive and typically begin voting on a Tuesday, and then do whatever it takes to not have to work on a Friday, even if it means a vote at 11:30 p.m. on a Thursday before flying back to their home states. An unintended side effect of this is that senators only see each other three days a week. And they meet for their caucus lunches on just one of those days, meaning they have fewer chances to mingle and get to know their compatriots. The days around the big, long table are shrinking, and so is the chance to break from the political divide and break bread together as senators. That loss of togetherness could play a huge impact in future Senate relationships as the 100 that make up the body tend to eat with their own party, instead of a complete unit. The Senate used to break bread together. Now, its mostly done by party. Its a tradition lost that coculd have a big impact throughout America (Tribune News Service/Getty) In fairness to them, senators within their caucus do get to know each other. Republicans still typically bring food from their home state during caucus lunch. Last year, when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell took a spill, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska sent him the halibut recipe from her state that he apparently loves. Murkowski told me earlier this year that that recipe includes capers, chopped onions and some shredded cheese. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah who, despite his clean-living Mormon lifestyle, has a soft spot for hot dogs told me that his favorite food to bring to the caucus luncheon is J Dawgs, which is a hot dog company based in his own home state. Democrats do it a bit differently. The cooks do a marvelous job, Senator Jon Tester of Montana told The Independent. They'll serve everything from beef to shrimp to everything. Tester, who works on a farm in Big Sandy, Montana, is an old-fashioned dealmaker and a farmer who famously had three fingers sliced off in a meat-grinding accident. He likes the fact that theres so much variety in the Senate kitchen and, like most Democrats, will usually just order off the menu provided by Congresss culinary workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But senators gnoshing in their own silos might cause more harm than good. Both parities now eat with those from same side of the policial aisle. Republicans typically bring food from their home state during caucus lunch (EPA) Early in my career, I covered an event with former senator Chris Dodd, a liberal Democrat from Connecticut, who lamented this problem. He said he told an incoming Republican senator to find a Democrat with whom he could have breakfast, lunch or dinner, and they could get things done. Theres no word if the Republican took Dodd up on this, but he certainly diagnosed a problem. Workplace relationships are as important perhaps more important in politics than they are anywhere else. And breaking bread together is a defining part of any workplace relationship. There might be some hope yet. The new Senate calendar released in the wake of the election showed incoming Majority Leader John Thune wants the Senate to work five days a week. Maybe, just maybe, theres a chance that on those days when they are not lunching with their own party, Democrats and Republicans get a chance to enjoy a meal together and actually do something for the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While chatting with Romney for his piece, I walked past Tester of Montana. Tester could not be more different than Romney. Where Romney doesnt swear, Tester does. Where Romney wears expensive suits, Tester often rocks flannel. But the two struck up an unlikely friendship in the Senate, they worked together on everything from infrastructure to Covid relief. When Tester saw Romney, he couldnt help but smile. Unfortunately, Romney is retiring, and Tester lost his re-election, leaving two more seats empty at the table - a metaphorical table that used to be one of the biggest power brokers in Washington. On December 23, "Rust" prosecutor Kari Morrissey withdrew her notice of appeal against actor Alec Baldwin following his highly publicized trial that ended suddenly in July. Judge Mary Marlowe ended the trial on the third day of witness testimony after concluding that the prosecution failed to disclose evidence to the defense. Although Morrissey filed an appeal in an attempt to take the "30 Rock" actor back to court, she withdrew her appeal on December 23. 'Rust' Prosecutor Dropped Charges Against Alec Baldwin MEGA On December 23, a press release announced that Morrissey had withdrawn the State's notice of appeal, which she had initially filed on November 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press release states that "The Special Prosecutor intended to pursue an appeal of the dismissal, however, the Office of the Attorney General notified the Special Prosecutor that the Attorney General did not intend to exhaustively pursue the appeal on behalf of the prosecution. Morrissey Regrets That Baldwin Will Not Be Held Accountable It goes on to say that the State strongly disagrees with the courts decision to dismiss criminal charges against Baldwin and denies concealing evidence. This has always been about seeking justice for Halyna Hutchins," Morrisey said in a statement, per the release. "We regret that Mr. Baldwin will not be held accountable for the role he played in the death of Halyna Hutchins and as we withdraw the appeal, we do so with the hope that the outstanding lawsuits bring some measure of justice to the family of Halyna Hutchins. Halyna Hutchins' Family Speaks On Christmas Eve MEGA Gloria Allred, who represents Halyna Hutchins mother, father, and sister in a civil lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and other Rust producers, spoke out about the decision to drop the appeal in a press release on Christmas Eve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There was no justice, because a jury couldn't hear the evidence," Allred said at a news conference held in Los Angeles, going on to insist that Baldwin was responsible, and he is responsible. "It's not over until it's over, and it's not over yet," Allred said. "Although the attorney general of New Mexico, Raul Torrez, is the Grinch who stole this Christmas, we will work to ensure that a future Christmas will be without this Grinch." Legal Analyst Says Dropping The Appeal Was The Right Decision MEGA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal analyst John Day, who spoke to ABC affiliate KOAT about the decision felt that the attorney general made the right call to drop the appeal. "To criticize (the attorney general) for not pursuing it because (Allred) has a civil case, it's a little bit like what they call crocodile tears," Day said. "She still has claims which could be very good and very successful against Baldwin and the production companies in the civil case. He continued, "But the fact is, this criminal case has been a train wreck for many, many months; it's been very expensive for the taxpayers of New Mexico, and the attorney general obviously did not want to get stuck in the same mud that enveloped the special prosecutors (in the criminal case)." In their own statement, Baldwins legal team told the ABC affiliate, "Yesterday's decision to dismiss the appeal is the final vindication of what Alec Baldwin and his attorneys have said from the beginning - this was an unspeakable tragedy but Alec Baldwin committed no crime. The rule of law remains intact in New Mexico." Halyna Hutchins' Family Wanted Justice For The Late Cinematographer MEGA After Alec Baldwin was indicted for a second time, attorney Gloria Allred released a statement about the new charges in January 2024. Allred is not only representing part of the Hutchins family but also "Rust" script supervisor Mamie Mitchell in her own separate lawsuit against "Rust" producers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our clients have always sought the truth about what happened on the day that Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed on October 21, 2021. They continue to seek the truth in our civil lawsuit for them and they also would like there to be accountability in the criminal justice system. The grand jury has decided that there is sufficient evidence to indict Alec Baldwin on the charge of involuntary manslaughter," she said in a statement. "We are looking forward to the criminal trial which will determine if he should be convicted for the untimely death of Halyna, who was the daughter of our clients Olga Solovey and Anatolii Androsovych, the sister of Svetlana Zemko, and the co-worker-of-our-client-, Mamie Mitchell," she added. SAG-AFTRA Said It Is Not An Actor's Job To Check Firearms On Set MEGA In addition to that statement, Allred released another separate statement when SAG-AFTRA released a statement in the actor's defense, insisting that it was not an actor's job to check firearms on set. The notion that an actor is not responsible if that actor holds a gun, points it at someone on a movie set, and discharges the weapon flies in the face of common sense and the law, Gloria Allred said in a separate statement. Safety protocols may be considered at trial, but they are not the law, she continued. This indictment was the result of a careful assessment by the grand jury of all the facts and the law. It is important to respect the grand jurys decision to indict, and to allow the criminal justice system to proceed to trial where the case will be decided on its merits. KYODO NEWS - Dec 25, 2024 - 09:23 | Podcast, All How do you pay for your train rides? Three Kyodo News reporters Yuki Yamaguchi, Peter Masheter and Risa Suzuki talk about how JR East is planning on introducing ticket gates in the next decade that will allow passengers to ride trains without scanning phones at the gates. Listen as they discuss what kind of infrastructures other countries have implemented and the potential drawbacks of the new system. Article mentioned in the podcast: JR East to launch scan-free ticket gates for app users within 10 yrs Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents. Related coverage: Podcast [English World] Episode 76: Closing izakayas Podcast [English World] Episode 75: All aboard the One Piece shinkansen Podcast [English World] Episode 74: Ohtani wins 3rd MVP By Jana Choukeir, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maytaal Angel DUBAI/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel traded blame on Wednesday over their failure to conclude a ceasefire agreement despite progress reported by both sides in past days. Hamas said that Israel had laid down further conditions, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the group of going back on understandings already reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The occupation has set new conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of the displaced, which has delayed reaching the agreement that was available," Hamas said. It added that it was showing flexibility and that the talks, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, were serious. Netanyahu countered in a statement: "The Hamas terrorist organization continues to lie, is reneging on understandings that have already been reached, and is continuing to create difficulties in the negotiations." Israel will, however, continue relentless efforts to return hostages, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli negotiators returned to Israel from Qatar on Tuesday evening for consultations about a hostage deal after a significant week of talks, Netanyahu's office said on Tuesday. The U.S. and Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt have stepped up efforts to conclude a phased deal in the past two weeks. One of the challenges has been agreements on Israeli troop deployments. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, speaking with commanders in southern Gaza, said on Wednesday that Israel will retain security control of the enclave, including by means of buffer zones and controlling posts. Hamas is demanding an end to the war, while Israel says it wants to end Hamas' rule of the enclave first, to ensure it will no longer pose a threat to Israelis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISRAEL KEEPS UP MILITARY PRESSURE Meanwhile Israeli forces kept up pressure on the northern Gaza Strip, in one of the most punishing campaigns of the 14-month war, including around three hospitals on the northern edge of the enclave, in Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia. Palestinians accuse Israel of seeking to permanently depopulate northern Gaza to create a buffer zone. Israel denies this and says it has instructed civilians to leave those areas for their own safety while its troops battle Hamas militants. Israeli strikes killed at least 24 people across Gaza on Wednesday, health officials said. One strike hit a former school sheltering displaced families in Gaza City's suburb of Sheikh Radwan, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military said it struck a Hamas militant operating in the area of Al-Furqan in Gaza City. Several Palestinians were killed and wounded in the Al-Mawasi area, an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, where the military said it was targeting another Hamas operative. The war was triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 45,300 Palestinians, according to health officials in the Hamas-run enclave. Most of the population of 2.3 million has been displaced and much of Gaza is in ruins. (This story has been corrected to change the day to Wednesday in paragraph 9) (Reporting by Jana Choukeir and Tala Ramadan; Editing by Barbara Lewis and Hugh Lawson) The mystery began with a missed flight. On November 8, Hannah Kobayashi traveled from her home in Maui to L.A., where she failed to make her connection to NYC. Four days later, her family reported her missing. [Were] trying to make sense of it, her aunt Larie Pidgeon said on December 3, but still cannot. As details of the 30-year-olds disappearance began to emerge, the case quickly captivated the country. After missing her plane police say it was intentional, while family members believe a tight 42-minute layover window was to blame Hannah told relatives she would sleep at the airport that night and make arrangements to have her luggage returned to L.A. Over the next two days, the aspiring photographer was seen around town visiting a bookshop and a Nike store where she snapped a pic of her sneakers that she posted on Instagram. On November 11, she was back at the L.A. airport, where she spoke to a ticketing agent before she was captured on video leaving a metro station with an unknown person. Everything was normal until the 11th, Larie explained. Her phone pinged at LAX at 4 p.m., and then after that her phone went dead and her communication cut off completely. Cryptic Messages Friends and loved ones grew worried when Hannah started sending alarming and weird texts. One read, Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f--k since Friday. To sister Sydni, it feels like someone was controlling her, she explained. Intuitively knowing her and being so close to her my entire life, I just know this is absolutely not like her. Video then showed Hannah at a Greyhound bus terminal in downtown L.A. on November 12. As police searched, Hannahs recently retired father, Ryan Kobayashi, 58, flew to L.A. to look, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then tragedy struck: On November 24, he died by suicide, according to the L.A. County medical examiner, after plunging from a parking structure at LAX. His death came after online conspiracy theories emerged suggesting that Hannah was abducted by a cult or sex-trafficked by a gang. He broke, Larie said. He died of a broken heart. Hannah Kobayashi Considered Voluntary Missing Person On December 2 nearly three weeks after Hannah vanished the LAPD revealed new information. A U.S. Customs video showed her crossing the border into Tijuana, Mexico, on foot on November 12. She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said, explaining that the department now considered her disappearance a voluntary missing person case. Police said they would be alerted if Hannah returned to the U.S. Until then, her family hoped the public would help. I will not stop until I know my niece is safe and doing this on her own accord and in a good mental state, her aunt Larie said. This search is not over. Hannah Kobayashi Found Safe Finally, Hannahs family confirmed in a statement to In Touch on December 11, 2024, that she had been found safe. 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, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through, the statement read. 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. Hannah Kobayashi Breaks Silence Hannah revealed she was unaware of the media coverage surrounding her whereabouts in a story published by People on December 16, 2024. I am still processing it all, she said in the statement at the time. 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. Dr. Dina Al Rameni and her transplant team at Hartford HealthCare delivered a ground-breaking, life-saving gift right before the holidays, performing what they said is the first beating heart transplant in Connecticut. This past summer, 62-year-old Sharon Mack of East Hartford, was diagnosed with heart failure and was placed on the heart transplant list. Before my heart transplant, I couldnt even walk 10 feet without stopping to catch my breath, Mack said. If I was at the grocery store I had to lean on the cart to hold myself up. I was short of breath a lot. I just couldnt do much. Everything I did took time and it felt like my body was shutting down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mack was waiting for her heart for four months and was at high risk for rejection, according to Al Rameni. She had end-stage heart failure and was dependent on medication that needed to be infused through a line into her heart for her to function on a daily basis, Al Rameni said. She was struggling with that for years, and when I saw her in July, I told her she would be a good candidate for a heart transplant. We just had to find the one organ she wasnt going to reject. Al Rameni said if Mack didnt get a new heart, she would have gone into multi-organ failure because the heart wouldnt be able to pump enough blood throughout the body. It was a late-night transplant, and everyone was asleep when we learned the heart was coming and in the transplant world those are the hours we work, Al Rameni said. We have to be ready to go. These patients have been on the transplant list for weeks and months and Sharons surgery was overnight. It was a very peaceful night with great energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Rameni and her team performed the groundbreaking transplant on Nov. 13. She was one of a five-person team in the operating room during the four-hour procedure. I got the call that day saying that there was a heart for me, Mack said. I was thinking how I was going to start my day first, shower or eat. I showered and Im glad that I did because they said it was a good thing that I hadnt eaten yet. My psychiatrist got me in the right mindset and put me in the right head space, she added. She told me to let it go and let people take care of me. The team at Hartford Hospital really cares about their patients. I consider them family. They were so great to me. Hours after the surgery, Al Rameni stopped in to see her and the two shared a fist bump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharon had a breathing tube out the first day out of surgery and was already sitting in a chair on the first day, Al Rameni said. She was eating her breakfast. I was so proud of her. What I liked about Sharon is that she connected on a personal level with the staff. Everyone loved her. She was willing to fight the fight. Sharons a star. Im very invested in my job and my patients, Al Rameni added. This is the best gift I can give. We had the perfect donor. It was a perfect size match. This is very rewarding seeing my patient living her life with no issues. I think its very gratifying. My friends know that my happiness is 100 percent with how my patients are doing. A rare procedure Al Rameni said less than 100 of these transplants have been performed throughout the United States. According to Al Rameni, the procedure can improve transplant outcomes and could revolutionize how transplants are performed. The heart is transplanted on a machine in the Organ Care System that keeps the heart in a beating state, and its preserved in a good environment. This is fascinating technology, Al Rameni said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the FDA , The OCS Heart System supplies donor hearts with oxygen and nutrients by passing fluids through the heart (perfusion). The device also measures and displays preservation metrics, such as temperature and pressure. Typically donated hearts are flown into the hospital on ice from no more than four hours away. Beating heart transplants travel with mechanics that allow the heart to continue to beat and that allows more time and can come from further away. This new advancement and new technology allows us to implant hearts that are further away, Al Rameni said. The first-ever beating heart transplant took place in October 2022 by Dr. Joseph Woo at Stanford University School of Medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Rameni said the surgery can be very difficult to perform. Its different and technically challenging because the heart is moving, Al Rameni said. Its like shooting a moving target compared to shooting a still target, which is quicker and less challenging. But I had a great team with me that helped me hold it in a certain position. In the end, its still a heart transplant. Im making the five connections and sowing them in, except this time we did it with a beating heart. Al Rameni, who joined the Hartford Hospital staff just five months ago, has been a part of 11 heart transplants and has headed five transplants including the beating heart transplant. Hartford HealthCare performs an average of 35 heart transplants a year, which is on par with Yale-New Haven for the most in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Rameni said Mack was a good candidate for the new procedure. Obviously when you are trying something new, they are skeptical, but I believed in the science, Al Rameni said. I discussed it with my colleagues and we decided to do it. Al Rameni said Mack was able to leave the hospital in six days and her heart was beating naturally right away. Her body accepted it very well and this was very encouraging. Historic achievement Mack said shes happy to make history in Connecticut with her new heart. I didnt know I was the first-ever in the state to have the beating heart transplant until my doctor told me. I thought I was the first in Hartford Hospital, she said. It was a blessing and I was so happy and the fact that it was a beating heart could have made a difference with my recovery and sped up my progress. It was already beating and ready to go. My doctors were in awe. They said I was truly a miracle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mack said she was ready to start moving around the day after the surgery. I didnt feel any pain. I wasnt sore or hurting or anything, Mack said. I asked the nurses in the ICU to walk with me and I did two laps around the floor and then I did five the next day. The next day I did 10. Then I told them to let me do it on my own and just be there to catch me if I fell. Mack said she was climbing stairs on her third day with her new heart. The health professionals had her start doing tasks like folding clothes so she could be prepared to be ready to go back home. A month later, Mack said she is feeling great and is in no pain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mack, who grew up in Hartford, has five children who all live in the area. She also has 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is currently staying with one of her daughters and will be moving to a new house in East Hartford. She invited Al Rameni and many of the caretakers who took care of her. She asked me to bring a fancy wine, Al Rameni said with a laugh. This was a perfect fit for Sharon and the heart was the one missing piece. They are my miracle medical family, Mack said. Every one of them was such a blessing for me. They wanted me to do well, and they gave me the motivation and helped me do this. She said she currently has no trouble climbing up and down the stairs but occasionally uses a cane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im very mobile and this is not what I expected, Mack said. They thought I would be under 24-hour care but Im basically doing everything on my own. I cook on my own. I thought I was going to be in the hospital for a month I listen to my body. When my body is telling me to rest, then I rest. Im still healing. Mack said one change is she gets very emotional. I am so blessed. This is such a blessing to get this heart. The entire Hartford Hospital team brought me where Im at. I didnt get here by myself. Mack said. I wasnt afraid. I felt I was in good hands and I had nothing to worry about. Mack said doesnt have any big plans with her new heart. She said she wants to go to the beach or the mall without having to keep sitting down. I am looking forward to having that freedom to keep moving. Its those simple things you take for granted, Mack said. HAZARD, Ky. (FOX 56) A Hazard family has been displaced after their home caught fire on Christmas Eve. According to the Hazard Fire Department, fire crews were dispatched around 1:04 p.m. to Jasmine Court. There they found a single-wide trailer fully engulfed in flames. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: A Hazard family has been displaced after their home caught fire on Christmas Eve. (Hazard Fire Department) A Hazard family has been displaced after their home caught fire on Christmas Eve. (Hazard Fire Department A Hazard family has been displaced after their home caught fire on Christmas Eve. (Hazard Fire Department It was important to deploy multiple hand lines as this structure was in a trailer court, so immediate, close exposures had to be protected, the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All surrounding trailers werent damaged. However, the home that caught fire is considered a total loss, per authorities. The fire is still under investigation, and the family is being assisted by the American Red Cross. 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 FOX 56 News. Twas 11 nights before Christmas, and all through the church, parents were stirring because a child left them in a lurch. At this holiday party, something was amiss for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Columbus. Eight-year-old Grayson caused such a fright when attendees realized he was nowhere in sight. Half a dozen adults looked inside and outside the church, but to no avail was their frantic search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They went through nearby apartment complexes and woods, and two residents said they saw Grayson in the neighborhoods. But those folks didnt stop him or help him, making his Mama mighty grim. Then, when this searched reached nearly half an hour, Grayson was found by a higher power. A man in a red suit and white trim delivered the luck, arriving not by sleigh but by pickup truck. That man is 68-year-old Stephen Coggins. He has been playing Santa Claus for about 50 years, but he never had a gig like this one. How this Santa Claus found a lost boy in Columbus The association hired Coggins as the Santa Claus for its Dec. 14 holiday party. He had left the church before the end of the event, so he initially wasnt aware of the crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as he drove along the church driveway toward River Road that night, he saw Grayson running away. Coggins tried to stop Grayson, but the boy kept running. When he saw Grayson near the edge of the woods, Coggins again tried to stop him, but Grayson again ran away. Stephen Coggins portrayed Santa Claus at a Dec. 15, 2024, holiday party for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Columbus. Coggins called the association member who hired him to report what he saw. Figuring that Grayson would emerge from the other side of the apartment complexes and the woods, Coggins got back in his truck and reached the clearing in time to see Grayson walking up a hill toward River Road. By then, they were about half a mile away from the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coggins saw Graysons mother, Carrie Defenbaugh, also coming up the hill. He whistled to her and hollered, I have him! Thats when it got happy, Coggins told the Ledger-Enquirer, but it scared me to death when I lost him because I could imagine something happening to him after I had him right there at my side. Praise God that I found him, because theres no telling how it would have been if he got to River Road where the traffic is at night. Very overwhelmed Defenbaugh gushed a mix of emotions. I was very overwhelmed, she told the Ledger-Enquirer. You go from being terrified because its a very helpless, awful feeling not knowing where you child is, especially when you know that your child is nonverbal and doesnt really understand what it is that he just did. to just happiness, despair, like everything all together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defenbaughs husband, Michael, told Coggins, Just thank you, from the bottom of my heart. ... You were critical to getting him back into our arms. When children ask their parents why there are so many jolly guys in red suits with white trim saying they are Santa Claus despite there being only one real Santa Claus, the typical answer is that they are Santas helpers. Well, this Santa Claus certainly lived up to his name. In fact, he was more than a helper. Definitely a hero, Defenbaugh said. Carrie Defenbaugh holds her son Grayson during a Dec. 23, 2024, interview with the Ledger-Enquirer. But while praising Coggins for his heroic deed, Defenbaugh also emphasized her frustration about encountering two residents in neighboring apartment complexes saying they saw a boy matching Graysons description but they didnt stop him or call the police for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is such a common occurrence, she said. People dont really know about it until you hear the tragic stories. Our search could have been ended at least 10 minutes sooner had that first person just grabbed him and stayed with him. And you dont have to be dressed like Santa Claus to do Santa-like things, this Santa insists. Despite being on his way home after 10 hours of playing Santa at three events that day, Coggins still felt compelled to stop his truck and help this boy. Coggins said he didnt recognize Grayson or know for certain that he was one of the children at the party, but he stopped to help him because, well, no kid that young should be out at night by himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So this Santa has a Christmas wish for Columbus and all communities: People dont want to get involved in things because theyre afraid how they might turn out, like lawsuits and everything else. . . . But people need to be more involved and observant of their surroundings. How to help a special-needs child who might be lost Defenbaugh, president of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Columbus, provided the following guidance about how to help a special-needs child who might be lost: Immediate actions Try to find the one of the childs parents or caregivers. If you cant quickly find one of them, inform security personnel or call the police with details about the childs appearance and location. Communication and safety Check whether the child is distressed, injured or has communication difficulties. Use a gentle voice, avoid sudden movements, and introduce yourself as someone who wants to help. Look for identification. Check for bracelets, necklaces or tags with contact information or medical details. Interaction Ask basic questions. Use simple language and visual cues to understand whether the child can communicate their name, location or whether they are looking for someone or something. Provide comfort. Offer water or a snack and use pleasant distractions or activities to keep the child calm. Important considerations COURTESY PHOTO JONATHAN SALVADOR /PVS The Hokule as arrival in Waimanalo. COURTESY PHOTO JONATHAN SALVADOR /PVS The Hokule as arrival in Waimanalo. The Hokule a, the Polynesian Voyaging Societys traditional voyaging canoe, has returned home to Sand Island for the holidays. The Hokule a spent the past four months around the Hawaiian islands for the Pae Aina Statewide Sail, with more than 20 community engagements, including a sail along Koolaupoko on Oahus windward side, with stops at He eia Kea Pier, Kaneohe, Kailua and Waimanalo throughout December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The canoe has been hauled out of the water at the Marine Education Training Center for four weeks of dry dock. During that time, crews will clean, inspect and repair parts of the canoe before resuming the Pae Aina Statewide Sail in mid-January. The Pae Aina Statewide Sail offers a special opportunity for Hawaiis communities to step on board the deck of Hokule a, and to learn about the revival of traditional navigation as well as the Polynesian Voyaging Societys mission of Maalama Honua, or caring for our Island Earth. On Dec. 6, the Hokule a also made a stop at Waimea Bay for the opening ceremony of The Eddie Big Wave Invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau, when the inaugural Eddie Aikau Foundation Kahiau Award was given to Hokule a captain and lifeguard. The Polynesian Voyaging Society is also preparing to celebrate the 50th birthday of Hokule a on March 8, marking a half-century of cultural revival, environmental advocacy, and a renewed connection to the earth and ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Upcoming stops in 2025, weather permitting, include :Jan.18-24 Pu uloa (Pearl Harbor )Jan. 29-Feb.4 Ko OlinaFeb. 5-7 PokaiFeb. 8-14 Maunalua (Hawaii Kai and Koko Marina ) 0 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . A homeless migrant allegedly attacked a rookie female cop at Midtowns Port Authority Bus Terminal Monday morning while seething he hates women who work in law enforcement, according to officials and sources. The vicious beat down unfolded after Juan Jose Valencia, 30, mimicked firing a gun with hand gestures at a Port Authority police officer at the entrance of the terminal around 6:45 a.m., the law enforcement sources said. When the cop approached Valencia, he allegedly exploded arguing and telling the rookie he had a knife. The rookie cop was beat up outside the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Christopher Sadowski Valencia then allegedly tripped the cop when she tried to cuff him and pounced on her when she hit the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The migrant who emigrated from Colombia during the pandemic, according to sources allegedly socked her multiple times while ranting about his disdain for female police officers. The cop called for back up before trying to arrest the attacker, and when more police arrived, the deranged creep was still punching her while officers tried to yank him away, sources said. Juan Jose Valencia allegedly pummeled the cop in Times Square. Helayne Seidman Valencia was finally arrested and charged with assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. The early morning assault left the officer hospitalized with multiple injuries. Its not Valencias first run-in with crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A warrant was issued after he didnt show up to court on stalking and intimidation charges in 2022, according to records. Valencia was arraigned Tuesday and held on bail. His next court appearance is set for Friday. Frank Conti, president of Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, decried the attack on a member of the force. Mondays incident in which a rookie, female Port Authority police officer was assaulted by an individual who stated his disdain for female cops is another example of what our officers face, Conti said in a statement. Port Authority cops constantly go into harms way to provide a safe environment for the millions using Port Authority facilities daily. I am thankful our officer will recover, and credit her actions for preventing harm to anyone else, he added. President Biden struggling during his Jun 27, 2024, debate with now-President-elect Donald Trump. Recent reporting alleges those close to Biden went to great lengths to prevent the public from knowing the true extent of his decline. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) As the new year dawns, Im crossing my fingers that our elected leaders will learn a key lesson from 2024 and make the following New Years resolution: Quit when its time. The chief offender this year, of course, was President Biden, whose decline was so pronounced he was forced to withdraw from the presidential race after stumbling through a debate with now-President-elect Donald Trump. A recent Wall Street Journal story detailed how Biden and his aides spent years hiding his true condition from the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But other examples abound, nationwide and here in New Jersey. On Friday, the Dallas Express reported 14-term Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), 81, is living at a memory care and assisted living home, and her son confirmed to the Dallas Morning News that Granger has been experiencing dementia issues. She hasnt cast a vote in Congress in five months. Until March, she was chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Rep. David Scott, a 79-year-old, 10-term Georgia Democrat who appears frail and confused during public appearances, made news last week when he cursed at a journalist taking a photo of him as he was being wheeled into the U.S. Capitol. A Scott staffer asked the journalist not to take pictures, too, presumably to prevent voters from seeing Scotts condition. Rep. Gerry Connolly, a 74-year-old, eight-term Virginia Democrat who had a recent cancer diagnosis, last week became his partys choice to be their top guy on the powerful House Oversight Committee. And while Rep. Nancy Pelosi, an 84-year-old California Democrat who was first elected to the House when I was 10 years old, was overseas and working behind the scenes to help Connolly win that vote, she fell and broke her hip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here in New Jersey, two of our House members Reps. Donald Payne Jr. and Bill Pascrell Jr. died after hospital stays this year. Pascrell was 87 years old one of the oldest members of Congress and in recent years it was apparent he was greatly diminished from his prime. In both cases, their deaths came after key election deadlines, essentially allowing party bosses to choose their replacements. Those are just the examples from 2024. Last year, Sen. Dianne Feinstein appeared confused and had to be told how to vote at least once she died in September 2023 at 90 and Sen. Mitch McConnell, 82, froze while talking to reporters in two alarming episodes. McConnell remains the GOPs leader in the Senate. Theres one thing all these public officials have in common: Theyre all old. These episodes have rekindled the debate over age limits for elected officials, an idea backed by most Americans. I talked to gerontologist Tracey Gendron about this. Shes the executive director of the Virginia Center on Aging, and she has lots of thoughts on how we talk about aging elected officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For starters, Gendron noted, Everybody is part of the aging population. Im aging, my 12-year-old niece is aging, and Biden is aging. Its the one thing, Gendron said, every human on the planet has in common. Even that California 47-year-old who claims he spends $2 million a year to try looking 18. Gendron said when we age as babies, our milestones are all roughly similar. Most of us start to talk, start to talk, start to learn how to read roughly at the same age. Older age is exactly the opposite because our lived experiences and our very unique identities create different paths for us, she said. So knowing that somebody is 65, 75, 85 is meaningless. It doesnt tell you how healthy they are. It doesnt tell you how engaged they want to be. It doesnt tell you anything. So when we talk about too old, its really misguided. This is fair. There are certainly elected officials in their 30s and 40s who I think should bow out of public service because theyre not up to the job, despite their youth. And there are others in their 80s who seem more with it than Biden does even at his sharpest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So when I say folks like Biden, McConnell, Scott, and others should have stepped aside long ago, its not because of their age. Its because voters entrusted them to do a job and it is clear they cant do it. There is someone close to me who is suffering from significant mental decline. So as Ive watched Biden and other public officials struggle in the glare of the public eye, I have struggled to understand why their loved ones havent stepped in to spare them this indignity. I get the hangers-on the man pushing Scotts wheelchair and sparring with a reporter for documenting it, or the aide keeping everyone away from seeing Bidens condition up close because theyd lose power and influence if their gravy train ended. Its despicable, but I understand it. I do not understand the politicians wives, husbands, children, friends why do they want to see their loved ones humiliated on the national stage? SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The human-caused Horton Fire northeast of Payson continued to burn nearly 900 acres of forest along the Mogollon Rim on Wednesday morning, as about 150 firefighters and personnel were on-site to battle the blaze over the holiday week. Containment stagnated at 15%, the same figure two days ago, but fire activity remained minimal on Wednesday, according to Tonto National Forest officials in a news release. "Slow and smoldering" fire conditions allowed crews to limit the perimeter of the blaze and extinguish hotspots, according to the National Forest, which noted the risk of spread was not over. A map of the Horton Fire burning northeast of Payson on Dec. 25, 2024. Fire containment steadies, further spread not ruled out Authorities said there was potential for growth in the east Horton Creek drainage area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Firefighters will hold fire south of Forest Road 300, east of Horton Trail and north of Highway 260," read the news release. The wildfire threatened nearby communities of Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery and Zane Grey Cabins, which were on a pre-evacuation "Set" status and must be prepared to leave at the notice of authorities. The fire already caused an emergency closure of the nearby forest through Jan. 25, 2025. Weather conditions ease spread of Horton Fire A rise in humidity levels to between 30% and 40% helped lower fire activity, resulting in less smoke seen in the area. There was no significant rain or snow expected in the area, according to the National Forest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality noted in a forecast that smoke would move northeast along the Mogollon Rim before lighter overnight winds caused smoke to drain into Horton and Tonto creeks on Tuesday morning. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Horton Fire containment unchanged midway through holiday week KYODO NEWS - Dec 25, 2024 - 21:24 | All, Japan, World A Tokyo court on Wednesday sentenced a Chinese national living in Japan to eight months in prison over his involvement in a May graffiti incident at the capital's war-linked Yasukuni shrine. Jiang Zhuojun, 29, was on trial at the Tokyo District Court on charges of damaging property and disrespecting a place of worship. According to the ruling, he and two other Chinese men vandalized a stone pillar at the controversial shrine by spray-painting the word "toilet" on it on May 31. Prosecutors had sought a one-year sentence. In handing down the ruling, Judge Yasushi Fuke said Jiang had played a crucial role by purchasing the spray paint and that it is "unforgivable to turn to illegal actions to express one's views." The court deemed imprisonment appropriate, citing a lack of reparations for the damage. It dismissed Jiang's claims that his actions were a protest against the release of treated radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, which began in 2023. The two other Chinese nationals involved in the case left Japan for China. Japanese police have placed them on a wanted list. Yasukuni enshrines Japan's war dead. It has long been a source of diplomatic friction with China and other Asian countries for honoring wartime Japanese leaders, who were convicted as war criminals in a post-World War II international tribunal. Related coverage: Chinese man admits to role in Yasukuni shrine graffiti case Japan police seek arrest of Chinese boy over Yasukuni shrine graffiti Mitzi Johnson sits on the new front porch of her North Omaha home that was improved with help from a zero-interest home renovation loan provided through the Greenlining Fund of Front Porch Investments. The fund is an effort to help reverse lingering negative effects of historic redlining and racially-biased credit practices. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) OMAHA The yellow house on Pinkney Street packs a powerful 125-year history one that has intertwined with Mitzi Johnsons entire life, as well as generations of family members who lived there before her. Parts of the past were ugly. Redlining and discriminatory loan practices dating back to the Great Depression beset the North Omaha neighborhood where the 1.5-story home rose in 1899. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While fair housing laws of the 1960s outlawed racially-motivated redlining, negative impacts of steering investment elsewhere lingered in ways that experts say stunted economic growth and wealth-building in the area. Many residents fled. What is redlining? Federal Reserve History calls redlining the practice of denying people access to financial services because of where they live, even if they are personally qualified for loans. The term is rooted in government homeownership and mortgage loan programs created as part of the 1930s-era New Deal. Color-coded maps were used to rank the riskiness of neighborhoods. Historically, mortgage lenders widely redlined core urban neighborhoods populated mostly by people of color, which essentially targeted those areas for disinvestment and decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson, 49, stayed and eventually bought the house thats been her familys base since great-grandparents John and Annie Carter moved there more than a half-century ago. Now the household is part of a turnaround effort the Greenlining Fund, which is administered by the nonprofit Front Porch Investments and aimed at reversing ill effects of past redlining practices in parts of North and South Omaha. Reinvesting in disinvested areas Fueled by philanthropic donations, the fund is designed to reinvest about $1 million annually to foster homeownership and build wealth in those areas that are among Nebraskas most disenfranchised. In the Johnsons case, Mitzi and husband Corey were awarded, through a selection process, zero-interest financing to revamp the house built originally with two bedrooms. Now 1623 Pinkney has a rebuilt front entrance, a new kitchen and new heating and air systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson is beaming. My familys history is in this house, she said. The memories I have growing up. The conversations in these walls. The people who have walked through those doors. Hopefully it will one day be a space for my grandchildrens children to come visit me when Im the great grandmother. Home sweet home for the Johnsons. (Courtesy of Mitzi Johnson) The Greenlining Funds pilot year focused on providing zero-interest loans of up to $50,000 to eligible homeowners, with loan repayments returned to the fund. So far nine households, including the Johnsons, have completed loan-covered renovations that help ensure their properties can stay in the family and build generational wealth, said Jody Holston, executive director of Front Porch. Its been overwhelmingly positive, Holston said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the second-year programming set to launch in 2025, the community advisory committee that guides the fund recommended awarding $999,480 to three agencies that will disburse money to clients and projects. Launching in 2025 The three receiving funding are: Project Houseworks, which received $580,000 to provide no-cost home repairs and renovations for low-income families and older homeowners in North and South Omaha. Canopy South, which received $350,000 to launch a home renovation program that will rehab homes in previously deemed hazardous and redlined areas of South Omaha. Volunteers Assisting Seniors, which received $69,480 to raise awareness of Nebraskas Homestead Exemption program. That program helps older, low-income and other eligible homeowners in formerly redlined neighborhoods receive property tax relief and avoid being forced to move. A key element of the program, says Yolanda Williams, Front Porchs housing justice and grants manager, is the advisory committee made up of people who were impacted by historical redlining and systematic disinvestment and therefore understand challenges in affected communities. Schmeeka Simpson, who served on the University of Nebraska at Omahas Redlining Community Engagement Service Learning Board, looks at a redlining map of Omaha. A film called Divisible dug into the practice and how color-coded maps that ranked so-called desirable areas impacted segregation, housing patterns and access to education, health care and more. (Courtesy of Equity Media) That committee, along with the Greenlining Fund and Front Porch itself, all were created in response to needs identified in a 105-page housing affordability and needs assessment study completed in 2021. The study was commissioned by nine local philanthropic groups that wanted to get a better grip on the need for affordable housing in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Front Porch was formed to lead housing efforts that sprang out of private and public seed funding. Stark contrast Among Greenlining advisory committee members is Stephanie Finklea, who spent many childhood days at grandmas home near 24th and Sprague Streets in North Omaha. Now owner and operator of Black Chick Farm, Finklea couldnt help but notice as a youth the stark contrast between investment in grandmas neighborhood compared to others in the metro area. My experiences have led me to understand how important homeownership is in connection with financial wellbeing and generational wealth, said Finklea. The history of redlining and disinvestment has denied oppressed people access to economic stability. The advisory board member more recently has witnessed an increase in pride and hope in people who have received support from the fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My familys history is in this house. The memories I have growing up. The conversations in these walls. The people who have walked through those doors. Hopefully it will one day be a space for my grandchildrens children to come visit me when Im the great grandmother. Mitzi Johnson of North Omaha For Johnson, whose IT job allows her to mostly work from home, the loan helped kickstart improvements she envisioned for years but didnt pursue because credit hurdles stood in the way. Historically, redlining limited access to credit, opportunities and investments in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. Experts say affected areas and families often still struggle with unequal playing fields. Nonprofit Front Porch Investments administers the Greenlining Fund. Team members from left: Raechel Kramer, Aidan Posey, Jody Holston and Yolanda Williams. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) The Pinkney Street house for tax purposes was valued at about $57,000 last year and now is valued at about $68,000. Johnson said, to her, it never lost sentimental value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her mom and her moms six siblings were raised in the neighborhood by their grandparents, who moved to Omaha from Mississippi. Johnsons great grandparents bought the house in 1972. After Johnson graduated high school and her great grandparents passed, she and a couple of cousins and a close friend lived in the house. Over the years, third and fourth bedrooms were added in the attic and basement. Many family and friends have moved on and out of the neighborhood, but Johnson stayed at the Pinkney Street home through marriage and raising two children. She drives her grandson to school a few times a week and smiles that he attends the same Lothrop Elementary School she did. Neighbor curiosity Her home improvements have sparked curiosity among neighbors, who have asked about the changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gone is the rope that had cordoned off hazardous, soft flooring on the Johnsons front porch. Now we dont have to fear our grandkids are going to fall through it, said Johnson. The kitchen in Mitzi Johnsons 125-year-old home was stripped to the core and rehabbed. She loves to cook now. (Courtesy of Mitzi Johnson) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She adores the new kitchen, and even looks forward to cooking for extended family gatherings. It was so dark and gloomy before, she said. Another element of the project Johnson said she appreciated was working with a Black female-owned local construction company, Blair Freeman. She viewed the Greenlining subcontractor as a sign of progression within the community. Holston said priority candidates for the fund are longtime community members who benefit from a chance to improve property and pass on wealth to their kids. Families that havent received the investment they deserved, she said. Johnson said there is definitely still work to be done to lift her childhood and adult stomping grounds socially and economically, though she said shes seeing progress. This is personal for me to be and stay part of this community, she said. Front Porch awards, overall, top $40M The Greenlining Fund is separate from Front Porch Investments larger preservation and development fund, which since 2022 has awarded developers and nonprofits a total of about $40 million in low-interest loans and grants that contributed to the creation of 1,508 affordable housing units in the Omaha metro area. Nonprofit Front Porch Investments is based in the Blackstone District of Omaha. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) Half, $20 million, came from federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars that the City of Omaha tasked Front Porch with distributing to increase low- to moderate-income housing options. Front Porch representatives have said they anticipate the preservation and development fund, fueled primarily by private philanthropy groups, will continue to grow and help in development of affordable housing and homeownership opportunities. Fundraising continues to build the preservation and development fund. The goal moving forward, said Executive Director Jody Holston, is to invest $24 million annually in affordable housing development and $1 million in grants to support innovation in the field. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A houseguest from hell strangled his hosts English Bulldog then gruesomely scattered the dismembered poochs remains in dumpsters across Westchester County, local prosecutors said. Benjamin Tyler, 39, was busted for the disturbing crime but quickly set free because the aggravated cruelty to animal charge wasnt bail eligible under state law, according to the Westchetser district attorneys office. Tyler, 39, of New Milford, Connecticut, was staying with a 41-year-old man inside a Huguenot Street apartment in New Rochelle when he allegedly snatched up the purebred pooch named Bruno the morning of Dec. 6, according to cops and prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tyler allegedly strangled Bruno and then dismembered him in an especially depraved manner, severing all four limbs, according to a complaint filed in City Court of New Rochelle. Benjamin Tyler, 39, allegedly snatched up the purebred snatched up the purebred English Bulldog named Bruno the morning of Dec. 6, cops and prosecutors said. Mark Vergari/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK Brunos torso was found inside a 5-gallon orange bucket, stuffed into a dumpster on Second Street in New Rochelle, prosecutors claimed. His head and two legs were separately found inside a brown Zara cardboard box, left in another dumpster on Union Avenue, according to the complaint. A doctor at Westchester Animal Hospital determined that Bruno was strangled to death due to the tiny spots visible in his eyes, indicating broken blood vessels, the DAs office said. Tyler allegedly strangled Bruno and then dismembered him in an especially depraved manner, the DAs Office said. Tania Savayan/The Journal News, Rockland/Westchester Journal News via Imagn Content Services, LLC Surveillance video from the apartment building shows Tyler leaving the apartment holding both the orange bucket and the cardboard box, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Rochelle Police Detectives and ASPCA officers immediately launched an investigation, and obtained an arrest warrant for Tyler, cops said. Tyler turned himself in to police on Monday and was charged with the sickening crime, authorities said. Tyler was released on his own recognizance because the charge was not bail-eligible. Mark Vergari/The Journal News via Imagn Content Services, LLC He was arraigned that same day in New Rochelle City Court before Judge Jared Rice, who released him on his own recognizance. Another alleged animal killer, Alberto Morris, 33, was granted supervised release by a Brooklyn judge last month after he allegedly threw his pals beloved pit bull to its death from a 14th-floor balcony. Aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony, carries a two-year maximum jail sentence in the state of New York. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) Hundreds of families will get to sit down with a nice warm meal in St. Pete on Christmas Eve all thanks to a local non-profit who gave away hundreds of warm Dominos pizzas. Putting a warm meal on the table, especially during the holidays, can be a challenge. So, its organizations like Positive Impact, in St. Petersburg, that are trying to make a difference. They spent Christmas Eve giving away 600 free pizzas to those in need. Ive been here since 7:00 this morning, hours ahead of time, said Marlene Don, who went to get pizza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don made sure she was first in line to get a free pizza. 8 Christmas traditions you can only find in Florida A lot of people are really hurting right now because of the hurricanes and all the damage, this lifts them up just a little bit, she said. She is one of hundreds that came out to the second annual Positive Impact Christmas Eve Pizza Distribution. I know a lot of people are strapped this Christmas because of what weve just been through, its really affected many of our pocketbooks having just gone through the hurricanes. So, if we can offer a little bit of relief, we would certainly like to do that, said Karen Rae, with Positive Impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local non-profit gives out food to the community to each weekend and the holidays are no different. 36,000 children in Pinellas County live in food insecure homes, 7,000 of which are chronically hungry when they are not in school, Rae said. That is not OK, so we are here to help ensure that children, especially when they are not in school, over Christmas vacation, have food to eat. On Christmas Eve, people either walked up, or drove through the line, to get a warm pizza, drinks, and snacks to take home for the holiday. Its such a blessing to be able to just meet a need in our city, Rae said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day was filled with prayer, holiday music, and a lot of thankful people. Florida commissioner issues emergency Christmas Eve order for Santa Claus Its nice to be around people and to know that people care, Don said. Just dont give up, theres always hope and tomorrows a new day. Positive Impact is continuing their normal Saturday grocery distribution events starting Jan. 11, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Their events are located at Tangerine Plaza, located at 1786 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, 33712. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois Department of Public Health is cautioning residents of the increasing chance of respiratory illness after monitoring surveillance data. The state agency has moved up Illinois overall respiratory illness level from Low to Moderate, they announced Monday. This is tied to the percentage of hospital admissions related to COVID-19, RSV and the flu. According to the departments Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard, 15.1% of hospital admissions statewide and 14.7% of emergency department admissions were related to acute respiratory illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Fire Marshal gives safety tips for lithium-ion battery-powered gifts IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra asks friends and family gathering for the holidays to use all tools possible to protect seniors, young children and immunosuppresed people from illnesses. The best protection from severe illness caused by COVID-19, flu and RSV remains the highly effective vaccines that are widely available, Vohra said. Other effective tools include enhanced ventilation and good hand hygiene. If you are having concerning respiratory systems, please seek medical care. We at IDPH wish all our Illinois residents a safe, happy and healthy holiday season. Officials with IDPH said its not too late to get flu shots and COVID vaccines. The new vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months or older. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vaccines should be available at most pharmacies, as well as through community health centers and hospitals. Most pharmacies may require you to book an appointment online in advance. More information on finding vaccines can be found on www.vaccines.gov. IL state agencies monitoring avian flu Besides vaccines, Vohra said hosts should provide proper indoor ventilation in their space, encourage good hand hygiene, and reminding guests to cover coughs and sneezes. There are also anti-viral treatments available for flu and COVID-19, but health officials said they are only effective if it is started quickly after the start of symptoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who becomes sick is asked to isolate as much as possible to reduce the transmission of viruses or wear a well-fitting mask when near others. No-cost COVID testing can be found using the ICATTs program testing locator. Even more free at-home COVID-19 tests can be ordered through covidtests.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 WCIA.com. IG Metall union leader Christiane Benner has called for a determined industrial policy at a European level to combat competition from China and the United States. "Europe and its industry need to become more independent from China and the USA," the chairwoman of Germany's largest single trade union told dpa. Given Chinese state capitalism and the plans of the President-elect Donald Trump, believing that there is a free market is naive, she said. Benner stated that the European countries must agree on industrial projects in a binding manner and also attract external investments. The focus should be on digitalization, low energy costs, and relieving companies from bureaucratic burdens, while adhering to climate goals, she said. Funding should be made dependent on the highest possible value creation within the European Union. Wanted: Stable government with two coalition partners With regards to the expected parliament or Bundestag elections in February, Benner would like a stable federal government, ideally consisting of only two coalition partners, as she believes the necessary steps could then be implemented more easily. The trade unionist noted that in the last months of the centre-left coalition of the Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Free Democrats "politics no longer worked properly," and opportunities were missed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for domestic German policies, Benner focused on the need for cheaper energy - both for companies and consumers. There is a threat of de-industrialization if businesses cannot access affordable energy, she said. Consumers also need cheaper energy to advance electromobility, plus the charging infrastructure needs to be expanded more quickly. Management mistakes behind auto industry woes When it comes to Germany's troubled auto sector, Benner pointed to numerous management errors, such as failed digitalization and the lack of development of cost-effective electric models. IG Metall had called many years ago for the electric car not to forego battery production with its high value creation. The union just concluded bitter negotiations with Volkswagen. The agreement averts mass involuntary lay-offs and plant closures but allows VW to still eliminate more than 35,000 jobs by 2030 in a "socially responsible" manner to regain its competitive edge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not everything is lost yet, Benner said, because Germany and Europe can build on a multitude of advantages. These include well-educated people, strong and innovative medium-sized businesses, and co-determination. From Benner's perspective, the next two years are crucial: "Nothing will improve by itself!" IG Metall has achieved a timely wage negotiation agreement for the metal and electrical industry, she noted. Particularly pleasing were extra provisions for apprentices. Now it is up to the companies to secure jobs and invest in Germany. "We now expect firm commitments to the location." Dismisses worries about union membership growth Benner expressed no worries about its union membership or the labour group's path, even though there are few new hires in companies where IG Metall represents labour. She maintained that there is a good influx of young members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have a plan, and we are capable of conflict. In the companies, we also have effective and highly competent works councils." Germany's largest trade union will report on the exact development of membership numbers at its annual press conference on January 27. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Illegal animal breeding is an issue Las Vegas City Councilwoman Victoria Seaman says needs to be tackled. I was made aware of it because of the different Nevada SPCA where theyre dumping animals that arent perfect that theyre breeding at their doorstep blind Frenchies, Seaman said. There is a huge illegal problem. Seaman wants to bring back an animal advisory committee she said the city hasnt seen since the late 2000s. It would be made up of members appointed by the city council along with one person appointed by the director of public safety. The committee wouldnt have any power it would be tasked with informing the city council on animal welfare in the valley. They will be able to talk about the issues that are happening, Seaman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys recommending committee voted to push back an official vote. New Las Vegas mayor Shelley Berkley said she plans to visit the Animal Foundation to learn more before making a choice. The Animal Foundation sees nearly 18% intake rise in 2024 Im not for this. Im not against it. Im just not ready to vote on it, Berkley said. The advisory committee isnt about the Animal Foundation. The advisory committee is about what were seeing out there and things that we can prevent, Seaman said. Clark County and the City of North Las Vegas have rules against puppy sales within pet stores. The City of Las Vegas does not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Council members will discuss the animal advisory committee again on Feb. 3. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. To jointly build a world of harmonious coexistence 14:07, December 25, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily Online "As an old Chinese saying goes, 'Passengers in the same boat should help each other.' Today, dwellers of the same planet should help each other," said Chinese President Xi Jinping when attending the China International Friendship Conference and conference marking the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries on October 11, 2024. This year, Xi reiterated "promoting global solidarity" on many diplomatic occasions, demonstrating China's firm determination to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Over the past year, China has responded to the fast-changing global landscape with composure and confidence. In pursuing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, the country has viewed the future of humanity with a broad humanistic value, transcended barriers and conflicts with an open and inclusive mindset, and pooled collective strength for development with a vision of harmonious coexistence, forging widespread consensus and strong synergy for building a community with a shared future for mankind. The most profound pursuit of a nation has its origin in the national character formed through generations. "The Chinese civilization is the only one that has continued uninterrupted for more than 5,000 years," said Xi when meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in France this year. They discussed how different civilizations could coexist in harmony without seeking uniformity. The prominent continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness, and peaceful nature of the Chinese civilization serve as the basis for the distinctive characteristics, style, and demeanor of Chinese diplomacy, which facilitate the understanding of the international influence, appeal, and shaping capacity of the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind has deep roots in China's profound cultural heritage and represents an innovative transformation and development of fine traditional Chinese culture. The Chinese nation believes all nations together are one community, advocates fraternity among all peoples and peace for all countries, and pursues a world of fairness and justice for the common good. To address the vital question of "what kind of world we need and how to build such a world," Xi proposed to build a community with a shared future for mankind. This vision integrates Marxism's mission of advancing human progress with the virtues of harmony and unity embodied in fine traditional Chinese culture, enriching and expanding China's philosophy of peaceful development. It envisions historic progress in state-to-state relations from the pursuit of peaceful coexistence to that of a future shared by all. It shows the world a bright prospect of peace, security, prosperity, and progress. Humanity can only create a brighter future by working together in solidarity and harmony, and moving toward a community with a shared future for mankind. Xi has put forth the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilizations Initiative, outlining a path for human progress through the three dimensions of development, security, and civilization. These initiatives provide strategic guidance for building a community with a shared future for mankind, which demonstrates that China is not only committed to its own development but also contributes to the wellbeing of all humanity. The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been steadily enriched, with steady progress made in practical actions. China has made efforts to build communities with a shared future with particular regions, including Central Asia, ASEAN, countries in the Lancang-Mekong river basin, Arab states, and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. These efforts are opening up new vistas of harmonious coexistence between different civilizations. In May this year, Xi paid a state visit to Serbia, during which the two countries jointly announced the decision to build a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era, the first of its kind in China's relations with European countries. In July, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan, SCO member states reaffirmed their commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind and a new type of international relations based on mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation. In September, at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the overall characterization of China-Africa relations was elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. In November, during Xi's visit to Brazil, he and his Brazilian counterpart announced an elevation of bilateral ties to a community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet. These milestones mark breakthroughs made in building a community with a shared future for mankind, which has shaped the historical trend toward a shared future and greater solidarity in our global village. As the world is faced with accelerating changes unseen in a century, human society is again standing at a crossroads in history. Only by drawing wisdom from ancient civilizations and maintaining a far-sighted vision can the world avoid losing its way amid transformations and ensure that the ship of humanity is always sailing in the right direction. At this critical juncture, it is more important than ever for humanity to uphold the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and let the beacon of civilization illuminate the right path forward for humanity. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) By Ashish Nijhawan, KYODO NEWS - Dec 25, 2024 - 09:15 | World, All An exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, the famed 16th-century Jesuit missionary, has been held in the southwestern Indian city of Old Goa, in a once-in-a-decade event attracting millions of Catholics and tourists from across Hindu-majority India and other countries. The remains of Xavier, who was born in 1506 in what is now Spain and died in 1552 in China, lie in the former capital of the Portuguese Indies from where he departed for his missionary work in the Malay Archipelago and Japan. Christians account for only 2.3 percent of India's population, the last official census in 2011 showed. But there are many old Christian communities in the southern state of Goa. Xavier has been respected as the patron saint of Old Goa, which was once called "Rome of the Orient," also by non-Catholic locals. The saint's relics are usually kept at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, one of the churches in the city designated as a UNESCO World Heritage. The remains in a glass container encased in a silver casket were moved by a vehicle to the Se Cathedral, located 500 meters away, on Nov. 21 for the exposition through Jan. 5. Sekar Manivel, a Catholic and founder of an electronic vehicle manufacturer in the southern city of Chennai, said, "I feel blessed to drive my custom-made, special-purpose battery vehicle costing around 1 million rupees ($11,800) on which St. Xavier's relics were carried during the procession." The decennial exposition is one of the most revered events in the state, drawing millions of devotees and tourists from India and abroad, according to Rohan Khaunte, tourism minister of the state government. Among thousands of Catholics gathered to witness the ceremony to move the remains was Suzan Nirmal from Chennai. "I am feeling blessed to see and venerate the sacred body of St. Francis Xavier for the first time together with my family," said Nirmal who came to the event with her husband and son. Angelo Lobo, an Indian IT engineer who works in Oman, said he came to the previous expositions in 2014 and 2004 as well. "The body of St. Francis Xavier appears to have remained remarkably well-preserved" over the past decades, said the 52-year-old, referring to the relics that have retained much of their original appearance and are believed to have undergone very gradual changes for over 470 years. Viewers can see Xavier's body in a clerical garment, lying with his left hand on the abdomen and his bare feet seen from the garment's hemline. His face is discernible, though with the skin peeled off at certain parts. "St. Francis Xavier's body is miraculously preserved by the grace of God. It was not mummified by any preservatives," said Barry Cardozo, director of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communication Media, located in Panaji, the state capital. The exposition of the relics of Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus, was attended by the delegation from the Vatican on Nov. 26. Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra hailed the joint efforts of the Goa government and the Catholic Church in managing the large influx of pilgrims, local newspaper The Goan reported. Xavier died on Dec. 3, 1552, on Shangchuan Island in southern China after spreading Christianity for more than two years in Japan. He was canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. In 1927, Pope Pius XI proclaimed him the "Patron of Catholic Missions." Over 100,000 people came to the exposition on its opening day, according to Cardozo. "The exposition is a tradition done through four centuries" to pay respect to Xavier, the Catholic priest said. "The saint holds influence over people across all religions and ages" in Goa. The event is expected to attract some 8 million visitors by the end of Jan. 5 when it will culminate with a closing Holy Eucharist, a Christian ritual. Related coverage: Archbishop of Tokyo Isao Kikuchi becomes a cardinal in Catholic Church FEATURE: India's lowest caste female reporters spotlight society's weakest The crime of exploding a cash machine to steal its contents had been on the rise in Germany, but police and legal authorities say effective coordination in 2024 has managed to reduce those incidences. The data, published on Wednesday, comes from a survey conducted by dpa among state criminal police offices. The problem had grown larger in recent years, reaching a record level since the data started to be recorded in 2005 of 496 such incidents in 2022. That dropped to 461 cases in 2023. Overall figures for this year are not yet available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insurance industry estimates showed banks suffered damage amounting to 95 million ($99 million) due to blown-up cash machines in 2023. Technical devices such as gas torches, angle grinders, hydraulic spreaders or lever tools, as well as gas mixtures and explosives are used to blow up the cash machines, a spokesman for Saxony-Anhalt's Criminal Police Office explained. Declines seen in many states North Rhine Westphalia (NRW), Germany's most populous state, reported dramatic reductions. By mid-December there had been 40 such attacks in NRW, down from 143 in the same time period in 2023 - a 73% decline. In Lower Saxony there were 13 explosions and 5 attempts by the end of November compared to 26 blown-up cash machines and nine attempts by the end of November 2023, according to data from the state's criminal police office. In Saxony-Anhalt there have been so far three attempts, versus 12 incidents for all of 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rheinland-Pfalz saw a 50% reduction by the end of November, while Bavaria's levels were the same as in 2023, the state's criminal police reported. It said perpetrators seized at least 1.6 million and caused additional property damage of around 4.2 million. Call for tougher penalties In Baden-Wurttemberg, offenders seemed likely to strike slightly more frequently by the end of the year than the year prior. By the end of November, the number of cases had already reached 42, matching the total of the previous year, as reported by the Ministry of the Interior in Stuttgart. The overall decline is attributed by the Federal Criminal Police (BKA) to improved cooperation between police forces at home and abroad. There have been multiple arrests of suspected cash machine bombers and multiple trials against alleged offenders nationwide. Investigators reported an international operation against suspected cash machine bombers as recently as October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In several states, there are calls for tougher penalties. Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster called for the minimum penalty to be increased to five years imprisonment. One federal bill from October would allow investigative authorities to monitor telecommunications in the case of commercial or gang-related crimes. Recently, security measures have been strengthened as well. Experts advise banks to use specialized dye or glue systems. In the event of an explosion, cash is glued or stained to render it unusable. Because these acts also endanger human lives, cash machines have in some cases been moved out of buildings into separate containers. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Mark Newman via Getty Images Stick insects keep evolving to have the same strange body plans over and over again, scientists have discovered. This evolutionary blueprint has enabled researchers to predict the critters' next developments. Researchers identified just 20 distinct body types that hundreds of different stick insect species have independently evolved. These body types include the "tree lobsters," which have lobster-like features; the "bark huggers," which blend in with a tree; and the "large-headed sticks," which have massive jaws or mandibles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same body types keep popping up all across the planet because many stick insect lineages have colonized similar environments and need the same features to survive. These similarities enable researchers to predict stick insect evolution, even when the critters have evolved independently from one another for tens of millions of years, according to the new study published Monday (Dec. 23) in the journal PNAS . "What we're really diving into here is the predictability of evolution," study first author Romain Boisseau , a postdoctoral researcher studying stick insect evolution at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, told Live Science. "If you have a similar lineage that invades a very similar environment you actually can predict where it's going to go." Related: Plastic-eating mealworms native to Africa discovered When different organisms evolve similar traits, it's called convergent evolution . Previous research has highlighted a few examples of convergent evolution in stick insects. For example, a 2008 study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that Australia's Lord Howe Island stick insects (Dryococelus australis) once thought to be extinct independently evolved the same "tree lobster" shape as New Guinea's thorny devil stick insects (Eurycantha). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Boisseau noted that nobody had conducted a large-scale study of convergent evolution across multiple different stick insect lineages. To understand how common convergent evolution was, the team measured and compared features from 1,359 stick insects across 212 species. Boisseau and his colleagues found that 20 body plans out of a total of 21 had evolved at least twice in different regions, and that a broad stick-like appearance had evolved at least 10 separate times. "In all these areas of the world it looks like many different body forms repeatedly evolved independently," Boisseau said. A giant prickly stick insect (Extatosoma tiaratum). Stick insect camouflage Habitat was a key factor in the evolution of the body plans. Boisseau noted that stick insects use camouflage as their main line of defense against predators, so when the predators and the habitat are similar, the same kind of camouflage is needed to survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED STORIES Kamikaze termites blow themselves up with 'explosive' backpacks and scientists just figured out how Parasitic 'horror' wasp that bursts from a fly's abdomen like an 'Alien' xenomorph discovered in Mississippi backyard 'Murder hornets' eradicated from US but officials say they'll keep 'an eye out' for more The team also looked at how closely related the different stick insects were. A pattern emerged: stick insects with the same body plans shared an ancestor, even though that ancestor looked totally different. In other words, the stick insects followed similar evolutionary paths once they were separated from one another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They tend to basically follow the same trajectory," Boisseau said. "That's probably related to the fact that they're genetically more similar. It's potentially the same genes or the same mechanisms that are re-employed in these closely related species." Boisseau and his colleagues will now look more closely at the genetics of stick insects to learn what drives convergent evolution at the molecular level. The Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena has been a New Years Day staple for decades. This year, two families from Iowa will be there to take part in the parade and share their stories about organ donation in support of the Iowa Donor Network. Angel Dominguez is familiar with organ donation because she received a heart transplant 32 years ago and started volunteering with the Iowa Donor Network 10 years ago. Shes excited about the parade. Its an amazing opportunity. Each year, Iowa Donor Network honors a transplant recipient family, donor family or living donor family. This year, I was nominated by my sister and I was selected to be honored by Iowa Donor Network. She says the people on the float get to help decorate it too. I do know that we get an opportunity to help build the float, or volunteer to build the float, and then on the first Ill get to ride on the float as well. (Iowa Donor Network) Parade organizers make sure the people in the parade are ready for the weather. Theyll actually tell us what to bring to so theres a lot of planning that goes into this event, Dominguez said. I know that theres other people from across the country thatll also be honored and be participating too. So together, well be able to experience being in the Rose Parade, and hopefully that will inspire others to register to be an organ donor. She says her sister, brothers and mom will be on the trip with her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While she hopes to do a little sightseeing while in California, shes looking forward to connecting with others involved with organ donation. What Im most excited about, though, is meeting other people who share a passion for organ donation and transplant, Im really excited to hear their experience, because organ donation and transplant have a ripple effect. It doesnt just impact the transplant recipient or the donor family, it can also impact their families, their friends and their communities. And Im really excited to hear about their experiences with that. Kelly Stiffler and Katie Kuehns brother Joshua Brennan was an organ donor and his family will represent him at the parade. Back in March of 2022, our brother became an organ tissue and eye donor, Kuehn said. An employee who worked for the Iowa Donor Network nominated our family and my brother based on the things that weve done, the volunteer work and the involvement that our family has had with the Donor Network Since my brother passed, Stiffler added. Donors will be represented by the florigraphs on the float the recipients ride. Living donors will walk alongside the float in the parade. The family was able to put the finishing touches on a tribute to him. Back in November, they sent my brothers florigraph to Iowa, and we were able to help decorate it, Kuehn said. A florigraph is made of all organic materials. Everything is natural, and its a portrait of my brother. An amazing artist out in California put it together, sent it to Iowa. We were able to help put on some finishing touches, and then it was sent back to California and itll be placed on the float here at the end of the month. During the week that were there, well get to help decorate the float, and well actually also be able to place that florigraph on the float as a family. The artist in California usually completes it 100% except for like, typically they said eyebrows or teeth, Stiffler said. Because my brother had big glasses, he didnt have very much eyebrows left. So, they let us finish the eyebrows, and then also all of the background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was really it was a really neat experience, and we were able to share it with our family members as well as the recipient whos going to be writing the float from the Quad Cities, Angel, said Kuehn. She and her family were there as well, and it was just a special time to celebrate my brother, finish the florigraph and just come together as a community touched by donation. They have a large group heading for Pasadena. It is myself and Kelly and our families, as well as my parents, Jeff and Sue, who are actually Eldridge residents, she said. Angel has several family members who are going to be traveling with her as well. And then a few Iowa Donor Network staff. I think, all in all, I want to say, close to 30 people are headed out there from Iowa to represent the Iowa contingent. The families are going to make the most of their time in California. We are taking my nephews, Katies boys, to Disneyland for the first time, Stiffler said. My son hasnt been either. Hes 15, but her boys are 5 and 2, so its going to be so fun to take them to Disneyland. Were trying to take the boys to the Pacific Ocean. Theyre going to open a gift on Christmas Day to find out theyre going to Disney. Were excited to surprise them. The sisters feel honored to be chosen to participate. I guess I would just say that we are very grateful that the Iowa Donor Network chose our family and chose my brother to honor, Stiffler said. The opportunity to work with Iowa Donor Network has helped tremendously with the healing process for me, and I think maybe my sister and my parents as well. I know theres other people that are still here and having successful lives because of my brother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What weve been doing since my brother became a donor is just advocating that others sign up to be a donor, Kuehn said. You can go to the Iowa Donor Network to do so. You can do it on your drivers license. Its really, really, really simple. Theres over 600 Iowans waiting for organs and over 100,000 people nationally waiting for organs. Were not going to use them when we go. Lets help others live healthy lives moving forward. To register for organ donation, visit the National Donate Life Registry. 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Syria faces an uncertain future after the recent ousting of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad. "It is still too early to judge Syria's future, as many factors could still significantly influence the political situation there," Araghchi said, according to the Iranian news agency ISNA. Those "who currently feel like sure winners" should therefore not rejoice too soon, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Araghchi's comments come after Syria's newly appointed Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani rebuffed similar warnings made by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking at a religious ceremony in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday, Khamenei said he anticipates a renewed resistance struggle by Syrians against the country's new leadership. Al-Shibani on Wednesday warned Iran against spreading chaos in his country. "Iran must respect the will of the Syrian people and the sovereignty and safety of the country," al-Shibani wrote on X late Tuesday. "We warn them against spreading chaos in Syria and also hold them responsible for the consequences of the recent statements," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fall of al-Assad dealt a severe blow to Iran. Al-Assad was considered a strategically important player in Iran's self-proclaimed "Axis of Resistance" against its arch-enemy Israel. Syria also served as a corridor for Iranian arms deliveries to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. Iran was one of al-Assad's main allies and provided his regime with generous financial and military support throughout the civil war. Al-Assad fled to Russia earlier this month after rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a rapid offensive, making major territorial gains before capturing Damascus. Al-Shibani is part of the rebel-led newly appointed transitional government. Israel and Hamas on Wednesday accused each other of obstructing negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, after Israel withdrew its negotiators from the talks the previous day. Israeli media reported on Wednesday that the refusal by the Palestinian Islamist militia Hamas to hand over a list of the names of the hostages it still holds is hindering progress in the negotiations. After more than a week of intensive negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office recalled the country's negotiators on Tuesday, saying there should be internal consultations on the continuation of the negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the reports, Hamas sources said they were prepared to hand over a list of hostages who could be released in a first phase following the ceasefire, but refused a demand by Israel to provide a complete list of the 100 hostages who are supposedly still alive. Hamas in turn accused Israel of blocking the negotiations. In a press release on Wednesday the group said Israel "introduced new conditions related to the issues of the withdrawal [from Gaza], the ceasefire, the prisoners, and the return of the displaced people, leading to the delay in reaching an agreement that was within reach." The militia said it "has demonstrated responsibility and flexibility." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu's office responded to the accusations: "The Hamas terrorist organization continues to lie, is reneging on understandings that have already been reached, and is continuing to create difficulties in the negotiations." Despite this, it said, "Israel will continue its relentless efforts to return all of our hostages." IDF targets Hamas member in Gaza humanitarian zone The Israeli Air Force targeted a Hamas terrorist in a humanitarian protection zone in the Gaza Strip, the military announced on Wednesday on its Telegram channel. It said the man was active in the area of the city of Khan Younis in the south of the sealed-off coastal strip. Prior to the "precise attack," numerous measures were taken to minimize the risk to civilians, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military did not provide information about possible casualties. Their statements could not be independently verified. The IDF described this as another example of the systematic abuse of civilian infrastructure and humanitarian protection zones by Hamas, stating that this violated international law. The Israeli military repeatedly accuses the Islamist terrorists in the embattled Gaza Strip of using civilians as human shields. UN issues urgent appeal for hospital aid Meanwhile, the United Nations emergency relief office once again called for urgent aid for hospitals in the embattled Gaza Strip, especially in the north, with continued reports of attacks on and around hospitals there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeal, made on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, is for urgently needed food and water, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In Gaza City in the north, only three ventilators are available for infants needing intensive medical care, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). The situation in the hospitals Kamal Adwan, al-Awda and the Indonesian Hospital in the north of the Gaza Strip has drastically deteriorated since Sunday, when Israel's army said it had conducted a limited operation against Hamas in the area around the Indonesian Hospital. These claims could not initially be independently verified. OCHA further reported that northern Gaza remains almost completely besieged. Since December 1, Israeli authorities have denied 48 out of 52 attempts by the UN to coordinate access for humanitarian aid, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new UN emergency coordinator, Tom Fletcher, reported earlier of a collapse of law and order in the isolated coastal area, stating that supplies are being systematically looted by local gangs. According to Israel's account, there is enough relief available, but the UN has not managed to distribute it. From an international legal perspective, Gaza is considered territory occupied by Israel, which is therefore responsible for maintaining order. The conflict started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other groups invaded Israel, killing 1,200 and taking some 250 hostage. The ensuing conflict has wreaked destruction on the coastal strip and and killed more than 45,200 people according to the Palestinian authorities. JERUSALEM (AP) A baby girl froze to death overnight in Gaza, while Israel and Hamas accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts that could wind down the 14-month war. The 3-week old baby was the third to die from the cold in Gaza's tent camps in recent days, doctors said, deaths that underscore the squalid conditions, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians crammed into often ramshackle tents after fleeing Israeli offensives. Israels bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The offensive has caused widespread destruction and displaced some 90% of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times. Hundreds of thousands are packed into tent camps along the coast as the cold, wet winter sets in. Aid groups have struggled to deliver food and supplies and say there are shortages of blankets, warm clothing and firewood. Israel has increased the amount of aid it allows into the territory, reaching an average of 130 trucks a day so far this month, up from around 70 a day in October and November. Still, the amount remains well below than previous months and the United Nations says it is unable to distribute more than half the aid because Israeli forces deny permission to move within Gaza or because of rampant lawlessness and theft from trucks. The father of 3-week-old Sila, Mahmoud al-Faseeh, wrapped her in a blanket to try and keep her warm in their tent in the Muwasi area outside the town of Khan Younis, but it wasn't enough, he told The Associated Press. He said the tent was not sealed from the wind and the ground was cold, as temperatures on Tuesday night dropped to 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit.) Muwasi is a desolate area of dunes and farmland on Gazas Mediterranean coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was very cold overnight and as adults we couldnt even take it. We couldnt stay warm, he said. Sila woke up crying three times overnight and in the morning they found her unresponsive, her body stiff. She was like wood, said al-Faseeh. They rushed her to a field hospital where doctors tried to revive her, but her lungs had already deteriorated. Images of Sila taken by the AP showed the little girl with purple lips, her pale skin blotchy. Ahmed al-Farra, director of the childrens ward at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, confirmed that the baby died of hypothermia. He said two other babies one 3 days old, the other a month old had been brought to the hospital over the past 48 hours after dying of hypothermia. Ceasefire complications Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, hopes for a ceasefire looked complicated Wednesday, with Israel and the militant Hamas group that runs Gaza trading accusations of delaying an agreement. In recent weeks, the two sides appeared to be inching toward a deal that would bring home dozens of hostages held by the militants in Gaza, but differences have emerged. Although Israel and Hamas have expressed optimism that progress was being made toward a deal, sticking points remain over the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, people involved in the talks say. On Wednesday, Hamas accused Israel of introducing new conditions related to the withdrawal from Gaza, the prisoners and the return of displaced people, which it said was delaying the deal. Israel's government accused Hamas of reneging on understandings that have already been reached. Still, both sides said discussions are ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels negotiating team, which includes members from its intelligence agencies and the military, returned from Qatar on Tuesday evening for internal consultations, following a week of what it called significant negotiations." During its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, Hamas and other groups took about 250 people hostages and brought them to Gaza. A previous truce in November 2023 freed more than 100 hostages, while others have been rescued or their remains have been recovered over the past year. Israel says about 100 hostages remain in Gaza at least a third whom it believes were killed during the Oct. 7 attack or died in captivity. Sporadic talks have taken place for a year, but in recent weeks there's been a renewed push to reach a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office next month for his second term, has demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages, saying on social media that if they're not freed before he is sworn in, there will be HELL TO PAY. Families of the hostages are becoming increasingly angry, calling on the Israeli government for a ceasefire before Trump is sworn in. After Israels high-level negotiation team returned from Doha this week, hostage families called an emergency press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, pleading for a ceasefire and a complete end to the war. Shir Siegel, the daughter of Israeli-American Keith Siegel, whose mother was released after more than 50 days in captivity, said every delay could endanger their lives. There are moments when every second is fateful, and this is one of those moments, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Families of the hostages marked the first night of Hannukah with a candle lighting ceremony in Tel Aviv as well as by the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The agreement would take effect in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza, according to Egyptian, Hamas and American officials. The last phase would include the release of any remaining hostages, an end to the war and talks on reconstruction. Houthi attacks Also Wednesday, a missile launched by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, sending residents fleeing to shelters. The Houthis said they operations were aimed at Israeli targets in the cities of Jaffa and Ashkelon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the fourth time in a week that fire from the Yemeni rebels set off sirens in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will strike anyone threatening lives in Israel and warned the Houthis that they would learn lessons that Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria's ousted President Bashar Assad have learned. Israel also requested an emergency meeting by the U.N. Security Council to address the recent attacks. The meeting is set for Monday. Israels U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said he expects the council to condemn the Houthi attacks and called on it "to enforce international law and hold Iran, the Houthis patron, accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Khaled from Cairo. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Lee Keith in Cairo and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Hamas and Israel accused each other on Wednesday of sabotaging a potential ceasefire-hostage deal despite both sides reporting significant progress in past days. Negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US, had taken place in Doha this week, rekindling hope for an agreement that has long proven elusive. Hamas accused Israel of laying down new conditions, while Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, claimed the Palestinian terror group was going back on understandings already reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The occupation has set new conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners and the return of the displaced, which has delayed reaching the agreement that was available, Hamas said in a statement. However, it added that it was showing flexibility and that the talks which had been gathering momentum for several weeks were going in a serious direction. The coffin of Israeli soldier Hillel Diener, who was killed in Gaza, is carried in Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem - Ronen Zvulun/Reuters Mourners at the funeral of the sergeant first class, the latest Israeli casualty in Gaza - Ronen Zvulun/Reuters Mr Netanyahu countered Hamass statement, saying the terror group continues to lie and create difficulties in the negotiations. Israel will, however, continue relentless efforts to return hostages, he added. After months of long-stalled negotiations, Mr Netanyahu on Monday told parliament that there was some progress in the talks, and on Tuesday his office said Israeli representatives had returned from Qatar after significant negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports on Monday suggested that the deal was 90 per cent complete and could be finalised within days. However, the fresh accusations have poured cold water on recent optimistic remarks by those involved in the talks. Israelis in Ashkelon are braced for a Houthi drone attack as warning sirens sound - Amir Cohen/Reuters Isaac Herzog, the Israeli president, on Wednesday urged Israeli leaders to use all their power to secure a deal for the release of hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. I call on our leadership to act with all its power and with all the means at our disposal to bring about a deal, Mr Herzog, whose role is largely symbolic, said in a statement. US and Arab mediators have stepped up efforts to conclude a phased deal in the past two weeks yet one of the major sticking points has been Israeli troop deployments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking with commanders in southern Gaza, Israel Katz, Israeli defence minister, said on Wednesday that Israel will retain security control of Gaza by means of buffer zones and controlling posts. A mock missile is carried during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Sanaa, Yemen - Yahya Arhab/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas has demanded an end to the war, while Israel says it wants to end Hamass rule of the enclave first to ensure it will no longer pose a threat to Israelis. The possible deal is said to take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. The last phase would include the release of all remaining hostages, which would be done in stages as it is said Hamas still needs to locate some of the captives. Of 96 hostages still held in Gaza, 62 are assumed by Israel to still be alive. Palestinians walk in wrecked Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip - Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty The last truce was secured in November 2023. It lasted under a week and saw more than 100 hostages freed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blow to the ceasefire negotiations came as Israeli forces pressed on with their offensive in the northern Gaza Strip, including around three hospitals in Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia. Israeli strikes killed at least 24 people across Gaza on Wednesday, Gazan health officials said. One strike hit a former school sheltering displaced families in Gaza Citys suburb of Sheikh Radwan, they added. 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. KYODO NEWS - Dec 25, 2024 - 23:32 | World, All Japan and China on Wednesday continued efforts to improve bilateral ties, with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya outlining a plan to ease visa requirements for Chinese tourists and agreeing on an early visit to Japan by top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi. But Iwaya also conveyed to Wang during their talks in Beijing his serious concerns over intensifying Chinese military activities and demanded the removal of a new buoy Japan confirmed in its exclusive economic zone off a remote southwestern island. Iwaya is making his first visit to China since becoming foreign minister in October. The trip follows the first summit meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November in Peru, during which they agreed to promote a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship. During their meeting, Iwaya and Wang affirmed their commitment to "make joint efforts to reduce issues and concerns and increase cooperation and coordination," in line with agreements made between their leaders, according to the Japanese government. Wang emphasized at the outset of talks that China and Japan are "partners for cooperation" and that he would like to see ties advance "on the right track." Iwaya and Wang reaffirmed the importance of frequent and candid communication between the two foreign ministers to advance bilateral ties. They also agreed to hold a high-level economic dialogue during Wang's visit to Japan "at the earliest appropriate timing next year," the Japanese government said. The Japanese government has decided to introduce a new multiple-entry visa valid for 10 years for Chinese nationals visiting individually for tourism. Currently, the maximum validity is five years. The new measure, aimed at high-income Chinese tourists, was announced during a high-level bilateral meeting to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the first such meeting in five years. "Interactions between citizens, above all, serve as the foundation" for Japan-China ties, Iwaya told the meeting, which he attended with culture minister Toshiko Abe. The move follows China's resumption in late November of its visa-free arrangement for short-term Japanese visitors that was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Japan will no longer require Chinese nationals aged 65 or older to submit a certificate of employment for solo tourism trips, making it easier for retirees to visit. Additionally, the eligibility criteria for existing short-term multiple-entry visas will be expanded. The maximum stay for group tourists will be extended to 30 days, up from the current limit of 15 days. The measures will be implemented after the necessary arrangements are finalized, according to Japanese government officials. At the meeting with Wang, Iwaya expressed concerns over the situation in the East China Sea, where the Japan-controlled, China-claimed Senkaku Islands are located. Japan has repeatedly lodged protests over the intrusion of Chinese vessels into its territorial waters around the uninhabited islets. Iwaya also urged the early release of Japanese nationals detained by Chinese authorities on espionage allegations, noting that such detentions and the "lack of transparency" in China's counterespionage law have caused hesitation among Japanese people about visiting China. He also told Wang that the installation of a buoy, spotted south of Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture earlier this month, "only negatively impacts" the bilateral relationship. Iwaya and Wang, meanwhile, reaffirmed an agreement reached in September that China will resume imports of Japanese seafood after imposing a blanket ban following the release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Earlier in the day, Iwaya met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and reaffirmed that they will work toward a "constructive and stable" relationship. The previous trip to China by a Japanese foreign minister was made by Yoshimasa Hayashi in April 2023. Related coverage: Japan foreign visitors top 33 mil. in Jan.-Nov., break annual record Foreigners bought 371 properties near Japan security zones in FY 2023 China-North Korea trade in 2024 set to post year-on-year decline The Israeli military on Tuesday reportedly ordered the evacuation of a hospital in the contested northern Gaza Strip, as the Israeli parliament voted to extend the state of emergency in the country for another year. Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that patients had to leave the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia and that Israeli forces were besieging the facility. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they had "conducted and completed a limited operation against terrorist operatives and infrastructure in the area of the Indonesian Hospital." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF said "a number of terrorists were apprehended" while "five additional terrorists were eliminated by the troops." It said the operation was based on "precise intelligence regarding the location of terrorists" and followed "attacks against IDF troops from the area of the hospital, including anti-tank missile attacks." "Terrorists also planted explosive devices and booby traps in the area surrounding the hospital's compound," the IDF statement said. The information could not be independently verified. Since the beginning of the Gaza war 14 months ago, there have been repeated skirmishes in and around hospitals in the coastal strip. According to the United Nations, hospitals have repeatedly been the target of massive attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel accuses the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas of using hospitals and other civilian facilities as command bases or weapons stores. State of emergency extended Also on Tuesday, the Israeli parliament voted to extend the state of emergency in the country for another year. The measure will now be in effect until December 25, 2025, local media reported, after 29 of 120 lawmakers voted in favour of the proposal. Seven voted against while the rest were absent or abstained. The state of emergency enables the government to issue emergency decrees. Hamas militants and other Palestinian extremists triggered the Gaza war by crossing into Israel and attacking Israeli communities on October 7, 2023. More than 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others were taken hostage to Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel subsequently declared a state of emergency, which was later extended. Netanyahu's Christmas message Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also addressed Christians around the world in a Christmas message. "At a time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts, we deeply appreciate the steadfast support of our Christian friends around the world," Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office on Tuesday "We seek peace with all those who wish peace with us, but we will do whatever is necessary to defend the one and only Jewish state," he said. "Israel leads the world in fighting the forces of evil and tyranny, but our battle is not yet over. With your support, and with God's help, I assure you, we shall prevail. From Jerusalem, city of peace, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Three killed in West Bank in Israeli operation At least seven people have been killed in an Israeli military operation in Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian sources said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Ministry of Health in Ramallah, among the dead were two women aged 30 and 53, and an 18-year-old. Eyewitnesses said that they were killed in a drone strike. Subsequently, another four Palestinians lost their lives in two further incidents. The Israeli military said its forces were on an anti-terrorist mission in Tulkarem when soldiers "killed a terrorist in a face-to-face battle." The IDF later said that a highly armored all-terrain vehicle was hit by an explosive device during the operation, moderately wounding the commander of a regional brigade. The remaining passengers, which included another commander, were not injured, the IDF said. A total of 18 wanted people were arrested overnight in the West Bank, it said. Afterwards, the military also stated that armed Palestinians had opened fire on soldiers, who returned fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military is investigating reports that uninvolved individuals were also killed in the operation in Tulkarem. The information from the Palestinian Ministry of Health and that of the Israeli forces could not initially be independently verified in detail. The tense situation in the West Bank has worsened significantly since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Since then, 788 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank in Israeli military operations, armed clashes and attacks by extremists, according to the local Health Ministry. Palestinian security forces have also been in operation against Palestinian militants in Jenin since the beginning of December. On Monday, a second member of the security forces was reported killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenin, in the north of the West Bank, is known as a stronghold of militant Palestinians and is frequently raided by the Israeli military. Observers believe the Palestinian Authority fears an armed uprising in the West Bank, which could threaten its grip on power. Following another rocket attack on the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, Israeli Air Force chief General Tomer Bar has announced tougher counter-attacks on the Houthi militia in Yemen. At a ceremony at the Hatzerim air base in the Negev Desert in southern Israel on Wednesday, Bar stated that Israeli forces have already attacked the Houthis three times. "We will continue to increase the frequency and intensity of the attacks as needed," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to military reports from Wednesday, Israeli air defences intercepted another missile fired from Yemen overnight. In numerous areas in central Israel, warning sirens wailed for the second consecutive night. People had to leave their beds and take shelter in safe rooms. Such nocturnal Houthi attacks have increased recently. According to media reports, a rocket fragment struck a house south of Tel Aviv. Foreign Minister Israel Katz has already threatened that Israel would target and kill Houthi leaders. The militia then claimed to have uncovered espionage rings of Israel's Mossad secret service and the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which had gathered information on Houthi leaders. The Houthis, like Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, are aligned with Israel's arch-enemy Iran. Second day in a row This is the second night in a row that Israel has said it has intercepted a Houthi missile and shot it down outside Israel's borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Houthis said that ballistic missile was fired towards the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that, in response to continued attacks by the militia, there would be severe military strikes against the Islamists in Yemen. Late Friday, a rocket from Yemen hit Tel Aviv, injuring 16 people slightly. Since the start of the Gaza war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in October 2023, the Houthi militias, allied with Hamas, have been attacking targets in Israel and ships in the Red Sea with rockets and drones. Israel, the United States and their allies have been repeatedly targeting Houthi positions in Yemen as a result. Hamas' refusal to hand over a list of the names of the hostages it still holds is hindering progress in the negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported on Wednesday. After more than a week of intensive negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, Israel recalled its negotiators on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said there should be internal consultations on the continuation of the negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the reports, Hamas sources said they were prepared to hand over a list of hostages who could be released in a first phase following the ceasefire, but refused a demand by Israel to provide a complete list of the 100 hostages who are supposedly still alive. The Palestinian Islamist militia accused Netanyahu of blocking the negotiations by making such a demand. CAIRO (Reuters) -Israel's military intercepted a missile early on Wednesday that was launched from Yemen and crossed into Israeli territory, the army said. Sirens were activated due to the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception, the army said in a statement. Magen David Adom ambulance service said in a statement that it had received reports of approximately nine people injured on their way to the protected area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For the 5th time in a week, millions of Israelis were sent to shelter as Houthi terrorists in Yemen launched a missile attack," the Israeli military said in a post on X. The Iran-backed Houthi group has repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what it has described as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. (Reporting by Enas Alashray; Editing by Edmund Klamann, Raju Gopalakrishnan and William Mallard) TOKYO (AP) A government-commissioned panel of experts on Wednesday largely supported Japan's new energy policy for the next few years that calls for bolstering renewables up to half of electricity needs by 2040 while maximizing the use of nuclear power as the country seeks to accommodate the growing power demand in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization targets. The Industry Ministry presented the draft plan for final review by the panel of 16 mostly pro-nuclear members from business, academia and civil groups. It calls for maximizing the use of nuclear energy, reversing a phaseout policy adopted after the meltdown crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in 2011 that led to extensive displacement of residents and lingering anti-nuclear sentiment. The plan is due to receive Cabinet approval by March after a period of consultation and will then replace the current energy policy, which dates from 2021. The new proposal says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japans energy supply in 2040, up from just 8.5% last year, while expanding renewables to 40-50% from 22.9% and reducing coal-fired power to 30-40% from nearly 70% last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current plan set a 20-22% target for nuclear energy, 36-38% for renewables and 41% for fossil fuel, for 2030. Demand for low-carbon energy, such as renewables and nuclear, is growing because of the demand from data centers using AI and semiconductor factories around the country. Industry Minister Yoji Muto, who attended Wednesdays panel meeting, said Japan must strengthen its energy security by not relying too much on a single source. How we can secure decarbonized energy determines Japans future growth, Muto said. It's time to stop discussing a choice between renewable energy and nuclear power. We should maximize the use of both renewables and nuclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan has set a goal of achieving net zero emissions of climate-warming gases by 2050, and a 73% reduction by 2040 compared to 2013 levels. The draft energy plan places renewables as the main power source and calls for development of next-generation energy source, such as solar batteries and portable solar panels. It outlines a number of risk scenarios, including a possibility of less-than-expected investment and cost reduction in renewables. However, some experts said the plan lacked a feasibility outlook for 2040 or a roadmap for the phaseout of fossil fuels. The plan also calls for acceleration of the restarts of reactors that meet the post-Fukushima safety standards, and proposes construction of next-generation reactors -- at plants where existing reactors are being decommissioned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, to achieve the 20% target, all 33 workable reactors in Japan must be back online, with only 14 back in service after the Fukushima disaster. Given the current pace of safety checks by the nuclear regulation authority, experts say meeting the target would be difficult. Despite criticisms and skepticism about its feasibility, Japan still sticks to its pursuit of developing advanced reactors and a struggling spent fuel reprocessing program to achieve a complete nuclear fuel cycle. Japan has offered to ease visa rules for Chinese visitors as the two sides seek to step up engagements. Japan will extend the maximum length of multiple-entry visas from five years to 10 years, while the maximum stay for groups of tourists will also be increased from 15 days to 30 days, Japanese media reported. It follows China's decision to add Japan to its visa-free entry scheme last month, allowing visitors to stay for up to 30 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The measure was announced by Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on a visit to Beijing on Wednesday, where he met Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and invited the latter to visit Japan when it is mutually convenient for economic talks. The two sides also confirmed that dialogue mechanisms covering areas such as security and diplomacy would be restarted while talks on allowing Japanese beef and more milled rice imports into China would also resume. Iwaya's visit comes amid a drive to improve ties before Donald Trump returns to the White House next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "China-Japan relations are currently at a critical juncture for improvement and development," Li told Iwaya, who was making his first visit to China since taking up the post in October. Iwaya said: "Japan hopes to advance Japan-China relations in the direction of building constructive and stable bilateral ties." Iwaya also told reporters before meeting Li that he hoped the meeting would be "fruitful" and help "restart Japan-China relations". The last visit by a Japanese foreign minister to China was in April last year when his predecessor Yoshimasa Hayashi visited Beijing. Before heading to China, Iwaya told Phoenix TV that he hopes to "build trust with Wang on a personal level through this visit". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said peace should be maintained in the Taiwan Strait and the issue must be resolved peacefully through dialogue. He also said Tokyo would continue to maintain an informal and practical relationship with Taiwan. Iwaya's visit comes at a time when the two countries are working to stabilise ties under the new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba while Trump's return to office has called into question future US commitments to its allies, including Japan. Chinese President Xi Jinping met Ishiba in mid-November on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Xi said he hoped for constructive relations, adding that he hoped Japan could "face history squarely" and "properly handle" major issues, including Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan's wartime record and a long-running territorial dispute between the two countries continue to cast a shadow over relations. More recently Tokyo has expressed concern about China's increasingly assertive military activity and attacks on Japanese citizens in China. It also protested about an incident in August when a Chinese warplane entered Japanese airspace, something Beijing insisted was unintentional. In common with most countries, Japan does not recognise Taiwan as independent, but it opposes any attempt to seize the island by force. On Wednesday Wang and Iwaya held the first ministerial-level dialogue on human and cultural exchanges in five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iwaya also called for the early lifting of import restrictions on Japanese seafood, according to the foreign ministry in Tokyo. Beijing imposed the ban last year after Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant. In September Japan agreed to an international monitoring framework that allows other parties, including China, to engage in independent sampling and monitoring activities. Beijing is currently testing samples it collected near Fukushima under the agreement. "China will begin to adjust relevant measures on the basis of scientific evidence, and gradually restore imports of Japanese aquatic products that meet standards and regulations," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday. 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. Japan is poised to allocate an additional $3 billion dollars from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on Dec. 25. In a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Japan's previous aid to Ukraine, which has totaled $12 billion and "makes it possible to save thousands of lives." "I told Prime Minister Ishiba about Russia's massive shelling of Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas night and thanked Japan for its readiness to work toward achieving a just and lasting peace as soon as possible," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine received $1 billion from Japan and the U.K. through the World Banks Growth Foundations Development Policy Loan (DPL) program on Dec. 24. The funds are intended for use in the social and humanitarian spheres. Zelensky also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya during his visit to Kyiv back in mid-November. The two reportedly discussed Japan's growing concern over the reported presence of North Korean troops on the front line in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Iwaya further underscored Japan's commitment to deepening its relationship with Ukraine, highlighting plans to expand economic cooperation and implement additional sanctions against Russia. Read also: Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack against energy grid on Christmas morning Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Japan will transfer another US$3 billion obtained from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a conversation with Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba Details: Zelenskyy thanked the Japanese government for additional funding for energy equipment and the construction of shelters. He told Prime Minister Ishiba about Russias extensive attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure on Christmas night and thanked Japan for its willingness to contribute to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible. Background: Ukraine has received US$1 billion from the US, secured by proceeds from frozen Russian assets. Support UP or become our patron! BEIJING (AP) China and Japan agreed Wednesday to set up talks on often contentious security issues as they seek to improve a relationship riven in recent years by a range of issues, from territorial disputes to the discharge of water from Japan's tsunami-wrecked nuclear power plant. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, on his first trip to China since assuming the post in October, sounded positive after meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, saying the talks were very candid" and wide-ranging. I feel we were able to build a personal relationship that would lead to the future," he told reporters in the Chinese capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang agreed to visit Japan next year for a high-level economic dialogue including cooperation on the environment, energy conservation and health and nursing care. Japan announced an easing of visa requirements for Chinese visitors, following China's recent decision to allow Japanese to enter without a visa. The two countries also have major differences. Iwaya raised Japan's concerns about China's military activity near a group of uninhabited islands that both countries claim, as well as China's territorial disputes with other countries in the South China Sea. Efforts to improve ties are in their early stages following a commitment to do so made by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at a meeting last month during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru. Currently China-Japan relations are at a critical period of improvement and development, Li said at the start of his meeting with Iwaya. China is willing to work together with Japan to move toward the important direction proposed by the leaders of the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iwaya's one-day trip came just before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January and the uncertainty his presidency is expected to bring to America's global relations. Trump has threatened to hike tariffs on Chinese goods, reigniting a trade war he unleashed in his first administration. It's unclear how he will impact the U.S.-Japan alliance, which President Joe Biden has sought to buttress during the last four years as part of his strategy to confront a rising China. Japan has revamped its approach to defense i n response to Chinese actions in recent years, boosting military spending and shifting away from a principle of self-defense. Earlier this year, Japan protested when a Chinese military plane flew into Japans airspace, while in the summer, a Chinese survey ship sailed into Japanese territorial waters. Wang agreed to Iwaya's proposal for a Japan-China security dialogue, which would try to improve communication over some of these issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iwaya called for an early lifting of a ban on Japanese seafood imports that China imposed after a Japanese utility began discharging treated but still radioactive water from the former nuclear power plant in Fukushima. The two sides agreed to keep working on the issue, and also resume talks on Japanese beef and rice exports to China. Japan's easing of visa requirements included allowing group tours to stay for 30 days, up from 15, and increasing the validity of multiple-entry tourist visas from five to 10 years. Both sides hope that people-to-people exchanges can help improve relations. In that context, Iwaya asked China to improve security for his country's citizens, following recent attacks on Japanese school children, and also raised the detention of several Japanese businesspeople on spy charges. Both are making some Japanese hesitant to travel or work in China, he said. ___ Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. Associated Press writer Huizhong Wu in Bangkok contributed to this report. KYODO NEWS - Dec 25, 2024 - 12:02 | All, Japan Japan's education minister on Wednesday requested her advisory panel to consider expanding the discretion of schools, allowing them to better accommodate children with diverse personalities and characteristics. As part of revisions to the school curriculum guidelines, Toshiko Abe asked the Central Council for Education to discuss shortening each class period by five minutes and using the extra time for individual study or to help students progress at their own pace. In the face of rapid advancements in digital technology, such as artificial intelligence, the proposals also called for measures to "drastically improve information utilization capabilities" across elementary, junior high and high schools. Moreover, the minister emphasized the importance of strengthening education to enhance digital literacy, as many analysts warn that fake news and slander on social media that causes mental distress are continuing to rise. After deliberations, the panel is expected to submit its recommendations on the revisions in the fiscal year ending March 2027, marking the first update in 10 years, officials of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology said. The new curriculum guidelines are expected to be implemented in the 2030 academic year in elementary schools, 2031 in junior high schools and in 2032 or later in senior high schools. Related coverage: FOCUS: Parents of chronically absent kids turn to support spaces to vent Japan school absenteeism hits record 340,000 in FY 2023, up 11th yr Image: Photo by Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images / Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images (Getty Images) In just two short weeks, attorney Tony Buzbee found out just who Jay-Z is. Ever since the 99 Problems rapper was named in one of the many civil suits against Sean Diddy Combs, the two have engaged in a pretty public back and forth in both the courts and online, leading various allegations and stories about Buzbee to come to light in the wake of their legal battle. Jared Alexander Read More Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Kevin Mazur (Getty Images) Tony Buzbee hasnt had a break since he started representing alleged Sean Diddy Combs accusers. A civil lawsuit against Diddy and Shawn Jay-Z Carter alleging the rappers raped a 13-year-old Jane Doe in 2000 has gotten messy over the weeks. Ironically, the Texas attorney is now facing a Jane Doe of his own in a new lawsuit against him. Phenix S Halley Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More Photo: Marc Atkins, Brandon Bell (Getty Images) One of the many civil cases against Sean Diddy Combs has somehow turned into a war between co-defendant Shawn Jay-Z Carter and attorney Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing the woman who claims Combs and Carter raped her while she was 13 years old in 2000. Phenix S Halley Read More Photo: Gilbert Flores (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Shawn Jay-Z Carter was first accused of raping a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean Diddy Combs, the Roc Nation founder made it clear he plans to fight these horrific allegations and the lawyer in charge of it all, Tony Buzbee. Phenix S Halley Read More Photo: Elizabeth Conley (Getty Images) On Sunday (Dec. 8), rapper and business mogul Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter) was accused in a lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 alongside Sean Diddy Combs. Candace McDuffie Read More Photo: Robert Kamau/GC Images // Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle (Getty Images) As every day passes, we learn something new about the sexual assault lawsuit against Jay-Z and Sean Diddy Combs. Noah A. McGee Read More Photo: Kevin Mazur (Getty Images) The same woman who accused Jay-Z and Diddy of raping her when she was 13- years-old, sat down for an interview with NBC on Friday. The woman, now a 38-year-old mom living in Alabama, calls the alleged incident catastrophic, and made some admissions that are surprising. Alyse Martin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The late John Amos' daughter, Shannon Amos, is trying to find answers to some strange circumstances surrounding his passing. The American actor has now expressed her decision to find out key details involved in the final moments of her father's life with the help of her lawyer. John Amos' son, Kelly Christopher "K.C." Amos, announced that the actor died from natural causes in Los Angeles on August 21. John Amos' Daughter Is Curious About His Medical Condition Before His Death Instagram | John Amos Shannon, now the co-trustee of John's estate, has hired James H. Davis III, Esq., to investigate several vital questions she still has after her dad's death in October. The star's daughter wants to know the exact date he was admitted to Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also wondered why someone other than John's son, Kelly, who doubled as his caretaker at the time, would drop him off at the hospital, falsely claiming to be John's "daughter." Shannon planned to inquire about the state of her dad's health and medical condition when he was admitted to Centinela Hospital Medical Center. TMZ shared that the digital creator is also wondering why the hospital has not cooperated with her efforts to collect information regarding her father's health in his final days. Shannon Amos' Attorney Laments Ignored Request To Crosscheck Medical Records Davis explained that he and Shannon tendered three formal requests for John's medical records from Centinela Hospital Medical Center. Their humble request was, however, reportedly met with a lack of acknowledgment from the establishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shannon and her lawyer feel the hospital's lack of response raises additional concerns about John's care and what might have transpired during his last days at the facility. Shannon wants answers on whether the Adult Protective Services agency was investigating possible elder abuse on her father as early as February 2024, after she filed a complaint. She also questions whether the Los Angeles Police Department has examined the circumstances surrounding John's death. Davis' statement read: "The family deserves to know the full circumstances surrounding Mr. Amos' care and the events that led to his passing. We are committed to pursuing all available avenues to ensure that these questions are answered." He added that Shannon and "her legal team emphasize the importance of transparency in healthcare and the rights of families to access critical medical information." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal practitioner insisted that the investigation will continue to seek answers and accountability in "this deeply personal and significant matter." The 'Good Times' Actor's Family Accused His Son Of False Perception Of Their Relationship MEGA The Amos family shockingly learned of his death through the news weeks after it happened. In a report by The Blast, the family released a statement accusing Kelly of creating a false image of a cordial relationship with the late John. On the contrary, the family affirmed the father and son shared a troubled connection. John's relatives, including Shannon and other close family members, revealed that John was kept away from them for over a year, and KC kept controlling and monitoring his interactions. Their statement explained: "Despite our repeated attempts to maintain contact, KC prevented access to him, controlled and monitored his calls and severed ties with John's daughter Shannon Amos, his brother Leslie "Syl" Franklin, his grandchildren Quiera Colston and Jhazz Williams, his business manager Paul Baldessare, his god-daughter Amy Goudy, his niece Sherri Korsun, his former accountant and other close family members, friends, and loved ones." The Family Claimed Kelly Milked John's Dementia For His Public Image MEGA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family continued that John, who had dementia, was force-fed cues by KC into creating a false narrative on social media. John's relatives complained about the actor's care during his final days, citing disturbing photos obtained from concerned neighbors and medical professionals. The family also expressed their suspicion of foul play, which may have led them to cremate him to avoid any potential investigation into his final days. They also revealed that they still have no death certificate and remain unsure of where or why the late TV personality passed. "We refuse to rule out the possibility of foul play, especially given the involvement of two individuals," declared the family as they criticized Kelly's role. John Amos' Daughter Heard Of His Death Via The Media MEGA The news of her father's death certainly cast a dark cloud on her life, especially after finding out 45 days later. The Blast reported that a shocked Shannon posted a statement on her social media account in October addressing the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am without words," she told her online fans and followers, explaining, "Our family has received the heartbreaking news that my Dad, John Allen Amos, Jr., transitioned on August 21." Shannon emphasized their devastation, adding that they had "questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like so many of you." She then encouraged everyone to see the event as a "time of honoring and celebrating his life," although the family was "struggling to navigate the wave of emotions and uncertainties surrounding his passing." The wellness expert thanked everyone for their wishes and prayers and added, "Still, there is some semblance of peace in knowing my father is finally free." Will Shannon Amos' new mission open an unpleasant can of worms on John Amos' death? Time will tell! At least two journalists and a police officer were killed Tuesday after armed gangs opened fire on them inside an old military hospital in Haitis capital. The attack also left at least seven journalists and two police officers injured with gunshot wounds. The injured were being treated at La Paix Hospital after a specialized unit of the Haiti National Police went inside the facility that is part of the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, better known as the General Hospital, to rescue the wounded. Police officers told a Miami Herald freelancer and other waiting journalists that they had left four bodies on the ground. After three ambulances arrived at the hospital, journalists identified two of the bodies inside one of the ambulances as online journalists Mackendy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. A Haitian police spokesman could not be reached for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tragedy unfolded while the press was awaiting the arrival of Health Minister Duckenson Lorthe Blema to cover the reopening of the General Hospital, which had been closed for months because of gang attacks. As reporters waited inside for the arrival of Blema, they could hear gunfire out in the streets, where two armored police vehicles were patrolling. Haitis the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, known as the General Hospital, became the site of tragedy on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 after armed gangs opened fire on journalists and police. Inside, final arrangements were being made for the ministers visit. Thats when several armed men stormed the area outside and opened fire. In a video shared online, long volleys of gunfire could be heard as bullets flew through the green iron gates of the General Hospital. Other photos and videos shared online by some of the reporters trapped inside showed journalists lying on the floor covered in blood, with gunshots wounds to the head, chest and mouths. In one video, a journalist showed where a bullet had pierced his tongue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We havent found a nurse or anyone to give us first aid, anything, a journalist who was not injured said as she pleaded for help. Those who are the most vulnerable, we want to get them out of here. But getting out of the area proved difficult as police exchanged gunfire with gang members. The whole area is under siege, Guyler Delva, head of the press freedom group SOS journalists, said before police moved in to rescue the trapped reporters. Bandits are shooting all around. If the journalists go out into the street, they will be killed and no one is helping them. The situation is very worrisome. They are stranded. Delva blamed the Haitian government for the incident, saying the attack is part of a larger problem in which journalists are being targeted by the police as well as gangs. Reporters have reported being harassed by police while on assignment. Earlier this year Haitian authorities issued a list of journalists they were seeking to arrest, claiming they were working with gangs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month the countrys telecommunications authority, CONATEL, shut down a popular program, Boukante la Pawol, hosted by Guerrier Henri, on Port-au-Princes Radio Mega after Henri allowed gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier to speak. Delva said the move infringed on press freedoms and was a throwback to the days Haiti was ruled by dictators. Journalists have been working with a lot of fear, he said. They realize that the government doesnt care. They not only try to block them but they openly show they wont intervene to help them. The Association of Haitian journalists also condemned the attack and called on authorities to avoid exposing journalists to danger. The group also asked on the authorities take immediate measures to provide all the necessary assistance to injured journalists and to the parents of those murdered in the exercise of their duties. Both the prime ministers office and ruling transitional council condemned the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happened today on Christmas Eve at the General Hospital where people in the population, journalists and police were victims, is unacceptable, Leslie Voltaire, the president of the council said, in a brief video message. It will not stand without consequences. The General Hospital, the countrys largest public medical facility, had been closed since March when a united front of powerful gang leaders led attacks on police stations as well as the main airport, seaport and prison with the hope of toppling the government. Since then, the violence has continued to escalate, with hospitals across Port-au-Prince shutting down. Haitis the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, known as the General Hospital, became the site of tragedy on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 after armed gangs opened fire on journalists and police. In July Haitian authorities claimed that they had taken control of the General Hospital. But days later, the countrys prime minister was forced to run for cover, along with police officers, when armed gangs opened fire as he was giving a tour of the facility to visiting CNN journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Christmas Eve attack added to an avalanche of bad news for Haiti. On Monday, a ship transporting merchandise and vehicle to the southern region of the country capsized near Terminal Varreux in Port-au-Prince during loading. The incident was confirmed by the private port, but the extent of the casualties and damages were unclear. On Tuesday, as the gang attack was happening in Port-au-Prince, authorities in the northwest region confirmed the deaths of at least seven people from torrential rains that continued to hit the city of Port-de-Paix on Tuesday. Officials said that 10 others had been injured, while at least 100 houses had been destroyed and 500 others seriously damaged. About 11,000 houses were flooded and 20 vehicles were swept away. A bridge, constructed less than six months ago, also collapsed. On Tuesday, December 24, 2025 heavy downpour was still affecting the city of Port-de-Paix in northwest Haiti. At least seven people had died and at least 11,000 homes were flooded local authorities said as a result of torrential rains. On Monday, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, issued a statement about Haitis escalating crisis. Her statements as president of the U.N. Security Council came on the same day the U.N. political office in Haiti issued a report on a recent gang massacre in the Wharf Jeremie neighborhood in the capital. The report said at least 207 people, most of them elderly, were killed between December 6 and 11 by gang leader, Micanor Altes, after he accused most of them of using Vodou to make his son sick. Some of of the victims were also family members of the elderly, who had attempted to flee the area, or individuals suspected of having leaked information about the crimes to local media. The victims were tracked down at their homes and at a place of worship, then driven to the gangs stronghold, where they were shot or killed with machetes. After the killings, Altes tried to erase all evidence, by burning the bodies or dismembering them, and then throwing them into the sea, the U.N. found. The security council, Thomas-Greenfield said, is deeply concerned over the deteriorating situation in Haiti. Georgia Sloan is home, back from a potentially life-derailing stint in prison that she was determined to instead make meaningful. She hadnt used drugs in three years and she had a life waiting for her outside the Mississippi Correctional Institute for Women in Pearl: a daughter she was trying to reunite with, a sick mother and a career where she found purpose. During 10 months of incarceration, Sloan, who spent over half of her life using drugs, took classes, read her Bible and helped other women. Her drug possession charge was parole eligible, and the Parole Board approved her for early release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of October, she left the prison and returned to Madison County. The next day she was back at work at Musee, a Canton-based bath products company that employs formerly incarcerated women like Sloan and others in the community facing difficulties. She first started working at the company in 2021. This side of life is so beautiful. I would literally hold on to my promise every single minute of the day while I was in (prison), Sloan told Mississippi Today in December. Next year, she is moving into a home in central Mississippi, closer to work and her new support system. Sloan plans to bring her daughter and mother to live with her. Sloan is hopeful of regaining custody of her child, who has been cared for by her aunt on a temporary basis. This is my area now, she said. This has become my family, my life. This is where I want my child to grow up. This is where I want to make my life because this is my life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Sloan is taking other steps to readjust to life after prison: getting her drivers license for the first time in over a decade, checking in monthly with her parole officer and paying court-ordered fines and restitution. In December 2023, Sloan went to court in Columbus for an old drug possession charge from when she was still using drugs. Sloan thought the judge would see how much she had turned her life around through Crossroads Ministries, a nonprofit womens reentry center she entered in 2021, and Musee. Her boss Leisha Pickering who drove her to court and spoke as a witness on Sloans behalf, thought the judge would order house arrest or time served. Circuit Judge James Jim Kitchens of the 16th District. Instead, Circuit Judge James Kitchens sentenced her to eight years with four years suspended and probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He seemed doubtful about her transformation, saying she didnt have a contrite heart. By choosing to sell drugs, Kitchens said she was (making) other people addicts, according to a transcript of the Dec. 4, 2023, hearing. I felt like my life literally crumbled before my eyes, Sloan said about her return to prison. Everything I had worked so hard for, it felt like it had been snatched from me. She was taken from the courtroom to the Lowndes County Detention Center, where she spent two months before her transfer to the womens prison in Rankin County. Sloan found the county jail more difficult because there was no separation between everyone there. But the prison had its own challenges, such as violence between inmates and access to drugs, which would have threatened her sobriety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She kept busy by taking classes, which helped her set a goal to take college courses one day with a focus on business. Visits, phone calls and letters from family members and staff from Musee and Crossroads were her lifeline. I did not let prison break me, I rose above it, and I got to help restore other ladies, Sloan said. She also helped several women in the prison get to Crossroads the same program that helped her and others at Musee. Sloan credits a long-term commitment to Crossroads and Musee for turning her life around the places where she said someone believed in her and took a chance on her. Georgia Sloan, left, and Leisha Pickering, founder and CEO of Musee Bath, sit for a portrait at the Musee Bath facility in Canton on Dec. 11, 2024. Pickering has supported Sloan through her journey of recovery and reentry, providing employment and advocacy as Sloan rebuilds her life after incarceration. Pickering, Musees CEO, said in the three years shes known Sloan, shes watched her grow and become a light for others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bath and lifestyle company has employed over 300 formerly incarcerated women in the past dozen years, but Pickering said not everyone has had the same support, advocacy and transformation as Sloan. Regardless, Pickering believes each person is worth fighting for. When Sloan isnt traveling for work to craft markets with Pickering, she shares an office with her Musee colleague Julie Crutcher, who is also formerly incarcerated and a graduate of Crossroads programs. She also considers Crutcher a close friend and mentor. Sloan has traveled to Columbus to see her mother and daughter whom she spent Thanksgiving with. She will see them again for Christmas and celebrate her daughters 12th birthday the day after. Her involvement with the criminal justice system has made Sloan want to advocate for prison reform to help others and be an inspiration to others. I never knew what I was capable of, Sloan said. I never knew how much people truly, genuinely love me and love being around me. I never knew how much I could have and how much I could offer the world. A new lawsuit filed Tuesday by publicist Stephanie Jones alleges that Justin Baldoni and his PR reps tried to smear Blake Lively. Jones, a former employer of Baldoni's PR rep Jennifer Abel, alleges in the suit that Abel ran an operation in secret while she was working for Jones. Abel disparaged Jones and tried to steal clients for a competing firm, the lawsuit alleges. A publicist who previously represented Justin Baldoni says one of her former employees orchestrated a smear campaign against Blake Lively without the public relations firm's knowledge and then stole Baldoni and other celebrities as clients. In a civil lawsuit filed in Manhattan state court Tuesday, Stephanie Jones said the ex-employee, Jennifer Abel, ran a secret operation with Melissa Nathan, a communications professional with her own firm. The lawsuit alleges that the goal was to "destroy" Lively, Baldoni's co-star in "It Ends With Us," to cover up Baldoni's own misconduct on set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their plan was covert, deliberately concealed from Jones, and went far beyond the legitimate scope of Abel's employment," Tuesday's lawsuit says. Abel and Nathan used the same tactics to wreck Jones's own reputation in order to siphon clients from her public relations company, Jonesworks, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit from Jones a powerful Hollywood publicist who has represented Jeff Bezos, Tom Brady, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is the second legal salvo against Baldoni, Abel, and Nathan this past week. On Friday, Lively filed a complaint against the same group with the California Civil Rights Department, a possible precursor to a lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lively alleges in the complaint that Baldoni who also directed "It Ends With Us" created a hostile workplace by frequently talking about pornography, adding sexually explicit scenes between their characters into the script, pressuring her to lose weight, and walking into her trailer unannounced while she was undressed and breastfeeding, among other offenses. Bryan Freedman, an attorney representing Baldini, Abel, Nathan, and their companies, previously called Lively's allegations "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious." Freedman didn't respond to Business Insider's request for comment Tuesday. Lively's complaint wielding numerous text messages and emails her lawyers obtained also alleged Baldoni worked with Abel and Nathan on a sophisticated public relations campaign through manipulated social media activity and stories published in tabloids. "You know we can bury anyone," Nathan wrote to Abel in a February text message included in Lively's complaint as they discussed how to propose the communications strategy to Baldoni. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lively's complaint alleges the campaign on behalf of Baldoni unfolded in secret alongside the public relations campaign for the movie, which was released in theaters in August and grossed over $350 million worldwide. Jones said in her lawsuit she fired Abel in August after she had "stolen more than 70 proprietary and sensitive business documents" as well as client information. Abel also tried to poach employees for a competing public relations firm, RWA Communications, the lawsuit alleges. Nathan didn't respond to Business Insider's request for comment Tuesday. In an email Tuesday, Abel provided a different account of how she left Jonesworks. She sent BI an email and text messages showing she submitted her resignation in July with plans to start her own public relations firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones's attorney Kristin Tahler said she filed the lawsuit "to stop defendants' continuing misconduct and for Steph to recover the reputation." "For months, this group has gaslit and disparaged Stephanie Jones and her company for financial gain, to settle personal scores and most recently to distract from their disgraceful smearing of Blake Lively," Tahler, an attorney at Quinn, Emmanuel, said in a statement Tuesday. Lively's complaint doesn't indicate how her lawyers obtained the purported campaign plan or the texts between Abel and Nathan. Jones's lawsuit offers a possible explanation: It says Abel's company-issued phone from Jonesworks was forensically preserved and examined after Jonesworks received a subpoena. On the phone, "Abel and Nathan's covert take down and smear campaigns were revealed in black and white," Jones alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Jones discovered the breadth and intensity of Abel and Nathan's duplicity from these records, including that Abel was actively encouraging other Jonesworks clients and employees to leave Jonesworks while Abel was still employed there," Jones's lawsuit alleges. On her way out the door from Jonesworks, Abel tried to turn Jones's clients against her so she and Nathan could steal them for her own firms, Jones's lawsuit says. Jones's lawsuit alleges that, as part of a smear campaign, the two spoke with a reporter at Business Insider, which published an article in August about Jones and the workplace culture at Jonesworks. While Abel waged an intense publicity campaign on Baldoni's behalf, text messages show she held him in "extremely low regard," Jones's lawsuit alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He may fire us because even if we put together an amazing campaign, it's not going to change the fact that he's so unlikable and unrealistic as a leading man," Abel wrote in one text message included in the lawsuit. "there's no chemistry with him and Blake." Read the original article on Business Insider NELSON COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) A juvenile is behind bars after he reportedly led deputies on a multicounty chase. The Nelson County Sheriffs Office posted to Facebook on Tuesday that the chase began when deputies attempted to pull the boy over on Kentucky Highway 245. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Deputies said the traffic stop quickly turned into a pursuit into Bullitt County before he wrecked the vehicle on I-65. Authorities searched the vehicle, finding two firearms and what appeared to be THC edibles. (Nelson County Sheriffs Office) When asked why he decided to run, the boy reportedly told deputies that he wasnt used to being chased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welcome to Nelson County! Keep your criminal intent out of our county, deputies wrote. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Authorities did not release the charges that were filed but said the boy has been lodged in a juvenile detention center. 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 FOX 56 News. The Russell Smith Courthouse, the Missoula Division of the U.S. District Court of Montana. (Photo by Blair Miller) A Kalispell woman accused in a scheme to activate and use stolen credit or debit cards with personal information obtained from patient records at Kalispell Regional Medical Center admitted to fraud charges on Dec. 20, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Alecia Mae Leonetti, 50, of Kalispell, pleaded guilty on Friday to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to a news release from the Montana U.S. Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Magistrate Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Leonetti faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the wire fraud charge and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft charge. In court documents, the government alleged that from September 2020 to December 2020, Leonettis co-defendant, Krista Hall, was employed at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, now Logan Health, where she had access to the hospitals patient records. Leonetti would obtain stolen credit or debit cards and then contact Hall for Hall to look up the cardholders personal identifying information. Leonetti used the personal identifying information to activate the stolen card and then use the card to make purchases or withdraw cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one instance, Leonetti obtained a Glacier Bank credit card belonging to John Doe, obtained Does personal identifying information from Hall and activated the card. Leonetti admitted to law enforcement she accumulated more than $2,400 in charges at several Kalispell businesses over two days in September 2020. Hall has pleaded not guilty to charges in the case and is pending trial. Sentencing for Leonetti was set for April 24, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. Leonetti was released pending further proceedings. The U.S. Attorneys Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Flathead County Sheriffs Office conducted the investigation. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A 22-year-old Troy, Kansas woman was killed in a head-on crash Christmas morning in northeast Kansas. The Kansas Highway Patrol said the crash happened on Kansas Highway 7 in Doniphan County around 8:40 a.m. The KHP said a northbound Toyota Tundra crossed the center line and struck a southbound Chevy Suburban head-on. Body found in wheel well of United Airlines flight from Chicago to Maui Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katlyn Folsom, a passenger inside the Chevy Suburban, was killed in the crash. The drivers of both vehicles, a 37-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, were taken to Mosaic Life-Care in St Joe with minor injuries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Kate Middleton delighted onlookers, joining other members of the British Royal Family for the annual Christmas morning walk to and from their church service at Sandringham, in Norfolk. Kate was accompanied by her husband Prince William and their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, as they joined King Charles and Queen Camilla. More from Deadline Members of the public had been waiting since yesterday evening to greet the royals, keen to show their support after what has been a trying year for the family, with Charles announcing that he was undergoing treatment for cancer, and Kate revealing that she was having chemotherapy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles will address the nation in his annual television speech, scheduled for 3pm Christmas Day. Although his medical treatment has been confirmed as ongoing into 2025, Charles has been seen in public regularly in the past few months, including embarking on a tour to New Zealand and Australia. Kate has been seen more intermittently in 2024, including at the Wimbledon Menss Singles Final in July, and at Remembrance Day services last month. However, she and her husband skipped the traditional Christmas lunch for royal family and their staff a fortnight ago. She hosted a carol service which was filmed at the beginning of December, in which she reflected on her challenging year, and spoke of the importance of empathy. King Charles beleaguered brother Andrew was absent, having been excused from the familys Christmas following recent revelations that he had befriended a Chinese diplomat who was later named as a spy (a claim the man denies). Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Kate Middletons highly anticipated Christmas carol concert has returned! The Princess of Wales, 42, led her fourth Together at Christmas extravaganza to welcome in the festive season. The event was pre-recorded and took place at Londons Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6. It was also Kates first Christmas carol service since she revealed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024. In a moving speech that kicked off the broadcast, the princess shared that Christmas is a time to reflect on our own vulnerabilities. Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, December 6, 2024. The special aired on Christmas Eve. via REUTERS Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, it is a time for presents, tinsel and mince pies, but its also a time to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all, Kate began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about. The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others, she added. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear. Catherine Princess of Wales, accompanied by William Prince of Wales and their children, hosts the third annual Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Reuters-PA/POOL supplied by Splash News / SplashNews.com The princess continued, The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is love which is the greatest gift we can receive, not just at Christmas but every day of our lives. With a new theme each year, 2024s service focused on the importance of love and empathy while reflecting on how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives. William, Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, attend the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, December 6, 2024. via REUTERS Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery gives a reading in the nave during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, December 6, 2024. via REUTERS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The service featured performances from young musicians, a 25-piece steel pan band and a jazz ensemble from Restore the Music, a nonprofit organization supporting music education for the youth. Guests were also treated to readings with themes of love and empathy delivered by William, 42, the future king. The annual carol service, which is supported by The Royal Foundation, was thrust into doubt earlier this year following Middletons health woes. Catherine Princess of Wales, accompanied by William Prince of Wales and their children, hosts the third annual Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Reuters-PA/POOL supplied by Splash News / SplashNews.com Prince Louis of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Together At Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024 in London, England. Getty Images Indeed, the beloved royal was dealt a tough start to the year that saw her undergo abdominal surgery in January, which was closely followed by a cancer diagnosis in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her father-in-law, King Charles III, was also diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. After revealing she was finally cancer-free in September, its understood that the princess began planning the festive project as soon as she was feeling better. Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, December 6, 2024. via REUTERS Before this years event, Princess Catherine extended an invitation to people who have made a difference in their communities. More than 1,600 invitees attended the service, and the mom of three even arrived early to chat with some of the events volunteers. The palace previously said that the beloved royal wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need individuals who have inspired, counseled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive. Kate Middleton announced she had cancer back in March. BBC Studios Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, the princess revealed she is cancer-free. Will Warr/KensingtonRoyal/X For the extravaganza, Catherine opted for a long red coat with an oversized black velvet bow at the collar. She accessorized her festive look with pearl drop earrings and tall black boots. Prince William, for his part, arrived a little while later with their three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. The foursome was greeted by Middleton outside before the family made their way into the iconic Anglican church. Kate and Prince William revealed their holiday card earlier this month. Prince and Princess of Wales While inside, the kids took a moment to share a handwritten note on the Kindness Tree a spot where guests dedicate an ornament to important people in their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his heartwarming note, Prince Louis penned, Thank you for Granny and Grandpa because they have played games with me. William and his sons matched in black suits with white shirts and red ties while Charlotte opted for a long, burgundy coat similar to that of her mothers. The festive event comes after The Post exclusively revealed how the Waleses are celebrating Christmas this year. KYODO NEWS - Dec 25, 2024 - 22:23 | All, Japan, World Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call Wednesday that Japan will continue to stand with Ukraine to achieve "just and lasting" peace, as the nation remains ravaged by Russia's war, now involving dispatched North Korean troops. In their first talks since Ishiba took office in October, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, including the recent participation of North Korean soldiers, and agreed to continue coordinating closely, Japan's Foreign Ministry said. Ishiba assured Zelenskyy that Japan's support for Ukraine remains unwavering, highlighting Tokyo's implementation of a series of "powerful" sanctions against Moscow. Zelenskyy expressed his deep appreciation for Japan's continued support, according to the ministry. Ishiba has expressed concern about the implications of what is happening in Ukraine for East Asia, where tensions remain high between China and Taiwan. China views Taiwan as a renegade province that should be unified with the mainland by force, if necessary. The participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine, the latest instance of deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, has also become a source of concern for Japan. Zelenskyy said earlier this week that over 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded while fighting alongside Russian forces. In November, Japan and Ukraine signed an agreement to facilitate the exchange of classified security information during an unannounced visit to Kyiv by Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. Related coverage: An hour with President Zelenskyy EXCLUSIVE:Zelenskyy says Ukraine wants to retake occupied land by diplomacy Japan, Ukraine sign security info-sharing pact to boost cooperation President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Ukraine peace envoy, Keith Kellogg, denounced Russia's mass attack on early Christmas morning, emphasizing that "Christmas should be a time of peace." Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine, was one of the hardest-hit cities in Russia's latest mass attack. Explosions were also heard as far west as the city of Ivano-Frankvivsk. "Christmas should be a time of peace, yet Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas Day. Launching large-scale missile and drone attacks on the day of the Lords birth is wrong," Kellogg wrote on Dec. 25 on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The world is closely watching actions on both sides. The U.S. is more resolved than ever to bring peace to the region." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kellogg, 80, previously held key roles as executive secretary and chief of staff of the U.S. National Security Council under President Trump, and served as a senior advisor to then-Vice President Mike Pence. Ukraine and the U.S. have agreed on a date for Kellogg's first visit to Kyiv in his capacity as peace envoy. While authorities didn't announce the specific date for security reasons, it is likely to take place before Trump's inauguration in January. During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to end the war in Ukraine, suggesting he could negotiate a peace agreement that would satisfy both Ukraine and Russia. Read also: Trumps pick for Ukraine envoy backs peace through strength, security guarantees Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Kennewicks mayor was issued a written warning by the states campaign finance watchdog after promoting a citizens initiative during a public meeting earlier this year. At an Aug. 13 study session, Mayor Gretl Crawford appeared to promote I-2066 a statewide ballot measure restricting government bans on natural gas during discussion of the regions growing energy needs. I would highly recommend that people educate themselves and hopefully vote to not ban natural gas, because its going to end up costing us more and wreaking havoc, she said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crawford was almost immediately interrupted by fellow Council member Chuck Torelli, who said the council under state law could educate, but not argue for or against ballot measures. And I think were hitting that edge there. Maybe Im wrong, he said. Crawford, a business owner and commercial developer, ended the discussion by saying, OK, educate yourself. I wont say any more tonight about it. Washington state law prohibits elected officials and public employees from using taxpayer-funded resources, either directly or indirectly, to promote or oppose ballot propositions. That includes office space, supplies, employee hours and other resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are some exceptions. Elected bodies are allowed to take action to collectively weigh in on such measures, so long as the language is publicly available beforehand and equal time is given to members of the public who may oppose the bodys expression. Public officials also may make such statements during news conferences or in response to a similar inquiry. Kennewick City Councilor Gretl Crawford The state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) complaint was filed in September by Don Britain, the former Kennewick mayor who experienced a landslide loss to Crawford during the 2021 general election. Before being ousted, he served in the largely-ceremonial role of mayor since 2018 and on the council since 2009. Britain also had been dogged by an ethics complaint from a previous state job in the lead up to his election loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement last week to the Herald, Britain said he was pleased with the PDCs findings. It is a sad state of affairs for the citizens of Kennewick that Gretl blames her own admitted violation of state RCWs on me and the last election, he wrote. Don Britain In a letter responding to the complaint, and filed with the PDC, Crawford said her comments may have unintentionally come close to what was alleged. My comments were germane to the presentation that we had just had and not a violation, especially when paired with the notes of the RCW that encourage public discussion on ballot measures, she wrote. Mr. Britain lost to me in the last election and I see this as a frivolous complaint that is unfounded, however, I will be more thoughtful in the future how I phrase my comments, Crawford continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told the Herald after publication that Britains council was rife with infighting, accusations and ethics allegations. While I take the PDC warning under advisement and was not aware that my statements were out of line, it took him almost three years to try to find something to use against me, Crawford said. Britain denies his complaint had anything to do with the election results. Aug. 13 Kennewick meeting During the Nov. 5 election, Washington voters narrowly passed I-2066, which repeals state laws and certain regulations that discourage the use of natural gas utilities, and requires certain public utilities to offer the energy source to eligible customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure was the only one out of four on the ballot that got the support of a majority of general election voters. Sponsor Lets Go Washington and Washington Republicans also tried unsuccessfully to get three other voter initiatives passed that would have repealed an excise tax on capital gains in excess of $250,000, dismantled the states carbon taxing credit market, and created an opt-out option for the states long-term cares program and tax. Months before I-2066 passed, the Kennewick City Council held a study session that included an update from Benton PUD General Manager Rick Dunn, who touched on the regions rising energy needs and challenges, as well as the mechanisms of various clean energy projects. After Dunn took questions from the council, Crawford highlighted her own frustrations with rate increases and the states strict energy code requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She then pointed to I-2066 as a call-to-action of sorts for voters upset over the states energy regulations. Theres an initiative on the ballot thats coming up, put on by the people, and I would just say you get to decide at this point in time what you want to vote for, Crawford said, adding that she doesnt believe its necessary to cut off natural gas. Britain says in his complaint thats when Crawford intentionally urged voters to vote yes on the initiative. The specific ballot initiative was not advertised as an official discussion topic for this meeting, his complaint read. Gretl Crawford has attended PDC training workshops in January 2022, 2023 and 2024 and should know this is not allowed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crawford in her response wrote she felt her comments were relevant in the context of Dunns presentation and the councils discussion. We have energy issues in our city and region, and the initiative placed on the ballot will have an affect on that, Crawford said. The outcome of having limited and intermittent energy alternatives will have lasting affects, as was discussed throughout that presentation. If this additional energy source is taken away is a topic that needs more discussion, she continued. She also argues she never mentioned the exact initiative and didnt had prior intent to lobby for it and denied Britains claims she explicitly called for a yes vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I may have gotten close to that, but this RCW and its notes are not entirely clear on what that means and provides ambiguity in my mind, Crawford wrote. The PDC weighs in Staff with the Washington PDC declined to conduct a deeper investigation into her comments, but instead issued Crawford her first written warning on Dec. 16 for potentially violating the law. They determined Crawfords comments appeared to promote I-2066, but that the severity of her comments were partially mitigated by the broader discussion and her good-faith misunderstanding about the application of the statute. However, the public was not properly noticed that the ballot proposition would be discussed at the meeting, nor were members of the public or the council given an equal opportunity to express an opposing view at a properly noticed meeting as required to (law), the letter read. ]The PDC chose not to issue a fine since this was the first complaint ever lodged against Crawford. Dec. 24LILY A man is dead after officer-involved shooting Monday night, warranting investigation by the Kentucky State Police. The Kentucky State Police Post 11 in London was requested by the London Police Department at 11:53 p.m. to investigate an officer-involved shooting at 511 Vanzant Road in the Lily community. The preliminary investigation indicates that LPD officers were following up on an investigation with an attempt to execute a search warrant. During the encounter, an officer fired their agency-issued firearm, striking the individual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man sustained injuries and life-saving measures were performed on-scene, according to KSP. However, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Laurel County Coroner's Office. No other injuries were reported. KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, the agency has shared that it is standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts have been gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case. Dec. 24SIDNEY One day after a woman was arrested in connection with the homicide of a 14-year-old boy, residents of a residential neighborhood were left with more questions than answers, as police continued to withhold information about the boy and what exactly happened. Police had left 2005 Summerhaven Road in Sidney by Saturday morning. There was little sign of the daylong investigation at the home Friday as snow flurries fell on a bitterly cold day. Brady Maheux, 25, said he has lived his whole life on the windy, residential road near the Augusta-Sidney line, but did not know the people who lived in the house under investigation Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "How does something like that happen?" said Maheux. "What the hell happened? It's crazy." Megan McDonald, 39, was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with murder, Maine State Police said in a statement issued Friday evening. The arrest came after police found a 14-year-old boy dead outside the Summerhaven Road residence, state police said. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta determined the cause of the boy's death as "a combination of asphyxiation, manual strangulation, and sharp force injury," according to state police. The medical examiner's office also ruled the manner of death as homicide. Investigators were seen throughout the day Friday working at 2005 Summerhaven Road, a single-story home, with a detached garage flying a U.S. Marine Corps flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Town tax records list the property's owner as Megan McDonald. State police said they were called to investigate after Kennebec County sheriff's deputies conducted a wellbeing check and found the dead teenager. The deputies were asked to conduct the check after a woman reported an incident at her home to the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office, according to state police. Why the incident was reported there was not known Saturday. Just before 5:30 a.m., "an adult female arrived at the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office to report an incident that occurred at her home," state police said Friday. The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office, in Auburn, is about a 40-mile drive from the Summerhaven Road residence in Sidney, according to GPS mapping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson wrote in a message Saturday the woman who reported the crime in the Sheriff's Office lobby was taken into custody, though he did not release that woman's name. Samson referred further questions to a state police spokesperson. Before police announced the homicide investigation Friday, Carl Gartley, superintendent of Regional School Unit 18, had sent an announcement to community members earlier in the day that a Messalonskee High School student had died. Sidney is one of the towns served by the Oakland-based district. "Due to an ongoing police investigation, we are unable to release a name at this time," Gartley wrote Friday. Police and school district officials remained tight-lipped about the 14-year-old boy's identity through the weekend, and it was not clear if the Messalonskee student who died was the one found dead on Summerhaven Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was hoping to release the name yesterday (Friday) but it's ultimately up to the AG's Office," Shannon Moss, public information officer for the Maine Department of Public Safety, wrote in an email Saturday. A spokesperson for the Office of the Maine Attorney General, which prosecutes all homicides in the state, did not respond to a message Saturday. A woman retrieving her mail outside her home on Birch Circle, around the corner from the Summerhaven Road residence, said she knew the boy killed in the alleged homicide, but did not want to share any details publicly about him or provide her name until police release the name. Another man, who has lived on Birch Circle for about 30 years, said he was cordial with the people that lived at the home where police were investigating but did not know them well. He was not sure how many people lived there and never knew them by name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called them "decent folks" and said he would see them if their dog got loose or when he was walking his dog in the area. "There has been nothing that would've led you to believe there was anything wrong," said the man, who declined to give his name because he did not want attention from other neighbors for speaking to the news media. "Had we known, would we have done something?" he continued. "Of course." At several other nearby homes, residents either were not home Saturday morning or did not answer the door. Others who did answer the door said they did not know much beyond the information released by state police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maheux, the 25-year-old Summerhaven Road resident said he did not even hear or see police investigators arrive in the morning. "I believe I was awake at that hour when they had gotten there," Maheux said. "I never heard anything in the morning hours either." It is usually a quiet neighborhood, he said. "Nothing goes on out here." A neighbor of Maheux, who declined to provide his name, said the same, but recalled at least one other major incident nearby in recent years: a double homicide of an Augusta couple, found dead in the woods in Manchester, on Christmas Day in 2015. That killing was found to be related to drug dealing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More information about Friday's alleged homicide could emerge Monday, when McDonald would likely appear in court. If she remains in custody Monday, McDonald would be expected to make an initial court appearance in Kennebec County. At that initial appearance, usually a brief hearing, a judge would read McDonald the charge against her. McDonald would not be required to enter a plea then, since prosecutors first need to present their case to a grand jury for an indictment before it could move forward. It was not known Saturday if McDonald has an attorney. That information in Maine is only available through court clerk's offices, which are closed on the weekends. At Messalonskee High School in Oakland, about 14 miles north of the Sidney neighborhood, counseling sessions were available from 9-11 a.m., according to the announcement from school administrators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 1 p.m., it was quiet around the school as a snow flurry fell. Only a handful of cars were in the parking lot, and there were no signs of any kind of memorials placed by community members. "As we travel through our break, if you are in need, please do not hesitate to reach out for support," the high school said in a Facebook post Saturday. "We are Messalonskee Strong." The post offered several resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness Maine: 1-800-464-5767, info@namimaine.org, call or text 988 The Crisis Text Line: text "Home" to 741-741 Kennebec Behavioral Health: 1-888-568-1112 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sun Journal reporter Joe Charpentier contributed to this report. Editor's note: This story was updated to update the name and contact number for Kennebec Behavioral Health. Copy the Story Link Comments are not available on this story. LONDON King Charles III used his annual Christmas message Wednesday to hail the selflessness of those who have cared for him and the Princess of Wales this year, after both were diagnosed with cancer. The 76-year-old monarch said he and his family are continually impressed by those who dedicate their lives to helping others. From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who this year have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed, he said in a prerecorded speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broadcast came several hours after the monarch waved to a large crowd of onlookers who traditionally gather to see the royal family attend Christmas Day services at a church on Sandringham, the estate on the windswept North Sea coast that has served as a family retreat for generations. The king walked with Queen Camilla as his eldest son, Prince William, Kate and their three children followed. The kings daughter-in-law, who has slowly returned to public duties after completing chemotherapy, hugged a cancer patient after the service. Two of Charles siblings, Anne, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, were also in the procession. Notably absent at St. Mary Magdalene Church was Prince Andrew. The kings 64-year-old brother has retreated further into the shadows amid news that a Chinese businessman had been barred from the United Kingdom because of concerns he cultivated links with Andrew on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew, once second in line to the British throne, has become a constant source of tabloid fodder because of his money woes and links to questionable characters, including the late American financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Even after stepping back from public duties, Andrew has continued to appear at family events and his absence from Sandringham suggests a further retreat from the public eye. The king has been under pressure to distance Andrew from the royal family to avoid further embarrassment to the monarchy. While Andrew said he never discussed anything sensitive with the suspected Chinese spy and had ceased contact with the man as soon as concerns were raised, the scandal raises further questions about his judgment and distracts from the work of the royal family, said Ed Owens, author of After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself? The reason why this is a problem for the king is simply that the king is trying to re-brand the monarchy at the moment, centering its focus around him, but also around William, Catherine, what they are trying to do, Owens said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been a very difficult year for the monarchy, not least because of the two cancer diagnoses. And all the positive headlines that the king has been trying to generate of late, unfortunately, are overshadowed by the behavior, the reckless behavior, of his younger brother, who once again finds himself in the headlines. The kings Christmas speech is the third since he ascended the throne after Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, but the first since he was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February. The monarchs holiday message is watched by millions of people in the U.K. and across the Commonwealth, with many households timing Christmas lunch around it. The kings treatment, which is believed to be ongoing, forced him to step away from public appearances for two months. He has slowly returned to public life in recent months and was in good spirits on a tour of Australia and the South Pacific in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few weeks after Charles began treatment, the Princess of Wales announced her own cancer diagnosis, which sidelined her for much of the year. In a voiceover for her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, which was recorded this month but broadcast on Tuesday evening, Kate also reflected on the love and support that she received. The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others, she said. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Charles spoke at the Fitzrovia Chapel in central London, which was part of the now-demolished Middlesex Hospital where his first wife, Diana, opened Londons first dedicated ward for those with AIDS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The king had tasked the team organizing the broadcast with finding a site away from the royal estate, and one with health connections, a strong community presence and a place of solace and reflection for those with or without faith. Its a rare occasion when the monarchs Christmas message is not recorded at a royal residence, notably Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. The last time his late mother recorded her message outside the royal estate was in 2006. Charles also paid his respect to World War II troops who perished on the beaches of northern France as well as the few remaining veterans, many of them centenarians, who attended the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy in June. He said it was an enormous privilege to meet the remarkable veterans of that very special generation who gave of themselves so courageously on behalf of us all but that the specter of war was haunting the world this Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During previous commemorations, we were able to console ourselves with the thought that these tragic events seldom happen in the modern era, he said. But on this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere pose a daily threat to so many peoples lives and livelihoods. On the domestic front, the king expressed his deep sense of pride for communities that came together after riots broke out in many towns and cities in the summer following a stabbing rampage at a dance class that left three girls dead and several wounded. King Charles III attends the 2024 Christmas Morning Service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Credit - Jordan PeckGetty Images King Charles III used his annual Christmas message Wednesday to hail the selflessness of those who have cared for him and the Princess of Wales this year, after both were diagnosed with cancer. The 76-year-old monarch said he and his family are continually impressed by those who dedicate their lives to helping others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who this year have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed, he said in a prerecorded speech. The broadcast came several hours after the monarch waved to a large crowd of onlookers who traditionally gather to see the royal family attend Christmas Day services at a church on Sandringham, the estate on the windswept North Sea coast that has served as a family retreat for generations. The king walked with Queen Camilla as his eldest son, Prince William, Kate and their three children followed. The kings daughter-in-law, who has slowly returned to public duties after completing chemotherapy, hugged a cancer patient after the service. Two of Charles siblings, Anne, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, were also in the procession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably absent at St. Mary Magdalene Church was Prince Andrew. The kings 64-year-old brother has retreated further into the shadows amid news that a Chinese businessman had been barred from the U.K. because of concerns he cultivated links with Andrew on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. Andrew, once second in line to the British throne, has become a constant source of tabloid fodder because of his money woes and links to questionable characters, including the late American financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Even after stepping back from public duties, Andrew has continued to appear at family events and his absence from Sandringham suggests a further retreat from the public eye. The king has been under pressure to distance Andrew from the royal family to avoid further embarrassment to the monarchy. While Andrew said he never discussed anything sensitive with the suspected Chinese spy and had ceased contact with the man as soon as concerns were raised, the scandal raises further questions about his judgment and distracts from the work of the royal family, said Ed Owens, author of After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason why this is a problem for the king is simply that the king is trying to rebrand the monarchy at the moment, centering its focus around him, but also around William, Catherine, what they are trying to do, Owens said. Its been a very difficult year for the monarchy, not least because of the two cancer diagnoses. And all the positive headlines that the king has been trying to generate of late, unfortunately, are overshadowed by the behavior, the reckless behavior, of his younger brother, who once again finds himself in the headlines. The kings Christmas speech is the third since he ascended the throne after Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, but the first since he was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February. The monarch's holiday message is watched by millions of people in the U.K. and across the Commonwealth, with many households timing Christmas lunch around it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The kings treatment, which is believed to be ongoing, forced him to step away from public appearances for two months. He has slowly returned to public life in recent months and was in good spirits on a tour of Australia and the South Pacific in October. A few weeks after Charles began treatment, the Princess of Wales announced her own cancer diagnosis, which sidelined her for much of the year. In a voiceover for her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, which was recorded this month but broadcast on Tuesday evening, Kate also reflected on the love and support that she received. The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others, she said. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles spoke at the Fitzrovia Chapel in central London, which was part of the now-demolished Middlesex Hospital where his first wife, Diana, opened Londons first dedicated ward for those with AIDS. The king had tasked the team organizing the broadcast with finding a site away from the royal estate, and one with health connections, a strong community presence and a place of solace and reflection for those with or without faith. Its a rare occasion when the monarchs Christmas message is not recorded at a royal residence, notably Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. The last time his late mother recorded her message outside the royal estate was in 2006. Charles also paid his respect to World War II troops who perished on the beaches of northern France as well as the few remaining veterans, many of them centenarians, who attended the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it was an enormous privilege to meet the remarkable veterans of that very special generation who gave of themselves so courageously on behalf of us all but that the specter of war was haunting the world this Christmas. During previous commemorations, we were able to console ourselves with the thought that these tragic events seldom happen in the modern era, he said. But on this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere pose a daily threat to so many peoples lives and livelihoods. On the domestic front, the king expressed his deep sense of pride for communities that came together after riots broke out in many towns and cities in the summer following a stabbing rampage at a dance class that left three girls dead and several wounded. Contact us at letters@time.com. King Charles III has used his Christmas message to hail the efforts of healthcare workers and all those who support others, praising the medical staff who provided strength, care and comfort during his and the Princess of Wales cancer treatments. In his third Christmas address, the 76-year-old British sovereign spoke of how all of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical. The degree to which we help one another - and draw support from each other, be we people of faith or of none - is a measure of our civilization as nations, he added, as footage showed the sovereign and his wife Queen Camilla visiting a cancer treatment center in London back in April as he returned to public-facing duties after his own diagnosis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the King spoke about the royal family meeting and listening to those who dedicate their lives to helping others, William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, were seen in a video from October talking with emergency responders who were called out to the fatal stabbings in Southport, northwest England, over the summer. King Charles, whose message was filmed at a former hospital chapel in central London, said he was thinking especially of the many thousands of professionals and volunteers here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth who, with their skills and out of the goodness of their heart, care for others - often at some cost to themselves. The annual festive broadcast is generally recorded at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. But this year the British monarch opted for an external location with links to the medical community to reflect the themes of his message. Charles decision marked the first time in over a decade that the address has not been filmed on the royal estate. The last message recorded outside a royal residence was in 2006 when the late Queen Elizabeth II recorded her message at Southwark Cathedral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The King expressed his gratitude to the medical teams who helped him and his family this year. From a personal point of view, I offer special heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who this year have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed, he said. I am deeply grateful too to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement. King Charles revealed in February that he had been diagnosed with cancer and started treatment in London. A palace source told CNN last week that his treatment has been moving in a positive direction and will continue into next year. Kate said in September that she had completed chemotherapy, six months after sharing her cancer diagnosis, and would be making a phased return to her public duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan, the King said that on this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere pose a daily threat to so many peoples lives and livelihoods. He also spoke of the humanitarian organizations working tirelessly to bring vital relief and pointed to the Gospels which speak so vividly of conflict and teach the values with which we can overcome it. King Charles and Camilla are spending the holiday at Sandringham, a country estate in rural Norfolk about 100 miles north of London, where 45 members of the family are expected to be gathering for Christmas Day. Earlier Wednesday, the Windsors attended the traditional Christmas Day service on the estate. Many royal fans, some wearing Christmas hats, waited for hours to watch as the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children joined King Charles and Camilla on a walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church. Britain's King Charles, Queen Camilla, Britain's William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte walk to a Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene's church at the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2024. - Toby Melville/Reuters Catherine, Princess of Wales, greets people gathered outside St. Mary Magdalene's church to see the royal family on December 25, 2024. - Toby Melville/Reuters One royal who did not join the clans Christmas gathering at the private Norfolk estate this year was Prince Andrew who hit the headlines again in recent weeks over his links to an alleged Chinese spy. The Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, were expected to spend the day together at their Royal Lodge home in Windsor Great Park, according to multiple British media reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Kings festive message, he reflected on his trip to Samoa in October, where he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting - his first as head of the organization. During the biennial summit, Britain faced renewed calls from some members to pay compensation for its historical role in slavery. Across the Commonwealth, we are held together by a willingness to listen to each other, to learn from one another, and to find just how much we have in common, Charles said. Because, through listening, we learn to respect our differences, to defeat prejudice, and to open up new possibilities. In the United Kingdom, he also hailed community cohesion in the wake of violent riots sparked after three girls were killed and ten injured in a stabbing attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July. He expressed his deep sense of pride at how people came together not to repeat these behaviors, but to repair. To repair not just buildings, but relationships. And, most importantly, to repair trust; by listening and, through understanding, deciding how to act for the good of all, he said, as footage showed the cleaning up operation with residents sweeping streets and clearing bricks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broadcast ended with a rendition of Once in Royal Davids City sung by Inner Voices, a London-based youth choir with video overlaid showing highlights of the royal family conducting engagements over the past 12 months. The monarchs speech is a tradition going back 90 years. The first Christmas message was broadcast over the radio in 1932 by George V. It wasnt until Elizabeth II in 1957 when it was first televised and is now a staple element for many Britons and one of the most watched programs on Christmas Day. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com King Charles and Queen Camilla led the royal family's annual Christmas walk for the third year after an especially difficult 2024 that saw both the King, 76, and Kate Middleton diagnosed with cancer. Charles publicly announced his diagnosis on Feb. 5, and Kate, 42, released a video message on March 22 announcing her own diagnosis. The types and stages of their respective cancers have not been made public, though the palace did confirm that the Kings cancer was not prostate cancer, following his January procedure for a benign enlarged prostate. On Sept. 9, the Princess of Wales announced that her chemotherapy treatment had ended, while the Kings cancer treatment is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "His treatment has been moving in a positive direction and as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year," palace sources confirmed on Dec. 20. Victoria Jones/Shutterstock Queen Camilla and King Charles lead the royal family's walk to church in Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Queen Camilla and King Charles lead the royal family's walk to church in Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Related: King Charles Filmed Christmas Speech in Former Hospital Chapel, a Surprise Move After 'Brutal' Year King Charles showed his sense of humor during his final royal engagement before Christmas on Dec. 19, joking, "I'm still alive" when asked how he was doing. The outing comes a few weeks after Camilla was forced to miss several planned royal engagements due to an ongoing chest infection that she later revealed was a form of pneumonia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The royal couple was accompanied by several family members as they made their way to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate, where the family traditionally spends the holiday each December. The annual walk sees members of the royal family interacting with the public and is a staple in the royal diary each year. Joining the King and Queen, 77, for the Christmas walk this year were Kate, her husband Prince William, 42, and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, their children Lady Louise Windsor, 21, James, Earl of Wessex, 17, Princess Anne, her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Anne's children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips and their families also stepped out. OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Kate Middleton, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George walk to church in Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Kate Middleton, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George walk to church in Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Absent from the annual occasion was the Kings younger son, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan Markle, who were not invited to the family gathering and are thought to be celebrating the holiday in the U.S. with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Also missing from the walk is Prince Andrew, who is not spending Christmas at Sandringham as he did last year amid his connection to an alleged Chinese spy. Sarah Ferguson, who was present for Christmas at Sandringham in 2023 for the first time since the 1990s, was also not present. Their younger daughter, Princess Eugenie, chose to spend the holiday with her in-laws, while older sister Princess Beatrice, who is expecting her second child, had planned to join her in-laws in Italy but was advised by her doctors to avoid travel during this stage of her pregnancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Princess Beatrice, her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and his son Christopher Woolf, 8, joined the royals for the walk to church on Christmas. The couple's daughter Sienna, 3, wasn't spotted. OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Christopher Woolf, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Christopher Woolf, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. A new addition to Christmas at Sandringham is expected to be Camillas son Tom Parker Bowles, who said earlier this month, My mum said, Id love you to come. I havent had Christmas with you for a long time. I genuinely know nothing about it, he said of Christmas at Sandringham. But I know theres a turkey and sprouts and church. And I have to bring a suit and a dinner jacket. Related: Prince William Reveals Rare Details About Royal Family's Private Christmas Party: 'It Will Be Noisy' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Prince William shared rare details about the royal familys Christmas plans during a visit with soldiers and their families in Bulford, Wiltshire on Dec. 10, revealing Well be in Norfolk, at Sandringham. Well be 45 for Christmas. It wont be quiet, it will be noisy. The annual Sandringham gathering on Christmas Eve includes the traditional exchange of inexpensive gag gifts on Dec. 24 and the procession on Dec. 25 from Sandringham House to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the estate. After greeting the public, theyll return to Sandringham for a Christmas lunch that includes a traditional feast of turkey, glazed ham, roasted potatoes, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding, after which they will view the Kings annual Christmas speech, which airs at 3 p.m. U.K. time each year. Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Lady Louise Windsor, James Wessex, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and more royals walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Lady Louise Windsor, James Wessex, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and more royals walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: The Royal Family's Christmas Morning Walk in Sandringham: Look Back at the Most Memorable Moments Charles has always been very, very fond of Sandringham, royal biographer Ingrid Seward previously told PEOPLE. Christmas within any family is always about tradition. He will keep it the same as it ever was. 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! Of the Christmas walk tradition specifically, Prince William previously said that the cornerstone of Christmas Day for the royal family is a walk that my family have done for many, many years on the way to church on Christmas Day. It must be at least 25 years by now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have strong memories of walking down here, and my grandfather [Prince Philip], he used to walk so fast that thered be huge gaps and spaces between all of us walking down, and thered be us at the back with little legs trying to keep up, William continued. You know, I think over time you start to feel quite attached to those moments and those memories before. Read the original article on People A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said. Check out rescue and search work at the crash site. #AirCrash #Aktau King Charles reflected on the royal family's challenging 2024 in his annual Christmas speech, following a year in which both he and his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton were diagnosed with cancer. On Wednesday, Dec. 25, King Charles delivered his annual Christmas address, continuing the longstanding tradition with a significant change in setting. For the first time in 18 years, the monarch's speech was filmed outside of a royal residence, choosing instead to record it at Fitzrovia Chapel, the former chapel of Middlesex Hospital in London. The chapel's poignant history added a personal touch to the broadcast. "I am speaking to you today from the Chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital in London now itself a vibrant Community space and thinking especially of the many thousands of professionals and volunteers here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth who, with their skills and out of the goodness of their heart, care for others - often at some cost to themselves," the King said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed. I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement." Victoria Jones/Shutterstock King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attending the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024 King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attending the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024 The King's Christmas speech, which was broadcast following the royal family's annual walk to church in Sandringham, comes at the close of what Prince William described as "brutal" year, with both his father, Charles, and wife, Kate, facing cancer diagnoses. King Charles' treatment is ongoing and will continue into the new year. According to palace sources, "His treatment has been moving in a positive direction and as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year." Meanwhile, Princess Kate, 42, is slowly resuming royal duties after revealing in March that she was undergoing chemotherapy. In September, she shared an update that she completed chemo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere in the speech, Charles shared his thoughts on the importance of compassion and community amid difficult times. "All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical," he said. "The degree to which we help one another and draw support from each other, be we people of Faith or of none - is a measure of our civilization as Nations. This is what continually impresses me, as my family and I meet with, and listen to, those who dedicate their lives to helping others." Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attending the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024 King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attending the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024 He also reflected on ongoing global conflicts, expressing empathy for those enduring the effects of war and violence, saying, "On this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict - in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere - pose a daily threat to so many peoples lives and livelihoods. "We also think of the humanitarian organizations working tirelessly to bring vital relief. After all, the Gospels speak so vividly of conflict and teach the values with which we can overcome it. The example that Jesus gave us is timeless and universal. It is to enter the world of those who suffer, to make a difference to their lives and so bring hope where there is despair." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reference to the violent riots that shook the U.K. earlier this year, as well as the mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class in Southport, England, which claimed the lives of three children, he said: "I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when, in response to anger and lawlessness in several towns this summer, communities came together, not to repeat these behaviors but to repair. To repair not just buildings, but relationships. And, most importantly, to repair trust; by listening and, through understanding, deciding how to act for the good of all." OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attending the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024 King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attending the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024 In closing, the King remarked: "The message of the angels to the shepherds - that there should be peace on Earth - in fact echoes through all faiths and philosophies. It rings true to this day for people of goodwill across the world. And so it is with this in mind that I wish you, and all those you love, a most joyful and peaceful Christmas." In a further nod to charity, the festive Christmas tree that appeared behind the King in the address was adorned with sustainable decorations and was later donated to the Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support's "Can You C Me?" project, where it will be displayed at the Royal Trinity Hospice in Clapham. Queen Camilla has supported the hospice as its patron since 2006, and the King is a longtime patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, having visited the Macmillan Cancer Centre earlier this year for his first royal engagement following his cancer diagnosis. In his first Christmas speech delivered on Dec. 25, 2022 the King paid tribute to his beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth, who died three months prior and who was so closely associated with the yearly tradition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His first address was poignantly filmed at St. Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle, where Queen Elizabeth and her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, are buried. Related: How King Charles Remembered Queen Elizabeth in His First Christmas Speech Queen Elizabeth poses for a photo after she recorded her annual Christmas Day message, in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in a picture released on Dec. 24, 2018 in London, United Kingdom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kings speech was a break from tradition, as Queen Elizabeth typically filmed her speech at Buckingham Palace, seated at a desk and surrounded by framed photos of royal family members. Of his first speech, a former palace staffer told PEOPLE at the time, This first year, he will feel the pressure to get it right. Every nuance will be picked over. Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty King Charles during the recording of his first Christmas broadcast in the Quire of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, on Dec. 13, 2022 in Windsor, England The King, 76, broke tradition again in his second Christmas speech, delivered on Dec. 25, 2023. For that speech, Charles stood beside a living tree for the very first time, a nod to his ongoing environmental efforts. This time, the message was delivered from Buckingham Palace. Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool /Getty King Charles poses during the recording of his Christmas message at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 7, 2023 in London, England King Charles poses during the recording of his Christmas message at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 7, 2023 in London, England Related: King Charles Continues Royal Tradition with His Second Christmas Speech Here's What He Said The annual Christmas speech is a yearly staple for those in the U.K. (and royal fans around the world!) to gather around the TV to watch the address, which, while first televised in 1957, was first delivered by King George V in 1932. That said, the annual broadcast didnt take place in 1936 after King Edward VIIIs abdication, nor in 1938 (when King George VI didnt give an address) or 1969 (when Queen Elizabeth shared a written message instead after feeling there had been enough television appearances for one year following Prince Charles investiture as Prince of Wales and the documentary Royal Family that aired that year). 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! In what would become her final Christmas message delivered on Dec. 25, 2021 Queen Elizabeth mourned the death of her husband, Prince Philip, the April prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Although it's a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year, especially, I understand why," she said in her speech. "But for me, in the months since the death of my beloved Philip, I have drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work from around the country, the Commonwealth and the world," the Queen continued. "His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irrepressible. That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him. "But life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings; and as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas," she said. By the next Christmas, the two would be reunited. A former palace staffer previously said of Queen Elizabeths many Christmas addresses that "She was a one-take wonder she was extraordinary. Read the original article on People By Michael Holden and Sachin Ravikumar LONDON (Reuters) - King Charles thanked the medics who have cared for him and his daughter-in-law Kate, after they both underwent treatment for cancer this year, in a Christmas Day message that touched on global conflicts and the summer's riots in Britain. In his third Christmas TV broadcast since becoming king, Charles struck an unusually personal tone for the royal seasonal message, a tradition that dates back to a radio speech by George V in 1932. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The year has been traumatic for the royals after Buckingham Palace said in February the 76-year-old had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer detected in tests after a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate. A month later, Kate, the wife of his son and heir Prince William, said she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer that concluded in September. William has said the year has been brutal for the family. "All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical," Charles, who became king in 2022 after the death of Queen Elizabeth, said. His words were accompanied by footage of a visit he made to a cancer treatment centre on returning to public duties in April and of one of Kate's first engagements when she resumed working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From a personal point of view, I offer special heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who this year have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed," Charles said. "I am deeply grateful too to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement," he said in the pre-recorded broadcast that was filmed at an ornate chapel of a former London hospital. Last week, a palace source said the king's treatment was progressing well and would continue into next year. Earlier on Wednesday, Charles was joined by his family, including Kate, William and their children, for a traditional church service on his Sandringham estate in eastern England. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles' brother Prince Andrew, who was embroiled in another scandal this month when a close business associate was banned from Britain over government suspicions he was a Chinese agent, was a notable absentee from the royal get-together. DIVERSITY A STRENGTH The king spoke about nationwide riots, which broke out following the murder in July of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed event in northern England, and mainly targeted mosques and immigrants. "Diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provide strength, not weakness", he said. "I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when in response to anger and lawlessness in several towns this summer, communities came together not to repeat these behaviours, but to repair, to repair not just buildings, but relationships," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles also referenced ongoing wars. "On this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, in central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere, pose a daily threat to so many people's lives and livelihoods," he said. (Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Barbara Lewis) King Charles III used his annual Christmas address to thank the medical workers who have provided care for the royal family and hailed the humanitarian workers tirelessly providing aid to those engulfed in conflict around the world. The 76-year-old British monarch delivered his speech from Fitzrovia Chapel, a community space in London and a former hospital chapel, circumventing tradition as typically monarchs deliver their holiday remarks from a castle or a palace. From a personal point of view, I offer special heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who this year have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed, Charles said during his nearly seven-minute speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year has presented a bevy of health challenges for the royal family. Charles, who ascended to the throne in 2022, was diagnosed with cancer and has been getting treatment ever since, Buckingham Palace said in early February this year. A month later, Charless daughter-in-law Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was found to have cancer. I am deeply grateful too to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement, Charles said. Charles also spoke about those suffering in wars around the world, including in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. But on this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere pose a daily threat to so many peoples lives and livelihoods, the monarch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also think of the humanitarian organizations working tirelessly to bring vital relief, he 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. NEW YORK (NewsNation) Attorneys for the suspect accused of burning a woman to death on a New York subway are gearing up for a possible insanity defense. New York City police have arrested a man on murder and arson charges in the death of a woman who was set on fire inside a subway train early Sunday morning. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, was arrested Monday after being taken into custody the previous day. Hes charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and arson. It is unclear if Zapeta-Calil has an attorney and when he would be arraigned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Local News Immigration officials say Zapeta-Calil, who is from Guatemala, had been deported in 2018 and didnt have permission to be in the U.S. Zapeta-Calil is currently being held at Brooklyn Central Brooking. It is unclear when and where Zapeta reentered the U.S. Heres what else is known so far. Defense may seek insanity plea: Source Zapeta-Calils attorneys are seeking a psychological evaluation, according to a source familiar with the investigation. The suspect was taken to Interfaith Medical Center Monday night; however, officials have not confirmed if he was given a psych evaluation. Police told me the victim had no identification on her and that they may need the victims dental records to identify her given the condition of the body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Brooklyn address listed for Zapeta-Calil released by police matches a service center for Samaritan Daytop Village, which provides housing and substance abuse support. The organization has not yet responded to NewsNations request to confirm whether Zapeta-Calil lived there or at a different facility. Woman severely burned, only teeth can ID her: NYPD The woman was asleep on a stopped F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn around 7:30 a.m. Sunday when the suspect set her clothing on fire, The New York Police Department said. Officers at the station reportedly smelled and saw smoke and observed the victim in the train car fully engulfed in flames, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The fire was extinguished, and the woman was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have not yet released her identity. Authorities said the victim was burned so badly that teeth will likely be needed to identify her, NewsNation WPIX reported. Teens help police find suspect Police say the suspect stayed on the scene and was seated on a bench on the platform outside the train car. Body-worn cameras from responding officers provided a detailed look at the suspect. After pictures of the suspect were released, three high school-age New Yorkers called 911 saying they saw and recognized him on a train at the York Street station, police say. Our officers at District 2 stopped that train at Herald Square and was able to keep the doors closed, walk the train, and place this very dangerous individual in custody. This is amazing work done by the public and the police working together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect had a lighter in his pocket, police say. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul this year has sent New York National Guard members to the citys subway system to help police conduct random searches of riders bags for weapons following a series of high-profile crimes on city trains. Hochul recently deployed additional members to help patrol during the holiday season. NewsNation affiliate WPIX and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The Czech company Skoda JS of the CEZ group has supplied eight new drives for the reactors of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) to Ukraine in complete secrecy. Source: Novinky, a Czech media outlet, as reported by Ukrinform Details: The leading European company completed delivery before Christmas and handed over eight new drives for two VVER 440 reactors. "Due to Russia's repeated attacks on energy infrastructure, we are reporting this only now, when we have delivered the last cargo to its destination," said Karel Samec, a spokesman for the engineering company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that the devices ensure stable operation of the reactor and allow it to be regulated, which will help ensure a stable supply of electricity to the war-torn country. Recently, UJV Rez, which is also part of the CEZ Group, manufactured and delivered a special cable to reinforce the reactor's protective building. It weighs 13 tonnes and measures 173 metres. According to the contract, Skoda JS shipped 76 drives to the Rivne NPP. Most of them have already been installed and are in operation. The remaining ones are ready to replace those that will complete their work. The value of the contract is not disclosed at the request of the customer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SKODA JS is currently the only manufacturer in the world that can supply this type of drive to Ukrainian nuclear power plants. The only other alternative manufacturer is Russia. The company expects to expand cooperation, including with the Pivdennoukrainsk (South Ukraine) NPP. SKODA JS is also actively working in connection with the already announced expansion plan for the Khmelnytskyi NPP. Background: The Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) has withdrawn the draft law on the construction of Khmelnytskyi NPP units from consideration. Support UP or become our patron! South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to appear before law enforcement authorities for questioning on Wednesday - the second time he has ignored a summons over his attempt to impose martial law. A joint investigation team, consisting of the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), and the Defence Ministry's investigation unit, sought Yoon's presence for questioning, the Yonhap news agency reported. However, Yoon did not appear at the CIO office in Gwacheon as requested, after he already failed to comply with a first summons last Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after South Korea's parliament voted to impeach Yoon in mid-December following his botched attempt to institute martial law. The move shocked the nation but was rescinded just hours later following massive public resistance. The opposition has accused Yoon of violating the constitution. Prime Minister Han Duck Soo assumed presidential duties until the Constitutional Court takes the final decision on whether to confirm Yoon's impeachment or declare it unconstitutional. The court has scheduled the start of the impeachment proceedings for December 27. It is unclear whether Yoon will appear in person at the hearing. Yoon has labelled his political opponents "anti-state forces" and has said that he had declared martial law to protect the nation. PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) Kosovos election appeals authority on Wednesday cancelled a ban on the main party of the ethnic Serb minority, allowing it to field candidates in the upcoming parliamentary election. The Electoral Panel for Complaints and Appeals decided that the party, Srpska Lista, or Serb List, has fulfilled the political terms to be certified for registration. The panel overturned a decision Monday by the Central Election Commission, which declined to certify the Srpska Lista party because of its nationalist stance and close ties to neighboring Serbia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel ruled that the commission's decision was contrary to the legal dispositions referring to the application and certification of the political subjects. Of the 10 seats reserved for the Serb minority in the 120-member parliament, Srspka Lista holds nine. It will put up 48 candidates for the parliamentary election on Feb. 9, expected to be a key test for Prime Minister Albin Kurti, whose governing party won in a landslide in the 2021. The original decision by the election commission was also opposed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who said Kurti is trying to root out the Serb people from (our) southern province. The Western powers also expressed their concern over the commission's decision, fearing it may further aggravate the already tense ties between Kosovo and Serbia, despite their efforts to normalize them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kosovo was a Serbian province until NATOs 78-day bombing campaign in 1999 ended a war between Serbian government forces and ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo, which left about 11,400 dead, mainly ethnic Albanians, and pushed Serbian forces out. Kosovo proclaimed independence in 2008, which Serbia doesnt recognize. Belgrade still considers Kosovo as its province and has a major influence on the Serb minority there. ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Kurdish militants in Syria will either lay down their weapons or "be buried", amid hostilities between Turkey-backed Syrian fighters and the militants since the fall of Bashar al-Assad this month. Following Assad's departure, Ankara has repeatedly insisted that the Kurdish YPG militia must disband, asserting that the group has no place in Syria's future. The change in Syria's leadership has left the country's main Kurdish factions on the back foot. "The separatist murderers will either bid farewell to their weapons, or they will be buried in Syrian lands along with their weapons," Erdogan told lawmakers from his ruling AK Party in parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will eradicate the terrorist organisation that is trying to weave a wall of blood between us and our Kurdish siblings," he added. Turkey views the Kurdish YPG militia - the main component of the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militia, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. The PKK is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Ankara has repeatedly called on its NATO ally Washington and others to stop supporting the YPG. Earlier, Turkey's defence ministry said the armed forces had killed 21 YPG-PKK militants in northern Syria and Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Reuters interview last week, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi acknowledged the presence of PKK fighters in Syria for the first time, saying they had helped battle Islamic State and would return home if a total ceasefire was agreed with Turkey, a core demand from Ankara. He denied any organisational ties with the PKK. Erdogan also said Turkey would soon open its consulate in Aleppo, and added Ankara expected an increase in traffic at its borders in the summer of next year, as some of the millions of Syrian migrants it hosts begin returning. (Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Writing by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Ece Toksabay and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers on Dec. 24 approved a resolution to simplify the procurement of domestically produced drones and electronic warfare (EW) equipment, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced. Umerov's announcement follows recent changes in the leadership and reporting structure of Ukraine's drone-buying initiative. The resolution establishes a permanent procedure for the procurement of domestically manufactured drones and EW equipment, Umerov said, ensuring a "faster, more transparent, more efficient" process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military commanders will now be able to purchase tactical-level drones and EW equipment without complicated bureaucratic approvals, Umerov said. Military units can also enter into preexisting agreements between procurement agencies and the Defense Ministry and Communications Service, Umerov said. This will allow units to access weapons more quickly and at competitive rates. "From now on, the military will be able to plan their needs more effectively, and manufacturers will be able to focus on technological development and scaling up production," Umerov said. Domestic drone development plays a key role in Ukraine's defense strategy. Currently, 90% of the drones the military uses on the battlefield are produced in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian government in April launched the Brave1 initiative to invest in defense tech companies developing EW and unmanned systems. Read also: A shake-up in Ukraines drone buying alarms corruption watchdogs Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Los Angeles County health officials are urging pet owners to avoid Northwest Naturals Brand 2lb Feline Turkey Recipe Raw & Frozen Pet Food after an Oregon house cat ate the recalled raw pet food and died from an H5N1 bird flu infection. The recalled products are sold in California and can be ordered from the brand's website. Samples of the product contained the virus. The food was packaged in 2-pound plastic bags with best if used by dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. County health officials are urging pet owners to dispose of the product if they have it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: More L.A. cats appear to be infected with H5N1 bird flu Authorities are also asking residents to look for signs of illness in their cats, especially if they have consumed raw meat or raw dairy products. If pet owners notice any symptoms such as listlessness, loss of appetite, severe depression, fever, difficulty breathing, neurological disease, respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, jaundice and death they should notify their veterinarian immediately. Health officials have confirmed H5N1 bird flu in four L.A. County house cats that consumed recalled raw milk and later got sick and died. The health department is also investigating three cases from another household. These cats were not known to have been exposed to raw milk; the health department is investigating other sources of infection, including raw meat. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ISTANBUL, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish army neutralized 20 members of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria, and one PKK member in northern Iraq, the Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday. In a statement on X, the ministry said the 20 "terrorists" were preparing an attack in the Euphrates Shield and Peace Spring areas of northern Syria. Since 2016, Turkiye has conducted anti-terror operations along its border with northern Syria to establish a YPG-free zone. These operations include Euphrates Shield in 2016, Olive Branch in 2018, and Peace Spring in 2019 and 2020. Turkiye considers the YPG to be the Syrian branch of the PKK. The PKK, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has been in rebellion against the Turkish government for over three decades. 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 Ollies 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The law, which went into effect last week, 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. 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. 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. But, she added, the extra steps will be costly for pet boarding facilities and owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. She said the department would be sending out reminders to kennels that they should house dogs of similar sizes together and monitor their behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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 Dec. 24SANDPOINT After a three-month vacation and rehab, Lake Pend Oreille's human-sized Statue of Liberty is back in place with a fresh sheen and ready for photo ops. The local landmark was taken down in August after a resident reported it leaning over. Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm told The Spokesman-Review it wasn't from vandalism, but because she "gets so much love." The parks department determined wear-and-tear led to structural failure of the base. She was reinstalled earlier this month to her pedestal at the end of a concrete pier at Sandpoint City Beach park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandpoint's Creative Design and Ingenuity, Inc. welded the repairs, and A-10 Autobody in Sagle gave the statue a fresh coat. "We appreciate everyone's patience during Lady Liberty's temporary absence, and we celebrate with all of our community members her grand return to City Beach," the city said in a statement. The statue was donated in 2003 in memory of Louise (Lee) Turner, a local businesswoman who had the statue in her backyard. Sandpoint residents Audrey Milch and Lawrence Blakey walked their dogs up to the statue Thursday to see the handiwork and snap a picture. "It's a great idea," Blakey said. "A good reminder of what she stands for." James Hanlon's reporting for The Spokesman-Review is funded in part by Report for America and by members of the Spokane community. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor. The Lake County Council approved a zoning change for a parcel of land in unincorporated Lake County for an energy storage facility. Tenaska, a Nebraska-based renewable energy company, has proposed a Longspur Energy Storage LLC facility on 35 acres of land near Indiana 2 and Clay Road, according to attorney Jim Wieser, who has been helping the company with its Lake County project. It would be the first project of its kind in the county. To begin development, Tenaska first had to request a rezoning of the Hebron property from agricultural to conditional development, Wieser said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project would include 300 megawatts of standalone battery storage capacity. NIPSCO will be interconnected to the grid, which will help the utility provide another source of energy, according to Wieser and a plan commission report. The storage facility would include small batteries stacked on top of each other, Wieser said. The batteries would then connect to a mainline for NIPSCO to utilize, he said. It enhances the whole energy grid, Wieser said. Its becoming very popular across the country. In the construction phase, the project would generate 70 jobs and then up to two full-time employees when the facility becomes operational. Once operational, the facility would generate $300 million for the county, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county plan commission approved the rezoning in October, Wieser said. While the plan commission discussed the rezoning, Wieser said some community members addressed the commission with concerns about the environment and trained first responders in the event of an accident at the site, he said. The environmental concerns were about the potential of lithium spilling from the batteries, Wieser said. Tanaska officials told the public at those meetings that its highly doubtful that the batteries would spill, but in the rare event it happened, the lithium inside the batteries would be different from the lithium found in home-use batteries in that it would cool faster, he said. Wieser said the Lowell fire chief addressed the commission to ensure that area first responders support the project and would coordinate to address any situation that would arise in the facility. The Lake County Council unanimously approved the rezoning on Dec. 10. Lake County Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake, said he supported the project because it had been thoroughly vetted by the plan commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With rezoning approval from the council, Wieser said the project now has to apply for a special exception. The county Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the special exception on Jan. 15, 2025. The rezoning approval was basically a special exception, Wieser said, so he doesnt foresee any holdups in the process moving forward. I am confident it will pass, Wieser said. akukulka@post-trib.com SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A beloved Hillcrest movie theater known for its slate of independent film screenings is set to close its doors next month after more than three decades in business. Landmark Hillcrest Cinema, the neighborhoods only movie theater, announced the closure in early January by way of a posted notice to patrons in the theaters lobby. According to the theaters website, no screenings are scheduled past Jan. 2 for the four movies currently playing at the theater Wicked, Queer, A Complete Unknown and Anora. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although it is also advertising an advanced screening of a yet-to-be-announced movie on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. as part of Landmarks first look series. Hillcrest unites to add security guards to streets FOX 5/KUSI has reached out to Landmark Cinemas parent company, Cohen Media Group, for more information on the closure, but did not receive a response. Located inside the Village Hillcrest shopping center, the five-plex cinema has been a bedrock of the mixed-use complex since it was built in 1991. Over the years, it has served as one of the only places in the region for cinephiles to see indie flicks and foreign language films on the silver screen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in 2017, the theater underwent extensive renovations, encompassing additions of then-new features like its lobby wine and beer bar and updates to its auditoriums. Since then however, as movie-watching habits changed, Landmark Cinemas has been left in dire financial straits. During the pandemic, the arthouse movie chain, which operates the Hillcrest theater, closed several of its locations, including the historic Ken Theater in Kensington. As the film industry publication Deadline reported, additional locations were at risk of closure as the chains parent company was subject to a foreclosure auction earlier this year, but no bidders were received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teens charged with hate crimes in connection to Hillcrest pellet gun attacks Following the announcement of the theaters closure, there has been an outpouring of grief from Hillcrest community members who frequented the cinema on social media. Absolute [loss] for San Diego, one Instagram user wrote in the comments of a post on the closure by the community advocacy group, Vibrant Uptown, last week. This was one of the last cinemas specializing and prioritizing arthouse films. Devastating. Like many people I will miss the Landmark Cinema which has been a Hillcrest anchor for 30 years, another user wrote. Ive seen many Oscar-nominated movies there as well as the quirky independent films. Thanks for the memories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) In a calendar rarity, Hanukkah starts this year on Christmas Day and while a time for celebration, many in the Jewish community are still reeling from the impacts of the Hamas attacks. It has been more than a year since the Hamas attacks started on Oct. 7, 2023. Rabbi Sanford Akselrad is the spiritual leader of the congregation for Ner Tamid, a Jewish Synagogue in Henderson. He has focused on providing support for those in need by fundraising, bringing in different speakers, and praying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This particular year, we have seen a tremendous rise in antisemitism in our community and throughout the world, Rabbi Akselrad explained. Weve had people whose family members were taken hostage. Weve had people who had talked about the nature of terrorism and what Israel has been up against, at the same time I made a mission in February following October and I went to some of those sites that were impacted in the south, the Kibbutzim where the damage was done. The holiday spirit has been hard to come by from some in the Jewish community experiencing antisemitism and Rabbi Akselrad said this Hanukkah provides a renewed sense of meaning and solidarity The theme of that holiday of Hanukkah is a fight for religious freedom, first recorded fight for religious freedom and so it resembles Jewish resilience, courage, and pride and those three themes are still important today, Rabbi Akselrad remarked. In fact, one of the great commandments is to take your menorah and place it in your window sill and the idea is that we publicize the fact that were Jews and were proud to be Jewish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rabbi Akselrad invites everyone this holiday season to come together and call for attention during these difficult times. We just hope people support the Jewish community in general. That they show no tolerance for antisemitism or hate against our people or any people for that matter, added Rabbi Akselrad. That they understand whats going on in the Middle East is very complex and layered and their ability to learn about whats going on is very important because its a passionate issue, not just for the Jewish community, but our country as we look for a way to find peace in the Middle East. Hanukkah starts on Dec. 25 and there will be public menorah lightings across the valley, including a menorah lights ceremony hosted by Clark County on Monday, Dec. 30 at 4:30 p.m. at the rotunda Clark County government center. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) Pakistans airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan killed 46 people, mostly women and children, a Taliban government official said Wednesday, raising fears of further straining relations between the two neighbors. Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Afghan government, said those killed in the strikes that targeted four locations in Barmal, a district in the province of Paktika, were refugees, adding that six others were also wounded. This comes a day after Pakistani security officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with regulations, told The Associated Press that Tuesdays operation was to dismantle a training facility and kill insurgents in Paktika. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Wednesday, Mohammad Khurasani, the spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed in a statement that 50 people, including 27 women and children, died in the strikes. He said they were "unarmed refugees" who fled to Afghanistan because of Pakistans offensive in the northwest. The TTP a separate group but also a close ally of the Afghan Taliban also shared photos, alleging they were of children killed during the Pakistani operation. The strikes came hours after Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistans special representative for Afghanistan, traveled to Kabul to discuss a range of issues. Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry in Kabul summoned the Pakistani envoy and lodged a strong protest over the strikes by Pakistan's military. In a statement, it said while a representative of the civilian government of Pakistan was busy in talks with the Afghan officials, the strikes were carried out by Pakistani forces to "create mistrust in the relations between the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said Kabul will not accept the violation of the countrys territory under any circumstances, and the country is ready to defend its independence and territory and "such irresponsible actions will definitely have consequences. Pakistan has not commented on the latest strikes. However, the Pakistani military said Wednesday that security forces killed 13 insurgents in an intelligence-based operation in South Waziristan, a district located along eastern Afghanistans Paktika province. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised Pakistans brave security force in a statement for thwarting the nefarious designs of terrorists." He didn't mention the Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan The Taliban Defense Ministry denounced the attacks on Tuesday and promised retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, the situation along the shared border seemed to be business as usual. However, security analysts say the TTP could launch retaliatory attacks in Pakistan. Syed Muhammad Ali, an Islamabad-based security analyst, said heavy casualties suffered by Pakistan due to TTP attacks prompted the military to target insurgents in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan's patience has finally run out as its diplomatic efforts aimed at persuading the Afghan Taliban to rein in TTP yielded no result. Pakistan has seen innumerable militant attacks in the past two decades but there has been an uptick in recent months. The latest was this weekend when at least 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed when the TTP attacked a checkpoint in the countrys northwest. Pakistani officials have accused the Taliban of not doing enough to combat militant activity across the border, a charge the Afghan Taliban government denies, saying it does not allow anyone to carry out attacks against any country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North and South Waziristan are former strongholds of Pakistani Taliban, who have fled to Afghanistan. Tensions were at an all-high in March when Pakistan said intelligence-based strikes took place in the border regions inside Afghanistan. ___ Associated Press writers Rasool Dawar in Peshawar, Pakistan, and Ishtiaq Mahsud in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, contributed to this report. Between 24 February 2022 and the end of October 2024, Ukraine has retrieved the bodies of 184 Ukrainians who died in Russian captivity, including 169 military and 15 civilians. Source: Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR), citing the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War Details: MIHR notes that the actual number of deceased prisoners is likely significantly higher. The organisation has collected testimonies from 122 Ukrainian soldiers who were held captive in Russia. These accounts describe systematic torture, isolation from the outside world and the lack of adequate medical care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "There are still many Ukrainian defenders in Russian captivity who have been there since the first months of the great war, i.e., more than 30 months. Russia does not allow monitoring mission representatives, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, to visit them. It does not inform Ukraine about the deterioration of their health or death. All of these are gross violations of the Geneva Conventions." Details: Documented evidence also highlights numerous cases of prisoner deaths caused by inhumane conditions and torture in detention facilities. Among the 169 military personnel who died in captivity and whose bodies were returned to Ukraine, 55 died from explosions at the Olenivka penal colony. Background: The UNs Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine uncovered new evidence of Russia's torture of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war in the occupied territories. The findings indicate that Russian forces are operating in a coordinated manner across all torture chambers and regularly commit acts of sexual violence. A report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights indicates that Russian forces systematically torture and mistreat Ukrainian POWs. Torture methods include beatings, electric shocks, sexual violence, suffocation, forced prolonged tension, forced excessive physical exertion, sleep deprivation, mock executions and threats. Ukraines Prosecutor Generals Office reported that the number of executions of Ukrainian POWs by Russian forces has increased over the past year, suggesting these are not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate policy by Russia. Support UP or become our patron! Dec. 25 (UPI) -- At least 21 people have died since Monday due to political unrest in Mozambique as a political opposition leader vows to become president after losing in questionable elections. Violent encounters between police and protesters led to deaths and more than 70 arrests since Monday, when the Mozambique Constitutional Council affirmed the contested Oct. 9 election results, The New York Times reported. Vanancio Mondlane is the leader of the opposition to the status quo Frelimo Party, which has maintained political control of Mozambique for 49 years and prevailed in the recent elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mozambican Constitutional Council on Monday declared the Frelimo Party candidate Daniel Chapo the winner of the elections, which triggered protests by Mondlane's supporters. The council officially recognized Chapo as the winner with 65.2% of the vote to Mondlane's 24%, but Mondlane and his supporters say the election was rigged. A demonstrator wearing a mask takes part in a protest in Maputo, Mozambique, on Dec. 4 after political unrest erupted following the nation's Oct. 9 election that protesters say was rigged. Photo by Luisa Nhantumbo/EPA-EFE The council earlier said Chapo won 71% of the vote to Mondlane's 20%. Mondlane challenged the result, which led to Monday's official declaration by the Constitutional Council after two months of unrest. Students march against the October election results in Maputo, Mozambique, on Dec. 4. as the Mozambican capital was once again taken over by barricades, burning tires and vehicles in ongoing post-election protests that resulted in more than 100 deaths since Oct. 9. Photo by Luisa Nhantumbo/EPA-EFE Mondlane has said he will install himself as president on Jan. 15 despite officially losing the Oct. 9 elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondlane has sought exile in an unknown location and on Tuesday used a Facebook live broadcast to reject the council's finding and tell his supporters he we will make himself the president on Jan. 15, which is the date Chapo is scheduled to be sworn into office. He also urged his supporters to reject violence. "We are with the people," Mondlane said. "We do not advocate any form of violence." Current President Filipe Nyusi is leaving office after serving two terms as Mozambique's president. Mondlane's supporters have engaged in political protests that have resulted in more than 100 deaths throughout Mozambique since the Oct. 9 election result initially was announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rights groups say Mozambique's security forces are responsible for many of the deaths, but police commander Bernadino Rafael said his men only have defended themselves when attacked by protesters. U.S. officials say Mondlane and his supporters have a legitimate concern over the announced election results. "Civil society organizations, political parties, the media, and international observers, including those from the United States, cited significant irregularities in the tabulation process, as well as concern about the lack of transparency throughout the election period," U.S. Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said Monday in a press release. "The United States calls on all stakeholders to refrain from violence and engage in meaningful collaboration to restore peace and foster unity," Miller said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Those responsible for violations of human rights, including the killing of protesters and party officials and excessive use of force by security forces, must be held accountable," Miller added. He said Mozambicans "deserve elections that are free of violence and that reflect the will of the people." Mozambique is located between South Africa and Tanzania along Africa's southeastern coast. This man also took the view that the symbol of Christianity was a symbol of savagery and all unreason. His history is rather amusing. It is also a perfect allegory of what happens to rationalists like yourself. He began, of course, by refusing to allow a crucifix in his house, or round his wifes neck, or even in a picture. He said, as you say, that it was an arbitrary and fantastic shape, that it was a monstrosity, loved because it was paradoxical. Then he began to grow fiercer and more eccentric; he would batter the crosses by the roadside; for he lived in a Roman Catholic country. Finally in a height of frenzy he climbed the steeple of the Parish Church and tore down the cross, waving it in the air, and uttering wild soliloquies up there under the stars. Then one still summer evening as he was wending his way homewards, along a lane, the devil of his madness came upon him with a violence and transfiguration which changes the world. He was standing smoking, for a moment, in the front of an interminable line of palings, when his eyes were opened. Not a light shifted, not a leaf stirred, but he saw as if by a sudden change in the eyesight that this paling was an army of innumerable crosses linked together over hill and dale. And he whirled up his heavy stick and went at it as if at an army. Mile after mile along his homeward path he broke it down and tore it up. For he hated the cross and every paling is a wall of crosses. When he returned to his house he was a literal madman. He sat upon a chair and then started up from it for the crossbars of the carpentry repeated the intolerable image. He flung himself upon a bed only to remember that this, too, like all workmanlike things, was constructed on the accursed plan. He broke his furniture because it was made of crosses. He burnt his house because it was made of crosses. He was found in the river. G.K. Chesterton The inverted cross is the sign of our timesnot because it stands for some kind of serious evil but because it stands for unserious evil: shallow, sophomoric, self-indulgent, and, above all, derivative. It has no powerand no contentof its own, only that which it borrows. Its fundamental character is parasitic. It can be deployed as a simple insult, or as satire or parody, but never reaches anything higher or more interesting than that. And the great limitation of satire is that its power dissipates when knowledge of the thing being satirized fades. The annihilating kind of satire or parody is a joke on a suicide mission. It cannot live on its own; it requires a host organism. And the one it hasour cultureis not in especially good health. We may live in a society that thinks of itself as morally and intellectually post-Christian (though it is no such thing), but aesthetically we remain fascinated bypractically hostage toChristianity, its images and its stories. Popular culture from television to film and pop music to best-selling novels to fashion to journalism to supposedly high art from generation to generation seems to do little else but recycle Christian imagery. Andy Warhol, a genuinely original genius, was up to his wig in Christian imagery, but, then, so are banal cabaret artists such as Madonna and Donald Trump. Political propagandists and power-worshippers have simply occupied Christian churches, as in the French Revolution and its Cult of Reason, or built mock cathedrals to their causes, or appointed themselves the heads of their churches, as Henry VIII did and Charles III has, carrying on the tradition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Esquire wanted to depict Muhammad Ali as a martyr, the art director did not borrow an image of Yasir ibn Amirhe made the great boxer into St. Sebastian.* Dan Brown didnt make his private-jet money typing illiterate imbecility about imagery associated with Marxism or feminism or Unitarian Universalism or Jungian psychoanalysis. If you want to make that Godfather money, that Exorcist money, that Star Wars money, you dip into the well of Christianity. And maybe you dont think too hard about why that well seems to be bottomless. You can keep cashing the checks without ever having to figure that out. That is not a matter of religious belief or of religious self-identificationit is a matter of civilization. At a critical moment in the Harry Potter books, the hero visits the grave of his parents, upon which is engraved a line from 1 Corinthians: The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Which is natural, as J.K. Rowling explained: Theyre very British books. It is not a matter of mere happenstance that very British goes along with the New Testament rather than with Confucius or the Bhagavad-Gita or the Koran. Very American remains a close cousin of very British, of course, and so GQ went with St. Sebastian and not with a great Islamic martyrno one in its intended audience would have understood the latter reference. And, speaking of GQ, none of this Christendom-mining even requires basic religious literacy: Writing in that esteemed fashion magazine about the Star Wars prequels, Joshua Rivera describes the virgin birth of Anakin Skywalker as an immaculate conception, a phrase referring to a Catholic doctrine that has nothing at all to do with the virgin birth of Jesus. It may never have been quite true that the Golden Age of Hollywood was a case of a Jewish-owned business selling Catholic theology to Protestant America (the original source of the witticism is disputed), but it surely is the case that today a very large chunk of our pop-culture industry comprises religiously illiterate, ask-me-about-my-pronouns secular-minded types whose senses are arrested by religious habits, the saints and martyrs, the Eucharist, visions of Heaven and (especially!) Hell, monasteries, stained-glass windows, Latin phrases engraved in stone, celibacy, angels, crucifixions, etc. In a similar way, I do not credit the idea that these angry Christopher (Who-topher?) Hitchens types are in any genuine sense atheists. A genuine atheist should be either indifferent or maybe a touch regretful. Our so-called atheists are more like the maniac in The Ball and the Crossthey cannot stop thinking about Christianity and see Christian influence everywhere, especially where it isnt. (It will be amusing once they figure out that about half of the prominent placenames in these United States are explicitly Christian in origin, from Providence, Rhode Island, to San Francisco, California.) No, these so-called atheists are not non-believersthey believe, hard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a reason they insist on replacing A.D. with CE, as though that would somehow change the fact that we number our very years from the life of Christ.* That isnt disbelief: That is fanatical belief. For a point of comparison: I myself do not believe in astrology, and I think it is profoundly silly and just a little irritating that the Washington Post publishes columns by people who want to lecture me about believing in science while also publishing horoscopes, but the day I start a committee for the purpose of suppressing the publication of horoscopes, youll know that I have finally cracked. I do not believe in astrology and, discerning no power in it, do not obsess about it. The pagan world, which still has a little juice in it, lives on in the background, and sometimes in the foreground: Washington, D.C., with its Augustan monuments to imperial power, is a much more thoroughly pagan city than Rome could ever hope to be. (If you want to see real atheists, you can find them in Rome, packed into the churches to gawk at the Caravaggios.) For years, Christian worship services were held in the U.S. Capitol, the dome of which is decorated on its interior with a painting of George Washington depicted as Jupiter and surrounded by Greco-Roman deities and deified American heroes. The American founders thought of themselves as the new Israelites, and, somewhere, Ramesses the Great is smiling as their descendants go about their political business in the shadow of the giant obelisk they built to commemorate the leader of their exodus. The pagan world retains some cultural cachet. Were still making gladiator movies, and there is a reason for that beyond traditional homoeroticism. There is some aesthetic power left in the Greco-Roman tradition. Photo by DK Fielding via Getty Images. But there is much greater power in Christianity, and so well spend at least part of this month fighting about the display of manger scenes in public spaces, or lamenting the vandalization of these scenes, or writing batty articles about why we should say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. And feelings get tender around these issues because of an uncomfortable reality that makes some good and decent people feel excluded: Of course this is a Christian nation, whatever Thomas Jefferson put in his letters. It is a Christian country not because we have a Christian state (we do not have one, do not require one, and should not desire one), but because it is the product of a Christian society and a Christian civilization. None of those ever stopped being what it is simply because a lot of very influential people stopped believing in the religion itself while most everybody else continued doing what Christians have done for most of their history, i.e., affirming their belief in the nice and encouraging parts of the gospel while continuing to live like pagans. (And not even Dantes virtuous pagansfar from it!) No, the Christian imprint on our society doesnt come from polling data about what the average American believes in the waning days of Anno Domini 2024, much less from the average Americans behavior. Nor does it come from what the Bill of Rights says or from what Ruth Bader Ginsburg said it says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tradition, G.K. Chesterton wrote, is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. Americans are uncomfortable with what that implies. The god of the American civic religion is something called Fairness, and Fairness requires that everybody be allowed to inhabit a world handcrafted ex nihilo to his specifications, a paradise in which no one is made to encounter or accommodate anything that is not of his own choosing or his own doing. The theologians project called theodicy consists of coming up with clever ways to pretend that Fairness and the God of floods and Egyptian plagues and Abraham and Isaac and all that blood and violence are basically the Same Guy. No one hates hereditary factsand Traditionas intensely as the adolescent, and it is useful to understand that it was American popular culture that invented the idea of the teenager and then concluded that the best thing in life was to be one of those and to keep being one forever. The teenage mind may want to turn the cross upside down in protest, or to vandalize it, or to repurpose it, or insist that those who take shelter under it take up this or that position about gay rights or war or abortion or progressive income-tax rates. The derivative mentality can do anything with the cross except ignore it. At one time, one might have made a persuasive argument that this was at least in part a defensive measure, because people who claimed to speak on behalf of the church or of the Christian tradition had a lot of power and wanted to use it to interfere in the lives of people who saw the world differently. But that has not been true for a long whilethe era of Jerry Falwell and his ilk has been over for some time. The modern equivalents of figures such as Falwell are churchmen such as Robert Jeffress, who have shown themselves much more willing to bend themselves and their churches to the demands of political power than to try to do the opposite. That old explanation will not do. Things have changed. Some people find it impossible to adjust to that new reality, which is how you get Slate reporting that the Federalist Societys Leonard Leo is an arch-Catholic billionaire political kingmaker when in fact he is a non-billionaire lawyer and nonprofit administrator whose organizations coffers were topped up with a $1.6 billion donation from Chicago businessman Barre Seid, whose background is Jewish. (Wrong conspiracy theory, guys!) The maniac in The Ball and the Cross ends up attacking roadside fences and his own furniture because there are crosses in the woodworkour version of that is fretting about how Opus Dei secretly runs the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traditionbut just a tradition? Because anything might become part of a tradition, as the persistence of pagan religious elements (Easter eggs, Christmas trees) in Christian cultures reminds us. Flannery OConnor famously said of the Eucharist: If its just a symbol, to hell with it, and, if I thought that tradition were all there really is to Christianityif I were one of those cultural Christians Ive heard tell of, Elon Musk and the restthen I might be tempted to say to hell with that, too. There is enough getting in the way of lifes little pleasuresyou know: hatred, selfishness, the stuff that really feels goodwithout some dusty old Levantine wine cults getting in the way just because it (like Jonah Goldbergs Animal House references) has a long tradition of existence to its members and to the community at large. Ive never made much effort to convince anybody of the truth of Christianity. There have been many, many words written to that effect, and a lot of them have been pretty dumb and, for that reason, probably have done more harm than good. The Case for Christ, for example, is a book so supernaturally dumb, so transparently dishonest in its account of the evidence, that one half suspects that it was infernally inspired to discredit more intelligent Christian apologists. I have a few friends who are very into biblical archaeology and things like that, believing (or maybe only half-suspecting) that one of these days somebody is going to find an indisputable fragment of the True Cross or Noahs ark or the manger in Bethlehem or something like that, and that all of the skeptics will, in that way, be put to shame. As it stands, we have very little contemporary documentary evidence outside of the gospels themselves that such a person as Jesus ever existed, much less that any of the stories that Christians tell regarding that episode are true. Just under half (or, depending on your tabulation, just more than half) of the books of the New Testament (amounting to about a quarter of the words) were written by Paul, who never claimed to have even met Jesus in the flesh during the ministry described in the gospels. If you put that very light stuff on one side of the scale and then load up the other side with the sheer unlikeliness of it all, the inconsistencies in biblical accounts of Jesuss life and work, the apparent indifference (or at least reticence) of God in the intervening millenniayou are not going to make a lawyers case for Christ, or, at least, not a very good one. Nor will you make a good archeologists case or an astronomers case or an evolutionary biologists case. And, if you try, you will be reduced to intellectual dishonesty, debaters tricks, vulgarity, and nonsense. That isnt how to go about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, what to do, then? Ive often thought that one of the reasons Christian institutions and thinkers (like those belonging to many other religions) put so much work into creating beautiful thingschurches, art, literature, drama, music, etc.is because the aesthetic sensibility is adjacent to the religious one. Which is not to say that we should embrace Christianity because we admire Notre Dame or the Mass in B minor or Moby-Dick any more than we should embrace Islam because we admire the Shah Jahan Mosque or the music of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or the poetry of Al-Mutanabbi. (Or Judaism because we admire, what, half of the greatest American contributions to literature?) Without reducing it to a question of metaphysical utilitarianism, you dont do push-ups to get good at doing push-upsyou do push-ups to get stronger. Art and literature and architecture arent there to be propaganda for Christianity, but there is a relationship there. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. (Photo by Ilhan Eroglu via Getty Images.) You dont come to believe that Christianity is true the same way you come to believe that Smith has the better argument in the case of Smith v. Jones or in the way you come to believe that Apple shares are underpriced. It is more likebut not the same asthe way you come to believe that this painting or building is beautiful, that this man is admirable, that a certain friendship is suddenly very valuable to you, that you are in love. And it is here that the strangeness of Christianity comes into play. The Magithe wise men from the east, the three kings in the popular traditionarent there at the manger in Bethlehem. That is a conflation of different biblical events. They follow the star and arrive sometimes after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, entering the house to see the Child with Mary His mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I think about biblical stories, I sometimes have to remind myselfand try to emphasize in my writingthat we are expected to believe that these are stories about real people, who, when they are not appearing as characters in Scripture, have the usual problems real people have: work, family, health, demands on their time, demands on their attention, demands on their financial resources, etc. Another way of saying that is that for every wise man who came journeying from the east, there probably was a wife or a boss or a brother-in-law back home who suspected that he was not so wise, after all, that he was off on some damned fools errand with his wise-guy friends, taking a long and no doubt expensive trip to some faraway land in order to observeand financially supportevents of no obvious immediate consequence to him or his family or his people or his community. Youre going where? To do what? Because you saw a star? A star at night, in the night sky, youre saying? In the place where you usually see stars? And youre taking how much gold? And youre leaving me here, alone, to do all the work and take care of the kids by myself? The Magi make their journey, and what they first find is not Jesus but Herodpowerful and scheming, mean, fearful, meddling, full of jealousy and malice. He questions them and then obtains from them a promise of collaboration with his regime. The Magi move on. They press forward through the darkness, led in a way that is vague and mysterious but compelling, negotiate some difficulty with the secular powers, and then, after all of that complexity and complication, they encounterwhat? Adoration of the Magi at Our Lady of Strasbourg Cathedral in Strasbourg, France. (Photo by Fred de Noyelle via Getty Images.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A child, Jesus. Not Jesus as a childthe Magi cannot see forward or backward along the timeline; what they know is what they have in front of themsimply, a child. The child has no particular urgent use for the gifts the Magi present, each of which corresponds to one of the childs attributes: gold, for the king; incense, for the priest; myrrh, for the corpse of the sacrificial victim. Perhaps the symbolic value of these gifts was not immediately obvious to the Magi: These were expensive commodities and fitting royal gifts if only for that reason. What they could not have seen, except perhaps through the gift of divine insight, was that the gifts not only said something about Christ but also about their relationship to Christ as men: a king, a priest, and a sacrificial victim are those things only in relation to other men (subjects, worshipers, and those who are to be sacrificially redeemed) and on their behalf. In that sense, the journey of the Magi presages the Christian journey itself. It begins with a persistent, urgent call, one that any entirely rational personincluding the one being calledmight reasonably suspect is a matter of fanciful misinterpretation and seek out a second opinion or a more moderate course of action. One then sets out into the darkness rather than out of it, into the night, with its mysteries, rather than into the cold light of day, when one might think better of these strange feelings. One encounters Herod, who is but one of many forms of the same adversary. One draws near to Christ and then encounters Him all at once, in the most (seemingly) simple of forms. One possibly glosses over the significance of the fact that He already was there, waiting for us. One gives such gifts as one has been able to carry so far in the night and its darkness, only to realize that He has no need of any such gifts, and that, in giving them, we come to understand what it is that we need. It is not that doctrine and dogma are not importantit is that they come later and are subordinate. They do not lead us to the experience of Christ but only help us to understand it and to integrate it into our lives. And, then, the hard part: They left for their own country by another path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They traveled together, surely, at least for some of the trip, but each of them was now also traveling alone, having laid down the gold and the frankincense and the myrrh and taken up the much heavier burden of the truth, which is also the burden of the Cross but not only the burden of the Cross. And what was that star, after all? Across my foundering deck shone A beacon, an eternal beam. Flesh fade, and mortal trash Fall to the residuary worm; Worlds wildfire, leave but ash: In a flash, at a trumpet crash, I am all at once what Christ is, Since he was what I am, and This Jack, joke, poor potsherd, Patch, matchwood, immortal diamond, Is immortal diamond. Immortal is a very nice wordthe sound of it, the thought of it. But that word, by its nature, points to the future. At least it does for usfor now. What falls to us in the present moment is to do what the Magi had to do after the remarkable encounter: find our way to our own home by another path, without anything so obvious as a new star blazing in the heavens to show us the way. We do not know the way. The night is dark and the roads are unfamiliar, and home is very far away. What we want is a signwhat we have is memory. We remember what we saw that night, and we have the stories, which is how we remember together, how we remember in community. But we do not remember these things because we wish to embark on a program of self-improvement or a program of community-improvement, not because we care about the culture or because we believe that religious observance will lead to stronger families and healthier communities and a more glorious republic. As worthy and good as any of those things may be, what are they next to that scene in Bethlehem? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside, it is dark and cold. Inside, there is the firelight and the scene of love and life and warmth, the mother and father and child. And then theres us. The ones who have waited outside the longest are the most used to the cold and the dark, but we know where we want to be. Before we were the Magi, we were the shepherds, also called, also uncomprehending. What do we know? That if the manger is empty, then the tomb isnt. We stop short, almost there, standing at the periphery of the scene, gripped by some kind of compulsion if not yet by belief, starting to figure out that the edge of the light and the edge of the darkness are, after all, the same place. And that is the place where we live and always have lived, and must live, for now. They left for their own country by another path. If that scene in Bethlehem is just a story, a pretext for moral instruction and a long weekend and time with friends and family and vague good feelings about generosity and kindness, then it would be better to forget about it altogether. You cannot build anything good on a foundation of lies, which is another word for nice old stories fortified with cheap sentimentality. You cannot make the trip to Bethlehem and then return to the east, reporting to your exasperated friends and family, Well, it wasnt really much of anything, but its going to inspire some very beautiful buildings in a thousand years, and some very good poetry, and some first-rate paintings. And the stories will make people feel like they should be nicer to one another, at least for a few weeks in winter toward the end of the year. Anno Domini: Either we number the years of our lives from the events at Bethlehem for a good reason or we dont, and, if we dont, we should knock it off. One way or another, we eventually will come to the end of our journey, and we will find exactly what the Magi were destined to find from the moment they first set their eyes on that star: Christ or nothing. Corrections, December 26, 2024: This article originally referred to BCE rather than CE, and GQ rather than Esquire. 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. BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson has lauded the people with vision in the Taiwan region for their strong opposition to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' "Taiwan independence" education "reforms." Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a press conference on Wednesday in response to an inquiry regarding the recent criticism from individuals in Taiwan's education circles on the education policy, which they said attempted to sever the ties across the Taiwan Strait and undermine the development of cross-Strait relations. Chen called such criticism an act of justice and responsible for the Taiwan youth and said the education "reforms" are poisonous and could only leave roots of trouble for tensions and conflicts in the Strait. By such so-called "reforms" and putting forward a "Taiwan independence" syllabus, the DPP authorities flagrantly distorted Chinese history and tried to poison Taiwan's younger generation and deprive them of the legitimate right to learn Chinese culture and the history of the Chinese nation, the spokesperson said. "Such acts were only for harming the kinship between compatriots on both sides of the Strait and inciting cross-Strait hostility, as well as promoting the DPP authorities' 'Taiwan independence' separatist claims," he said. PALM HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA) When a Palm Harbor hotels toy drive fell through just days before Christmas, hotel staff called on the community for help. I dont think anyone went to bed with a dry eye last night, Ashley Elaine said. On Christmas Eve, Tampa Bay-area residents worked together to make sure every child had a gift to open Christmas morning. The children and families staying at the hotel were displaced after Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated their homes this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds in St. Pete receive warm meal on Christmas Eve In addition to the 40 children at the hotel, Elaine, an assistant manager at Extended Stay Palm Harbor, said due to the high volume, other children and struggling families in Pinellas County will be blessed as well. Theres also two other hotels worth of kids that are going to be incredibly blessed. This was better than anything I could have imagined, Elaine said. Beth and Steve Weinstein were a part of the countless residents who showed up with gifts after seeing the news break Monday night. I sent them the link to the WFLA article and said, Look, theres 40 children who wont have a Christmas. Lets make something happen,' Beth Weinstein said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within three hours, the Weinsteins and their children received $1,500 from folks near and far. We went to Walmart and checked off everything on the list and while we were there, money just kept pouring in, so then we got stuff for the moms because we realized theres parents and families involved, and they deserve to have a gift as well, Beth Weinstein said. Elaine said she is overwhelmed with the communitys support, and with the piles of presents delivered on Christmas Eve, families at the hotel and in the community will have gifts to put under their trees. Its definitely been a roller coaster, but I do want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to everybody who has reached out, who has donated, whether its gifts, whether its food, whether its anything. Its just been overwhelming with gratitude, Elaine said. Elaine thanked the community, the hotels employees, Dr. Ryan Goodman and his son Jacob, as well as her friends Jill and Amber for staying through the night to gather the gifts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mission isnt over yet. The hotels team and community volunteers will wrap all of the gifts on Christmas Eve. The hotel hopes to continue the gift giving again next holiday season, with the power of the community behind 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 WFLA. To the editor: I couldnt help but cry while reading Steve Lopez's latest column on the intractability of the addiction and homelessness around MacArthur Park. ("The time for excuses is over. L.A.'s MacArthur Park needs a champion now," column, Dec. 21) Politicians will not fix this problem. It is a social problem, with the "rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer." You know those on the street with addiction are there because drugs have been our salvation, according to TV commercials and pharmaceutical companies. Others have mental illness and, at long last, have just fallen off the cliff of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We as a society can do better, but politicians are manipulated by "stakeholders," a euphemism for lobbyists. Good luck to our children and grandchildren. Gene Dorio, Santa Clarita .. To the editor: Lopez rightly asks where the political will is to clean up MacArthur Park for the children and families who live in the area. Mayor Karen Bass has promised, just as mayors have before her, to take action against gang activity and drug dealing, but little happens. Much of the activity in and around MacArthur Park described by Lopez is illegal. California has laws against drug possession and distribution. Why are they not being enforced in the MacArthur Park area today? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need leadership from the mayor's office, the Los Angeles Police Department and the new L.A. County district attorney to eliminate this open-air drug epidemic and criminal activity for good. Mary M. Emmons, Los Angeles .. To the editor: When is it right to make life-saving choices for others who can't ask for help? Much talk about this revolves around maintaining the dignity of the people suffering and allowing them to make the choice to get help or not. This gives us a way out of helping them because we can say, "They choose to stay in their addiction, so what can I do?" To help public discourse about this topic get more momentum, we need to also talk about ourselves. Think of it this way: Do we want to become a society that helps to alleviate suffering, or one that perpetuates suffering through our inaction? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A first responder pulls someone out of a burning building and we rightly applaud. But when someone is so addicted to a drug that they have lost the ability to make the choice to get help, we say, "Let's not force anything." We must call out our own hypocrisy and start making decisions as if we are the ideal version of the society we dream America can still one day become. Matthew R. Jensen, San Pedro .. To the editor: Kudos to Lopez for calling out the broken promises of generations of city leaders who vowed to fix the social ills of L.A.'s Westlake neighborhood, which includes MacArthur Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a solution, and its called taxes. If we had a better, more equitable tax system that required the comfortable actually to pay their fair share, the city budget would not be always too strained to allocate the needed resources to make a big difference. Patrick Frank, Venice This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. BENGHAZI (Reuters) - Libya's eastern-based government said in a statement on Wednesday that it had agreed on a proposal to end fuel subsidies and would prepare a mechanism to implement the agreement. The administration headed by Osama Hamad, a rival to the internationally recognised government based in Tripoli, did not disclose further details about the proposal. It is unclear if Hamad's government will be able to implement the proposal in the divided country, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In OPEC-member Libya a litre of gasoline costs just 0.150 Libyan dinars ($0.03), the second-cheapest in the world according to the Global Petrol Prices online tracker. Smuggling networks have flourished amid the political turmoil and armed conflict that followed a 2011 uprising against former dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The country became split in 2014 between warring eastern and western administrations. Fuel smuggling from Libya is estimated to be worth at least $5 billion per year, according to a World Bank report. The subsidy-scrapping proposal was approved by Hamad in Benghazi in a meeting with the deputy governor of the Tripoli-based Central Bank of Libya (CBL), Mari Barrasi, and four members of the bank's board of directors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting was held at the CBL's Benghazi branch headquarters. Hamad was appointed in 2023 by the eastern parliament to replace Abdulhamid Dbeibah, who had been installed through a U.N.-backed process in 2021 that the parliament said had lost its legitimacy. Tripoli-based Dbeibah said in January that he would put the issue of removing fuel subsidies to a public survey, but he has since taken no further action on that. The cost of fuel subsidies from January to November of this year totalled 12.8 billion Libyan dinars, CBL data shows. The official exchange rate is 4.8 Libyan dinars to $1. (Reporting by Ayman Werfali and Ahmed Elumami; Editing by Hugh Lawson) STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) When one door closes, another opens literally. The Commonwealth is moving a state-owned liquor store to a former State College Rite Aid. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) approved opening the new Fine Wine and Good Spirits store in the former Rite Aid at 1536 North Atherton Street. The new store will replace the store at 1682 North Atherton Street. The move was approved during the PLCB meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18. They also approved the closure of a Fine Wine store in Port Marion, Fayette County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for when the State College move will occur, its expected to happen in 2025 after some renovation of the former Rite Aid to fit what the spirit shop may need. Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices. Rite Aid on North Atherton was the final one to close in State College, months after the company filed bankruptcy and began closing stores nationwide. 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. Dec. 24LEWISTON A 36-year-old Livermore Falls man seriously injured in an exchange of gunfire in Lewiston last week was charged for his alleged role in the exchange, with charges against others involved in the shooting expected, police say. Mickiel James has been charged with aggravated reckless conduct and reckless conduct with a firearm related to the Dec. 17 shooting in the area of Walnut and Pierce streets just before 3 p.m. James, who was struck during the exchange of gunfire, remains hospitalized. Lewiston police responded to the scene after hearing shots and getting reports of numerous shots fired. According to police, witnesses reported all parties fled the scene following the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While canvassing the area, police located a male who had suffered a serious gunshot wound. Police provided aid to the victim and transported him via cruiser to Central Maine Medical Center, where he was found to be in critical condition," police said. Meanwhile, police temporarily shut down the area as investigators gathered evidence. The next day, police identified the person who sustained the gunshot wound as James. Police also released surveillance photos of a group of people involved in the shooting. On Tuesday, police released a statement saying they had filed the two reckless conduct charges against James. James is known to police in the Twin Cities. In 2016, he was wanted for questioning in connection with a shooting where two people were struck by gunfire during a party on Bowdoin Street in Auburn. It does not appear that James was charged in connection with that shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court records, James is from Massachusetts but has previously lived in Lewiston and in parts of Oxford County. In 2018, James was one of nine people arrested in the Rumford area in a drug sweep that police said netted cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and $20,000 cash. "This investigation remains active, and more arrests are expected," the statement said. No other details were released. Copy the Story Link Sidney slaying suspect's initial court appearance delayed Rumford police arrest log: Oct. 20-26, 2024 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) In the aftermath of tragedy, keeping kids safe has never been more important or profitable, but does the business of school security truly protect students, or capitalize off their concerns? The school security industry was estimated to be worth more than $3 billion in 2021 and is likely worth much more today. School security vendors are marketing on steroids, Dr. Ken Trump, the president of the school safety consulting firm, National School Safety and Security Services said. Theyre fueled by private equity money in many cases, and theyre hiring lobbyists to work at state legislatures to try to mandate certain types of equipment that schools must have and to create laws that really benefit the businesses and what they have to sell. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Last year, the Tennessee General Assembly allotted $230 million to enhance school safety in the state, including $54 million for physical school security measures. Some school districts used the money to purchase bulletproof film for glass windows and doors, weapons detection systems, artificial intelligence software, and other technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same year, lawmakers passed legislation requiring school districts to consider adding panic buttons inside their buildings and mandating all new and remodeled schools install bullet-resistant film on exterior entry and basement-level windows and doors. However, some experts believe a lot of this technology often creates an illusion of enhanced safety rather than truly improving it. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom Often times when schools overinvest with target hardening with physical security products, technology, and hardware, it creates security theatre. It gives the perception of greater security; it makes people feel safer, but it doesnt necessarily make them safer, Trump said. While the facts and merits vary, having analyzed the highest-profile mass school shootings, the allegations are failures of human factors: people, policies, procedures, training, communication, systems gaps, not allegations of failures of security hardware, products, and technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump told News 2 the school security industry can be fueled by fear, and political, school, and community pressures. He believes good planning, training, preparedness, and prevention tools, including relationship building, mental health resources, and properly implemented school resource officer programs, are what truly keep schools safe, not only from school shootings, but also from more commonly occurring dangers in schools. Of the $230 million the Tennessee General Assembly allotted for school safety, $178 million total went toward those resources, including $140 million to place a school resource officer in every school, $30 million for more than 100 Homeland Security agents to investigate incidents and threats at schools, and $8 million for additional school-based behavioral health liaisons. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com It really is a balance between hardware and heartwear, Trump said. The technology that supports the people part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump encourages school districts to follow the money and use critical thinking before investing in expensive, high-tech school security measures they may not even need. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) The Northern New York Community Foundation has announced a new, permanent scholarship fund to honor the life and legacy of Watertown native David A. Simmons. NNYCF awards $59,000 for area food pantries Local arts organizations are working together to build the David Simmons Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation to perpetuate his legacy. It will support students from Jefferson County who have participated in the performing arts during high school. Which will help extend the support and encouragement Simmons shared during his life, according to NNYCF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first recipients will be named in 2025 to commemorate what Simmons meant to the community. Simmons had a long history of involvement with community theater organizations and was a Theatre Association of New York State award winner. We are honored to work alongside local arts organizations to extend Davids legacy of mentorship of local students and that each time the scholarship is given, there will be an opportunity to celebrate his life, said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. NNYCF Scholarships Support Future STEM Leaders If you would like to join others in helping to the David Simmons Scholarship Fund, you can visit NNYCF to give securely online or make gifts out to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northern New York Community Foundation 131 Washington Street Watertown, NY 13601 (with David Simmons Scholarship on the memo line) Calling Theresa Nonprofits: Apply for $3K in funding David A. Simmons (WWTI/ Kenneth Eysaman) Simmons passed away in September 2023 just two weeks before his 61st birthday. He graduated in 1980 from Immaculate Heart Central School and attended Jefferson Community College. In 2012, Simmons married Scott A. Rennie. 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN) Polyfluoroalykyl substances, better known to many as PFAS or forever chemicals, can build up in people, animals and the environment over time but a pair of congressmen are trying to make sure that doesnt happen to their territories. Congressman Michael Rulli from Ohios 6th district and Congressman Chris DeLuzio from Pennsylvanias 17th district sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The letter details their concerns over the Department of Defenses efforts to approve the incineration of PFAS at a plant in East Liverpool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research is still being done on these forever chemicals to figure out their exact impact, but theyve already been linked to several health impacts like cancer and birth defects. According to a post on DeLuzios webpage, In 2022, Congress passed a law that prohibited the DOD from incinerating PFAS until they could issue guidance in line with the EPAs disposal advice. The congressmens letter asks Secretary Austin to, not carry out any operations in our communities without being certain of its safety. The DOD says its improved its incineration techniques and made it cleaner, but according to the congressmen, the EPA disagrees, saying, and just earlier this year admitted that uncertainties remain regarding the effectiveness and safety of PFAS incineration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also in the letter, the duo asks what the process is that the DOD claims is cleaner and what will be done to make sure communities are safe. The letter ends with the congressmen asking for answers to these questions before any PFAS are incinerated and block it from happening in East Liverpool until the DOD and EPA can prove there are no risks to health and safety. They also ask Secretary Austin to work with local leaders so theyre aware of plans and can best advocate for their interests. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) Deaconess Hospital says the number of flu cases is increasing but not as much as in 2023. The flu virus can have common cold-like symptoms, but Dr. Gus Fontenele says the severity of both symptoms can vary. You can have fever, muscle aches, nasal congestion sore throat, some people have had headaches, sinus pain, coughing can be like dry cough or like productive cough, he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fontenele says the numbers have increased since last week, and its more important now than ever to be conscious of those who may have a weaker immune system when visiting loved ones over the holidays. We should think about the most vulnerable people you know maybe you will have a mile case but when you get infected, you can transmit the infection to other people and it can affect little kids or people have like the weaker immune system, especially like people who have like diabetes, lung diseases like COPD or asthma. this people is more vulnerable so we have to think about the others too. Norton Healthcare in Kentucky is also seeing a rise in flu cases, recommending practicing healthy hygiene during the busy season. Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, says Dr. Robert Link. I like to carry a little bottle around when Im going places if I dont have a place to wash my hands, the simple things like wearing mask and high-risk situations so if youre going to visit an elder being a nursing care facility you know these are people that are typically more prone to viral regulatory infections disinfect high-risk surfaces so Im looking at door knobs, kitchen counters, and then if you have to cough or sneeze, try to cover it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fontenele says the best way to prevent the flu is by getting the vaccine, which can help even if you get a mild case. Any clinic will be available and you can get like your flu shot like RSV pneumonia vaccine and Covid vaccine and any Deaconess clinic with your primary care. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) While everyones minds are on the big day on December 25th, this Friday marks three months since Hurricane Helene hit our area. One local nonprofit organization is asking for more help at the national level. We recently sat down with Charlotte Garnes, who serves as executive director for ReNForce. It is a workforce development agency right here in Augusta that helps people find jobs after a conviction or jail time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also teach interview skills, making sure job candidates are ready to begin the road to success. Thanks to their hard work, they were one of 40 nonprofits across the Peach State selected to take a special trip. Being the fortunate organization, what we were blessed to do was to travel to D.C. for two days, and talk about the need for disaster funds for survivors of Hurricane Helene. But not only this hurricane, but natural disasters around the country, said Garnes. Organizations went to the nations capital with specific demands in mind. They requested funding and permanent authorization of the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program (CDBG-DR) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also want to allocate funds for any disaster storms since January 2021. A lot of the funding was not retroactive. We wanted that grant funding to be retroactive to encompass everyone who suffered in disasters from the Maui fires and hurricanes throughout Texas, because a lot of those fundings were not covered during that time, Garnes said. She got to meet with several local lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. She tells us all of them were on board. We originally met with Congressman Rick Allen, House Representative Buddy Carter, and staff members for Ossoff and Warnockand everybody, all four representatives were very, very supportive, said Garnes. They were very, very adamant so say heythis is something were fighting for, this is something we believe in, and this is such a need. We as a community didnt ask for this disaster, but right now were asking for the help around this disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city of Augusta continues their recovery efforts, as city leaders recently confirmed the total cost of damage is an estimated $30 million. Work crews have now picked up more than 2 million cubic yards of debris, and Garnes says the progress is noticeableand necessary. As we continue to ride throughout the city and region, we see trees that are down, we see the litter, we see damage from the storm. So as they continue cleaning up, its pertinent, said Garnes. I appreciate the hard work that our local officials are doing, because we didnt ask for the storm, but now were asking for the help to get past it. As they look to 2025, the executive director says the plan is to continue their work to serve those impacted by the justice system, and serve those still recovering from Helene. 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 WJBF. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya in Beijing on Wednesday. Noting that China-Japan relations are at a crucial stage of improvement and development, Li said China is willing to work with Japan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, promote the sustained and healthy development of bilateral relations, and achieve more new results in pragmatic cooperation. China and Japan are close neighbors that cannot be moved away from each other, and the two countries have made a solemn commitment to being cooperative partners rather than threats to each other, he said. "It is hoped that Japan will work with China, abide by the principles laid down in the four China-Japan political documents, face history squarely and look to the future, constructively manage differences and disputes, and take care of the big picture of China-Japan relations," Li said. He called on the two sides to expand economic and trade relations, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and further strengthen people-to-people exchanges. Iwaya said that Japan is willing to make joint efforts with China to strengthen exchanges at all levels, especially people-to-people exchanges, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and improve public opinion toward each other, comprehensively advance strategic relations of mutual benefit, and build constructive and stable Japan-China relations. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Violence and trauma affect children in ways that often go unnoticed, according to Barbie Sampson, who lost her daughter, Jasmine, to gun violence. Sampsons surviving daughter, Cierra, faced overwhelming grief after her sisters death, making school especially difficult. A lot of people, including adults, dont realize what our kids go through during their grief, Sampson said. They tend not to understand what these children are going through and think its due to bad behavior. For Cierra, school became a painful reminder of her loss. She was always asleep, always crying, Sampson recalled. There was a point where she wanted to commit suicide. But a turning point came when Cierra worked with the school district to create a new space designed to help kids struggling with traumathe Resiliency Room at Woodland Hills High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The room, created to offer students a safe place to process their emotions, became a source of comfort for Cierra. It made her feel better about herself because she knew she was helping people in need, Sampson said. The success of the Resiliency Room has led to its expansion across nearly every building in the district. We can get a hold on it younger and follow them into their older years, Sampson said. We can watch their triggers and help balance their lives. Now used almost every day, these rooms are seen as vital for students mental health and success in school. Sampson believes all students, especially those who experience violence at home or even just loss of a family member natural or tragic, should have access to these resources. All kids need to have this, she said. I think its beneficial for all kids to have this in every school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Wilkins Elementary is the only school in the district without a Resiliency Room, as there is no available space. However, the district plans to expand the program to the school once space becomes available. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) Before Officer Michael Horan served with the Greensboro Police Department, he was a servant, a coworker and a friend to many. Michael Lawrence says Horan was more than his title. Those who knew Horan called him Junior. Greensboro remembers, honors Officer Michael Horan; As sad as it can get When you sit next to somebody for seven hours a day, you get to know them pretty well. We hit it off. We bonded, and we were friends since that first day, Lawrence said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Horan joined Beach Haven Beach Patrol in Beach Haven, New Jersey, in June 1995. He was a lieutenant, lifeguard and instructor. But Lawrence, the former chief of the patrol, says Horan always went out of his way to make his peers smile. If things were intense, he would start firing off entire dialogues of movies just to lift the mood It was amazing, Lawrence said. Horan served 18 years in the United States Coast Guard and was an active reservist. He would come back and help during his free time and help because he loved it so much, Lawrence said. His next stop was the GPD. The officer used what he learned in New Jersey to save a father and son from rip currents in Emerald Isle and won a lifesaving award for his heroic efforts in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawrence says he kept up with his friend, and their last conversation was over the phone on Saturday. Believe it or not, we were talking about how the new year is coming, and were one year closer to our 30-year anniversary of being friends. A lot of marriages dont last nearly that long, Lawerence said. Two days later, Horan, who dedicated nearly seven years of service to Greensboro, was shot and killed at a Food Lion on Lawndale Drive. While the community mourns Horans passing, Lawrence hopes more people will strive to be like him. Thats what Im going to miss: Calling him and having him lift my spirits. Theres a few people in the world that are capable of that, Lawrence 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 FOX8 WGHP. A teacher at a high school in Covina is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting two students, according to prosecutors. The alleged assaults began in 2022, according to a news release from the office of Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. Joshua Daniel McGinn, 41, was arrested on suspicion of the crimes on Dec. 18. In an arraignment hearing on Jan. 6, hell be formally charged with the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four felony counts of oral copulation of a person under 18 years One felony count of sexual penetration by use of force One misdemeanor count of sexual battery Two felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor more than three years younger One felony count of contact with a minor for sexual offense One felony count of possession of child or youth pornography The acts were committed with two female students under the age of 18, prosecutors say. As of his arrest, McGinn was a teacher at Charter Oak High School. He is still listed in the staff directory on the schools website. Prosecutors from our Sex Crimes Division are working tirelessly to ensure justice is served for the victims and their families, Hochman said in a statement. We also want to encourage anyone who may have additional information or has been victimized to come forward and report information to the Covina Police Department. Your courage in speaking out is vital, and we are here to ensure justice is served. If convicted, McGinn faces a maximum sentence of 13 years and six months in state prison. Additional victims or anyone with information are asked to contact Detective G. Hagle at 626-384-5621 or the Covina Police Department at 626-384-5808. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) On Christmas Eve, Landyn Davis, one finger at a time, played Jingle Bells by reading notes. Ten months ago, he was playing a video game on his fathers computer when an unintended 45-caliber bullet struck him in the head. He was hospitalized for 90 days. Child shot in Virginia Beach in critical condition Well, at first he he couldnt do anything, said Landyns mother, Emily Rigsby. He couldnt even hold his own head up. He didnt move his arms. He didnt move his legs. I mean, theyd ask him to squeeze my hand. He couldnt even squeeze anybodys hand. He couldnt talk. I mean, nothing. Members of the CHKD violence intervention team remember those dark days. On Christmas Eve, they delivered one of Landyns favorite video games. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loved ones say Landyn is back. Hes grown six-and-a-half inches since what his mother calls the accident. He still has his personality, Rigsby said. I mean, hes smart. Hasnt lost any of his memory. A few months ago, Landyn communicated with a murmur. Today he speaks 9-year-old American boy. Regina Mobley: Whats your favorite? What do you like to eat? Landyn Davis: Chicken alfredo and spaghetti. For the holiday season, Landyn participated in his first piano recital. Regina Mobley: Do you love playing the piano? Landyn: Not really. Regina Mobley: But your mom loves it when you play the piano, right? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landyn Davis: And make the my mom smile yeah!! The past 10 months have been filled with joy and pain. Four suspects are under arrest for allegedly firing at least 27 bullets while hunting a rival on Peele Court. Instead, they shot an 8-year-old boy. Fourth suspect arrested in Peele Court shooting in VB Theres better things that you could be doing out here instead of carrying guns and turning to violence, Rigsby said. Landyns wish for this Christmas is a gaming laptop to replace the PC gunmen destroyed. His mother wishes for a miracle. I mean, my biggest wish is for my son to walk, Rigsby said. And, you know, get back to normal. Sorry. Theres just some things that, you know, money cant buy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Homicide detectives and loved ones are searching for a missing Los Angeles County woman. Maria Benitez, 41, was reported missing on Dec. 21, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. The woman, who is considered at-risk, was last seen on the 5500 block of Lindsey Avenue in Pico Rivera around 12:30 p.m. Maria Benitez, 41, was reported missing on Dec. 21, 2024. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department) Maria Benitezs gray 2008 Nissan Altima sedan with California license plate number 6EPB787. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department) Family members said Benitez suffers from medical conditions and requires medication. They havent heard from her since her disappearance concerned for her well-being and asking for the publics help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is described as a Hispanic woman standing 5 feet tall and weighing around 100 pounds. She has brown hair, brown eyes and a scar on her right ankle. She was last seen wearing a black shirt and black pants. Her vehicle is described as a gray 2008 Nissan Altima with California license plate 6EPB787. Anyone who knows Benitezs whereabouts or has information on her disappearance is urged to call the LASDs Homicide Bureau Missing Persons unit at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Dec. 24Gov. Janet Mills is taking steps to increase Maine's renewable energy storage capacity, a critical support for wind and solar power in the state. The Governor's Energy Office recommended in a new report Monday that the Maine Public Utilities Commission establish programs that would add 200 megawatts to be built by developers. The PUC is reviewing the report and has not yet begun soliciting public comment, a spokeswoman said. State legislation in 2021 established energy storage goals of 300 megawatts of power capacity by the end of 2025, enough to provide electricity to 300,000 homes, and 400 MW by the close of 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With 63 MW of storage capacity already operating at six sites in Cumberland, Oxford, Penobscot, York and other counties, plus a pending 175-MW project in Gorham and others in the works, Maine could exceed its goal if enough storage is proposed, approved and online in the coming years. Storage capacity holds and releases solar and wind power and reduces demand on the electricity grid and the need for costly upgrades. To pay for new storage projects, a customer of Central Maine Power could expect to pay an average $5.90 a month more in the first year the program is in effect; the charge would decrease to $3.41 a month in the following year, according to the Governor's Energy Office. Over the first 10 years of the program, CMP residential customers would pay $1.77 a month less, on average. Residential customers of Versant Power would pay $4.89 a month more in the first year, and the amount would decrease in the following years starting at $2.83 a month beginning in year two. Over 10 years, monthly bills would decline by $1.50. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The estimates are based on a ratio of upfront and pay-for-performance incentives. Costs are estimates based on the difference between storage costs and revenue of selling power, tax incentives, capital invested by developers, administration costs and other factors. Among its recommendations, the report issued Monday by the Governor's Energy Office suggested that regulators consider designing rates according to the time of day when customers use electricity and clarify utility ownership of energy storage. The Public Utilities Commission, directed by a 2023 state law, is considering whether CMP and Versant may own battery storage, which hasn't been possible since the Legislature deregulated the utilities more than 25 years ago. Environmentalists and others have urged regulators to allow for competitive energy storage markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine hopes to capitalize on rising demand for energy storage. "With declining costs and increasingly clear value to be captured from energy storage capabilities, the regional electricity system is poised for significant new energy storage deployment," the report said. ISO-New England, the region's grid operator, reports that battery storage comprises 46% of the proposed new power sources looking to connect to the grid, the Governor's Energy Office said. Copy the Story Link Officials say mussel farming in Greece is close to collapsing as record-warm water temperatures take a toll on the industry. Our overheating planet has farmers worried about how they will provide for their families. What's happening? The latest report by the National Centers for Environmental Information suggests this year is a virtual lock to be the warmest on record. The November global surface temperature was 2.41 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average, the NCEI said, making it the second-warmest November on record. The report reflects the warming happening on land and in the water. Unfortunately, warm sea surface temperatures are impacting people who rely on the water to make a living. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters reported that farmers who harvest mussels in the Aegean Sea off the northern Greece coast say mussels have been decimated after record-warm sea temperatures have hit twice in the past three years. As they pulled up their lines during harvest season this year, they found mostly empty shells instead of healthy mollusks. That meant not only was this year's harvest in peril, but seed for the next season was also ruined. "The destruction we suffered (for next year) was 100%," 35-year-old Anastasios Zakalkas said, per Reuters. "We don't know how we'll make a living in the new year. Our main and only job is mussels." Why is a threatened mussel industry important? The mussel industry is an important component of Greece's economy. According to the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organisation, the country exports over 22,000 tons of mussels annually. The aquaculture sector is the third-largest in Europe after France and Spain and is valued at over 619 million (more than $642 million at the current exchange rate). Mussel farms from the town of Pieria, Greece, lost 80% of this year's harvest from a combination of record-warm water and polluted rivers, according to eKathimerini. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mussels aren't the only species impacted by warming ocean temperatures, either. For instance, researchers have raised concerns about fish extinctions after they found changes in hunting and feeding patterns. Marine animals are showing up in unexpected places as waters warm and food sources shift. What's your least favorite thing about summer heat waves? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind The death of a humpback whale this summer in Nova Scotia has scientists sounding the alarm about the changes seen in Earth's oceans. Scientists also warn of potentially devastating consequences if the world fails to protect coral reefs. What's being done about ocean warming? The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources says there is an urgent need to reduce the heat-trapping gases released into our atmosphere. The IUCN also recommends protecting and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems, improving human adaptation, and strengthening scientific research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking action would help safeguard human lives, with the warming planet also supercharging destructive extreme weather. Reducing our individual generation of harmful pollution is one way to help. We can do this by unplugging energy vampires, installing solar panels to power our homes with low-cost, clean energy, and, whenever possible, riding a bike instead of driving. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. A Fulton County judge has set bond for a man accused of targeting transgender women. Last week, Atlanta police released body camera video that showed the arrest of Michael Boykin. A security guard who witnessed one of the attacks told police that Boykin has been assaulting transgender people for a long time and police believe there may be more victims out there. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Boykin was arrested by Atlanta police last week after officers spotted him behind an apartment complex on North Avenue about a mile from Ponce City Market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say Boykin is a familiar face to law enforcement. According to a police report, Boykin has been physically assaulting members of the transgender community for a long period of time. Witnesses told police that they saw Boykin punch his victims multiple times in the head and face, leaving them with swollen faces and black eyes. Atlanta police call this an ongoing investigation. They believe there may be additional victims and have contacted the Department of Homeland Security for assistance. Boykins arrest comes at a time when hate crimes against the LGBTQ community are on the rise. In 2023, it was reported that 2,800 acts of violence were reported to the FBI against members of the LGBTQ community. Almost 600 of those were specifically targeted against transgender individuals, Jeff Graham, Executive Director of Georgia Equality told Channel 2s Michael Seiden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boykin remains in jail with his bond set at $85,000. Police said the District Attorneys Office will eventually decide on whether or not he will face additional hate crime charges. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A man who allegedly killed a woman after setting her on fire on a New York City subway told police he "doesn't know what happened," NBC News reports. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, allegedly used a lighter to start the fatal fire on Sunday, Dec. 22. When the victim, who has not been identified, was consumed in the blaze, Zapeta-Calil allegedly began "fanning the flames with a shirt," a prosecutor alleged during his arraignment in Brooklyn on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Surveillance footage showed the victim sleeping on an immobile F train at Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station around 7:30 a.m. Zapeta-Calil, who was sitting across from her, then allegedly set her and the blanket she was underneath on fire, CNN reported, citing a complaint from the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Dad Punched, Killed Baby Son Because He Was Angry He Was Losing in Video Game The prosecutor added that Zapeta-Calil told police after the incident that he drinks a lot of liquor" and "doesn't know what happened." Zapeta-Calil and the victim were the only two in the car. He allegedly left the train and sat on a nearby bench and looked on as the woman continued to burn, footage showed. Sources suggested that she was unconscious the entire time, CNN reported. A walker was discovered close to the scene, indicating that the woman had trouble getting around on her own. She was wearing several layers of clothing, and officials believe that's what caused the fire to spread. The woman is over 18, and a law enforcement official informed The New York Times that she appeared to be homeless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Man Told Girlfriend He Was Going Home for Dinner, Then Killed His Parents and Sister Zapeta-Calil was arrested after three high school students recognized his face when surveillance footage and pictures were released to the public. He was later found at a Herald Square train with a lighter in his pocket, NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta said, per CNN. The New York City Office of the Medical Examiner ruled the woman's death a homicide, noting that she died of "thermal injuries and smoke inhalation," NBC News reports, citing court papers. During his court appearance, he was charged with first- and second-degree murder as well as arson, according to court docs. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and was remanded to custody without bail. 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. Zapeta-Calil, who was seemingly wearing the same hazmat suit he wore when being escorted out of a local police station, is due back in court on Friday, Dec. 27, at 9 a.m. local time. NYPD previously told PEOPLE is an "unlawfully present Guatemalan citizen" who had been deported in 2018. PEOPLE reached out to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office and New York City's Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Read the original article on People NEW YORK (AP) A man accused of using a knife to slash a man and a woman in Manhattan's Grand Central subway station faced assault and menacing charges Wednesday. The man was arrested on assault, reckless endangerment, menacing, harassment, disorderly conduct and a weapons charge after the attack at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday which left a 42-year-old man with an injured wrist and a 26-year-old woman with a neck injury, police said. Both victims were in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital after the attack and on Wednesday, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not immediately known who will represent the man in court. The attacks came amid heightened concerns about crime in the subways, particularly after the arrest Sunday of a man charged with setting a woman on fire on a subway car. The woman died from her injuries. Mayor Eric Adams told reporters in Harlem that the man had suffered from a history of mental illness. The New York Post reported that the woman who was slashed said she had just gotten off the No. 4 train and was heading to work when she was attacked. The newspaper quoted her as saying that she was punched to the ground as her assailant repeatedly yelled, whats your problem? before he lunged at her with a small knife, cutting through her throat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack came just hours after the man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train appeared in Brooklyn criminal court to face two murder charges. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who federal immigration officials said is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, was not required to enter a plea and did not speak at the hearing in Brooklyn criminal court. Zapeta, held at the city's Rikers Island jail complex, is expected back in court on Friday. So far, his lawyer has not requested bail. ULAN BATOR, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has officially commenced the export of live sheep to Uzbekistan, marking a significant step in agricultural trade between the two nations, local media reported on Wednesday, citing the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry. The initiative stems from an agreement made during Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh's state visit to Uzbekistan in June, the ministry said in a statement. During the visit, the two countries' leaders pledged to enhance cooperation in agricultural trade, specifically in the supply of wool, cashmere, leather, meat, and meat products from Mongolia to Uzbekistan and, through Uzbekistan, to other Central Asian markets. As part of this agreement, Mongolia committed to exporting 100,000 live livestock to Uzbekistan, according to the ministry. "The agreement has now been officially implemented, and the first shipments have already begun. Since Dec. 21, Mongolia has transported 1,440 live sheep to Uzbekistan on two flights," the ministry said. Promoting livestock husbandry is considered a key strategy for diversifying Mongolia's mining-dependent economy. As one of the world's last remaining nomadic nations, Mongolia had 64.7 million livestock at the end of 2023, with sheep making up 45.5 percent of the total, according to the National Statistics Office. A man was arrested for stealing more than 300 gift cards from Northern Kentucky stores. A deputy with the Gallatin County Sheriffs Office arrested the man during a traffic stop. During the stop, the deputy found the stolen gift cards and a ledger filled with serial numbers from gift cards, according to our news partners at WCPO. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The driver of the vehicle, 49-year-old Sean Farr, admitted to stealing the various gift cards and the numbers off of other cards that he put back on store shelves, the sheriffs office said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said investigators are working to figure out the amount of the gift cards and where exactly they were taken from, but it appears most are from the Florence and Newport areas. They did not specify what the gift cards were for. Farr, who is from Louisville, is facing several charges, including a fugitive warrant from another state. He is currently being held at the Carroll County Detention Center. We will continue to follow this story. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A man armed with a knife threatened to stab people inside WellSpan Medical Center in York County last week, State Police say. Traver Mazzarino, 33, of York, reportedly wanted to find someone inside the center but was denied by staff at the Hopewell Township medical center. Troopers say Mazzarino then made threats while striking the glass of the reception desk with a knife saying he was going to start stabbing people, the charges show. He was able to force the knife through the waiting room wall, leaving a hole. Woman accused of Christmas Eve assault on Cumberland County hospital security Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers say the threats caused an evacuation of the building as staff and personnel were all in fear for their life. Troopers entered the building while everyone was exiting but could not find Mazzarino. Eventually, Troopers say they were able to make contact with Mazzarino, who stated he was in the Shrewsbury Township Walmart parking lot. He was then taken into custody without further incident. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest Mazzarino faces felony charges of aggravated assault and terroristic threats causing an evacuation of a building. He also faces misdemeanor charges of aggravated assault, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and harassment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is locked up in York County Prison with bail set at $75,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 19. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. WINSTON-SALEM A man and a toddler were injured Monday night, and the toddler is in critical condition, after someone fired gunshots at the vehicle they were in on Interstate 40, the Winston-Salem Police Department said. A Winston-Salem couple and their toddler were in the eastbound lanes of I-40 near Buchanan Street, which is east of Peters Creek Parkway, about 10:45 p.m. when the shots were fired, police said. The 21-year-old man was listed in stable condition at a local hospital, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The toddlers injuries are considered life-threatening, police said. The shooting appears to be an isolated incident, police said. The investigation remains ongoing. Police ask that anyone with information call the non-emergency number, 336-773-7700. To submit anonymous tips, individuals can report information by calling Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or in Spanish at 336-728-3904, or they utilize the Text-A-Tip Program at 336-276-1717 to submit text, photo, and video tips directly to detectives. CHICAGO A man is dead after a gunman opened fire into a residence on the citys South Side on Tuesday afternoon. Chicago police said the incident unfolded just after 2 p.m. in the 5700 block of South Michigan Avenue in Washington Park. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines According to police, the victim, an 18-year-old man, was inside a residence in the area when a gunman opened fire from outside, striking him multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, who the medical examiner identified at Armani McMillan, was later pronounced dead on the scene. Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and no arrests have been made. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact CPD Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 or dial 911. Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GREENWOOD COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man and dog were rescued from a home fire early Christmas morning in Greenwood. The Greenwood City Fire Department responded to the fire before 5 a.m. at the 100 block of Hitt Street. According to Brian Brown, City of Greenwood Fire Department Battalion Chief, the call came in at 4:41 a.m. and firefighters arrived on scene at 4:45 a.m. Brown said three male occupants and one female occupant were inside the home when the fire broke. When firefighters arrived, Brown said two Greenwood County Sheriffs Deputies had retrieved a male occupant from inside the burning building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was Deputy Rhodes and Deputy Grizzle, said Brown. The fire was mostly in the attic. They were able to make entry and escort the occupants out. Which doesnt really follow their purview of job duties so they just kind of went above and beyond. Brown said he believes a cigarette butt that was put into a cigarette butt bucket was the source of the fire, but he added a full investigation is still ongoing. One of the occupants said that they had a butt bucket, you know for cigarette butts, said Brown. It looks that the butt bucket may have caught on fire, ran up the porch and into the attic. Once firefighters arrived, crews began attacking the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a search, officials located a dog and reunited the pet with its owners. No injuries were reported, according to Brown but the home suffered heavy damage amounting to an estimated $30,000. American Red Cross is assisting the residents, officials said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Greenwood City Fire Department. The City of Greenwood is looking for additional firefighters according to Brown. If interested, you can click or tap 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. SANTA CRUZ A witness, just 20 yards away, recounted the moments when several massive waves slammed into the pilings of the Santa Cruz Wharf, sending the end of the wharf and three people into the ocean. The Santa Cruz Wharf got hit by a wave, cracking some of the piling before another one took it out. "I was like, 'Oh no dude, I think this might go,' and sure enough it did," said Michael Brantley, a local who witnessed the whole thing. "It happened really fast." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brantley and his 14-year-old son were fishing just yards from where the collapse happened. He noticed the wharf swaying with each passing wave and began recording on his phone. Moments later, the unthinkable happened. "It sounded like trees cracking in a storm and then a thunderous woosh and when we looked back there was nothing," Brantley said. The City of Santa Cruz confirmed Tuesday morning that about 150 feet of the wharf collapsed into the water, trapping three people on the wreckage. They were all rescued and unharmed. The debris is now scattered along the coastline near the San Lorenzo River and Seabright Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My initial thought, it was an explosion," said Robby Pappas, the manager of Cowell's Surf Shop. Pappas was among those to witness the collapse from the shore. He says the massive swell that hit the California coast was unusually large, an event the area hasn't seen in decades. "I would say it was the top three biggest swells I have ever seen," Pappas said, Cowell's Beach, located on the north side of the wharf, is known as one of the world's best spots for beginner surfers. It transformed into a danger zone. "Even the best beginner break in the world had 5 to 8 foot faces," Pappas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the wharf faces extensive repairs, people like Brantley feel fortunate to have walked away unharmed. "If it had went further, it would have been a bigger catastrophe," Pappas said. Engineers are assessing the structure of the wharf to determine when it could reopen. The timeline for that is unclear. FDA issues highest-level recall for Costco eggs over salmonella risk Passenger airliner crashes in Kazakhstan Investigation underway after body found in wheel well of United Airlines plane in Maui PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Peoria Police Department is investigating a stabbing incident that sent one man to the hospital on Tuesday. Officers responded to the area near Stanley and Grinnell Streets at 1:17 p.m. on a report of a person being stabbed, Peoria police spokeswoman Semone Roth said. When officers arrived, they located a man with a stab wound to the arm. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police respond to stabbing in Peoria Monday morning Roth said a man has been taken into custody for questioning in relation to this incident. This story will be updated when 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 CIProud.com. DENVER (KDVR) A 31-year-old transient man wanted on several Colorado warrants was sentenced in New Hampshire district court on Dec. 18 for stealing a shotgun from a good Samaritan who sheltered him one night. According to the plea agreement, Shelby Theriault was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Theriault pleaded guilty in September to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, which he was charged with on Jan. 20. Photos: Poudre firefighters clean up large mercury spill at Fort Collins home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court records, Theriault had been living in New Hampshires North Country woods and was allowed to stay in a good Samaritans guest bedroom overnight in early January. The good Samaritan reported that a shotgun had been stolen on Jan. 15. On Jan. 20, Conway police arrested Theriault on an unrelated theft case and discovered the sawed-off shotgun in his possession. Police say he admitted to stealing the shotgun, reducing the guns length and keeping it for protection, in addition to defacing the guns serial number. The gun would have had to be registered with the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record, which resulted in the failure to register charge. The defendant not only stole the shotgun from someone who provided him shelter, he sawed the shotgun and obliterated the serial number thus making it harder to detect his crime, said U.S. Attorney Jane Young in a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Hampshire. New Hampshire law enforcement will continue to prosecute those who possess illegal firearms as part of the ongoing effort to make our communities safer. The officer who discovered the stolen firearm was also applauded for his work in the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experience has shown us that stolen firearms are often utilized in the commission of a crime, said Chief Christopher Mattei of the Conway Police Department in a U.S. Attorneys Office release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WETM) United Way of the Southern Tier helped thousands of people in Chemung and Steuben counties this year. United Way of the Southern Tier shared how many people the organization was able to help in 2024 thanks to community donations. This year, 4,500 young children each received a book in the mail every month through Dolly Partons Imagination Library, 2,614 kids participated in after-school programming, 1,899 got access to long-term housing, and 1,597 senior citizens got help with everyday activities so they could stay in their homes. Elmira Pioneers help the less fortunate on Christmas Eve Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chemung and Steubens chapter of United Way works to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in the community through providing resources. The organizations programs include Kids on Track, Basic Needs Network, and Senior Supports. These programs help set kids up for success in school, work, and life; help people who need food or shelter and keep domestic violence victims safe; and assist older people who want to age safely in their own homes, respectively. People who want to help United Way of the Southern Tier improve the lives of community members can donate on the organizations website. The website also has a list of volunteering opportunities and other community organizations that need donations. 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Marianna, Arkansas shooting sent a juvenile to a hospital on Monday. Marianna Police say they responded to a shooting around 5:30 Monday in the 400 block of Jordan Street. A juvenile male was found with a gunshot wound and airlifted to Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital in Memphis. His condition is unknown, police said. Police asked anyone with information on the shooting to call 870-295-2508. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RAMALLAH, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian security officer was killed on Wednesday in clashes with Palestinian gunmen in Jenin, as a large-scale security operation to regain control of the camp in the northern West Bank continues. "Captain Hassan Abdullah, a member of the General Intelligence Service, died from his wounds he sustained a few days ago after being targeted by gunfire by outlaws while performing his national duty in the Jenin camp," Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, said in a press statement. Rajab stressed that the security forces "will continue to impose order and eliminate chaos," calling on all Palestinians to stand "in one line with the security forces and provide full support and cooperation in pursuing these criminals." This has brought the number of security forces killed by gunmen in Jenin during this operation to three. The Palestinian security forces have launched a large-scale security campaign in Jenin camp since mid-December to crack down on lawbreakers to ensure public security. In the waning days of 2024, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his company Meta took on 91 senators, a bipartisan group of representatives, President-elect Donald Trumps son, Trump ally Elon Musk, and a coalition of parents who thought this would be the year Congress passed legislation to protect kids online. Zuckerberg and Meta won. Congress left Washington without passing the Kids Online Safety Act after coming closer than ever to imposing rules on social media to prevent the addiction and mental health harms the sites are widely agreed to cause. Zuckerberg can thank House Speaker Mike Johnson for closing the door on it this Congress. Once reviled by Republicans for kicking Trump off Facebook, the outcome shows how well Zuckerberg and Meta have restored a rapport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the day, we see the influence of these platforms is really powerful and they want to stop this legislation and any other tech legislation by any means necessary, said Alix Fraser, vice president of technology reform at Issue One, an advocacy group that supports the Kids Online Safety Act. Zuckerbergs company Meta, the parent of Facebook and the photo-sharing site Instagram, led the way in opposing it. A team of 14 lobbyists employed directly by Meta, as well as outside firms, worked the issue, federal lobbying disclosure forms show. The advocates included past aides to House Republicans, including Greg Maurer, a former staffer to then-House GOP Leader John Boehner; Christopher Herndon, who worked for Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.); and Elizabeth Carroll, who was on the staff of former Rep. Scott Taylor (R-Va.). Zuckerberg and his company also relied on an outside advocacy group of which Meta is a member, NetChoice, to convince Republicans that the bill would threaten free speech by allowing Washington regulators to squelch conservative and religious voices. NetChoice hired its own lobbyists, including a former aide to Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Matt Bravo. Scalise has led the House opposition to KOSA and has voiced censorship concerns. Acts of contrition such as Zuckerbergs August letter to House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) apologizing for censoring Facebook posts critical of the governments Covid response as well as strategic political contributions have helped him and his firm repair its relationship with the GOP. Those ties grew strained during the pandemic and 2020 election campaign and broke after Facebook banished Trump in January 2021 after finding he condoned the actions of followers who ransacked the Capitol. Meta recently donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stripping American parents and guardians of their authority and choice, replacing them with a council of bureaucrats to parent their kids online, and compelling them to surrender personal information for themselves and their children to exercise free speech is a perilous path and a breach of protected rights, said Amy Bos, NetChoice director of state and federal affairs in a statement earlier this month urging lawmakers to kill the Kids Online Safety Act. When Johnson finally weighed in, he echoed Bos take: He said he had concerns about the free speech components of the bill and specifically whether it might lead to further censorship by the government of valid conservative voices. He said he planned to pursue legislation to protect kids online starting next year. Advocates of the bill fear that whatever emerges will be much weaker than what the Senate passed by a 91-3 vote in July. Johnson told POLITICO he was committed to getting a bill done. "Online safety is critically important, he said. I'm a parent, I get that. But we also have to make sure that we don't open the door for violations of free speech. And it's a very delicate balance." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meta declined to comment directly, but has advocated for rules that would require app stores to verify user ages. It has also increasingly rolled out new safety tools allowing parents to monitor and control their childrens access to its sites. An apology KOSAs Senate sponsors, Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), redrafted the bill multiple times over concerns about the First Amendment. Their efforts secured the big Senate vote in July and this month prompted free-speech enthusiast Musk and Donald Trump Jr. to urge Johnson to pass the bill. Johnsons refusal and the bills demise illustrate that Zuckerberg and his company have made strides shoring up their GOP ties at just the right time, with the Republicans slated to gain full control of Washington next month. It looked much different as 2024 began. In January, Zuckerberg said he cared when he stood and faced parents who blame their childrens deaths on social media at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Im sorry for everything youve all gone through," Zuckerberg said after Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) pressed him for an apology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Blumenthal asked for his position on KOSA, Zuckerberg indicated he was ready to compromise. I think that the basic spirit is right, Zuckerberg said. I think the basic ideas in it are right, and there are some ideas that I would debate how to best implement." But after, NetChoice led the tech industrys opposition to the Kids Online Safety Act. While Meta has not issued statements on the bill, which would impose a duty of care on social media platforms requiring them to take steps to change products that stoke kids addiction to the sites, NetChoice has castigated the legislation at every turn. The bill sponsors, both Blackburn and Blumenthal and a bipartisan group led by Florida Republican Gus Bilirakis in the House, repeatedly revised the bill to overcome the free speech concerns raised by NetChoice and other bill opponents. Those included both progressive groups, such as the ACLU and Fight for the Future, and conservatives, such as former Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Rick Santorums Patriot Voices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, the Senate sponsors agreed to strip out language empowering state attorneys general to enforce the duty of care language. That prompted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to sign on and cleared the way for the 91-3 vote. In June, House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) pulled a planned vote on the House version, despite broad bipartisan support. She told POLITICO at the time House leaders asked her to cancel. When Rodgers rescheduled the committee meeting in September, Bilirakis said hed made changes requested by GOP leaders that proponents of the Senate bill said made it much weaker. Bilirakis changed the duty-of-care language so that it only applied to the physical health of minors. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has found that social media poses a significant danger to kids mental health. The panel approved the bill by voice vote. Earlier this month, Blackburn offered to further limit the regulation of platform design so it only applied to personalized features, and also limit the duty of care to only harms that are related to features that stoke compulsive usage. She also emphasized that her new version did not allow the Federal Trade Commission or any other government entity to go after protected speech, another worry House Republicans have expressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks endorsement of KOSA later that day in a post to his X social media platform underscored Zuckerberg and Metas relative isolation in opposing the measure. Besides X, a number of other social media sites have backed it, including Snap, LinkedIn parent Microsoft and Pinterest. But NetChoice pilloried Blackburns changes. The alterations to this bill do not address the core concern of KOSA it still regulates protected American speech online and empowers bureaucrats to censor speech on platforms, importing European-style censorship rules to the U.S., a statement from the group said. Metas largesse Perhaps the loudest way that the tech industry has made the case that bills like KOSA violate free speech is by suing states with similar laws. NetChoice and another trade group, the Computer & Communications Industry Association, of which Meta is also a member, have sued nine states that enacted social media laws, winning several cases where states implemented age verification rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Litigation has also so far successfully stopped California from fully implementing a law that would limit how much data social platforms can collect on kids and require impact assessments. Besides its gift to Trumps inaugural fund, Meta spent nearly $19 million on federal lobbying in the first nine months of this year. Meta lobbied on many issues and the federal disclosure law does not require it to break out how much it spent on each. In addition to its own in-house lobbyists, Meta paid $180,000 to lobbying firm S-3 Group in part to work with Bravo, a former director of floor operations for Scalise. NetChoice has also paid the S-3 Group $180,000 this year through September. In July, shortly after the Senate vote, conservative members of Congress were sent an unattributed memo that called the bill a threat to the pro-life movement a previously unheard of narrative. The memo has since been connected to Bravo, according to The Wall Street Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to lobbying, Meta also donated to members. Its PAC donations favored Republican candidates and their leadership funds in 2023 and 2024, donating $162,350 across the House and Senate. In the last two years, Metas corporate political action committee also put $5,000 into Scalise-run political fundraising committees. It also donated $2,000 to Johnson in 2023 and another $3,000 in September. Meta made its first contribution to Johnson and Scalise campaign funds in 2020. The social media titan is investing heavily in Louisiana. The company is about to break ground on a $10 billion data center to house its artificial intelligence infrastructure in Richland Parish at a rural site four hours drive north of New Orleans. The state purchased the land almost two decades ago in an attempt to woo manufacturers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, signed off on new tax incentives for data centers earlier this year. A press release from his office said the project is the largest capital investment in the states history. Two spokespeople for Meta declined to share what other sites for the data center were considered, but said the company started talking to partners in Louisiana earlier this year. They said Meta selected the site because it has great access to infrastructure, a reliable grid, a business-friendly climate, and community partners that helped move the project forward. Meta has data centers in several other states, including Blackburns Tennessee. Speaker Johnson has often expressed sympathy for parents trying to protect their kids from harmful content online. He joined Democrats three years ago in proposing a resolution calling on tech companies to give parents more tools to monitor and protect their kids. In April, he met with Maurine Molak, a mother whose son ended his life after intense cyberbullying. Johnson told her he was committed to getting the Kids Online Safety Act passed. Ive said, Lets talk. Lets figure out a solution. Were talking about kids mental health and their lives, she said. Molak said shes reached out to his office since then, to no avail. An A-10 Thunderbolt sits in a maintenance hangar at Warfield Air National Guard Base in Middle River in this 2013 file photo. The planes, which are being phased out, could be replaced by F16s from the D.C. Air National Guard. File photo by Bryan P. Sears. Marylands Air National Guard, which is set to lose its fighter squadron of A-10 Thunderbolts this fall, will get a fighter squadron of F-16s from the District of Columbia in its place, state and federal officials announced this week. It was the latest development in a tug-of-war over assets between the state and the District that appeared dead last weekend. But the Air Force announced Monday that it will transfer the 121st Fighter Squadron from the D.C. Air National Guard to Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a historic moment for the Maryland Air National Guard, said a prepared statement from Brig. Gen. Drew E. Dougherty, the assistant adjutant general, air, for the Maryland Air National Guard. Over the past few years, we have been resolute on our commitment to securing a future flying mission. This transition is the first step in delivering a path where we can maintain our highly experienced pilots and maintainers, his statement said. Marylands Air National Guard is currently home to the 104th Fighter Squadron of A-10C Thunderbolt II, which was based in Middle River. But the Air Force has been trying phase out the 1970s-era A10 for years, and the 104th Fighter Squadron are scheduled to be divested by Sept. 30. The Districts 121st Fighter Squadron, which flies the more modern F-16, is currently based at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince Georges County. Its not clear if the squadron will stay there or move to Middle River: In a joint statement on the transfer, Maryland Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen said details on the timeline and operational transition from D.C. to Maryland will be coordinated by the Air Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Preserving Marylands flying mission is a win for these dedicated service members and our national security, said the senators statement. We worked to secure this re-designation because it will provide stability at Joint Base Andrews, while simultaneously improving the current manning shortfalls of pilots and maintainers across the National Capitol Region. This is a win-win scenario. The swap had been part of a massive stopgap budget bill in the House last week that also included a provision giving the District the authority to redevelop the site of the decrepit Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, former home of the Washington Commanders who now play in Landover. The two provisions were never explicitly linked, but when Republicans balked at the 1,500-page budget bill, the RFK deal and the fighter squadron swap were among the elements that were cut as the final bill was whittled down to just over 100 pages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final bill included full federal funding for reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a main goal for Maryland lawmakers, but it was widely assumed that the fighter squadron shift that Maryland sought and the RFK Stadium deal that District officials wanted were dead. But it was later learned that the RFK deal had been approved as a standalone measure in the wee hours of Saturday morning, after the budget was passed and most of the senators had left the chamber eager to get out of town for the holiday. That bill lets the federal goverment maintain ownership of the 174 acre site on the Anacostia River, but give the District administrative jurisdiction over the site, allowing it to develop residential and commercial projects, public space and a new stadium. District officials are expected to use the prospect of a new stadium to try to lure the Commanders away from Landover. In response, Gov. Wes Moore announced this week that the state had reached a memorandum of understanding with the owners of the Commanders. in which they agreed to raze the stadium and redevelop the Landover site if they do end up moving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State and federal lawmakers have repeatedly said that they want to keep the Commanders in Landover and are not afraid of competition from other jurisdictions. Our position on the stadium hasnt changed, Moore said in a statement Monday. We are not afraid of competition, and we believe that we can continue to build on decades of partnership with the team here in Maryland. We are confident that Landover is still the best path to a new stadium for the Washington Commanders. MASON, Mich. (WLNS) On Christmas Eve, the Mason-Holt Eagles hosted their 5th annual Holiday Food Drive, donating food to help Mid-Michigan families. Peggy Dewitt decided to gift the community with her share of donations and says she and her husband donate every year. I just feel the need to give back to the community, said Dewitt. and theres so many people and kids that are hungry out there and its just a great organization to donate to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heather Dunivon, one of the organizers of the event, says they accepted non-perishable items and cash donations. We are all in need at some point for some things, said Dunivon. So, being able to pay it forward and helping others. It warms our heart, just as much as it does the people that it helps. She says all of the donations will go to food banks in Mason and Holt. Last year, she says they collected over a thousand pounds worth of food. Our goal is to double is to hopefully if not up it, said Dunivon. Double it is what were shooting for. She says the event was a great way to start the new year, helping one family at a time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because there is such a big need over the winter, said Dunivon. So, we like to give this after the holidays because it keeps the food going for those that need it. They need it all year round, not just at the holidays. Dunivon says they raised $2,247 by the end of the event. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MassDOT has announced the winners of the 2024 Name A Snowplow contest. The contest received entries from public school classrooms located all across the Bay State to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during this 2024/2025 winter season. According to MassDOT, the purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to help recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during the winter season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maintaining safe and clear roads across Massachusetts during winter is no easy task. We appreciate how educators are engaging their students in this fun competition that honors this vital public service, said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. Congratulations to the winning classrooms, and we look forward to seeing your snowplows out in the field. Each winning classroom received a $100 gift card for school supplies. This contest is a great way for schools across the state to connect with the crews who work tirelessly to keep our roads clear each winter, said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. Thank you to everyone who took part in this contest, and congratulations to our winners. The winners are: Winning names for Kindergarten through fourth grade: Snowana Katie Simonellis fourth-grade class, Morris Elementary School, Lenox Control-Salt-Delete Ms. Koonzs kindergarten class, Swift River School, New Salem Abomindable Plowman Kimberly Tremletts fourth-grade class, Brophy Elementary School, Framingham Snow Force One Mrs. Butlers kindergarten class, Great Oak Elementary School, Danvers Taylor Drift Lisa Perrys first-grade class, Dighton Elementary School, Dighton Ice Snow More Kathleen Blahos fourth-grade class, St. Mary of the Hills School, Milton Winning names for fifth through eighth grade: Ice Ice Baby Jeff Uhas fifth-grade class, Pine Cobble School, Williamstown Its Snow Problem Tina DeLullos sixth-grade class, Paul R. Baird Middle School, Ludlow Mac N Freeze Abby Normandins sixth-grade class, Oak Street Elementary School, Franklin Blizzard Buster Gabrielle Campbells seventh-grade class, North Andover Middle School, North Andover C 3 P Snow Mrs. Strattons fifth-grade class, St. Marys Catholic School, Mansfield Meltin John Sean Milligans eighth-grade class, Manville School, Boston Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information, visit the link here. 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 Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz on Monday shared a note that he purportedly received from President-elect Donald Trump, posting a photo of the message online after the House Ethics Committee said it found evidence that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illegal drug use while in Congress. The image shared on X, formerly Twitter showed a printout of a November article about allegations at the center of the report, which was made public this week. Published by conservative outlet The Federalist, the article had questioned the credibility of people speaking out against Gaetz. At the top of the printout, a handwritten message addressed to Gaetz reads, Very Unfair! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I got a great note from President Trump! the former Florida representative wrote beside the image. It was not clear when the photo was taken. This comes after the House report, released earlier Monday, accused Gaetz of breaking state and federal laws, saying it had found substantial evidence against him. It alleged that hed paid tens of thousands of dollars to women likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use, claiming that he had used or possessed illegal substances like cocaine and ecstasy. It further alleged that he had paid a 17-year-old girl for sex in 2017. The House Ethics Committee suggested that Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress, according to the report. However, the report said it didnt find that Gaetz had violated federal sex trafficking laws. The Department of Justice had previously launched a sex trafficking probe targeting Gaetz, but it dropped its investigation last year with no charges being filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Ethics Committee wrote that it heard from over half a dozen witnesses who attended parties, events, and trips with Representative Gaetz from 2017-2020, including an associate named Joel Greenberg. Greenberg is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple federal crimes, including sex trafficking, as a part of a deal with prosecutors in 2021. Greenberg was among the witnesses suggested to be unreliable by the Federalist article seen in Mondays photo from Gaetz, as the DOJ had reportedly worried that he would lack credibility to a jury. Gaetz, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, similarly questioned the credibility of those who spoke to officials about his conduct. In a post on X, he wrote that the very witnesses DOJ deemed not-credible were assembled by House Ethics to repeat their claims absent any cross-examination or challenge from me or my attorneys. Ive had no chance to ever confront any accusers. Ive never been charged. Ive never been sued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that he often sent funds to women hed dated but added that he NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. My 30s were an era of working very hard - and playing hard too, he wrote. Its embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now. Gaetz resigned from Congress in November after being named by Trump to be the next attorney general, but ultimately withdrew his bid for the post amid concerns around the House investigation into him. The House Ethics Committee at the time declined to release its findings, but reversed that decision earlier this month, making way for the report to become public. Related... At a roundtable for Jewish reporters at City Hall on Dec. 19, New York City Mayor Eric Adams discussed his record on crime, including antisemitic hate crimes, and lauded the ways that he has elevated Jewish public servants in his administration. You can see yourself in my administration, in very significant places, not symbolic places, but very significant places, he told the roughly two dozen Jewish journalists at the event. But were also doing symbolism because I think symbolism is important. I think a mayor must be symbolic, and he must be substantive. As he munched on carrots during the meeting, the mayor told the Jewish press that many people thought we couldnt continue the celebration of the Israeli Independence Day Parade. New York City Mayor Eric Adams hosts a roundtable discussion with members of the Jewish media at City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office We did not run away from protecting our citizens. We didnt, he said. It was one of the safest displays of Israeli independence, but also in your communities of what were doing every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This city has come back. People told us it was going to take five years. We did it in two years and really six months, he said. We are excited about the continued decrease in crime, almost 2% year after year. Our subway system is extremely safe. And this is a community where public safety, when I say public safety is a prerequisite to prosperity, this is a community that embraces that probably more than any other community in the city. Adams was joined at the meeting by three senior Jewish members of his staff: New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, New York City Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker and Fred Kreizman, commissioner of the mayors Community Affairs Unit. (Adams also mentioned Zach Iscol, commissioner of New York City Emergency Management, who is Jewish.) New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office The mayor told one Jewish reporter that theres a need for real balance to allow peaceful protests and violent protests. Our legal team over at the New York City Police Department, the corp counsel, they make sure we dont cross that line, he said, per a City Hall official transcript. Although there are many days we want to, when I hear people say, you know, death to America, when I hear people [are] wearing Hamas T-shirts, when I hear people spewing out hateful tongues, trust me, we wanna go in and just lock them up from doing that, but the law doesnt allow us to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes people say, Why cant you stop that? Because we cant. Theres a trade-off of living in America, and we have to make sure we stay within the boundaries of what we can do, the mayor said. But we push the envelope. When you start burning flares, when we tell you you cant go down a certain block, youre not gonna march in front of certain very important locations and communities, we take action if people violate that, he added, per the transcript. And then we were sure to allow people to move through the city without the attacks. NYPD made arrests whenever someone broke the law and formed an antisemitism from swastikas to assaults to harassment. Crown jewel Anti-Jewish hate crimes have risen 35% in New York City since Oct. 7, 2023, with 506 hate crimes reported this year compared with 374 reported crimes in 2023, according to Tisch, the police commissioner. Michael Gerber, the deputy police commissioner, told the Jewish reporters that the departments hate crimes unit is really one of the jewels of the crown of the NYPD. We have lots of detectives, but its really an elite unit, he said. New York City Mayor Eric Adams hosts a roundtable discussion with members of the Jewish media at City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office Asked if there is a problem of under-reporting of hate crimes, including antisemitic ones, Gerber said that part of addressing that is outreach to a variety of communities, and thats what were doing every day, both through our detectives and through community affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its building those relationships and making people feel comfortable coming forward, he said. Its always a work in progress. Rebecca Weiner, NYPD deputy commissioner of intelligence and counter-terrorism, told attendees that Theres been such a climate, unfortunately of fear since Oct. 7, but if theres any silver lining in a very dark year, its that we do feel that people are coming forward and letting us know, a lot more open and more understanding. Asked to reflect on the citys approach to pro-Palestinian protests, Kreizman, of the community affairs unit, told reporters that under Adamss direction, city staff have ensured the working relationship with our stakeholders in the Muslim community to divert and ensure that these protests didnt go into certain neighborhoods, as well as in front of certain institutions, like houses of worship. In so doing, Kreizman said, the city avoided greater scale, greater conflict and ensured proper coordination together with the police department, obviously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JNS sought comment from the mayors office about what it means that city staff consulted with Muslim stakeholders. A city official told JNS on background that the community affairs units Muslim liaison, at times, would speak with pro-Palestinian protestors, who initially had plans to go into Jewish communities like Crown Heights on Shabbat, and work with them to re-route to areas that would be less provocative. Cant just police our way out of this Were seeing rising antisemitism in all segments, including in the African-American community, a Jewish radio host said during the event. As the mayor of New York and a respected African-American leader, what can we do to dampen antisemitism in the black community? Adams agreed with the premise of the question. Its clear when you look at the numbers, he said. Many of these cases are dealing with young people and young African Americans, boys specifically. No. 1, we have to do a better job in our educational system, to really appreciate our diversity, the mayor said. No. 2, we need to be creative as adults. He added that the city must bring young people together, so they can sit in a room. A lot of hate is ignorance, and by allowing young people to come in and cross-pollinate their ideas and their cultures, I think thats how we stop the increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not going to be able to just police our way out of this, he said, per the city transcript. Because if you have hate being arrested, when youre released, youre going to still have that hate. So we have to educate our way out of this, and as adults, we need to invite our children into settings with other children. And then we have to take a strong stance. I believe there should be a zero plea bargain rule when someones arrested for hate, he added. I think all of our district attorneys should be on the same page. That if you attack someone because of their race, religion, ethnicity, etc., there should be a zero plea bargain rule and people should be held accountable by the highest level of law. To emphasize his point about increasing cultural education, Adams shared an anecdote about being accosted in the street by a young, black Howard University student, who shouted at him for being a Zionist. While she was yelling at me, I was Googling one of the co-creators of Howard University, which is a very important school in the black community, Adams told the Jewish reporters. I just handed her my phone and she read it to learn that Julius Rosenwald was one of the co-founders of Howard University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also was the co-founder of Dillard College, another important historically black college and university, and co-founder of the NAACP, he said. So she sat there and read through it in amazement that that which she spewed and hated played a role for her to go to school and be educated. That ignorance of the lack of connectivity between our culture and Jewish culture is something that we need to expose, Adams said. The mayor of Vancouver wants to make the Canadian city bitcoin-friendly, but the idea leaves a lot to be desired. What's happening? Ken Sim, a fanatic for the cryptocurrency, proposed the motion earlier this month, Canada's National Observer (CNO) reported. City councilors approved it, "giving staff the thumbs up to explore holding cryptocurrency in reserve and accepting payments in the virtual currency," according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Sim also said he'd donate $10,000 in bitcoin to the city. The plan touts the green benefits of bitcoin, but some experts and critics point out how energy-hungry it is. Bitcoin regularly uses huge data centers and powerful computers in its operations. Almost 50% of the power for bitcoin mining comes from burning coal, and about 20% comes from burning natural gas, according to CNO, based on a United Nations study. Another 16% is powered by hydroelectricity, but solar and wind energy met only "a tiny fraction of the demand." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CBC noted that bitcoin, which recently hit a record high, is volatile and that existing laws don't allow cities to use bitcoin. City Councilor Pete Fry said the proposal was worrisome because of the city's history of organized crime and corruption. Why is this important? "Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are infamous for having substantial impacts on climate, water and land, primarily linked to the massive amounts of electricity needed to 'mine' the currency," the CNO article stated. "This is a process when computers scattered around the world verify transactions made with the currency." This situation also highlights how those in power can bend the will of the people to their liking, as the CNO article highlighted. While Sim doesn't seem to be hiding anything, this proposal and a similar one to undo a natural gas ban in new buildings supposedly because the city lacks the capacity to heat them appear disingenuous at best. In British Columbia, crypto mining has been banned because the province may not have enough power, CNO reported. That energy could be used for more widely beneficial endeavors, as bitcoin can disproportionately impact poor and underrepresented communities while helping the rich get richer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[It] just does not make any kind of sense," City Councilor Adriane Carr said in the CNO article. What's being done about bitcoin mining? If bitcoin's surging value and the microscope on it and other cryptocurrencies' energy usage drive the technology to become greener and help in the development of clean, renewable energy sources, the backlash around Sim and other advocates may turn into a success story. There's another narrative about the good of the industry these days too: that it can reduce wasted energy by powering mining operations with unused electricity from the grid. But until mining does not rely on dirty energy or contribute what some countries do to the warming of the planet, it will be targeted by climate activists, environmentalists, and even citizens. 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. GREENE COUNTY, Miss, (WJTV) The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) announced Wednesday afternoon that authorities captured the convicted murderer who escaped from a Greene County prison on Tuesday. Escapee Drew Johnson is in custody. MDOC announced on Facebook that authorities captured 33-year-old Drew Johnson near the South Mississippi Correctional Institution (SMCI), where he escaped on Tuesday afternoon. Drew Johnson (Courtesy: Mississippi Department of Corrections) The inmate is serving a life sentence for a Rankin County murder. Johnson, sentenced in February 2022, escaped from SMCI in Leakesville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Dec. 24The owners of a Santa Fe food truck that was burglarized and vandalized two nights in a row last month have reopened their business after an online crowdfunding campaign raised nearly $7,000 on their behalf. Abdel Malek Belghiti Alaoui of Yalla Shawarma, a food truck that serves Moroccan-style Mediterranean food, said he and his two partners, Zakaria Belghiti Alaoui and Youssef Lakhrif, are grateful for the support they received through their fundraising campaign that was designed to offset the $7,000 in losses and damage they sustained during the two incidents on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24. "I must say, the GoFundMe campaign was exponentially helpful and unexpected," said Abdel Malek Belghiti Alaoui. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The food truck reopened Friday, Dec. 20 after being closed since Nov. 24. In addition to the nearly $7,000 in online contributions, the three partners also received financial assistance from family members that went toward replacing stolen or damaged inventory or equipment. Belghiti Alaoui said donations surged from $2,500 to $6,500 in the days after their plight was outlined in a Dec. 9 story in The New Mexican. "Thanks to everyone's help, we're back and stronger than ever," he said. He had acknowledged feeling discouraged in the wake of the two break-ins, especially after he and his partners had to throw out food worth several hundred dollars after it spoiled when the electricity to the truck was cut by the vandals during the second incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he and his family prepared to celebrate the holidays on Tuesday, he said he was feeling much better. "People were very empathetic, very supportive, very happy we're back," he said. "It gives us this feeling we're not just a food business. We're loved by a lot of people. There's demand for what we do. The reception showed us the passive, beautiful part of Santa Fe." Belghiti Alaoui and his partners initially hoped to relocate their business from its home at 505 S. St. Francis Drive after the incidents. But he said Tuesday his search for a new location demonstrated such a move likely would be futile, as he heard from business owners all over Santa Fe who have been robbed, convincing him that crime is a communitywide problem. That doesn't mean the three partners haven't taken new precautions since the reopening. Belghiti Alaoui said all the valuable equipment the cash register, computer tablets, iPhones, etc. are packed up and removed from the truck every night, and new, higher-resolution security cameras have been purchased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also are employing new measures to make their electrical supply less vulnerable. Belghiti Alaoui. "Every if something happens, God forbid, it's not going to affect us that badly," he said. The owners of Yalla Shawarma also have received a positive response to their notion of initiating a public dialog about improving public safety in Santa Fe, Belghiti Alaoui said, noting approximately 10 people have indicated to him they would like to be a part of that conversation. A representative of a local church has offered to provide space for such a meeting, he said, and Belghiti Alaoui anticipates being ready to announce a date for that event in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that response has contributed to his renewed faith in Santa Fe. "Nothing makes me happier than knowing I'm taking action and being of service to my community," he said. "That brings joy to my heart." GOSHEN Mennonites throughout the United States and Canada, including those in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan, maintained a vigil for Gaza, in the Christian tradition of the Longest Night service, on Saturday during the longest night of the year. They held vigil to remember the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the suffering in Israel. In Goshen, 50 Mennonites, Anabaptists and allies came throughout the night to grieve, pray, learn, sing hymns and sit in silence. They also wrote cards to elected officials demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, increased humanitarian aid, and return of all hostages. In addition, they filled relief buckets for Mennonite Central Committee, a relief organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This war must end. There has been too much death and suffering in Gaza and Israel, Julia Gautsche, Goshen, said in a release from organizers. We continue to call for permanent ceasefire. The vigil was a way of mourning these deaths on the longest night with others and to strengthen our resolve to seek a ceasefire, said Vic Myers, South Bend. Mennonites across the United States and Canada said they were horrified, first by Hamas brutal attacks against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7 and then by Israels attacks on Palestinian civilians, as the death toll rises each day, including thousands of children. We cannot keep quiet, the release said. As our Palestinian, Jewish, Arab and Muslim friends and loved ones are demanding a ceasefire even while they are forced to reckon with unspeakable tragedies, we believe we have a duty as pacifists and Christians to join public action for peace and justice whenever and wherever we can. Mennonite Action is a movement of Mennonites bonded by a common belief that they have a responsibility to use their voices as powerfully as possible for the cause of peace and justice. They are members of a historic peace church who are mobilizing fellow Mennonites and Anabaptists across the United States and Canada to use creative nonviolent actions to demand a ceasefire, end the U.S. and western funded occupation of Palestine and build for a lasting peace. China's AI self-study rooms gain attention, spark mixed reactions 15:29, December 25, 2024 By Shen Sheng ( Global Times A student uses a learning device at an AI self-study room in Beijing's Fengtai District in December 2024. (Photo/Courtesy of an interviewee who requested anonymity) Under the "AI" concept, a new business model in the education industry - "AI self-study rooms" - has recently emerged in China and is attracting increasing attention and sparking mixed reactions. Compared to traditional self-study rooms, AI self-study rooms offer a tablet computer (learning device) for each desk. The tablet handles the teaching and exercises for each student. "AI self-study rooms integrate AI learning devices, study supervisors, and a conducive environment. Students use AI-powered devices to practice, supervisors ensure discipline, and the quiet environment fosters focus," the manager of an AI self-study room surnamed Huang told the Global Times on Tuesday. Huang operates an AI self-study room in an office building in Beijing's Fengtai District. Inside the study room, rows of standard square desks are equipped with AI learning devices resembling tablets, the Global Times reporter saw. In AI self-study rooms, students use devices for online courses and exercises, while supervisors leverage AI to identify knowledge gaps and create personalized study plans. The rooms also provide real-time learning reports for parents to track progress, Huang said. This new model has sparked mixed opinions. Some see them as gimmicks, as they feel the learning devices in the study rooms are not truly AI. Others highlight their benefits in enhancing learning efficiency, quality, and resource equity. A parent told the Global Times that AI learning devices are more interactive than regular online courses, analyzing performance and recommending suitably challenging questions to meet specific learning goals. A manager of an AI self-study room in a third-tier city told the Global Times that AI helps to solve the problem of unequal distribution of educational resources. When asked about the cost of using the AI self-study room, Huang said that it costs 3,000 yuan ($411) per month for access to the study room during weekdays. On weekends, studying here costs additional charges, with a rate of 200 yuan for every two hours. "Hiring a teacher for personalized tutoring costs 500 yuan for a two-hour session, much more expensive than using an AI learning device," a parent from Yangzhou city, in East China's Jiangsu Province, told the Global Times. The rise of the AI-assisted learning model enhances learning efficiency, addresses unequal resource distribution by breaking regional barriers, and offers personalized solutions, enabling remote students to access quality education. Despite debates, ongoing technological advances and broader applications will make AI-assisted learning increasingly vital to future education, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday. According to China News Weekly, experts affirm AI's positive role in education but note that AI self-study rooms, as an emerging industry, face challenges like low integration and inconsistent quality, which has fueled debate. Some students told the Global Times that certain AI learning devices are not intelligent enough, often making errors or misinterpretations. China Youth Daily reported that some devices are simply app bundles using AI as a gimmick, failing to personalize teaching or move beyond rote practice. Slow updates and rigid question banks further lead to mistakes, potentially misleading students. At the same time, the innovative operational model of AI self-study rooms creates ambiguities in regulatory oversight. Although some projects have passed reviews and continue operations, the industry's growth will require regulatory authorities to further clarify relevant guidelines, according to Science and Technology Daily. "Future regulations must set standards for technologies, educational principles, and market operations, requiring collaboration between software engineers and educators. Models must undergo large-scale testing, evidence-based trials, and third-party accreditation before implementation," said Professor Huang Changqin, Director of the Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Intelligent Educational Technology and Applications. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) by Burak Akinci ANKARA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) serves as a good example of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation between nations based on "win-win solutions," a Turkish expert told Xinhua in a recent interview. "The BRI is a very important initiative to revive the ancient Silk Road, a cross-Eurasian land-based communication and trade network," said Ali Oguz Dirioz, an associate professor of international relations at Ankara's TOBB University of Economics and Technology. China-Turkiye cooperation under the BRI has gained traction, with Turkiye's strategic position bridging Asia and Europe, Dirioz noted. He added that over the past decade, the BRI has grown into an extensive cooperation network spanning three continents, offering a new model for multilateral cooperation amid growing global trade threats from conflicts and crises. The initiative reflects the Chinese philosophy of peaceful cooperation between communities, Dirioz said. "When Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China wants to jointly develop the BRI, this is exactly the message of the peaceful cooperative approach which is in line with the Chinese philosophy of fostering collaborative communities," he noted. In 2013, Xi proposed jointly building a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, now known as the BRI. Since then, transnational cooperation under the BRI has expanded from Eurasia to Africa, Latin America and the South Pacific. A decade later, the BRI has evolved from a vision into reality, from a general framework into concrete projects. It has become the world's most popular international public good and the largest international cooperation platform, Dirioz said. So far, over 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have signed cooperation documents with Beijing under the BRI, a testimony to its growing global appeal. Data from China's Ministry of Commerce revealed that by the end of 2023, Chinese companies had established 17,000 overseas enterprises in BRI-participating countries, with direct investment stock surpassing 330 billion U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, overseas economic and trade cooperation zones built under the initiative had created 530,000 local jobs. Dirioz called the initiative a model for promoting global growth, highlighting its transformative impact on infrastructure, trade, and technology, especially renewable energy technologies. "China has been one of the most responsible nations in showing leadership for renewable energy and technology development, and also in regards to cooperation with its partners," Dirioz observed. He explained that China possesses advanced technology in sectors such as solar and wind power generation, electric vehicle production, and other in-demand areas. "China has made immense progress in renewable technologies, sustainable city designs and solar energy development," Dirioz added, saying that making these technologies accessible could improve livelihood in BRI-participating countries. He also praised China's commitment to fair and mutually beneficial economic cooperation within its initiative, affirming that China seeks to share the benefits with all involved, rather than monopolizing them. Dirioz stressed that the BRI underscores the message that the initiative "is not a monopoly of one nation but a consortium for the benefit of all the nations involved," offering "win-win solutions". He noted several projects in Turkiye under the BRI, including major railway projects, which have contributed to people's daily lives and the transport of goods. As a supporter of the BRI, Turkiye signed a memorandum of understanding with China in 2015 to align with its Middle Corridor plan, connecting Turkiye and Europe to China via a Trans-Caspian transport route. Dirioz told Xinhua that these initiatives complement each other, with efforts underway to further integrate them beyond previous achievements. "When we look at the Turkiye-China cooperation, especially regarding railroads, significant investments are being carried out continuously," he said. The expert believes that Turkiye and China will continue to cooperate on implementing the initiative, adapting to the new realities of international trade, and driving global and regional economic development. "The BRI, by enhancing connections, will strengthen regional and global interconnectivity, offering a significant opportunity for developing countries and emerging markets to foster efficient collaboration," Dirioz added. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the first night of Hanukkah falls on Christmas day, marking a rare confluence of Jewish and Christian holidays, which occur on separate calendars. South Florida is home to a variety of faith groups, with rich traditions and cultures. Though there are significantly more Christians, including Catholics, South Florida hosts the third largest Jewish population in the country. And this years convergence of Christmas and Hanukkah, some South Florida faith leaders say, is an opportunity to foster interfaith relationships through the holidays shared themes of hope and light. The Rev. Priscilla Felisky Whitehead said holiday gatherings are a perfect setting for people to learn about each others traditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an opportunity to really hear peoples stories and to take the time to listen to peoples backgrounds and how important their faith communities, their families have been, and how they look at the world, said Whitehead, who was a pastor at The Church by the Sea in Bal Harbour for 22 years. The holidays, Whitehead said, allow people to set aside their politics and engage other human beings, at the place where their lives are touched the most by friends, family, tradition and faith. For many faith leaders in South Florida, building relationships with people of other religious backgrounds is an important factor to building a stronger community. Interfaith work, which has roots to the 1930s in Miami, is often touted as a way to build bridges and find common ground in the face of prejudice and fear of the other. But, as prominent North Miami Rabbi Ralph Kingsley points out, interfaith dialogue is also about recognizing peoples differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thing that makes us most alike as human beings is the fact that we are different and have a right to our own differences, at the same time being respectful of the other to have a right to his or her own way of life, Kingsley said. And I think both of our traditions try to project that message at this particular season. Kingsley, 91, who served as the rabbi of Temple Sinai of North Dade for more than 30 years, remembers the ongoing battles of separation of church and state in his youth. He admits that he was adamant about not celebrating religious events in public spaces. But, today, he feels differently. I kind of have come to appreciate the fact that today, when there was a Christmas tree on display or a creche, theres also a menorah, and Americans have been sort of taught over the years that theyve got to live with both side by side and appreciate the fact that there is the other. Whitehead and Kingsley are long-time friends, partly because of their work in South Florida interfaith circles. They were reunited, unexpectedly, when they both became residents at the senior living community Vi at Aventura. Rev. Priscilla Felisky Whitehead Interfaith family celebrations For some families, the merging of two religions is an everyday occurrence. Miami native Sarah Robleto is Jewish while her husband, Frank Robleto, who was born in Nicaragua, grew up Catholic. When they were married, they had two weddings. And now, every year the family of four celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, integrating family traditions from both religions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We definitely do both. And this year, its kind of even more special because the first night [of Hanukkah] is on Christmas night, Sarah said. She added an important caveat: the children do not get double the gifts. The Robletos two children Jacob, 19, and Madelyne, 13, were both raised Jewish a decision their parents made early on in their discussion on how to merge their two faith backgrounds. My biggest concern is that our kids were raised in a religion, said Frank. Whether it was Judaism or Catholicism, I didnt mind either way. I was happy to have them being raised Jewish. The Robletos, who live in Cutler Bay, currently attend Temple Judea, a Reform synagogue in Coral Gables and on some Catholic holidays, Saint Louis Catholic Church in Pinecrest. Frank, who is still a practicing Catholic, said attending service thats different from what hes used to has been made easier by the rabbis and welcoming atmosphere at the synagogues his family has been a part of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its all about how open the temple or the church is on inviting mixed faith marriages. Luckily for us, because weve been, or Sarahs mostly been at Reform temples, theyve had that openness to invite me as well. This year, the Robletos will be in Georgia visiting extended family for Christmas. But, Sarah plans to host a Hanukkah night to give her nieces and nephews a true Hanukkah experience. Sarah Robleto and Frank Robleto Jr. h celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah each year at their home in Cutler Bay. Rev. Laurinda Hafner, who is known in the community for her ability to use her faith to fight social justice causes, said interfaith work is also about working together towards a common goal. Her congregation has hosted events against the issue of book banning in schools and panels to discuss Christian Nationalism, a topic she calls a common concern among many faith leaders. She also says, interfaith work is most effective when people can sit down, share a meal and talk. I am convinced that when you sit down with other people around the table and you enjoy a meal together, break bread, or have a glass of wine, thats where the real interfaith dialogue and the real interfaith work begins, Hafner said. Different holidays, same roots Jews and Christians already have a lot in common, as both come from Abrahamic religions, meaning they (along with Muslims) share the belief that Abraham was the initial prophet with whom God made a covenant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both traditions were birthed together in these ancient stories, and they kind of take a turn from each other, but our roots really are very much the same, said Hafner of the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ. We understand Jesus as being Jewish, and the early Christians came out of that Jewish tradition, so they would have understood Passover, they would have understood Hanukkah and a lot of the other traditions. READ MORE: Its about love. Christian groups bring Christmas joy to Miamis most vulnerable Christmas and Hanukkah, though originating from very different stories, have some shared themes: theyre both, in a way, celebrations of light and hope during the darkest time of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a time for both of our faith traditions to emphasize the importance of light and hope, which the winter months increasingly, not so much in Florida, but up North, certainly, become a time of darkness, Rabbi Kingsley said. Rabbi Ralph Kingsley Both holidays, Rabbi Kingsley noted, are not really based on the Bible itself, but are holidays occurring in post-biblical times. Though the Bible refers in many places to the birth of Jesus Christ to the Virgin Mary, the exact date of Jesus birth is not recorded in the Bible, nor is the celebration of Christmas. And Jews learn about Hanukkah from the Apocrypha, Jewish writings that are not included in the Hebrew Bible. Similarly, the origin of Hanukkah is based on a real historical event that took place during a tumultuous time for Jewish people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Jewish people over the Syrian army in a fight to gain religious freedom. When the Syrians were trying to impose their religion and culture on the Jewish people, the non-conformist army, the Maccabees, were able to fight and win the re-dedication of their temple in Jerusalem. When they went to rekindle the eternal light in the ancient temple in Jerusalem, they only had enough oil to last for one night, and it lasted for eight hence the miracle of that season, said Kingsley. But the great miracle is the fact that this small group of Maccabees could defeat this large Syrian empire. The way Kingsley sees it, that victory by the Maccabees ultimately led to the origin of Christmas. Were it not for that victory, there would have been no Christmas, because there would have been no Judaism, out of which Christianity ultimately was born, so its an interesting twist of history. This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A 911 call about two men allegedly fighting in Middletown on Christmas Eve ended with a police officer fatally shooting one of them. According to city officials, officers were called to an apartment shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday on a report of two adult men fighting. Officers allegedly knocked on the apartment door and identified themselves as police. According to the city, one of the men opened the door and displayed a weapon, prompting one of the officers to fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The subject was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigation into the shooting has been turned over to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact BCI at 855-224-6446 or 740-845-2000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 roommate of Sebastian Zapeta, the Guatemalan migrant who police say horrifically killed a woman by setting her on fire as she slept on an F train in Brooklyn, and then watched as she burned to death, said Tuesday that Zapeta seemed like a regular guy who gave no indication that he could turn violent. Raymont Robinson, 54, who slept across from Zapeta for three nights at Forbell Mens Shelter in Brooklyn, and hung out with him several times, told the Daily News that Zapeta was like an average guy, who drank alcohol and smoked the synthetic drug K2 to the point where he would frequently space out in conversation, but did not otherwise act in a way that concerned him. He would sit in the park getting high right next to me, Robinson said. Thats how I knew he got high. Its [K2], a synthetic drug. You smoke it just like marijuana. It smells like burning garbage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We slept side by side with each other. We hung out in the park a few times together. I mean, he seemed like an average guy, but I know that he get high. But, it was never to where he got violent, Robinson added. In fact, Robinson said, Zapeta was the kind of guy he would feel comfortable leaving his 6-year-old daughter with for a moment while he ran to the store. Thats what he gave off, he said. He was like an average guy. We spoke on occasion. He didnt seem to be unusual or off-board in any way. We had regular conversations, Robinson said. He just said that hes trying to get his life together. Like a normal person. Hes trying to get himself together. You know, he wanted to be on his own. He tried to live with other people. You know, they didnt like certain things, they would put him out, he would sleep on the train sometimes, sometimes hed sleep in the park. I mean, the regular life of being homeless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zapeta, 33, came to the U.S. from Guatemala in 2018, and was deported, but subsequently reentered the country and made his way to New York City. The identity of the woman fatally burned on the F train has still not been released. Robinson said he spoke with Zapeta on Sunday just hours before Zapeta allegedly committed the heinous crime. We just got done eating breakfast together. He said, Im going to hustle. When he say hes going to hustle, hes going to open the door at Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds. He opens the door and he looks for change. Thats where I thought he was going. Thats what he normally go do. Thats his hustle. Im going to hustle, Ill see you later on. I said, All right, Ill see you later on. I went this way, he went that way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of his usual routine of holding the door open at Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds for tips, though, Zapeta boarded the F train, riding it to the end of the line at Coney Island-Stillwell Ave., where he allegedly set fire to the sleeping woman as the train was stopped at the station. He then calmly fanned the flames with his T-shirt before sitting down on a bench on the platform to watch the woman burn to death in the train, according to authorities. Zapeta was initially able to slip away from the police, who didnt realize he was the one who had allegedly started the fire, but his image was captured on their body cameras and later disseminated to the public. He was arrested later that afternoon at the 34th St.-Herald Square station after three teenagers recognized him and called 911. After his arrest, Zapeta told police he drinks a lot of liquor and doesnt know what happened, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg said Tuesday. Robinson said he was shocked when he heard what Zapeta allegedly had done. When other residents told him what happened, I didnt believe it, he said. Then he saw the horrifying incident on the TV news. I still didnt believe it, he said. NEW YORK The migrant accused of torching a homeless woman on a Brooklyn subway made his first court appearance Tuesday to face murder charges and prosecutors revealed he used his shirt to fan the flames after he ignited her clothes with a lighter. Sebastian Zapeta, a 33-year-old Guatemalan migrant living in a Brooklyn mens shelter, was dressed in a white Tyvek suit with a black hoodie poking out from underneath as he stood in Brooklyn Criminal Court Tuesday. Judge Jung Park ordered him held without bail on charges of first- and second-degree murder and arson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his arrest, Zapeta told police he drinks a lot of liquor and doesnt know what happened, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg said Tuesday. Zapeta approached the victim who authorities still havent been able to identify as she slept in an F train stopped at the end of the line at Coney Island-Stillwell Ave. station at about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, according to cops. He and the woman appeared to be strangers and he said nothing to her as he set her clothing ablaze with a lighter, cops said. (He) began fanning the fire using a shirt. The deceased became entirely engulfed in flames. The defendant then stepped out of the train onto a platform and continued fanning the flames with a shirt, Rottenberg said in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zapeta then threw the shirt to the ground and sat down on a bench on the subway platform to watch his deadly handiwork, prosecutors say. Suspect arrested for lighting woman on fire on Brooklyn train.Horrifying video shows the suspect sitting on the bench calmly watching as the flames engulfed the woman, who got to her feet and was standing helplessly near the subway cars open door. Police on the scene didnt realize Zapetas role in the blaze and he walked away unnoticed, police said. Surveillance video later recovered by cops showed him inside the subway car and a police officers body cam got a clear shot of his face as he sat on the bench, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Sunday. Police released photos of him to the media and a trio of high schoolers spotted him on another train later in the day and called 911, the commissioner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cops and transit officials held the train at 34th St. in Manhattan and arrested him. Zapeta was arrested by Customs and Border Patrol in Arizona on June 2, 2018, sources said, then removed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and returned to Guatemala. But he made his way back to the U.S. sometime after. Zapeta is due back in Brooklyn Criminal Court on the murder charges Friday. This was his first arrest in New York City. His lawyer, Andrew Friedman, reserved the right to apply for bail at a later date. Friedman declined comment Tuesday. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) America is a nation of 335 million immigrants, each of us with histories of ancestral relocation we may or may not have learned. Those migrations may have involved Ellis Island, work visas, a gap in a border fence, or an ancient ice bridge. Few stories, if any, surpass that of Huong Le in terms of harrowing encounters with danger. The soft-spoken timepiece repairman overcame war, conquest, oppression, starvation, sharks, pirates and turbulent, at times violent seas to escape the communist takeover as a member of one of the most storied migrations in world history that of the Vietnamese boat people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and his son Raymond run a modest little watch repair and used-clock business right at the split of eastbound 23rd and westbound 24th streets in downtown Bakersfield. In 1975, Huong, a sailor in the South Vietnamese Navy, watched in anguish as the last Americans helicoptered out of the capital city of Saigon. For seven years he and his family lived under the yoke of communism, yearning for the simple freedoms of the past. Many of his countrymen yearned for that freedom as well, and starting almost immediately after the Norths victory, they started making their escape from communist Vietnam by way of the most feasible avenue available to them the sea. According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, from 1975 to 1995, between 200,000 and 600,000 Vietnamese boat people died at sea. During that time, 800,00 made it to relative safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of people havent experienced it, Raymond Le said. Once youre actually on there, its death. The refugees used any vessel they could find fishing boats, trading boats, recreational boats, home-crafted boats, many of them absurdly small or ill-designed for the undertaking. In 1982, Huong Le, a 32-year-old university mathematics professor, decided that he must try. We put together money, my friend and I and built a boat again, Huong said. Because the boat (had) no engine that we built. We pay to buy a India engine. One cylinderthats all. He built the boat, ostensibly, for his sisters Mekong Delta farm, but it was not suited to the ocean with its flat bottom and that single-piston outboard. He stocked it with as much fresh water and dried grain as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though it was just 8 meters long and less than 2 meters wide, he packed it with 26 people, including five family members, his 30-year-old wife Lan Pham; 9 year-old Khanh, who today goes by Raymond; 7-year-old Khang; 5-year-old Khuong; and his 18-month-old daughter, Vykha, pronounced Veeka. They set out from the provincial coastal capital of Ben Tre and headed southeast, flying the nautical flags Charlie and November, which separately signify yes and no but which, together, signify distress. Emptying the fields: Mass deportations, consequences in Kern County Some of the Vietnamese boat people never made it into the open sea. If they were not stopped and, on occasion, killed by military patrols, they were stranded on sandbars, where they often met an especially cruel fate. As the tide came in, so too did the sandbar sharks. Huong Le, pronounced Lay, was not a navigator in the Navy, but he knew enough to time his vessels departure so as to avoid detection and consumption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They initially headed southeast to get some distance away from coastal patrols, using an old Army compass, careful to avoid not only Vietnamese military vessels but also the many islands of Vietnams southern periphery, where communist authorities might spot them. Maybe they kill me, Huong said. Huong captained the tiny, narrow vessel, standing at the stern, rudder in hand. His wife Lan held tightly to Vykha. In the quiet darkness of night, a cry from the infant within earshot of military patrols could be the end for all of them. Off the coast of Thailand, they narrowly avoided pirates thieves and killers on small, fast boats who boarded slower moving refugee vessels in the Gulf of Siam. They raped women, stole valuables, seized meager provisions and then, not infrequently, murdered their victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the United Nations, in 1981, 80 to 90 percent of the refugee boats reaching Thailand were attacked by pirates, many of them several times, but somehow Huongs boat avoided them. They traveled south by southwest toward Malaysia, going four and-a-half days without seeing land, too weak and exhausted to fish, their minuscule rations dwindling, rainwater their only salvation. Huong remembers the day his one and only rationed mouthful of grain was blasted out of his hand by a gush of water before he could eat it; he went without that day. They saw huge tanker ships that might have rescued them, but all passed them by. Then one night they saw what appeared to be a flame on a distant horizon. Desperate, starving and taking on ocean water from a crack in the bow, they turned toward it. One more day, Huong said, I know the boat will sink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By dawn it had come into view an offshore oil rig platform that had been flaring off excess natural gas. They asked to come aboard the Conoco rig but the American supervisor said he was banned from allowing such boardings. Despite that rejection, in desperation, 23 of the refugees clambered onto the platform, huddling on an empty lower deck, out of sight of the rig hands, while Huong and two others set out on their small boat to find help. They found it a small cargo vessel that agreed to take them aboard, and then transferred them to a larger cargo ship. It brought them to Ku Ku Island, a refugee camp in the Indonesian Anambas Islands, east of Malaysia. It was a harsh place that held Vietnamese arrivals in military tents prior to their refugee-screening interviews and subsequent transfer to other camps. In Huongs case, that was to Galang Island, in the Riau Islands of Indonesia. A quarter of a million refugees passed through Galang during the height of the exodus. It was here that U.S. officials checked Huongs papers and, seeing that he had served in the South Vietnamese Navy, authorized his familys immigration to the United States. Their arrival at Los Angeles International Airport in May 1983 was a wondrous day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family moved around over the next 20 years Springfield, Oregon; San Antonio, Texas; and several Northern California cities. It was at a Sears store in Oregon that the mathematics professor opened his first watch repair shop. Three years ago Huong and most of his family moved to Bakersfield to be near their familys youngest, Vykha, the baby they had managed to keep silent at critical times along their journey. Vee Maldonado, as shes known today, is married and working as a social worker for a veterans services office. Huong opened his watch repair business in 2021, replacing and restoring the inner workings of timepieces large and small new, old, and ancient. Providence gifted him and his young family a great blessing time together, spent living in peace almost a half-century ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now he restores time for his Bakersfield customers, many of whom have no idea what it took for him to get to this place of relative peace and tranquility. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Across Milwaukee on Christmas Day, the holiday spirit was felt as community members, first responders and organizations gathered to support one another. That admirable assemblage doesn't even mention some of the more famous, anonymous individuals who started the day by greeting kids at Children's Wisconsin hospital in Wauwatosa. Santa Claus, a trusty elf, Spiderman, Captain Marvel and other superheroes, were hoisted by local fire trucks on Wednesday morning to offer well wishes to the patients and workers who awaited their arrival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: With snow on the ground, it looks like Milwaukee will see a 'white Christmas' in 2024 "Merry Christmas," Santa bellowed upon his arrival, while an elf welcomed the famed man ecstatically. "You make Santa very happy!" Area fire departments from Milwaukee, West Allis, Wauwatosa and St. Francis banded together to mark the holiday for the seventh year, said Milwaukee firefighter Trevor Pinkalla. The event began after Pinkalla's own son was in the hospital for six months with cancer and inspired the departments to try and bring holiday cheer to kids who can't be home for the holiday, he said. The inclusion of superheroes is to be respectful of kids who may not celebrate the holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Being a Milwaukee firefighter and seeing these children come here constantly, we wanted to bring them a little joy," he said. "We wanted to make sure they know Santa is still with them, even though they're in very tough spots." More: First Baptist in Waukesha embraces Christmas themes of rebirth, goodwill all year. Meanwhile, across the city the Salvation Army and its host of volunteers were offering what the organization calls the biggest holiday meal in Wisconsin at the Baird Center. About 4,000 meals are prepared for the Christmas Family Feast, which is now in its 35th year, said Major Beverly Gates, the area commander for the Salvation Army in Milwaukee County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meal created a lively scene. Disc jockey Homer Blow played a range of songs, from Christmas classics to soul music, and emceed the event. He has volunteered for the feast for 18 years, and welcomed those in attendance not as guests, but "as family." More: You could call it the Waukesha Christmas TV episode of 'Happy Days,' with good reason Santa Claus made an appearance, as some danced to the tunes and kids delighted in ice cream for dessert. Lines of attendees trickled in for the meal turkey, green beans, white bread and stuffing among the offerings. Others waited patiently for haircuts from barbers like Kenny Jones, who goes by Haircut Jones, and his student, Dynell Wimberly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others waited patiently in line for free bus tickets, toys and packaged Hostess treats. "I love the spirit of what Christmas really is," Blow said. "Christmas is about giving love." Roughly 425 people volunteered to make sure the event ran smoothly. Among them were Vera Pleas and members of the Schutz family. Helping out with the event they say has now become part of their Christmas traditions. Tracey and Larry Schutz, along with their son August, are not new to volunteering. Their service began nine years ago by filling drinks. Now, they serve food. "It really makes us feel good," Tracey Schutz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pleas is from Chicago, but has driven to Milwaukee the last six years to volunteer for the event with her sister. On Wednesday, she handed out bus tickets to those who attended. More: How much will the average Wisconsin parent spend on Christmas? The meal was a way for some, like Nia Ramirez and her son, Ahanu, to spend the day in the company of others. They moved to Milwaukee from Texas two years ago. They didn't want to be alone during the holiday. Others like Angel Dotey Murdock Sr., his wife, Alley, and brother Andrew, tried out the meal for the first time. Angel said he was from Los Angeles and had never experienced something like the meal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's nice and lively," he said. "I'm happy to be here." For Eric Campbell, the meal is a poignant and important tradition. He has turned out to the annual feast for a decade. Campbell planned to spend Christmas with his grandchildren later in the day, and possibly take them to a movie. "It captures my attention and gives me motivation to keep going on," Campbell said of the community meal. "Being a believer, it helps a lot." David Clarey can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Christmas in Milwaukee: Santa greets kids at hospital, meal feeds thousands NAHARIYA, Israel (AP) A missile launched from Yemen triggered air raid sirens across central Israel early Wednesday, sending millions of residents looking for cover for the second night in a row. The military said the missile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but police reported shrapnel from the interception fell in several towns. There were no reports of injuries. It was the fourth time in a week that fire from Yemen's Houthi rebels set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, 1 6 people were injured when a missile hit a playground in Tel Aviv after Israels air defense system failed to intercept it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemens rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks. On Tuesday, Israels foreign minister requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn the Houthi attacks as well as the groups Iranian allies for allegedly providing the rebels with weapons Moldovan President Maia Sandu has stated that a Russian missile violated Moldova's airspace on the night of 24 December. Source: Sandu on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Sandu stated that on Christmas, "the Kremlin chooses destruction targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure and violating Moldovas airspace with a missile, actions that clearly violate international law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Moldova condemns these acts and stands in full solidarity with Ukraine." While our countries celebrate Christmas, Kremlin chooses destructiontargeting Ukraines energy infrastructure and violating Moldovas airspace with a missile, actions that clearly violate international law. Moldova condemns these acts and stands in full solidarity with Ukraine. Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) December 25, 2024 Background: It has been reported that Russia launched another missile attack on Ukraine on Christmas Eve. Explosions were reported in the cities of Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Dnipro, as well as in Poltava and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia struck Ukraine with more than 70 missiles and 100 drones, and Ukrainian air defence managed to shoot down "over 50 missiles and a significant number of the drones". Ukraines Air Force reported at 07:24 on 25 December that a cruise missile was flying "in the direction of Chernivtsi from the territory of Moldova". Monitoring outlets noted that the Russian missile flew 140 kilometres across the territory of Moldova and Romania, entering the airspace from the town of Yampil in Vinnytsia Oblast (near the Moldovan border) and then flying back into Ukraine near the town of Darabani (a Romanian town near the border with Moldova). The Romanian authorities have not confirmed reports of a Russian missile flying over their territory. Support UP or become our patron! HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) A Montgomery, Indiana man is facing numerous charges after being arrested following a police chase Monday evening. Indiana State Police state at about 6:10 p.m., an ISP Trooper stopped a 2009 Chevrolet SUV near Cannelberg for speeding and a taillight infraction. The driver was identified as Kenneth Evinger, 47. ISP says the Trooper recognized signs of criminal activity and ordered Evinger out of the vehicle. Evinger allegedly refused and took off while waiting for backup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISP says speeds reached almost 100 MPH where the chase went onto rural Daviess County roads when Evinger reportedly lost control, lost a tire and got stuck in a ditch. Evinger reportedly fled on foot into a wooded area, and with assistance from multiple agencies, Evinger was found hiding in the woods with the assistance of a K9 and drones. Evinger was taken into custody and booked into the Daviess County Jail. ISP states while authorities were searching for Evinger, Troopers went to Evingers residence where they reportedly saw more evidence of criminal activity. After a search warrant was granted through Daviess County Court, Troopers reportedly found about nine grams of suspected methamphetamine, over six pounds of suspected marijuana, controlled substances and paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evinger is facing a long list of charges including dealing, possession, resisting law enforcement and criminal recklessness. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). A vacant hallway at Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma, AL, Tuesday, Sep. 3, 2024 in Selma, Ala.Alabama hospitals say that Medicare's wage reimbursement index isn't keeping up with their needs. The League of Women Voters Greater Montgomery Chapter held a post-election meeting where participants discussed the link between politics, government and personal health during the nation's transition. (Will McLelland for Alabama Reflector) The League of Women Voters Greater Montgomery Chapter discussed health care in a post-election outlook meeting last week. Aretha Dix, a retired Air Force health care administrator and a rural health care strategist with wellness consulting firm Lebleu Fields, pointed to the importance of understanding the intersection of politics, government and personal health as the nation transitions into a new administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health equity isnt just a medical issueits tied to social determinants like education, income, and geography, Dix said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The League of Women Voters is a national political nonprofit focusing on civic engagement, such as conducting voter registration drives, providing voter information and advocating for voting rights. The organization also advocates for issues like health care reform and immigration. The meeting also explored the emotional toll of the recent election. Participants were invited to share their feelings post-election using emojis, with responses ranging from angry to afraid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been a roller coaster for me, said Amy Hasting, the chapter treasurer, who described feeling overwhelmed and working to regain perspective. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around gaps in civic education and their impact on voter turnout and policy understanding. While some attendees argued that civics can be adequately taught in schools, others highlighted challenges in retention and application. A lot of people didnt understand what separation of powers meant or how their vote impacts their community, Dix said. Dix discussed the importance of understanding the separation of powers, emphasizing its direct impact on health equity and public policy. She said the roles of the three brancheslegislative, executive, and judicialshape policies that affect everyday life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if youre not directly impacted, you know someone or these things had an impact on your community somehow, and if they havent had it, I guarantee you they will, Dix said. She mentioned the Affordable Care Act, which falls under the legislative branchs responsibility, and the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions public health guidelines, overseen by the executive branch. Judicial decisions, she said, have also had far-reaching implications for health policy, citing cases like Roe v. Wade. Many people went into this election without fully grasping how these checks and balances influence their lives, she said, adding that there is a need for more civic education. Bridget Seritt, a health care advocate from Colorado, said prescription drug affordability boards, state-level agencies that review prescription drug costs, and the risks of potential Medicaid and Medicare cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If those programs are reduced, it will disproportionately harm the most vulnerable members of our society, she warned. Dix also discussed the power of storytelling in advocacy going forward. Facts tell, but stories sell, Dix said, encouraging attendees to use personal narratives to influence policymakers. Seritt said sharing her X-rays during a legislative push helped secure crucial support for rare disease treatments. Carol Mosely, president of the Montgomery chapter said that the organization is nonpartisan but quite political. We are very active where issues are concerned, and we are going to be very active in the Legislature this year, Mosely said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ISTANBUL, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Turkish authorities detained 10 people in connection with the munitions factory explosion in Balikesir province, northwestern Turkiye, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Balikesir, Tunc said preliminary findings showed they were "found to be responsible or negligent." The minister also emphasized that a comprehensive investigation is underway, and all technical data, including camera footage, has been seized. "The cause and those responsible will be identified as soon as possible," Tunc added. The explosion occurred at the munitions factory in Balikesir on Tuesday morning, resulting in 11 fatalities and 7 injuries. Tunc earlier revealed that a five-member team, consisting of specialists in chemistry, mechanical engineering, occupational safety, and geophysics, has been appointed to determine the cause of the explosion. SARAJEVO (Reuters) - More than 200,000 homes across Bosnia and Herzegovina were without electricity for a second day on Wednesday, authorities said, after a snowstorm the day before caused widespread disruption across several Balkan countries. Mainly in northwestern and central Bosnia, towns and villages suffered ongoing power outages, the country's two power utilities said. The snowfall had stopped on Wednesday, when the Catholic population was celebrating Christmas, but many roads remained blocked, cutting off access to towns and villages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our teams are on site all the time, doing everything in their power," Jelena Markovic, spokesperson for the Elektroprenos BiH distribution company, said. Most transmission lines were in inaccessible areas, she said. In neighbouring Croatia, emergency crews said they rescued 48 people who had been buried in the snow in the central Lika region. In Slovenia, authorities said strong winds and snow made it impossible for a rescue helicopter to reach a Hungarian hiker who has been stranded in the Alps since Sunday. As many as 10,000 homes were also without electricity for much of Wednesday in western Serbia, the Tanjug news agency quoted Ivan Spajic, the head of the department for emergencies in the town of Sabac as saying, although the issue was mostly restored by late in the day. (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic and Aleksandar Vasovic; Writing by Karolina Tagaris; editing by Barbara Lewis) By Custodio Cossa, Manuel Mucari MAPUTO (Reuters) -A prison riot in Mozambique's capital Maputo left 33 people dead and 15 injured, the country's police general commander Bernardino Rafael said on Wednesday, as civil unrest linked to October's disputed election continues. A decision on Monday by Mozambique's top court confirming long-ruling party Frelimo's victory in the election has sparked fresh nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters who say the vote was rigged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Rafael blamed protests outside the prison for encouraging the riot, Justice Minister Helena Kida told local private broadcaster Miramar TV that the unrest was started inside the prison and had nothing to do with protests outside. "The confrontations after that resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injured in the vicinity of the jail." Rafael told a media briefing. The identities of those killed and injured were unclear. About 1,534 people escaped from the prison in the incident but 150 have now been recaptured, Rafael said, adding that there were prison break attempts at two other prisons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are worried as a country, Mozambicans and security forces," Rafael said. "We expect in the next 48 hours a rise in crime." Mozambique's interior minister said on Tuesday that at least 21 people were killed in unrest after the top court's decision. Prior to Tuesday, civil society monitoring group Plataforma Decide said at least 130 people have been killed in clashes with police since the unrest started. (Reporting by Custodio Cossa and Manuel Mucari; Writing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Nick Zieminski) HONOLULU (KHON2) A missing person case on Maui has been reclassified as an active murder investigation. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Thirty-two-year-old woman Hollee Dela Cruz of Lahaina was reported missing to police on Dec. 11 by a family member who said she had not been heard from since early November. 3 suspects arrested in connection to Waianae shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, she was last seen around Nov. 13 in the Wailuku area. MPD said it was unknown whether she had access to a vehicle and calls to her cell phone were left unanswered. One week later, Maui police announced that Dela Cruz was located. Officials confirmed she was found deceased with KHON2 on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Check out more news from around Hawaii MPD was unable to provide further information to avoid jeopardizing the ongoing 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 KHON2. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Firefighters rescued multiple dogs from a burning house early Christmas morning in an east Columbus neighborhood. A spokesperson with Columbus fire said the fire was at a three-story residential unit on Winner Avenue in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville area just after 12:45 a.m. The fire started on the second/third floor unit and was extinguished. Whitehall considers allowing residents to hunt deer, citing overpopulation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one was injured in the fire and authorities rescued five dogs from inside the house. The Columbus Division of Fire is continuing to investigate. Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Fire Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Fire Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Fire Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Fire Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Fire Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Fire Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. At least eight Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies have been relieved of duty amid a federal investigation into the beating of a transgender man last year in a 7-Eleven parking lot, according to several law enforcement sources. Last week, nearly two years after the incident, Deputy Joseph Benza III agreed to plead guilty to one felony civil rights violation in federal court . In his plea agreement, Benza admitted that he lied to the FBI about the incident and alleged that numerous other deputies and sergeants helped obstruct the investigation and cover up the misconduct. After confirming Dec. 18 that Benza had been taken off the job, the next day the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said multiple other deputies have also been relieved of duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: L.A. sheriff's deputy pleads guilty to beating transgender man who flipped him off Sheriffs officials would not specify how many employees have been sidelined, but half a dozen sources in the department told The Times that eight people including several sergeants were relieved of duty. The sources requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. After news of the criminal case against Benza, 36, was announced last week, he made an initial appearance in federal court and was released on $50,000 bond, a U.S. Department of Justice spokesman told The Times. Benza is due back in court Jan. 17, when he is expected to plead guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorney, Tom Yu, previously told The Times that he supported his clients decision to take accountability and planned to ask the court for probation. The incident that sparked the federal case happened Feb. 10, 2023. That morning, 23-year-old Emmett Brock was leaving his high school teaching job when he spotted a deputy who he said appeared to be in a heated conversation with a woman on the side of the road. Emmett Brock, then 23, was driving home from his job as a teacher in 2023 when he was beaten by a deputy outside a 7-Eleven. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) As he drove by, Brock previously told The Times, he threw up his middle finger, thinking the deputy would not see it. A few seconds later, he said, he spotted a patrol cruiser following close behind him without its lights or sirens on, mirroring his every turn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, Benzas lawyer said the person Brock passed on the side of the road was not his client but another officer, probably from another agency. He said Benza never saw Brock flip him off and Benzas own incident report made no mention of it. In last weeks court filings, prosecutors said Benza abandoned his response to a domestic disturbance call when he saw Brock flip him off. At one point, prosecutors said, Benza called another deputy, and said he planned to stop someone whod flipped him off and that he intended to use force. After driving nearly two miles with the deputy following behind him, Brock stopped at a 7-Eleven and stepped out of his car. Video of the incident shows that the deputy approached him and said, I just stopped you, offering no explanation as to why. Read more: Video of jailer appearing to slam inmate into wall sparks calls for DOJ investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, you didnt, Brock replied, according to an audio recording from the deputys body camera. Federal prosecutors said Benza then violently body slammed Brock into the ground. For the next three minutes, Brock struggled and screamed as the deputy held him down and punched him in the head. Youre going to fing kill me, he shouted. Help! Help! Help! Im not resisting! Afterward, Brock was taken to the Norwalk sheriffs station lockup, where he alleged staff asked to see his genitals before deciding which holding cell to send him to. He was initially booked on three felonies and one misdemeanor, and later released on $100,000 bail . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Benza put together the incident report, he asked several sergeants whether he should mention the real reason he started following Brock and was told to omit it, according to his plea agreement. In his report, the deputy said it appeared Brock was about to throw a punch, so Benza struck first. During the struggle, the deputys report claimed, Brock attempted to rip my skin from my hand by repeatedly biting him. However, medical reports from the scene and later from the hospital did not mention seeing signs of bite marks. According to federal prosecutors, in the days after The Times and other news outlets reported on the case in July 2023, Benza sent a group text to two other deputies about the media coverage, and the three of them discussed the need to delete text messages on their personal cellphones in light of the anticipated federal investigation. Three days after the initial group text, one of the other deputies texted the group to relay a sergeants instruction for Benza to toss the phone, which federal prosecutors said was a directive to delete data from the device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the other deputy was interviewed by federal investigators this year, prosecutors said, he and Benza discussed lying to authorities to explain their messages about the sergeants order to dump the phone. When federal investigators interviewed Benza, he claimed he had not seen anyone flip him off, alleged again that Brock had bitten him, and said he had not substantively discussed the contents of his incident report with anyone else while he drafted it. Read more: What it's like to sleep in prison: Moldy mattresses, bright lights, nonstop noise In his plea agreement, Benza admitted to lying. He discussed the contents of the report, he acknowledged, and said that a sergeant actually wrote substantive portions of it for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI is still investigating, authorities said last week. Since The Times first reported on the case, Los Angeles prosecutors have dismissed the case against Brock and a judge agreed to declare him innocent. This year, he filed a lawsuit in federal court, alleging false imprisonment, civil rights violations and assault and battery. The case is pending. 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. ALLIANCE, Ohio (WJW) A Northeast Ohio couple was facing the prospect of spending Christmas homeless until a couple of guardian angels learned about their plight and gave them shelter from the cold. While many families in Alliance were looking forward to the holidays, residents living in an apartment building on North Mechanic Avenue were facing an uncertain future after an arson suspect set a fire two weeks ago that caused extensive damage. Everybody was just told to leave, said Freddie Elkins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire was just the latest in a series of setbacks for the 53-year-old and his wife Melissa. With nowhere to go, they set up a tent in the woods behind the Salvation Army in Alliance. Local spot to be featured on Americas Best Restaurants Dealing with the cold was a major challenge, and Freddie had only one wish. It was Christmas, I just wanted to keep my wife warm for Christmas. It was a little traumatizing for her, it was rough, he said. Concerned about his wifes health, Freddie made a desperate plea for help on social media. Fortunately, a Stark County woman and her husband were touched by the story and decided to offer a lifeline to the couple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I love God and it broke my heart, I would never want anybody to be homeless, their guardian angel, Beth Danford, told FOX 8 on Christmas Eve. Danford and her husband Rick have a history of lending a helping hand to the less fortunate, and they decided to go and search for Freddie and his wife in the woods behind the Salvation Army. So I got out of my truck and Im screaming Freddie! she said. According to Freddie, we were in the tent, all curled up and I heard somebody yelling my name, and I didnt know whose voice it was or nothing. I went to see who was. It was her. Once we got near the tent, I saw a flashlight and I just grabbed him by his coat and he was freezing and I just hugged him. I said, get your stuff, get you wife, and get in my warm truck and Im taking to a warm house. Danford said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 Northeast Ohio lottery players win $500K It turns out the Danfords own a rental property across the street from their home outside Alliance that is currently vacant. They offered it as free housing for Freddie and his wife. It made me cry and they cried and they are so appreciative. Just so theyre safe and warm is my biggest concern, said Danford. I almost dropped to my knees. Theyre beautiful people, they are beautiful people. More people out there should be like them, said Freddie. He says the kindness of the Danford family has restored his faith, after it was shaken by recent events. This is like a Christmas miracle to me. I thought we were going to be in the cold, waking up Christmas in the cold but they were here, said Freddie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People fall on hard times and God is great, so if you are able, help anybody that needs help and thats why I did it, Danford said. After learning about the generosity of the Danford family, other Northeast Ohioans have come forward to offer assistance to Freddie and his wife. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen. Dec. 10, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Editors Note: This story has been updated to note that the governor is out of surgery. OMAHA First-term Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen chose to have surgery Wednesday to repair his broken ribs at the Nebraska Medical Center. The decision will keep Pillen, 68, in the hospital at least several more days for recovery and observation after he was seriously injured Sunday when a new horse he was riding with family members bucked him off. Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly, former U.S. attorney for the District of Nebraska, joins Gov. Jim Pillen for a news conference about public safety. Aug. 5, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The surgery on Wednesday briefly elevated Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly to the states top job while Pillen was incapacitated for the procedure and recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly, also 68, is a former Lancaster County Attorney and a former top prosecutor in the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office. Pillens decision to stabilize his broken ribs with metal plates should promote stronger long-term healing help with pain management during recovery and reduce the odds of complications, the Governors Office said in a Wednesday afternoon statement. Based on the Governors health profile and active lifestyle, his doctors consider him an ideal candidate for this procedure, the statement said. A follow-up statement sent shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday, said the surgery was a success and that Pillen was back in the step-down unit where he will continue his recovery from the horse-riding accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pillen on Sunday suffered seven broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung, a lacerated spleen, a fractured vertebra and a kidney contusion. Pillen and Nebraska First Lady Suzanne Pillen wished Nebraskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. The initial statement said he remains grateful for the exceptional care he is receiving by the team at Nebraska Medicine and thanks Nebraskans for their outpouring of support to him and his family. Full recovery could take three months, his doctors said. He spent Sunday, Monday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the Omaha hospital partner of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His doctors who spoke with reporters on Monday said they were pleased the governor suffered no injuries to his head, neck or spine, common injuries from horse-riding falls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said Pillen was up and walking Monday after emergency surgery later Sunday to repair his spleen. That surgery was the first time Kelly briefly assumed the role as governor. The Wednesday statement said Pillens recovery from the spleen surgery has progressed well and that there have been no new issues regarding injuries to his kidney and lung. The former University of Nebraska regent and 1970s-era Husker defensive back had pressed doctors to let him go home to Columbus for the holiday, his doctors said. Thats where his family runs a hog operation and where his family owns land that he was riding at on Sunday with his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The horse he rode, Jack, was not injured. The Governors Office told reporters earlier this week that Jack is fine. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Blaze is a friendly Labrador and golden retriever mix who regularly spends time with students at Finleys River View High School. But when shes not comforting students in need, shes the Tri-Cities newest tool for catching child predators. Thats because she is one of four dogs in Washington state trained to smell a compound that keeps the circuit boards in electronic devices from overheating. She can find cellphones, hard drives and mini storage device cards that can hold thousands of images and hundreds of hours of child pornography. Benton County deputy Brett Hansen, the school resource officer at River View High School in Finley, is the handler of the agencys newest K9 officer named Blaze. Hansen demonstrates how the lab/golden retriever mix is trained in finding hidden electronic devices. Blaze will primarily be used in the regional Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Blaze joined the Benton County Sheriffs Office in November after months of training at Jordan Detection K9. The company takes dogs that failed other service programs and trains them to find electronic storage devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benton County Sheriff Tom Croskrey told the Tri-City Herald that he wanted to fill that need in the Tri-Cities area. Electronic storage device detection dogs have been around for more than a decade. They made headlines after a Labrador Retriever named Bear helped find a USB drive in the home of Jared Fogle, the former Subway restaurant spokesman. The dog was able to sniff out a thumb drive that police missed during a search of Fogles Indiana home, according to news accounts. The same dog went to Seattle in 2015. When the sheriffs office went looking for a dog, they turned to the same man who trained Bear, Travis Jordan, in Indianapolis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dog cost about $10,000. The Benton County Sheriffs Foundation paid for the dog and the Kennewick Police Foundation purchased supplies for the animal. The nonprofit agencies raise money to help support officers, the community and police dog programs. Croskrey asked Deputy Brett Hansen, a previous K-9 officer, to work with Blaze. He spent two weeks in Indianapolis learning how to work with the dog. He now trains daily with Blaze. Blaze is a lab/golden retriever mix trained to find hidden electronic devices. Ive got SIM cards, USB drives. Ive got old digital cameras. I got a bunch of old phones, he said. So every day we set those up in the garage, in the bedroom, here at the school. I threw a bunch of phones out in the field there. When Blaze finds an electronic device, she will sit down next to it and blows air out of her nose. Sometimes she will paw at the area where the electronic device is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyll get the general area where you can tell the detectives, Hey you probably need to search this area better, Hansen said. While she hasnt been able to put her skills to work on a search warrant, Hansen said she should be able to do so soon. Yakima police, which got its police dog Router at the same time as Blaze, has already been successful in helping solve a case. Hansen is excited about the possibilities for using electronic storage detection dogs for other needs, such as finding people who are lost but still have electronic devices on them. River View High senior Helyn Brown greets Benton County deputy Brett Hansen, the Finley schools resource officer, and the agencys newest K9 officer named Blaze. Comfort Dog Along with working with Blaze, Hansen is the school resource officer at River View High and the marine patrol deputy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his 21-year career, being a K-9 officer is his favorite job in police work, he said. He previously had a German Shepard. Its also a good position for Blaze, who is about 20 months old. She still has a lot of puppy energy and gets to spend time with the students. Blaze, a nearly two-year old lab/golden retriever mix, is the newest K9 officer at for the Benton County Sheriff Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres been a few kids that have had some really rough days that have come in to just sit there on the floor in the corner and pet her for 45 minutes to an hour, Hansen said. Its actually been really fun to watch. He will sometimes take the dog out into the hallway while classes are switching so students can spend time with her. Some teachers mentioned to Hansen how much they appreciate having a dog around. Once she takes off her work vest for the day, she plays with the other dogs at Hansens home. For the first time in over 30 years, Amtrak will count someone from the Pacific Northwest on its board a longtime Boise City Council member-turned-transit-leader. Showing continued bipartisan support for passenger rail, a U.S. Senate committee unanimously confirmed Elaine Clegg, CEO of Valley Regional Transit, to the national post. President Joe Biden tapped Clegg for the role in May, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. Over the weekend, she got the final nod for the appointment from a mix of Democrats and Republicans who steer the Senates transportation committee, including Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat, and Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also had the support for her appointment of Idaho Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, both Republicans. Each previously issued their interest in reviving passenger rail in the region. Clegg served on the Boise City Council for almost 20 years before announcing in November 2023 that she would step down to take on the leading role at Valley Regional Transit. The move came out of Cleggs desire to focus more on transportation, including to expand bus services in the Treasure Valley, she told the Statesman. Since taking on the position just over a year ago, Clegg has also spurred conversations about restoring Amtrak service in the Treasure Valley. Passenger trains havent run through Boise and the surrounding area since 1997. Former Boise City Council Member Elaine Clegg is joining Amtraks Board of Directors in a push to expand regional passenger rail in the Pacific Northwest. In a phone interview, Clegg acknowledged that the new role with Amtrak will entail advocating for passenger rail nationwide. But the Treasure Valley is certainly going to be on my mind, as opportunities arise to look at expanding service here, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valley Regional Transit has been studying the feasibility of building upon rail rights-of-way between Nampa and Boise. The Boise Valley Railroad runs freight along some of this route. Theres a tremendous opportunity to do regional rail here, Clegg previously told the Statesman. And Idaho might still be considered for the return of a long-distance Amtrak line. Despite the revelation that the Idaho Transportation Department accidentally missed out on a $500,000 federal grant to study the defunct rails return, the Federal Railroad Administration continues to explore bringing back a route that could connect Seattle to Denver. Through passage of the federal infrastructure law in 2021, Congress approved the Biden administrations push to study 15 long-distance Amtrak routes. That includes the former Pioneer Line, which would again stop in Boise, Pocatello and Salt Lake City, the Statesman previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleggs appointment to Amtraks seven-member board could signal more to come for rail service in Idaho. Amtraks long-distance routes study included a recommendation for reestablishing the Pioneer Line, Clegg said. In addition, there has been interest in applying again for the corridor identification program for a route between Boise and Salt Lake City, she said. A possible long-distance Amtrak line from Seattle to Denver, with stops in Boise and Pocatello, is among more than a dozen in a Federal Railroad Administration study that Congress is expected to review in the upcoming session. Prior Amtrak service ended in Boise in 1997 because of federal budget cuts. Cleggs appointment also points to Amtraks increased effort to broaden the geographical representation on its board, a goal that was identified in the federal infrastructure law, which received bipartisan support. The $1.2 trillion spending package earmarked at least $2.5 billion to Idaho, according to previous Statesman reporting. The purpose piece behind creating geographic diversity and some demographic diversity is to ensure that people with experience and knowledge about all parts of the country and all kinds of issues have a voice on the board, Clegg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three other new members will join Clegg on the board when they are sworn in in the next few weeks. Amtrak board terms are for five years. Clegg will retain her position at the helm of Valley Regional Transit. KIEV, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia launched multiple attacks on energy facilities across Ukraine on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian officials. In the seven strikes in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, at least six people were injured and non-residential infrastructure was damaged, said Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov. In western Ukraine, Russian cruise missiles struck energy infrastructure in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, causing power outages in parts of the area, according to the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration. The central Dnipropetrovsk region also suffered a major assault on its energy infrastructure, Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram, without providing further details. Ukraine's largest private energy company DTEK reported significant damage to equipment at its thermal power plants. The state-run energy company Ukrenergo announced emergency power outages following the strikes, which marked the 13th massive attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this year. Niantic, the company behind the wildly popular Pokemon Go, revolutionized the gaming world when it launched the augmented-reality app in July 2016. By 2019, the app had made its way onto over a billion smartphones globally, captivating players with its unique blend of physical exploration and virtual hunting. For those unfamiliar, Pokemon Go requires players to venture into the real world to capture Pokemon, battle other players, and interact with virtual locations placed throughout their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the key strategies behind Pokemon Go's success is Niantic's ability to engage players in exploring lesser-known areas of their towns and cities. By strategically positioning PokeStops and Gyms, the company has enhanced the gaming experience and gathered a wealth of geographical datamuch of which is even more detailed than what Google offers with its street view. AI navigation system Niantic has developed a robust infrastructure for mapping physical spaces using its players as "human cameras." Over the past five years, the company has focused on its Visual Positioning System (VPS), which utilizes images captured by users smartphones to pinpoint locations and orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With contributions from players, Niantic has built a 3D map of interesting sites, accumulating in-depth scans of over 10 million locations worldwide. Impressively, users contribute approximately one million new scans each week. The technology works by analyzing the visual patterns inherent in the scanned locations. For example, the local model may only recognize the front entrance if a user stands behind a church. However, by leveraging an extensive global database of similar buildings, Niantic can give the user a broader understanding of their surroundings. This eliminates confusion and provides players with a more immersive and accurate experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What sets Niantic apart is its ambitious use of advanced neural networks. The company claims to have trained over 50 million neural networks, each designed to represent a specific space or perspective. These networks process thousands of images, compiling them into detailed digital recreations of actual locations. These networks incorporate over 150 trillion adjustable parameters, enabling them to recognize and interpret spaces accurately. Pokemon Go The potential applications of this vast pool of geographic data extend well beyond gaming. Niantic envisions using its technology to enhance augmented reality (AR) experiences, develop autonomous systems, and improve navigation tools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their past initiatives have utilized player data to analyze foot traffic patterns and determine optimal walking routes, laying the groundwork for future innovations. Moreover, Niantic has recently expanded its horizons by partnering with other technology firms. For example, they collaborated with Microsoft to enhance AR capabilities via the Azure cloud platform, demonstrating the growing influence of AR in numerous sectors, including retail and education. As Niantic continues to evolve, the companys ambition to create a comprehensive model that understands any locationfrom familiar streets to obscure cornerscould lead to groundbreaking advancements in how we interact with the real world through digital games and applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid rapid technological advancement in AR, Niantic remains at the forefront, with the potential to reshape how users navigate physical spaces and engage in immersive experiences. With ongoing contributions from the global player community, Niantic seems poised to stay a significant player in AR for years, redefining how we perceive and interact with our surroundings. A shake test was never going before a Garvin County jury, but now a trial wont even happen for a defendant accused of carrying cash believed to be connected to illegal drug activity. With a jury trial scheduled for January, the case against Jesus Eduardo Guardiola, 40, has been dismissed in Garvin County District Court. The reason for the dismissal is Guardiola is currently in custody facing federal charges. Details on those new charges have not been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case against Guardiola goes back a couple of years when he was the driver of a vehicle stopped by law enforcement officers on December 19, 2022 in a southern portion of Garvin County. Found in the vehicle was $30,000 in cash, which officers suspected of being involved in the sale of illegal marijuana. What officers did next was shake the money over paper as they reported it tested positive for the residue of drugs. It was that shake test that then drew questions and a couple of court hearings last year in Pauls Valley allowing both sides to argue its legalities. The first came last April as Guardiolas defense attorney, Dan Pond of Norman, called it an abominable test with no scientific standards for reliability as officers shook the currency over clean, plain paper and field tested it for the presence of drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pond argued that science had proven that most money is contaminated with some sort of drug residue, and the test didnt prove it was part of an illegal drug transaction. We dont have any information on how this shake test was performed in a scientific manner, he said. The state relies on a field test. These officers use it as a definitive answer that this money was tainted with drugs, therefore its for a drug transaction. Theres no scientific evidence to support this conclusion. Shaking money over a table, what came out. We dont know what might have interfered with the tests. We dont know what quality assurances were used. Testing residue is science but it isnt a reliable conclusion. Corey Miner, an assistant district attorney in Garvin County, said in the hearing a review of transcripts and evidence would lead to a judge keeping the test in as the case moved forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That didnt happen in the end as a few weeks later District Judge Leah Edwards ruled the so called shake test would not be part of the case. The court fails to find any evidence that the shake test has long been recognized as the proper subject of expert testimony, Edwards said in a second court hearing. In fact, the judge determined there was no case law from state or federal courts where this issue has been litigated or even raised. The state cites no facts or data to demonstrate the reliability of the conclusion reached by the shake test. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) The holidays are a time of celebration, but they can also be a financial burden for many families. Thats why United Way of Madison County is stepping up to make this time a little easier and more joyful for those in need in our community. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. A lot of times, people come to us when theyre kind of the end of the rope, said Daniel Kasambira. People come to us when theyre saying, Hey, Im not sure what Im going to do. How am I going to make it?' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kasambira is the area president and CEO. We serve one in four people in the Madison county area and just try to meet needs from food insecurity to child care through a lot different areas and programs that we provide through our partner resources, he said. He said the holidays are always a time when they see increased need. Alabama DHR no longer investigating new cases of SNAP benefit thefts People may come and say, Hey, listen, Im behind three months on my rent. what can you do to help? and weve been able to work with some of our partner agencies as well as internally to really fulfill those needs, said Kasambira. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to rent, they help with food insecurity, travel assistance and even getting Christmas presents under the tree. Im doing a gift card today for a person who needs transportation over the holidays, so were getting up to $500 worth of lift passes to help them through this time, he said. It all starts by calling the number 211. Its a 24/7 hotline where you explain your situation and the operator connects you with a local organization such as United Way that can meet those needs. Were just fortunate we live in a blessed community who believe in giving back and making a difference through volunteer service and through financial contributions, said Kasambira. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to the Christmas season, their generosity can make a huge difference in spreading the holiday spirit. However, Kasambira said needs dont stop on Dec. 26. They serve the community year-round. They are always looking for volunteers and donations. If you are in need of assistance, or you would like to help, you can find the details to do so on United Ways United Ways 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 WHNT.com. A Christmas card. British Museum, Artist William Maw Egley. CC BY-NC-SA Its a common seasonal refrain: Christmas just isnt like it used to be. This is not a new complaint. History shows that Christmas traditions are just as subject to change as any other aspect of human societies, and when customs change, there are always some who wish they could turn back the clock. In the 1830s, the English solicitor William Sandys compiled a host of examples of Britons bemoaning the transformation of Christmas customs from earlier eras. Sandys himself was especially concerned about the decline of public caroling, noting the practice appeared to get more neglected every year. He worried that this neglect was indicative of a wider British tendency to observe Christmas with less hospitality and innocent revelry in the 19th century than in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the 19th century also produced new holiday customs. In fact, many of the new Christmas practices in Sandys time went on to become established traditions themselves and are now the subject of nostalgia and fretted over by those who fear their decline. Take, for example, the humble Christmas card. My research shows that these printed seasonal greetings borrowed from the customs of the past to move Christmas into a new age. A British tradition Annual sales and circulation of Christmas cards have been in decline since the 1990s. Laments over the potential death of the Christmas card have been especially vocal in the United Kingdom, where the mailing of Christmas greetings to family and friends via printed cards was long considered to be an essential element of a British Christmas. Indeed, historians Martin Johnes and Mark Connelly both argue that throughout the 20th century the Christmas card was viewed as just as essential a part of Britains distinctive blend of holiday traditions as children hanging stockings at the end of their beds, Christmas pantomimes, and the eating of turkey and Brussels sprouts. Yet, as these same historians are quick to note, at one time Britons did none of these things at Christmas. Each of these traditions became an element of the customary British Christmas only during the second half of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This makes them all relatively new additions to the countrys holiday customs, especially when viewed in light of Christmas more than 2,000-year history. Industrial revolution and Christmas cards The custom of mailing printed Christmas cards began in the middle decades of the 19th century and was a product of the industrial revolution. It was made affordable by new innovations in printing and papermaking and more efficient modes of transportation such as the railway. The development of this new tradition was also facilitated by Parliaments introduction of the Penny Post in 1840, which allowed Britons to mail letters to any address in the United Kingdom for the small price of a penny stamp. Most historians date the Christmas cards arrival to 1843, the same year in which Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that year, the inventor and civil servant Henry Cole commissioned the artist John Callcott Horsley to design a card to help Cole handle his Christmas correspondence more efficiently. Printed versions of Coles card were also made available for sale, but the high price of one shilling apiece left them outside the bounds of affordability for most of the Victorian population. Coles experiment, however, inspired other printers to produce similar but more affordable Christmas cards. The use of these cheaper cards began to spread in the 1850s and had established itself as a holiday tradition by the final decades of the century. A Victorian invention? While the Christmas card may have seemed like an entirely new invention to Victorian senders and receivers, the first Christmas cards design was actually influenced by other, older British holiday traditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As historians Timothy Larsen and the late Neil Armstrong have demonstrated, Christmas status as an established holiday meant that new Christmas customs developed during the 19th century needed to connect with, supplement or replace already existing traditions. The Christmas card was no exception to this recorded pattern. In 1843, many Britons bemoaned the disappearance of a variety of Old English Christmas customs. Foremost among these were traditions of Christmas hospitality, including Christmas and New Years visiting, when family, friends and neighbors went to each others homes to drink toasts and offer best wishes for the holiday and the coming year. Scholars argue popular belief in these traditions depended on a mixture of recalled reality and constructed fictions. Foremost among the latter were the popular stories depicting old English hospitality at Christmas by the American writer Washington Irving, published in the 1820s. In fact, Britons regularly invoked Irvings accounts of Christmas at the fictional country house, Bracebridge Hall, when debating the changing character of their nations Christmas observances. Regardless of these old customs historical reality, they nevertheless came to feature prominently in discussions regarding the supposed disappearance of a range of community level Christmas observances, including feasting, caroling and public acts of charity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of these, it was believed, were endangered in an increasingly urban Britain characterized by class tensions, heightened population mobility and mass anonymity. A union of the old and the new While it is unclear whether these ongoing debates inspired Coles decision to commission his 1843 Christmas card, the illustration Horsley designed for him alluded to them directly. The card features a family framed by trestles adorned with holly and mistletoe, accompanied on either side by charitable scenes involving the feeding and clothing of the poor. The center of the card and the symbolic center of Horsleys Christmas vision however, is the family of three clearly defined generations enjoying a collective feast, including the classic English Christmas pudding. They face the viewer, their glasses raised in a toast, directly above a banner wishing them a A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The central visual imagery of the card as a paper visitor to the home of the recipient replicates the social act of toasting associated with the older custom of holiday visits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, Horsleys design invoked many of the same elements featured in Irvings stories. This is not surprising, given that in later life Horsley recalled the impact of reading Irvings depictions of the Christmas at Bracebridge Hall as a boy, and how he and his sister Fanny had been determined to do our best to keep Christmas in such a notable fashion. Refashioning old English hospitality Early Christmas cards favored similar imagery associated with the Old English Christmas of carolers, acts of charity, the playing of country sports, games such as blindmans bluff, copious greenery, feasting and the toasting of Christmas and the New Year. These Christmas cards were thus novel, industrial products adorned with the imagery of British Christmases past. The development, and ultimate triumph, of the Christmas card in Victorian Britain demonstrates how nostalgia was channeled into invention. The Christmas card did not revitalize the traditions of Christmas and New Years visiting; it offered a paper replacement for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Industrial production and transportation transformed the physical visitor into a paper proxy, allowing more people to visit many more of the homes of others during the holiday season than they ever would have been able to in person. The desire to hold on to one element of an older, supposedly declining Christmas tradition thus proved instrumental in helping to create a new holiday tradition in the midst of unprecedented changes in the character of communications and social relations. Today, a similar context of social and technological changes has caused some to predict the death of the Christmas card. The history of the 19th century suggests, however, that should the tradition die, whatever replaces it will thrive by drawing selectively on the Christmas customs of the past. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Hanford Guards Union Local 21 is asking a federal court for an injunction to halt a month-long lockout and prevent its members from losing their security clearances and certifications they need to do their jobs. The suit claims locking out union members also locks them out of their ability to maintain and renew HRP certifications, which is the functional equivalent of imposing the career death penalty. Chris Hall, president of the Hanford Guards Union, said at least one member has been terminated after his clearance and DOE Human Responsibility Program (HRP) certifications expired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A hearing is scheduled Thursday, Dec. 26, before Judge Stanley Bastian in U.S. District Court for Eastern Washington. The filed its complaint Dec. 20 against Hanford site manager Brian Vance and Hanford Mission Integration Services. No response had been filed as of Christmas Eve. The Department of Energy contractor locked guards out on Nov. 27 after a third contract extension expired. Guards are not on strike but have conducted early-morning informational pickets near the site. Top secret clearances and HRP certifications go hand-in-hand. Hall said the union warned that HMIS risked losing guards over certification lapses at the start of the lockout. A guard who has unpaid bills sent to collections because they are prevented from working could lose their security clearance, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HRP certifications are rarely restored, the union said in its complaint. The standard of review is exacting, such that the Administrative Judge shall ensure that any doubt as to the individuals certification shall be resolved against the individual in favor of national security and/or safety. On the day of the lockout, the union complained to the National Labor Relations Board and said HMIS was refusing to bargain or was bargaining in bad faith. A Hanford guard member holds a plastic coin and Christmas tree ornament he created with a 3D printer during their lock out from the Hanford site. Bob Brawdy/bbrawdy@tricityherald.com HMIS said that it has negotiated in good faith, but lacks legal authority to negotiate government mandated requirements. Union members began losing health insurance coverage a week later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two sides continue to negotiate over medical issues and arbitration. The federal complaint says the lockout puts national security and the area around the Hanford site at risk by removing qualified and credentialed guards from the Hanford site. The Employer has replaced these (guards) with a dangerously unqualified and understaffed crew cobbled together from a pool of retirees, the complaint said. HMIS previously said it brought in workers from other sites, Hanford Patrol members who are salaried and not covered by the union and former Hanford Patrol members. HONOLULU (KHON2) There is an elementary school in Nuuanu that is the OG as they say. More than 15 years ago, they were the first to support children in need through our Laulima Giving Program and have inspired other schools to do the same. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Students piled in line after line at Maemae Elementary School to drop off new donated gifts as they walked to their annual Laulima Day assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They brought gift such as Play-Doh boxes, reindeer cookies, various toys and other goodies. Ewa Beach 1st graders learn value of laulima The kids look forward to it. Our third graders go out, they do their chores at home they collect money and they go down to the store to purchase items for this, but it expanded right, it expanded to the whole school, explained Principal Lenn Uyeda. According to fifth grader Bailey Finch, Laulima Day helps keiki learn kindness, giving and spreading aloha. Wyllie Street Band welcomed everyone as they gathered under the monkeypox tree. I really wanted to thank everyone for the donations. You folks have shown right up there, that you folks care for others, so give yourselves a big round of applause for that, Principal Ueda said during the assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of what Maemae started years ago, the Laulima Giving Program now has five elementary schools who are doing the same thing. Hawaiian Santa was the star of the day in the eyes of the children. But for the Laulima Giving Program, the children are the stars, helping send the message to children theyve never met that they care. I wish everybody in Hawaii has a good Christmas and they get all the presents and just have a wonderful Christmas, said fourth grader Porter Ogino. From the Laulima Giving Program, a huge mahalo to everyone at Maemae and everyone who gave this holiday season. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. NEW YORK (PIX11) Soleah Rayne said the holidays will never be the same without the joy of her 18-year-old son Temi Lawal. Around the holidays we dont have the life that we used to have, Rayne said. We wish he was here with us to keep us uplifted. More Local News Normally, the family celebrated the holidays with traditions, including opening up gifts, watching movies, talking, and playing games. Now those traditions are gone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raynes son was shot and killed while with family and friends in Mississippi. His mother remembers getting the call the day after Mothers Day. She had plans on moving her son home to the Bronx. If I could have made some moves to get him here faster, Rayne said. I wanted to know why he had to leave at this point. I was in shock. She shares that feeling of loss with dozens of other mothers with the same pain of losing a child. Many of them got together to hold each other this holiday season, sharing food, games and a little cheer. For 10 years, the not-for-profit organization Not Another Child, Inc. has been creating an outlet for families to talk about their grief and the new norm. Its message is that when the holidays arent happy, theres always hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What keeps Rayne strong is holding onto her sons memories. The two shared poetry together. Her hope for other families this holiday season is to hold onto their own memories. Knowing that his energy is present keeps me going. Rayne 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. Keep dreaming about that white Christmas, New York. The Big Apple was blanketed in a light layer of snow Tuesday morning, marking the first time in more than two decades there has been snow on Christmas Eve but it wont last. The sun is expected to break out for the festivities on Wednesday and bring in warmer temperatures, meaning the sprinkles of snow will mostly melt before dinner hits the table. Snow dropped on New York City for the first Christmas Eve in 26 years. Gabriella Bass We hope you enjoyed it while it was here this morning, FOX Weather meteorologist Stephanie van Oppen told The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One inch of snow was logged at Central Park Tuesday morning the most that has fallen in the Big Apple on Christmas Eve since two inches dropped in 1998, van Oppen noted. The snow clouds quickly moved through the I-95 corridor and were pushed offshore before noon, taking with it any chance of snow falling on Christmas Day. Wednesday is forecasted to be sunny with a high of 35 degrees, meaning that an overnight dip into the high 20s wont be enough to save the snow from melting away on the holiday. Temperatures are expected to rise to the 40s for the remainder of the week, with van Oppen forecasting that the chances of the Big Apple seeing snow for the remainder of the calendar year remain slim but a snowless Christmas has become something New Yorkers are accustomed to. One inch of snow was recorded in Central Park Tuesday. G.N.Miller/NYPost The metro area saw a light dusting on Christmas Day 2017, but the last time there was measurable snow for the holiday was in 2002, when 5 inches was dropped on the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Yorkers, however, were more than happy with the sprinkles that landed this year. Its more than we have had for so long which is nothing! Meagan Finn, 26, told The Post. Meteorologists dont expect any more snowfall for the remainder of 2024. G.N.Miller/NYPost Its not as much as I would have liked, but Ill take it, Ill enjoy it. Social worker Susan Ginsberg shared the same sentiment, noting that she would have much preferred a blizzard: But Ill take anything, Ill take this over nothing. Its just peaceful and playful, and the fact that it is Christmas and people are with their families, its just hearkens back to family and childhood, Ginsberg continued. Christmas is forecasted to be sunny with a high of 35. Billy Becerra / NY Post Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every year, we hope that it will snow and it just hasnt happened, but this year it was lovely to walk outside and see the snow on the ground. Julian Gonsalves, 67, was reminded of the iconic holiday song, Im Dreaming of a white Christmas upon waking up this morning, adding that his dream has come true after so many years. Without snow, there is no Christmas. Its a boring Christmas because snow is what makes Christmas, the security guard said. The previous snowfall was recorded at 2 inches of snow on Christmas Eve in 1998 Gabriella Bass Forget about the food It makes me feel like this is the true Christmas. This is what Christmas is about. Jim Thornton and Emma Sherston of the UK nearly missed the rare snowfall the couple extended their trip to the Big Apple because Thorton had a strong feeling the flakes would come for the holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were really excited about a white Christmas, really excited! We are from the UK and this is the first white Christmas weve had in about 20 years. We dont usually get snow until January or February, if we get snow at all. Usually, we just get rain and cloud, Thorton said. Julian Gonsalves, 67, finally woke up to snow this morning, saying his dream came true after many years while being reminded of the iconic holiday song, Im Dreaming of a white Christmas. Georgett Roberts/NY Post I think it just makes it feel like a more traditional Christmas than a cold grey day. I associate snow with Christmas, traditionally. We just dont normally have it but we think about it. The couple joked that they brought the snow to the city, with Sherston adding that seeing the white fluff brings childish excitement. To wake up and its white outside, so different. Its exciting, whatever age you are. Its that childish excitement. UPDATE 12/27: Hughes Mayor Lincoln Barnett released a statement on Facebook regarding the investigation. The City of Hughes Mayors Office can only confirm that the active investigation is being led independently by the Arkansas State Police. This office cannot confirm any other facts given that we are not aware of any details that have been released by State Investigators. All inquiries regarding the investigation will need to be made directly with the investigating state agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do make an appeal to everyone to be mindful of what they post and speculate about online, via social media and traditional media sources. Those involved have families and loved ones who should be respected as we await the facts of this matter to be released by the proper investigating authorities. So please be mindful of what you do, say, and post. Thank you! *** MEMPHIS, Tenn. An officer-involved shooting in Hughes, Arkansas left a woman dead on Christmas Eve, according to the towns mayor and family members of the victim. Arkansas State Police say around 7 p.m., officers from the St. Francis County Sheriffs Office and Hughes Police Department responded to a report that a 26-year-old woman was causing a disturbance outside the Hughes Church of God. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An officer with Hughes Police fired at the woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene. ASPs report did not state what led the officer to shoot the woman. People living in the area say they heard two rounds of gunfire. See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. Well, I heard a loud noise. It mostly sounded like fireworks. By the time I walked from my living room to my kitchen, it was just two more back-to-back, said a neighbor. Arkansas State Police have been called in to investigate. However, those we spoke to who claim to know the person killed say the entire incident couldve been avoided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only thing you couldve did was pat her down and see what she had in her pockets. You just killed her for no reason and took her life from her kid, said Hughes resident Vontavion Hardy. This shooting comes months after the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training unanimously voted to reinstate the Hughes Police Department. The church in Hughes where the shooting took place. Hughes, AR police department designated not in compliance, removed from service Earlier this year, the department was initially deactivated for being out of compliance with Arkansas Law Enforcement Standards. The state says the mayor laid out his plan to fix the issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WREG reached out to family members of the deceased to get their point of view on what exactly happened on Christmas Eve. The mother said the family wants to hold off speaking so they can notify more family members, and also so the deceaseds daughter can at least have a somewhat normal Christmas holiday. WREG is currently not naming the woman who was killed at the familys request, because her child has not been told about the death. The womans body will be taken to the state crime lab for an autopsy, state police said. Investigators will prepare a file for the Saint Francis County prosecuting attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force was justified. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. People observe a moment of silence for the victims of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Dec. 26, 2024. Azerbaijan has declared Thursday a national day of mourning for the victims of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane operating a Baku-Grozny flight. (Photo by Humbet Mammadov/Xinhua) BAKU, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan has declared Thursday a national day of mourning for the victims of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane operating a Baku-Grozny flight. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an official order to observe the day of mourning in response to the tragedy on Wednesday. Aliyev, who was in Russia's airspace en route to St. Petersburg for a summit at the time, ordered his flight to return upon learning of the accident. The aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan. The Kazakh ministry of emergency situations has reported 28 survivors, while rescue underway. There were 67 people onboard, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X. Kazakh media said the passengers aboard included 37 citizens from Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, six from Kazakhstan, and three from Kyrgyzstan. Azerbaijan's national flag flies at half-mast to mourn the victims of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Dec. 26, 2024. Azerbaijan has declared Thursday a national day of mourning for the victims of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane operating a Baku-Grozny flight. (Photo by Humbet Mammadov/Xinhua) A screenshot from a video shows people observing a moment of silence for the victims of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Dec. 26, 2024. Azerbaijan has declared Thursday a national day of mourning for the victims of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane operating a Baku-Grozny flight. (Photo by Humbet Mammadov/Xinhua) A screenshot from a video shows people observing a moment of silence for the victims of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Dec. 26, 2024. Azerbaijan has declared Thursday a national day of mourning for the victims of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger plane operating a Baku-Grozny flight. (Photo by Humbet Mammadov/Xinhua) ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Last week, the Abilene Police Department welcomed a very special guestOfficer Jingles! He stopped by to experience a day in the life of an Abilene officer. Jingles began his day with a motivating pep talk alongside K-9 Barco, then spent time with the dispatch team, assisting with 9-1-1 calls. Next, he geared up for some action, hopping on a motorcycle to chase down speeders. Jingles even showed off his investigative skills, developing leads and solving a few crimes! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grinch on the loose in Big Country: Law enforcement & students join forces to save Christmas With a little time left in his shift, he wrapped up his visit with a quick workout at the APD gym. Thanks for the visit; we hope to see you next year! APD shared online. 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. An Ohio corrections officer was killed Christmas morning when he was assaulted at the Ross Correctional Institution, originally reported by our news partner WBNS Cincinnati. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the officer that was killed was Andrew Lansing. The inmate accused in the assault was transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, according to the ODRC. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, ODRC asked that the public keep Lansings families and loved ones in their thoughts. Officer Lansing is a long-time, well-respected employee at Ross, and his untimely death on Christmas Day is heartbreaking for his family, the entire Ross Correctional Institution family, and our agency as a whole. Officer Lansing was loved by his colleagues and known to be a great support for his fellow RCI staff. He was a friendly, outgoing officer who treated everyone with respect and was always a professional, the agency said in part of a statement. ODRC said the institution is operating under restricted movement while the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates the incident. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] An Oklahoma City resident paid for a counseling session for a woman she never met, while another made multiple donations to seven different nonprofits all through special vending machines at a local park. The two made their donations at one of three Light the World Giving Machines at Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7, courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "As you look at vending machines, most vending machines vend snacks or some kind of drink, but this vending machine is a vending machine of hope, where we can bring peace and hope to people's lives," said Elder Mark Cluff, a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regional leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: These new vending machines let you buy food, supplies for charities and those in need People donate to nonprofits using a Giving Machine on Dec. 18 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for three Light the World Giving Machines at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City. Through Jan. 5, visitors to the park may donate to five local nonprofits Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, ReMerge, Infant Crisis Services, Pivot and NewView Oklahoma plus two global charities Church World Service and WaterAid by swiping their credit card at one of the vending machines. The selected donation will be delivered to the corresponding nonprofit. Guests may pick from 30 different needs, such as $10 for underwear and socks for someone being served by Pivot, or $100 to the Regional Food Bank for a year of meals and snacks for a student. Prices for individual items range from $5 to $200. Kylie Simpson said she chose to make a donation to ReMerge, a diversion program that helps mothers and pregnant women avoid incarceration through treatment and rehabilitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve Raybourn chose to donate to all of the organizations featured in the machines, which cost $1,885. The Rev. Derrek Belase and the Rev. Rebekah Belase donate using a Light the World Giving Machine on Dec. 18 as their daughter, Elizabeth, watches during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the machines at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City. "All of these agencies are very good and very important to Oklahoma City and the ones that do the worldwide work, as well," he said. "But, the Oklahoma City ones, especially, were a big calling for me on what they do and the benefits that they do for the women and the young people. This is a great opportunity to be down here and support Oklahoma City." The customized vending machines are appearing in more than 100 cities on five continents this year, courtesy of the Latter-day Saints. Cluff said the machines will be back in Oklahoma City next year, so they will become an annual tradition. People donate to nonprofits using a Giving Machine during a Dec. 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony for three Light the World Giving Machines at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City. 'Model the power of giving' The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors the Light the World Giving Machines initiative and covers all operational costs. The faith group's support ensures that participating nonprofit organizations receive 100% of every donation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cluff, who oversees Latter-day Saints congregations across Oklahoma and parts of Texas and Kansas, spoke at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Giving Machines. He said giving is a way that Latter-day Saints feel the hope, peace, love and joy of the Christmas season. "One of our church apostles once described hope as the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances," Cluff said. "It pierces the darkness with the brilliant dawn. Your gift today is going to reach someone in a moment of hardship and darkness. ... It almost seems silly that a vending machine can be a vehicle of light, but we have seen this to be true." Others who made remarks included Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, and Suzy and William Sultemeier, Oklahoma City Giving Machine team leaders. The Ambassador's Concert Choir performed music designed to inspire the crowd. Holt was given the first opportunity to make a donation through a Giving Maching. He thanked the Latter-day Saints for bringing the machines to Oklahoma City. Mayor David Holt speaks after donating to a Giving Machine during a Dec. 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony for three Light the World Giving Machines at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor said the customized machines were a "mechanism to show what giving looks like and how good it can feel, especially in times like this." "I think fundamentally, that's what this represents," Holt said. "It's an opportunity to model the power of giving." 'It's a blessing' Several leaders connected to the nonprofit beneficiaries said they were excited to see the machines and how well people responded to them. One of them was Miki Farris, executive director of Infant Crisis Services, an organization that provides food, formula and diapers to babies and toddlers in crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am beyond blown away by this," she said. "For us, at Infant Crisis, it's a blessing, a real blessing. There are lots of babies and toddlers in our state in need, and this is a way that people can give and include their children in the giving, and enjoy the park." The Rev. Rebekah Belase, a United Methodist minister serving as senior director of funds development for Church World Service, said she was excited to see the Giving Machines in her home state because Church World Service has been a global charity beneficiary of the machines in other places since 2019. Church World Service is a faith-based organization dedicated to transforming communities around the world by responding to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. She said thousands of chickens have been given to families in need through the Giving Machines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Buy one chicken, a family is changed, a whole community is changed, girls are going to school and lives are being changed," she said. "And, hope is given." People look over a menu to decide what nonprofit they will give money to during a Dec. 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony for three Light the World Giving Machines at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City. To learn more For directions to the machines, a list of items available to donate, profiles of each organization and special events planned at the Giving Machines, go to http://www.GivingMachineOKC.org. Information is also available on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/givingmachineokc/,and Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/givingmachineokc . This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Giving Machines let Scissortail Park OKC visitors donate to nonprofits Oklahoma taxpayers paid an Edmond attorney who served for almost a year as the contracted lawyer for the Oklahoma State Board of Education and whose disagreement with the state attorney general eventually led to her ouster in October nearly $53,000 for her work through mid-July, public records indicate. The invoices submitted by McAlister McAlister Baker and Nicklas the law firm for which Cara Nicklas works were part of a response to an open records request initially made on May 10 by The Oklahoman to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which the state Board of Education oversees. The Oklahoman requested, among other items, (a)ll billing documents made by licensed attorneys and/or legal firms regarding the providing of legal services to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma State Board of Education or any of their designees or employees, since Jan. 9, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Stitt appoints his former general counsel, who's represented Walters, as a district judge That was the day Walters took office. Walters, the chair of the state Board of Education by virtue of his office, has been a defendant in at least 16 state and federal lawsuits. The Oklahoman included in its records request the names of all attorneys and law firms listed as defending Walters, the agency or the board in the lawsuits filed up through May 2024. While the agency has yet to completely fulfill the request, it provided a partial response in September, when it released a handful of invoices from two Oklahoma City legal firms that had represented Walters and the agency. After The Oklahoman asked about the missing invoices, in early November, the agency responded by sending the invoices connected with Nicklas representation of the state Board of Education. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, left, speaks with Cara Nicklas, right, then the contracted attorney for the Oklahoma State Board of Education, during an August 2024 board meeting. The Oklahoman asked again this month about the remainder of the invoices for legal services, which are considered to be public documents under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. The state agency has yet to respond to that inquiry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Gentner Drummond, among others, has expressed his concern with the slow handling of open records requests by Walters agency. In a letter to Walters dated July 18, Drummond said his office has received an alarming number of complaints about how the state agency treats open records requests. Drummond said, According to the complaints, the requests are unanswered. Throughout my administration, my staff has contacted SDE representatives on several occasions regarding the complaints without substantive response. Often, the SDE has inconceivably also ignored these inquiries. SDEs inaction on these critical requests is unacceptable. Dan Isett, a spokesman for Walters and the board, has previously blamed Walters' predecessor, Joy Hofmeister, for leaving "a considerable backlog" of open records requests for Walters, and the weaponization of the open records process by members of the liberal media as a reason for the agencys slow responses. Documents included in response included a purchase order and five invoices The most recent documents sent by the state agency to The Oklahoman included a purchase order, dated Dec. 15, 2023, for $90,000. The purchase order was for Agreement with McAlister, McAlister and Nicklas Law Firm who will provide general legal representation for the Oklahoma State Board of Education. The purchase order said the contract period was through June 30, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subsequent invoices submitted by the legal firm to the state agency included one on March 14, 2024, for $28,128.39, one on April 5 for $7,248.25, one on April 23 for $1,050, one on June 11 for $7,918.48 and one on July 12 for $8,561.45. Those invoices, totaled, add up to $52,906.77. Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts Documents that could have shown if the legal firm billed the state agency after July 12 for the remainder of the amount indicated on the purchase order were not included in the agencys response to the open records request. The board formally approved of Nicklas as its attorney in October 2023 and agreed to pay her at a rate of $300 an hour a cost of $215 more per hour than if the board used an attorney from the attorney generals office for the same service. As part of that process, Nicklas had to obtain approval from the attorney generals office to serve the board. That approval, known in legal parlance as 20i, is something required of outside attorneys representing state entities. Apparent disagreement over Oklahoma Open Meeting Act between Nicklas, attorney general led to her ouster Under the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, members of the Oklahoma Legislature are expressly allowed to sit in on the executive (closed) sessions of any state board. But in June, state Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, was kept out of an executive session of the state Board of Education. The next month, Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, and Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, joined Boren, but they again were prevented from entering the boards executive session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that time, attorneys from Drummonds office and Nicklas exchanged multiple letters concerning the topic of the legislators not being allowed into the executive sessions. Attorney Cara Nicklas listens July 31 during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City. In August, the day before the Board of Education meeting, Drummond reinforced the legislators right to be in an executive session with a formal opinion, which has the force of law absent of a court decision. The next day, five Republican lawmakers attended the board meeting, but the board chose not to conduct an executive session. The same thing happened in September. The day before the October meeting, after the months of stark disagreements between Nicklas and Drummonds office, Drummonds office revoked its previous 20i approval of Nicklas, essentially firing her. After that meeting, Nicklas sent an email to The Oklahoman saying, I have never considered myself to be oppositional with AG Drummond and noting the disadvantages a nonpolitical attorney has when politicians are vying for publicity and the nonpolitical attorney cannot provide privileged information to the press. She also said it was untrue that she advised the board to not allow legislators into executive sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board has since hired another outside attorney, Joel Wohlgemuth, to represent it in legal matters. Wohlgemuth didnt attend the November special meeting in which his hiring was approved. The board, violating Oklahoma law, didnt hold its regular meeting in November, and Wohlgemuth also didnt attend the boards December regular meeting, instead sending another attorney from his Tulsa-based law firm. Wohlgemuth also is being paid $300 per hour. During the November special meeting, and during the December regular meeting, lawmakers in attendance at the board meetings were allowed into executive session. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma taxpayers paid more than $50K for education board attorney COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) One person was seriously injured Tuesday evening after being hit by a car in a southwest Columbus neighborhood. Columbus police said a pedestrian was walking south on Sullivant Avenue near the South Sylvan Avenue intersection at 10:30 a.m. As the pedestrian was crossing the road, a vehicle going east on Sullivant Avenue hit the pedestrian. Multiple dogs rescued in east Columbus house fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and the driver of the vehicle did not stay at the scene after the crash. Police did not have details on the make and model of the car but believe it is maroon. Columbus polices accident investigation unit is continuing to investigate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (FOX40.COM) A retail theft operation in Northern California led to the arrest of more than 50 people ahead of the holidays. Last week, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office and the Rancho Cordova Police Department partnered together for Operation Ugly Sweater to combat retail theft in Sacramento County. Deputies said the passage of Proposition 36 contributed to their efforts. Northern California Verizon store hit with $100,000 armed robbery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The operation supported more than 15 Sacramento County businesses by conducting undercover retail theft operations to apprehend retail thieves, according to SCSO. During the operation, more than 50 arrests were made, including nine felonies seven of which officers said were made possible by prop 36. Law enforcement said they arrested a father and 14-year-old son duo caught stealing several hundred collectible cards, suspects who possessed illegal firearms and drugs, a man who started a fire in front of a store, and several 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 FOX40. Dec. 24No one should underestimate the influence of the late, not-great President Richard Nixon. He set a tone for generations of public figures by invoking the defense of victimhood. Nixon lost a close election for president in 1960. His encore in 1962 was losing a race for governor of California. Nixon blamed reporters for his inability to unseat Gov. Pat Brown. "You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference," Nixon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consciously or not, two women reeling because of their own poor performances in public life recently mimicked Nixon's approach. Let's begin with Kari Morrissey, whose prosecutorial misconduct prompted a judge in Santa Fe to dismiss the state's involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin. Working as a special prosecutor, Morrissey announced she would appeal the trial judge's ruling. Morrissey did an about-face this week propelled by prosecutorial spin. A member of District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies' staff sent a windy statement saying the criminal case against Baldwin was finished, this time forever. "The Special Prosecutor intended to pursue an appeal of the dismissal, however, the Office of the Attorney General notified the Special Prosecutor that the Attorney General did not intend to exhaustively pursue the appeal on behalf of the prosecution." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By that description, another agency was at lax. Morrissey wanted to soldier on, only to be undercut by Attorney General Raul Torrez and his New Mexico Department of Justice. Missing from this defense of Morrissey was the truth. Lauren Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the attorney general, said Morrissey's prosecution crumbled because of ineptitude. "An appeal in this matter would have been untenable in light of Judge [Mary] Marlowe Sommer's detailed finding that critical evidence had been withheld from Mr. Baldwin's defense team and her blistering assessment of the special prosecutor's gross mishandling of the case," Rodriguez wrote Tuesday in an email. "Perhaps if the District Attorney had selected someone with more direct experience as a prosecutor this outcome could have been avoided." Morrissey poisoned her own case. Attempts to shift attention to prosecutors who had no part in her misconduct are unpersuasive but Nixonesque. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldwin was being deprived of a fair trial by Morrissey. That revelation on the third day of testimony led Erlinda Johnson, second chair on the special prosecution team, to withdraw from the case. Johnson wanted the state to join defense lawyers in a motion to dismiss the charge against Baldwin. Morrissey wouldn't do so. The result is that Morrissey extended coverage of her misdeeds for another five months. A second public figure, Mary Hotvedt, claims she and her colleagues have been criticized unfairly for a headline-grabbing spending scandal at Western New Mexico University. Hotvedt is chairperson of the institution's five-member board of regents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Auditor Joseph Maestas recently released a report by his investigative staff criticizing Western President Joseph Shepard and the regents for improper or wasteful expenditures exceeding $360,000. The regents' response was to negotiate a contract with Shepard that pays him a lump sum of more than $1.9 million, plus a professorship with a yearly salary of $200,000. In return, Shepard will resign as Western's president, effective Jan. 15. "Disgusting," said state House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque. "And we wonder why people here and across the country have little faith in their public institutions. Shame on the regents and this man's enablers today and over the years." Hotvedt praised Shepard for "selflessly stepping down for the good of the university in the face of ongoing issues." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She swiped at critics and lauded fellow regents for what she described as leadership. "My final comment I really gave at the last meeting, which is the defense of this board for doing the hard work of governorship," Hotvedt said. "And you have done it, and this has been a hard contract to negotiate in the sense that none of us really were excited in any way about having to enter into this agreement." Martinez tops the list of people who aren't enthusiastic about Shepard's new agreement and windfall. "I promise you, we will be looking very closely at WNMU's budget request this legislative session," he said. Hotvedt announced Dec. 12 she had participated in her final meeting as a regent. But she returned eight days later and was part of the board's 5-0 vote authorizing Shepard's buyout and professorship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that special meeting on Shepard's new contract, Hotvedt said she plans to continue as a regent until Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham replaces her. Shepard until last week was under contract to be Western's president until June 30, 2027. His base salary was $365,000, and the regents granted him annual bonuses of $50,000. Under his new agreement, Shepard's balloon payment alone doubles what he would have received in salary and bonuses in the next two and a half years. Contrary to Hotvedt's assessment, that deal might get a few hearts pumping. Ringside Seat is an opinion column about people, politics and news. Contact Milan Simonich at msimonich@sfnewmexican.com or 505-986-3080. China and India have sought in recent weeks to ease a tense military standoff along their mountainous frontier. The drawn-out standoff, triggered by Chinas furtive encroachments on the icy borderlands of Indias Ladakh region in 2020, has fostered rival military buildups and intermittent clashes along the Himalayas. An Oct. 23 meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a BRICS summit highlighted mutual interest in improving relations between the Asian giants. Indeed, an agreement was reached for reciprocal steps toward defusing the military standoff and ensuring peace along their disputed frontier, which is one of the worlds longest land borders. But can a potential thaw in the icy hostility marking bilateral relations blunt the Sino-Indian strategic rivalry, which is defining Asian geopolitics? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The origins of the tensions go back to the early 1950s, when China imposed itself as Indias neighbor by occupying the then-autonomous Tibet, a large region that historically served as a buffer between the Chinese and Indian civilizations. That annexation led to Chinas 1962 border war with India. After Mao Zedongs death in 1976, the two countries restored diplomatic ties, but, despite efforts to establish a modus vivendi, mutual suspicions and antagonisms never disappeared. In recent years, India is tasting the bitter fruits of Modis initial efforts to appease China. The 2020 Chinese territorial encroachments caught India unawares at a time when the country was preoccupied with enforcing one of the worlds strictest lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Modi came to office in 2014 as a foreign policy novice. He thought that, by resetting the relationship with Beijing, he could help weaken Chinas strategic alliance with Pakistan. Pakistan, like China, is a revisionist state that lays claims to sizable swaths of Indian territory. But Pakistan also has employed cross-border terrorism as an instrument of foreign policy. The China-Pakistan axis has long generated high security costs for India, including raising the specter of a two-front war. Through a defensive wedge strategy, in which the status quo power seeks to split a revisionist alliance so as to focus capabilities on the more threatening challenger, India has long sought unsuccessfully to break the Sino-Pakistan axis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first prime minister from Modis Bharatiya Janata (Indian Peoples) Party, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, tried to win over Pakistan, famously going there by bus in 1999. Modi, by contrast, focused on befriending China after coming to power, including hosting Xi before any other world leader and opening up the Indian economy for Chinese businesses by delisting China as a country of concern. But Modis peace overtures spectacularly backfired. Xi visited India in 2014 bearing an unusual gift a deep Chinese military incursion into an Indian borderland. This was followed by a bigger Sino-Indian military confrontation in 2017 on the Doklam Plateau, located at the Bhutan-Tibet-India trijunction. And the 2020 Chinese encroachments occurred despite 18 meetings between Modi and Xi over the previous five years. After taking India on a rollercoaster ride on China, Modi has been injecting greater realism into his policy, including prioritizing military modernization and bolstering border defenses. As the military standoff has underscored, India, by locking horns with China despite the risk of a full-scale war, openly challenged Chinese capability and power in a way no other power has done in this century. In fact, Xi seriously miscalculated that China would be able to impose the changed status quo on India as a fait accompli without inviting a robust military response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The standoff has only highlighted Xis strategic shortsightedness in turning a once-conciliatory India into a foe that seems determined to forestall a Sinocentric Asia. With Xi accusing the U.S. of containment from all directions, encirclement and suppression against us, the last thing China needed to do was to make an enemy of its largest neighbor. This is similar to how Xis muscular revisionism has impelled major shifts in the strategic postures of two other leading Indo-Pacific powers. Japan, by deciding to double its defense spending by 2027, is effectively abandoning its pacifist postwar security policy, and Australia has ended hedging by joining the U.S.-led, anti-China AUKUS alliance. Today, the Sino-Indian efforts to reduce tensions and pull back forces massed along the common frontier are being driven by different geopolitical factors. For India, one consideration is to gain greater maneuverability in foreign policy at a time when the once-blossoming strategic partnership with the U.S. has begun to fray, despite President Biden acknowledging that this relationship is among the most consequential in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China, for its part, is facing increasing Western pushback against its expansionism. With its economy already sputtering, China is running into long-term growth constraints, including a shrinking and rapidly aging population and slowing productivity increase. By contrast, India which has one of the worlds most youthful populations with a median age of 28.4 appears poised to reap a demographic dividend. While Indias economy remains smaller than Chinas, it is now growing faster than any other important economy. Whereas the Peoples Liberation Army of China largely relies on conscripts who ostensibly volunteer for two years of service at age of 18, Indias all-volunteer military is considered the worlds most experienced force in hybrid mountain warfare. Indias military edge in the high-altitude Himalayan environment, however, could be blunted by Chinas superior air power capabilities, including missile prowess. Against this backdrop, Xi and Modi have sought to defuse the Himalayan military crisis without losing face. While deescalating tensions along the frontier makes eminent sense for both leaders, the Sino-Indian rivalry is unlikely to weaken. In fact, this rivalry promises to shape the Asian and global balance of power. Brahma Chellaney is a geostrategist and the author of nine books, including the award-winning Water: Asias New Battleground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Against the backdrop of current events, Christmas may seem anything but peaceful. In Ukraine in recent days, Russians unleashed what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called one of the heaviest bombardments yet in a war that has dragged on for nearly three years. In return, Ukraine launched drone strikes that killed a 9-year-old Russian boy, sent his mother and 7-month-old sister to the hospital and caught an oil terminal on fire. War continues between Israel and Hamas, and President-elect Donald Trump has threatened dire consequences if Hamas doesnt return Israeli hostages by inauguration day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And a student at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, apparently opened fire on a class, killing at least one teacher and one student and injuring others. The suspected shooter, a 15-year-old girl, was found dead. Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever, Police Chief Shon Barnes said. The truly sad thing is that these headlines are hardly extraordinary. Violence and war are in plentiful supply across the globe. Looking around, one can feel the anguish of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, as he wrote the words to a poem that has become known as I heard the bells on Christmas Day. It was 1863. The Civil War was raging. Longfellow had lost his wife in a fiery accident and his son had been injured in the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wrote, And in despair I bowed my head; There is no peace on earth, I said; For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men! This time of year, we often hear the phrase Peace on earth. We send it in Christmas cards or mount it amid decorations either inside or outside the house. But, in order for it to have any applicable meaning, it needs to be defined. The Bible records that Jesus told his disciples, Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) Jesus was born into a world troubled by violence, anger, greed and avarice. Before he was 2 years old, Herod the Great, afraid of what risk the Christ child might pose to his power, ordered the slaughter of all male children 2 years old and younger in the vicinity of Bethlehem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political and military strife continued throughout Jesus life, and he was ultimately betrayed by one of his apostles and crucified in a cruel and excruciating manner. And after Jesus crucifixion and ascension, the world continued in much the same fashion. Only a few years later, future Roman emperor Titus took the city of Jerusalem by force, destroying the city and its temple. Hate does indeed seem strong and intimidatingly mocking. But the peace Jesus offers is, as he said, different from what the world offers. Jesus offers a holy peace that speaks to the heart and mind; a wellspring within that cannot be tarnished by any of the wars, disappointments or desecrations the world might offer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a peace that flows from his perfect love, and from the sacrifice that promises us each a resurrection and the hope of a future that is brighter than imagination can conjure. It is a peace that wipes away tears with the hope of an eternity of joy together with loved ones. It is the only type of peace that grows stronger as those who possess it give it away. Longfellow understood this, as his poem turned from despair to joy. God is not dead, nor doth He sleep, he wrote. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail. That is the reality of Christs birth, life, ministry and ultimate atoning sacrifice. No one, regardless of worldly power, military might or technological prowess, can alter this in the least. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He made possible the triumph over all the world may throw our way. His peace cannot be subjected to hate, violence or sorrow. His sacrifice made the mockeries and indignities he endured appear as they really are weak and insignificant. This is the real reason families gather on Christmas morning to share gifts in honor of the gift of Gods son. It is the reason why believers feel the joy of this holiday all year long. Something about this Christmas season feels a bit off. The carols are playing and the shops are bustling, but the airwaves are silent. Something is missing ... The war on Christmas! Remember the big deal it was every year when a war on Christmas was called out? Debates about the placements of Nativity scenes were considered a part of that war; a television host declared that Santa Claus could only be white. The stockings were stuffed with books like The War on Christmas, and countless hours were devoted to fake outrage that people said Happy holidays and not Merry Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What were the complaints that there was a war on Christmas in America about? They were just another part of the culture wars deployed by conservative Republicans and conservative Christians (Protestant and Catholic) to complain that Christianity was getting short shrift from the public, from merchants and especially in schools. Much like the holiday Festivus which these conservatives would hate in principle because it is secular but agree with in practice complaints about a war on Christmas were an annual end-of-year airing of grievances. It was a time amid holiday celebrations to advocate for the primacy of Christianity over other religious traditions and to rail against the perceived (and sometimes real) threats to take down religious displays of the holiday. This year, Republicans and conservative Christians have dispensed with whining about a war on Christmas in anticipation of the second coming of their political savior, Donald Trump, into the White House. According to a YouGov poll, the percentage of Americans who believe there is a war on Christmas has fallen since December 2022, from 39% to 23%. Among Republicans, that percentage has dropped from 59% to 36%. While that is a picture of America overall, that doesnt mean that local skirmishes arent happening in the Christmas wars. For the first time, a group called Minnesota Satanists has a holiday display at the State Capitol in St. Paul, and Republicans have criticized Gov. Tim Walz for its existence. Walz doesnt sign off on such displays, and his office released a statement that reads: The Governor does not agree with the display and did not approve it. But the First Amendment means that he does not police speech in the State Capitol. Thats true whether its a religious display, a political protest, or a Minnesotan advocating for a policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Star Tribune newspaper reports that the display was knocked over one day last week and temporarily removed but was put back in place the next day. Earlier this month, a Satanic Temple holiday display of Baphomet was vandalized at the New Hampshire State House. Fights about Nativity scenes at state capitols and other public places have a long history in America, and they are often used to promote Christianity in the public sphere. But when people who arent Christian, including satanists, demand equal time, well, things dont usually turn out too well. This years Vatican Nativity scene, designed by two artists from Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, was criticized because it shows the baby Jesus lying on a Palestinian keffiyeh. Usually, the baby Jesus isnt placed into the Vatican Nativity scene until Christmas Eve, but it was put there early to show donors and others what the finished product looked like. The baby was returned on Christmas Eve, as is the custom, but the keffiyeh was gone. The debate at the Vatican is a reminder that there are real wars going on around the world this Christmas season: in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and many other places. This isnt a peaceful time, by any estimation. Pope Francis is expected to stand on a balcony on Dec. 25 to give his Urbi et Orbi (to the city of Rome and the world) message. No doubt it will include references to the wars around the world and especially the one between Israel and Hamas. After all, that is in a region where Christian pilgrims from around the world go to celebrate Christmas. The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem is encouraging Christians to come despite the war, but it remains to be seen how they get there with so many airline carriers canceling flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Declarations that theres a war on Christmas can be political or philosophical, but most of all theyre a utilitarian means of control. They are a soft, uncivil but nonviolent way of airing grievances. But this Christmas season, its time to focus on the real wars around us and work for peace. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com GAZA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israel has set new conditions related to its withdrawal from Gaza, a ceasefire, a prisoner-hostage exchange, and the return of the displaced Palestinians, which has delayed reaching an agreement that was available, Hamas said Wednesday. The ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations are proceeding in Doha with Qatari and Egyptian mediation in a serious manner, Hamas said in a statement, adding that the movement has shown responsibility and flexibility. Israeli and Palestinian media reported that efforts led by Qatari, Egyptian, and U.S. mediators have shown progress, though a breakthrough remains elusive. Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 45,361, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Wednesday. This November, a 20-year-old man from the Amhara region of Ethiopia forced to drop out of school by the ongoing civil wars in Africas second-most populous nation and become a second-hand wool seller left his home to do business at a market in the nearby village of Zibst. The young man never returned home. He was one of 43 people killed when the military under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a drone strike into the crowded market, one of three attacks on civilians that morning that also targeted a health center and an elementary school. The U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project said the attack was the deadliest drone strike since the Abiy government stepped up its fighting this summer in Amhara region, and also particularly alarming since there had been no nearby clashes with the local Fano rebels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He died after they were struck from the air, the victims still distraught mother told the German news organization DW recently not wanting to give the familys name because of fears of government reprisal. The young mans father was only able to identify his body through his ID card. I brought him back and buried him in his birthplace. The young wool seller was one of hundreds of civilians slaughtered in the latest and arguably worst phase of Ethiopias seemingly unending civil wars, which intensified this fall as the government launched what it has ominously called the final operation in the Amhara region. The offensive has killed, detained or displaced thousands of civilians despite supposedly targeting the regions Fano fighters. The death toll, so far, is disturbing. The airstrikes, carried out from Turkish-manufactured drones and supported by a growing, unholy alliance between the Abiy regime and the United Arab Emirates have killed at least 449 and possibly as many as 750 civilians in what has all the appearances of an ethnic cleansing campaign to undermine popular support for Fano, according to groups tracking the killing. Meanwhile, government forces have also established a network of mass detention camps in Amhara region that can be seen on satellite photos and which, according to Amnesty International, have supported the mass arrest of thousands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The world community is largely ignoring these crimes against humanity. That is partly the result of distraction from other high-profile conflicts across Africa and the Middle East, but the shocking neglect of the Ethiopian crisis is also the result of political inertia and agendas wrapped up in regional and global superpower competition that neglects basic principles of autonomy and human rights. On the same day as the drone attack on Zibst, Donald Trump was elected for a second term, as the 47th president of the United States. The start of the new administration offers a unique opportunity for a long-overdue reset of American policy. Ethiopias deeply entrenched crisis offers a test case on pathways to a solution. The new presidents long-standing concerns about U.S. competition with its global rivals not only with China but the growing ambitions of oil-rich players from the Persian Gulf can and must be combined with strategies that emphasize expanding democracy and guaranteeing fundamental freedoms. It is not just only that Ethiopia and the Abiy government need a strong dose of tough love. But that will require that Washington stop turning a blind eye to human-rights abuses in the Horn of Africa, where Abiy was somehow awarded a Nobel Peace Prize despite years of civil war in his own country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During President Bidens four years in the White House, talk of a new approach to Africa more focused on human rights and pressing issues such as climate change was often merely that: talk. Earlier this year, U.S.- and Western-backed institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank offered loans and direct aid that missed a massive opportunity. These dollars rescued the Abiy regime from an urgent debt crisis while failing to impose conditions to improve civil rights or end the brutal conflicts in the Amhara region and other parts of the country. Instead, the bailout has only freed the government in Addis Ababa to purchase more high-tech weaponry such as the Turkish-built Bayraktar TB2 drones that are the backbone of an unmanned fleet placed under a special unit of the Ethiopian Air Force last year. The regime has also found an ambitious partner in its oil-rich Persian Gulf neighbor, the UAE, which is eager to gain political influence over the Horn of Africa in a rivalry with other regional players such as Saudi Arabia. Everyday citizens in Amhara region and most other parts of Ethiopia farmers, teachers, and merchants are becoming needless pawns in these geopolitical power games, as civil society unravels under not only wanton violence but also the rapid erosion of democratic norms across Ethiopia. The drone strikes and house-by-house raids by government forces have been accompanied, according to Amnesty International, by arrests of judges, court staff, prosecutors and university professors, often without warrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Trump often spoke in his campaigns of an America First policy that hints at isolationism, the reality is that the incoming president is also eager to project strength and compete on a global stage with rivals such as China which over the last decade has also made a bid for influence across Africa. In this moment of crisis, there is opportunity for the new American president. Throughout the last century, strong ties between Washington and Addis Ababa have greatly benefitted both nations. In the second half of the 2020s, a new focus from the second Trump administration can not only become a win-win for both nations by maintaining close economic ties but also lessening the allure of anti-democratic rivals like China and the UAE. I would strongly urge the new president to see Ethiopia as a test case that democracy and human rights can again become the foundation for a newly thriving African continent. Mesfin Tegenu is executive chairman of the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Have you ever heard of Kay Granger? Probably not. Shes a Republican congresswoman from Texas who has been in office almost 30 years. But thats not why Im writing about her. Im writing about her because she hadnt been in her office or even seen for six months. She was just gone poof. And there wasnt really anything the House was able or willing to do about it. That has to change. If you stopped showing up to work, what would happen? After a series of unanswered phone calls and emails, youd be fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Congress, though, there is no boss to fire anyone. There is a Speaker of the House, who can call for a vote for expel members who violate their oaths of office or for egregious violations of Congressional ethics, but that happens only rarely. In 1983, Rep. Gerry Studds (D-Mass.) admitted to having sex with an underage House page and made sexual advances toward two other kids. He was censured, and he turned his back on the chamber as it voted. Then he was reelected, repeatedly, until 1997. If contempt in the face of your exposure for molesting pages cant get you booted from the House, almost nothing can. More recently, Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was actually expelled, but it took a federal indictment to make Congress act. In that context, a mere poor attendance record is not going to get you removed. We know this because Granger was AWOL for half the year, for crying out loud. She didnt run for reelection, but probably only because she would have had to offer proof of life to the voters at some point. Granger was recently discovered living in a $4,000 per month nursing home that specializes in treating dementia patients. Certainly no one would wish that on anyone, but Granger should not have clung to her job if she was not capable of doing it. As matters stand, her constituents have had no representation in the House for a very long time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just to be clear, the office itself still functions as far as constituents are concerned. Anyone seeking casework help will get the same service they always have, whatever level that office maintained. What they wont get is a vote on anything. It is likely either that the chief of staff steps up and leads the employees or no one does and the office becomes a base of operations for people who clock-watch all day if they bother to show up at all. In either case, in committees and on the floor, the people of Texass 12th Congressional District had no say in anything. You might wonder how someone could simply disappear, not do their job at all and face zero consequences. Thats because, outside of Election Day, the only mechanism to hold members of Congress to any standards at all is other members of Congress. Members are reluctant to support kicking out others for sex scandals or health issues because they often have sex scandals or health issues themselves, or expect to in the future. Mutual self-preservation makes for good job security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sure, they booted Santos, but he was a clown more interested in attention than his job anyway. They will pick the easy fruit, if only so they can claim to be farmers. When it comes to corruption, Congress is just OK at policing itself. When it comes to health, it is horrible. Former Republican Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk suffered a stroke in January 2012 and wasnt able to resume his duties for more than a year. Former Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson suffered a brain bleed during a radio interview in December 2006 and wasnt able to go back to work until September 2007. Both men, like Congresswoman Granger, should have been removed from their jobs. Help them keep their pay or insurance or whatever (they technically work 24 hours a day, so a case could be made that they were on the job), but their constituents need a say in the business of government. Without some mechanism to remove members who cannot do the job, the idea of public service becomes reversed in cases of incapacitation. That may not sound fair, but this is not fair to the people who entrusted their voices to someone who cannot show up to speak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Derek Hunter is host of the Derek Hunter Podcast and a former staffer for the late Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. With talk of President-elect Donald Trump and his pick for FBI director Kash Patel reportedly assembling an enemies list of people to target in their incoming administration, I cant help reflecting on my own experience being named and targeted in a similar scenario, back in the 1970s. After serving as administrative assistant to New York City Mayor John Lindsay, I decided to switch lanes. I left City Hall and opened a restaurant called Jimmys on 52nd Street with Dick Aurelio, who served alongside me in the Lindsay administration as first deputy mayor. (Journalist Jimmy Breslin was going to invest with us, but he had a television contract at one of the local networks and they didnt want his name being associated with a gin joint but we kept the name anyway.) Located next to the 21 Club, Jimmys had a thriving scene with a politically connected crowd. Local elected officials were always in and out the place, including Tip ONeill, Sen. Jacob Javits and Mario Cuomo, the future governor. Other famous personalities would hang around the bar when they were in town, including political commentator William Buckley. The televisions at the bar were always turned on, and we even had an Associated Press ticker near the door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 1973, the Watergate hearings were being broadcast live. One day, suddenly everyone at the bar starts yelling at me, Sid! Theyre talking about you on the TV! Then-White House Counsel John Dean had just testified that President Richard Nixon kept an enemies list, and I was No. 12 on that list. The phones quickly lit up. Every reporter in town was calling the restaurant trying to get ahold of me for an interview. Every TV reporter in New York and beyond, and also my mother. Breslin gets through to me first. Tells me he wants the exclusive. That I had just become a national figure. I worked out some of the details, promised Id talk to him first, then called back my mother, who was in Florida and immediately asks, What did you do?! Everyone is calling me saying the president doesnt like you! I calmed her down and went back to try to figure out what the hell was going on. Keep in mind, I am 32 years old at the time, the son of a candy store owner from Queens. And here I am on the enemies list of the president of the United States. It was surreal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, we had a blast with it. That Saturday night we hosted an enemies ball on the downstairs floor of the restaurant that included those of us who opposed the president. But after some time, it all began to take a turn. Suddenly, the IRS starts investigating me, claiming I owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes in FICA for employee fees. Tack on some late fees and penalties and before you knew it, they were claiming I owed close to a million dollars. The state of New York also came after me. I was accused of embezzling funds by state Attorney General Louis Lefkowitz, who worked closely alongside Republican Gov. Nelson Rockefeller. My friends in the attorney generals office told me they had no choice. Federal agents showed up at the apartment building of the young woman I was dating at the time. They questioned her doormen and wanted to know about my comings and goings. Although in many ways it remains my proudest moment, the fallout was difficult to deal with. I became a target of the national government virtually overnight. The force of government coming after an individual like that is not a fun place to be. Throughout my life I have kept asking myself, how did this all come about? Why me? In a nation of more than 200 million people at the time, why did Nixon see me and Lindsay as a such a threat? For whatever reason they couldnt get to Lindsay, so they got to me. The next best thing, I suppose. In the notations I was described on the enemies list as Lindsays top personal aide: a first class S.O.B., wheeler-dealer and suspected bagman. Positive results would really shake the Lindsay camp, and Lindsays plan to capture the youth vote. Davidoff in charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a bit of a merit of honor for me in the long term, but, man, that period was rough. Eventually, a judge threw out the indictment. Ive since gone on to live a very full and positive life, and I wouldnt trade any of it for anything. I think it should absolutely be carved into my gravestone: He was lucky enough to be on Nixons enemies list. Still, I wouldnt wish that kind of trouble on anybody. And Im not sure anyone who finds themselves on Trumps list will feel as lucky as I do, this many years on. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, and Santa Claus has dotted the is and crossed the ts on his lists of who has been naughty and who has been nice. Politicians feature prominently on the naughty list each year, inspiring the Daily Beast to compile our top contenders for 2024. Its not the condoning violence list, or the weakening democracy list, or the ruining lives list. Its just the naughty list. In that spirit, here are the politicians from across the political spectrum whose stocking are destined to be filled with coal. JD Vance for dumping on childless cat ladies. What did childless cat ladies ever to do Vice President-elect JD Vance? In July, an old interview resurfaced of the vice president-elect complaining that the Democratic Party was run by a bunch of [miserable] childless cat ladies. But not only are childless cat ladies generally not miserable, they also happen to be nationaland internationaltreasures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musicians Taylor Swift, Enya and Carly Rae Jepsen, feminist activist Gloria Steinem, actor and comedian Kate McKinnon, and Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness all fit the bill. And thats not even counting all the delightful high-profile childless cat men, like actor and comedian Marc Maron, or the anonymous childless cat ladies working as teachers, doctors, researchers, artists, farmers, fire fighters and so on. All of whom have done far more than Vance to make the world a better place for future generations. Rep. Matt Gaetz for being such a creep that even his own party didnt defend him. Die-hard Democrats often express frustration that their party members arent as loyal as Republicans. From extramarital affairs to financial mismanagement, and even lies about the outcome of presidential elections, Republicans have a habit of rallying around their own. But occasionally a Republican comes along who is so odious that even their fellow party members refuse to defend them. Such was the case for former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, who was tapped as president-elect Donald Trumps pick for attorney generaluntil his nomination was derailed by allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use. Gaetz denied the claims, but even his Republican colleagues in Congress wanted nothing to do with him after he allegedly told lurid stories about crushing erectile dysfunction medicine and hooking up with multiple womenand showed videos of the women in question. Which may not be illegal, depending on the circumstances, but it sure is gross. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for being a tease. One House Republican who did come to Gaetzs defense was his friend Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. As the House Ethics Committee debated whether to release the findings of its report into Gaetzs alleged misconduct, Greene sort of came to his defense by saying that if the committee released the Gaetz report, ethics complaints against other Republican lawmakers should also be made public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the ethics reports and claims, including the one I filed, should be made public, she said. All your sexual harassment and assault claims that were secretly settled paying off victims with tax payer money. The entire Jeffrey Epstein files, tapes, recordings, witness interviews. And yet, more than a month later, were still wondering whats in the Epstein reports. Heres hoping for a more transparent 2025. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for being the worlds most unhealthy health freak. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. isnt entirely wrong about Americas poor health epidemic. Fast food is indeed poison, overly processed food isnt great either, and several weird and possibly dangerous food chemicals are legal in the U.S., despite being banned in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if anyone is going to be a credible messenger for the make America healthy again movement, its not Kennedy. This is a guy who used heroin as a study aid, peddles deadly and debunked conspiracy theories about vaccines, keeps road kill in his freezer, and evangelizes raw milk, which was recently found to be vulnerable to infection from bird flu. Ten out of 10 doctors agree that heroin, infectious diseases and road kill lead to negative health outcomes. President Joe Biden for not stepping down sooner. President Joe Biden has undeniably been one of the most productive presidents in recent history, shepherding both a major infrastructure bill and the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history through a starkly divided Congress. But originally the plan was to serve just one term, not mount a re-election campaign only to drop out just a few months before the election and name Vice President Kamala Harris as the heir apparent. Its possible that Harris would have prevailed in a normal Democratic primary. Its possible she would have been able to beat Trump if shed had more time to make her case. The problem is well never know. Biden didnt step aside sooner, the process didnt get to play out, and Democrats will always wonder what might have been. Rep. Nancy Pelosi for denying us a steady stream of Trump-AOC showdowns. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) doesnt have much in common politically with Trump, but like the president-elect, she has a fighting spiritand a preternatural gift for media and communication. After Republicans swept all three branches of government in November, Ocasio-Cortez announced earlier this month she was running to be the Democrats leading voice on the powerful House Oversight committee. Come January, the move promised to set her up for a series of epic political battles against a newly emboldened Trump. But Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) had other plans. The 84-year-old personally lobbied to get Ocasio-Cortezs 74-year-old opponent, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), elected chair. Connolly prevailed, touting his long record of experience. But many progressives were quick to mourn the outcome as a missed opportunity. What the party really needs, they say, is energy, charismaand a steady stream of riveting confrontations with Trump. The reality of President-elect Donald Trumps goal for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants is beginning to set in. Stephen Miller, Trumps pick for deputy chief of staff, expressed plans for the administration to begin the largest deportation operation in American history shortly after Inauguration Day. While undocumented immigrants continue to be the incoming administrations favorite scapegoat, we shouldnt lose sight of one of the many ways these community members contribute to federal, state and local economies: through their tax dollars. Much like their neighbors, undocumented immigrants pay sales and excise taxes on goods and services such as groceries, gas and utilities. They pay property tax regardless of whether they own a home or rent (since landlords pass on a portion of the tax on to renters). They pay payroll taxes via automatic withholdings from paychecks and income taxes in various ways, like by filing with what the IRS calls an ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an in-depth analysis (to which I contributed) by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the undocumented population in 2022 paid almost $97 billion in taxes, with over $54 billion in payments to the federal government and more than $37 billion paid out to states and localities. Put another way, the U.S. stands to lose $8.9 billion in tax revenue for every 1 million undocumented immigrants who are sent out of this country under a program of mass deportation. Undocumented immigrants help fund teacher salaries, road and bridge repairs and other local quality-of-life improvements. They also pay into vital programs that make up our social safety net (including Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance) even though they will likely never see any benefits from these programs because, in most circumstances, they are legally prohibited from accessing them. This is in addition to being barred from important federal credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and, in some cases, the Child Tax Credit. At the state level, undocumented immigrants make most of their tax payments through sales and excise taxes ($15.1 billion) on everyday purchases, followed by property taxes ($10.4 billion) and personal and business income taxes ($7 billion). When measured as a share of their income, undocumented immigrants paid an average effective state and local tax rate of 8.9 percent. This means that they pay a higher share of their income toward these taxes than many of those in the top 1 percent, who paid an average nationwide effective tax rate of just 7.2 percent to their home states. In fact, we find that undocumented immigrants in 40 states have higher state and local effective tax rates than the wealthiest residents living within their respective borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deporting undocumented immigrants en masse would be costly and bring hardship to not just the families and communities being torn apart, but average Americans as well. After all, you dont get cheaper housing and food by removing 20 percent of workers in the construction sector or over 1.6 million workers in the food industry. The immigration debate in the U.S. is complex and deserves far more nuance and understanding than it has historically been afforded. Undocumented immigrants contribute in many underrecognized ways to communities and economies. Instead of drastic measures, we should craft long-term solutions that take human dignity, compassion and basic facts into account. Marco Guzman is a senior policy analyst at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Its tough these days to say Merry Christmas without thinking about the nearly 30 years of culture war baggage loaded on top of that phrase. Christmas has been a political hot potato ever since disgraced Fox News personality Bill OReilly popularized the War on Christmas back in the early 2000s. That trend went into grievance hyperdrive with the emergence of Donald Trump and the perpetually victimized MAGA movement. A once noncontroversial holiday has spent decades politicized to within an inch of its life. Bad-intentioned Republicans like OReilly and Trump have been helped greatly by Democrats years of retreat from and discomfort with modern Christianity. But now a funny thing is happening. In the wake of Democrats electoral defeat last month, some of the partys Christian leaders are calling for a reconsideration of how Democrats talk about faith issues, with an eye toward reconnecting with a voting bloc they long since surrendered to Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unfortunate that in American politics, faith rhetoric has become one more tool in the politics of us and them, Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock told The New York Times. Texas state Rep. James Talarico went further: Progressives have got to understand that the separation of church and state is not the separation of faith and politics. Unless we do, were going to keep losing elections. Democrats should start embracing faith communities because many faith communities are belatedly embracing them. In a campaign cycle where nearly every group, from young people to Hispanics and women, all shifted to the right, electoral data shows some Christian sects made unexpected trips leftward. That includes Arizonas Mormon population, whose communities bucked the states rightward trend. Others, including many Baptists, embraced Kamala Harris because they supported embracing LGBTQ Christians as children of God. Some of this was evident during the campaign, like when rank-and-file Mormons from Utah to Idaho hosted Harris campaign events that explicitly rejected Trumps particular brand of anti-morality. Even then, many Democrats remained skeptical, still scarred by past experiences with Jerry Falwells Moral Majority and the merging of conservative Christianity with the Republican Party. Looking at the hate that false prophets like Falwell and Pat Robertson spent a lifetime spewing, its hard to blame Democrats for being skittish. As a Christian and a Democrat, I understand that hesitation, because for years I shared those same feelings. There is undeniably a tendency among Democrats to look down ones nose at overt displays of Christianity churchgoing, Bible reading, even referencing biblical quotes in speeches. Campaign events involving churches often come with lengthy internal debates as staffers agonize over the pros and cons, the implied message, the optics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lost in all that triangulation is the fact that, for many Americans, theres nothing particularly noteworthy about any of those expressions of faith. Democrats anxiety about doing religion, as one Harris staffer described it to me, showcases how a lack of familiarity and comfort with faith issues can often become a paralyzing and awkward stumbling block for Democrats. For many Hispanic voters who spent decades in the Democratic coalition, the halting way the party engages with faith when it engages at all played a sizable role in their decision to abandon the party last month. The answer isnt that Democrats need to get better at doing religion. Its that they need to embrace leaders in the party who speak naturally about faith because faith is a central part of their lives. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Cory Booker (N.J.), as well as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, all possess a profound and earnest connection to their faith. Unfortunately, Democrats general leeriness of doing religion means those able messengers often find themselves muting their discussions of faith for fear of alienating the Democratic base. What a loss for our party. In that sense, the Republican culture war has been wildly successful. By seeking to draw a contrast from the religious fundamentalist right, Democrats have also abandoned millions of voters who identify more with the religious left. That unilateral withdrawal from the faith conversation allowed the GOP to lay claim to being the official voice of Christianity in America. That has had nightmarish consequences for marginalized groups, for non-Christians, for women seeking abortions for everyone except the religious right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Engaging with these tough issues did more than just solidify my own understanding of my faith. It taught me that there are tens of millions of faith-filled people in this country who defy the stereotypes foisted onto them by both the left and the right. Democrats can win those voters back but first theyll need to rediscover that Christianity isnt a dirty word. Max Burns is a veteran Democratic strategist and founder of Third Degree Strategies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An orca who made headlines in 2018 after she carried her dead calf on her head for more than two weeks and a distance of 1,000 miles has given birth again, according to the Center for Whale Research. The killer whale calf was spotted in the Puget Sound area off Washington state several days ago. On Tuesday, the center determined J35, also known as Tahlequah, was the baby's mother. The calf, a girl, was given the designation J61. It's not all good news for the mom and baby though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The team, including multiple experienced killer whale researchers, have expressed concern about the calf's health based on the behavior of both J35 and J61," the Center for Whale Research wrote in a Facebook post. "Early life is always dangerous for new calves, with a very high mortality rate in the first year. J35 is an experienced mother, and we hope that she is able to keep J61 alive through these difficult early days." The organization, which tracks southern resident orca populations in the Pacific Northwest, did not specify what sparked the concern. Seattle-based Orca Conservancy wrote on social media that researchers believe the calf was born prematurely. Orca Conservancy said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been able to spend time on the water with the calf and they observed the baby "remaining underwater for extended amounts of time indicating nursing or attempts to nurse." "The calf had also been observed being pushed around on J35's head and was not looking lively, which is a concern, but also added calf behavior is not fully understood," Orca Conservancy wrote. Tahlequah also gave birth to a calf in 2020. Experts at the time described it as big news, because up to 70% of orca pregnancies end with a either a miscarriage or a calf that dies shortly after birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southern resident killer whales, like Tahlequah, are the only endangered population of killer whales in the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The summer population census for 2020 counted only 72 southern resident killer whales, though several calves have been born since the census. Though a recovery plan was completed in 2008, the population continues to struggle and has declined over 10% since 2005. "The Southern Resident killer whale population needs ample access to their food supply, mainly salmon, to survive and thrive," the Center for Whale Research wrote in a Facebook post. "Every single birth counts and these whales need enough fish to be able to support themselves and their calves. We continue to advocate for salmon recovery through habitat restoration, removal of dams, and rational management of fisheries in the Pacific Northwest." "Hail and Farewell": A tribute to those we lost in 2024 Dr. Leana Wen says for bird flu, "we should have learned our lesson from COVID" in testing How Japanese mochi brings communities in America together People camp on the sidewalk near Old Town in Portland. (Lynne Terry/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Chain link fences ring the perimeters of the two designated homeless camping areas in Grants Pass. The two sites are the only spots where city officials allow homeless camping after they successfully defended their local camping ordinance before the U.S. Supreme Court. In June, the nations highest court ruled in favor of Grants Pass, deciding that cities could impose criminal penalties without running afoul of constitutional provisions against cruel and unusual punishment. Since then, city officials have limited where about 600 homeless people can pitch a tent or sleep to just two locations in the city of 39,000. A series examining how local governments regulate and criminalize homelessness. The new limitations have alarmed disability rights advocates and volunteer medical outreach workers who treat the people staying there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to stop blaming the people whove been forced to live outside because of this massive housing shortage, not just blaming them, but vilifying them and arresting them and jailing them, said Edward Johnson with the Oregon Law Center who represented the plaintiffs before the Supreme Court. Mayor Sara Bristol said having two sites is intended to keep smaller ones from popping up throughout Grants Pass and provide a temporary location while working toward long-term goals like shelter beds. Broadly, Grants Pass shows how cities across the U.S. are challenged with crafting local camping ordinances that balance the rights of unhoused people with competing interests, from business owners to those with disabilities trying to access a sidewalk without obstacles blocking their way. Whats more, a lack of adequate shelter beds falls far short of the nations growing homeless population, which was 653,104 people in a point-in-time count in January 2023. The system has about 218,000 fewer shelter beds than necessary, that report found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As homelessness becomes more political, rhetoric during elections conflate homelessness with crime, leading candidates to promise to get tough on the issue, Johnson said. Once considered allies, Democratic leaders find themselves under pressure to respond in their communities, with some weighing President-elect Donald Trumps stance of clearing camps and relocating people to land with some social services. But thats not a solution. It may be a short-term solution to getting reelected, but it is not going to end homelessness, he said. Concerns for people with disabilities After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Grants Pass city officials enacted a new policy designating homeless camping to the two lots nearly a mile apart, instead of any city park. Whats more, people can only stay in each spot for seven days. This means they must move between the two locations every week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violations carry the risk of $50 citations. Disability Rights Oregon, a nonprofit advocacy group granted federal watchdog authority, says the setting runs afoul of federal laws that require access and accommodations for people with disabilities. For example, two volunteers carried a homeless woman in a wheelchair across the entrance and into a camp. Large rocks at its entrance prevented her from navigating the terrain in her wheelchair. It is pretty much a barren, totally exposed gravel and dirt lot that still has no running water, still has no shade, said Dr. Bruce Murray, a volunteer physician with Mobile Integrative Navigation Team, or MINT, which provides on-the-ground health services to people camping there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, Disability Rights Oregon raised concerns about the homeless camping policy in a letter to city officials. Its been pouring rain down there, said Tom Stenson, deputy legal director of Disability Rights Oregon. Theyre just puddles where people are unable to move. People with disabilities are just stuck. They have no ability to get around. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Grants Pass city officials restricted homeless camping to two lots nearly a mile apart. The city has provided portable toilets and handwashing stations, though not drinking water. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle) The largest of the two approved lots, Murray said, has about 100 tents. The other has about 40 tents. Hes identified more than two dozen people who should not have to move between camps because of health reasons, such as heart failure, lung problems and wheelchair use. Murray has issued them paperwork to show police when they face the risk of trespassing, but police still warn them. Chad Patty said he believes he nearly died after moving to one of the sites in September. It had no running water to drink and portable toilets. He said he got sick with diarrhea and dehydration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had no access to any sort of water, he said. Because of my condition, I was so sick I couldnt even really walk far to begin with. Patty, who lives off $943 monthly Social Security disability check, has health problems including diabetes, arthritis, a lower back injury and lymphedema, a condition that causes fluid to build up in the body. As he started to get ready on his second day there, Patty, 42, passed out and did not wake up for several hours. Murray, who knew him, provided Patty with water and medicine. The doctor also helped Patty get shelter that led to his recovery and eventually housing in Grants Pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patty is no longer homeless and now lives in an apartment in Grants Pass. A MINT supporter purchased a house to offer rentals at discounted prices for homeless people with disabilities. Patty pays $600 a month. City officials, Patty said, need to show more compassion. Its so irresponsible, neglectful and inhumane that theres just no way to put how I feel about it properly, except that they are cruel and heartless, he said. Grants Pass officials have been publicly chastised. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Murray, a 75-year-old retired physician who has worked in public health across the globe, said he was offended to hear water called an amenity. Amenities are chocolate mints left on your pillow at a Hyatt hotel, he said at the meeting. Amenities are extra towels for the pool. MINT has provided hundreds of water bottles at the sites.The city has provided portable toilets and handwashing stations, though not water. Bristol said that balance is necessary to avoid the perception the city is encouraging people to come there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to stop blaming the people whove been forced to live outside because of this massive housing shortage, not just blaming them, but vilifying them and arresting them and jailing them. Edward Johnson, Oregon Law Center attorney Bristol, whose four-year term ends this year, said the public concerns are understandable, given the requirements to move every seven days. A lot of them have a lot of stuff that even an able-bodied person would have trouble moving around and from a practical standpoint I dont blame them because this is their entire life, Bristol said. Cubic did not respond to requests from the Capital Chronicle for comment. Stenson said his organization has not heard from city leaders in the two months since the letter went out. Elsewhere in Oregon Oregon Gov. Tina Koteks budget proposal for the next two years seeks more than $700 million to shelter homeless residents, transition them into stable housing and prevent them from living on the streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kotek also wants about $1.4 billion in bonds and infrastructure funding to bolster the states housing supply and chip away at the housing shortage. Around the state, advocates are concerned that unhoused people will face increasingly harsher environments. Democratic officials in cities are being pushed to act on homeless encampments, said Jimmy Jones, executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency in Salem, which provides regional services to combat homelessness and poverty in and around the state capital. At the same time, Jones said its crucial for local leaders to avoid the approach of President-elect Donald Trumps agenda, which calls for cleaning out suburban encampments and putting designated homeless camps on vacant land with social workers and mental health workers. Some Democratic leaders could find the approach attractive amid the pressure they face to address homelessness, he said. Jones said any citys approach needs to be focused on responding to public safety or health concerns and complaints, not randomly forcing a camp to relocate elsewhere. It needs to be a complaint-based system generating the action instead of just chasing one group of people from one part of town or the other, ad nauseam, without any real random reason for doing so, he said. That doesnt help the people youre chasing. It doesnt help the people youre trying to serve. It doesnt help the other constituencies in the community. While disagreements about approaches continue, MINT and Grants Pass officials also collaborate. On Dec. 4, the City Council approved a 10-year agreement to provide up to $660,000 for property that the nonprofit will use for a low-barrier shelter that eventually will serve up to 100 people. Cassy Leach, executive director of MINT, said she and her organization want to be part of the solution. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In Portland, unhoused people can camp in public right-of-way areas, provided they have no other options like shelters. The city passed the ordinance in May, after homeless people sued the city in 2023 because of restrictions preventing them from camping between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and forcing them to take down their tents and stay on the move throughout the day. With the new ordinance, there also are restrictions for those who pitch tents. They cannot block building entrances or walkways, light fires or pile garbage around their tent. Violators face fines of up to $100, up to seven days in jail or both. But the goal is to get people into shelter and programs that help them, not jail. The Portland Police Bureau works with the citys Street Services Coordination Center, which does outreach to people who are violating the ordinance. Its really a powerful thing when outreach is there with police and theres that moment of: This is your moment to choose, said Hank Smith, deputy director of Portland Solutions. The city also has a way for the public to report campsites that may be in violation, such as those camped on private property, blocking walkways or with debris piled up. Under state law, notices to move campsites provide at least 72 hours. In Bend, camping is also allowed in right-of-way areas with the goal of avoiding large camps. The city sets a 150-foot distance from one group of up to three homeless campsites vehicles or tents and the next homeless site. The ordinance also allows someone to camp for up to 24 hours in right-of-way areas that have vacant lots on both sides of the street, said David Abbas, Bends transportation and mobility director. First, people get an opportunity to voluntarily move. Afterwards, a 72-hour notice is posted on or near their tent and they have three days to leave. If they dont, the city removes their things and they have 30 days to collect them at a city storage facility. Abbas stressed the goal is voluntary compliance and the city provides information about local shelters. Solutions beyond camping bans For cities to successfully combat homelessness, they need more permanent, affordable housing, Johnson of the Oregon Law Center said. Nationwide, there is a housing shortage that feeds the problem, he said. The other two needs: more protections for people to avoid unnecessary evictions and more temporary shelter space while people are waiting for permanent housing, he said. As for city ordinances that restrict or ban camping, they do not solve the homelessness problem, Johnson said. For one, the restrictions can make it harder for people to stay in touch with providers who can help them find housing, he said. If someone is arrested, jailed and convicted, the criminal record creates another obstacle when they look for employment or housing. Theyre aimed at hiding homelessness, and theyre not very effective at hiding homelessness for a very long period of time, because they actually increase the number of people who are forced to live outside, he said. Despite the loss at the Supreme Court, Johnson said he has reason for optimism as cities look for solutions. In California, Los Angeles city and county officials criticized the ruling, saying the solution is affordable housing and support services, not criminalization. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has focused heavily on expanding affordable housing, with a 2022 executive order that reduced the red tape and waits developers face to get city permits. But newer restrictions that limit where fast-tracked affordable housing development can go in the city, such as historic districts, also raise concerns about how to balance affordable housing growth with neighborhood preservation, according to media reports. Johnson also praised the work of cities that pursue a Housing First model that places people into supportive housing and off the streets as quickly as possible. Major cities are involved: Houston and Austin in Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Madison, Wisconsin. You cant police your way out of this, but we also are not going to be able to litigate our way out of it, he said. Stenson, with Disability Rights Oregon, said he still holds out hope that Grants Pass officials will look beyond their camping ordinance for long-term housing solutions. Maybe the futility of what theyre doing will get them to move around to doing something actually useful, which is to try and find people housing, he said. We have to learn for the 1,000th time that you cant make it illegal to be a person with a problem. You have to actually address the problem. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE People camp on the sidewalk near Old Town in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Lynne Terry/Oregon Capital Chronicle) This is the second in a two-part series. Chain link fences ring the perimeters of the two designated homeless camping areas in Grants Pass, Oregon. The two sites are the only spots where city officials allow homeless camping after they successfully defended their local camping ordinance before the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, the nations highest court ruled in favor of Grants Pass, deciding that cities could impose criminal penalties without running afoul of constitutional provisions against cruel and unusual punishment. Since then, city officials have limited where about 600 homeless people can pitch a tent or sleep to just two locations in the city of 39,000. Also in this series: The new limitations have alarmed disability rights advocates and volunteer medical outreach workers who treat the people staying there. We have to stop blaming the people whove been forced to live outside because of this massive housing shortage, not just blaming them, but vilifying them and arresting them and jailing them, said Edward Johnson with the Oregon Law Center, who represented the plaintiffs before the Supreme Court. Mayor Sara Bristol said having two sites is intended to keep smaller ones from popping up throughout Grants Pass and provide a temporary location while working toward long-term goals like shelter beds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broadly, Grants Pass shows how cities across the U.S. are challenged with crafting local camping ordinances that balance the rights of unhoused people with competing interests, from business owners to those with disabilities trying to access a sidewalk without obstacles blocking their way. Whats more, the number of shelter beds falls far short of the nations growing homeless population, which was 653,104 people in a point-in-time count in January 2023. The system has about 218,000 fewer shelter beds than necessary, that report found. As homelessness becomes more political, rhetoric during elections conflate homelessness with crime, leading candidates to promise to get tough on the issue, Johnson said. Once considered allies, Democratic leaders find themselves under pressure to respond in their communities, with some weighing President-elect Donald Trumps stance of clearing camps and moving people to land with some social services. But thats not a solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It may be a short-term solution to getting reelected, but it is not going to end homelessness, he said. Concerns for people with disabilities After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Grants Pass city officials enacted a policy designating homeless camping to the two lots nearly a mile apart, instead of any city park. Whats more, people can only stay in each spot for seven days. This means they must move between the two locations every week. Violations carry the risk of $50 citations. Disability Rights Oregon, a nonprofit advocacy group granted federal watchdog authority, says the setting runs afoul of federal laws that require access and accommodations for people with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, two volunteers carried a homeless woman in a wheelchair across the entrance and into a camp. Large rocks at its entrance prevented her from navigating the terrain in her wheelchair. It is pretty much a barren, totally exposed gravel and dirt lot that still has no running water, still has no shade, said Dr. Bruce Murray, a volunteer physician with Mobile Integrative Navigation Team, or MINT, which provides on-the-ground health services to people camping there. In October, Disability Rights Oregon raised concerns about the homeless camping policy in a letter to city officials. Its been pouring rain down there, said Tom Stenson, deputy legal director of Disability Rights Oregon. Theyre just puddles where people are unable to move. People with disabilities are just stuck. They have no ability to get around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The largest of the two approved lots, Murray said, has about 100 tents. The other has about 40 tents. Hes identified more than two dozen people who should not have to move between camps because of health reasons, such as heart failure, lung problems, and wheelchair use. Murray has issued them paperwork to show police when they face the risk of trespassing, but officers still warn them. Chad Patty said he believes he nearly died after moving to one of the sites in September. It had no running water to drink and portable toilets. He said he got sick with diarrhea and dehydration. I had no access to any sort of water, he said. Because of my condition, I was so sick I couldnt even really walk far to begin with. Patty, who lives off $943 monthly Social Security disability check, has health problems including diabetes, arthritis, a lower back injury, and lymphedema, a condition that causes fluid to build up in the body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he started to get ready on his second day there, Patty, 42, passed out and did not wake up for several hours. Murray, who knew him, provided Patty with water and medicine. The doctor also helped Patty get shelter that led to his recovery and eventually housing in Grants Pass. Patty is no longer homeless and now lives in an apartment. A MINT supporter purchased a house to offer rentals at discounted prices for homeless people with disabilities. Patty pays $600 a month. City officials, Patty said, need to show more compassion. Its so irresponsible, neglectful, and inhumane that theres just no way to put how I feel about it properly, except that they are cruel and heartless, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grants Pass officials have been publicly chastised. 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. Murray, a 75-year-old retired physician who has worked in public health across the globe, said he was offended to hear water called an amenity. Amenities are chocolate mints left on your pillow at a Hyatt hotel, he said at the meeting. Amenities are extra towels for the pool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MINT, his organization, has provided hundreds of water bottles at the sites. The city has provided portable toilets and handwashing stations, though not water. Bristol said that balance is necessary to avoid the perception the city is encouraging people to come there. Bristol, whose four-year term ends this year, said the public concerns are understandable, given the requirements to move every seven days. A lot of them have a lot of stuff that even an able-bodied person would have trouble moving around and from a practical standpoint I dont blame them because this is their entire life, Bristol said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cubic did not respond to requests from the Oregon Capital Chronicle for comment. Stenson said his organization has not heard from city leaders in the two months since the letter went out. Elsewhere in Oregon Oregon Gov. Tina Koteks budget proposal for the next two years seeks more than $700 million to shelter homeless residents, transition them into stable housing, and prevent them from living on the streets. Kotek also wants about $1.4 billion in bonds and infrastructure funding to bolster the states housing supply and chip away at the housing shortage. Around the state, advocates are concerned that unhoused people will face increasingly harsher environments. Democratic officials in cities are being pushed to act on homeless encampments, said Jimmy Jones, executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency in Salem, which provides regional services to combat homelessness and poverty in and around the state capital. At the same time, Jones said, its crucial for local leaders to avoid the approach of President-elect Donald Trumps agenda, which calls for cleaning out suburban encampments and putting designated homeless camps on vacant land with social workers and mental health workers. Some Democratic leaders could find the approach attractive amid the pressure they face to address homelessness, he said. Jones said any citys approach needs to be focused on responding to public safety or health concerns and complaints, not randomly forcing a camp to move elsewhere. It needs to be a complaint-based system generating the action instead of just chasing one group of people from one part of town or the other, ad nauseam, without any real random reason for doing so, he said. That doesnt help the people youre chasing. It doesnt help the people youre trying to serve. It doesnt help the other constituencies in the community. While disagreements about approaches continue, MINT and Grants Pass officials also collaborate. On Dec. 4, the city council approved a 10-year agreement to provide up to $660,000 for property that the nonprofit will use for a low-barrier shelter that eventually will serve up to 100 people. Cassy Leach, executive director of MINT, said she and her organization want to be part of the solution. In Portland, unhoused people can camp in public right-of-way areas, provided they have no other options like shelters. The city passed the ordinance in May, after homeless people sued the city in 2023 because of restrictions preventing them from camping between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and forcing them to take down their tents and stay on the move throughout the day. With the new ordinance, there also are restrictions for those who pitch tents. They cannot block building entrances or walkways, light fires, or pile garbage around their tent. Violators face fines of up to $100, up to seven days in jail, or both. But the goal is to get people into shelter and programs that help them, not jail. The Portland Police Bureau works with the citys Street Services Coordination Center, which does outreach to people who are violating the ordinance. Its really a powerful thing when outreach is there with police and theres that moment of: This is your moment to choose, said Hank Smith, deputy director of Portland Solutions. The city also has a way for the public to report campsites that may be in violation, such as those on private property, blocking walkways, or with debris piled up. Under state law, notices to move campsites provide at least 72 hours. In Bend, camping is allowed in right-of-way areas with the goal of avoiding large camps. The city sets a 150-foot distance from one group of up to three homeless campsites vehicles or tents and the next homeless site. The ordinance allows someone to camp for up to 24 hours in right-of-way areas that have vacant lots on both sides of the street, said David Abbas, Bends transportation and mobility director. First, people get an opportunity to voluntarily move. Afterwards, a 72-hour notice is posted on or near their tent and they have three days to leave. If they dont, the city removes their things and they have 30 days to collect them at a city storage facility. Abbas stressed the goal is voluntary compliance and the city provides information about local shelters. Solutions beyond camping bans For cities to successfully combat homelessness, they need more permanent, affordable housing, Johnson of the Oregon Law Center said. Nationwide, a housing shortage feeds the problem, he said. The other two needs: more protections for people to avoid unnecessary evictions and more temporary shelter space while people are waiting for permanent housing, he said. As for city ordinances that restrict or ban camping, they do not solve the homelessness problem, Johnson said. For one, the restrictions can make it harder for people to stay in touch with providers who can help them find housing. If someone is arrested, jailed and convicted, the criminal record creates another obstacle when they look for employment or housing. Theyre aimed at hiding homelessness, and theyre not very effective at hiding homelessness for a very long period of time, because they actually increase the number of people who are forced to live outside, he said. Despite the loss at the Supreme Court, Johnson said he has reason for optimism as cities look for solutions. In California, Los Angeles city and county officials criticized the ruling, saying the solution is affordable housing and support services, not criminalization. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has focused heavily on expanding affordable housing, with a 2022 executive order that reduced the red tape and waits developers face to get city permits. But newer restrictions that limit where fast-tracked affordable housing development can go in the city, such as historic districts, also raise concerns about how to balance affordable housing growth with neighborhood preservation, according to media reports. Johnson praised the work of cities that pursue a Housing First model that places people into supportive housing and off the streets as quickly as possible. Major cities are involved: Houston and Austin in Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Madison, Wisconsin. You cant police your way out of this, but we also are not going to be able to litigate our way out of it, he said. Stenson, with Disability Rights Oregon, said he still holds out hope that Grants Pass officials will look beyond their camping ordinance for long-term housing solutions. Maybe the futility of what theyre doing will get them to move around to doing something actually useful, which is to try and find people housing, he said. We have to learn for the 1,000th time that you cant make it illegal to be a person with a problem. You have to actually address the problem. Next: A hodgepodge of solutions in Maine. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) An Oregon house cat died after eating pet food that tested positive for bird flu, Oregon authorities said, prompting a recall of raw frozen pet food that was sold nationwide. Northwest Naturals, a pet food company based in Portland, Oregon, said Tuesday it had voluntarily recalled one batch of its two-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after it tested positive for the virus. The product was sold through distributors in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, as well as Canada's British Columbia. We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food, Oregon Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz said in a Tuesday news release. This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recalled product is packaged in two-pound plastic bags with best if used by dates of May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026. The company and Oregon authorities said that consumers who bought the recalled product should throw it away immediately and contact the place of purchase for a refund. No human cases of bird flu have been linked to the incident, but those who were in contact with the cat are being monitored for flu symptoms, Oregon authorities said. More than 60 people in eight states have been infected, with mostly mild illnesses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. One person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with the nations first known severe illness caused by the virus, health officials said last week. So far, the CDC has confirmed one human case of bird flu in Oregon. The person was linked to a previously reported outbreak at a commercial poultry operation and fully recovered after experiencing mild illness, according to a November news release from the Oregon Health Authority. In late October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that a pig at a backyard farm in Oregon was found to have bird flu, marking the first detection of the virus in U.S. swine. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by U.S. trumpet master Wynton Marsalis, performs at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2024.(NCPA/Handout via Xinhua) Editor's note: This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Over the decades, cultural and artistic activities -- especially musical events -- have played a vital role in normalizing and enhancing bilateral ties. As early as 1973, a historic tour by the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra signaled a thaw in cultural exchange between China and the United States. Today, the musical landscapes of both countries are more closely interwoven than ever, reflecting a high level of mutual learning in the fields of culture and the arts. This week, Xinhua will release a series of three profiles on this topic, and the following text is the first piece. by Xinhua writers Wang Xiaopeng and Shi Yifei BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Jazz and Chinese folk songs may seem worlds apart, as distant from each other as the space between China and the United States. However, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by U.S. trumpet master Wynton Marsalis, brought to Chinese audiences an amazing blend of the two arts during their recent China tour. Over four weeks, up to Nov. 3, the orchestra staged performances in multiple cities including Beijing, Shenzhen and Hangzhou, captivating fans eager to experience the latest trends in the world of jazz. In Shenzhen, the ensemble performed jazz arrangements of popular Chinese folk music like "Where's the Road that You'll Take" for the first time. The arrangement is the theme song from a renowned TV adaptation of "Journey to the West," a classic novel centering on Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King. With his hallmark cross-cultural flair, Marsalis, the artistic director and leader of the world-renowned big band, infused "Horse Racing" -- a classic piece of Chinese folk music traditionally performed on the erhu -- with a jazz interpretation, leading his ensemble in collaboration with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. The creative, experimental blending of jazz with Chinese musical heritage, as well as selections from Symphony No. 4 "The Jungle," Marsalis' acclaimed original work, wowed an audience of around 1,400 at Shenzhen Concert Hall on Oct. 15. "Changes in instrumentation and harmony have enhanced the auditory experience of the folk music," Shenzhen resident Liu Gang said, expressing appreciation for the richness of the performances. The pieces performed in Shenzhen represent the latest results of Marsalis' deep dive into Chinese musical heritage, an interest initially sparked by the influence of his Chinese friends. Acknowledging the difficulty in fathoming the meaning of melodies in another culture, Marsalis told Xinhua in an exclusive interview during his recent tour that he had "listened to Chinese traditional music many times." Over time, the nine-time Grammy Award-winner reflected, he had tuned into Chinese folk music; the instruments, the sound of the space in the music and the lyrics and the directness of the melodic nature all resonated deeply with him. This kind of music is "distilled through a lot of people over a long time," he said, adding that he also likes Chinese folk music that features high-pitched voices because it has "a very penetrating quality and a kind of clear emotion." The orchestra arrived in Beijing -- the first leg of their tour -- on Oct. 7, ready for the 27th Beijing Music Festival. At the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Marsalis and other artists in the orchestra performed the "Shanghai Suite," an intriguing album composed to blend jazz with Chinese mythology, folklore and traditional musical heritage. The performance was the first time an audience in the Chinese capital had heard the arrangements live. The 9-movement suite, inspired by Marsalis' experiences in Shanghai, premiered at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai in 2019 and was staged in Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York in 2022. One movement called "Hot Pot!" was particularly memorable. Paying tribute to its namesake culinary inspiration, Marsalis said he enjoys this Chinese meal partly because "it's like a dish we have in New Orleans called gumbo, everything in one pot." "And also I like hotpot because it's such a communal dish. I like that people get around," he added. Marsalis reflected on the sheer variety of Chinese cuisines, confessing that he is also a fan of Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck, and often gets roast duck on New Year's Day in the United States. There is another highlight in the suite called "Li Bai's Blues," which reveals his enthusiasm about Chinese poetry. Li was a renowned Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet. At Marsalis' home back in New York, there is an English-translated anthology of ancient Chinese poetry. Among the authors, he especially felt kinship with Li. "I like Li Bai's embrace of life," Marsalis said. "He embraces the ephemeral nature of life. We're here, we're gone." "And I like also Li Bai's ability to accept as it comes," he added. The poems of Li, a household name in China, much like the Monkey King, have been translated into multiple languages and are a treasure trove for many people studying Chinese culture. "I love the Chinese culture," Marsalis said, adding that with a deep history and rich culture, China is "one of the great cultures and countries in the world." Though he did not visit China until the 1990s, Marsalis' connection with the country dates back to the 1960s, when he was still in short trousers. "I have a coin collection and in the coin collection are some Chinese coins," he recollected, adding that at that time he never thought he would go to China. More than 50 years on, he has traveled to China on multiple occasions and boasts a growing fanbase here. He said that there are many things he likes about today's China, including the increase of trees, the modern railway system, the nightlife and the ever-evolving skyline. Believing that everything is connected to people, Marsalis highly values the role played by people-to-people exchanges. "A building is a building. But if somebody takes you through it and shows you and tells you, then it becomes more of an experience." As one of the most influential figures in modern jazz, Marsalis has been working hard to bring people together through music throughout his busy, prolific career. Over the decades, Marsalis, also director of Jazz Studies at the Juilliard School, has made education a significant mission and devoted much of his career to teaching and advocating music education, assisting young musicians from various backgrounds. On Oct. 22, he interacted with young musicians at Hangzhou-based Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, tutoring them in improvisation techniques. Huang Ye, a Gen-Z clarinetist, first met Marsalis during a high school jazz contest 10 years ago. Today, the trumpet master remains an inspiration for him. Since 2017, Huang has worked with Marsalis on many programs, performing with the U.S. artist on some movements of the Shanghai Suite. Marsalis' performances in China are a significant access point for many people into the world of jazz, said Huang, adding that he is working on programs that integrate Chinese musical heritage, such as elements of Kun Opera, into jazz, and encourage more Chinese musicians to perform their works in the United States. "Wynton has not only taught me the techniques of music, but also how to be an artist with a sense of responsibility," Huang said. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by U.S. trumpet master Wynton Marsalis, performs at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2024.(NCPA/Handout via Xinhua) U.S. trumpet master Wynton Marsalis performs at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2024.(NCPA/Handout via Xinhua) MEXICO CITY (AP) The organizer of a Christmas fair in southern Mexico was assassinated at his citys holiday event, authorities said late Tuesday. The governor of the southern state of Guerrero said gunmen killed the organizer of the annual Christmas and New Year's fair in the state capital of Chilpancingo. Gov. Evelyn Salgado called the Christmas Eve killing of Martin Ramirez Ruiz an unacceptable act that will not go unpunished. Salgado wrote on her social media accounts that state prosecutors were investigating the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no immediate information on the motive, but the gangs gain much of their income extorting money from local businesses and routinely kill those who refuse to pay. In a separate statement, state prosecutors said that another person was killed along with Ramirez Ruiz, and that a third person in the crowd gathered outside a church was wounded in the attack. The gunmen had apparently waded into the crowd and directly targeted Ramirez Ruiz. Ramirez Ruiz was the head of the civic group that for almost two centuries has organized an arts, food and handicrafts fair that runs from roughly Christmas to Jan. 7. The fair also honors the local patron saint, St. Matthew. Two rival drug gangs, the Tlacos and the Ardillos, are fighting for control of the city of Chilpancingo, and violence against officials and residents there has reached grisly levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November, a former prosecutor and local police official was arrested in connection with the grisly decapitation of the city's mayor on Oct. 6. Mayor Alejandro Arcos was killed just a week after he took office as mayor of the state capital. Officials had blamed the killing on one of the gangs. The mayor's body was found in a pickup truck, with his severed head placed on the roof of the vehicle, in an apparent message from the gang. The same gang is thought to be responsible for killing 11 market vendors, including four boys, in late October. The vendors, members of an extended family, were abducted as they traveled to sell their wares. Their bodies were found dumped in the bed of a pickup truck on an avenue in Chilpancingo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chilpancingo, a city of about 300,000, is so completely dominated by gangs that in 2023, one of them staged a demonstration of hundreds of people, hijacked a government armored car, blocked a major highway and took police hostage to win the release of arrested suspects. Violence in Guerrero reached such unprecedented levels that earlier this year, Roman Catholic bishops announced they had helped arrange a truce in another part of the state between two warring drug cartels. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america The Orlando police are asking for the publics help to locate a missing 12-year-old girl. Holloway was last seen Tuesday at 4;30 p.m. near the intersection of East Michigan Street and South Ferncreek Avenue. She was last seen wearing black hoodies and gray leggings. Read: Orlando World Center Marriott cancels drone show after drone hits 7-year-old at Lake Eola show If you have any information on her whereabouts, please call the Orlando Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Baby mammoth preserved for 50,000 years is unveiled in Russias Siberia Orlando police searching for missing 12-year-old girl Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. LOS ANGELES (KTLA) Some 40,000 Southern California Edison customers were without power on Christmas Eve after a transformer failed in the Downey-Norwalk area earlier in the afternoon. According to SCEs outage map, the problems began around 1:30 p.m., with Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison, telling KTLA that the utility company did not have a timeframe for when power would be restored. Our crews are on scene working to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible. We recognize that this is a tough time to be without power, right before a holiday, Dunleavy said. We recognize that this is an incredibly important situation, and we want to get the power back up for our customers. A view from Sky5 of a power outage in the Downey-Norwalk area affecting some 40,000 customers on Dec. 24, 2024. (KTLA) Metros C (Green) Line trains were temporarily halted between the Norwalk and Willowbrook/Rose Park stops as a result of the outage, though normal C Line train service resumed right around 5 p.m., Metro officials said in a post to X, formerly Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former sheriffs deputy in Southern California takes own life after attempted sex with teen arrest Officials in the City of Downey deployed police to help manage traffic control at intersections where traffic lights were out. We encourage residents to exercise caution when driving through affected areas, officials said in a statement. There were also reports of last-minute Christmas shoppers perusing the darkened aisles of local retailers also affected by the outage. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. It may surprise some New Jersey residents to learn that their sewer systems are more or less the same as when they were installed nearly 200 years ago. And with more strain than ever being put on these systems due to increased precipitation and sea levels, this doesn't bode well for the plumbing. What's happening? NJ.com reported on the issue, which has concerned scientists and officials for decades now. Their primary worry is the structure of the system. In a combined sewage model, both sewage and rainwater are moved through the same network of pipes. Unfortunately, that means that when excessive amounts of rainwater enter the system, the wastewater in the pipes can back up into streets and even into homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rain and precipitation are already on the rise due to warming weather and a water cycle that's been significantly disrupted by human-driven pollution, particularly from dirty fuels. And with sea level rise being fueled by the same rising temperatures, the issue is a self-reinforcing cycle of disaster. With higher water levels, it's more difficult for runoff during storms to discharge into nearby bodies of water. And the more water that remains behind, the more likely it is that sewage overflows and flooding will occur. Why is this so concerning? Sewage floods aren't just unsightly. They're also a public health threat. NJ.com referenced several health issues linked to untreated sewage and stormwater runoff, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin, ear, eye, nose, and throat diseases. And New Jersey is hardly the only place facing these threats. Many coastal cities, which installed their combined sewage systems in the 1850s, are now facing similar dilemmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After all, while the weather is set to continue growing more severe, the option of replacing sewage systems isn't getting any cheaper. In fact, NJ.com estimated that fixing them would take decades and cost $4 billion, much of which would be shouldered by locals financially. What's being done about this? While an overhaul of the sewage systems might be most effective in the long run, experts are looking for shorter-term solutions to avoid the worst of the flooding in the meantime. Should the government be allowed to restrict how much water we use? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind For example, research done by Drexel University proposed a "Pennsauken disconnection," a solution in which diverting stormwater from the upstream town of Pennsauken could help reduce the risk of flooding for Cramer Hill, per NJ.com. Ultimately, though, the best way to mitigate the worst of the flooding is to work to reduce planet-warming pollution, whether through changing how you use energy, how you get around, what you eat, or where and how often you shop. 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. (KRON) More than 50 San Francisco small businesses will receive over $350,000 in funding grants between them from the San Francisco Shines Storefront Improvement Program, Mayor London N. Breed announced Monday. This program provides new and existing small businesses with up to $10,000 in grant funds. The funding is meant to aid in storefront improvements and equipment purchases, which the city says assist in reducing vulnerability to crime, attracting foot traffic and ensuring compliance with city requirements. Breed referred to the citys small businesses as the center of what drives SFs economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Francisco Mayor London Breed reflects on her historic tenure SF Shines has awarded nearly $4 million in grants for hundreds of small businesses, but this is just one of many resources available for our small business community, said Breed. According to the city, approximately 960 businesses have received the grant since the programs inception two years ago. The owner of Cha Cha Cha and Oz Pizza, Onur Ozkaynak, said he is deeply grateful for the grant. This investment has not only enabled much-needed improvements to my businesses but has also brought renewed hope for future growth. A total of 56 businesses will receive the grant in this round, according to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) Drones are popular teen gifts, but Federal Aviation Administration bans in parts of New Jersey and New York may delay their use. After more than a month of sightings across multiple states, lawmakers and the general public are no closer to discovering what mysterious drones are spotted in the northeast and a handful of other states. An unexplained large number of drones began flying over sensitive military sites in New Jersey in mid-November. the White House and the Pentagon insist they dont pose a threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trucking over the holidays definitely has its moments, driver says Dr. Hasaan Shahidi, CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, noted that among the thousands of reported incidents, some involved drones operating in restricted airspace, while others were sightings of piloted aircraft. He encourages Americans to follow the restrictions and comply with regulations as the FAA conducts its investigation. The FAA is providing a lot of resources. Theres a Drone Zone website that you can go to and get a lot of information. Also, you can download (the) Before You Fly app. It tells you where you can and cant fly, Shahidi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can you fly with pot? Heres what the TSA says The FAA temporarily banned drone flights in 22 areas of New Jersey where critical infrastructure is located. FAA officials said federal security agencies requested the flight restrictions, which are effective through Jan. 17. Other than New Jersey, drones have been spotted in other Northeastern states, including New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Sightings have also been reported in California, Florida, Ohio and Minnesota. NewsNations Kellie Meyer and Tom Dempsey contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. CHIPPEWA FALLS Overdose deaths have plunged in Chippewa County this year after years of steady increases. The county is hoping to continue that trend, as they have obtained funding for a vending machine kiosk that will distribute, among other things, fentanyl testing strips and Narcan. Brittnay Fortuna, Chippewa County Public Health director, met with the Health & Human Services Board last week to share the good news on overdose deaths trending downward. The Board also approved acquiring the kiosk machine. There were 10 reported overdose deaths in the county in 2022 and 14 in 2023, but by late November, only five overdose deaths had been reported this year lower than any of the past seven years, according to a report shared with the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortuna said Monday it showed all the preventative work the county is doing is paying off. The county receives opioid settlement dollars that goes towards education, she said. And there is awareness of where our resources are, said Fortuna. The countys downward trend matches what is happening on a state and national level. According to a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics, overdose deaths in Wisconsin fell 23.8% from July 2023 to July 2024, compared to a year earlier. The national decline in that period is a 19.3% decline. Even with the decline, about 90,000 Americans have died from drug overdose in the past year, down from 94,000 a year earlier. Sheriff Travis Hakes agreed with Fortuna that hard work is paying off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its community involvement and collaboration, Hakes said. Its the amount of community outreach. Hakes pointed out that out-of-home placements of children also dropped significantly in the past year, and he contends those are related. Dean Mueller, a Chippewa County Board member who serves on the Health & Human Services Board, agreed that education is a factor. It is good I cant point to any specific policy or procedure that made that happen, Mueller said. Lee Hennick, who also serves on both the county board and the Health & Human Services Board, said the drop in deaths has to be credited to work by the countys Human Services Department, and those county workers deserve praise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve made a dedicated effort to warn the public about the consequences of drug use, Hennick said. Kiosk comingFortuna said the county has received a $50,000 grant to purchase a public health vending machine. It is expected to arrive in early January and will be placed in the lobby of the Chippewa County Jail, with public access at the corner of High Street and Spruce Street. Along with Narcan, fentanyl testing strips and Xylazine testing strips, the vending machine will distribute items like gun locks, feminine hygiene products and pregnancy tests, and condoms. Fortuna said people will only be required to enter a zip code into the machine. She is hopeful people will enter their true zip code, as it will give her office a sense of where they need to invest more time, funding and education. The items are dropped in a bag. Everything is discreet, Fortuna said. No one will know what you are walking away with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hakes said he wrote a letter in support of obtaining the vending machine. There is one in almost every county around us, Hakes said. It will be nice to have free access to it. Mueller liked the location. The lobby there appears to be a good fit, Mueller said. Hopefully, people will take advantage of the help that is out there. Hennick said it was the first time he had seen one of these kiosks. Its a good thing for the community, Hennick said. The problem with the kiosk is we cant put them everywhere because they are so expensive. Dec. 24TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES About a month after moving into the New Mexico State Veterans Home's Turtleback building, Lesha and Lorenzo Delgado's new place was starting to feel like home. Though there were a few boxes and suitcases left to unpack, the couple added little touches to make the studio-style space feel more comfortable. A green and purple patchwork quilt covered Lorenzo Delgado's twin-sized bed. Across the room, Lesha Delgado's bed is decorated with a blanket bearing the likeness of Frida Kahlo a gift from her husband, who knows her fondness for the artist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lorenzo Delgado said he's eager to find a place to display his wife's master's degree. And the Delgados installed a small Christmas tree to infuse their new home with holiday cheer. Lorenzo Delgado's status as a U.S. Army veteran entitled both members of the couple to live at the facility, allowing Lesha Delgado to receive the skilled nursing care she needs while living with multiple sclerosis. "The reason I can live here is because of him," she said. Troubled facility reborn In the past five years, the New Mexico State Veterans Home has served as the site of dozens of deaths from COVID-19, the subject of scathing legislative reports and a repeated cause for concern for state lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But since 2022, it's also experienced a kind of rebirth. Thanks to $40 million in legislative funding and $20 million in bond funds, the veterans home constructed six new buildings, each composed of 12 private rooms with individual bathrooms plus communal kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms. Now, as veterans, spouses and Gold Star parents are settling into those new homes which opened to residents in August the facility's outlook is growing sunnier. Though they provide the level of care customary for a skilled nursing facility, the new homes mark a shift in ideology, said Kenneth Shull, a retired Army brigadier general and the facility's administrator. They were designed to feel like, well, homes. Staff keep residents company during meal times or while they watch television. Outdoor patios allow residents to soak up some sun or visit with family. The communal kitchen is stocked with easy-access lemonade and snacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're taking care of the patients like we were but [with] a different methodology," Shull said. "The staff has been very well trained in the new model," he added. "We're still working and training and learning new techniques how to make the program a better program." Upgrades address 'unacceptable' conditions For years, news of the veterans home was mostly bad. In 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 tore through the facility, resulting in nearly 40 deaths. Legislative reports published in the following years painted a damning portrait of life in the veterans home, attributing the deaths to chronic leadership issues and failure to adhere to pandemic safety protocols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Sen. Nancy Rodriguez, D-Santa Fe, called the situation at the veterans home "not only unacceptable but unconscionable." The state has since settled wrongful death lawsuits brought by surviving family members of those who died of COVID-19 at the veterans home. In 2022, lawmakers set aside funds for a facility overhaul, an initiative secured by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The site's Depression-era main building originally designed as a children's hospital and now known as "Old Main" wasn't sufficient anymore. Now, the facility includes the new homes; Old Main, which is currently being used as administrative space; and an annex, built in 2017 and housing veterans whose medical conditions necessitate secure units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 17, 104 of the home's 131 beds were filled. Shull said an average of eight new residents join the facility each month. Residents react Though he has some gripes about the new facility, David McLaren, another resident of the Turtleback building, said he's glad he made the move to the veterans home. After graduating from boot camp in 1972, McLaren spent three years as a Seabee a member of the U.S. Navy's Construction Battalion, responsible for building infrastructure in support of operating forces. Faced with a low draft number, McLaren said he opted to enlist, visiting various recruiters. The Navy offered him the best deal: a chance to continue the kind of construction work he'd been doing as a civilian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McLaren moved into the New Mexico State Veterans Home in February 2017, after reaching a point where he could no longer take good care of himself while living alone. He loved living in Old Main, from examining the military memorabilia fellow veterans left behind in the building to relaxing in the building's turtle-filled courtyard. "That was such a wonderful facility, such a great place to live," he said. "It just had so much feeling of history." The new buildings, McLaren said, upset him "a little bit" because they were built on what was once the veterans home's sprawling front yard, where he used to enjoy time outside. It would have been nice to preserve that space, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on the whole, McLaren said, "I'm glad I'm here." John Smith moved into the veterans home in February with a specific goal in mind. Smith spent 13 years in the Army, completing tours in Germany and Korea, as well as more than three decades in military civil service. All of it adds up to 47 and a half years "But who's counting?" he quipped. But repeated falls and infections left Smith, now in his 70s, unable to walk. At the veterans home, he's been working with physical therapists to improve his movement and ability to transfer out of bed or a wheelchair. "I've been working on that ever since," he said. "So that's what I do here: I work on it, see if I can get myself to function again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith lives by a motto: "You either lead, follow or get out the way." Between visits from his children, grandkids and wife of more than 50 years, Smith has recently been leading as the veterans home's resident movie buff. Combining the home's collection of DVDs with his own, Smith has been working to set up movie viewings in the facility's on-site theater. After moving into the Turtleback building a month or two ago, Smith said he likes his new home. "This is a fantastic facility," he said. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the closing meeting of the 13th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its 13th session here on Wednesday. At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to adopt a law on value-added tax, a decision on amending the Supervision Law, and a revised Science and Technology Popularization Law. They adopted a decision on removing Wang Guanghua from the post of minister of natural resources and appointing Guan Zhi'ou to the position. President Xi Jinping signed four presidential orders to promulgate the laws and the decisions. Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting. The meeting decided to submit a draft amendment to the Law on Deputies to the National People's Congress and Local People's Congresses at All Levels to the third session of the 14th NPC for further deliberation, and entrusted Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, to make explanatory remarks to the NPC session. The meeting adopted a decision on convening the third session of the 14th NPC. According to the decision, the third session of the 14th NPC will open on March 5, 2025. Lawmakers ratified an extradition treaty between China and Zimbabwe and another one between China and Suriname. They voted to adopt the name list of the members of the sixth-term Macao Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the NPC Standing Committee. They also adopted a deputy qualification report and personnel-related bills. Zhao chaired a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee before the closing meeting and presided over a lecture for lawmakers after the closing meeting. He also granted letters of appointment to members of the sixth-term Macao Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the NPC Standing Committee. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, poses for a group photo with members of the sixth-term Macao Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the NPC Standing Committee after granting letters of appointment to them at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao) Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, grants letters of appointment to members of the sixth-term Macao Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao) PALESTINE, Texas (KETK) The Palestine Police Department is seeking information in a robbery that occurred at a smoke shop on Monday night. Polk County game wardens investigating illegal harvest, dumping of white-tailed deer According to Palestine PD, officers responded to an aggravated robbery around 9 p.m. that occurred at the Scorpion Smoke Shop in Palestine. Photos Courtesy of Palestine Police Department Photos Courtesy of Palestine Police Department A light complected female suspect allegedly stood watch at the door and then Palestine PD said they sprayed pepper spray or mace into the business as they fled with an undisclosed amount of money. The male who reportedly presented a handgun and demanded the money appeared to have a tattoo on his left wrist, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects reportedly fled in a maroon Nissan Armanda or Pathfinder, believed to be older than a 2016 model, according to Palestine PD. Photo courtesy of Palestine PD. Photo courtesy of Palestine PD. Photo courtesy of Palestine PD. The vehicle had no front license plate, but had a light bar mounted to the front, front drivers side bumper damage, a trailer hitch ball mounted on the rear and the vehicle sounded as though the muffler had been removed, Palestine Police Department said. The officials said that the suspects fled south on Tule Factory Rd. If any individuals have information, contact the Palestine Police Department at 903-729-2254 or Anderson County Crime Stoppers at 903-729-8477. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Hazard High School drama club circa 1968. Adviser Evangeline Dang Palmer is far left. The author, Dee Davis, is top right. (Via Facebook) At 17 I was the Santa Claus for the Walkertown section of Hazard. Rick Rosanova, the news guy at Channel 4, was Santa at the new Sears in the old bowling alley in another part of town, Lothair. And Bill Douglas was the citys main Santa from Backwoods to Big Bottom. He had a $1,000 velvet Santa outfit (in 1968 dollars) with black calfskin boots and jingle bells on a leather strap. His fake beard was combed human hair and in addition to that he could play the harmonica and jig dance. Value add-ons at anyones Christmas party. I worked at Palmers House of Toys, a more humble operation. I had a belly pillow and a stringy white beard-wig combination that I had to enhance by putting white shoe polish on my sideburns so my hair would not show through the gaps. The outfit was thin red corduroy, and instead of boots I had plastic covers to slip over my shoes to affect an illusion of boots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palmers House of Toys was owned by Evangeline Dang Palmer who had been my speech and drama teacher until she got fired for telling Merrill Pelfrey he did not know his own name. If it is M-e-r-r-i-l-l, its pronounced Mehr-rill. Mehr-rill who thought his name was Merle said, Dammit, woman I reckon I know my own name. It aint Mehh-rul, its Murl. She kicked him out of her class, which was just home room for 10 minutes a day, but she drew that line unrepentantly and would not let him back in even when the order came down. So the school canned her. She went straight out and bought Country Boy Feltners furniture store, and then just before Thanksgiving she rented the upstairs above the old Pet Dairy across the street. Filled it with toy bins. Hired me. Sadly, and this is no longer part of the story, Merrill Pelfrey ended up doing jail time for something like wanton endangerment. A couple of years later the Hazard cops were following him as he walked home from the Brown Derby, a bar below the new Sears in Lothair. He was tipsy and thought they were getting right up against him with the cruiser just to mess him up. When he got to his house, he grabbed a shotgun, blasted out their tires, and put 320 holes in the vehicle (according to the following weeks Hazard Herald). At first they had him up for attempted murder, but eventually let him plead it down. He told me he wasnt attempting anything, he was looking right at the cops and could have shot them boys anytime, if he had wanted to. Bill Douglas, on right in red with white trim, had the best Santa wardrobe in Hazard in 1968 a velvet suit and beard made with real human hair. On the left is the younger Bill Douglas, Douglas son. (Photo via Facebook) Mrs. Palmer came from Central Kentucky, horse country, and more refinement. She had studied drama at Northwestern and was a classmate there of Charlton Heston (Ben Hur, El Cid, Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green is people), a fact she found reason to mention in class at least once a week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a time when smart women often taught school instead of being lawyers or doctors. And Mrs. Palmer was very smart. She knew all the Greek plays by heart, the eye-gouging kings who marry their mothers and mommas who kill their babies to keep them from the clutches of trifling husbands. She would tell us the plots with broad theatrical gestures. It was as good as school gets. She talked all the time, and there was never a test. Besides recalling encounters with Charlton Heston, she would regale us with tales of her performances at Pioneer Playhouse in Danville, Kentucky (Lizzie and the Rainman, Arsenic and Old Lace), and the backstage dramas in which she always seemed to triumph. We were graded on how dramatically we could read aloud, how well we could make up speeches, and for helping with the school plays that she would direct like On Borrowed Time or Wait Until Dark. Speech class had only one overriding rule, and that was you couldnt pronounce your long is flat like you would naturally in Hazard. You had to make them sound like you were saying aye, aye, Captain Bligh. If you didnt, she claimed she would fail you. Not my problem. I was good at speech. Sometimes she would tell me to stand up in class and say America. Id say, America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shed pause for a second, Say America. Again, Id say America, sounding it out like she and Charlton Heston would. Then shed say, He has a beautiful voice, doesnt he? All followed by a chortle from the back of her throat, a sound like spit frying on a griddle that you can never unhear. After school my friends would make fun, Say America for me. But then it was me she hired as Santa. Paid good money, maybe two bucks an hour, and the work was nothing, if you could belt out an imitative Merry Christmas and a Ho-Ho-Ho. Often the store was empty, and I would play with the toys myself, racecars and gyroscopes. Other times high school friends would come by to harass me, the boys trying to get me to say something inappropriate around the kids, teenage girls who wanted to sit in my lap, whisper in my ear, and make me squirm. Occasionally a kid would get scared, tear up, run back to his minder, but if youd let the little fellow find his own way to you, hed generally work up some courage, get a wish in, and go home hopeful. The kids that shopped in Walkertown didnt want that much, and the House of Toys was not high end. Mostly they said dolls and balls, toy guns and play kitchens. Sometimes boys wanted those little gas stations with an elevator for the cars to get up to the down ramp. Not fancy or electric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then one Wednesday I got a call to come in that night to be Santa when we were not open. I remember that I did not want to bother with shoe polish on the sideburns. Too much to scrub out later on a school night. When I got there, Mrs. Palmer explained that there was this kid, I want to say Lucas or James, but I dont remember, 7 or 8, and he was sick. I think it was leukemia then before all the miracle cures. His parents called Mrs. Palmer. Christmas was two weeks out, but they did not think he would make it. They told her they had taken him to Lothair to see Rosanovas Santa, and downtown to see Bill Douglas, but after each visit he had told his folks, Thats not the real Santa Claus. wizzertop I went across the street, up the metal stairs, and turned on the lights to get dressed. I pressed the white beard and wig against my temples to hide my scraggly facial hair. Santas throne was an unsold upholstered chair in the back of the store. When they came up I could peer out over the bins and watch him see me as he began to make his own way back. Mrs. Palmer, who rarely came up the steps, was with them, the mom and the dad, and I think someone else from the family. Mrs. Palmer was a doctors widow. She had money. She was the kind of woman who would buy a furniture store just to show the school system that she did not need their payday or their approval. She would have given James or Isaac or Lucas every toy on display and not blinked. She told him to pick what he wanted. The mom trailed the slight, sandy-haired boy. He was ashen. She wasnt that much older than me. Her face was puffy from crying but also from holding it back. Her head cocked like when youre worn down. She smiled at him with absolute pride, like watching your kid sing in the school pageant. But it was as if she was mourning him at the same time. I met him in the bins, reached in to the toys, and handed him a rev-up top with a gyroscope inside it. I think it was yellow and cost four ninety-five. I called him by his name and whisked him up into my chair. I talked in softer Santa, asking him what he wanted and making a deep quiet Ho-Ho trying to sound like a man. He told me about his little brother and his momma, his daddy. If he wanted something for Christmas, it was not a big part of our conversation. I just remember that when he got up to go, the top hed been holding had slipped into the side of the chair. As he walked back to his mom, I said, Here, Lucas, dont forget your top. And he looked at me and said I wont, and I wont forget who gave it to me either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did not have a school play that year. Mrs. Palmer directed some community theater after that, and I got cast a couple of times: once as a farmer in the bicentennial history of Hazard, another time as Vinnie, one of the poker players in The Odd Couple. No small parts, only small actors. The kid made it through Christmas, but not into spring. Rosanova moved away. And Bill Douglas is remembered in town as the greatest Santa of all time. This article first appeared on The Daily Yonder and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump said he wants the U.S. to regain control of the Panama Canal after alleging that Panama is charging high fees and that China has too much control over the passageway. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S., he wrote on Truth Social on Saturday, according to Reuters. It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. The canal, which stretches over 51 miles between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, was completed by the U.S. in 1914. Former President Jimmy Carter gave Panama control of the passageway in 1977 under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. The U.S. eventually gave the country full control in 1999. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To this day, the U.S. remains its largest customer as it accounts for about three quarters of the cargo transiting through it every year, according to The Guardian. The Panama Canal allows up to 14,000 ships to cross per year and accounts for 2.5% of global seaborne trade. The U.S. notably uses the canal to import autos and commercial goods by container ships from Asia, as well as commodities like liquefied natural gas, according to Reuters. Trump also accused China of having influence over the canal, saying he doesnt want it to fall into the wrong hands. Although the country has no direct control over the canal, Chinese company CK Hutchinson Holdings based in Hong Kong manages two ports with entrances to the Panama Canal. China is also the passageways second biggest customer. Panama officials are expected to release a statement in response to Trumps comments in the coming days, they told Bloomberg. It is currently unclear how Trump would try to regain control of the canal. Trumps comments come as droughts have impacted passage via the Panama Canal this year. There was a 29% decrease in ship transits between Oct. 2023 and Sept. 2024, according to the Panama Canal Authority and as reported by The Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November, Nicaragua unveiled plans for a 276.5 mile interoceanic waterway as an alternative to the Panama canal. Every day it becomes more complicated to pass through Panama, Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega said during a proposal at a regional business summit. He said Nicaraguas project could attract both Chinese and American investors, adding that the U.S. has historically considered building a passageway in the country as early as 1854. The post Panama Canal: Why Trump Says He Wants U.S. To Regain Control appeared first on Blavity. TEXARKANA, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) The 2025 budget for the city of Texarkana, Arkansas was unanimously approved on Monday. It includes $415,000 for parity pay, bringing the compensation for Texarkana, Arkansas firefighters in line with what those on the Texas side are paid. Were very thankful for that the board elected to approve the 2025 budget with a full parity for the Texarkana, Arkansas Fire Department, and to uphold the intent of the voters from 1996. said Daniel Thiels with the Texarkana, Arkansas Fire Dept. Still despite no one voting against the budget, major concerns were raised by a few members of the board about the future of the citys finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I became Mayor and we started working on parity I basically said 5 years ago that the day of reckoning for parity would soon come to fruition, and I feel like we are there now. said Texarkana, AR Mayor Allen Brown during the meeting, Texarkana, Ark board seeks pay parity solution He said that the city is dedicating a huge percentage of their revenue to police and fire compared to their neighbors on the Texas side. So when we give these raises we are doing it with $50 million and we are forced to do it with less than half of that. said Mayor Brown. He said changes are going to be have to be made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These numbers are not going to add up and there is not going to be any future money unless we see a substantial increase in our sales tax revenue and statistics have shown that at least over the past three years, outside of once we got our increase from our revenue that was extended for the online purchases, that it has not grown. said Mayor Brown. Meanwhile the fire department says they are going to take a proactive approach towards coming up with a solution for the years to come. Citizen voices concern about TAPD pay parity We would like to the members of the fire department be able to sit down with the city manager and board of directors and lay out for them what Texas side fire department is gonna get as far as compensation and just so theyll know a good idea of what theyre looking at and not be hit with such a big increase all at once. said Thiels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also at the board meeting was a vote on an ordinance which decreased the minimum fund balance days from 65 to 60. It was passed unanimously despite some reservations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Paso Robles city manager Ty Lewis filed a police report Monday alleging Cal Coast News reporter Karen Velie and her associate, Glenn OHagan, tried to extort him, he told The Tribune. Lewis said he received an email from Velie on Friday questioning him about several lascivious allegations he said are unfounded and untrue, including that he traded sex for dropping charges against a womans son during Lewis tenure as Paso Robles police chief. Then, at 1 a.m. on Saturday, OHagan sent Lewis a threatening message on Nextdoor, a neighborhood social media app, Lewis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday evening, a judge issued an emergency protective order against OHagan, requiring he not contact and stay a minimum of 100 yards away from Lewis for at least a week, records obtained by The Tribune show. Im worried for my familys safety and my safety, Lewis told The Tribune. Lewis believes Velie and OHagan are working together to extort him into admitting to crimes he did not commit or Cal Coast News will publish a story containing false rumors. He told The Tribune he believes Velies and OHagans actions amount to extortion under the penal code, and he also accused OHagan of stalking. Paso Robles meeting looks like a setup, and recording doesnt refute conspiracy claims | Opinion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, Lewis accused both OHagan and Velie of being part of a conspiracy with Paso Robles City Councilmember Chris Bausch to spread false stories with the ultimate goal of ousting Lewis from his position as the citys top administrator. This is a long-standing history of false accusations and rumors and whatever type of defaming information that Cal Coast News and Karen Velie and Glenn OHagan have been trying to manufacture to get me to lose my job, Lewis said. The Paso Robles Police Department confirmed to The Tribune that it was investigating the allegations but did not share additional information. The accusations from Lewis come as Karen Velie publishes a three-part series on Cal Coast News labeled Eye on Ty, about the citys managers allegations that Velie and Councilman Chris Bausch are conspiring to force him from office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Velie and OHagan did not respond to multiple calls, texts and emails seeking interviews for this story. The Tribune also emailed both specific questions but did not receive responses. City manager Ty Lewis speaks about Steve Martins support of city staff and his vision for the future during a memorial for Paso Robles late mayor at the Downtown City Park on Sept. 27, 2023. Cal Coast News reporter accuses former police chief of trading sex for dropped charges According to emails shared with The Tribune, Velie reached out to Lewis on Friday with several questions he characterized as salacious. The first question asked Lewis whether he agreed to help a local cannabis businessman obtain a permit if the council denied the application, which Lewis told The Tribune was false and also impossible. The city manager does not have authority to approve a permit the council has denied, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Velie published a story about the local business and its owners, detailing their history in Paso Robles. The owners told The Tribune several of the accusations in the story are not accurate. In her questions to Lewis, Velie then pivoted to a series of inquiries dating back more than a decade to his time at the Police Department. Because you have alleged Bausch is the reason there are allegations of misconduct related to parties you allegedly attended where people took their clothes off, I am looking into past issues, the email from Velie continued. Paso Robles has not released leaked recording of meeting at bakery. Did it violate the law? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Velie asked Lewis whether he witnessed Lisa Solomon, the ousted former Paso Robles Police chief, sexually harass former officer Brennan Lux in a hot tub. She then told Lewis that the former officer reported Lewis had retaliated against him. Solomon was relieved of her command in 2012 following Luxs complaint accusing her of sexual harassment and a lawsuit over alleged traffic-ticket quotas. Luxs lawsuit against Solomon and the city was dismissed in 2013 due to noncompliance with discovery. When reached by The Tribune on Tuesday, Lux said that Velie contacted him once about two months ago to ask whether Lewis attended a team-building training in 2007. Lux told Velie he did and said Velie did not ask questions about what happened with Solomon or whether Lewis retaliated against Lux. But Lux was definitive in his response to the retaliation question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ty Lewis did not retaliate against me, Lux said, adding that Lewis was in charge of the investigation into misconduct. I think he did his job. Velies next question was, Were you ever in hot tubs alone with naked women who were not your wife while you were married? another false rumor, according to Lewis. Then Velie asked Lewis to respond to a claim he traded sex with a woman in exchange for dropping criminal charges against her son. Lewis said this accusation was completely fabricated and untrue. I deny it categorically, he told The Tribune. The final two accusations in the email are about Police Department parties where people took their clothes off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first alleges Lewis followed a naked Solomon jumping into a pool and the second alleges dispatchers would display naked photos on department computers following the parties. Both are untrue, he said. Lewis said he did not respond to Velie. Solomon did not respond to requests for comment. A screenshot of a Nextdoor message Glenn OHagan sent Ty Lewis on Dec. 21, 2024 at 1 a.m. The message was sent to Lewis about nine hours after Karen Velie sent him an email with salacious accusations and questions, Lewis said. City manager receives threatening email from man who planned to conduct a citizens arrest Early Saturday morning, about nine hours after Velie sent her email, Lewis said he received a message from OHagan. U (sic) left me zero alternative. If you wont tell the truth about what you have done, then I think its time to show the community. Youre going to wish you never took my son, OHagan told Lewis, referring to a child welfare case that occurred while Lewis was a commander at the Paso Robles Police Department. For my sons birthday Im going to expose you as the fraudulent criminal you are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boy, who is not OHagans son, was removed from his custody in 2017, according to OHagans Facebook posts. At the time, OHagan was charged with criminal threats, cruelty to a child by endangering health and being under the influence of a controlled substance, but all three charges were ultimately dismissed. Court records show OHagan completed competency court relating to the charges. OHagan has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1994, according to court records and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office case database. They include drug charges, driving violations and one domestic violence charge. The domestic violence charge was dismissed at the request of the victim in 1995, records show. OHagans most recent charges occurred in 2019 and include misdemeanor violating a protective order related to children and misdemeanor drug charges. The protective order case is not resolved, records show, but OHagan pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis said he believes the boys birthday is Christmas Day, and he felt OHagan was threatening him related to that date. Lewis said Velie and OHagan have a history of working with one another, but he wasnt sure if OHagan was an employee or an associate. The Tribune obtained a Sheriffs Office report that showed Velie and OHagan working together previously. According to OHagans Facebook posts, he also has Cal Coast News decals and a press decal on his vehicle. He and Karen apparently work together in her reporting business, Lewis said. It appeared to me that Karen Velies salacious questioning of me for whatever news story that shes doing was also related to Glenn OHagans threat to reveal to the community my corruption. Its not the first time OHagan has threatened him, Lewis said. Most recently, OHagan allegedly planned to perform a citizens arrest of Lewis at a City Council meeting in August. OHagan reached out on social media with threatening private messages periodically since August, Lewis said, but has sent threats for years accusing Lewis and the Paso Robles Police Department of kidnapping his child relating to the child welfare case. In 2019, one of OHagans Facebook posts showed, an alert was issued at the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services office against OHagan because of his threatening language in social media posts and emails to staff about CWS and social workers. If Glenn OHagan comes into any DSS office, call 911 immediately, the alert said, according to his post. OHagan has an extensive criminal history, according to the District Attorneys Office and court records. OHagan also posted public social media messages that appeared threatening toward Lewis and Lewis family, Lewis said. Because of the emergency protective order, OHagan is not allowed to contact Lewis at all including electronically or be within 100 yards of Lewis. By Mariya Gordeyeva, Gleb Stolyarov and Nailia Bagirova ASTANA/TBILISI/BAKU (Reuters) -An Embraer passenger jet crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 people, after diverting from an area of Russia that Moscow has recently defended against Ukrainian drone attacks. Twenty-nine survivors received hospital treatment. Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 had flown hundreds of miles off its scheduled route from Azerbaijan to Russia to crash on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea, after what Russia's aviation watchdog said was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike. But an aviation expert suggested that cause seemed unlikely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials did not immediately explain why it had crossed the sea, but the crash came after Ukrainian drone strikes this month hit the Chechnya region of southern Russia. The nearest Russian airport on the plane's flight path was closed on Wednesday morning. Kyiv has not acknowledged strikes this month on the Chechen city of Grozny, where the flight was headed. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said according to information he had received, the plane changed course due to poor weather, but he added the cause of the crash was unknown and must be fully investigated. This is a great tragedy that has become a tremendous sorrow for the Azerbaijani people, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the crash showed the plane descending rapidly before bursting into flames as it hit the seashore, and thick black smoke then rising. Bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact. Reuters was able to verify from visible landmarks that the video was filmed on the Caspian shore near Aktau. Sixty-two passengers and five crew were aboard. The death toll was disclosed by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev in a meeting with an Azerbaijani delegation in Aktau, Russian news agency Interfax reported. Kazakhstan's emergencies ministry said in a statement that fire services had put out the blaze and that the survivors, including two children, were being treated at a nearby hospital. The bodies of the dead were being recovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Azerbaijan Airlines said the Embraer 190 jet was flying from Baku to Grozny in southern Russia, but had been forced to make an emergency landing around 3 km (1.8 miles) from Aktau in Kazakhstan. "Preliminary: after a collision with birds, due to an emergency situation on board, its commander decided to 'go' to an alternate airfield - Aktau was chosen," Russia's aviation watchdog said on Telegram. But a collision with birds typically results in the plane landing in the nearest available field, said Richard Aboulafia, analyst at consultancy AeroDynamic Advisory. "You can lose control of the plane, but you don't fly wildly off course as a consequence." Kazakhstan's main transport prosecutor, Timur Suleimenov, told a briefing in the country's capital Astana that the plane's black box, which contains flight data to help determine the cause of a crash, had been found, Interfax reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RUSSIAN AIRPORT ON FLIGHT PATH WAS SHUT Aktau is on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan and Russia. Commercial aviation-tracking websites tracked the flight flying north on its scheduled route along the west coast before its flight path was no longer recorded. It then reappeared on the east coast, circling near Aktau airport before crashing into the beach. Authorities in two Russian regions adjacent to Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia, reported drone strikes on Wednesday morning. An official at Makhachkala airport in Russia on the west coast of the Caspian, the airport closest to where the flight disappeared from tracking, told Reuters it had been closed to incoming traffic for several hours on Wednesday morning. Reuters could not immediately reach officials at the airport in Grozny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities in Kazakhstan said a government commission had been set up to investigate what had happened and its members ordered to fly to the site and ensure that the families of the dead and injured were getting the help they needed. Kazakhstan would cooperate with Azerbaijan on the investigation, the government said. Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights from Baku to Russia's Chechnya region until the investigation is complete, Russia's state TASS news agency reported, citing the company. President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences. Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, had decided to return home from Russia where he had been due to attend a summit on Wednesday, his office said. Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, expressed his condolences in a statement and said some of those being treated in hospital were in an extremely serious condition and that he and others would pray for their rapid recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Brazilian planemaker Embraer expressed its condolences and said it would support authorities' efforts. (Reporting by Mariya Gordeyeva and Tamara Vaal in Astana, Nailia Bagirova in Baku and Ksenia Orlova in MoscowAdditional reporting by Nailia Bagirova, David Gaffen, Ronald Popeski and Alberto AlerigiWriting by Andrew Osborn, Peter Graff and Rod Nickel, Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Ed Osmond and Howard Goller) Dec. 24GRAND FORKS The Defense Department signed off on a combined $24 million in new funding toward two projects tied to Grand Forks Air Force Base. The Pentagon awarded funding for a renovation project contracted by the 319th Reconnaissance Wing, the base's host unit, and added more dollars onto an existing Space Development Agency contract tied to the Grand Forks-based Operations Center North, according to a release. Gideon Contracting LLC of San Antonio, Texas, received the $14.2 million for a "comprehensive dorm renovation" that is set to be completed by March 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Base spokesperson MSgt. BreeAnn Sachs said the project will modernize the 64-year-old Bunch Hall and provide private bathrooms for each of its 68 dormitory rooms. Defense contractor General Dynamics, on the other hand, is receiving another $10 million for its work on the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a network of low-earth orbit satellites that serve as a high-speed communications network and is expected to develop into an advanced fire control system. The funding increase raises the value of the General Dynamics contract to $939 million. The contract extension is to develop a "network and encryption test bed" to make sure the space agency's two operations sites can talk to the satellite network and each other when transmitting encrypted data, as well as transmit that data from outside the two sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is going to make sure all the data can work together," said Brian Mosley, site director for Operations Center North. Grand Forks hosts one of two operations centers for the satellite network in the United States; the other is based at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, though Mosley said the "test bed" will actually be based out of servers at General Dynamics' Scottsdale, Arizona campus. U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer both released statements in response to the General Dynamics contract extension. "This additional $10 million in funding will help support a critical aspect of the LEO satellite mission ensuring the secure and efficient movement of mission-critical information," said Hoeven, R-N.D. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You've heard me many times say that the United States has to develop space assets at the speed of China, and that clearly takes some major investments," read the statement from Cramer, R-N.D. "The contract to General Dynamics Mission Systems certainly acknowledges that reality, and highlights, of course, the importance of North Dakota in that effort." Cramer also acknowledged the dorm renovation contract, calling it a "critical investment in upgrading housing for our airmen at Grand Forks." Sopping-mad pedestrians are getting doused with oil, eggs and liquids reeking of chemicals tossed from the windows of a Williamsburg apartment building but no ones sure whos doing the dumping. Locals in the trendy neighborhood claim theyre being targeted from a window at the Edge Community Apartments on Kent Avenue, even though the bombdropping culprit hasnt been identified. As soon as I was under that window, it was just like splat! one victim of the prankster recalled, saying she was hit with a bleach-like substance while walking her dog on Dec. 9. Immediately the smell hit me. Multiple residents report having liquid dumped on them between 7:30-8 pm. Michael Nagle The dog walker said immediately after she was splashed with the mystery fluid, an apartment window above shut and the lights went dark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She called 911 but responding cops didnt enter the building and couldnt narrow down a likely culprit without more evidence, she added. One resident, who was hit with a bleach-like substance, suffered chemical burns. Obtained by NY Post There was no formal police report made, cops said. The resident said she suffered mild chemical burns on her neck and shoulder where the liquid managed to touch her skin. One resident of the building was also hit by what smelled like bleach mixed with chlorine walking home from a workout class around 7:30 pm the same day. I just felt a massive amount of water fall on me I was pretty shocked, she said. I looked down and the entire front of my down coat was covered in an off-white substance, and it smelled like bleach chlorine and bleach. The residue was visible on the outside of the unit. Michael Nagle I just panicked, because first, I was shocked, yes, I couldnt believe what had just happened to me, she said. And, you know, it literally came out of thin air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resident immediately ran to her shower to scrub her entire body, and monitored her skin obsessively to check for any reaction to the unknown substance, she said. I took off my jacket, and the next morning, I could smell the bleach from across the room, she added The woman called 311 instead of 911 when she felt her situation was no longer a life-threatening emergency. The incident has left her on edge. Ive noticed within myself, like last week, I was walking just normally down the street, and I catch myself just looking up to make sure that no windows open through anything 100% avoid that area, she said. And I live in the building, and as I cross the street, you know, to go home, Im always looking at that window. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two Williamsburg newcomers were struck a different evening with what they described as used cooking oil. On Saturday, Dec. 14, the pair were walking when a tsunami of liquid rained over them, they told The Post. Residents say theyre now scared to take a stroll around their otherwise safe Brooklyn neighborhood. Michael Nagle Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only way I can describe it is like if youre at a water park and you feel those buckets that kids stand under you just feel this tsunami of liquid, and I just knew it was something that wasnt water, he told the Post. t was just used cooking oil It was in my eyes, it was in my hair, it was on my face, it ruined my jacket. It got on my partners jacket, he said. The two also noted that immediately after the incident, the unit lights immediately turned off. He recalled that he and his partner waited coated in oil on the street corner for two hours in 27-degree temps before cops arrived. The craziest thing was while we were waiting on the street after calling the cops, there were at least six or seven different couples or individuals that had come up to us. They all immediately knew what the situation was because they had seen it on Reddit, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others have described various instances of having eggs, glass objects, among other random things dropped on them from the same window. A couple new to the area were hit by used cooking oil during another evening stroll. Michael Nagle Cops did enter the apartment building, but said they couldnt force anyone to open the door or back up the details of the attack, according to the resident. The couple ultimately filed a harassment report with the police. When approached by The Post workers in the building said they were aware of the attacks, but wouldnt comment. Clinton Management Company, which runs the building, didnt respond to a request for comment. Residue was also visible on the window pane of a unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims of the splash attacks said the perpetrator should be charged with a crime. Fortunately, it was only my jacket that got ruined unfortunately, is it going to take something really bad and dangerous for something to happen? one victim said. I dont know, but I think thats the case. This article was first published in the Right to the Point newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each week. At Christmastime, its hard to find a nativity scene that doesnt feature a donkey, even though neither Matthew, Mark, Luke or John say anything about the mother of Jesus riding a donkey into Bethlehem. Nonetheless, a donkey has become a part of Christmas lore in songs like The Friendly Beasts. A starring role in a nativity pageant is one of the few jobs available for donkeys in the suburbs of America these days. No one questions the animals presence in that holy tableau because Mary riding a donkey on that arduous journey is plausible enough. And donkeys, considered low-status animals throughout history, their 15-minutes of fame each December notwithstanding, fit perfectly with the paradox of Christmas, which celebrates power that the human mind cannot fully comprehend humbling itself into the most vulnerable of human forms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christmas, in other words, commemorates a miracle, which by definition is something that cannot be explained. And yet, at this time of year, we always find otherwise intelligent people earnestly trying to explain it. Whether its a renowned columnist grappling with the virgin birth a central and defining belief of Christianity or astronomers trying to offer scientific explanations for the Star of Bethlehem, or people complaining that Jesus couldnt possibly have been born in December, there are always people trying to make sense of Christmas, and why it holds the power that it does on our collective imagination, donkeys and all. Some try to explain Christmas in order to debunk it; others want to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the Savior, born to raise the sons of Earth, born to give us second birth, as one of our most beautiful Christmas carols testifies. Theres a time and a place for that, and truth should never fear scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Ive never understood people who demand peer-reviewed evidence of the details of Jesuss birth and resurrection as a prerequisite for faith. C.S. Lewis didnt, and he, once an atheist, became one of the most ardent apologists for Christianity, writing, We must not be ashamed of the mythical radiance resting on our theology. Once you accept the most mind-boggling part of it all that an all-powerful Creator loves the messy, often misbehaving creatures of his making then its not really so much of a leap to also believe in a miraculous star and angels serenading a few shepherds for the occasion of the worlds most significant birth. The more curious question is why we wouldnt. The scholar and Christian convert Ayaan Hirsi Ali wrote recently of her pleasure in experiencing Christmas as a person new to faith. Her essay underscores the vast chasm between a secular observance and one in which we dare to believe in the most audacious of miracles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have not become a Christian because I want others to abide by its ethics, she wrote. I have become a Christian because the way it leads to a more well-rounded, fulfilling family life is so self-evident that there must be something more to it, something that can overcome our modern doubts. Whether in the Nativity scenes I visit with my children, or in the Evensong services we attend, I am participating in something transcendent, something that secularism can never offer. Secularism can also never explain why the man whose birth is celebrated this week emerged as the central figure in history despite the fact that he never sought power, fame or even respect riding that low-status beast into Jerusalem the week before his humiliating death. Even self-professed atheists are writing longingly of their wish to experience something more of Christmas than what the secular world offers, like Larissa Phillipss essay for The Free Press entitled I took religion out of Christmas. I regret it. It is that sense of transcendence that Ali wrote of that settles over Bethlehem for Christians this week. Whether donkeys were present is immaterial. Love was. Recommended Christmas reading One of my Christmas traditions, in addition to keeping a Christmas journal, is to save a physical copy of a column that was particularly meaningful to me that year. My collection goes way back to when Erma Bombeck was still alive and writing about why its important to be a child at Christmas, and includes both the reverent, the poignant and the funny. Here are a couple in hopes that you might enjoy them as much as I do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The late Russell Baker, on visiting his mothers grave at Christmastime: We went to the cemetery the other day to put out Christmas wreaths for our kin. They were inexpensive wreaths. We decided that paying more than $10 per tombstone would be gross vulgarity. Money had always been in tight supply with the persons being honored. In their time they would have laughed themselves hoarse at news that some fool had squandered $10 worth of piney twigs on a burial plot. Wreaths for the Folks *George Will, on the wonders of Christmas with a 3-year-old afoot: David Maseng Will, a prodigiously talented 3-year-old, seemed, at first blush, blase about the news. The news was that on Sunday night a stranger, a jolly fat oddly dressed man, would be coming down Davids chimney with a sack full of toys, many of which would be strewn about beneath the tree in the living room, for David to enjoy, and for David to resist sharing with friends, as he resists sharing everything, other than germs. At Christmastime, the World Revolves Around Children Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement *Michael Alvear, on why presents ultimately dont matter: I was 9 when I experienced my first North American Christmas. I was at a loss to describe my reaction because my English wasnt very good, but later I realized the word I had been looking for was bummer. Thats because I had the disadvantage of having experienced eight Latino Christmases before that first Anglo one. The Christmas That Comes to the Door The late Paul Harvey, on a Christmas Eve conversion via a flock of miserable, freezing birds: The man to whom Im going to introduce you was not a Scrooge, he was a kind, decent, mostly good man. Generous to his family, upright in his dealings with other men. But he just didnt believe all that Incarnation stuff which the churches proclaim at Christmastime. It just didnt make sense, and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. He just couldnt swallow the Jesus story, about God coming to Earth as a man. The Man and the Birds Also of note From the Rev. Derwin Gray: How to treasure Christ this Christmas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Meagan Kohler: Christmas invites us to be soft instead of just strong From Valerie Hudson: Christmas celebrates a birth, but childbirth in America is no holiday And finally, my latest: From DEI to Disney, the top 5 culture war battles of 2024 NEW DELHI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least four persons, including a child, died and 26 were injured when a bus fell into a deep gorge in India's northern hilly state of Uttarakhand on Wednesday, confirmed a cop over the phone. The mishap occurred in the Bhimtal area of Nainital district of the state, as the bus driver took a sharp turn to avoid a car coming from the opposite direction, added the cop. The death toll was feared to rise as some of the injured persons were said to be in critical condition. The injured persons were rushed to a local hospital. Further details were awaited. A police officer who was seriously injured responding to a call in South Phoenix on Tuesday night is expected to be released from the hospital Wednesday night, according to a Phoenix police statement Wednesday morning. Officers responded to an apartment near Central and Sunland avenues around 8 p.m. Tuesday night to serve an order of protection. When police arrived, a woman became aggressive. When the officers attempted to take her into custody, other family members began to assault the officers, including one officer who was hospitalized with serious injuries. Three people were taken into custody after the incident, including one teenage suspect and two women. All were in the process of being booked into a Maricopa County jail and were not identified. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police officer injured while serving protection order CLARKSBURG W.Va. (WBOY) For many, the holidays can be a nostalgic time. In that spirit, 12 News looked for West Virginias oldest photos of Christmas from the states past. The West Virginia and Regional History Center at WVU helped 12 News find the photos below, some dating back to as early as the 19th century. Bridget Jamison, Instruction and Public Services Archivists at the West Virginia and Regional History Center explained that the collection includes material as old as Shakespeares First Folio, but that the collection focuses on the local area, and that they found some from the holiday time. (Courtesy West Virginia & Regional History Collection) The Loar family gathered around the Christmas tree in the Robinson home on West Main Street, Grafton, WV, ca. 1893-1895. (Courtesy West Virginia & Regional History Collection) The Shock Family gathered around the Christmas tree in Helvetia, WV, in 1907. Jamison noted the blur of the babys face in this photo as the family likely had trouble getting the child to sit still. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its neat to see people having that same struggle in the early 1900s or in the 1890s, Jamison said. (Courtesy West Virginia & Regional History Collection) A decorated Christmas tree in Morgantown, ca. 1910. Jamison pointed out the imperfection of the trees in the photos; today, Christmas trees are bred to be symmetrical. They dont have that level of symmetry or perfection, Jamison said. Theyre just kind of whatever tree you found, and theyre decorated kind of chaotically. The Clarksburg History Museum also provided newspaper clippings. (Courtesy West Virginia & Regional History Collection) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Telegram relays a message from Santa Claus to the children of Clarksburg, 1908. (Courtesy West Virginia & Regional History Collection) An advertisement for Christmas trees (as low as 50 cents) in The Daily Telegram, 1915. You can explore more of the archives of the West Virginia and Regional History Center on their website or look at more of their Christmas photos here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. Moscow An Azerbaijani airliner with dozens on board crashed Wednesday in the western Kazakhstani city of Aktau and Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry said at least 28 people survived and were hospitalized. The ministry confirmed in a Telegram statement that 67 people, including five crew members, were on the aircraft. The Russian news agency Interfax cited the ministry as saying there may be more survivors. The Embraer 190 aircraft made an emergency landing some two miles from Aktau, Azerbaijan Airlines said earlier. Map shows site of Dec. 25, 2024 plane crash in Kazakhstan. / Credit: Murat Usubali / Anadolu via Getty Images Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry initially said 25 people survived the crash, later revising that number to 27 and then to 28 as the search and rescue operation continued at the crash site, bringing the possible death toll down. The plane was originally scheduled to travel from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus. A spokesperson for Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency said preliminary information showed the pilot had chosen to divert to Aktau after a bird strike on the airliner led to "an emergency situation on board." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian news agencies said the plane had been rerouted due to fog in Grozny, Reuters said. Interfax reported that Kazakh authorities said they'd started probing possible causes of the crash, including a technical problem, according to Reuters. Mobile phone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Crews put out the blaze at the site, the emergency ministry said. Other footage showed part of its fuselage ripped away from the wings and the rest of the aircraft lying upside in the grass. The footage corresponded to the plane's colors and its registration number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unverified video of the crash showed people stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that remained intact, Reuters reported. A drone view shows the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan on Dec. 25, 2024. / Credit: Azamat Sarsenbayev / REUTERS Flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24.com showed the aircraft making what appeared to be a figure-right as it neared the airport in Aktau, its altitude moving up and down substantially over the last minutes of the flight before impacting the ground. FlightRadar24 separately said in an online post that the aircraft had faced "strong GPS jamming" which " made the aircraft transmit bad ADS-B data," referring to the information that enables flight-tracking websites to follow planes in flight. Russia has been blamed in the past for jamming GPS transmissions in the wider region. Embraer didn't immediately respond to a request for comment early Wednesday morning. In a statement, Azerbaijan Airlines said it would keep members of the public updated and changed its social media banners to solid black. Watch: Luigi Mangione's attorney addresses court during arraignment Final draft of House ethics report alleges Matt Gaetz used drugs, paid for sex with a minor Huge waves tear through Santa Cruz wharf, sending debris into the ocean An Azerbaijan Airlines flight travelling from Baku to Grozny has crashed in Kazakhstan with nearly 70 passengers onboard. Several survivors are in a critical condition. Source: Radio Liberty's Kazakhstan service; Baza; RIA Novosti Details: A passenger plane crashed near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan, during a flight from Baku to Grozny (Chechnya, Russia). Reports indicate the aircraft signalled an emergency while flying over the Caspian Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that 52 firefighters and 11 firefighting appliances were dispatched to the crash site in Aktau: "Upon arrival, the aircraft was found burning." "-" pic.twitter.com/6zm7ppThC7 (@ukrpravda_news) December 25, 2024 The number of casualties is being confirmed, with preliminary reports confirming survivors among the dozens onboard. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport announced the launch of a special investigation into the crash: "The circumstances of the incident are being confirmed. A special investigation will be conducted". Azerbaijan Airlines, pic.twitter.com/RUPgougv7p (@ukrpravda_news) December 25, 2024 The company KazAeroNavigation claimed that the crash may have occurred due to a bird strike and a steering system malfunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian media reported that 67 passengers and 5 crew members were onboard the aircraft. Additionally, some Russian sources speculated that the plane may have changed course due to a potential drone attack on Chechnya. Preliminary reports suggest Grozny was targeted by multiple drones, prompting the airport to implement a Kovyor (Carpet) plan. [A Kovyor plan is an airport operational safety procedure for airport services and personnel when an unidentified object appears in the sky ed.] Initial information suggests that citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan were among the passengers. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health confirmed that survivors are in a critical condition. Support UP or become our patron! Sonia Sanchez, renowned poet and social activist, has been announced as the keynote speaker for Ivy Tech Community College Kokomos 2025 Doing the Dream events. The annual event, now in its 21st edition, is designed to honor the legacy of Dr. martin Luther King Jr. and to keep alive his commitment to justice, equity and peace within Ivy Techs students and community. Our annual Doing the Dream, set for Feb. 6 and 7, is focused on the theme The Art That Moved The Movement and is celebrating the art and artists who have, for generations, supported Dr. Kings vision, said Dr. Ethan Heicher, chancellor of Ivy Techs Kokomo Service Area. We are thrilled that Sonia Sanchez, with her own legacy of more than six decades of artivism, will be bringing her poetry and her art as keynote speaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez is an oft-honored poet, educator, columnist, dramatist and essayist, the author of more than 20 books and plays. For more than 60 years, she has helped to redefine American culture and politics as an activist in the Black, womens and peace movements. Maya Angelou called Ms. Sanchez a lion in literatures forest while spoken word artist Bryonn Bain credits her with paving the way for his generation. Sanchez revolutionized poetry by incorporating a unique performance style and collaborations with jazz musicians. The traditional community banquet is set for Thursday, Feb. 6, in Hingst Hall on the Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus. On Friday Feb. 7, Ms. Sanchez will be participating in an artivism workshop with Ivy Tech students from around the state as well as a convocation for Ivy Tech Kokomo faculty, staff and students. As part of Doing the Dream 2025, a call has gone out for artists to submit works for inclusion in an exhibition related to the theme. DeAndra Beard-Ingram, director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging for Ivy Tech Kokomo and chair of the Doing the Dream committee, quoted American author and filmmaker M.K. Asante in defining the artivist (artist plus activist) as one who uses their artistic talents to fight and struggle against injustice and oppression by any medium necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on the art exhibition, contact Beard-Ingram at dbeard47@ivytech.edu. The traditional community banquet is set for Thursday, Feb. 6, in Hingst Hall on the Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus. On Friday Feb. 7, Ms. Sanchez will be participating in an artivism workshop with Ivy Tech students from around the state as well as a convocation for Ivy Tech Kokomo faculty, staff and students. Tickets for the Feb. 6 banquet will go on sale Jan. 8 and will be available at this link: link.ivytech.edu/2025DoingtheDream . The event annually brings leaders from throughout the community together with the distinguished speaker to address issues of local, state and national importance. Individual tickets are $60 each and will be available until Jan. 30, unless sold out earlier. All proceeds support the Ivy Tech Kokomo Doing the Dream Diversity Scholarship. Poland launched fighter jets into the air after Russia fired missiles into Ukrainian airspace on the night of 25 December. Source: European Pravda; Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces Details: The Polish military reported that, in response to Russias missile attack, standby fighter jets were scrambled, and ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance units were placed on high alert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The measures are aimed at ensuring safety in areas bordering threatened territories [western Ukraine ed.]," the statement said. The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces emphasised that they are monitoring the situation, "even on holidays". Background: As reported, on Christmas Eve, 24 December, Russia launched another missile attack on Ukraine. Explosions were reported in the cities of Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, as well as in Poltava and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. The consequences of the attack are still being assessed, but Ukrainian authorities report that it targeted Ukraines energy system. Poland last scrambled its air force in response to a missile strike on Ukraine on 13 December. Support UP or become our patron! Change is again on the way for Pauls Valleys police when it comes to how it communicates with officers out on the street and other first responders. As a way to cut some costs the local police department will soon end its dispatch services from inside the police station and send them a few blocks over to the Garvin County 911 center. Police Chief Don May said hes not sure exactly how much this move will save the police department and city but one estimate has it possibly falling in the $100,000 neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are going to be moving dispatch to the Garvin County Communication Center, May said. Were going to do this because of budget issues. Were making budget modifications and this is one of them. I do not know the exact date when this will happen, but it will probably be the first or second week of January. This is not the first time for local police to make a change in its dispatch services. Back in the summer of 2022 it was a different reason that led to a similar change as at the time there werent enough prospective candidates applying for police dispatch positions. As a result, dispatchers at the police station were on duty only for a portion of weekdays as the night time and weekend emergency calls went to the county center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That changed again last year as the service returned to the station with 24-hour, seven-day a week communications coverage from four full-time dispatchers available to take calls. As in the past, the chief said the dispatch move wont have any impact on local police officers being there to do their duty. It was nice having our dispatchers here, but really the service wont change, May said. If someone calls in an emergency or for an officer, an officer will still be notified. The public wont see any change. LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) If you have seen Melody Wallace, please let the Lebanon Police Department know. The authorities are asking the publics help in locating Wallace, who was reported missing by her daughter. According to police, Wallaces daughter has not had any contact with her month since November. Woman in critical condition after crash at Murfreesboro mall (Courtesy: Lebanon Police Department) Wallace is reportedly known to frequent homeless encampments around the Lebanon Walmart. She also spends time in the area of Speedway on North Cumberland, according to Lebanon police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with any information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the department at 615-443-2323. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) Two people, including a James City County Police officer and a 17-year-old male, were injured in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Richmond Road and Rochambeau Drive Tuesday evening, police said. According to officials, the crash occurred around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Richmond Road and Rochambeau Drive (Andersons Corner). Police said a James City County officer in a marked unit was traveling east on Route 60 when a pickup truck, driven by Marvin Lima-Ortega, ignored a red light from the left turn lane, cutting in front of the officer. The officer then t-boned the truck, causing a 17-year-old passenger to be ejected from the pickup truck, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the officer and the 17-year-old suffered non life-threatening injuries and were transferred to the VCU Medical Center in Richmond for treatment. Police said Lima-Ortega was then charged with disregarding a traffic light and no operators license. The crash remains under investigation, but police said speed and alcohol were not contributing factors to the crash. Check with WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. The Santa Monica Police Department is seeking help in identifying a driver that allegedly hit and killed a person on Sunday. The fatal crash took place at about 6:40 p.m. on Sunday on the intersection of Chelsea Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard. According to authorities, the victim, who is yet to be identified publicly, was crossing Wilshire southbound when they were struck by a white Toyota Rav4 heading eastbound on Wilshire. The Toyotas driver then fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pedestrian, a Vietnam War veteran and Santa Monica resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. On Tuesday, police released graphic video footage of the collision. In that video, the Toyota can be seen speeding off after the crash sent the elderly victim flying. The Toyota Rav4 that was allegedly used in a fatal Santa Monica hit-and-run crash. (SMPD) Additional photos released showed a clear image of the suspects Toyota and security footage of the alleged driver. The photo showed what appeared to be a bearded man wearing glasses, a black hoodie and gray sweatpants. No additional details were immediately made available. Anyone who may have information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Raleigh at Evan.Raleigh@santamonica.gov, Investigator Lewis at Lantz.Lewis@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. People are pictured inside a train of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) at Dhaka station, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dec. 24, 2024. With the first train decorated with colorful ribbons arriving at Dhaka station, Bangladesh's largest railway Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP) officially opened across its entire line to traffic here Tuesday. The PBRLP, one of the significant projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Bangladesh, was built by the China Railway Group Limited (CREC) and funded by the Export-Import Bank of China. The railway, known locally as the "Dream Road," stretches approximately 170 km. Following its opening, travel time between the capital Dhaka and the southwestern city of Jashore will be reduced from the original 10 hours to just three hours. (Xinhua) Tourists pose for a selfie at the bank of the Sayram Lake in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo) A staff member performs a test run on a newly produced hydraulic robotic arm at the workshop of Zhejiang CathayBot Technology Co., Ltd. in Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 24, 2024. As the year-end approaches, high-tech enterprises producing automobile bearings, new materials, robots, and memory chips in Jinyi new district of Jinhua City are running at full capacity to ensure the delivery of orders on time. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) A molten iron fireworks show is staged at the square of the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring scenic spot in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 23, 2024. (Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/Xinhua) An American Airlines aircraft makes its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on Dec. 24, 2024. American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide on Tuesday due to a technical issue just as the Christmas travel season kicks into overdrive and winter weather is threatening more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive in the United States. American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour after a national ground stop order was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) People take photos at a Chinese lantern show in Panama City, Panama, Dec. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Haoquan) A passenger poses for photos with a high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train on the platform of Karawang Station of Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in West Java, Indonesia, Dec. 24, 2024. Karawang Station, a key stop on the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway (HSR), was officially inaugurated on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) Palestinian children are seen in front of a garbage dump in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 24, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo shows fire captain Shu Jianjun (L) patrolling with his colleague Xie Xiaoqiang in Hongcun Village of Yixian County in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 19, 2024. Listed as World Cultural Heritage Sites, Xidi and Hongcun are two renowned villages in east China's Anhui Province. With exquisite homes, ancestral halls and memorial archways, Hui-style buildings of Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) are widely found here. To protect these two villages, people from various walks of life contribute in their own ways, such as fire captain Shu Jianjun and ancestral hall conservator Hu Xiaowen who are dedicated to preserving and passing on those cultural heritages. (Xinhua/Du Yu) As the year comes to a close, La Abeja team is reflecting on some of the top issues that impacted the Latino community in 2024. Started in 2021, La Abeja which means The Bee in Spanish is a free, weekly newsletter written by Latino reporters for the Latino community. The newsletter is delivered every Wednesday to readers of The Sacramento Bee, Fresno Bee, Modesto Bee and Merced Sun-Star. Our diverse team includes a mix of Mexican-American, Salvadoran-American, immigrant and LGBTQ reporters. From California politics to culture, our goal is to bring you timely, relevant stories that reflect the diversity of the Central Valley Latino community. La Abeja, a newsletter written for and by California Latinos Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter centered around Latino issues in California. Inspired by the Spotify Wrapped tradition, in which the music streaming app summarizes a listeners music habits for the year, the La Abeja team wanted to share our top stories of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest stories nationwide was the presidential election, the upcoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump and the rightward shift of several California counties, including Fresno, Stanislaus and Merced. Here are some of the other top stories of the year that impacted the region. Top-read Abeja team stories of 2024 These were some of the top-read stories of the year that related to the Central Valley Latino community and written by the La Abeja team. Latinos are growing frustrated and angry about migrants and the border. Heres why Xochitl Nunez, who immigrated from Mexico in 1999 and has spent years advocating for farmworker and immigrant rights, describes on March 26 her frustration and anger with the recent waves of migrants. To her, it is difficult to see these new arrivals seemingly receive tons of support while she has struggled for years and still has no realistic chance of citizenship. Fresno police chief resigns after investigation into relationship with officers wife Shown in a Janurary 2023 file photo, Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama details the results of an investigation involving a violent armed robbery from 2022. Balderrama, following an investigation by the City of Fresno regarding an inappropriate relationship, resigned from his position June 25, 2024. All Mexico is in mourning. 7 Mexican farmworkers killed in crash eulogized at funeral mass Reade & Sons Funeral Home worker Bob Arriaga gets emotional near the casket of Juvenal Jacobo Talavera, one of seven farmworkers who died in a Feb. 23 crash on a rural Madera County Road during a Mass and funeral service at the Kerman High School multi-purpose room on March 9, 2024. Corn fungus? Grasshopper tacos? Unique, must-try Mexican dishes at Modesto-area restaurants Tacos El Jalapeno food truck on Paradise Road in Modesto serves huitlacoche quesadillas, a regional delicacy rarely found outside of Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owners of landmark Mexican eatery in Madera to retire after 24 years. Whats next for it? Raul and Ede Castro, center, plan to retire from ownership of Burrito King in central Madera after this year. Their daughters, Maira, left, and Erica, right, will be taking over the more than 50-year-old restaurant. U.S. citizens can now legalize status of noncitizen spouses or stepchildren. Heres how* On Aug. 19, USCIS will begin accepting requests for, using a new electronic form, Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens. Approximately 500,000 noncitizen spouses and 50,000 noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens were considered eligible to access President Bidens Keeping Families Together program, according to the Department of Homeland Security. However in November, a Texas judge overturned the Biden program to regularize half a million undocumented immigrants. - Maria G. Ortiz-Briones Popular Mexican restaurant offers a taste of home in Fresno. Check out this amazing gem Fuego Taqueria y Restaurante cook Armando Juarez sears pastor meat on the griddle while restaurant co-owners Aldo Ramirez and his brother Anton Ramirez work on orders on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. Reporters choice Here is a selection of top stories we enjoyed working on with a blurb about why this story mattered to us. A common thread from our selection is that each story shows how policies, politics and workplace conditions impact the Central Valleys vulnerable immigrant Latino workforce and business owners. All Mexico is in mourning. 7 Mexican farmworkers killed in crash eulogized at funeral mass This story stands out to me because farmworkers continue to be seen as nothing more than field labor that powers the San Joaquin Valleys agriculture engine that makes billions of dollars for everyone else but those who risk their lives planting, nurturing and harvesting. The visual impact of seven coffins lined up inside a multi-purpose room at Kerman High School and the tearful words by loved ones of what these men meant to them was moving. The entire Mass was celebrated in Spanish. - Juan Esparza Loera Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California magician died on Halloween after being buried alive. What went wrong? I came across the story of the Amazing Joe after reading about the Wolfe Manor and immersing myself in Fresnos paranormal and supernatural stories. I learned that a magician died buried alive on Halloween night, it sounded like a Stephen King book. After learning everything I could about Joe and his family, and watching episodes of the Netflix show Death by Magic my article published. My favorite thing about the story was not only writing it but receiving a phone call from Joes sister saying she had recently subscribed to the Fresno Bee when she saw her brother in the news. She called it fate, but Ill say its just a little bit of journalism magic. - Fernanda Galan After claim $36K food truck fees targeted Latinos, Chowchilla leaders reform rules This story was the third and final one I wrote about the Madera County city of Chowchillas Latino lonchera owners battling against the citys extremely high fees $100 per day or $36,000 per year imposed on food truck operators. Chowchilla elected officials decided to get rid of the hefty fees after months of Chowchillas Latino immigrants making their voices heard and confronting the city over policies they felt were discriminatory. The first story I wrote about this dates back to the fall of 2023. - Erik Galicia Viva Supermarket employees speak out against former councilman Sean Loloee, grocery stores This story took months of reporting to complete and builds on previous coverage by The Sacramento Bee about former Sacramento City Councilman Sean Loloee, who was indicted by a federal grand jury. The indictment accuses Loloee, owner of a local grocery chain, of maintaining an undocumented workforce because they were easier to control. After early mornings and late nights in grocery store parking lots, dozens of phone calls, and door-knocking, four former employees agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity. They described a workplace marked by intimidation and favoritism, in which some employees faced repeated threats of deportation and wage theft. - Mathew Miranda Deadly Work for High-end Poultry Pitman Family Farms, maker of humane Marys Chicken brand, among most dangerous for workers In early May 2023, Jesus Salazar, a 66-year-old Mexican poultry worker, drowned in a waste pit at the companys California processing plant. His death prompted The Fresno Bees nine-month investigation published in February. Two weeks after our investigation was published, Jose Abrego, a 19-year-old night worker and father-to-be was killed on the job. I think about Salazar and Abrego everyday, and the impact their deaths have had on their families. These workplace fatalities, and others like it, are embedded in our countrys industrial food system. - Melissa Montalvo Central Valley growers and farmworkers fear mass deportations if Trump wins election Pope Francis called for an end to global wars and divisiveness in his annual Christmas Day message, given Wednesday. This Christmas, at the beginning of the Jubilee Year, I invite every individual, and all peoples and nations, to find the courage needed to walk through that Door, to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions! the pontiff said in a message that was also posted to social media. Francis called for broad reconciliation, even [with] our enemies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The holiday arrived at the start of the Roman Catholic Churchs 2025 Holy Year, which revives an ancient church tradition encouraging the faithful to make pilgrimages to Rome. I invite every individual, and all people of all nations to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions, the pope said at St. Peters Basilica to a big Christmas crowd in Vatican City. The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peters Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing Gods mercy, which unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge. Francis issued a call for an end to battle in several war-torn pockets of the globe, from Ukraine to the Middle East. He specifically highlighted Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave, as well as Lebanon and Syria at this most delicate time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Pope Francis has issued an urgent appeal for peace during his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" address on Christmas Day, calling on "all people, all peoples and nations" to "silence the weapons and overcome divisions." Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square in Rome at the culmination of the Christmas celebrations, the 88-year-old pontiff made particular mention of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. "Let there be silence of the weapons in martyred Ukraine," Francis said from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also called for "opening the door to negotiations, as well as gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace" in Ukraine, which has been under attack from Russia for almost three years. The pope also appealed for peace in the Middle East. "Let the doors of dialogue and peace open up in the entire region torn apart by conflicts," he demanded, visibly moved. Recalling the situation in the Gaza Strip, he said: "Let there be a ceasefire, let the hostages be released and the population, worn down by hunger and war, be cared for." In his Christmas Day message, the pope usually turns his attention to conflicts and wars around the world and calls for peace and reconciliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, he also mentioned Lebanon, Syria, Libya, as well as conflicts and hardship on the African continent and in Latin America. Following the address, Francis delivered the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and to the World) blessing. Pope Francis has issued an urgent appeal for peace during his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" address on Christmas Day, calling on "all people, all peoples and nations" to "silence the weapons and overcome divisions." Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square in Rome at the culmination of the Christmas celebrations, the 88-year-old pontiff made particular mention of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. "Let there be silence of the weapons in martyred Ukraine," Francis said from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also called for "opening the door to negotiations, as well as gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace" in Ukraine, which has been under attack from Russia for almost three years. The pope also appealed for peace in the Middle East. "Let the doors of dialogue and peace open up in the entire region torn apart by conflicts," he demanded, visibly moved. Recalling the situation in the Gaza Strip, he said: "Let there be a ceasefire, let the hostages be released and the population, worn down by hunger and war, be cared for." In his Christmas Day message, the pope usually turns his attention to conflicts and wars around the world and calls for peace and reconciliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, he also mentioned Lebanon, Syria, Libya, as well as conflicts and hardship on the African continent and in Latin America. Following the address, Francis delivered the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and to the World) blessing. The pope marked Christmas Eve on Tuesday with the traditional Mass in St Peter's Basilica, urging the faithful to bring hope as "pilgrims of light into the darkness of the world." The head of the Catholic Church said in his Christmas Eve sermon that Christmas, as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, is a fitting occasion not to lose hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hope is not dead, hope lives and envelops our lives forever!" he said. A ceremony on Tuesday also saw the Holy Door of the basilica opened, marking the start of a Jubilee year. During the year, which is held every 25 years, many of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics are expected to make the pilgrimage to Rome. The door is normally bricked up, and its opening allows the pilgrims to pass through, securing an indulgence, or remission of sins. The Jubilee year 2025 officially ends on January 6, 2026. Pope Francis is expected to address the world's wars and conflicts in his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" message to the faithful spoken from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican at noon on Wednesday, Christmas Day. The pope marked Christmas Eve on Tuesday with the traditional Mass in St Peter's Basilica. Francis urged the faithful to bring hope as "pilgrims of light into the darkness of the world." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of the Catholic Church said in his Christmas Eve sermon that Christmas, as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, is a fitting occasion not to lose hope. "Hope is not dead, hope lives and envelops our lives forever!" said the 88-year-old pontiff. A ceremony on Tuesday also saw the Holy Door of the basilica opened, marking the start of a Jubilee year. During the year, which is held every 25 years, many of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics are expected to make the pilgrimage to Rome. The door is normally bricked up, and its opening allows the pilgrims to pass through, securing an indulgence, or remission of sins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Christmas Day, tens of thousands are expected to gather on St Peter's Square to hear the "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and to the World) blessing. Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are likely to be central themes, as will other conflicts around the world. Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The pope inaugurated the Catholic Church's historic 2025 Jubilee of "Hope" at the Vatican on Christmas Eve in traditional ceremonies before addressing thousands of Catholic faithful the next day. "I think of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, particularly to the dear community in Gaza," Pope Francis said Wednesday on Christmas Day as he called for "lasting peace" in the world. "May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war." Francis, who recently celebrated his 88th birthday, commenced Christmas Mass festivities at the opening of the sealed "Holy Door" of St. Peter's Basilica at the papal enclave in Italy celebrating jubilees since the year 1300 known as a time of special pilgrimage, conversion and renewed faith. The pope chose "Pilgrims of Hope" as this Holy Year's theme to end Jan. 6, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is much desolation in the world right now," he said Tuesday as he referenced persistent war in Russia and alleged genocidal atrocities by Israel in Gaza. "Think of the wars, of the children gunned down, of the bombs falling on schools and hospitals," he added. Pope Francis officially inaugurated the 2025 Jubilee Year with the solemn opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica on Tuesday in Vatican City, Vatican. The opening of the bronze door is the symbolic beginning of 13 months of religious activities expected to draw tens of millions to Rome. Its last open was by then-Pope John Paul II in 2000. Francis first opened it in 2015 for his 2016 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Pool Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI Some of the highlighted jubilee events will be the canonization of Carlos Acutis, a tech expert who was dubbed the first digital-age saint of a millennial age, later in April. He says hope is not indifferent but requires courage. It means being unafraid to "speak out against evil and the injustices perpetrated at the expense of the poor." Pope Francis officially inaugurated the 2025 Jubilee Year with the solemn opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica on Tuesday in Vatican City, Vatican. Pool Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI The church celebrates holy years every 25 years and the practice of opening and closing the Holy Door at the start and end of Holy Years began some 500 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 3,000 pilgrims bought and inscribed their names on bricks that were used to close up the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica at the end of 1984's Holy Year of Redemption April 22. Among the first pilgrims to greet the holy father at the storied door were 10 children who placed flowers at a figurine of Jesus resting in front of the main alter of the basilica. Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opening of the bronze door is the symbolic beginning of 13 months of religious activities expected to draw tens of millions to Rome. Its last open was by then-Pope John Paul II in 2000. Francis, meanwhile, first opened the Holy Door in 2015 for his 2016 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. This year the pontiff presided over an Easter vigil on a Saturday in March at St. Peter's Basilica after then-87-year-old Francis cancelled a Good Friday appearance at the last minute due to persistent health reasons. "There is much desolation in the world right now," Pope Francis said Tuesday as he referenced persistent war in Russia and known genocidal atrocities by Israel in Gaza. "Think of the wars, of the children gunned down, of the bombs falling on schools and hospitals." Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI On Tuesday, roughly 25,000 visitors sat in St. Peter's Square eyeing the pope's liturgy on video screens as 6,000 others were inside with Francis, according to the Vatican press office. This holy year he called on followers to "spiritual renewal and commits us to the transformation of our world, so that this year may truly become a time of jubilation: a jubilee for our mother Earth, disfigured by profiteering; a time of jubilee for the poorer countries burdened beneath unfair debts; a time of jubilee for all those who are in bondage to forms of slavery old and new." Pope Francis presides over the Christmas Eve mass at The St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. Pope Francis marks Christmas Eve with a special ceremony launching Jubilee 2025. Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI For the first time in church history, Pope St. John Paul II ruled during the 1983 holy year that Catholics around the world can receive the same forgiveness of sins simply by attending similar services or praying with a visiting priest in their own home parishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of priests were on hand to distribute Communion during the mass to outside participants. "Spiritual renewal and commits us to the transformation of our world, so that this year may truly become a time of jubilation: A jubilee for our mother Earth, disfigured by profiteering; a time of jubilee for the poorer countries burdened beneath unfair debts; a time of jubilee for all those who are in bondage to forms of slavery old and new," the pope said on Christmas Eve. Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI Among the first pilgrims to greet the holy father at the storied door were 10 children who placed flowers at a figurine of Jesus resting in front of the main alter of the basilica. "Hope calls us to become pilgrims in search of truth, dreamers who never tire, women and men open to being challenged by God's dream, which is the dream of a new world where peace and justice reign," the leader of the Catholic Church stated Tuesday. "I think of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, particularly to the dear community in Gaza," Pope Francis said Wednesday on Christmas Day during his "Urbi et Orbiat" message at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City he called for "lasting peace" in the world. "May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war." Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI Advertisement Advertisement In his traditional Christmas message on 25 December, Pope Francis mentioned the war in Ukraine, calling for an end to it and for negotiations for a just peace. Source: European Pravda Details: Pope Francis devoted two sentences of his Christmas message to the mention of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Quote: "May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine! May there be the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation and to gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pope spoke a bit more about the events in the Middle East, where he also wished for the "silence of arms", the release of hostages and assistance to "the people worn out by hunger and by war". Background: A few days ago, in a Sunday prayer on Christmas Eve, Francis called for a ceasefire in all war zones, condemning the brutality of the bombing of schools and hospitals in Ukraine and Gaza. Earlier this year, in the context of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Pope said that a negotiated peace is "better than war without end". Support UP or become our patron! BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- In a year marked by rising protectionism and "decoupling" attempts in the world economic arena, what has become of China's allure as a favored investment destination? Foreign enterprises' bullish moves have told a lot about it. As 2024 draws to a close, a recent landmark investment decision by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi has emerged as a compelling testament to global investors' consistent faith in the Chinese market. In early December, the company announced a plan to invest nearly 1 billion euros (about 1.04 billion U.S. dollars) in establishing a new insulin production base in Beijing. This will be Sanofi's largest single investment in China since entering the country in 1982. Sanofi has not been alone throughout this year in ramping up its commitment to the Chinese market. In the first eleven months, a record 52,379 foreign-invested companies were established in China, up 8.9 percent from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Commerce. In November, foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland in actual use climbed 6 percent year on year. The influx of investors serves as a reality check for many China skeptics, who have spread a narrative of foreign companies fleeing the Chinese market en masse. But what allows China to maintain its pull for global investment? A key magnet is China's industrial system, which is the most comprehensive on a global scale and offers unparalleled supply chain advantages. It is the only country in the world with every industrial category classified by the United Nations, with its manufacturing added value constituting roughly 30 percent of the global total. The country's supply chain advantages for foreign investors present immense growth opportunities. Coupled with a vast consumer market of 1.4 billion people, the country remains a crucial destination for global investors. Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, recently shared his insight with Xinhua on why he does not believe that most foreign companies will leave the country. "One, they have invested in supply chains and built them up with their suppliers. Number two, there are no quick, easy replacement markets." Recognizing China's market potential and supply chain benefits, German optics giant ZEISS inaugurated a research and development (R&D) and manufacturing site in Suzhou, an industrial hub in east China, this year. Maximilian Foerst, president and CEO of ZEISS Greater China, said the site is a milestone in the company's efforts to localize R&D and expand its high-end product portfolio. China is a crucial sales and manufacturing base and an integral part of the company's global business, said Foerst. He noted that the company has full confidence in China's outlook and is committed to long-term investment in the country. As China pursues an innovation-driven growth model, the country's prominence in the global innovation landscape continues to increase. The Global Innovation Index 2024, released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, ranks China 11th among the world's most innovative economies, up one spot from the previous year. This makes China one of the fastest risers over the past decade. Riding the wave of China's innovation drive, ACWA Power, a Saudi Arabia-based electric power generation company, announced in October that it will establish a global innovation center in Shanghai. The center will focus on new technologies and products in areas such as photovoltaics, wind power and green hydrogen. Lyu Yunhe, executive vice president of ACWA Power, said China's supply chain companies in the renewable energy sector possess advanced technologies and competitive solutions. Establishing an innovation center in China will support the company's global strategy and project development, he added. To better allow foreign investors to leverage its advantages in supply chain, market and innovation, China has taken strides in further opening up this year. Throughout 2024, the Chinese government has unveiled an array of key measures designed to foster a more welcoming environment for global investors. These measures range from expanding access to key industries to initiating pilot programs that facilitate foreign investment. One of the key moves was the roll-out of the 2024 national negative list for foreign investment, effective Nov. 1, which removed all market access restrictions for foreign investors in China's manufacturing industry. This unprecedented breakthrough scraps the last few hurdles for global manufacturers entering a pillar industry of the world's second-largest economy. In addition to traditional growth drivers such as manufacturing, China is expanding its opening-up endeavors to the service sectors. In October, a pilot program was launched to allow foreign investors to operate wholly-owned businesses in value-added telecom services, such as internet data centers, and engage in online data processing and transaction processing. This program also grants greater access to cloud computing services and computing power service markets. To share with foreign investors the burgeoning opportunities arising from its population's increasing healthcare demands, the country announced a plan to further open up market access in its medical sector in September. A significant part of this plan is that hospitals wholly owned by foreign entities are now permitted to operate in China. Earlier this month, the first wholly foreign-owned, third-grade general hospital in China's history was officially licensed to provide medical services in the northern port city of Tianjin. As 2025 approaches, China is setting its sights on elevating its opening up to a higher level, building on decades of reform efforts aimed at increasing market openness. During the annual Central Economic Work Conference held this month, Chinese leaders identified "expanding high-standard opening up while keeping foreign trade and investment stable" as one of the key priorities for the Chinese economy in 2025. Notably, the meeting decided to expand "voluntary and unilateral opening up" in an orderly manner. "This means that China will embrace a more proactive strategy toward opening up," said Zhang Wei, vice president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, when commenting on the decision. As part of its agenda for the next year, China will expand the pilot programs in opening up such fields as telecommunications and healthcare while steadily advancing the opening of service sectors, including the internet and culture, according to the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs. Zhang added that China would be more committed to building an institutional system that aligns with high-standard international economic and trade rules. "By improving the business environment and enhancing the transparency and predictability of policies, China will create a more level playing field for companies from home and abroad." PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A Portland-based pet food company issued a recall on one of its products after a cat in Washington County contracted bird flu and died after eating the food, the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday. Morasch Meats Northwest Naturals brand of Turkey Recipe raw and frozen pet food tested positive for a strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus, officials warned. The recall comes after tests conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University confirmed that a house cat in Washington County contracted the virus after eating the raw and frozen food and tests confirmed a genetic match between the virus in the food and the infected cat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Driver destroys popular Leavenworth park days before Christmas We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food, said ODA State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz. This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not exposed to the virus in its environment, and results from the genome sequencing confirmed that the virus recovered from the raw pet food and infected cat were exact matches to each other. Portland-based Morasch Meats voluntarily recalled its Northwest Naturals brand pet food, which is packed in two-pound plastic bags with Best if used by dates of May 21, 2025, and June 23, 2026 B1. The food was sold nationwide through distributors in the U.S. and British Columbia, Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former OHSU employees file lawsuit over numerous instances of harassment from supervisors Pet owners are urged to immediately check their supplies and throw away the product, ODA said, noting consumers can contact Marasch Meats of Portland for additional questions. Meanwhile, the Oregon Health Authority and local public health officials are monitoring the household members who had contact with the cat for flu symptoms. To date, officials have not linked human cases of HPAI to this incident, noting the risk of HPAI transmission to humans is low in Oregon. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest To avoid spread of HPAI, health officials urge people and their pets to avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, avoid consuming raw dairy, limiting contact with sick or dead animals, and washing hands after handling raw animal products or contact with sick or dead animals. Sick or dead birds can be reported to ODA, which also urges pet owners to keep pets away from wild waterfowl. While Oregon has reported one confirmed human case of HPAI, ODA said there are no confirmed cases of the virus in dairy cows or cow milk. As a precautionary measure, ODA launched a program earlier in December testing milk from every commercial dairy farm across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as states including Idaho, California, and Nevada have reported HPAI in dairy cattle herds, which has contributed to more than 700 confirmed cases of bird flu in 16 states. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Portland Police Bureau announced a 13-year-old boy was found safe hours after he was reported missing. Matthew Godzik had last been seen Tuesday morning. By the early evening, authorities announced the boy was found safe and was home with his family. Danny DeVito recalls spilling Coke on floor while attending Blazers game in 1975 Originally, police said he left his home near the intersection of Southeast 30th Avenue and Southeast Steele Street in Southeast Portland at 9:30 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the teen was diagnosed as autistic and they were concerned he wouldnt be able to make his way back home. PPB said they were grateful for the publics assistance in locating Godzik. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Dec. 24Buchanan County, Missouri, leaders are exploring the possibility of building an addition to the county's juvenile justice center, addressing the need for more space. The Buchanan County Commissioners discussed what an expansion at the Judge Frank D. Connett Jr. Juvenile Justice Center, which is attached to the Judge Patrick K. Robb Academy (formerly known as the Buchanan County Academy) at 4702 Green Acres Rd., would look like and what it would cost during their meeting last week. Missouri Court System's Fifth Circuit Court Juvenile Officer Linda Meyer, attended the Commissioners' meeting on Friday, Dec. 20, to provide input and discuss the need for about 18 additional beds in the county's juvenile justice center, which currently has only six beds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now it's up to the architects or the designers to go out, look at the facility, and say, 'Okay, this is what it could look like,'" Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson said. "But more importantly, what is the cost? Got to know that." Officials also discussed a new or remodeled law enforcement center this past September. At the time, Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett said if a new law enforcement center was built, the current building could serve as the new juvenile justice center. Presiding Commissioner Nelson favors expanding the current juvenile justice center as long as it is cost-effective. "This is about as straightforward as it gets," he said. "We have a detention center, we have land, we have a building, we have expansion capability. It seems like the path of least resistance to me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After architects determine the design and cost of expanding the current juvenile justice center, the next step will be to calculate how long the construction will take. "Are they going to come back the first time through with a drawing and a rendering and a cost and we'll just go, 'It looks good, fine,' I doubt it," Presiding Commissioner Nelson said. "We're going to have to go back and forth, but at least we've started that process." Massive waves pummeling the California coastline were threatening lives and seaside structures up and down the coast this week. One person near Monterey was killed after being trapped under debris on the beach, and at least two others are missing after reportedly being swept away by waves. In Santa Cruz, a portion of the pier collapsed, plunging three people into the water who were later rescued. How is San Luis Obispo County holding up in the storm? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service issued a high surf warning in effect until noon on Tuesday, warning of large breaking waves up to 25 feet with very dangerous rip currents at local beaches. The Cayucos Pier lost five pilings in a February 2024 storm that left the end of the structure dangling over the ocean. The pier has been mostly reopened with the end closed off. The county hopes to complete full repairs by the fall ahead of next winters storms. The Cayucos pier was closed to the public during the high surf warning, SLO County Parks Director Tanya Richardson told The Tribune. On Monday, a support piling was ripped from the end of the pier which was already damaged prior to the storms and floated to shore, Richardson said. The end of the pier has been closed to the public since it lost five pilings during a storm surge in February. A surfer walks past a piling knocked loose from the Cayucos pier during a high surf event in December 2024. Local resident Danna Dykstra-Coy said her husband witnessed the piling breaking off the pier Monday and she later found it in the Little Cayucos Creek next to Shoreline Inn, the same spot a piling ended up at after it broke off in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday morning, Dykstra-Coy said there doesnt appear to be any more loose piles on either side and that the end of the pier was holding up to the continuing onslaught of heavy waves. Cayucos resident Danna Dykstra-Coy witnessed the piling breaking off the pier Monday and later found it in the Little Cayucos Creek next to Shoreline Inn, the same spot a piling ended up at after five broke off in heavy storms in February, 2024. The pier was already undergoing repairs for the damage caused in February. Richardson said the county has received a quote and was in the process of preparing design plans for reconstruction of the damaged portion. The draft plans were scheduled to be submitted to the county for review by the end of the month, Richardson said. The county does not expected any delays at this point, but dependent on winter storms this could always change, she said. The Cayucos Pier was closed on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2024, after sustaining damage from recent atmospheric river storms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SLO County waves breaking with incredible force, meteorologist says While the waves in San Luis Obispo County were not quite as large as other spots in the state where waves have reached as high as 60 feet in some places local meteorologist John Lindsey said the long wave periods mean that even shorter waves will carry more strength. Today's west-northwesterly swell peaked at 19.8 feet with a 20-second period. A standout feature of this event was the wave spectral band at 22+ seconds, which hit 7159 cmmaking it the highest reading ever recorded in the 22+ second Energy Band at the Diablo Canyon Waverider pic.twitter.com/MUMbWG1PeC John Lindsey (@PGE_John) December 24, 2024 Since 1991, Ive been forecasting waves along the Central Coast, and this recent swell event was the longest period/wavelength Ive ever witnessed, he wrote Tuesday. The waves were heavy, breaking with incredible force. Lots of people went to see the Christmas Eve storm surge in Morro Bay Harbor. The tide surge was wide. A wave period is the time between one peak and the next. The reason longer wave periods carry more power is because they displace a larger area of water, moving a lot more mass between breaking waves than if the peaks were shorter together. For most swell events, the peak energy occurs at 17 seconds, Lindsey told The Tribune. This swell, the average period was 20 seconds, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its remarkable, to say the least, he said. According to Lindsey, the trend of longer-period, more powerful swell events is expected to persist as the planet continues to warm. Estero Bluffs State Park on Dec. 23, 2024, as strong waves slammed the Central Coast, breaking loose a piling from the Cayucos pier. While SLO County was seeing maximum wave heights of 25 feet, some places further up the California coast were seeing over double that. Lindsey said this is a result of the distance from the storm front. Waves lose power as they are dispersed, so the farther they move from the origin storm, the shorter they will become, Lindsey said. This weeks swells were a direct outcome from the storm in the gulf of Alaska. While waves hitting the northern coast of California were taller because they were closer to the storm, they lost height the further they moved down the coast toward SLO County and beyond, Lindsey said. Estero Bluffs State Park on Dec. 23, 2024, as strong waves slammed the Central Coast, breaking loose a piling from the Cayucos pier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Onlookers flocked to the shore to watch the waves Many people came out to Morro Bay Harbor to see the impressive storm surge this Christmas Eve. Though the weather event caused damage and posed a potential danger to people too close to the water, those standing at a safe distance were stunned by the powerful force of nature. Lots of people went to see the Christmas Eve storm surge in Morro Bay Harbor. Joseph Bischel, a longtime Atascadero resident, said the waves were beautiful. Its nice to see the high surf, Biscel said, who has been watching large wave events in SLO County for over 40 years of living there. Thats why we came down here just to, just to see the big break. Meteorologist predicts a dry start to January Lindsey forecast that while the Pacific Northwest overall will get a tremendous amounts of precipitation in the coming weeks, the Central Coast will stay relatively dry into the first week of January in a classic La Nina rainfall pattern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were falling behind in rainfall at this time of year, Lindsey said. At this point, its drier than normal. While SLO County might get short periods of rainfall, there isnt any indication of heavier rainfall to come before the new year, Lindsey said. He predicted the most recent weather episode to be the last significant bout of rain for about two weeks. Since 1991, Ive been forecasting waves along the Central Coast, and this recent swell event was the longest period/wavelength Ive ever witnessed. The waves were heavy, breaking with incredible force. I captured these photos at Estero Bluffs State Park on Monday, December 23. pic.twitter.com/vq9Q7cGIuu John Lindsey (@PGE_John) December 24, 2024 (PUEBLO, Colo.) The Pueblo Police Department (PPD) reported that several law enforcement agencies collaborated to arrest four people and recovered six stolen vehicles along with a significant amount of drugs, money, and a gun. According to PPD, Colorado State Patrol (CSP), Pueblo County Sheriffs Office (PCSO), PPD and other agencies arrested four people, two of whom had outstanding warrants and two who faced charges related to motor vehicle theft. Courtesy: Pueblo Police Department Courtesy: Pueblo Police Department During one of the recovery operations, law enforcement found the cash, a loaded firearm, and a bag of illegal drugs, including 340g of methamphetamine, 4.9g of black tar heroin, 4.27g of brown heroin, 1.5g of Oxycodone (nine pills), and 1.87g of cocaine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Prince Andrew, who stepped back from his royal duties in 2019 after a disastrous TV interview about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was not with the rest of the royal family at Sandringham for Christmas today. Andrew's checkered past was back in the headlines this month following news of a link to an alleged Chinese spy. The Daily Mail reported, "The beleaguered Duke of York has agreed not to embarrass the King further and has voluntarily decided, along with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, to give the annual celebrations in Norfolk a miss." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince Andrew only made two public appearances with the royal family this year: In April, he attended Easter Sunday services with a small group in Windsor, and in February, he was among the royals who attended a memorial service for the former King Constantine of Greece at St George's Chapel. In addition to the alleged Chinese spy controversy, his association with Epstein was back in the spotlight in 2024 thanks to two separate dramatizations of the aforementioned BBC interview: Netflix's film Scoop (starring Rufus Sewell as Andrew) and a three-part miniseries on Prime Video, A Very Royal Scandal. In addition, King Charles reportedly cut off his brother's allowance this year. As T&C Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy explained, "Prince Andrew, 64, still lives in palatial 30-room residence the Royal Lodge on the Windsor Castle estate despite stepping back as a working royal in 2019. He has a 75-year lease agreement with the Crown Estate to stay there which started in 2003. However, the arrangement requires him to pay to maintain the large and listed property to an acceptable standard. He must now find the funds himself to do this or move out." You Might Also Like Prince George was feeling the festive spirit at his mom Kate Middletons annual Together at Christmas carol service. The second-in-line for the throne, 11, was all smiles as he listened to Richard E. Grant, 67, do a dramatic reading of a passage from Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, clearly enjoying the Oscar-nominated actors performance. Young George wasnt the only royal to enjoy Grants Dickensian delivery. Cameras cut to his sister Princess Charlotte, 9, and brother Prince Louis, 6, grinning just as hard during the lighthearted moment. The reaction of Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte to Richard E Grants story was incredible they are growing up so fast #PrinceLouis #PrincessCharlotte #RoyalCarolsToghetherForChristmas #TogetheratChristmas pic.twitter.com/K7hymh922b Lee Hood (@Mofoman360) December 24, 2024 William, Prince of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, December 6, 2024. BBC Studios/ITV via Reuters Richard E Grant gives a reading in the nave during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, December 6, 2024. BBC Studios/ITV via Reuters Little Louis couldnt contain his smirk as he peered around, bobbing back and forth in his seat, while a beaming Charlotte looked to her mom Catherine, 42, who was equally taken with Grants performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere in the service, Charlotte was spotted giggling during the classic Christmas hymn O Come All Ye Faithful, before settling and displaying the calm poise for which shes known poise which she often needs as she takes mischievous Louis in hand when he gets squirrelly during public appearances. Princess Charlotte took a particular delight in the Royal Ballet School dancers who graced the hallowed halls of Londons Westminster Abbey. Now in its fourth year, Together at Christmas was recorded at the historic gothic cathedral on Dec. 6 but aired on ITV in the UK for the first time on Tuesday. Princess Charlotte watching performance by The Royal Ballet soloists and The Royal Ballet School students. Royal Carols: Together At Christmas #TogetherAtChristmas #Christmaspic.twitter.com/kTahVnSKEZ mrc (@brigantia__) December 24, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement William, Prince of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, December 6, 2024. via REUTERS British actor Richard E. Grant arrives to attend the Together At Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in London on December 6, 2024. AFP via Getty Images Catherine, Princess of Wales meets British actor Richard E. Grant during the Together At Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in London on December 6, 2024. POOL/AFP via Getty Images The Princess of Wales created the carol service in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. This years event was particularly poignant for Kate and her family as it marks the first Christmas since she was diagnosed with cancer. The princess shared her diagnosis with the world in March, revealing that doctors found cancer had been present after she underwent a planned abdominal surgery in January. In September, Kate posted a video on social media announcing the happy news that she was cancer-free. Richard E Grant gives a reading in the nave during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, December 6, 2024. via REUTERS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince George attends the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, December 6, 2024. via REUTERS The future queens father-in-law, King Charles III, was also diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. In addition to her three children, Kate was joined by her husband Prince William, 42, at the Christmas service, which she opened with a speech that alluded to her recent health struggles. The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others, Kate said. The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, arrive for the Together At Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024 in London, England. Getty Images Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis arrive at the Together At Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 06, 2024 in London, England. Getty Images Prince William sat next to his eldest son, Prince George, during this years carol service. AP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear. She continued, The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope. It is love which is the greatest gift we can receive, not just at Christmas but every day of our lives. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis stepped out alongside their parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, for the royal family's traditional Christmas Day walk to church. Led by their grandfather, King Charles, the children smiled and greeted well-wishers who lined the route as the family made their way to church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham in Norfolk, where the royal family gathers each year to celebrate the holiday. The family of five coordinated their outfits in shades of blue and green, presenting a united front after what has been a challenging year for the young family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has been a difficult period for George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6, as their mother, the Princess of Wales, 42, was diagnosed with cancer following a planned abdominal surgery in January. When she announced her cancer and chemotherapy treatment in March, Kate said that she and William "have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time." Samir Hussein/WireImage Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk. The trio of siblings remained out of the spotlight until Junes Trooping the Colour, which they attended alongside their parents to celebrate the official birthday of their grandfather, King Charles, who was also diagnosed with cancer this year. In an emotional video, Kate announced on Sept. 9 that she had completed chemotherapy in a clip that also featured William, 42, and their kids. Shot in Norfolk in August by Will Warr, the decision to film there is a poignant one, as the family of five cherish their time at their country home, Anmer Hall, where they are currently staying as they celebrate Christmas with other members of the royal family on the Sandringham estate. Samir Hussein/WireImage Princess Charlotte attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Princess Charlotte attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Related: Kate Middleton and Prince William Share Poignant Christmas Card with George, Charlotte and Louis After 'Hardest' Year Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A scene from the moving video was used for the Wales family's Christmas card, released publicly on Dec. 19 and a rare move for the family, as they typically release a new photo for the holiday driving home how meaningful that video announcement was to the family. On Dec. 6, George, Charlotte and Louis supported their mother at her annual Together at Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey and, in another return to normalcy after a very abnormal year, are taking part in the traditional Christmas festivities at Sandringham, including the yearly walk the morning of Dec. 25 to church at St. Mary Magdalene, nestled on Sandringhams grounds. Samir Hussein/WireImage Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales and Prince Louis attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales and Prince Louis attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Related: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Make First Public Appearance in Six Months: 'It's Been a Difficult Year' Its been such a difficult year for them, Sophie Mirman, founder and creative director of Trotters (the brand behind the burgundy coat Princess Charlotte wore to the carol concert earlier this month) told PEOPLE of George, Charlotte and Louis. Its wonderful to see them all together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement William echoed those sentiments in November when he said that 2024 has been "the hardest year in my life." "It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life...I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it's been brutal," he continued. 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! A source close to the royal household said of Kate: Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities. She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing. Read the original article on People Flamethrower operator fires at simulated targets China Military Online) 15:42, December 25, 2024 A flamethrower operator assigned to a chemical defense detachment of a brigade under the Chinese PLA Army fires at the simulated target on November 20, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liao Zhenxiong) A flamethrower operator assigned to a chemical defense detachment of a brigade under the Chinese PLA Army fires at the simulated target on November 20, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liao Zhenxiong) A flamethrower operator assigned to a chemical defense detachment of a brigade under the Chinese PLA Army fires at the simulated target on November 20, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liao Zhenxiong) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) CAIRO, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has signed documents with Palestine to send two batches of emergency humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, according to the Chinese Embassy in Egypt. The signing ceremony, held in Cairo on Monday, was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang and Palestinian Ambassador to Egypt Diab al-Louh. "To ease the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, the Chinese government has continued to provide assistance to Palestine," Liao said, adding that China has delivered multiple batches of emergency humanitarian relief supplies, including food and medicine, to the enclave through Egypt. He reiterated that China is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with Palestine and Egypt to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to the war-torn enclave. Al-Louh said that "the Palestinian government and people sincerely thank China for its emergency humanitarian assistance to alleviate the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip." He also voiced appreciation for China's consistent and firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people and for raising this issue on international occasions, which fully reflect "the profound friendship between Palestine and China and China's role as a responsible major country." Princess Beatrice is celebrating Christmas with the royal family after switching her plans amid her pregnancy. On Dec. 25, Princess Beatrice joined King Charles and other royals for the family's traditional walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate. A source confirmed to PEOPLE earlier this week that Princess Beatrice would be there after pivoting her plans in light of her pregnancy, and she participated in the walk to church with her husband Edoardo Mappelli Mozzi and his son Christopher Woolf, 8. Beatrice, 36, canceled a trip to Italy to spend the holiday with her husband's family, making the change on medical advice. The couple is expecting their second child together, and the palace previously said that Beatrice is due "early in the new year." Beatrice and Edo are parents to daughter Sienna, 3, and their family will expand with the baby on the way. OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Christopher Woolf, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Christopher Woolf, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Princess Beatrice wore a belted tan coat over her growing bump, and placed a warm hand on Christopher Woolf's back as they all walked. When she and Edo, 41, wed in 2020, a source told PEOPLE that Beatrice was "a wonderful and very hands-on stepmom" to Christopher Woolf, who is affectionately nicknamed Wolfie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PEOPLE understands that Princess Beatrice had initially accepted an invitation to celebrate Christmas with her in-laws, and was the only member of the York family to join the King's Christmas festivities. Her father Prince Andrew and mother Sarah Ferguson are keeping a low profile and staying away from Sandringham amid Andrew's connection to an alleged Chinese "spy," Beatrice's younger sister Princess Eugenie is marking the holiday with her in-laws. Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Christopher Woolf and Princess Beatrice walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Christopher Woolf and Princess Beatrice walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Princess Beatrice and Edo, 41, were also recently seen driving to King Charles' pre-Christmas lunch for the extended royal family, which was held at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 19. Beatrice and Eugenie, 34, seemed to be in good spirits as they drove to the palace lunch with their husbands, despite fallout around their father's alleged ties to the suspected Chinese "spy." Aligning with their decision not to join the royals at Christmas, the Duke and Duchess of York similarly skipped the festive feast amid backlash around the scandal. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward tells PEOPLE that Andrew would have discussed the decision with his daughters, who are protective and loyal to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite [the Duchess'] missteps in the past, she does know how things will play out socially. She would tell him its best to stay away. And Beatrice would have backed her up in that," Seward tells PEOPLE about Andrew opting out of the holiday luncheon. Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice drive to King Charles' pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 19, 2024. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice drive to King Charles' pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 19, 2024. Prince Andrew and Ferguson, who is popularly known as Fergie, divorced in 1996 after a decade of marriage but are known to remain close today and continue to live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor. The Duke and Duchess of York are thought to be quietly spending Christmas at home, outside of the public eye. Meanwhile, Princess Eugenie is spending the holiday with her husband Jack Brooksbank's side of the family, as originally planned. Princess Eugenie and Jack share sons August, 3, and Ernest, 1, and this Christmas is the first since the couple wed in 2018 that they didn't join the royals for the public-facing walk to church on Christmas at Sandringham. Chris Jackson/Getty Princess Beatrice, Prince Andrew and Princess Eugenie walk to church on Christmas at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2015. Princess Beatrice, Prince Andrew and Princess Eugenie walk to church on Christmas at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2015. 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! While the event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, King Charles brought the beloved tradition back with a bang in 2022 following his accession upon Queen Elizabeth's death. The royal family has stepped out in full force every year since, and this year was no different. After going to church on the Sandringham Estate, the royals convene for a meal (with turkey, glazed ham, roasted potatoes, parsnips and Christmas pudding on the extensive menu!) and watch the King's Christmas Broadcast as it airs on television. Step inside the royals' holiday traditions with PEOPLEs Special Edition: Christmas at the Palace: A Royal Family Album. Read the original article on People Each year on Christmas Day, the royal family makes a tradition of turning out in their Sunday best for their annual walk to services at the Church of St Mary Magdalene near their Sandringham estate in Norfolk. And among them this year was Princess Beatrice. Beatrice, who looked lovely in a beige coat and a festive green headband, was not initially expected to join in on the proceedings, as it was originally reported that she would be spending the holidays abroad with her husband Edoardo Edo Mapelli Mozzi's family. However, the princess, who is currently expecting her second child with Edo in the spring, reportedly received medical advice against traveling long distances late last week, shifting her plans back to the UK. Aaron Chown - PA Images - Getty Images Buckingham Palace announced the news of the couple's pregnancy in October, sharing that, "His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news." Beatrice and Edo, who married in a pared-back pandemic-era ceremony in 2020, also share a 3-year-old daughter Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, and co-parent Edo's son Christopher Woolf (known as Wolfie) whom Beatrice has referred to as her bonus son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Sienna was likely deemed too young for church this morning, Wolfie joined Beatrice and Edo today. He has been seen at a number of royal events including, most recently, an appearance at Kate Middleton's annual Christmas carol service earlier this month. Last week, at King Charles's pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, Sienna made her first appearance with the royal family, though given her age it's likely that she won't make the Christmas walk for a few more years. Despite Beatrice's schedule switch up, the rest of her immediate family, including her father, Prince Andrew, her mother, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and her sister, Princess Eugenie, and her family, all skipped the royal gathering as previously expected. Their non-appearance at the celebrations came in the wake of headlines in recent weeks claiming a connection between Andrew and an alleged Chinese spy. Reports released in mid-December stated that Yang Tengbo (then identified only as H6) had been invited to Prince Andrews birthday party in 2020 and was told he could act on the Princes behalf when dealing with investors in China. After the news broke, it was reported that Andrew, who stepped back from his position as a working royal in 2019 following a scandal over his ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, would not be joining his siblings and their families for the holiday. It's anticipated that Sarah, who lives with the prince, will spend the festive day with him at their home at the Royal Lodge in Windsor. Eugenie, meanwhile, is expected to be spending the day with her in-laws. You Might Also Like Princess Margarets grandchildren are among the royals celebrating Christmas in Sandringham this year. Arthur and Samuel Chatto (the children of Margarets daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto), were spotted this morning on the annual walk to St. Mary Magdalene for holiday church services. Also in attendance was Princess Margaret's son, David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon. Aaron Chown - PA Images - Getty Images As Princess Margaret once said, "My children are not royal; they just happen to have the Queen for their aunt." The same is true for her grandchildren. They have no formal role or duties within the monarchy, but they do on occasion make appearances with the family, including on Christmas. Joe Giddens - PA Images - Getty Images This morning, they were joined by King Charles and Queen Camilla; the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis; the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their two children, Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex; and Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence. There was speculation that the young woman who walked to church with Sam Chatto is his girlfriend, Eleanor Ekserdjian: Aaron Chown - PA Images - Getty Images Notably absent from the crowd was Prince Andrew, who opted out of the appearance after making headlines over links with an alleged Chinese spy. His daughter Princesses Beatrice joined the royals, while Princess Eugenie is believed to be spending the holidays with her in-laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Margarets grandchildren have largely led lives out of the public eye, they often inspire a flurry of social media posts when they step out with the royals. Notably, several of them are pursuing careers in the arts not unlike their grandfather Lord Snowdon, who, of course, was an accomplished photographer. Sam is a skilled ceramicist; his cousin Charles is a musician and Charless sister, Lady Margarita is a designer for her brand, Matita Jewellery. Arthur perhaps hews closer to his royal roots, and has joined the military, making his living as a member of the Royal Marines. You Might Also Like Rep. Cori Bush was swept into office in 2020 on a wave of liberal energy, defeating a longtime Democratic incumbent and cementing the notion of a rising insurgency on the left. Four years later, she was defeated in her own primary along with fellow progressive firebrand Rep. Jamaal Bowman amid a deluge of money spent attacking her, mostly by the pro-Israel group AIPAC. In an exit interview with POLITICO Magazine, Bush defended her tenure in Congress and touted her accomplishments, includingsuccessfully pressuring the Biden administration to extend a pandemic-era eviction moratorium. A member of the progressive Squad, Bush was targeted by AIPAC because of her outspoken criticism of the Israeli government and her push for a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. But she said the attacks were a deception since AIPACs ads focused on her vote against a bipartisan infrastructure law rather than Israel policy. (Bush and some other progressives opposed the infrastructure measure after it was decoupled from the broader social spending legislation in Joe Bidens Build Back Better plan.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bush leaves office with the Squad smaller and the American left facing an uncertain path after Donald Trumps victory. But she said her progressive colleagues werent going to back down despite the latest defeats. Anyone who underestimates our power is severely mistaken, because we arent going anywhere, she said. And I will always be Squad. Im not going far. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. You got elected in 2020 after winning a primary against a powerful Democratic incumbent. Four years later, you were defeated in a primary by another challenger. How do you view your place in the Democratic Party? I don't feel that this speaks to my place in the party. This was primarily Republican money that was used to unseat me. I think this was deception by the people who wanted to oust me because they couldn't even speak up for the issue that they claimed was the reason why they were challenging me. There was not one ad that they used to speak to their issue [Israel], to say that this is why they feel that I should no longer represent the people of Missouri's 1st District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe that I have a lot of respect from my colleagues and vice versa. I actually believe that I have grown in the party, as far as who people may have thought I was when I entered Congress, and who they've seen and who they've gotten to know. AIPAC spent at least $8 million to defeat you. Do you wish Democratic leaders had done more to keep the group out of primaries this year or lend you more support? Absolutely. At this point, yes, and looking forward, Democratic leadership has to do something. Democratic leadership must make the decision that this corporate money should not be able to be used in Democratic primaries. Because that was the deciding factor in this race. Democrats have to ban corporate PAC donations, and specifically have to speak up and push to ban the super PAC spending in our Democratic primaries. That is the only way that this does not happen again, because I wasn't unseated because I didn't take care of my community. We brought over $2 billion to our district in four years. We helped thousands of constituents who reached out to our office to help them navigate federal agencies, whether it was housing or PPP loans, whatever their need was. Let me also add the eviction moratorium. It saved people in our district and around the country. That work was for 11 million people around this country to stay housed during the deadly global pandemic. And I still hear today from people around the country who say, You were the reason why I was able to stay housed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your fellow Squad member Rep. Jamaal Bowman also lost his primary. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lost the race to be the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee. Where do you think the Squad goes from here? The Squad will keep fighting. First of all, the Squad is big. And I know we want to make the Squad just out to be a few people, but we don't do this work by ourselves. The numbers will be lower for the 119th Congress, but they will keep fighting for people who have the greatest need. They're not going to change their priorities and what they believe. The number of people in Congress on the team will just be smaller. But they've never been silent. Anyone who underestimates our power is severely mistaken, because we arent going anywhere, and I will always be Squad. I'm not going far. Do you think its remaining members will shift course at all? No, I don't. The one thing that we all had in common, or at least most of us had in common entering Congress, was to be authentically ourselves and to be that regular everyday person from our communities, because we felt like those voices were missing in the Congress. The voices of, for me, being the nurse, Jamaal being the principal, Alex being a bartender. I think that the difference is us wanting to remember who we are fighting for. I don't think that will change. Whats something you wish you had known going into the job? I wish I would have known how expensive it is to be a member of Congress. It wouldn't have changed anything as far as me running, but it would have helped me to be prepared for what life is like. You're being criticized for having a lot of money while you're figuring out, How do I have a home in two places? How do I make sure that I have toilet paper in two places at the same time? How do I have all the things that I need in both places to bounce back and forth? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that understanding how at least as far as the Democratic Party is seniority plays so much of a role in who gets what committee assignment, what bills are brought to the floor, just in so many different areas, how seniority plays such a major role. We have great people in the Congress who, just sometimes in my conversations, I hear this disillusionment, and some of it is because people are waiting their turn. They have great ideas, and they're really remarkable in the work that they're doing, and we need those voices to be represented. We see in the Republican Conference they don't seem to go by seniority as much. I think that the Democrats, we need to pay attention to that. How do you think the Democratic Party should change in order to win in 2026 and 2028? One thing is to realize that the people of this country have spoken and are saying that we need to hear about the kitchen table economic issues, but we also need those things to happen. So speaking about divisions in our party Progressives have to understand, we have to do these things in an incremental way and people in our communities are saying, Well, hey, I don't have access to clean water. And progressives, oftentimes, we're shut out. Look at Build Back Better, and how much the Squad pushed for the Build Back Better Act. That was President Biden's agenda, his full economic agenda, and we were pushing for that. Had we achieved making Build Back Better the law of the land, I truly believe this last election would have gone differently. People received the child tax credit, and then it was stripped from them. Now I know that some things did change with IRA, but people still have not seen that investment. The one thing that I've heard more than anything, when I asked people who were Democrats who made the decision to vote for Donald Trump this time, so many of them said the same thing: It was because I received a stimulus check with his name on it for $1,200. People held on to I got something. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We could have accomplished so much. The Democratic Party should pay attention. The progressives are not the enemy. We are saying that we are regular, everyday people. We are hearing what the people are saying. Do you see yourself running for any political office in the future? What are you going to do next? The possibilities are endless. All I know right now is that I am not going anywhere. I'm going to keep fighting for the issues that I fought for before I ever entered Congress, and since I've been in Congress. Running for office again is not off the table at all. I did not expect to only be in Congress for four years, and so I do believe at some point I will run again, whether it's for Congress or something else, I don't know. I don't have any plans right now, but it's not off the table. What I will do, though, is I will organize and I will work on the same issues and more that I started with before I ever made it to the Congress. Do you have any regrets about your time in Congress? I don't really operate in regret, but I will say I wish that I could have pushed harder as it relates to our cease-fire now resolution, and done more to save lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I left it all on the field. I put my life and my livelihood on the line, because so many have lost their lives. I wish that I could have done more, and I wish that my colleagues who later have said, OK, this is too much. It's gone too far, I wish they would have heard us when we first started to speak to this, because our work was coming from a place of wanting to save as many people as we could the lives of all people, whether Israeli or Palestinian, people abroad and people in the United States. I probably could have flipped over a few more tables. St. Louis deserves the best, and if there had to be any regret, just that I won't be back for the 119th Congress where I could have done so much more for my community, because the people have waited for such a long time to have this type of leadership that person who will put their body on the line, will put their name and reputation on the line for them, and now they are about to lose that type of leadership. Whatever label you apply the woke, the hard Left, progressives its been a lousy year for acolytes of the omnicause. We are finally seeing a retreat on the big issues that animate the kinds of activists who chuck soup over old paintings, harangue feminists or turn some parts of London into no-go areas for Jews every Saturday. Its not that the activists have gone away or the chanting has stopped, but that the nastiness and arrogance of these campaigns are alienating more and more people and in the process becoming less and less effective. Their delusions are wearing as thin as a culturally-appropriated keffiyeh and they only have themselves to blame: 2024 has been the year of the backlash. This boneheadedness of the hard Left was there on election day in July outside my local polling station. I was greeted for the umpteenth time that month by supporters of Faiza Shaheen, who was standing as an independent candidate in Woodford Green and Chingford (ostensibly on Gaza) after being deselected by Labour a few weeks before. I asked one of her fanboys why Shaheen had not rejected the endorsement of dictator-adjacent George Galloway. His response was to start screaming that I was not entitled to an opinion. I suggested that by standing against Labour, Shaheen and her petulant followers would most likely split the Left and allow the Conservatives to keep the seat. She will win! he spat in my general direction. I hate to say I told you so but actually I love to say I told you so. It was all there in that moment: he was aggressive, one-eyed and wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The big problem for social justice warriors now is that on every issue about which they have chosen to obsess (to the detriment of any constructive, meaningful ideas) the result is pushback. Its almost as if people dont like being patronised and insulted. Whatever woke is (its such an incoherent ecosystem that finding a satisfactory name is virtually impossible) its not the same as minority rights or protection of the vulnerable. Woke extremism is nihilistic, offering up performative moralism instead of answers. Progressives adopt the catchphrase of Roald Dahls Harry Wormwood, Matildas useless father: Im smart, youre dumb; Im big, youre little; Im right, youre wrong. On the environment, extremists stated reason for their direct action is that it has to be disruptive to draw attention to the urgency of the crisis. It has to be dramatic to force people out of their slumber. Yet the tactics employed by the likes of Just Stop Oil have the opposite effect. Throwing soup over venerated works of art has made the protestors look like the posh pranksters they are and little else. Disrupting roads and train stations doesnt just annoy people, but does real harm to their lives. What has it all achieved? Even less engagement with the issues, a nationwide shake of the head at the vanity of it all and prison sentences for the perpetrators. Greta Thunberg embodies the slow decline of the progressives power to influence in 2024. Where once she could wag her finger at world leaders and they would quiver in fear, shes become irrelevant, appearing to have abandoned her once beloved Planet Earth for the cause of Palestinians and the grandstanding River To The Sea crowd. As a child she articulated the rage of a generation. As a young woman, she looks like just another student with an Israel obsession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More broadly, pro-Palestinian activists are now facing the realities of global politics. As the year ends, the situation in the Middle East shows the limits of a movement that offers no solutions. By defending itself, Israel is stronger, with more powerful allies and less powerful enemies than it was before October 7. Anti-Semitism dressed up as anti-Zionism isnt going to change that, nor is it going to bring the reality of an independent Palestine any closer. The Cass Review, which looked at gender services and treatment for young people, published in April, delivered a hobbling blow to the extremes of the trans rights movement and knocked the scales from the eyes of many who previously accepted a dogma that had permeated institutions from schools to Whitehall. Some of these assumptions are now discredited, such as the propagandistic use of suicide statistics to suggest young trans people were especially susceptible if they were denied treatment. The rights of trans people cannot come at the expense of the rights of women or the bodies of children. So these once noisy advocates should be looking for compromises to resolve undeniable sticking points, thereby helping trans people live better, safer lives. But their default position is to fundamentalise the issue. They talk of tolerance and acceptance but tolerate no one and accept no argument. Their bigotry is transparent. As long as the bins are collected on time, most Britons couldnt care less how those around them live their lives or how they choose to identify themselves. There are few more live-and-let-live places in the world. If progressives insist on labelling those who object to their diktats as fascistic then everyone else is going to think exactly the same of progressives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With all the causes now beating the retreat, their fatal flaw has been to be exclusionary. They dont seem to have considered that bringing people in is more effective than forcing them out. And if they thought 2024 was rough, Donald Trump is sure to have some more bad news for them in 2025. 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. College is not for everyone, but everyone benefits when tax dollars are spent on higher education. We need people with better thinking skills to tackle the many vexing problems we face. In fact, most societies agree the more citizens with a college degree, the better. Not in Wisconsin! Apparently, our leaders believe Wisconsin will be better off with less education. Their rationale: it will save money. But a few minutes thought about the people in your circle who have a college degree, and about the innovative thinking that has led to new businesses and thriving communities in Wisconsin, reveals how much we gain from higher education. A hypocrite like Robin Vos forgets how much his own life was improved by attending college at a public university. Opinion: UW-Milwaukee would be demoted by plan to split apart Wisconsin university system Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letters to the Editor: Dredging up the ghost of Scott Walker doesn't help guide future of UW System James Causey: County Executive David Crowley quietly returned to UWM. Now, he's graduating. When UW leaders asked for $845 million, a fraction of the total amount cut from the UW budget under his watch, Assembly Speaker Vos said, I just know that some of these numbers, where they ask for the moon, are unrealistic. When Vos graduated from UW-Whitewater in 1991, Wisconsins higher education appropriations per student were $11,028. In 2023 it was $9,277. So the moon was realistic when he personally benefited from taxpayer support, but is unrealistic when it is your turn to benefit? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let us fully support the Universities of Wisconsin, Wisconsins gateway to a better future. Ken Menningen, Stevens Point Tips for getting your letter to the editor published Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW system in Wisconsin helps drive thriving communities | Letters Major publishing companies and authors Friday argued that a federal judge should deny Floridas request to dismiss a lawsuit over the removal of school library books, saying a controversial state law violates First Amendment rights. Attorneys for the publishing companies, authors and other plaintiffs filed a document that, in part, disputed a state position that selection of school library books is government speech and, as a result, is not subject to the First Amendment. First, school libraries have not historically communicated messages from the state. Instead, school libraries have long served as vehicles to expose students to a broad array of ideas from authors who express unique, personal points of view. Second, messages conveyed in school library books are diverse and contradictory not endorsed by the state, as government speech must be, said the document, which responded to a Nov. 15 state motion to dismiss the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Orlando police searching for missing 12-year-old girl Also, the plaintiffs attorneys wrote that numerous courts have held First Amendment rights exist in libraries. Here, the challenged statutory provisions impose a statewide mandate from Florida legislators to librarians, educators, and school districts that has resulted in the removal of hundreds of books, the document said. These provisions eliminate the traditional discretion that librarians, schools, and school districts have had by requiring them to remove books that they had selected for library shelves based on educational criteria, community standards, and the value of each book as a whole. Six publishing companies, The Authors Guild, five authors and two parents filed the lawsuit Aug. 29 in federal court in Orlando. It is one of a series of lawsuits stemming from a 2023 state education law and related decisions by school districts to remove books from library shelves or to restrict access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Orlando World Center Marriott cancels drone show after drone hits 7-year-old at Lake Eola show The lawsuit centers on parts of the law (HB 1069) that seek to prevent availability of reading material that is pornographic or describes sexual content. In the Nov. 15 motion to dismiss the case, lawyers in Attorney General Ashley Moodys office focused, in part, on the issue of library books as government speech. When the government selects materials to make available in a public-school library, it conveys that, in its view, those materials are of the requisite and appropriate quality and will be of the greatest direct benefit or interest to the community served, the motion said, partially quoting a legal precedent. The government, through public-school-library staff, effectively controls this message because it exercises final approval authority over book selection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, the motion to dismiss the case said the plaintiffs First Amendment claims fail because the government does not generally violate the First Amendment when it withdraws a benefit that merely facilitates the exercise of a constitutional right. Read: The First Amendment does not require the government to provide access to particular materials in public-school libraries or to have school libraries at all, the states lawyers wrote. The students are free to access those books elsewhere, and authors and publishers can still distribute their books to students through bookstores or other libraries. The lawsuit names as defendants the State Board of Education and members of the Orange County and Volusia County school boards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the filing Friday, the plaintiffs attorneys described as overbroad the part of the law barring access to material that describes sexual conduct. The prohibition on books that contain content that describes sexual conduct violates the First Amendment, the document said. This provision is overbroad because it encompasses any book with any content that describes sexual conduct without regard to the Supreme Courts standard for content that is obscene for minors, which is not reasonable in light of the purpose of school libraries. The lawsuit cited removals from library shelves of numerous books, such as The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Both of those authors were awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for their novels and other work. The plaintiffs in the case are publishing companies Penguin Random House LLC, Hachette Book Group, Inc., HarperCollins Publishers LLC, Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC, Simon & Schuster, LLC and Sourcebooks LLC; The Authors Guild; authors Julia Alvarez, John Green, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jodi Picoult and Angie Thomas; and parents Heidi Kellogg and Judith Anne Hayes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Russia attacked Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure on Wednesday, causing power outages. Zelenskyy called the Christmas Day missile and drone attack "inhumane." Mass attacks on Ukraine's energy have been a hallmark of Russia's full-scale invasion. Russia launched an attack on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure on Christmas Day in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as an "inhumane" move, according to multiple reports. Zelenskyy said in a Telegram message that more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 attack drones were launched at Ukrainian energy targets. "Every Russian massive strike takes time to prepare. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a conscious choice not only of targets, but also of time and date," he said, according to the BBC's translation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?" he continued. In 2022, Ukraine's Orthodox Church allowed Christmas to be celebrated on December 25, in what was widely read as a snub to Russia, which largely celebrates on January 7. Much of Ukraine has followed suit since. Russia claimed responsibility for the strikes, according to state-owned news agency RIA Novosti. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy shared several images of firefighters working to tackle the damage in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Russia launched a massive bombardment against Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day. Dnipropetrovsk region/Telegram Ukraine's forces shot down at least 50 of the missiles and many of the drones, but there were still power outages in several regions as a result of hits, Zelenskyy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's energy minister, German Galushchenko, also said in a Facebook post that the country's energy industry was under attack on a mass scale, forcing blackouts. DTEK, Ukraine's largest energy company, called the attack "cynical," saying it had caused serious damage and forced energy systems to cut power to the regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Kyiv. The northeastern city of Kharkiv Ukraine's second largest city was among the worst hit, according to its mayor, Ihor Terekhov, who said there had been a series of explosions amid massive rocket fire. He said four people had been injured as of 11 a.m. local time, and a large part of the city was without heating. Firefighters in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Dnipropetrovsk region/Telegram Video shared on social media which Business Insider couldn't independently verify appeared to show air-raid sirens going off in Kyiv amid reports that people were sheltering in metro stations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were also explosions reported in Kremenchuk, Kryvyi Rih, and Ivano-Frankivsk, The Kyiv Independent reported. In a statement, Russia's Ministry of Defense said it targeted "critical energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine that ensure the operation of the military-industrial complex," per the BBC's translation. "The strike's goal was achieved. All facilities were hit," it added. Mass attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have been a hallmark of Russia's full-scale invasion. There have been mass strikes throughout the year, and as of November, an estimated two-thirds of the country's electrical generation capacity had been knocked out. Read the original article on Business Insider Russia launched an inhumane attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure, causing blackouts in several regions and explosions across the country on Christmas morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday. The attack marks Russias 13th assault on Ukraines power grid this year, according to the countrys largest energy provider DTEK. National police confirmed that at least one person has died in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region and six others were injured in Kharkiv, CNN reports. Russia launched more than 78 air, ground, and sea-launched missiles on Christmas Day, as well as more than 100 attack drones, according to NPR . The damage affected residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, with regional governor Oleh Syniehubov saying at least seven missiles targeted Kharkiv. The Ukrainian air force claimed to have intercepted 59 missiles and 54 drones, with 52 additional drones being jammed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choicenot only of targets but also of timing and date, Zelensky wrote on X. Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Unfortunately, there are hits. As of now, there are blackouts in several regions, he continued. Half a million households in the Kharkiv region have been left without heating following the attack, a precarious situation considering temperatures are resting at about 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius). DTEK added that Kyiv was imposing rolling blackouts to stabilize the countrys power grid. Russia also struck Zelenskys hometown, the city of Kryvyi Rih, on Christmas Eve, killing at least one person and injuring 17 others after one of its missiles struck a residential building. Meanwhile in Russia, a command post was attacked by Ukrainian forces overnight in Lgov in the Kursk region. Regional head Alexander Khinshtein said four people were killed as a result. On Wednesday morning, a fire sparked by a shot-down drone also killed one woman and wounded three others with falling debris in a shopping mall in the city of Vladikavkaz. The term fascism is increasingly used to describe the agenda and actions of the current Russian state under Russian President Vladimir Putin. Todays use of this label has three dimensions: It is a historical analogy to interpret present events, an expression of Ukraine's lived experience, and a scholarly classification enabling comparisons with other regimes. Understanding these perspectives sheds light on the ideological and practical dynamics behind Putinism and its impact on Ukraine and beyond. Characterizing Putins regime as fascist often serves as a diachronic analogy or metaphorical classification to better understand current developments in Russia and its occupied territories. Drawing parallels with historical events helps to highlight key features and challenges in contemporary Russia. Labeling Putins regime as fascist aims to clarify for the general public the nature of events unfolding in Russia and in Ukrainian territories under its control. "Characterizing Putins regime as fascist often serves as a diachronic analogy or metaphorical classification to better understand current developments in Russia and its occupied territories." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comparison is justified by numerous parallels between Putins domestic and foreign policies and those of Benito Mussolinis Italy and Adolf Hitlers Germany. By late 2024, political, social, ideological, and institutional similarities have accumulated. These range from the increasingly dictatorial and, in some respects, totalitarian characteristics of Putins regime to the Kremlins revanchist and genocidal tendencies in its external actions. Historian Timothy Snyder has also noted that Russias official historical memory and political iconography have, in coded ways, become pro-fascist. Read also: Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack against energy grid on Christmas morning In 2018, Snyder highlighted Ivan Ilyin, a right-wing intellectual from the inter- and post-war Russian emigration who admired Mussolini and Hitler. Under Putin, Ilyin has gained renewed prominence. Snyder describes Ilyins work as providing a metaphysical and moral justification for political totalitarianism and practical outlines for a fascist state. Putin has openly celebrated Ilyins ideas, and Ilyins influence is evident in the rhetoric of Russian officials, including Dmitry Medvedev, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church. Putins invocation of Ilyin was notably explicit in a speech marking the illegal annexation of Ukraines Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts in September 2022. Putin concluded his remarks with an Ilyin quote: If I (Iliyn) consider Russia my Motherland, it means that I love, reflect, and think, sing, and speak in Russian; that I believe in the spiritual strength of the Russian people. Its spirit is my spirit; its destiny is my destiny; its suffering is my sorrow; its flowering is my joy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Ukrainians, the term fascism functions not only as a historical analogy but also as a verbal expression of collective trauma. Since Russia's invasion in 2014, Ukrainians have coined the term ruscism (a blend of "Russia" and "fascism," pronounced rashyzm) to describe the Kremlin's genocidal campaign against their nation. This neologism captures the shock and despair caused by Russia's relentless aggression, from airstrikes on civilians to cultural erasure. The terms fascism and ruscism are used by the Ukrainian government and society as rallying cries to mobilize domestic and international support against Russian aggression. These labels are meant to highlight the existential stakes of Russia's war of extermination for Ukraine. They signify that Russia's campaign is not merely about territorial conquest. Since 2022, Russias revanchist ambitions have focused on annihilating Ukraine as an independent nation-state and distinct cultural community. In this, the Kremlin's words and actions align. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a New Year's address to the nation from Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Dec. 31, 2022. (Mikhail Klimentyev/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images) Even before Feb. 24, 2022, statements by Russian officials, lawmakers, and propagandists suggested that Moscows goals extended beyond redrawing borders, restoring regional hegemony, or resisting the Westernization of Eastern Europe. Since at least 2014, Russia has ruthlessly targeted Ukrainian national identity, culture, and sentiment. While it would be an overreach to equate Russian Ukrainophobia with the Nazis' biological and eliminatory antisemitism, Moscows irredentist war aims to destroy Ukraine as a sovereign polity and independent civil society. The Kremlin does not seek to physically annihilate all Ukrainians, as the Nazis did with the Jews. However, its agenda goes far beyond harassment, deportation, and indoctrination. It involves the expropriation, terrorization, imprisonment, torture, and murder of Ukrainians (and some Russians) who resist Russias military expansion, political repression, and cultural dominance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While it would be an overreach to equate Russian Ukrainophobia with the Nazis' biological and eliminatory antisemitism, Moscows irredentist war aims to destroy Ukraine as a sovereign polity and independent civil society." Given this context, it is unsurprising that many Ukrainians and some Russian observers describe Russia's actions as fascist. For millions of Ukrainians living under occupation or returning to a war-torn homeland, Moscows brutality is made manifest through relentless airstrikes, which frequently target civilian infrastructure homes, supermarkets, hospitals, and schools rather than military sites. Military historians might argue that targeting civilians is not unique to fascist warfare. However, for most Ukrainians, the term fascism captures their reality and resonates with their collective memory of historical fascism, particularly German Nazism. For older Ukrainians who lived through World War II and younger who learned about it from their parents or grandparents, the parallels with the Luftwaffe's air raids on civilian populations, Third Reichs occupation policies, and Nazis anti-Slavic racism are stark. An increasing number of experts on Central and Eastern Europe now describe Putin's Russia as fascist. However, many comparative historians and political scientists hesitate to use this term due to their narrow definitions of generic fascism. For these scholars, a defining characteristic of fascism is the pursuit of political, social, cultural, and anthropological re- or new birth, rather than restoring a past order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Finishing off the defenseless: How the Russians execute Ukrainian soldiers Fascists often mythologize a Golden Age from their nations distant past but aim to forge a new national community rather than to preserve or revive the currently decaying order. Unlike the revolutionary nature of fascism, Putinism seeks to restore the Tsarist and Soviet empires instead of creating an entirely new Russian state, culture, and identity. For this reason, many comparativists refrain from categorizing Putins regime as fascist. Nevertheless, Putinism has evolved significantly over the past 25 years. Putin began his political career under pro-Western democrats Anatoly Sobchak and Boris Yeltsin. Early in his presidency, Russia maintained liberal and pro-European elements, and remained a member of the Council of Europe, NATO-Russia Council, and G8. Moscow even negotiated a deepened partnership agreement with the EU until 2014. However, Putins rise to power in 1999 marked the start of Russias regression from a proto-democracy to an autocracy. In 2007, during his infamous Munich Security Conference speech, Putin signaled a decisive turn away from the West. Over time, his regime became increasingly illiberal, nationalist, imperialist, and militaristic, with a partial pause during Dmitry Medvedevs palliative presidency. By 2022, Russias pseudo-federation had shifted from semi-authoritarian to semi-totalitarian, culminating in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and alignment with authoritarian Asian states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regimes regression has been marked not only by escalating rhetorical aggression, internal repression, external escalation, and political radicalization. Putin and his entourage now routinely threaten to employ nuclear weapons. Russia also implements a kind of agenda in the occupied Ukrainian territories that resembles fascist strategies. In the occupied territories, Russias russification campaign employs terror, forced reeducation, and material incentives to impose a profound sociocultural transformation. While such revisionist policies are not inherently fascist, the Kremlins methods and goals turning Ukrainian communities into ideologically standardized cells of a unified "Russian people" share similarities with the attempted fascist revolutions of Mussolinis Italy and Hitlers Germany. Read also: Faces of Torture Russian imperial ultranationalists view Ukraine as part of New Russia or Little Russia, dismissing Ukrainians as a merely sub-ethnic group of the greater Russian people. In their narrative, Ukrainians have been misled by foreign actors be it the Catholic Church, Imperial Germany, the Bolsheviks, or the West into forming an artificial nation. This irredentist vision portrays Ukrainians as border-dwellers of the Russian empire rather than citizens of an independent state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscows occupation policy seeks to reverse this perceived civilizational split by conducting a rebirth of "Little Russia" within the annexed territories. This involves a political, social, cultural, and anthropological transformation reminiscent of fascist domestic and occupation policies. While population homogenization campaigns are not exclusive to fascism, the Kremlins russification efforts in Ukraine align closely enough with classical fascist strategies to be considered quasi-fascist. Russian soldiers take part in a parade for Victory Day in Moscow's Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2023. (Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Russias current internal situation is still far from full-fledged fascism, as Putin and his circle are no domestic revolutionaries but representatives of the pre-1991 ancien regime. Rather than forging a novel empire, they aim to restore the Tsarist and Soviet orders as much as possible. In this sense, Putin is less akin to Hitler and more comparable to Germanys last Reich president, Paul von Hindenburg, who enabled Hitlers rise to power by appointing him Reich chancellor on Jan. 30, 1933. Within Russian pan-nationalism, Ukraine is viewed not as a foreign country but as the western frontier of Greater Russia. While most outsiders interpret Moscows aggressive Ukraine policy as an implementation of Russias foreign political priorities, many Russians see it as an internal affair. This perception frames the treatment of Ukraine as a family matter, where the norms of international law and humanitarian conventions are deemed irrelevant. For Ukrainian victims and international critics of Russias actions, the refusal of many scholars to label Putins regime as fascist can seem inadequate, disingenuous, or even amoral. Russias forces and occupation authorities in Ukraine particularly since the full-scale invasion of 2022 have engaged in horrendous acts of terrorism, genocide, and sadism. Insisting that these actions are unequivocally and exclusively non-fascist feels jarring in light of atrocities like the mass murders in Bucha and Mariupol, destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, mass deportation of Ukrainian children, routinized torture of the vast majority of Ukrainian prisoners of war, and targeted airstrikes on apartment buildings, universities, and libraries all over Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For Ukrainian victims and international critics of Russias actions, the refusal of many scholars to label Putins regime as fascist can seem inadequate, disingenuous, or even amoral." These crimes are neither incidental byproducts of military operations nor singular aberrations by local commanders nor standard neocolonial practices. A cautious classification of the ideology behind Russias war of extermination as merely illiberal, conservative, or traditionalist seems thus grossly insufficient. Many who have studied the harrowing details of Russias mass terror campaign in Ukraine would find such descriptors misleading. At the same time, reducing Putinism solely to fascism oversimplifies its nature. Explaining Moscows aggression purely as an outgrowth of ultra-nationalist fanaticism ignores the political pragmatism behind many of its actions. While fascists exist within Russias political and intellectual elite, most of the countrys key policymakers are cynics rather than fanatics. Read also: Ukrainian women shared their accounts of rape by Russian forces. We found their assailants Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A significant factor in Russias pre-2022 foreign policy adventures was their perceived ease and reward. Earlier military interventions in Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria were not only tactically successful but also bolstered Putins domestic standing. These campaigns stabilized Putin's rule in Russias largely conformist society, where victories abroad translated into popular support at home. By early 2022, as Putins approval ratings were waning again, a repetition of the pattern of previous foreign interventions may have seemed rational given their prior victories on the ground and enthusiastic perception at home. Russias earlier military ventures had proven politically advantageous, strategically predictable, militarily effective, economically manageable, and widely popular. From this perspective, the decision to escalate in Ukraine reflects not just a murderous ideology but also calculated pragmatism. Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Submit an Opinion Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DHAKA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- "I had been eagerly awaiting this train," said Shamim Ara Tania, a resident of southwestern Bangladesh's Jashore City, stressing that "the dream has become reality today." The train Tania referred to is the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP), Bangladesh's largest railway project, which officially opened its entire line to traffic here Tuesday. The railway, known locally as the "Dream Road," stretches approximately 170 km. Following its opening, travel time between the capital Dhaka and Jashore will be reduced from the original 10 hours to just three hours, connecting more than 20 districts across the country, benefiting a population of 80 million and driving Bangladesh's economic growth. Taking the first train from Dhaka to Jashore, Tania expressed her excitement. "It's so fast, making travel between cities and regions much more convenient," she said. Describing the project as a milestone, Tania remarked, "The faster the communication system becomes, the greater the opportunities for the country's development." "Previously, we had to transfer between multiple trains or buses to travel from Khulna to Dhaka, but this is now a thing of the past," said Sumi Akhtar, who took the first train from Khulna to Dhaka with her children. "I am thrilled to take this train via the Padma Bridge for the first time, as it significantly shortens the travel time. Previously, the journey was far more time-consuming," she said. "This feeling cannot be expressed in a single word. It is an impossibly beautiful feeling," said Ishtiaq Ahmed, a train director of Bangladesh Railway in Khulna. Noting that the railway begins a transformative chapter in the history of Bangladeshi railway, Md. Fahimul Islam, secretary of the Ministry of Railways, said, "It is not just a bridge; it is a bridge of prosperity. This rail link will boost regional trade and social development by connecting the southwestern region of Bangladesh to the capital and beyond." The PBRLP, one of the significant projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Bangladesh, was built by the China Railway Group Limited and funded by the Export-Import Bank of China. The rail link, which started construction in July 2018, incorporated Chinese standards, technology, and equipment in its construction. At its peak, it employed over 10,000 local workers and trained more than 20,000 Bangladeshi technical personnel, laying a solid foundation for the future development of Bangladesh's railway system. "For the railway system, including communications and signaling, we adopted an integrated standard combining Chinese and local standards," said Shi Yuan, the project director of the PBRLP. From a technical standpoint, the project introduced China's advanced ballastless track technology, applying it to one-quarter of the line. This innovation has reduced maintenance costs and improved long-term operational efficiency, he said. "During construction, we deployed a large number of advanced Chinese railway construction machines, significantly shortening construction timelines. In some sections, the duration was reduced from a planned one year to just one month, bringing substantial advancements to Bangladesh's construction industry," the director added. Mother of four and former school psychologist, Liz Barker, successfully ran for the School Board District 2 in Sarasota, Florida. (Courtesy Liz Barker) More than half of candidates who went through a training with Moms Demand Action won their races in the 2023-24 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 200 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. This report was originally published by The 19th. The Illuminator is a founding member of The 19th News Network. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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? 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. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Few people can say they attended Queen Elizabeth's wedding to Prince Philip. Even fewer can claim they were one of her bridesmaids. Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy, had such an honor, among countless other privileges obtained as the Queen's first cousin and a member of the British royal family. At the time of her birth, she was 6th in the line of succession to the British throne. She's now 57th in line. As she celebrates her 88th birthday, we take a look at the Princess's extraordinary life. Mark Cuthbert - Getty Images Alexandra was the first British princess to attend normal school. Princess Alexandra, whose full name is Alexandra Helen Elizabeth Olga Christabel, was born on Christmas Day in 1936. Her father was Prince George, Duke of Kent, the fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary; Alexandra's father was brothers with Queen Elizabeth II's father, King George VI. At the time of her birth, Princess Alexandra was sixth in line to the British throne, but now she is 57th in the line of succession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Princess is also royal on her mother's side, with ties to Greece, Denmark, and Russia. Her mother was Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, a daughter of Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark and Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia. Hulton Deutsch - Getty Images Alexandra is the second child and only daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. Her older brother, Prince Edward, became the new Duke of Kent when, in 1942, their father died tragically in a wartime flying accident. The siblings also have a younger brother, Prince Michael of Kent. At age 11, rather than being homeschooled, Alexandra became the first British princess to attend regular school. The Princess went to Heathfield School, a boarding school near Ascot. She later studied in Paris. Her husband also came from nobility. In 1963, Princess Alexandra married Angus Ogilvy, the second son of the Earl of Airlie. The pair had a lavish wedding at Westminster Abbey, attended by the Queen and Prince Philip, Prince Charles, the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret. A young Princess Anne was Princess Alexandra's chief bridesmaid. Harry Benson - Getty Images The couple had two children, James, born in 1964, and Marina, born in 1966, though neither currently carries out official royal duties. In 2004, Sir Angus Ogilvy passed away after a long illness. Alexandra is especially involved in healthcare and the medical system. The Princess is patron or president of more than 100 organizations, with many pertaining to healthcare and helping those affected by physical or mental illness. Alexandra is currently Joint-President of Cancer Research UK with her cousin, the Duke of Gloucester and Deputy President of the British Red Cross Society. She has also served as patron of various organizations including the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the Alzheimer's Society, the Mental Health Foundation, hospitals and hospices, and charities related to aiding the blind. She is also a patron of the arts. Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Princess is clearly a fan of both the arts and sciences. She is particularly fond of classical music and opera. You can spot her attending many society events, galas, and performances around the world in order to show her support. She also acts as patron of the Chopin Society, the English National Opera, and the London Philharmonic Choir. Per the royal family's website, "She is patron or president of over 100 organisations which reflect her wide-ranging interests, from the arts to health care. She also supports The Queen in her duties as Head of State, attending ceremonial occasions alongside other members of the Royal Family." Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images Alexandra often acted as the Queen's stand-in. Throughout Queen Elizabeth's reign, the Princess often represented her at events both in the UK and around the world. She also attended national ceremonies alongside the Queen, like Trooping the Colour and some state dinners. The Princess has traveled far and wide representing the Crown. Over the years, her trips have included official visits to Thailand and Brunei, Rome, Gibraltar, Norway, the United Arab Emirates and the USA and Canada. WPA Pool - Getty Images Following the Queen's death in September 2022, Princess Alexandra mourned alongside the rest of the royal family at a number of ceremonial events, including the state funeral of the late monarch. She's one of only a few royals to have attended the coronations of both Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. Here she is at the ceremony in 1953, and again in 2023. Getty Images (2) Read more here: You Might Also Like RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) A family is mourning the Christmas Eve death of their 15-year-old Husky after the dog was shot and killed when it charged at a Raleigh police officer hours earlier. The southeast Raleigh incident happened after police were sent around 5:45 p.m. to the 3900 block of Alder Grove Lane to follow-up on a stolen car investigation, according to Raleigh Police Department Lt. Jason Borneo. After police had been at the scene in the Battle Ridge neighborhood, an aggressive dog charged at an officer and the officer discharged his weapon, striking the dog. Unfortunately, the dog died, Borneo told CBS 17. The scene after the dog was shot and killed along Alder Grove Lane Tuesday evening. CBS 17 photo Christmas Eve after 7 p.m., a woman was visibly upset and crying at the shooting scene, which is in a neighborhood off Battle Bridge Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the result we want especially on Christmas Eve, Borneo said about the shooting. A family told CBS 17 that the dog killed was their 15-year-old Husky, Maxi. The 3900 block of Alder Grove Drive on Tuesday night. CBS 17 photo The dogs owner heard gunshots around 6 p.m. and came out to find the dog dead. The family said Maxi is trained and often goes outside alone without any problems. Borneo said police are working with the family who owned the dog. The officer involved could face disciplinary action following an internal investigation into the matter, according to Borneo. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GATE CITY, Va. (WJHL) Having a police officer break your door down may not seem like an ideal scenario, but it certainly was for Daniel McMurray Monday morning. Im glad he come on in, McMurray told News Channel 11 Tuesday. Thats why I said Cody Johnson with Gate City Police Department, he really saved our life, I guess. Gate City Police sergeant saved 3 sleeping occupants from house fire McMurray and his partner, Angelina Roberts, had spent most of the wee hours Monday wrapping presents and preparing Christmas for their 3-year-old daughter Leanne inside the Gate City home theyd recently rented. The pair were fast asleep in a bedroom, along with Leanne, when a passerby called 911 around 10 a.m. Gate City Police Sergeant Cody Johnson broke open the door at this home, likely saving the three people who were asleep inside Monday morning. (Photo: WJHL) Johnson, a 14-year law enforcement veteran and sergeant with the Gate City Police Department, arrived at the home on West Jackson Street around the same time as the first of three responding fire departments, whose personnel were busy connecting equipment. That left him to check on potential occupants, and while some neighbors said they believed the home was empty and loud knocks on the door hadnt roused anyone Johnson saw a vehicle in the yard and wasnt satisfied with the efforts hed made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I looked in the best that I could. I didnt see anyone but that vehicle being in the back of the yard just concerned me, he said inside Gate Citys town hall on Christmas Eve morning, stacks of wrapped presents on either side of him. There was smoke in the house where there was such a large fire upstairs. I was more or less worried about the ceiling collapsing. Knowing each minute would count if the house was occupied, Johnson forced the door open. There was light smoke on the main floor, Johnson said. A lot of times tragedy comes from smoke inhalation when people are asleep. Flames were beginning to break out on one side of the main floor, but Johnson noticed a bedroom at the opposite end of the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was able to get them up and get them out, he said. Gate City Police Sergeant Cody Johnson describes the scene at Monday mornings house fire. (Photo: WJHL) It had been a typical pre-Christmas night for young parents. McMurray described a long regular day Sunday followed by hours spent trying to set up a nice experience for their daughter. We was up to about daylight, he said. We were out. We had no clue about the fire or how that happened. Johnson counts the experience as a career highlight. Im just glad God put me there Thats exactly where I was supposed to be and what I was supposed to be doing. It goes in my book of really meaningful things that Ive really got to help someone and change their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within hours of the young family making their way to McMurrays dads, the Red Cross, first responders, local businesses and others had responded to the news with an outpouring of gifts and help. The big story here, and I dont want to leave it without saying, is our community, Johnson said. Southwest Virginia, Northeast Tennessee, the Appalachian community always comes together when were in a time of need. The response had McMurray feeling grateful and ready to try and enjoy Christmas before turning to what lies ahead. Daniel McMurray said Sgt. Cody Johnsons actions may have saved his life and that of his partner and their 3-year-old daughter. (Photo: WJHL) Ive seen it and read about it on the news and stuff before, but I never thought I would actually be somebody involved in a house fire like that, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just want to say thanks to everybody that really helped us and put the support out there to make Christmas as good as it can be. No cause of the fire has yet been determined, but Johnson said it appears to have started in the attic and something electrical is one possibility. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A record number of cars lined up for free dinner, gifts, and coats at Tuesdays Red Andrews Christmas Dinner. While it looks different than it did in years past, organizers are hoping they can soon return to their roots. That is the goal, to go back into a sit down. But its just hard to find a facility thats that big and the kitchen can accommodate and that sort of thing, said Kelley Hillis, a Red Andrews Christmas Dinner board member. They need love: 40 metro families in need receive presents for holidays Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a big goal to see a blast from the past. We started at the Cox Center. I used to get up at what timewe used to be there at 9:00 in the morning, probably earlier than that, on Christmas Eve going in the kitchen, cooking food, prepping food, getting it ready to get cooked for the next day, said Steven Burton, a cook at the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner. It was the official sit down Christmas dinner for those in the community, but over time the need to help the community grew and the space became too small. Plus, with COVID impacting how they supported the community, changes had to be made, and until their dream is fulfilled once again, the group will serve thousands of Oklahomans in a drive-through format. I got here at 6:15. It was already lined up halfway around the mall, said Mary Blankenship Pointer, the secretary-treasurer of the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner. Thousands line up at the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner (KFOR) Volunteers work the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner (KFOR) For some, the giveaway and joy it brings is everything this Christmas season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be able to bring people together is amazing. I know for one, my kids probably wouldnt have Christmas if it wasnt for a program like this, this is amazing, said Macie Thompson, whos a first time attendee. Our Blood Institute hosts annual holiday blood drive Dec. 27 It started 78 years ago, if you can imagine, with about a dozen people and today will serve about 6,000 people, give away 4,500 toys to 4,500 children, said Blankenship Pointer. Even though this years giveaway is over, you can still help out next year. Click here to find ways to donate and volunteer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 24LIMA The Lima-Allen County Regional Planning Commission is on the hunt for a new executive director after former Executive Director Tara Reynolds-Bales resigned for personal reasons, according to Interim Executive Director Doug Post. The decision to hire Reynolds-Bales as executive director was announced in March 2023, and Post, who is also an Amanda Township trustee and president of the RPC's board, said she left the organization about two months ago. Tom Mazur a former RPC executive director who retired in 2020 is also listed on the RPC's website as an acting interim director. Post said a three-man committee including a retired employee of Lima's utility department, a Marion Township trustee and the Allen County engineer has been searching for a new hire since the position was vacated. There were five candidates previously interviewed that didn't work out either because they weren't qualified, they thought the job didn't pay enough or they didn't want to satisfy the requirement of moving to Allen County. Post said the committee is looking at internal and external candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expiration date for the current executive director job listing is Jan. 17. The salary is listed as $85,000 to $100,000 "depending on education and experience." A master's degree or an Ohio Professional Engineer license with four years of progressively responsible planning experience is required along with previous administrative experience and/or documented grant writing capabilities. "The position requires a sound knowledge of the theory, principles, and methods of urban and regional planning. A thorough understanding of research methods in population, land use, transportation, and the ability to analyze and incorporate research data in the final preparation of both written and oral reports is expected," the job listing reads. Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451. Featured Local Savings The number of people who are seeking out doctors for respiratory illnesses is increasing in Georgia. Some people are taking precautions before attending family gatherings around the holidays. Influenza, RSV, and COVID are prevalent, prevalent this winter, Dr. Simone Whitmore said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] There is no shortage of people packing into urgent care centers around metro Atlanta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People like Truman Griffin, whose symptoms sent him to an urgent care center. Headache, like body ache, fatigue, sore throat. Its not good, Griffin told Channel 2. Sunday I started to feel it. On Christmas Eve before heading to Newnan to see family, he decided it was time to see the professionals. I went in to get tested before I saw my family for the holiday, he said. I dont want to give anyone anything, especially my grandma so I just wanted to be safe. That was my goal. But some doctors say that might not be enough to keep your loved ones safe. If you are not feeling well stay home. Get on FaceTime or Skype with your family. Do not get them sick, Whitmore said. You could test negative today and be positive tomorrow. Stay home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Atlanta-based CDC, COVID, flu, and RSV visits to emergency rooms are increasing. If youre struggling at home, there is a moment when you need to turn to urgent care of the ER. If you are at home and youre having a fever thats 101 or higher, you are feeling weak, dizzy, and just can not do any of your normal routine... you can not eat or drink as normal, youre going to want to seek medical attention, Whitmore said. For Griffin, he walked away from urgent care with a negative test and also some medications he needs to help him get better. They gave me a steroid and they gave me some very strong Motrin, Griffin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some urgent care facilities have seen some long lines this week. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) On Sunday morning Arabian Standard Time, a U.S. Navy ship mistakenly fired on a U.S. fighter jet in the Red Sea. Reports said the USS Gettysburg, a Ticonderoga-class missile-guided cruiser, fired on an F/A-18 Super Hornet. The roughly $67.4 million jet crashed, but both airmen inside were able to eject safely. F/A-18 shot down over Red Sea in apparent friendly fire incident: US military Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press reported one of them suffered minor injuries, but its unclear whether they were the pilot or the weapons system officer onboard. Additionally, Fox News has reported that a second jet was also fired at, but was able to maneuver to avoid collision. The missile reportedly missed them by just 100 feet, per the Fox News source. U.S. Central Command has not confirmed the second incident. The friendly-fire mishap is one that has raised many questions from civilians and military personnel. Retired naval aviator Cmdr. Donald D. Smith is no exception. Im not aware of a major enemy aircraft there, he said. If there was, or if there was a reasonable belief that there was an enemy there, of course, the guided missile cruiser could have mistaken friendly airplane for an enemy aircraft cant open fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside of some aged F-14 jets in Iran, far from the Red Sea, Smith isnt aware of there being any enemy aircraft in the region. With more than 21 years as a pilot, Smith was stunned to hear the blue-on-blue takedown. He acknowledged the Red Sea being a tense region, but hoped there was more communication between ships to prevent the shootdown. It would seem to me that they would be communicating, he said. Theres so many different circumstances. We have what we call a guard channel that is wide open, a channel that everybody is on all the time. According to U.S. Central Communications, the F/A-18 Super Hornet had taken off from the USS Harry S. Truman carrier. Both the Truman and Gettysburg are a part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. With that in mind, Smith wondered how the communication could have been lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CENTCOMM has not provided any further information on the incident, only that the investigation is still ongoing. Fox News is reporting both jets were preparing to land back on the Truman, something CENTCOMM has reported differently. Stay with WAVY.com for more local news, weather and 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 WAVY.com. NEW YORK (WWTI) New Yorkers are being encouraged to spend time outdoors for the holiday season and celebrate the New Year at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, canal trails and public lands across the state. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Canal Corporation are partnering to host walks and hikes being held statewide as part of the 14th Annual First Day Hikes program. Most walks and hikes are family-friendly and range from one to five miles typically, depending on the location and conditions. More than 120 hikes are being offered at state parks, historic sites, DEC state lands, wildlife areas, Forest Preserves and canal trails and environmental education centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement List of North Country First-Day Hikes: Locations Date RSVP/Registration 4-H Camp Wabasso, Redwood Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register HERE Winona State Forest (DEC), Lorraine Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. 315-376-3521 Paul Smiths VIC, Paul Smiths Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. 315-832-2695 Wellesley Island State Park & Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, Fineview Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 315-482-2479 Robert G. Wehle State Park, Henderson Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 315-938-5302 Wellesley Island State Park & Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, Fineview Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 315-482-2479 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, Sackets Harbor Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 315-646-2321 Maple Ridge Center, Lowville Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, from 3 to 4 p.m. blackriveradk@gmail-com or 315-777-0886 A full list of New York State First Day Hikes, location details, format, pre-registration requirements and additional information can be found online for Parks, DEC, and Canals. Interested participants are encouraged to check the details of a preferred host site and pre-register where required. First Day Hikes started in Massachusetts in 1992 and is now a national event taking place in all 50 states. 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. Horror fans are a rabid lot, especially when it comes to the genres irrefutable classics in particular, the ones that crept into our nightmares as children upon a brief glimpse or scarred our psyches as young adults after a full viewing. Which is part of the reason Robert Eggers Nosferatu, opening on Christmas Day, has become one of the most anticipated remakes of all time. Eggers has made just four films so far (The Witch, The Northman and The Lighthouse) but he's already revered for his compelling characters and historical accuracy, both of which elevate otherwise fantastical and macabre cinematic work. Related: First Draft to Film in 5 Months. Then Luca Guadagnino Asked for More Remakes of German filmmaker F. W. Murnau's 1922 silent expressionist masterpiece Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror have been done before, but never by an auteur so clearly inspired by its singularly foreboding essence and aesthetic. Its almost as if his entire oeuvre has led to the making of this very piece of gorgeous, dark celluloid. Indeed, the expectations are high, but Eggers has met them; early buzz and Rotten Tomatoes scores are already confirming it. The stellar cast (Lily Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgard and Willem Dafoe) definitely bring this enchanted vision life (and death), but its the filmmakers gift for melding period elements and with haunting slowburn story-telling that makes takes this nightmarish new version beyond the shadowy allure of the original. Robert Eggers on the set of 'Nosferatu.'Focus Features During a recent interview with Los Angeles, Eggers admits there were challenges inherent in making Nosferatu. But there were also opportunities because there are so many versions," he tells me. "There are things that are intimidating, like shooting Thomas getting to the castle and meeting the vampire for the first time That is a sequence that has been done really well in a lot of versions. You also have to think about what hasn't really been explored that really should be, he continues. I think what hit me is that we should tell the story through the eyes of the female protagonist, you know, we have the opportunity, potentially, for the story to be more emotionally and psychologically complex than it ever has been. It's not just a scary, dread-filled horror movie, and it is, but its more than that. It's a story of obsession and love. It's a gothic romance. Related: Los Angeles Magazine Wins Best Entertainment Print Publication at 2024 NAEJ Awards The original is in many ways, the starting point for everything foreboding and bloodthirsty on film, from Universal Monsters to Interview with a Vampire. Desire and possession were huge themes in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, which inspired Nosferatu and everything in its wake. And over the years, the erotic subtext of the story has almost become the point. Modern vampires are seductive and rarely as unsightly as the original elf-like creature of the silent short. Eggers clearly strove to bring us a little bit of both. Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) journeys to meet the Count. Focus Features SPOILER ALERT: There has already been some controversy surrounding his design and look of the titular vamp, which has not been shown in trailers or movie promo save for his creepy fingers and pointed claws. I was admittedly surprised at first by some of his choices but felt they were right for the character by the story's conclusion. Whether thats due to Skarsgard (best known for his role as the killer clown in It, but unrecognizable here) and his arresting performance or Eggers' special effects team and gift for immersive world-building, Im not sure, but if you dont want to know what Nosferatu looks like before seeing the film, skip the next two paragraphs. Related: The Blood of Christ is Made in the City of Angels "I was trying to understand how to make vampires scary again, Eggers says of his decision to make Count Orlok/Nosferatu a monster figure with a mustache. "[He] is so iconic with the bald head and the pointy ears," he explains. "And you know, the vampire we've seen most recently was Edward Cullen [Twilight], who's not very scary. I had to ask myself, what would a dead Transylvanian nobleman actually look like? He came up with an imposing figure in a Hungarian costume, with these long sleeves and facial hair, and defending his choice, adds try to find a Transylvanian Lord without a mustache. Think of Vlad the Impaler.... Also, Bram Stoker in his book had the insight to give Dracula a mustache. There are definitely some people who don't like it, but I would say there's more people who understand the reasons for it and who feel like it gives it a kind of authenticity. Willem Dafoe as Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz.Focus Features Speaking of which, Dafoes Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, who helps to unravel the sinister connection between the long-suffering Ellen Cutter (Depp) and the Count, as well as the plague that it brings to their German town, depicts an era when medicine and mystical beliefs clashed in fiery fashion. Following up on his revelatory role in The Lighthouse (coincidentally, alongside Twilight's Cullen, aka Robert Pattinson), he's a grounding yet charismatic force in Nosferatu. When I ask the actor who also just worked with Tim Burton in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice about his experience on this second movie with Eggers, he gives high praise. Related: L.A. Christmas Day: What's Open, What's Closed All of his films are very personal, which isn't usually the case, particularly when you go to a period film, he shares. He's very well read in history these stories, these fables, they tell us about ourselves because they get us away from all the noise that we walk around with every day. And he can really play with cinema language in a way that maybe you can't in a more naturalistic contemporary film. He's hard-wired into this, and he does such research, he's great with actors, and he designs these beautiful shots that actors can fold themselves into. Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard) seals the deal. Focus Features Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It might be hard for Eggers to top himself after this one, but after speaking with him, it's clear that his hunger for storytelling is as fierce as his centerpiece beasts for flesh. He says he has more to put out into the world, including some scripts already started, but he also acknowledges that Nosferatu is his masterwork, for now, "It's a culmination of things I've been thinking about for a long time," he admits. Viewers will find themselves getting lost in the fear and fantasy and maybe even feeling conflicted about what the filmmaker is trying to convey. Exploring the murkiness between good and evil is familiar territory for Eggers (I'm still not sure what The Witch was really trying to say). But the sense of dread that drips from nearly every scene, word and backdrop of Nosferatu is definitely more visual and sensual than narratively insightful. And that's more than enough for a satisfying movie experience. It's a film to drink in and digest, for fans of horror and beyond. KABUL, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Unknown armed men attacked the car of a local translator of the Indian consulate in Jalalabad city, the capital of eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, injuring the translator and killing his guard, a local media outlet reported. Tolonews reported the incident Wednesday citing the provincial police spokesman Sayed Tayeb Hamad. The official noted that efforts are underway to arrest those involved in this crime. India reportedly closed its consulate in Jalalabad city in 2020 but retained some local staff to safeguard the mission building. The 2.35 billion Chelsea sale fund will spend a third new year in limbo as Roman Abramovich remains at loggerheads with ministers over how it is spent on war victims. A saga stretching back to spring 2022 rumbles on as the Labour government holds the same line as the Conservatives in insisting the huge sum is spent only in Ukraine. Proceeds of the sale remain in a frozen account as a result, with only a small down payment released to cover legal costs in setting up a proposed foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office maintains the Government will double down on efforts to reach a solution in the coming months. Humanitarian charities grow increasingly desperate for a breakthrough, however, fearful that discussions will be thrown further into chaos if UK sanction arrangements against Russia were to change. Abramovich first promised proceeds for all Ukraine war victims after putting Chelsea up for sale on March 2, 2022, eight days before facing action over alleged links to Vladimir Putin. Despite the sale of the club taking place entirely within UK jurisdiction, ministers signed a unilateral declaration in May with the European Commission stating the money would be spent exclusively within Ukraine. That move bemused the humanitarian sector as Mike Penrose, a former UK chief executive of Unicef, was brought in to create an independent foundation on the basis that it would be spent on Ukraine and its consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penrose has set up legal undertakings to make sure the money cannot fall back into the hands of Abramovich. The Government will have board input and Jan Egeland, a senior Norwegian diplomat who once advised Kofi Annan at the United Nations, was brought in as interim chairman of the foundation. James Deneslow, head of the conflict team at Save the Children, is among leading figures in the sector to call on ministers to release the funds to support the full humanitarian consequences of the war in Ukraine. The difference of opinion on the purposes of the foundation predates the Chelsea sale to a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly, which was completed on May 30, 2022. The FCDO said in a statement: This government is working hard to ensure the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as quickly as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proceeds are currently frozen in a UK bank account while a new independent foundation is established to manage and distribute the money. UK officials continue to hold discussions with Mr Abramovichs representatives, experts and international partners, and we will double down on our efforts to reach a resolution. 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. Romania has said that its air defence did not record the entry of a Russian missile into its airspace during the large-scale attack on Ukraine on the night of 24-25 December. Source: Digi24 with reference to Romanian Defence Ministry spokesman Constantin Spinu Details: Spinu said Ukraine informed Romania about a Russian missile flying through the airspace of Moldova at about 07:30, after which it flew near the city of Darabani "for about two minutes". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "According to the monitoring data of Romanian air surveillance systems and the data provided by NATO assets that complement the monitoring, there was no confirmation of a crossing of Romanian airspace in the Romanian area of responsibility," the spokesman continued. He stressed that the competent agencies of the Romanian Ministry of Defence "will continue to investigate this situation in order to establish the circumstances". Background: Ukraines Air Force reported at 07:24 on 25 December that a cruise missile was flying "in the direction of Chernivtsi from the territory of Moldova". Monitoring outlets noted that the Russian missile flew 140 kilometres across the territory of Moldova and Romania, entering the airspace from the town of Yampil in Vinnytsia Oblast (near the Moldovan border) and then flying back into Ukraine near the town of Darabani (a Romanian town near the border with Moldova). The Moldovan side has not yet commented on these reports. On 25 December, Russia launched another missile attack on Ukraine. Explosions were reported in Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, as well as in Poltava and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia struck Ukraine with more than 70 missiles and 100 drones, and Ukrainian air defence managed to shoot down "over 50 missiles and a significant number of the drones". Support UP or become our patron! A correction officer at a state prison in Ross County was killed on Christmas Day. Corrections Officer Andrew Lansing died after an inmate assault at Ross Correctional Institution in Chillicothe, according to a prepared statement shared on social media by Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Annette Chambers-Smith. More: Union leader for prison guards calls for change after officer's Christmas Day death Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lansing was a long-time, well-respected employee at the Ross County facility, Chambers-Smith wrote. She added that Lansing was loved by his colleagues and was a "friendly, outgoing officer who treated everyone with respect and was always a professional." She wrote his untimely death, especially on Christmas Day, is "heartbreaking for his family, the entire Ross Correctional Institution family, and our agency as a whole." Corrections officer Andrew Lansing died Dec. 25, 2024 after an assault by an inmate, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. "The loss of a staff person is difficult, but to lose a family member on Christmas Day at the hands of someone in our custody is a tragedy beyond comprehension," Chambers-Smith wrote. "Instead of going home after his shift to be with his family on this holiday, Officer Lansing made the ultimate sacrifice, and our agency will never be the same." The Ross Correctional Institution is currently operating under restricted movement following Lansing's death. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the incident and the inmate suspect has been transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, Chambers-Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lansing's death comes just a few months after another corrections officer was killed during a training exercise. Lt. Rodney Osborne from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's Southern Ohio Correctional Facility was killed during a training exercise in April. mdevito@gannett.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Corrections officer killed after inmate assault on Christmas Day CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) A correction officer in Ross County was killed Christmas morning by an inmate. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction announced that officer Andrew Lansing died Wednesday morning after being assaulted by an inmate at the Ross County Correctional Institution. Highway Patrol officers said The attack happened around 7:15 a.m., and the inmate suspect was transferred to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. On Thursday, Ohio State Highway Patrol officers identified the suspect as 27-year-old Rashawn Cannon. Cannon was in prison on two felony charges: one count of second-degree felonious assault and one count of third-degree weapon under disability. Cannon was sentenced Sept. 28, 2023 and is scheduled for release in 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple dogs rescued in east Columbus house fire Officer Lansing was loved by his colleagues and known to be a great support for his fellow RCI staff, wrote Annette Chambers-Smith, the departments director. He was a friendly, outgoing officer who treated everyone with respect and was always a professional. The loss of a staff person is difficult, but to lose a family member on Christmas Day at the hands of someone in our custody is a tragedy beyond comprehension. The prison is operating under restricted movement as the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating. Andrew Lansing Courtesy Photo/Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 British royal family put a brave face on Christmas as its chief members, led by King Charles and Queen Camilla, took their customary walk to church on the Sandringham estate, closing out a year likely to be remembered for a rolling succession of health crises. Both the king and Kate Middleton announced they had cancer this year. Kate has since said she is cancer-free, but Charles continues to have weekly treatment. The annual walk to the Church of St, Mary Magdalene is supposed to exude an impression of unity, stability, and conventional family values. Despite a rapturous reception by a crowd estimated at over 1,000 at this years promenade, it exposed deep fractures within the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Kate and William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis were the stars of the show, there was zero public acknowledgement of the kings other son, Prince Harry, his wife Meghan Markle, or their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who are in self-imposed exile in California. British royals pose on the church steps in Sandringham, but the absence of Andrew and Harry suggests deep fault lines in the ancient institution. / Jordan Peck / Jordan Peck|Getty Images Similarly, there was no place for Prince Andrew, who has been drawn into another financial scandal, or his ex-wife Sarah Fergusonwith whom he still lives. Ferguson was apparently banished again, after being restored to the family Christmas celebrations only last year. Bizarrely, even their pregnant daughter Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi skipped joining her parentsbelieved to have dined a deux at Andrews homein favor of walking to church with the royals. From left: Catherine, Princess of Wales, accompanies Queen Camilla and King Charles on the British royal familys Christmas walkabout. / Jordan Peck / Jordan Peck|Getty Images The kings annual speech was broadcast later in the day after being taped in a hospital chapel, marking the first time in 18 years that a monarchs address has not been filmed at a royal residence. Rudy Giulianis former lawyers said they quit working for him because he refused to share records and access to cellphone as part of a defamation lawsuit against him, court records show. Attorneys Kenneth Caruso and David Labkowski wanted out of the job of representing the 80-year-old former city mayor in the case which ended with Giuliani ordered to fork over a whopping $148 million to Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea Shaye Moss. Freeman and Moss are now seeking Giulianis assets including his World Series rings as part of the massive judgment, but the man once known as Americas Mayor would not participate in the cases discovery process, his former lawyers said. Rudy Giuliani would not participate with turning over required records, his lawyers claimed when they quit working for him. AP The lawyers letter begging off the case was heavily redacted, masking the details of the pairs behind-the-scenes disagreement with Giuliani, the Trump attorney and disbarred former Manhattan US attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Manhattan federal Judge Lewis Liman issued a ruling Monday that some of the letters redactions should be unsealed to reveal the lawyers claims that Giuliani told them he would not participate in discovery and that he would not identify or provide access to his electronic devices for purposes of discovery. Giuliani has argued his lawyers were to blame for the fact he missed deadlines for to turn over records in the case, which Liman said was contradicted by Caruso and Labkowskis letter which must now be unsealed, Law & Crime first reported. Freeman and Moss have asked Liman to hold Giuliani in contempt for repeatedly flouting court orders, including deadlines. Giuliani must appear in court on Jan. 3 to explain why he shouldnt be held in contempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A trial has also been set for Jan. 16 over whether his Yankees World Series rings and his Florida home should be handed over to help pay down his debt to the women. Giuliani is set to testify at a trial next month on why his World Series rings and his Florida home shouldnt be handed over to Moss and Freeman to help pay down his debt to them. REUTERS Giuliani is embroiled in a case brought by two Georgia election works who are seeking to recoup a $148 million defamation verdict they won against Giuliani. AP Giuliani and his son Andrew are slated to be the two main witnesses at the trial. Andrew has claimed the women cant collect the World Series rings since his dad gifted them to him in 2018. The troubled mayor has already been ordered to relinquish his Mercedes and his Manhattan pad to Freeman and Moss. At a November hearing in the case, Giuliani exploded at Liman for allegedly unfairly making implications against him. A jury ordered Giuliani last year to pay the whopping sum to Freeman and Moss for defaming them when he falsely claimed the duo tried to swindle Donald Trump out of a 2020 presidential election victory which was actually won by Joe Biden. A spokesperson for Giuliani didnt immediately return a request for comment Tuesday. Russian troops started using military equipment near the towns of Toretsk and Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast, Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson of the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk, said on Dec. 24. Speaking on national television, Bobovnikova said that fighting with the use of armored combat vehicles, motorcycles and buggies took place in the village of Nelipivka south of Toretsk. "We didn't see this before, but now the enemy has become more active," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toretsk and Chasiv Yar have become one of the hottest spots in Donetsk Oblast in recent months as Russian troops continue advancing in Ukraine's east. The estimated advance of Russian forces in Donetsk Oblast as of Dec. 23, 2024, according to DeepState. (DeepState/OpenStreetMaps) The spokesperson described the situation in Toretsk as "the most difficult." "The fighting is for every house. And you need to understand that somewhere they (Russia) can advance by one house, and literally the next day we are already taking back this house," Bobovnikova said. According to the spokesperson, it is difficult to use tanks and armored combat vehicles in both Toretsk and Chasiv Yar because they are "not so effective in urban areas" and difficult to maneuver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout 2024, Ukraine has faced a challenging situation in its defense of the front line. Apart from Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine expects Russian forces to launch larger-scale attacks in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Read also: Ukraine ends year battered, with Russian troops pushing north, east, and south Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Russia's massive attack on Ukraine on Christmas Eve. Source: European Pravda, citing the ministry on X (Twitter) The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared footage of the destruction caused by Russias recent attack and stated, "Even during Christmas, Russia knows only how to kill and destruct". Quote: "Ukraine continues to bravely stand up to this evil & our support to Ukraine remains unwavering. Our goal is simple: just and lasting peace with Russia being pushed back to its borders," they added. Even during Christmas, Russia knows only how to kill & destruct. Ukraine continues to bravely stand up to this evil & our support to remains unwavering. Our goal is simple: just & lasting peace with Russia being pushed back to its borders. https://t.co/BDDC3Y5ft1 Estonian MFA | #StandWithUkraine (@MFAestonia) December 25, 2024 Background: On 25 December, Russia launched another missile attack on Ukraine. Explosions were reported in Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, as well as in Poltava and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia struck Ukraine with more than 70 missiles and 100 drones, and Ukrainian air defence managed to shoot down "over 50 missiles and a significant number of the drones". Ukraines Air Force reported at 07:24 on 25 December that a cruise missile was flying "in the direction of Chernivtsi from the territory of Moldova". Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that a Russian missile had violated Moldova's airspace on the night of 24 December. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraines Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko has reported that Russian forces are conducting a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy system. Source: Halushchenko on Facebook; Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne Quote from Halushchenko: "The enemy is once again launching a large-scale attack on our energy infrastructure. The transmission system operator is taking necessary measures to limit consumption and minimise negative consequences for the power grid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as the security situation allows, energy workers will assess and confirm the extent of the damage." Details: Explosions have been reported in the cities Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Samar and Kamianske. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov stated that the city is under attack by ballistic missiles. Three people have been injured in the Saltivskyi district, two of them in a serious condition. Strikes have also been recorded in the city's Kyivskyi district. An air-raid warning remains in effect across the entire country. Support UP or become our patron! SEOUL, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday defied the second summons by a joint investigation unit for questioning over the imposition of an emergency martial law, Yonhap news agency reported. The unit, composed of the police, the defense ministry's investigation headquarters and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), sent its second summons to Yoon last Friday, requesting him to appear for questioning by 10:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday as part of its investigation into his short-lived imposition of the martial law on Dec. 3. The embattled president did not comply with the CIO's first summons last week. The CIO was currently planning to wait for Yoon's possible appearance later in the day, Yonhap said. The corruption investigative body said it will make a decision as early as Thursday on whether to send summons for the third time if Yoon refuses to show up for questioning on Wednesday, Yonhap added. Yoon was named by investigative agencies as a suspect on a rebellion charge following the martial law imposition that was revoked by the National Assembly hours later. Russia launched an inhumane attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, with explosions reported across the country, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said. It is the thirteenth time this year Russia has carried out a major attack on Ukraines power grid, according to DTEK, the countrys largest energy provider, leaving it in a precarious position while the war grinds into a third winter. At least one person died in the attacks in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, while six others were injured in Kharkiv less than 20 miles from the Russian border Ukraines national police said, adding that residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged in the attack. At least seven missile strikes targeted the city, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Half a million households have been left without heating in the Kharkiv region in temperatures of 3 degrees Celsius (37 degrees Fahrenheit). Kyiv has imposed rolling blackouts to stabilize the grid, DTEK said. Ukrainian forces meanwhile said Wednesday that they attacked a Russian command post overnight in Lgov in the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a surprise offensive this year. Four people were killed and five have been hospitalised, including one woman in a serious condition, according to local authorities in the Kursk region. In Russias North Ossetia-Alania, the ministry of defence said an explosion and fire in a shopping center in Vladikavkaz was caused by falling debris from a drone shot down by air defence forces Wednesday morning which killed one person. Attack comes after Xmas day switch Prior to 2023, most Ukrainians celebrated Christmas on January 7 under the Julian church calendar, but last year Zelensky signed a law formally changing the date as a way of further distancing the country from the traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church and bringing it in line with much of the rest of Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine created its own independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine in 2018, splitting from the Moscow-affiliated Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Since then, religious affiliation has increasingly been viewed as a symbol of national loyalty. The holiday is now celebrated by Ukrainian Orthodox Christians on December 25, and Zelensky said Russias intentions were clear. Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice not only of targets but also of timing and date, Zelensky said. Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? People take shelter at a metro station during an air raid alert in Kyiv, Ukraine, on December 25, 2024. - Thomas Peter/Reuters Russia launched more than 70 missiles on Wednesday, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 attack drones targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure, he said, adding more than 50 missiles were shot down along with a significant number of drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, there are hits. As of now, there are blackouts in several regions, he added. DTEK said the attacks severely damaged equipment at its thermal power plants across the country. This year, it is the thirteenth massive attack on the Ukrainian energy sector and the tenth massive attack on the companys energy facilities, the company said, adding its thermal power plants have been shelled more than 200 times since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russia attacked the energy sector again on a massive scale, Ukraines energy minister German Halushchenko said on his Facebook page. Ukraines energy operator imposed emergency blackouts in several parts of the country, the minister added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha said on X that a Russian missile passed Moldovan and Romanian airspace reminding that Russia threatens not only Ukraine. Maia Sandu, president of the Republic of Moldova said on X: While our countries celebrate Christmas, Kremlin chooses destruction targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure and violating Moldovas airspace with a missile, actions that clearly violate international law. Moldova condemns these acts and stands in full solidarity with Ukraine. Romanians ministry of national defense said they could not confirm that Romanian airspace was crossed. Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to a Russian missile threat in western Ukraine, according to the Polish Operational Command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesdays attack follows a deadly Russian strike on the city of Kryvyi Rih on Christmas Eve. At least one person was killed and 17 others were injured after a Russian missile struck a residential building in the city the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A series of explosions were reported in the city of Kharkiv on the morning of 25 December. An air-raid warning was issued in the oblast, and local authorities urged citizens to stay in shelters. Sources: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration; Ukraines Air Force; Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov Quote from Air Force: "Ballistics to Kharkiv Oblast." Quote from Syniehubov: "The Russian army has struck [the city] at least seven times. Kharkiv and the district take shelter! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 06:28, Syniehubov said that several fires broke out after the Russian strikes, and there was damage to non-residential civilian infrastructure. Update: At 06:40, Terekhov reported three injured in a serious condition in the Saltivskyi district of the city. Support UP or become our patron! Many Ukrainians were celebrating without heat or power after Russia launched a Christmas Day attack on the countrys energy infrastructure, an act that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned as inhuman. Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhuman, Zelenskyy said in a post on X early Wednesday. "Every Russian massive strike takes time to prepare. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a conscious choice not only of targets, but also of time and date." More than 70 Russian missiles and more than a hundred drones targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, with Ukrainian forces successfully shooting down more than 50 missiles and a significant number of drones, Zelenskyy added in his post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy also said that the targeted attack on the energy sector caused outages in several regions, including Kyiv, and emphasized that Russian forces continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine. Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not distort Christmas, he said. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the attacks. This morning, Russia's Armed Forces carried out a massive strike with long-range precision weapons and strike drones on critical energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine that ensure the operation of the military-industrial complex," the ministry said in its daily briefing on Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strikes objective was achieved. All facilities were hit, it added. This Christmas terror is Putins response to those who spoke about illusionary Christmas ceasefire, Andrii Sybiha, Ukraines foreign minister, said in a post on X on Wednesday morning. The attack caused serious damage to thermal power plant equipment, according to DTEK, Ukraine's largest energy company. Once the shelling stopped, energy sector workers began restoring the equipment to ensure a swift recovery, it said. U.S. President Joe Biden described it as an outrageous attack to deprive Ukrainians of heat and electricity during the winter. He also said he has told the Defense Department to continue its "surge of weapons deliveries" to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Let me be clear: The Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace and safety, and the United States and the international community must continue to stand with Ukraine until it triumphs over Russias aggression," Biden said. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Hlushchenko confirmed that Russia was massively attacking the energy system, in a Telegram post Wednesday morning. He urged people to stay in shelters until the shelling stopped, adding that necessary measures had been implemented to minimize the negative consequences for the power system. This marks Russia's 13th attack on Ukraines energy sector this year, and the 10th attack on the companys energy enterprises, according to a post on DTEK's official telegram account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also marks only the second time in modern Ukrainian history that Christmas is officially celebrated Dec. 25, a significant shift away from the traditional Jan. 7 celebration observed by Russians and other Eastern Orthodox Christians. For the second time in modern history, Christmas unites all Ukrainians, Zelenskyy said in an earlier post on X. Today, we stand side by side. And we will not be lost, Zelenskyy said, adding, Ukrainians are together today. And as long as we do this, evil has no chance. Meanwhile, Russian officials said Wednesday that four people had been killed and five injured in the partially occupied Kursk region after Ukrainian shelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regions acting governor, Alexander Khinshtein, said in a post on Telegram that the gas and electricity supply in the town of Lgov had also been disrupted by the shelling. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Russia is ready to supply natural gas to Europe through alternative routes bypassing Ukraine, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak claimed on Dec. 25 on Russian state-controlled television. The declaration comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed during a press conference on Dec. 19 that Ukraine would not extend the transit agreement for Russian gas through its territory, which is set to expire on Dec. 31. We will not engage in extending the transit of Russian gas. We will not give (Russia) the opportunity to earn additional billions on our blood, Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Zelensky's confirmation, EU member states such as Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, and Austria raised their concerns, with their state-owned energy companies jointly advocating for the continuation of gas transit through Ukraine. Russian officials appear confident in Europe's reliance upon its natural gas industry. Only earlier this year did the EU finally introduce its first sanctions against Russia's gas industry, specifically targeting liquefied natural gas (LNG). "In terms of logistics, Russian gas is the most beneficial, as well as in terms of price," Novak claimed, adding that Europeans have to pay more for American gas amid competition with China. In late August, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia could pursue alternative routes, including a planned gas hub via Turkey, if Kyiv failed to extend the transit deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apart from the Ukraine route, Russian gas is transported via the TurkStream pipeline, which crosses the Black Sea. Russia may also potentially ship liquified natural gas (LNG) in tankers. Meanwhile, the Nord Stream gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany has been non-operational since it was blown up in 2022. Read also: Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack against energy grid on Christmas morning Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia says that negotiations with Ukraine should be based solely on the terms that were announced in Istanbul and refuses to make any compromises, despite changes on the front line and Ukraine's significant territorial gains. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Quote: "Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko stated on 24 December that Russia is open to compromise in negotiations with Ukraine, but that Russia will strictly adhere to the conditions that it laid out during negotiations in Istanbul in March 2022" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Matviyenko stressed that Russia would not shift from its conditions by "one iota". In the Istanbul negotiations, Russia insisted that Ukraine adopt a neutral status, preventing it from joining NATO. Another demand was to cap the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces at 85,000 personnel, similar to the limitations imposed on Germany under the Treaty of Versailles following World War I. Quote: "Russia's demands at Istanbul were mainly more detailed versions of the demands that Putin made in the months before he launched the full-scale invasion in February 2022, including Ukraine's demilitarisation and neutrality." Details: Matviyenko reaffirmed Putin's demands during her annual Direct Line television press conference on 19 December. Analysts anticipate that other senior Russian officials will make similar statements in the coming weeks, aimed at both domestic and international audiences. ISW analysts point out that the escalating rhetoric from Russian officials demonstrates Putins confidence in achieving victory over Ukraine "despite the tremendous setbacks Ukraine has inflicted on Russian forces since then," the report says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 24 December: A senior Russian official reiterated Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's insistence that negotiations with Ukraine must be based on the same uncompromising demands he made before the full-scale invasion and at the moment of Russia's greatest territorial gains, despite the fact that Ukraine has liberated a significant amount of territory since then. The Kremlin's economic limitations will likely hinder its efforts to impose policies combatting long-term demographic decline in Russia. A Russian cargo ship sank in the Mediterranean Sea on 23 December, possibly while travelling from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok via Syria and Libya. The United States provided Ukraine on 24 December with the first tranche of loans generated solely from profits from frozen Russian assets. Russian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Vuhledar, Velyka Novosilka, and in Kursk Oblast. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev claimed on 24 December that 440,000 recruits signed military service contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2024. Support UP or become our patron! KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia launched a massive missile and drone barrage targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Wednesday, striking a thermal power plant and prompting Ukrainians to take shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning. The strikes on Ukrainian fuel and energy sources included 78 air, ground, and sea-launched missiles as well as 106 Shaheds and other types of drones, Ukraines air force said. It claimed to have intercepted 59 missiles and 54 drones, with 52 more drones being jammed. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Russia, meanwhile, one woman died and three people were wounded after falling debris from a downed drone sparked a fire in a shopping mall in the city of Vladikavkaz. The head of Russias republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Gov. Sergey Menyaylo, said security footage showed that the explosion took place outside the Alania Mall Wednesday morning. At least one person was killed in Russia's attack on Ukraine's Dnipro region, Vice Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said on Telegram, adding that heating was disrupted for 155 residential buildings. He also said 500,000 people in the Kharkiv region were without heat. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said one Russian missile passed Moldovan and Romanian airspace. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said Russia again massively attacks energy infrastructure." Ukraines air force said that multiple missiles had been fired at the Kharkiv, Dnipro and Poltava regions in the east of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halushchenko said the power distributor took the necessary measures to limit consumption. As soon as the security situation allows, energy workers will establish the damage caused, he said. State energy operator Ukrenergo applied preemptive power outages across the country due to a massive missile attack, leading to electricity going out in several districts of the capital, Kyiv. Ukraines biggest private energy company, DTEK, said Russia struck one of their thermal power plants Wednesday morning, making it the 13th attack on Ukraines power grid this year. Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered, Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK wrote on his X account. At least seven strikes targeted Kharkiv, sparking fires across the city, regional head Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram. At least three people were injured, local authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kharkiv is under massive missile fire. A series of explosions rang out in the city and there are still ballistic missiles flying in the direction of the city. Stay in safe places, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Russias Ministry of Defense said in its morning report Wednesday that it had shot down 59 Ukrainian drones overnight, including over the Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, Bryansk and Tambov regions, as well as over the Azov Sea. It did not mention the incident in North Ossetia-Alania. Four people were also killed as a result of Ukrainian shelling in the town of Lgov in the Kursk region, regional head Alexander Khinshtein said. Three people died after several residential blocks and a beauty salon were hit, he said. Another person later died in a hospital. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russia launched a mass aerial attack against Ukraine on Dec. 25, targeting cities across the country with missiles and drones. The northeastern city of Kharkiv was among the hardest hit, coming under "massive fire" from ballistic missiles, according to local authorities. At least six people were injured, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Explosions were also reported in Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Kryvyi Rih, and the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk. Russia launched 78 missiles and 106 drones, the Air Force said. Ukraine shot down 55 Kh-101/Kh-55/Kalibr cruise missiles and four Kh-59/Kh-69 missiles, as well as 54 Shahed-type drones and other types of drones, according to the report. Another 52 drones were "lost." "Every Russian massive strike takes time to prepare. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a conscious choice not only of targets but also of time and date," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Multiple cities in Ukraine imposed emergency blackouts following the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, reported that Russia had attacked its thermal power plants, "seriously damaging equipment." The location of the facilities was not disclosed. First responders at the site of a Russian attack on Dec. 25, 2024. (State Emergency Service) The Air Force reported that Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers had taken flight overnight, and later announced that a number of Kalibr cruise missiles had been launched from the Black Sea. Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to the Russian missile threat in western Ukraine, the Polish Operational Command reported. A series of explosions were reported in Kharkiv after the Air Force warned of a ballistic missile threat against the city. At least seven missile strikes targeted the city, Syniehubov said. The attacks caused fires and damage to civilian infrastructure, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Located only 30 kilometers from the Russian border, Kharkiv has suffered relentless aerial attacks over the past two years of the full-scale war. Mayor Ihor Terekhov on Dec. 24 announced that the city had put up holiday decorations and lights for the first time since Russia's February 2022 invasion. The decorations are "a symbol of (Kharkiv's) resolve," Terekhov said. The Russian attack on energy infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast killed one person, Governor Serhii Lysak said. Energy infrastructure was also targeted in Vinnytsia and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts, according to local authorities. In Kyiv Oblast, drone debris damaged a cafe, three houses and 12 trucks, Governor Ruslan Kravchenko said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mass attack follows a ballistic missile strike against Kryvyi Rih on Christmas Eve. The missile struck an apartment building in the city, killing one civilian and injuring 15 more. A few days before, Russia launched five ballistic missiles at Kyiv on Dec. 20, causing fires, casualties, and damage to several foreign embassies. Russia's attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure have intensified with the onset of winter. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also issued threats in recent days, promising "more destruction" for Ukraine and suggesting that Moscow could launch an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) against Kyiv. Read also: Russian missiles strike Kyiv on the eve of holiday season (Photos) Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian companies have begun using bitcoin and other digital currencies in international payments following legislative changes that allowed such use in order to counter Western sanctions, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Wednesday. Sanctions have complicated Russia's trade with its major partners such as China or Turkey, as local banks are extremely cautious with Russia-related transactions to avoid scrutiny from Western regulators. This year, Russia permitted the use of cryptocurrencies in foreign trade and has taken steps to make it legal to mine cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin. Russia is one of the global leaders in bitcoin mining. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As part of the experimental regime, it is possible to use bitcoins, which we had mined here in Russia (in foreign trade transactions)," Siluanov told Russia 24 television channel. "Such transactions are already occurring. We believe they should be expanded and developed further. I am confident this will happen next year," he said, adding that international payments in digital currencies represent the future. Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said that the current U.S. administration was undermining the role of the U.S dollar as the reserve currency by using it for political purposes, forcing many countries to turn to alternative assets. He singled out bitcoin as an example of such assets, saying that no-one in the world could regulate bitcoin. Putin's remarks indicated that the Russian leader backs the extensive use of cryptocurrencies. (Reporting by Gleb Bryanski; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) The Azerbaijani Airlines plane that crashed on Dec. 25 en route to Russia may have been shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile, according to reports from independent Russian media outlets. The aircraft, carrying passengers from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia's Chechen Republic, crashed near the coastal city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. There were 67 people on board the aircraft, including 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz citizens. Thirty eight people have perished in the crash, according to the latest information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The potential use of air defense systems aligns with several media reports according to which Chechnya was attacked by drones on the morning of Dec. 25. Footage of the plane shows traces of a large surface-to-air missile impact on the tail section of the plane, according to Russian independent media outlet Meduza. Similar-looking holes in the fuselage have reportedly been documented in numerous images and videos of military and civilian aircraft downed by surface-to-air missiles. Survivors recalled hearing an explosion after failed landing attempts in Grozny, according to the independent Russian outlet Mediazona. The plane then turned back, crossing the Caspian Sea toward Kazakhstan. Upon attempting to land at Aktau Airport, it broke apart on impact and caught fire. Meduza and Mediazona also cited Russian pro-war Telegram channels which showed photographs of the crash that suggested the plane had been shot at. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) initially claimed that the plane collided with a flock of birds, prompting the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. During the maneuver, the aircraft "hit the ground." The black box has been recovered from the crash site, Azerbaijani media reported. Its analysis is expected to provide critical insights into the events leading up to the crash. Read also: How Kadyrov became so powerful, and why Chechnya remains vital for survival of Putins regime Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MOSCOW (Reuters) -A Russian cargo ship that ran into trouble on Monday in the Mediterranean Sea and later sank was rocked by a series of three explosions in "an act of terrorism," state news agency RIA cited the vessel's owner as saying on Wednesday. Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the "Ursa Major," built in 2009, sank after an explosion ripped through its engine room and that two of its 16 crew were missing. RIA cited Oboronlogistika, the ship's ultimate owner and a company that is part of the Russian Defence Ministry's military construction operations, as saying on Wednesday that the vessel had been targeted in "a terrorist act." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It cited Oboronlogistika as saying that the ship's surviving 14 crew members had reported that three consecutive explosions on the ship's starboard side had detonated at 1350 Moscow time (1050 GMT) in the vessel's aft on Dec. 23. The ship had then begun to sharply list as it was obviously taking in water, RIA cited Oboronlogistika as saying. The ship was not overloaded, it added. It was carrying two giant port cranes on its deck with their loading buckets, two heavy hatch covers for ice-breaking vessels, 129 empty containers, and a 20-foot container with roofing equipment, RIA said. Oboronlogistika had said that the ship had been en route to the Russian far eastern port of Vladivostok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oboronlogistika and SK-Yug, a company LSEG lists as part of the group and the ship's direct owner and operator, declined to comment on the sinking at the time. Both entities were placed under sanctions by the United States in 2022 for their ties to Russia's military as was the Ursa Major itself. Spain's Maritime Rescue Service said it had received a distress signal from the Ursa Major on Monday when it was located about 57 miles off the coast of Almeira. Two vessels and a helicopter had been sent to the scene and the 14 surviving crew members taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena. LSEG ship tracking data shows the vessel departed from the Russian port of St. Petersburg on Dec. 11 and was last seen sending a signal at 2204 GMT on Monday between Algeria and Spain where it sank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On leaving St. Petersburg it had indicated that its next port of call was the Russian port of Vladivostok, not the Syrian port of Tartous which it has called at in the past. (Reporting by ReutersEditing by Andrew Osborn) SANAA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility on Wednesday morning for launching a long-range "ballistic missile" toward Tel Aviv. "Our missile force bombed a military target in Tel Aviv by using a hypersonic ballistic missile," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. "Our military operations against Israel will continue until the aggression on Gaza stops and the siege on it is lifted," he said. Earlier this morning, Israeli media reported that sirens sounded after a "missile" from Yemen approached Tel Aviv. On Tuesday, the Houthis also claimed responsibility for what they called a "hypersonic ballistic missile" attack on Tel Aviv that the Israeli media said sent the population of Tel Aviv to underground shelters. A Russian court on Dec. 24 convicted U.S. citizen Eugene Spector of espionage and sentenced him to 15 years in a high-security prison. Spector, 52, was already serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence for bribery when he was charged with espionage. The Moscow City Court on Dec. 24 added 13 years to Spector's sentence after convicting him of being a spy in a closed-door trial. His previous charge for bribery was added to this term, bringing his total sentence to 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spector was also fined 14,116,805 rubles (approximately $140,500), according to the independent Russian outlet Mediazona. Spector in 2020 pled guilty to acting as an intermediary to a bribe. He was accused of mediating bribes for Anastasia Alekseyeva, once an aide to former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. The details of the espionage charges against Spector have not been made public. He was charged with spying in August 2023. Spector was born in Russia but moved to the United States, where he attained citizenship. Many U.S. nationals who have been arrested in Russia are now awaiting trial or serving lengthy sentences. Washington has accused Moscow of orchestrating the detention of U.S. citizens to gain leverage for future prisoner swaps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of U.S. citizens, including the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, were released in a historic prisoner swap on Aug. 1, with Russia and several Western countries exchanging a total of 24 detainees. The U.S. State Department has warned Americans against traveling, saying they "may face harassment or detention by Russian security officials." Read also: Assassinations of pro-war figures seek to demoralize Russia, punish war criminals Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Falling debris from a Ukrainian drone that was shot down caused an explosion and a fatal fire in a shopping centre in the city of Vladikavkaz in Russia's North Ossetia region, the local governor said on Wednesday. Sergei Menyailo, the regional governor, wrote on his official Telegram account that air defence systems had shot down the drone at 0828 Moscow time (0528 GMT). One woman was reported to have been killed inside the shopping centre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters could not verify the governor's assertion and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Russia's Defence Ministry said 119 Ukrainian drones had been destroyed in the last 24 hours. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn) Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha believes that Russias latest large-scale attack on Ukraine indicates its unwillingness to agree to ceasefire proposals. Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Sybiha described the current wave of Christmas terror as "Putins response to those who spoke about the illusionary 'Christmas ceasefire'." Hungary actively promoted the idea of a "Christmas ceasefire". However, Ukraine made it clear that "there is no real 'Christmas truce' on the table", dismissing the supposed proposals as "a PR move by the Hungarian side, which we are calling a 'peace PR stunt." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "One Russian missile passed Moldovan and Romanian airspace, reminding [everyone] that Russia threatens not only Ukraine," he added, likely referencing information from monitoring platforms. Background: Romanian authorities have not confirmed reports of a Russian missile flying over their territory. On Christmas Eve, 24 December, Russia launched another missile attack on Ukraine. Explosions were reported in the cities of Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih and Dnipro, as well as in Poltava and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia struck Ukraine with more than 70 missiles and 100 drones, and Ukrainian air defence managed to shoot down "over 50 missiles and a significant number of the drones". Poland scrambled fighter jets after Russia fired missiles into Ukrainian airspace on the night of 24 December. Support UP or become our patron! A Russian missile entered Moldovan airspace during a mass attack on Ukraine on Dec. 25, Moldovan President Maia Sandu confirmed. On Christmas morning, Russia launched more than 70 missiles and over 100 drones, targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. At least one person was killed, and six others were injured, local authorities said. Ukraine's Air Force reported that one cruise missile was flying towards the western town of Chernivtsi from Moldova. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Sandu, these attacks "clearly violate international law." "Moldova condemns these acts and stands in full solidarity with Ukraine," she said. Monitoring Telegram channels also reported that a Russian missile entered Romania. But the Romanian Defense Ministry said that the violation of the country's airspace was not confirmed. Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to the Russian missile threat in western Ukraine, the Polish Operational Command reported. Warsaw and Bucharest, NATO members, frequently scramble fighter jets to protect countries' airspace as Russian forces launch large-scale aerial attacks on Ukraine. Yet, they have never been used to destroy missiles or drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Narrowly overcoming pro-Russian comeback, Moldovan President Sandu is facing tough term ahead Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. One of the cruise missiles that Russia used to attack Ukraine on the night of 24-25 December came from Moldovas airspace. Source: A report by the Ukrainian Air Force, as reported by European Pravda Details: At 07:24 on 25 December, the Ukrainian Air Force reported a cruise missile flying "in the direction of Chernivtsi from the territory of Moldova". Telegram channels monitoring Russian aviation claimed that the Russian missile travelled 140 kilometres across Moldova and Romania, entering Moldova in the town of Yampil in Vinnytsia Oblast (near the Moldovan border) and then back into Ukraine near the town of Darabani (a Romanian town near the border with Moldova). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of publication, Moldova has not officially commented on these reports. However, the Moldovan Ministry of Defence has previously denied information about Russian missiles flying over the country's territory. Background: On Christmas Eve, 24 December, Russia launched another missile attack on Ukraine. Explosions were reported in the cities of Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Dnipro, as well as in Poltava and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. In response to the attack, Poland scrambled its aircraft and put its ground-based air defences on alert. Support UP or become our patron! MOSCOW (Reuters) - Authorities in Russia's southern Krasnodar region on Wednesday declared a region-wide emergency, saying that oil was still washing up on the coastline 10 days after two ageing tankers ran into trouble. The oil is from the tankers which were hit by a storm on Dec. 15. One of the vessels split in half, while the other ran aground. The pollution, which has coated sandy beaches at and around Anapa, a popular summer resort, has caused serious problems for seabirds and everything from dolphins to porpoises and over 10,000 people have been trying to clear it up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veniamin Kondratiev, governor of the Krasnodar region, said in a statement that he had decided to declare a region-wide emergency because oil was still polluting the coastline in the Anapa and Temryuk districts. He had previously declared a less serious municipal-level emergency. "Initially, according to the calculations of scientists and specialists, the main mass of fuel oil should have remained at the bottom of the Black Sea, which would have allowed it to be collected in the water," Kondratiev wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "But the weather dictates its own conditions, the air warms up and oil products rise to the top. As a result, they are being carried to our beaches." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, a crisis centre focused on the clean-up said that the bow of one of the tankers - the Volgoneft-239 - had been discovered underwater and that divers would check whether there was any leak of oil products from it as soon as weather conditions permitted. In total, more than 256 square kilometres of the coastal area have been surveyed and 25 tons of oil-water sludge collected, the same centre said. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn) The Russians launched 12 missiles and Shahed drones on the city of Kharkiv on 25 December, targeting critical infrastructure facilities and residential buildings. Source: Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov on Telegram Quote from Terekhov: "The enemy launched 12 missiles on the city, all targeting our heating plants, thermal power stations, and energy infrastructure." Quote: "Following the attack, Ukrenergo [Ukraine's national energy company] has introduced special power outage schedules in Kharkiv. The strike on energy facilities has left a big part of the city without heating. Four people have been reported injured as of 11:00." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The mayor also stated that the Russians directed UAVs towards civilian homes. Terekhov said the city has managed to maintain the stable operation of electric transport. Quote: "We will work around the clock to restore normal life in the city as quickly as possible," the mayor emphasised. Invincibility centres are also operating in the city." [Invincibility centres are heated premises stocked with food and power banks to assist residents facing hardships due to power cuts ed.] Background: During an attack on 25 December, Russian forces targeted thermal power plants belonging to Ukraines largest energy company DTEK, causing severe damage to the power plants equipment. Terekhov reported that a missile had hit the Kyivskyi and Nemyshlianskyi districts of Kharkiv at 07:00. Russian forces struck the Prykarpattia region during the large-scale attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure, leaving parts of the region without electricity. Explosions were reported in the cities of Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Samar and Kamianske. Support UP or become our patron! Dec. 24Santa Fe police say a man told them he ran over a person multiple times early Monday because he thought they were "going to turn around and shoot him." Joseph Gonzales, 50, of Santa Fe is charged with attempting to commit second-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, leaving the scene of an accident and other alleged crimes. Gonzales is being held at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility. It is unclear if he has an attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case is still under investigation, Santa Fe Deputy Chief Ben Valdez said. On Monday morning, the Santa Fe Police Department responded to a call of a hit-and-run in the area of Trades West Road and Clark Road, near Cerrillos, where they found a 53-year-old Santa Fe man who told them someone ran him over with a vehicle then tried to hit him several more times, Valdez said. Gonzales told police he ran over the man because he thought the other man was going to "shoot him through his windshield," according to a statement of probable cause filed at Santa Fe Magistrate Court. Through video surveillance, police said they saw the truck accelerate toward the man, the statement of probable cause states. As he tried to avoid getting hit, the driver swerved and ran him over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The truck stopped, and the driver went in reverse and backed over the man's body, police said. "The individual can be heard moaning as it appeared the truck crushed his chest area with the left front tire for about 15 seconds," according to the statement of probable cause. After pinning the man a second time, the driver identified as Gonzales opened the door and told the man to "get the hell out of his way," police said. The truck moved to hit the man again but "missed by inches." The man, who suffered multiple fractures and lacerations, told police he was walking in the road when he was hit by a truck that belonged to a man known as "Grumpy." He told police he didn't have any issues with Gonzales and "did not know what led him to strike him," according to the statement of probable cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police learned Gonzales worked at an upholstery business, where he was arrested, police said. Gonzales told police he hit the man because "he got mad" that the man stood in front of the vehicle, and he felt scared when the man had his back to him "and thought he was going to turn around and shoot him through his windshield," the probable cause states. (KRON) A Santa Rosa restaurant manager has been arrested for allegedly recording patrons in the womens restroom secretly. According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, officers were dispatched on Monday to the Ohana Hawaiian BBQ at 2150 Santa Rosa Avenue to investigate a report of a cell phone hidden in the womens restroom. A woman, who police said made a habit of checking vents in public restrooms for hidden recording devices, examined the air vent in the single-user restroom. She saw what appeared to be a cell phone hidden in the vent with the camera facing the restrooms interior. The woman contacted Santa Rosa PD, notified the restaurant manager and then guarded the bathroom until police arrived. Arriving at the restaurant, officers removed the vent cover and recovered the phone, which had been recording for around 46 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burglars ram San Leandro GameStop, steal video game consoles: PD Officers determined that the phone belonged to the restaurant manager, 37-year-old Daniel Nam of Santa Rosa. Detectives with the Santa Rosa PD Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Team (DVSA) responded and took over the investigation. A preliminary investigation revealed that Nam used a concealed recording device to invade the privacy of at least one victim. Detectives seized his cell phone and laptop and will be reviewing the contents of the devices to determine how long he had been recording people in secret and to identify additional victims. Nam was booked into Sonoma County Jail. The officer booking him into jail requested a bail enhancement of $200,000, which police said a superior court judge approved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say that while they dont have a timeline for how long Nam had been secretly recording people, they believe it could have been occurring for several months. Anyone with information regarding the case, or who believes they may have been a victim, is asked to contact Santa Rosa PD. Additional charges may be filed against Nam as additional evidence is discovered and victims are identified. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MOSCOW, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia recognizes there is no easy resolution to the Ukrainian crisis and holds no illusions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday. "We have had no illusions and currently don't have any about the prospects for an easy resolution of the Ukrainian crisis," Lavrov said during an interview. Lavrov said the crisis could only "be resolved in the context of an agreement on reliable security and stability in Europe," which would reflect Russia's interests and the interests of all other countries. The Russian foreign minister also said Moscow has no illusions concerning changes with the arrival of the Donald Trump administration in the United States. He said that the principles formulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis were not preconditions but rather were based on international law. "We have never abandoned negotiations ... however we need to see serious, concrete proposals when they are presented to us," Lavrov said. Regarding the ceasefire that the West and Ukraine are currently discussing, Lavrov said Russia needs reliable, legally binding agreements that would eliminate the root causes of the conflict. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The big man in red made his way across Connecticut! For those boys and girls who werent home for the holidays, but in the hospital, Santa visited them with a little help from Connecticut Childrens Hospital. Connecticut Childrens Hospital has what they call the snowflake shop. Where they have hundreds to thousands of toys on shelves, so families can shop for their loved ones for free without having to fight mall traffic. It gives parents a break and lets them give something to their children, a bit of normalcy as they are in the hospital on Christmas. Sisters granted wish of meeting Meriden police therapy dog Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My daughter, her name is Izzy, Isabella Anderson, and she has cancer, and shes dealing with a lot of different things, surgeries, and chemo, but shes a fighter, shes a trooper, Carl Anderson said. Anderson lives in New Milford, an hour and a half away from the hospital. Between his sick daughter and the rest of his family, Christmas shopping was last on the list, but now there will be gifts under the tree thanks to Connecticut Childrens Hospital. My nurses came around and said we should definitely check this out, and it is a great opportunity for the kids to pick up last-minute gifts that you dont have a chance to get to at the store, so it is a beautiful, beautiful shop they have set up here, Anderson said. Snowflake has the best gifts for infants, toddlers and teenagers. Gifts range from fishing rods to Legos and one of the hottest toys in the sensory department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shop is for patients and families so parents and caregivers are able to shop for those patients that were admitted as well as siblings in the family, because with everything going on sometimes they are not able to cross off that list at the end of the holiday season, Lauren Turcotte with Connecticut Childrens said. Its about making everybody feel welcome and loved no matter what holiday they celebrate. Some children will wake up to these on Christmas morning and some kids will get these as Hanukkah presents. We also have Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day coming up, so its really up to the families how they want to utilize it, Turcotte said. This is the eighth year Connecticut Childrens has stocked the shelves for their families in the hospital and every year there are more toys and more smiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christmas morning is going to be a little different this year, well be in the hospital for it. But for both of my kids, they will have special moments, no matter what, thanks to this, it is a beautiful thing to come in here and pick some stuff out, Anderson said. The snowflake shop is mostly run by volunteers and the gifts are supplied by donations from companies like Eversource. Everyone is giving to those who could use a boost this Christmas. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. The Persian onager, sometimes known as the Asiatic wild ass or Persian ass, is a subspecies of wild donkey native to the desert of Iran. However, the species has been extinct in Saudi Arabia for over 100 years until now. The country's main wildlife reserve announced it had recently acquired seven Persian onagers from the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature's Shaumari Reserve in Jordan. The onagers are reportedly doing well and have already birthed a new foal. "These are the first free running onager seen in Saudi Arabia since their extinction in the early 1900s," Andrew Zaloumis, the CEO of the reserve, said. "Historically celebrated by Arabic poets, these strong, untamable and elusive creatures are classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 600 Persian onager remaining in the wild globally. Their reintroduction represents a transformative step for their conservation and a major landmark in the Kingdom's biodiversity efforts." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind As Zaloumis referenced, ancient civilizations attempted to domesticate the Persian onager with no success. The animal's stubborn and unruly nature proved too much, and it was deemed untamable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means these Persian onagers will simply be free to run around the reserve, eating vegetation and restoring balance to the ecosystem from which they have been missing for more than a century. Ungulates like wild donkeys perform an important function in their ecosystems by dispersing plants and churning up soil with their grazing habits. Although human activities have caused many plant and animal species around the world to go extinct or become threatened or endangered, it is clear that humans also can and should make concerted efforts to help many of these species recover. Other recent examples of reintroduced species include the Siamese crocodile in Cambodia and the Partula tohiveana snail on the South Pacific island of Moorea. 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. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) One of the most controversial upcoming bills at the statehouse is the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act, which would define abortion as homicide. If passed, the bill would allow the death penalty for abortions. State Representative Josiah Magnuson said this would be the toughest anti-abortion bill in the country. The Prenatal Equal Protection Act will amend state laws and broaden the definition of a person, to include an unborn child at any stage of development. The current policy in South Carolina is that women can have an abortion within the first six weeks of pregnancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magnuson said its important for the unborn to have equal rights. Every person has a right to justice, so it treats all murder the same, beginning with the unborn child, all parties to the crime would be punished under this bill, he said. Magnuson said many people slam this bill for the wrong reasons. Often this bill is criticized that its a prosecution of women bill, but what it is is a prosecution of intentional abortion, Magnuson said. If a woman commits an abortion or if a man coerces her to commit an abortion or conspires to commit an abortion, all of those parties would be prosecuted, but only for an intentional abortion, where theres evidence to prove that it happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vicki Ringer, Public Affairs Director at Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, said South Carolinians do not want this. Its an issue for women and their doctors, but yet legislators are dictating when women can get abortions, Ringer said. Exceptions are not allowed. Ringer said Republican lawmakers like Magnuson need to understand that conservative women have abortions too. I dont believe for a minute that it will pass, but it does give you a sense of really how republicans feel about women, Ringer continued. Lets give them the death penalty if they seek to control their own bodies by having an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magnuson said he hopes lawmakers will see that the bill has language that protects mothers with medical emergencies. State Representative Jay Kilmartin was originally a co-sponsor of the bill. Rep. Kilmartin said he plans on removing his name from the bill and is in the process of pre-filing a new bill of his own, that has more specific details. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Dec. 25Giving thanks today and always for the New York Coalition for Open Government. It's strange to me, in an era when so many backed a return to office by Donald Trump because they support "draining the swamp" of government, that the coalition can't get more public traction for its ideas and ideals. For those who aren't aware, the coalition is a statewide good government advocacy group founded by Paul Wolf, an attorney from Williamsville. Coalition members support tons of sensible stuff, like making sure local governments and school districts operate appropriately, within the law and in the interest of being transparent to the voters, residents and taxpayers whose money supports their operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group released its annual "naughty and nice" list last week, a highlight of the year for a good government geek like me. We previously reported that the Niagara Falls City Council chairman's September decision to bar a resident from discussing a response she received to a Freedom of Information Law request at the podium inside city hall. Oh, and he called a cop over to have her removed, too, which did not score well with Wolf and company. Yes, Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams were named as "naughty," too. The rest of the list included several tidbits I found fascinating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, Wolf said a lawsuit revealed New York City's Police Department had delayed responses to 42,000 FOIL requests over a four-year period. Forty-two thousand! Then there's the Nassau County Police Department, which has spent at least $100,000 fighting a FOIL request for a phone directory despite receiving multiple court orders to do so and being held in contempt by the courts. "This is a pretty outrageous example of the lengths some will go to fight a FOIL request," Wolf said. One relatable "naughty" list entry involved the Syracuse school board's decision to send a cease and desist letter to a news station, asking the outlet to stop contacting board members with questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He only got a naughty, but it sounds like Phil Skowfoe Jr., supervisor in the town of Fulton in Schoharie County, deserved the "mean, old Mr. Potter" award for taking it upon himself to eliminate people's right to speak during board meetings and requiring them to submit a request to speak one week prior to any meeting. As Wolf noted, the requests need to be made before the town council's agenda is released, making it impossible for residents to know what might interest them enough to sign up to talk about at the next town meeting. "Just another example of this growing movement of not wanting to hear from the public," Wolf said. It's not all doom and gloom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's a "nice" list too. The people on it are considered fighters for transparency, people like Town of Colton Board member Kevin Beary who challenged his community's supervisor for refusing to explain his decision for entering into executive session. During the presentation of the coalition's 2024 "naughty and nice" list, Beary talked about something I've witnessed in local governments and school districts for years, what he called the "weird relationship" that often involves psychological dominance and submission between supervisors and board members. "The board members are afraid," he said. "They don't want to make waves." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wolf and coalition members have for years now been trying to make waves in what often amounts to a sea of sharks running local and state government in New York. They want public information, including meeting agendas and any accompanying documentation, to be readily available to the public. They want public officials to adhere to open meetings laws and to conduct business in public so members of the media can follow along and better understand what's being done with public resources. They want stiffer penalties for violators, noting that, as of now, New York has no real punishments for public officials who skirt the laws, outright ignore them or even abuse them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our laws are very weak compared to many other states so we will keep up the fight," Wolf said. It's a worthwhile fight and I'm glad Wolf and company keep fighting it. The government "swamp" isn't confined to Washington, D.C. When it comes to politics and government in Western New York, and in Niagara County in particular, it often feels like there's quagmire all around. Mark Scheer is a reporter and columnist with the Niagara Gazette and Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. If you have a story or a blessing you want to share with him, contact him at 716-282-2311, ext. 2254 or via email at mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com. NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA For the second straight year, Cleora Schools is the only school in the far corner of the state to receive top marks. Cleora schools receive prestigious academic honor The Oklahoma state report card indicates how individual schools perform in several areas and includes student demographic information. OK schools receive state report cards According to the state report card, 698,923 students were enrolled in Oklahoma schools during the 2023-24 school year. The report card includes information and grades for academic achievement and academic growth and graduation data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rural Delaware County school has 162 students from pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade and scored an overall grade of A for the 2023-2024 school year. After eighth grade, students transfer to Grove, Miami, Kethum, Afton, and Fairland to finish their academic careers. Cleora consistently ranks at the top of the state for the percentage of students achieving high marks taking the year-end tests known as the Oklahoma School Testing Program. The high schools in the largest school districts of Grove and Vinita scored an overall grade of C, with five schools scoring a D or lower. Area high schools also had two additional categories English language proficiency progress and graduation. Schools School Overall Grade Afton C Bluejacket High School D Cleora (K-8) A Colcord High School C Commerce High School C Fairland High School C Grove High School C Jay High School C Kansas High School C Kenwood (K-8) C Ketchum High School B Leach (K-8) C Miami High School D Mosley (PK-8) C Oaks Mission High School F Quapaw High School F Turkey Ford (P-6) C Vinita High School C Welch High School C White Oak (PK-8) C Wyandotte High School D Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An expedition with Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program did a species survey of Peru's Alto Mayo Landscape in 2024 The expedition recorded over 2,000 species during its 38-day survey Of the creatures recorded, 27 are species that are new to science A scientific expedition focused on conserving the known animals of Peru's Alto Mayo Landscape discovered 27 new species needing protection. In 2024, Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) launched a 38-day survey of the Alto Mayo Landscape "a complex mosaic of ecosystems and communities, including Indigenous territories, towns, and cities" stretching from the Andes to the Amazon, according to the organization. Trond Larsen, Ph.D, the expedition's scientific lead, tells PEOPLE that the mission was "to assess and monitor biodiversity and ecosystem health" in this area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trond is a "conservation ecologist, but also an explorer and naturalist at heart." He is also the senior director of biodiversity and ecosystem science at Conservation International and the lead of the organization's Rapid Assessment Program. Related: Zoo Celebrates Releasing Thousands of 'Giant Spiders' that Grow to Be the Size of a Human Hand "For more than a decade, Conservation International has worked with the Awajun people and local communities in Alto Mayo to reduce deforestation by supporting sustainable livelihoods, such as selling medicinal teas and vanilla, and sustainable agriculture with cocoa and coffee beans," Trond explains of the collaboration that led to his recent expedition. "These efforts are now culminating in a vision for establishing a conservation corridor across the Alto Mayo landscape that connects the more degraded areas with existing protected areas," he adds. "This will help to maintain Alto Mayo's unique biodiversity while also ensuring people continue to receive the benefits from nature that they depend upon." Ronald Diaz A semi-aquatic mouse that is new to science found during a scientific expedition in the Alto Mayo Landscape A semi-aquatic mouse that is new to science found during a scientific expedition in the Alto Mayo Landscape Before constructing this corridor, Conservation International needs to know "where the most important species live, especially those that are new to science, rare, or threatened with extinction." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trond's expedition went to the Alto Mayo Landscape to fill these "knowledge gaps" so that the corridor can develop a land-use plan that supports biodiversity conservation, agricultural sustainability, and habitat connectivity across the broader region. During the expedition's five-week survey, scientists recorded over 2,000 species, a "shocking" number for a "human-dominated" area of the Peruvian rainforest. Even more unexpected, out of the hundreds of species documented, 27 were new to science, including four new mammals, eight fish, three amphibians, and ten butterfly species. Additionally, "48 species are potentially new to science pending further research, and at least 49 species are threatened with extinction," according to Trond. Trond Larsen A new species of salamander found in Alto Mayo Landscape A new species of salamander found in Alto Mayo Landscape "Our team was very surprised at the extraordinarily high levels of biodiversity we encountered, particularly the number of species that are new to science. While the discovery of new invertebrates, such as insects, is quite common, the discovery of so many vertebrate animals, including new mammals, amphibians, and fishes, was shocking," the expedition lead shares. The conservation ecologist admits he has a favorite among the newly discovered species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My personal favorite, and also the most unusual, is the blob-headed fish," Trond says. The creature is a type of armored catfish, set apart from other armored catfish by the "large, bulbous speckled 'blob' extending from the end of its head." Related: Zoo Asks for Help Identifying 'Mysterious Winged and Horned Creature' Spotted Near Park Habitat Other new species to science found during the expedition include a new type of bat, amphibious mouse, climbing salamander, and squirrel. "While this fish is familiar to the local Indigenous Awajun people, it is completely new to scientists, and the function of this bizarre blob-like structure remains a mystery," Trond adds. Ronald Diaz A new species of dwarf squirrel A new species of dwarf squirrel "The scientific experts are continuing to study the newly discovered species in more detail, and eventually, each species will be formally 'described' and named, with the details published in a scientific journal," he says of what's next for the new animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservation International is working with the regional government and local communities to restore the areas of the Alto Mayo Landscape that are crucial to the animals recorded by the expedition. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to Trond, the Alto Mayo Landscape is the most "highly populated and human-influenced" landscape in which RAP has worked. The "shocking and unexpected" discovery of so many new species and the overall "tremendous diversity" of the Alto Mayo Landscape shows RAP and Conservation International that populated areas "largely ignored" by scientists can still be teeming with natural life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trond's next RAP expedition will occur in northeastern Bolivia in the first half of 2025. To learn more about Conservation International and how the organization protects nature, visit www.conservation.org. Read the original article on People Dec. 24As a character daydreamed in "Mardi," one of Melville's sea-swept novels, "In heaven, at last, our good, old, white-haired father Adam will greet all alike ... Christian shall join hands between Gentile and Jew; grim Dante forget his Infernos, and shake sides with fat Rabelais; and monk Luther, over a flagon of old nectar, talk over old times with Pope Leo. " Here in landlocked Scottsdale, it's quite a heavenly week, with the celebration of two religious holidays Wednesday, Dec. 25. You may be familiar with one of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty-nine years ago, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" made its debut, with the sad-sack star moaning about how commercialized the big holiday has become. "We all know that Christmas," an unsympathetic Lucy counsels, "is a big commercial racket." And that was long before the advent of social media where similar views now ring loud. Far less popularized/commercialized is the Jewish eight-day festival Hanukkah or Chanukah. It can begin at any time from late November to late December; this year, Hanukkah's first day shares Dec. 25 with Christmas. The Jewish holiday is best known for its candle-lighting ceremonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chabad of Scottsdale celebrates a "Grand Menorah Lighting" on the second night of Hanukkah at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, at Scottsdale Quarter. At 4:45 p.m. Dec. 29, Chabad of South Scottsdale host a "Festival of Lights" celebration at the Soleri Bridge on the Old Town Scottsdale Waterfront. Candles will also be lit for nine nights at Congregation Beth Tefillah on Shea Boulevard along what could be called "religion row" the Jewish temple is sandwiched between Chaparral Christian Church and a Mormon church, a few blocks east of Congregation Beth Israel. Scottsdale Bible Church is just down Shea from Congregation Beth Tefillah, where the casually charismatic Rabbi Pinchas Allouche mixes humor with deep dives into the Torah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few years ago, Rabbi Allouche gave a sermon on Chanukak/Hanukkah. "This story takes us back some 2,100 years ago, to the year 164 BCE ..."When the Syrian ruler Antiochus the 5th ascended the throne he was determined to impose his values on the Jewish people. "He forbade the practice of Judaism, set up a statue of Zeus in the Temple, and systematically desecrated Jerusalem's holy sites. Jews who were caught practicing Judaism were tortured to death." But, the rabbi reflected, history had a different ending: "A small group of Jews, led by the elderly priest Matisyahu and his sons, rose in revolt. They fought a brilliant campaign, and within three years they had recaptured Jerusalem, removed sacrilegious objects from the Temple, and restored Jewish autonomy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was, as we say in the Hanukah prayers, a victory for 'the weak against the strong, and the few against the many.' Religious liberty was established and the Temple was rededicated." Thus was a holiday born, as "hanukah" means "rededication." Yet, Rabbi Allouche stressed, this isn't just a celebration of the past: "Chanukah's lessons resonate powerfully in every generation. Whether facing external threats or internal struggles, the message remains: we must be steadfast in our faith, unyielding in our identity, and determined to spread light." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jacob the fighter Though his place of worship encourages strict observation of the Jewish law Halacha (aka "the way to behave") and is considered Orthodox, the rabbi says, "I very much dislike labels I often say that labels are good for clothing and food, not for human beings. "We're just Jewish." As the temple's website notes, "Our service incorporates both Ashkenazic and Sephardic elements and is designed by Rabbi Allouche to make our 'house of prayer' a spiritual lighthouse to every Jewish man, woman, and child, regardless of background, affiliation or level of observance." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two weeks before Hannukah, Rabbi Allouche read from an ancient scroll. The congregation girls and women on the left, boys and men on the right then joins in the lobby for refreshments as they reflect on the reading. A staff member's call alerts the time for the sermon was nearing, so drinks are tossed down and members returned to their seats. As he often does, the rabbi begins with a light joke about a couple celebrating its 50-year anniversary. The wife gives her husband a sweater, noting she knits a sweater every time they fight. "Only one sweater in 50 years?" the husband marvels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She sold the rest. After chuckles, the rabbi gets serious, digging into the day's reading about how Jacob grandson of Abraham and leader of the Israelites was a fighter: He fights with everyone yet keeps his family together, the rabbi stresses. He notes the word "sheep" is mentioned 89 times in the text. Why? Our calling, like sheep's, is "to follow. To believe God is in everyone, even the one you are fighting with." Heads nod vigorously in agreement. Each man and boy wears a kippah also known as "yarmulke" and religious shawl. One kippah is red, with one word: Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That one is not, however, worn by Adam Kwasman, who boisterously calls out "amen!" and "wow!" in his booming voice during the service. Kwasman almost always wears his kippah even on the campaign trail. "I only heard good things. When we are strong, we are respected," he said, when asked about his reception as he ran for office. With a grimace, he added he did not wear a kippah in a failed Congressional campaign 10 years ago, when he was still discovering his faith. The night of Nov. 5, Kwasman thought his message in Scottsdale had failed. "After the first count, I thought I lost," he recalled with a wide grin. "I said to my wife 'I have no regrets' because I ran as who I am." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During later counts, Kwasman went roaring into the lead, nailing down a position on Scottsdale City Council; he takes office Jan. 14. Though Kwasman stresses Hanukkah is considered one of the most minor of Jewish holidays, there is something he finds major. "The menorah is everywhere the lighting ceremonies here, at Kierland, on the Waterfront. We have menorahs at home, in our windows. It's a very outward thing. "I wanted to be a menorah in my campaign." Back in Kwasman's synagogue, Rabbi Allouche closes his sermon with a shake your head joke about an atheist father who tries to teach his 6-year-old son to follow in his nonbelieving footsteps. In the middle of the night as the boy sleeps, the father puts a sign above his bed for the son to read every morning: "God is nowhere!" The boy, still learning to read, wakes up, sees the sign and proclaims "God is now here!" Melville and members of just about any religion imaginable would nod at that, as well as the rabbi's blessing: "May the light of Chanukah inspire us all to rededicate ourselves to our heritage, and may it bring warmth, hope, and unity to a world in need of healing." Every day April Clark begs, pleads, prays for her boys to come home. Brothers Wesley Cornett, 17, and Andruw Cornett, 19, are somewhere in the waters of the Thermalito Afterbay near Oroville, less than an hours drive north on Highway 70 from their home in Olivehurst, Yuba County. By Christmas Eve, it had been 11 days since the two went missing on a duck hunting trip on the afterbay Dec. 14. In the days since that Saturday morning, Clark has posted raw, desperate pleas to her Facebook account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pleas for prayers. Pleas for walkers and divers to aid in an ever-lengthening search. Pleas for the boys she calls her babies. Day 10 Im so lost and broken and still cant wrap my mind around this all I just want my babies home, Clark wrote on Monday. Please keep praying everyone and if u can come out walking or u have a boat to search please come out and help find my babies. The agonizing post came the same day the Butte County Sheriffs Office announced its decision to alter its search-and-recovery mission. Divers and sonar failed to find them. Teams will now focus on a continuous limited search instead, the Sheriffs Office said in a social media post accompanied by photos of the Cornett brothers, rainsoaked and in camouflage posing with their dogs and their quarry after a successful duck hunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The search and recovery efforts for Andruw and Wesley Cornett have entered the tenth day at the Thermalito Afterbay. At this point in the recovery we have exhausted efforts with divers and sonar technology, the Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Their tools now are aircraft and boats, dogs and drones. The last sign of the brothers came the morning of Dec. 14, Andruw calling Butte County emergency dispatchers to tell them Wesleys kayak had overturned in the water and that he was going in after him. Neither were wearing life jackets, according to a Chico Enterprise-Record timeline of the moments before the brothers disappeared. Stay out of the water, the dispatcher said. It was 8:34 a.m. The Sheriffs Office detailed the first frantic hours on its website, with deputies throwing everything into the effort: helicopters and drones; sonar, divers, searchers and dog teams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first deputy arrived at 8:47 a.m., followed at 8:55 a.m. by a Cal Fires Butte County water rescue team. Sheriffs marine searchers would spot a kayak and possibly one of the brothers just minutes later; then a paddle and waders. Searchers from across Northern California more than 280 people in all from 11 counties, state agencies and search and rescue teams have since joined Butte County search teams to try to locate the Yuba County brothers. A map detailing the search efforts on the afterbay shows a multicolored crosshatch, each line representing a single vessels recorded search, said Butte County Sheriffs officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Divers specializing in deep underwater construction and heavy marine salvage found Andruws pants on Dec. 17. They found Wesleys wallet on Dec. 19. Stanislaus County Sheriffs divers found younger brother Wesleys jacket the following day with his phone inside. Days later, Sheriffs officials have limited their search, and April Clark and her family are planning for the worst. She has organized a GoFundMe account to find and honor her sons. Vintage Christmas card (Photo by Cheryl Tevis) Dear readers, Merry Yuletide! Im posting a few singular greetings from holidays past: postcards from a bygone era, with images of a simpler time portraying a slower pace of life. My dear grandma tucked these away in a drawer, unsent; Ive collected them in a small album I treasure. Postcards were the text messages of their time, and their heyday was between 1900 and 1915. The cards, with a small space for a personal note and a stamp, were inexpensive, and didnt require an envelope. They were slow to arrive, but time-saving to the sender. Writing letters in the proper format of the day was time-consuming in an era when people had to complete the tasks of daily life without modern conveniences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet today we often feel our lives are so busy and rushed. Sometimes I wonder how did I ever get everything done ahead of the holidays? My friend Mary is a journaler, and during a recent visit, she brought a copy of her entry following a 1993 visit to our farm. Mary wrote that my older daughter was decorating the windows in preparation for a party in two weeks. We can never get ready because Mom has to get the baby to sleep, my daughter told her. It made me laugh aloud, and released a rush of December memories: Holiday parties at the homes of two great-grandmas; Christmas at my in-laws with siblings and cousins; New Years with my siblings in northwestern Iowa; The holiday office party in Des Moines; School and Heartland Youth Choir concerts; Piano recital Sunday School pageant My December shopping list included gifts of appreciation for an array of important people: school bus driver teachers piano teacher dance instructor babysitters Sunday School teacher Trading in traditions All that hustle and bustle yields a bumper crop of memories today. Our celebrations immerse us in memories of loved ones, their customs, recipes, and decorations. Holiday melodies and carols transport us back in time to our childhood home, a Christmas Eve program, or favorite sledding hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One fond memory is the day my husbands dad hitched his two Belgians, Queenie and Babe, to a bobsled, and treated six of the grandkids and our neighbors, the Larsons, to a ride to the hill pasture behind the barn. The ground was covered with snow, but the temperature was mild, and the winds were calm. It was a perfect day for a winter outing. (Photo by Cheryl Tevis) Music echoed throughout our home, and especially during the holidays. Long before the kids could play piano, I accompanied them as they sang our favorites: Jingle Bell Rock, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, and many others. Our older daughter learned The Twelve Days of Christmas at an astonishingly young age, and performed it on cue for her grandparents and anyone else who would listen. But one of our favorite musical memories is her rendition at age 2 and a half of Deck the Hogs. You know the one, Fa La La La La, La, La, La, La! We were raising hogs, and in the context of her toddler frame of reference, the lyrics made sense. The tradition of cutting a live tree began with our children, and for many years we made the scenic drive to Ho-Ho Holts Christmas Tree Farm near Stratford. We enjoyed a tractor-drawn hayrack ride into the woods where we found the perfect tree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, we loved piling into the car with our grown kids and their spouses, and driving 10 miles to Daytons Festival of Lights, a drive-through lighted display at Oak Park. Those days are gone. It was sad when Ho-Ho-Holts closed, and we miss the Festival of Trees. But weve grown to love Deals Orchard in Jefferson, and its delicious samples of hot cider, popcorn, donuts, and hard cider. This year we arrived so late that our size of tree was in short supply. So we unexpectedly broke with tradition by buying a pre-cut tree. Who knows? We may never cut another New tree at church in memory of Betty and Earl with engraved tree collar. (Photo by Cheryl Tevis) one. Other losses are irreplaceable: the empty chairs of loved ones around the family table. This year, we bought a new artificial tree for our church, and ordered an engraved tree collar in memory of my husbands parents, the only grandparents our kids ever knew. Its not always the most wonderful time of the year, is it? Lighting the way For decades, on my drive to northwestern Iowa at the holidays, I watched for a favorite landmark signaling: Youre almost home. A small cedar tree on the steeply-graded hillside along a two-lane stretch of Highway 20 just west of Correctionville was decorated with lights. As the years passed, I pointed it out to my young daughters. We wondered who decorated it, and imagined why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2009, I decided to find out. The tradition began in 1979, when Becky and Gary Bollmeyer fastened vehicle dashboard lights and signal blinkers to a tree, wiring it to a car battery. A few years later, they asked the Rural Electric Cooperative to bring power to the tree. The first 500 feet (about one-third) was donated by the REC, and $600 was raised by the community and radio station KSCI to make year-round lights possible. Truckers stopping at local gas stations would tell cashiers that the little tree was a beacon on foggy nights, and how much it brightened their days. They left donations. After Gary had a stroke in 2001, a local 4-H club adopted it. But in recent years, the little tree has gone dark. Unexpected treasures We seldom know when an experience, event, or tradition will be the last time, do we? So we must celebrate in the moment. Although the holidays are rooted in traditions, the ways we celebrate can evolve, along with our lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This brings me back to my tradition of holiday letters sent just after New Years. Thanks to technology, I have a letter file from the past. Each year when our children visit, we print a fresh supply of old letters, and read them aloud together. They provide a written record of what weve enjoyed and endured as a family, linking us to the past and one another, and renewing our sense of continuity across the generations. Well search through our stack of DVDs converted from VCR tapes, and relive memorable moments, like the bobsled ride, cutting live trees with the kids, moving the barn, Christmas mornings and so much more. Well share favorite memories of our Grand Teton/Yellowstone family trip last fall. (Photo by Cheryl Tevis) And sometimes, the discovery of an unexpected gift from the past opens the door to creating a new tradition. Many years ago, I gave my mother-in-law a set of holiday dishes. In her later years, as she was downsizing, she told me she had planned to return these dishes to me, but she no longer could find them. It remained a mystery after she died in 2019. (Photo by Cheryl Tevis) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently my sister-in-law, Lorna, and two nieces made another push to sort through Grandmas belongings. Soon after, Lorna showed up at my door with a cardboard box discovered in an unexplored office closet. After opening it, she recognized the missing dinner plates, serving bowls, cups, and saucers. So this Christmas, well set our table with Grandmas long-lost holiday dishes, and well celebrate her life. Well laugh as we read her Class Prophecy and Grandpas in a recently unearthed Jordan High School issue of The Bomber. We might even gather around the piano and sing a few old favorites. As it turns out, theyre still favorites! This weeks top five holiday songs in the U.S. include: #2 Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, #3 Jingle Bell Rock, and #5 Holly Jolly Christmas. Not everything is lost to time. The past always is with us. Some gifts, like old postcards, holiday songs, and Grandmas mistletoe dishes, are simply waiting to be rediscovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter how you celebrate the holidays, I wish you and your loved ones the gift of unexpectedly memorable moments. Cheryl This column first appeared on Cheryl Tevis blog Unfinished Business, and it is republished here via the Iowa Writers Collaborative. Editors note: Please consider subscribing to the collaborative and its member writers to support their work. The illegal Guatemalan migrant charged with torching a sleeping straphanger to death on a Brooklyn subway train was a heavy drinker who chain-smoked K2, pals at the homeless shelter where he was living told The Post. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, who was arraigned on first-degree murder charges Tuesday, started his Sunday calmly enough at the Samaritan Village Forbell mens shelter in East New York, sharing a breakfast of French toast, sausage and grits at the facility with one of his roommates before things took a gruesome turn. He said, Im going out to make my normal run, then the next thing I hear what he did on the news, said Raymond Robinson, who slept next to Zapeta-Calil at the shelter. Raymont Robinson painted a disturbing picture of Zapeta-Calils habitual use of synthetic drugs. Michael Nagle He smoked K2, drank and bugged out, Robinson said. He would bug out and talk to himself when he was high, but he never harmed nobody or himself. When he wasnt high hed talk like were talking regular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Robinson said his migrant pal smoked about $30 worth of the synthetic drug every day and lost it when he drank. Zapeta was a regular drug user, his roommate at a homeless shelter said. Pool Police said Zapeta-Calil told them he was so boozed up on Sunday morning when he allegedly set the unidentified woman on fire on an F train at the Coney Island station that he doesnt remember what happened. Follow the latest on the migrant accused of burning a woman to death on the subway: The drug-addled migrant was ordered held without bail at his arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Tuesday, where he said nothing as he was hit with first- and second-degree murder and first-degree arson charges. Assistant District Attorney Ari Rosenberg said Zapeta-Calil was seen on video footage fanning the flames and sitting down calmly on a bench while the victim burned inside the train. Subway surveilance images show Sebasian Zapeta-Calil leaving the car as the woman burns to death. The defendant stated in sum and substance that he drinks a lot of liquor and did not remember what happened, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson, an unemployed father of six who has lived at the Brooklyn shelter for about a year, said Zapeta-Calil was often inebriated. He spoke to imaginary people but he was harmless well, I thought he was, he told The Post. He was a nice guy, quiet, he kept to himself, said Robinson, 54. He was friendly. Say you just came in and needed some socks hed help you out. He was very gentle, nice and spoke to you with good manners and respect. Thats why this st fed my head up because I slept next to him and he was never like that, he added. I wouldnt leave my daughter with anybody but he was the type of dude I could trust as long as he wasnt high. Robinson said his former roommate lost it when he drank. Michael Nagle Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zapeta was arraigned on murder charges on Christmas Eve. Pool But Robinson said Zapeta-Calil drank Voda vodka the cheapest st there is and was typical of other heavy-drinking migrants shacking up at the shelter. The migrants mainly get up in the morning, leave and come back drunk, he said. He would come back drunk most days. Juan Medrano, another resident of the shelter, said Zapeta-Calil was in his own world and was kind of awkward. He didnt work, Medrano, 47, said. Most people that live here dont work, which is why theyre in the shelter. Some people will go to Home Depot and get picked up to do some laboring. But Medrano added, He was never in trouble at the shelter. GAZA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israel has set new conditions related to its withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners exchange, and the return of the displaced, which has delayed reaching an agreement that was available, Hamas said Wednesday. BELGRADE (Reuters) - Hundreds of university students rallied in Belgrade on Wednesday to protest the policies of President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), whom they blame for a railway disaster last month in which 15 people died. The concrete awning of the recently renovated roof of the train station in the northern city of Novi Sad caved in on Nov. 1, killing 14 and injuring three. One of the injured died later. Students at universities in Belgrade and across Serbia have been protesting since, demanding publication of documents relevant to the station renovation and the prosecution of those responsible for the disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a 15-minute silent vigil to commemorate the victims of the Novi Sad accident, students marched to the State Prosecutors headquarters in Belgrade to deliver 1,000 identical letters of protest to the office of Zagorka Dolovac, the chief state prosecutor. "Students demand that you fight for the law and justice, without any political or corrupt malpractices," the letter said. Students, opposition and civic groups blame Dolovac and prosecutors for the sluggish investigation into the train station disaster, something they deny. Students carried banners depicting a bloodied hand, which they say symbolises the governments responsibility for the awning collapse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These (protests) are the way (to win), the one and only way," said Zaklina, 22, a law student. Opposition parties and civic groups have also taken to the streets, blaming the accident in Novi Sad on shoddy construction resulting from corruption and nepotism. The ruling coalition denies this and Vucic has said those responsible for the station collapse must be held to account. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Ed Osmond) A terrorist act sank the sanctioned Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean this week, the Kremlin-backed company that owns the vessel has claimed. The ship, linked to Russias efforts to supply its forces in Syria, sank in international waters off Spain in the early hours of Tuesday. The Oboronlogistika company said on Wednesday that it thinks a targeted terrorist attack was committed on Dec 23, 2024, against the Ursa Major, it said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three consecutive explosions took place on the ship before it began taking on water, added the company, which belongs to the Russian defence ministry. It did not indicate who may have been behind the attack or why. It also did not provide the evidence that led to its conclusion. X / bayraktar_1love Footage of the 466ft ship showed it leaning heavily to its starboard side, with its stern much lower in the water than usual, was filmed by a passing ship on Monday. Tracking data showed the vessels voyage began from St Petersburg on Dec 11 and it was last seen sending a signal between Algeria and Spain late on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian foreign ministrys crisis unit on Tuesday said that the ship sank after an explosion in the engine room. It added that 14 Russian crew members had been rescued and taken to the Spanish port of Cartagena, but two were missing. An office of Russias Investigative Committee, which carries out major probes in the country, said on Tuesday it had opened an investigation into possible maritime transport security regulations violations. The Ursa Major claimed it was sailing from the Russian city of St Petersburg to Vladivostok in Russias Far East. It said this was part of state efforts to develop ports and the northern sea route via the Arctic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, for years the cargo ship is said to have been a stalwart of Moscows logistical effort to support Bashar al-Assads regime and was sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2022. The sinking comes amid speculation that Russia is evacuating and relocating its Syrian bases following the collapse of Assads regime and his flight to Moscow. Ukraines GUR military intelligence has recently said the Ursa Major was used to supply Russian troops in its Syrian naval base in Tartus, which has been largely emptied of warships since the rebel takeover. The US in 2022 imposed sanctions on Oboronlogistika and its ships, including the Ursa Major, for providing transportation services... for the delivery of cargo to Russian-occupied Crimea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ships sinking came after a Russian tanker transporting fuel oil partially sank in a strait between Moscow-annexed Crimea and southern Russia on December 16, causing a major oil spill. 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. WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) A Christmas Eve wish happened Tuesday in Waterbury. Three sisters who never met John, Meriden polices therapy dog, got the chance to meet the furry friend who spends a lot of time trying to make people smile. The sisters had heard about John from a profile piece News 8 reporter Jeff Derderian did back in August profiling the K-9. The sisters gathered Tuesday at the Village at East Farms in Waterbury. It was all smiles when Officer Stephanie Masella walked through the door with her partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John was very, very friendly, and just a sweet boy, very sweet. said one of the sisters, Fran Nardoia. Masella and John spend a lot of time making people smile at different places, and theyre also at crime scenes too to comfort kids at times. The duo also does a lot of work helping police officers who see trauma. John and I go to a lot of different places, especially places like this, and it lights up their faces when he walks in the room, and hes such a beautiful dog, and they cant get over how handsome he is and what a sweet boy he is. Masella said. Leah Foley from Hamden saw the story on and told her boyfriend that the dog looked a lot like the dog they were raising as a puppy that would go on to become a seeing eye dog. Foley contacted Masella and learned that John and the puppy, Landon, were brothers. Foley and Masella have since become friends, and thats how the Christmas Eve wish was granted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what its all about, and I could not have thought of a better day to do this, Masella said. I thought Christmas Eve is the perfect day, very fulfilling for me this and this family is just so wonderful. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Its been more than a year since the San Luis Obispo County deputies arrested an Arroyo Grande middle school teacher after she allegedly threw papers and forcibly removed a hairbrush from the hand of a disruptive student who happened to be the daughter of a Sheriffs Office employee. Now the teacher is suing, claiming the Sheriffs Offices response was an abuse of power. Though the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office ultimately declined to file child abuse charges against Mesa Middle School teacher Sarah Watts, it didnt minimize the emotional distress she endured, according to a lawsuit she filed against the county and a handful of Sheriffs Office employees this past May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the lawsuit, Watts claimed her arrest was motivated by spite for the perceived mistreatment of the Sheriffs Office employees daughter, who was allegedly being disruptive in class. The lawsuit specifically accused the county and its Sheriffs Office of false arrest and imprisonment, unreasonable search and seizure, violation of civil rights, negligence and inflicting emotional distress. Meanwhile, the county called Watts claims frivolous in its response to the lawsuit filed in July. Patrick Fisher, Watts attorney, told The Tribune the entire experience was extremely traumatic for Watts and has made it virtually impossible for her to continue on with her career as a teacher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Middle school teachers always expect theyll have to deal with some unruly, raucous students, Fisher said. Ms. Watts never could have anticipated that her struggles with a rowdy classroom would lead to her wrongful arrest and wrongfully tarnished reputation. The Sheriffs Office referred The Tribune to the countys counsel, Rita Neal, who told The Tribune the county is actively defending the case. The lawsuit did not name a specific amount of money but rather asks for damages to be paid in an amount to be proven at trial, along with attorneys fees. As part of its Reality Check series, The Tribune looked into what has happened with the case in the past year. A teacher at Mesa Middle School in San Luis Obispo County was arrested on suspicion of child abuse after she allegedly yanked a hairbrush away from a student and tossed papers around, inflicting a paper cut on the same student. The teacher wont face criminal charges, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office said. Lawsuit claims daughter of Sheriffs Office employee was regularly disruptive in class Watts filed a lawsuit against San Luis Obispo County and several Sheriffs Office employees about a year after her April 2023 arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit named San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson, Sgt. John Penaflor, Cmdr. Keith Scott, Det. Kara Dickel, Det. Ian McFarland and Deputy David Woodward and alleged the agency abused its power and subjected her to humiliation with the arrest. The lawsuit alleged the student who reported the teacher was the daughter of Penaflor. According to the lawsuit, Penaflors daughter was one of few rather problematic students in her eighth-grade math class. The student was regularly disruptive, drawing attention away from the lesson plan and toward herself. On April 25, 2023, the student began causing a disruption with her hairbrush, the lawsuit said. Watts gave the student several verbal warnings, including telling the student to stop disrupting the class and put the brush away, but the student continued, the lawsuit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watts then confiscated the hairbrush that was causing the disruption, the lawsuit said. After Watts took the hairbrush, the student reportedly contacted her father and alleged Watts hurt her hand when the hairbrush was taken and claimed Watts threw papers, which scratched the students temple area. Photos of injuries a Mesa Middle School student claimed she received at the hands of her eighth grade math teacher on April 25, 2023. The left photo shows what the student claimed was a papercut from the teacher throwing papers. The right photos shows injuries to fingers the student claimed she suffered when the teacher took a hairbrush out of her hand. Lawsuit: Teacher alleges Sheriffs Office workers tried to elicit false confession According to both the lawsuit and the district attorneys news release at the time, body camera footage showed Penaflor telling his daughter he thought the scratch near her temple was from an unrelated incident the day before. The footage also showed Penaflor telling his daughter the scratches on her hand looked old, the lawsuit and District Attorneys release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the lawsuit, the student also told Woodward, Dickel and McFarland she didnt think Watts intentionally hit her with papers. Yet, even with this flimsy report of barely existent, old injuries, Watts was aggressively interrogated for almost three hours, the lawsuit said. It claimed during that time, Woodward, Dickel and McFarland attempted to intimidate Watts into a false confession. During the interrogation, Woodward also falsely claimed the Sheriffs Office had video evidence of the alleged child abuse, the lawsuit said. When the aggressive interrogation tactics and intimidation failed to produce a false confession out of Watts, the Sheriffs Office falsely arrested her on suspicion of felony child abuse charges, the lawsuit claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The false arrest was in violation of her constitutional rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizure, the lawsuit said. Publicizing teachers arrest led to crippling embarrassment, lawsuit says The lawsuit said Watts was arrested at the middle school around 3:45 p.m. and arrived at the San Luis Obispo County Jail at 4:44 p.m., where she sat in a patrol car for some time. The Sheriffs Office sent out a news release regarding the incident at 5:49 p.m., when Watts was still in handcuffs and had not yet been removed from the patrol vehicle, the lawsuit claimed. Watts was booked into jail at around 6:50 p.m. and was placed in a cold, hard jail cell. She had not been given anything to eat or drink since she was detained and interrogated at 1 p.m., the lawsuit claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watts used a used milk cartoon to get water out of the sink in the cell to drink, the lawsuit said. Further, while her bond was posted at 9 p.m., she was not fingerprinted until around 11 p.m., the lawsuit claimed. Watts was released from jail custody after midnight. Upon her release, Watts found numerous text messages and voicemails on her phone from people who had heard of her arrest through the countys new release. Embarrassment and shame overwhelmed Watts, the lawsuit said. The embarrassment was crippling. The lawsuit claimed San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow called Watts prior to his news release to inform her his office would not be filing charges and extended his sympathy for what she had been through a traumatic arrest and public humiliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is exceedingly rare for Mr. Dow to personally telephone individuals under these circumstances, the lawsuit said. It is even more rare for Mr. Dow to personally extend sympathy for what such individuals have been put through. The fact that Mr. Dow did this speaks volumes about the unjustness of this arrest. Dow did not return The Tribunes request for comment on the alleged phone call. According to a news release from the time, the District Attorneys Office cited the body camera footage of the students father telling his daughter he thought the injuries were old as one of the reasons it did not file charges. California law also allows teachers to use the same amount of physical control as a parent is legally allowed to use in order to keep a class from being unruly, the agency said. This meant that even if Watts had accidentally caused the scratches which the lawsuit said she didnt her actions still would have been lawful, according to the agency. County says sheriffs employees acted in good faith In its July response to the lawsuit, county representatives called Watts complaints frivolous and denied any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said any negative impacts Watts experienced were directly and proximately caused and contributed by (her) carelessness and negligence. It also said Watts did not exercise reasonable care to avoid consequences of harm or prevent aggravation of any injuries. All the Sheriffs Office employees accused in the lawsuit acted lawfully and did not violated Watts rights, the filing said. According to the filing, the officers acted with good faith. It also claimed the officers were immune to liability because any alleged injuries suffered by Watts were caused by instituting or enforcing laws. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 10. DENVER (KDVR) While many are off work for the next few days, some retailers in Denver will not only be working through the holidays, but they will also be using the time to figure out how to bring in new revenue after Denver City Council passed an ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine. Mom-and-pop retailers in Denver are worried about the future of their businesses, not only because of the loss of revenue but also because of the brief amount of time they have to implement the changes. Crow, Bennet seek to fund, expand co-responder mental health programs in US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zachary Shadi-Kingsley operates the convenience store at the corner of 45th and Washington streets in Denver. The store has been there for 28 years but his family has operated convenience stores in the area for more than 50. Its a little gas station, a little neighborhood store. You know? As you can tell, I know most of the people who come into my store. A lot of these guys have seen me grow up in the store, said Shadi-Kingsley. Weve never thought about leaving until this point. And its not just the flavor ban. Its the way they went about doing the flavor ban. It seemed rushed, it seemed like they didnt reach out to any of the business owners. So we have debated and started looking at properties outside of Denver now. Denver City Council passed the ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco in the city and county in a vote of 11 to one on Dec. 16. Mayor Mike Johnston then signed it into city law two days later last Wednesday. Retailers now have until march 18 to figure out how they will comply. Thats forty percent of direct sales; not including people who come in who are buying some kind of flavored tobacco product or nicotine product and they buy a drink and get gasoline. All those sales we havent been wholly able to figure out how much that would be. Were estimating about 50-60% of our total revenue will be gone, said Shadi-Kingsley, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denvers Department of Public Health and Environment said it is still working through the details of enforcement and education around the ban, hoping to update its internal systems in the first quarter of 2025. In the meantime, store owners have questions about penalties and general operations in Denver. Elizabeth School District sued for removing books from school libraries To city council and the mayor, going into the new year and everything else, I just hope they reach out to us. I really do. Hopefully, they reach out to the small business owners and ask our input about what we can do going forward because we are failing. Were failing across the board and we see it and they have not reached out to us. They have not had the dialogue that we need not only to improve not just with the vapes, but just general issues that are facing small business owners, Shadi-Kingsley said. While supporters of the ordinance said its passage will help keep these items out of schools, store owners worry young people will just get the products elsewhere and stores in nearby cities will collect revenue from adults that used to get the products in Denver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. A storm will bring light rain and snow to parts of New Mexico on Christmas Day. Temperatures will also be cooler for the rest of the week. High temperatures across New Mexico this Christmas Eve are sitting slightly cooler than yesterday behind a weak cold front. Despite the cooler air, its been yet another above-average day temperature-wise. This quiet weather briefly gets disrupted Christmas Day as a fast-moving storm moves into New Mexico. A few spotty rain and mountain snow showers will move into northwest New Mexico and southwest Colorado overnight tonight, but most of the precipitation with the Christmas Day storm system wont move into western New Mexico until late in the morning. The rain and mountain snow will move east across the state through the evening, bringing rain chances in the Albuquerque Metro by the mid to late afternoon, and light snow to areas above 8,5000 in western, central, and northern New Mexico. By Christmas night, western New Mexico will see drier weather return, while spotty showers and light snow will move into eastern half of the state. Snow levels may briefly drop down to as low as 7,000 overnight, but accumulations will be light to none. A few lingering showers may stick around through Thursday morning in far eastern New Mexico, but the rest of the state will see drier and clearer skies. Temperatures on Christmas Day will still be mild for most of New Mexico, despite a cold front sweeping across the state through the day. Winds will be breezy though, and could gust as high as 35 to 45 mph before dying down Christmas night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday will see drier air through the afternoon, along with cooler temperatures. Another round of spotty showers and light snow will move through northern New Mexico late Thursday night into very early Friday morning, but again, any accumulations will be very light. Cooler air sticks around northern New Mexico on Friday, while the rest of the state will begin a warming trend. Warmer weather returns statewide on Saturday as this warming trend continues into early next week when highs will once again be well-above average for the end of December. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Dec. 24Parts of Maine reported a snowy Christmas Eve on Tuesday, with up to a foot falling in some places. As of 11:30 a.m., the National Weather Service in Gray said 6 inches of snow had fallen in Rangeley, 5 inches in Madrid, 1 inch in Freeport, 3 inches in Lewiston and as many as 8 inches in nearby Jackson, New Hampshire. Portland received only a dusting of snow. Jon Palmer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Gray, said forecasters expected precipitation to slow down in inland areas through Tuesday morning but said snowfall would continue up and down the coast, with 1-3 inches expected from Portland through the Midcoast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 2 p.m., the National Weather Service station in Caribou said snowfall had ended everywhere except Washington County, where just over 7 inches had been recorded in Eastport around 1:30 p.m. Elsewhere in northern and central Maine, there was as much as a foot of snow in the Piscataquis County towns of Sangerville and Parkman. Penobscot County had 9 inches of snowfall in Dexter and more than 8 inches in Bangor and Bradford. And along the coast in Hancock County, some towns saw at least 5 inches. Palmer said Christmas Day would be "a pretty nice day" in Maine. He forecast that Wednesday would start off mostly clear, with some clouds building in the middle of the day all around the state. Temperatures are expected to be in the low 30s, meaning the accumulated snow should stick around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forecast is expected to stay similar until Sunday, when 1 to 2 inches of rain will likely fall around the state, although Palmer said there could still be snow in the White Mountains. Copy the Story Link LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Dreaming of a white Christmas? Just like the one that helped Lake Mead? Forget snow angels in Las Vegas. Were talking water security. Two years ago, atmospheric rivers deluged the Colorado River Basin. It all started around Christmastime, piling snow up in the Sierra Nevada range before spilling over to the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It wasnt fun while it was happening power outages disrupted parts of Washoe County for a week after very wet snows around New Years Eve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when that Pacific moisture made it all the way to the Rockies, it really was a dream come true for the Southwest U.S., where more than 40 million people rely on the Colorado River. Snowpack levels ended at 160% of normal, and reservoirs made a bit of a recovery in the megadrought that began in 2000. Peak snowpack levels are still three months away, and the outlook on water is still a work in progress. A series of atmospheric rivers produced strong waves and storms on the California coast this week. Currently, snowpack is at 80% of normal in the Upper Colorado River Basin, according to data compiled by the Bureau of Land Management. Snow that falls in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming melts and drains down the river to Lake Powell and Lake Mead before continuing to the U.S.-Mexico border. (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation) Forecasts identified La Nina conditions ahead of winter this year, suggesting dryer-than-normal conditions. So far, that has held true. On Nov. 11, 8 News Now reported a fast start as snowpack reached 147% of normal after Denvers first major snowstorm of the year. But since then, there hasnt been much action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early-winter averages are low just a few inches so a big snowstorm can move the numbers in early winter. The current level is 4.4 inches of snow-water equivalent. Thats 1.2 inches below the normal average of 5.6 inches. Beginning on Christmas Day, the forecast for Rocky Mountain National Park calls for six straight days with at least a 47% chance for snow. The park and the mountains to the west are a crucial part of the water supply. The area is designated as Colorado Headwaters one of eight regions in the upper basin: Upper Green: 75% Lower Green: 67% White-Yampa: 75% Colorado Headwaters: 90% Gunnison: 95% Dirty Devil: 71% Lower San Juan: 30% Dolores: 92% Upper San Juan: 74% (Totals as of Dec. 24 provided by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation) The water content of snow isnt the same as the number of inches that fall on the ground. According to the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Water and Climate Center, The density of new snow ranges from about 5% when the air temperature is 14F, to about 20% when the temperature is 32F. After the snow falls its density increases due to gravitational settling, wind packing, melting and recrystallization. Theres a big difference between dry snow youll sometimes hear called powder and wet snow thats more common in late winter and early spring. And dont even think about snowpack numbers youll hear from ski resorts, where artificial snow is produced and piled onto ski slopes and terrain for snowboarders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe asking Santa for 160% of normal is pushing it this year. Las Vegas and the West might be satisfied with a repeat of last winter, when cold temperatures preserved snowpack that built up in January. By April 2024, SWE reached 111% of normal. Any way you cut it, conservationists point to science that says temperatures are climbing and water supply is shrinking. Colorado River flow has declined by about 20% overall since 2000, according to an article published by Colorado State University. A couple of good winters has given leaders time to negotiate agreements with farmers and water agencies particularly in California, the largest user of water from the river. Those agreements have conserved water that is keeping Lake Mead higher than it would be otherwise. The reservoir the largest in the nation is currently 33% full, about where it was after the snowmelt in the summer of 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charts below show levels at Lake Mead (left/first) and Lake Powell over the past five years. Lake Mead has risen about 2 feet since the end of November and is currently at 1,062.81 feet. Lake levels are expressed as the elevation of the lakes surface. Lake Powell the second-largest reservoir in the nation has been dropping steadily since peaking in July. It currently stands at 3,572.76 feet. Lake Powell is currently 37% full. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A South Boston woman was arrested on Tuesday due to the sharp eye of a Boston Police Department cadet. While delivering toys to children in South Boston, the cadet spotted the woman stealing packages. The thief, later identified as 34-year-old Kerri Flynn of South Boston, has become notorious among the locals of the city. Police further investigated Flynn and discovered two bags, filled with unopened stolen packages. The police database also revealed Flynn had several outstanding warrants for her arrest, including charges of shoplifting and stolen property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flynn was placed into custody and is expected to be arraigned in South Boston Court. 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 BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya in Beijing on Wednesday. The two sides exchanged views on implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthening dialogue and communication, enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and promoting the improvement and development of China-Japan relations. By Minwoo Park and Hyunsu Yim GWACHEON, South Korea (Reuters) -South Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol did not respond on Wednesday to a second summons by anti-corruption authorities who, along with prosecutors, are investigating his short-lived martial law decree issued early this month. Yoon had not appeared for questioning as of 10 a.m. (0100 GMT) on Christmas Day as requested by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), after ignoring its first summons last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An agency official said it would continue waiting for Yoon on Wednesday, adding it would need to review the case further before seeking an arrest warrant, Yonhap news agency reported. An official with a joint investigation unit, which the CIO is part of, told reporters later in the day that it had neither heard back from Yoon nor received a document for the appointment of his legal counsel as of 6 p.m. (0900 GMT). The unit would conduct a review and decide on further moves, the official said. Yoon also did not respond on Dec. 15 to a separate summons by prosecutors who are investigating the martial law declaration, Yonhap said. Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer and long-time friend of Yoon's, told reporters on Tuesday that it was unlikely that Yoon would appear for Wednesday's questioning, adding without elaborating that the conditions had not been met yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon's repeated defiance of the summons and failures to appear for questioning have sparked criticism and calls from the opposition for his arrest, citing concerns over potential destruction of evidence. In a televised address on Dec. 7, four days after the martial law declaration, Yoon said he would not evade legal and political responsibility for his actions. He was impeached by parliament on Dec. 14 over his brief imposition of martial law and must now face a Constitutional Court trial on whether to remove him from office or restore his presidential powers. Prosecutors, the police and the corruption investigation office have all launched probes into Yoon and other officials, seeking to pursue charges of insurrection, abuse of power or other crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insurrection is one of the few charges for which a South Korean president does not have immunity. Seok has said Yoon is willing to present his views in person during legal proceedings related to the martial law declaration. (Reporting by Minwoo Park in Gwacheon and Hyunsu Yim in Seoul; Editing by Edmund Klamann and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) A Southern California high school teacher has been charged with illegal sexual acts against two underage students, according to authorities. Joshua Daniel McGinn, 41, a teacher at Charter Oak High School in Covina, faces charges including four felony counts of oral copulation on a minor, a felony count of sexual penetration by use of force, two felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and one felony count of possession of child pornography, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman announced in a news release Tuesday. Prosecutors from our Sex Crimes Division are working tirelessly to ensure justice is served for the victims and their families, Hochman said in the release. We also want to encourage anyone who may have additional information or has been victimized to come forward and report information to the Covina Police Department." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGinn was arrested on Dec. 18 and is being held without bail, officials said. He's scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 6. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 13 years and six months in prison. McGinn was a teacher with the Charter Oak Unified School District. The alleged incidents occurred in 2022 and were reported to the Police Department, authorities said. No further details about the alleged victims or incidents were available. 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. (WJW / AP) More than 5,000 Starbucks baristas walked out of stores across the country on Christmas Eve as the coffee chains largest-ever strike continues, according to union officials. The five-day strike began in Los Angeles, Chicago and Starbucks hometown of Seattle on Friday before spreading to other cities over the weekend and on Monday. Starbuck workers picket outside of a closed Starbucks on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Burbank, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) On Tuesday, Starbucks Workers United said workers walked out of more than 300 stores across 47 states, including in Ohio, closing many of them on Christmas Eve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a company statement, about 170 stores did not open as planned and 98% of stores continued operating. Why Netflix is streaming NFL games on Christmas Day Workers are protesting a lack of progress in contract negotiation with the company. Starbucks Workers United, which began the unionization effort in 2021, said Starbucks has failed to honor a commitment made in February to reach a labor agreement this year. The union also wants the company to resolve outstanding legal issues, including hundreds of unfair labor practice charges that workers have filed with the National Labor Relations Board. Since 2021, baristas at 535 company-owned U.S. Starbucks stores have voted to join the union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike comes at one of the busiest times of the year for Starbucks. We respect our partners right to engage in lawful strike activity, and we appreciate the thousands of partners across the country who are continuing to support each other and deliver the Starbucks experience for our customers, the company said Monday in a statement. The two sides have been bargaining since the spring but appear to have reached an impasse over economic issues. Starbucks said it has committed to an annual pay increase of 1.5% or more for unionized workers. If the company gave a lower increase to non-union workers in any given year, it still would give union workers a 1.5% increase. Why the Cleveland Zoo wants your unused or broken Christmas lights Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starbucks said its U.S. baristas make an average of $18 per hour. With benefits including health care, free college tuition and paid family leave Starbucks pay package is worth an average of $30 per hour for baristas who work at least 20 hours per week, the company said. Workers say they deserve more, and note that Starbucks new Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol, who started in September, could make more than $100 million in his first year on the job. The holiday season should be magical at Starbucks, but for too many of us, theres a darker side to the peppermint mochas and gingerbread lattes, Arloa Fluhr, a Illinois woman who has worked on and off at Starbucks for 18 years, said in the press release. Im a mom of three, including my daughter who is diabetic. I know what its like to panic because my hours were slashed and I wont be able to pay my bills and could lose access to healthcare, including my daughters insulin. Thats why were steadfast in our demands for Starbucks to invest in baristas like me. According to union officials, baristas will return to work Wednesday and are ready to return to the bargaining table to consider serious economic proposals from the company. 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. (WTNH) Three Connecticut Starbucks locations saw workers striking Tuesday against the company. In a statement sent to News 8, a representative with Starbucks Workers United stated that they are on strike because Starbucks has walked back its commitment to negotiate a union contract by the end of the year by refusing to make a good-faith offer in wages and benefits. The three locations were Corbins Corner in West Hartford, Litchfield Turnpike in Woodbridge, and Berkshire Center in Danbury, according to a union rep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starbucks released a statement on Monday, signed by Sara Kelly, Executive Vice President and Chief Partner Officer, which in part reads, Over the course of the weekend and today, a very small number of stores were temporarily closed approximately 60 in total as of today because of the actions called for by Workers United. We anticipate that tomorrow Christmas Eve Workers United will seek to cause more stores to close and claim that their strike has reached hundreds of stores in dozens of cities. Workers United proposals call for an immediate increase in the minimum wage of hourly partners by 64%, and by 77% over the life of a three-year contract. These proposals are not sustainable, especially when the investments we continually make to our total benefits package are the hallmarks of what differentiates us as an employer and, what makes us proud to work at Starbucks. The Starbucks statement went on to say, The union chose to walk away from bargaining last week. We are ready to continue negotiations when the union comes back to the bargaining table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the full statement released by Starbucks, you can read it 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 WTNH.com. 2024 has been another big year for space missions, with private space companies, space agencies, and even student groups continuing to break new ground. SpaceX achieved an epic Starship goal, China made lunar science history, and we saw the first private spacewalk in history. All the while, big science missions like the James Webb Space Telescope continued to deliver impressive observations. Every year, humanity expands its understanding of the cosmos. With private space firms continuing to advance at an impressive pace, we are also getting closer to becoming a spacefaring civilization. Here are the 11 biggest moments of the year for the space industry. 1. Ingenuity's final flight NASA's Ingenuity helicopter shortly before its first flight. Source: NASA / X The year started with a bittersweet milestone for NASA. The space agencys Mars Ingenuity helicopter crashed on the surface of the Red Planet. We still add this moment to the list of the years greatest space moments, because the Ingenuity mission is such a momentous one for spaceflight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plucky Mars helicopter first flew on April 19, 2021. It made history by becoming the first vehicle to perform a controlled flight on another planet. NASA engineers initially expected it to last for roughly five flights, but it ended up performing more than 50. Though it wont fly anymore, its legacy will continue to live on. NASA is using Ingenuity as a reference for future missions set to explore planetary surfaces from the skies. 2. Starship booster catch Starship's Super Heavy booster hovering into the grasp of Mechazilla. Source: SpaceX / X SpaceXs Starship Flight 5 was the private space companys biggest achievement of the year. It will also likely go down as one of the biggest moments in spaceflight history. Just a few minutes after launch, spectators watched on as Super Heavy, Starships first stage, fell back down to the launch pad. As it approached the ground, 13 of the booster's 33 Raptor engines roared to life to initiate a descent burn. Crowds watched in amazement as the booster hovered into the metallic grasp of SpaceXs Mechazilla launch towers mechanical arms. The booster catch, which shows Starship can launch without heavy landing legs, will certainly go down in the history books. 3. Polaris Dawn Jared Isaacman performing the world's first private spacewalk. Source: Polaris / X The Polaris Dawn mission saw a private crew of astronauts make history by flying higher than any orbital mission that came before. Not only that, Polaris Dawn mission commander Jared Isaacman became the first private astronaut to perform a spacewalk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the third day of the mission, he stepped out of the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule flying the mission for 10 minutes. As he looked down on Earth, Isaacman thought about our potential to be something so much greater than the hardships, suffering and divide we all navigate in our daily lives, he explained to IE in a September interview. Now, Isaacman is Trumps pick for NASA Administrator. 4. Chang'e-6: China's lunar sample return An image of the Chang'e-6 lander captured by the Jinchan mini-rover. Source: Wikimedia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinas space administration made history in June when its Change-6 (CE-6) lunar probe collected the first samples ever retrieved from the far side of the Moon. The same month, the probe brought the samples, collected at the South Polar-Aitkin (SPA) basin, back to Earth. Investigating the far side of the Moon is scientifically important for several reasons. In a press statement shortly before the return of Chang'e-6, Chinese Academy of Sciences geologist Zongyu Yue said, "there are significant differences between the farside and the nearside of the Moon in terms of lunar crustal thickness, volcanic activity, composition, etc." 5. Intuitive Machines lunar landing An image captured shortly before Odysseus touched down. Source: Intuitive Machines / X On February 22, Intuitive Machines Odysseus lander became the first private lunar lander to successfully touch down on the Moon and the first US lander in over 50 years. It made a clumsy landing, but was able to beam back an image from the region of the lunar south pole. Though it wasnt a perfectly smooth landing the mission was cut short due to its sideways landing its worth noting that over half of all lunar landing attempts have failed. Just a few months before Odysseus, in fact, Russias Luna-25 mission and the US private Peregrine Mission One failed to land on the Moon. 6. Japan's SLIM lunar lander An artist's impression of the SLIM lunar lander. Source: JAXA Much like Odysseus, Japan's SLIM lunar lander also touched down awkwardly. Though it landed on its nose, Japanese space agency JAXA officials announced they were satisfied that they were able to successfully test their precise landing technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That vision-based navigation technology could be crucial for future space missions to distant regions of the Solar System. Shortly after the landing, SLIM project manager Shinichiro Sakai said, we proved that you can land wherever you want, rather than where you are able to. 7. Europa Clipper launch The launch of Europa Clipper atop a Falcon Heavy rocket on October 15. Source: SpaceX NASAs Europa Clipper mission has the potential to prove alien life exists. The mission launched atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on October 15. The Europa Clipper spacecraft is now on its way to Jupiter. It is expected to arrive at its destination by 2030. Once there, it will investigate Europa, the smallest of the four Galilean moons orbiting. Europa Clipper will analyze the icy outer crust of the Jupiter moon, which is roughly 15 miles (25 km) thick. Scientists believe Europa features an internal saltwater ocean beneath the Moon's icy exterior. This ocean is believed to contain twice the amount of water we have on Earth. It may also have suitable conditions for supporting life. 8. A new human spaceflight record Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko. Source: TASS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, Russian astronaut Oleg Kononenko became the first person to spend a total of 1,000 days in space. He broke the previous spaceflight record held by his fellow countryman, Gennady Padalka. Konenko's record-breaking spaceflight took place aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The cosmonaut launched to the orbital lab in September 2023, alongside NASA astronaut Loral OHara and compatriot Nikolai Chub. 9. ESAs Hera launch An artist's impression of the Hera spacecraft at Didymos. Source: ESA The European Space Agency's Hera mission launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in October. It is the first mission in history to send a spacecraft and two CubeSats to an asteroid in deep space. The mission is on its way to the binary asteroid system dydimos. Once there, it will investigate the crash shite of NASA's DART spacecraft. Back in 2022, the DART spacecraft purposefully slammed into the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos, in order to change its course. The goal was to test a planetary defense method that could one day save humanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks to the DART impact and Heras measurements, for the first time, we will know the efficiency of deflection by a spacecraft, Patrick Michel, Hera mission principal investigator, explain to IE in an October interview. 10. Europe's first hop test This launch has gone somewhat under the radar, perhaps due to the fact it was a smaller scale project led by students. In our minds, it makes the achievement all the more impressive. A team from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne in Switzerland performed Europes first successful rocket hop test. The group, the Gruyere Space Program (GSP), launched their COLIBRI test vehicle to an altitude of 105 meters before bringing it back down to land. Hop tests are a crucial milestone for any reusable rocket program. 11. James Webb's stunning Horsehead Nebula image NASA's James Webb Space Telescope continued to capture incredible imagery this year. Though picking the best is a difficult choice, this image shows the iconic Horsehead Nebula in unprecedented detail. It is clearly visible as bluish turbulent waves of gas rising from the western side of Orion B. The new image reveals new details for scientists to pore over. According to NASA, the Horsehead Nebula "formed from a collapsing interstellar cloud of material, and [it] glows because it is illuminated by a nearby hot star." New Mexicos Health Care Authority will roll out seven certified community behavioral health clinics in January 2025. (Photo by Shelby Kleinhans for Source NM) New Mexicos Health Care Authority is preparing to roll out seven certified community behavioral health clinics across the state in January with the goal of expanding access to mental health and substance abuse treatment. The behavioral health clinics will also offer 24/7 crisis services for people experiencing mental health emergencies, according to a November Legislative Finance Committee analyst report. People of all ages and insurance statuses will be able to receive care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clinics are funded by $15 million in Government Results & Opportunity Program monies appropriated by the Legislature, with three to six more in the pipeline, according to Eric Chenier, Legislative Finance Committee principal analyst. The funds are required to be spent within two fiscal years. The first round of clinic locations are set to open Jan. 1 at: University of New Mexico Health System in Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties Presbyterian Medical Services in San Juan County All Faiths Childrens Advocacy Center in Bernalillo County Carlsbad Life House in Eddy County Families & Youth Innovations Plus in Dona Ana County Santa Fe Recovery Center in Santa Fe and McKinley Counties Mental Health Resources in Curry County According to a Health Care Authority news release, the clinics are also part of a four-year federally-funded pilot program led by several federal agencies. Through a no-wrong door approach, these clinics will offer 24/7 crisis services and comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment for New Mexicans, Dana Flannery, New Mexico Medicaid director, said in the release. This new approach to services in New Mexico comes at a time when despite millions in federal and state funding and more providers the state is not seeing positive results in behavioral health, according Cheniers analysis on behavioral health needs and gaps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a report presented to lawmakers last month, Chenier said New Mexicos funding is some of the highest in the nation, but hiring someone to coordinate the spending hasnt panned out. The states Interagency Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative, created in 2004 to lead 16 local behavioral health collaboratives and coordinate the statewide plan, has been without a director for over a year and has not met for about a year, Chenier said. It has been posted. There have been interviews that have been done. We havent found the right candidate at this point, Chenier told lawmakers. A large portion of the money for treating mental health and addiction issues has gone unspent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state appropriated over $424 million between 2020 and 2024 for behavioral health. Out of that sum, only half about $240 million has been budgeted. And even less $46 million, or about 10% of the total appropriated has actually been spent. Rep. Jack Chatfield (R-Mosquero) questioned how the state could allocate millions of dollars and receive federal funding for behavioral health needs and not see results. You drive down the street and the people that I see standing out there holding a sign, most of them probably need treatment, and were not reaching them, Chatfield said. Were not getting the job done. While the number of providers in the state has grown in most areas, the states rankings on key behavioral health metrics has worsened over the last several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico ranks 44th out of 51 in overall mental illness prevalence in adults and children, according to Mental Health Americas State of Mental Health in America data for 2024. The state is 49th in adult substance use disorder with a rate of 23%, and last in youth substance use disorder with a rate of 16%. Even though were seeing more providers out there, more provider agencies, were not seeing the outcomes, Chenier said And its not changing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (NewsNation) Alaska came out on top as the state where people had the most credit cards in 2024, with Wyoming coming in last. A study by WalletHub compared the number of credit cards owned and opened towards the last half of the year in 50 states and found that Alaska, South Dakota, New Jersey, Montana and North Carolina came in as the top five. Wyoming, Iowa, North Dakota, Colorado and Hawaii came with people having the least credit cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The average American has around 5 credit cards, according to WalletHub. The company compiled these results using the average number of cards owned per person, the average number of new cards opened per person in Q3 2024, and the percent change in both of those numbers from Q3 2023. The top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: NAR Q3 stands for the third quarter of a fiscal or calendar year and is the period of time from July 1 to September 30. Alaska ranked first, in part, because residents opened an average of 1.4 cards during Q3, more than people in any other state. The average resident owns 5.2 credit cards, according to WalletHub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the state has the second-highest average credit card debt overall, Alaska has very few residents who are in financial distress, signaling that they are largely responsible with the cards, the company stated. South Dakota residents own 5.2 credit cards on average, and they have added credit cards at a faster rate than people in any other state during the past year, with the average number of cards per person increasing by 8.4%. Despite the increase, South Dakotans have a very low amount of credit card debt and are increasing their debt at one of the slowest rates in the country, WalletHub reported. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. John Greene and his counselor Emily Georgia at Family & Childrens Counseling Services in Cortland, New York. (Celia Talbot Tobin/KFF Health News) In the past few years, state and local governments across the U.S. have begun spending billions in opioid settlements paid by companies accused of fueling the overdose crisis. But where is that money going, who is getting it, and is it doing any good? KFF Health News, partnering with researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Shatterproof, a national nonprofit focused on addiction, undertook a yearlong investigation to find out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of interviews, thousands of pages of documents, an array of public records requests, and outreach to all 50 states resulted in a first-of-its kind database that catalogs more than 7,000 ways opioid settlement cash was used in 2022 and 2023. Its the most comprehensive resource to date tracking some of the largest public health settlements in American history. Among the findings: States and localities received more than $6 billion in opioid settlement funds in 2022 and 2023. According to public records, they spent or committed about a third of that amount and set aside about another third for future use. The final third was untrackable, as many jurisdictions did not produce public reports on the funds. Reports of spending tracked the minuscule to the monumental, from $11.74 to buy postage in Yavapai County, Arizona, to more than $51 million to increase the addiction treatment workforce in California. States allotted, on average, about 18% of their funds for addiction and mental health treatment; 14% for recovery services such as housing, transportation, and legal aid; 11% for harm reduction efforts such as overdose reversal medications; and 9% for prevention programs that aim to stop people from developing substance use disorders. States committed, on average, about 2% for syringe service programs, through which people can get sterile needles. (A variety of entities received this money, from law enforcement to nonprofit organizations to government agencies.) Governments reported spending more than $240 million on purposes that did not qualify as opioid remediation. (Most settlements allow states to spend up to 15% of their funds this way.) Most of this tranche went to legal fees, but several jurisdictions funneled money to their general fund. One county even sent funds to its road and bridge department. Several cities and counties reported expenditures they said addressed the overdose crisis but that would leave an average person scratching their head such as $33.07 to an anti-abortion pregnancy center in Sandborn, Indiana, and $30,362 to screen first responders for heart disease in Oregon City, Oregon. When people know that people arent watching and theres no accountability, then they can kind of do what they want, said Tonja Myles, a community activist in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who is in recovery. Thats why we have to have some kind of database and accountability. Despite the recent decline in overall overdose deaths in the U.S., more than 90,000 people still died in the 12 months ending July 2024 and rates are rising in many Black and Native American communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant mess up or miss this moment, Myles said. Oregon settlement money The investigation found that Oregon has received more than $87 million in opioid settlement money. More than $34 million has been committed and more than $30 million has been set aside and not committed. Nearly $23 million is untrackable through public reports. Opioid settlement payouts are expected to total about $50 billion over nearly two decades, paid by more than a dozen companies that made or distributed prescription painkillers, including Johnson & Johnson, Walgreens, and Walmart. Although its a large sum, its dwarfed by the size of the crisis, making each dollar thats spent critical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KFF Health News and its partners reviewed hundreds of settlement spending reports, extracting expenditures line by line, and developed a methodology to sort the expenditures into categories like treatment or prevention. States were given an opportunity to review the data and comment on their spending. To be sure, the database does not capture the full picture of opioid settlement spending nationwide. Some places do not publish spending reports, while others declined to engage with this project. The data presented here is a snapshot as of the end of 2023 and does not account for further spending in 2024. The differences in how states control, process, and report on the money make apples-to-apples comparisons nearly impossible. Still, the database helps fill a gap left by a lack of national reporting requirements and federal government inaction. It is a tool for those who want to objectively measure whether everything that can be done is being done, said Matthew Myers, a former president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which compiles similar annual reports on tobacco settlement money. Treatment a clear winner The top priority to emerge from early opioid settlement spending was treatment, with more than $416 million spent or committed to residential rehabs, outpatient counseling, medications for opioid use disorder, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state of New York which spent the most on treatment allocated about $22 million of that for programs that make the gold standard for care as easy as possible for patients: providing same-day prescriptions for buprenorphine, a medication that decreases cravings for opioids. The result was a program that John Greene said changed his life. Greene, 57, used to live in the woods down the street from Family & Childrens Counseling Services in Cortland, New York. He cycled through jails and hospitals, overdosing half a dozen times and trying rehab just as many. But now he has four months of recovery under his belt the longest stint since he started regularly using drugs at 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said its because the counseling centers new program funded by a mix of state and local opioid settlement dollars has a different approach. Counselors arent didactic and judgmental. They dont force him to stop smoking marijuana. Several staff members have experienced addiction themselves. They drive Greene, who doesnt have a car, to doctor appointments and the pharmacy for his buprenorphine prescription. Now Greene lives and works with his brother, looks forward to weekly counseling sessions, and is notching small victories such as buying his nephew toy cars as a stocking stuffer. It made me feel good to do something for somebody and not expect nothing back, Greene said. Emily Georgia, one of Greenes counselors, said the center has worked with nearly 200 people like him in the past year. Without the settlements, the program probably wouldnt exist, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the country, the money supports other innovative treatment approaches: $21 million for a new program in Kentucky that diverts people with mental illness or addiction who face low-level charges away from incarceration and into treatment, education, and workforce training More than $3 million for, in part, three new mobile methadone programs in Massachusetts, to bring the medication to rural and underserved areas Tens of thousands of dollars each in Iowa and Pennsylvania to cover out-of-pocket treatment costs for people without insurance or those with high deductibles Philip Rutherford, an expert on substance use disorder at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, said these efforts are really positive and many have been historically difficult or impossible to achieve with federal or state funding. But some funds are also flowing to treatment approaches that defy best practices, such as denying people medications for opioid use disorder. Some in the recovery community consider methadone and buprenorphine a crutch. But study after study show that the medications help people stay in treatment and reduce the risk of overdose and death. Research even suggests that treatment without these medications can be more harmful than no treatment at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although not everyone will want medication, settlement funds shouldnt prop up a system that doesnt allow people to have that choice, said Regina LaBelle, a professor of addiction policy at Georgetown University. Forgotten victims of the epidemic While treatment received a windfall in early opioid settlement spending, another aspect of the crisis was neglected: neonatal abstinence syndrome, a condition in which babies exposed to drugs in the womb experience withdrawal. Nationwide, more than 59 newborns a day are diagnosed with it. Yet only about $8.4 million in settlement money was committed to the issue less than 0.5% of all funds publicly reported as spent or committed in 2022 and 2023. Experts in public health and addiction, as well as affected families, say its due to stigma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mom using drugs and being a parent is a very uncomfortable reality to face, said Ashley Grant, a 38-year-old mother of three in Mesa, Arizona. Its easier to just push it under the rug or let them fall through the cracks, as sad as that is. It almost happened to her. Grant learned she was pregnant with her third child last year. At the time, her partner was in jail and she was using drugs after an eight-year period of recovery, was estranged from her family, and didnt know how shed survive the next nine months. During a visit to a methadone clinic, she saw a booth about Jacobs Hope, a specialty nursery that cares for substance-exposed newborns and their moms. Nursery staff connected her with a therapist, helped her enroll in parenting classes, and dropped off diapers and a playpen at her home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After delivering at the hospital, Grant and her baby boy stayed at Jacobs Hope for about a week. Nurses showed her how skin-to-skin contact calmed his withdrawal symptoms and more frequent feedings and burpings decreased gastrointestinal discomfort, which is common among substance-exposed newborns. Today, Grant has roughly five months of recovery. She got certified as a peer recovery specialist and hopes to join Jacobs Hope one day to help moms like her. But the nurserys future is uncertain. After opening in 2019, Jacobs Hope nearly shut down this summer due to low reimbursements and delayed payments from insurers, said Lyndsey Steele, its associate director. Community donations kept the nursery afloat, but its still hanging on by a thread, she said. Shes hoping opioid settlement money can help. In 2022, Jacobs Hope received about $250,000 from Arizonas opioid settlements. But this year, the legislature captured the states share of remaining funds and, in a controversial move, gave it to the Department of Corrections. Jacobs Hope has now turned to local governments, which control their own settlement dollars. Its home city of Mesa said a first round of grant applications should open in the spring. Steele prays it wont be too late for babies in need the epidemics forgotten victims, she called them. Heart disease, screening, robot ambulances Some opioid settlement expenditures have sparked fierce disagreement. They generally fall into three buckets: money for law enforcement, funding for youth prevention programs, and purchases unrelated to the opioid crisis. Settlement dollars nationwide have bought body scanners, K-9 units, bulletproof vests, patrol trucks, and laptops and printers for police and sheriffs. Some spending strayed even further from the spirit of the settlement. In Oregon City, Oregon, more than $30,000 was spent on screening first responders for heart disease. Police Chief Shaun Davis said his staff respond to opioid-related emergencies and experience trauma that increases their risk of heart attack. But some people question if settlement funds should be footing the bill. This looks to me like youre trying to defray other costs from the police budget, said Stephen Loyd, chair of Tennessees Opioid Abatement Council. I dont think that theres any way that this opioid money was earmarked for stuff like that. A second area of contention is youth prevention. Although most people agree that stopping children from developing addictions is important, the execution is tricky. Nearly half a million settlement dollars have gone to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, commonly known as D.A.R.E. Decades of research suggest its original curriculum is ineffective. Robeson County, North Carolina, spent about $10,000 in settlement money to buy Andy the Ambulance, a robot ambulance with big eyes and an audio system through which a human operator can discuss the dangers of drugs. EMS Director Patrick Cummings said his team has taken the robot to churches and elementary schools. We dont have any studies that show its working, he said, but educating kids seems like a good investment because if they never try it, they dont get addicted. Then theres the chunk of money up to 15% of each states funds thats a free-for-all. Flint, Michigan, spent nearly $10,000 on a sign for a community service center. The city reported that the expense did not qualify as opioid remediation. In other words, its unrelated to addressing the crisis. But Caitie ONeill, a city spokesperson, said that the building sign makes it possible for residents to find the center, which houses city services, including Narcan kits, fentanyl testing strips, and substance abuse referrals. Jurisdictions across 29 states reported non-remediation spending in 2022 and 2023. Most opioid settlements require such reports but operate on an honor system. No one is checking if the other 21 states and Washington, D.C., were truthful. Jackie Lewis, an Ohio mother whose 34-year-old son, Shaun, died of an overdose in October 2022, finds that hard to stomach. This is blood money, she said. Some people have lost sight of that. Lewis is raising Shauns daughter, ensuring the 9-year-old receives counseling at school and can attend the hip-hop music classes she enjoys all on Lewis Social Security payments. This year they moved to a smaller town with lower costs. As settlement funds continue flowing, she wants officials in charge of the money to help families like hers. We still exist and were still struggling, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX KFF Health News Henry Larweh and Megan Kalata, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Healths Sara Whaley and Vivian Flanagan, and Shatterproofs Kristen Pendergrass and Sahvanah Prescott contributed to this article. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. DAMASCUS, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes erupted Wednesday between local armed residents and security personnel from the military coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in northwestern Syria's Tartus province, a Britain-based war monitor reported. The fighting started in the village of Kharbet al-Ma'zza when locals opposed home inspections by the security forces, prompting armed residents to set fire to a vehicle belonging to the HTS, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. There were casualties on both sides, it said, adding that the military coalition dispatched reinforcements, including a specialized division and ambulances, as clashes continued. A large convoy comprising fighters from Unit 82, K9 squads of the military coalition headed to the region near the Latakia province, it said, adding that Syria's new authorities aim to apprehend the armed locals they describe as "remnants of the previous regime" and to prevent any sectarian unrest in the demographically diverse area. The military coalition took control over capital Damascus and most parts of Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government on Dec. 8. Clouds have broken up in portions of Kansas for Christmas Eve. Santa has already started his journey around the world. Once he gets to Kansas, he will fight through developing fog tonight so Rudolfs nose will be shining bright. The thickest fog will be over Central Kansas through Christmas morning with visibility in spots below a quarter of a mile. A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect through midday Wednesday. Temps will bottom out in the upper 20s to the lower 30s. Please watch for any slick spots especially on elevated surfaces late tonight and Christmas morning. Clouds will be stubborn to budge on Christmas. This will cost us a few degrees off our afternoon high from the 40s to the 50s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next storm system is on deck starting Christmas night. Areas of drizzle will be possible with a few rain showers thrown in through Thursday. Most places will stay dry. Temperatures will be mild, so ice is not expected. Another piece of energy passing through on Friday could spark more drizzle and rain showers however anything that forms will be spotty and light. Clouds break up this weekend, offering more sunshine and warmer temperatures. Highs in the 50s will be most common. There will even be a few lower 60s near the Oklahoma state line. Early next week, another quick-moving system Monday into Tuesday may try to spark some rain to snow, but moisture looks meager and limited to only a few within our viewing area. Temperatures look to cool the middle of next week with another blast of colder air. KSN Storm Track 3 Forecast from Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman: Wichita: Tonight: Mostly clear to mostly cloudy. Lo: 30 Wind: NE/SE 5-15 Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy. Hi: 47 Wind: SE 5-15 Tomorrow Night: Mostly cloudy. 10% chance of drizzle. Lo: 41 Wind: SE/E 5-15 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wichita Weekly Thu: Hi: 53 Lo: 42 Mostly cloudy. 30% chance of drizzle and rain. Fri: Hi: 54 Lo: 38 Mostly cloudy. 20% chance of rain. Sat: Hi: 57 Lo: 37 Partly cloudy. Sun: Hi: 59 Lo: 36 Partly cloudy. Mon: Hi: 55 Lo: 32 Partly cloudy, windy. 10% chance of rain. Tue: Hi: 45 Lo: 26 Partly to mostly cloudy, breezy. Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. A stressed driver for Amazon admitted to ditching about 80 packages undelivered in the woods just days before Christmas, according to local police in Massachusetts. Matthew Perkins, the police chief in the small town of Lakeville in the southeast part of the state, said around 2 a.m. on Sunday that a sergeant was on routine patrol when he noticed items unattended in a wooded area." After investigating the items, the officer found three totes full of Amazon packages spread out in the woods. The spot was close to an Amazon fulfillment center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treasure trove: 80 Amazon packages left dumped in the woods Three totes full of undelivered packages from Amazon.com were discovered in the woods in Middleboro early Sunday morning Dec. 22, 2024, according to Lakeville police. Officers loaded the totes onto a pickup truck and returned them to the Lakeville Police Department, where they inventoried about 80 packages. On Monday, an Amazon driver not identified by police visited the police headquarters and reported dumping the packages about 7 p.m. Saturday because they were stressed, police said. Police said they are not seeking any criminal charges, and the driver planned to report the incident to their manager. "I am proud of the way our Lakeville Police officers handled and investigated this matter. At this time, we are not seeking criminal charges and are considering this a human resources matter for Amazon," Perkins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement officials said they hadn't received any reports of stolen or missing packages. Police brought the items to the nearby fulfillment center. Elsewhere in US, Amazon employees strike due to holiday workload The incident comes after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters launched what it billed as the largest strike against Amazon in American history on Thursday. The strikes are being held at Amazon warehouses in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California, San Francisco and Skokie, Illinois. The Teamsters union is looking for Amazon to recognize a contract that includes higher wages, better benefits and safer working conditions. The union noted in a release that Amazon workers without collective bargaining agreements also have the right to honor the picket line and withhold their labor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contributing: Greta Cross and Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Amazon driver leaves 80 boxes in woods before Christmas A stressed Massachusetts Amazon delivery driver abandoned about 80 packages in a wooded area, Lakeville, Mass., police said. At about 2 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, Lakeville Police Sgt. Shawn Robert noticed abandoned items in a wooded area, police said in a statement. Roberts investigated the scene and found three large totes filled with Amazon packages. Police officers loaded the totes onto a pickup truck and performed an inventory at the Lakeville Police Department. After counting over 80 packages, they contacted a local Amazon distribution center in Middleborough, Mass., to return them. There were no reports of packages being lost or stolen in the area. Courtesy of Lakeville Police Department Amazon packages left in the woods by a driver in Massachusetts Amazon packages left in the woods by a driver in Massachusetts Related: Amazon Driver Fired After Allegedly Attempting to Steal Customer's Dog Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! I would like to commend Sgt. Shawn Robert for his discovery of these unattended packages while on routine patrol, Lakeville Police Chief Matthew Perkins said on Monday, Dec. 23. Sgt. Robert likely saved a Christmas headache for many local residents by noticing these totes and getting them back to Amazon, hopefully in time for a holiday delivery. In a second statement on Monday, Dec. 23, an Amazon driver arrived at the department to report that they were the person who left the packages by the side of the road at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, because they were stressed, police said. Related: Amazon Delivery Driver Rescues Cat Tossed Out of Car Window in Iowa 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. Police are not seeking criminal charges against the driver, who was not publicly identified. The driver plans to report the incident to their manager, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am proud of the way our Lakeville Police officers handled and investigated this matter, Perkins said in the update. At this time, we are not seeking criminal charges and are considering this a human resources matter for Amazon. Earlier this week, a FedEx contract worker in Alabama was arrested for allegedly dumping holiday packages in the woods and on the side of the road. Latavion Lewis was taken into custody on charges of organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and illegal dumping and is no longer employed with FedEx. Read the original article on People BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbia's striking university students on Wednesday rallied outside the chief prosecutor's office to demand justice over a concrete canopy collapse that killed 15 people last month in the country's north. More than 1,000 students symbolically left letters on the doorstep of the public prosecutor's office, telling chief prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac that "students expect you to fight for law and justice, without political abuse or corruption. Dolovac's office later responded with a statement inviting a student delegation to a meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serbia's universities have been blockaded for weeks as part of a wider movement demanding accountability over the Nov. 1 tragedy in Novi Sad when a huge concrete construction at the railway station crashed onto the people below. Many in Serbia blame the collapse on widespread corruption and sloppy work on the building renovation, one of a number of questionable infrastructure megaprojects involving Chinese state companies. Prosecutors have arrested 13 people over the Novi Sad tragedy, including a government minister whose release later fueled public skepticism about the honesty of the investigation. Striking students have received wide support in Serbia from their professors, farmers, actors and others. Tens of thousands joined a student-led protest in Belgrade on Sunday that also reflected wider discontent with populist President Aleksandar Vucic's rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesting students on Wednesday carried banners featuring red handprints a protest symbol telling the authorities they have blood on their hands. In an apparent attempt to defuse the student strikes, Vucic has been advertising what he describes as favorable loans for young people to purchase apartments. The increasingly autocratic Serbian leader has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms despite formally pursuing European Union membership for the Balkan nation. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A Lowcountry church spent Christmas Eve morning giving back to the community by donating seventy-five turkeys to foster families in the Charleston area. On Christmas Eve morning at the Church of the Holy Cross on Sullivans Island, the men of the church gathered to prep turkey for families fostering children this holiday season. To me thats the real story is these families that have made a huge sacrifice out of love for these kids, said Pastor David. We love doing this. Its a huge privilege to be able to bless other families in need this time of year. Weve received the greatest gift in Jesus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The men came together in the early morning and rain to prepare the turkeys to help those they could. Church team leader Bobby Cummings said the giveaway is a way for the church to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The church is handing out both fried and smoked turkeys. When preparing the turkeys, church member Alfred Conley said, First thing you need is time, and I dont mean the spice. Its about the preparation, its about your team and its a lot of hands that helped in this process. This church is a refuge for all of us, from all walks of life, from this island, from everywhere, Conley continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After cooking, church team members load the turkeys, bless the turkeys, and take the turkeys to those foster families caring for children this December. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. The man who died in the house fire on Minersville Street in Seltzer Sunday was identified as Paul Yourshaw, 73, according to Schuylkill County Coroner David Moylan III. Yourshaw died of smoke inhalation and had extensive burns as determined by a post-Mortem CAT scan done Monday at the Simon Kramer Forensic Center, New Philadelphia, Moylan said. Numerous fire companies responded to the 5:28 p.m. fire at 313 Minersville St. that took about 90 minutes to contain Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Police Fire Marshal Joseph Hall is investigating the origin of the blaze. He was not available for comment Tuesday. Minersville Fire Chief Eric Eichenberg said that when firefighters arrived on the scene, flames were visible at 313 Minersville St., and spreading to 315. Both properties were destroyed. The victim was found in the kitchen of 313 Minersville St., according to Eichenberg. Neighbors helped the two residents, four dogs and three cats escape from 315 Minersville St. The Red Cross is assisting the residents with food, lodging and clothing. Despite the frigid temperatures, no firefighters were injured. By Ank Kuipers PARAMARIBO (Reuters) -Suriname's fugitive former President Desi Bouterse has died aged 79, the country's government said on Wednesday, almost a year after he fled authorities to avoid jail following his conviction over the murder of 15 political activists in 1982. "The government has been informed through the family and its own investigations of the passing of Mr. D. Bouterse, ex-President of the Republic of Suriname," Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former leader died on Tuesday, the government said, without confirming where, or even in which country. Last week Surinamese authorities raided his home - where supporters gathered to pay their respects on Wednesday morning - but did not find him. Surinamese President Chan Santokhi, who investigated the case as a police commissioner and later as justice minister, expressed condolences to Bouterse's family and urged calm in a statement. "In the spirit of the holiday season and year-end, the president calls on all to remain dignified and calm, maintain peace and order and engage in prayer in the spirit of these special days," the statement said. Bouterse dominated politics in the tiny South American country for decades, leading a coup in 1980 and finally leaving office in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019 he and six others were convicted for their role in the 1982 murders of 15 leading government critics - including lawyers, journalists, union leaders, soldiers and university professors - for which Bouterse received a 20-year prison sentence. Bouterse had claimed the murdered men were connected to a planned invasion of the former Dutch colony. Following years of legal back and forth, Bouterse was ordered to report to prison in January but he did not show up on the appointed date. Though Bouterse avoided prison by going on the run, Reed Brody, a U.S. war crimes prosecutor who monitored the case for the International Commission of Jurists, said justice had caught up with the convicted former president before he died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thanks to the victims' relatives and their supporters who never gave up, Bouterse will go down in history as a convicted murderer," Brody said. The former president's family will make a statement later on Wednesday, members of his political party told journalists. (Reporting by Ank KuipersWriting by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Sandra Maler) BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-two years since its enactment, China's Science and Technology Popularization Law was revised for the first time on Wednesday amid the country's rapid advancements in high-tech fields. Yin Hejun, minister of science and technology, said revising the law was imperative as China currently faces several challenges in science popularization, such as insufficient recognition of its significance, a lack of initiative, and an inadequate supply of quality science communication products and services. National lawmaker Zhong Zhihua said, "The revised law will drive innovation in science popularization, enabling it to promote social progress alongside technological innovation." The revision comes just in time, as China is striving to become a leading country in science and technology by 2035, experts said. The revised law highlights the vital role of science popularization, explicitly stating that the country places it on par with technological innovation in terms of importance. "It is great news for us science popularizers," said Hu Yang, a physician with Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital. "This is a strong affirmation of the importance of science popularization." Hu has been engaged in online medical science knowledge publicity for seven years, publishing over 5,000 articles and videos. He believes that medical science popularization helps the public understand medical knowledge, while medical research provides the scientific foundation for popularization. In 2003, the China Association for Science and Technology launched a nationwide series of science popularization activities, with such campaigns held 22 times since then. Over 200,000 activities were held across the country in September this year. To institutionalize this approach, the law designates September as the annual national science popularization month. Wang Ting, head of the China Research Institute for Science Popularization, said that this revision will help integrate science popularization activities into the public's daily life, as well as into school curricula, as September is the start of the new school year. The revised law adds a new chapter on "science popularization activities," which encourages innovation entities to engage in the dissemination of new technologies and knowledge, while also specifying the need to strengthen the review, monitoring and evaluation of popularization efforts. "The more cutting-edge the technology, the more attention must be paid to its potential negative impacts," said Peng Chunyan, a researcher at a talent service center of the Ministry of Science and Technology, emphasizing the need for timely and accurate publicity on new technologies and knowledge. Another new chapter of the law -- "science popularization personnel" -- focuses on cultivating professional science popularizers by improving assessment and incentive mechanisms. The country now has nearly 2 million science popularizers and 4.56 million registered sci-tech volunteers. "I support the new chapter. It will attract more talent to the cause of science popularization," said Ji Shaoting, founder of the Future Affairs Administration, a sci-fi cultural company. Ji called for more supporting policies and systems for the law, saying that it is necessary to advance the education and training for science popularization professionals to improve their publicity skills. She also expressed a wish for more job opportunities. "Sustained income is essential to ensuring long-term science popularization efforts," she said. Syrian Christians gathered at churches in the country's capital Damascus on Wednesday amid tight security measures to celebrate their first Christmas after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. "Today there is a large deployment of security to protect the churches, fearing sabotage, but things are normal," Nicola Yazgi told dpa, while attending a mass in eastern Damascus. Security forces affiliated with the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is now leading Syria's interim government, were deployed outside churches and in the streets in Christian-majority neighbourhoods in the capital, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the UK-based war monitor, churches across Syria - including in the southern city of al-Sweida, and in the northern cities of Aleppo and Idlib - opened their doors for Christmas celebrations. Yazgi said he was celebrating two things this year: "Christmas and the victory of the revolution and the fall of the tyrant. We hope that today will be the day of salvation from the era of al-Assad family injustices." Suad al-Zein, an engineer, also joined the mass in Damascus. She expressed her joy despite the lack of decorations in the streets: "For us, joy is in our hearts." Civil war broke out in Syria in 2011 following pro-democracy protests against al-Assad's regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late November, HTS and other rebel groups launched a rapid offensive, making major territorial gains before capturing Damascus earlier this month. Al-Assad fled to Russia with his family. Since then, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has tried to reassure minorities in Syria, promising moderation and respect for all religious sects. A group of people burnt a Christmas tree in Hama province on Monday evening, prompting hundreds of protesters to take to the streets in several cities. DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Fourteen members of the Syrian police were killed in an "ambush" by forces loyal to the ousted government in the Tartous countryside, the transitional administration said early on Thursday, as demonstrations and an overnight curfew elsewhere marked the most widespread unrest since Bashar al-Assad's removal more than two weeks ago. Syria's new interior minister said on Telegram that 10 police members were also wounded by what he called "remnants" of the Assad government in Tartous, vowing to crack down on "anyone who dares to undermine Syria's security or endanger the lives of its citizens." Earlier, Syrian police imposed an overnight curfew in the city of Homs, state media reported, after unrest there linked to demonstrations that residents said were led by members of the minority Alawite and Shiite Muslim religious communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters could not immediately confirm the demands of the demonstrators nor the degree of disturbance that took place. Some residents said the demonstrations were linked to pressure and violence in recent days aimed at members of the Alawite minority, a sect long seen as loyal to Assad, who was toppled by Sunni Islamist rebels on Dec. 8. Spokespeople for Syrias new ruling administration led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, a former al Qaeda affiliate, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the curfew. State media said the curfew was being imposed for one night, from 6 pm local time (1500 GMT) until 8 am on Thursday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The country's new leaders have repeatedly vowed to protect minority religious groups, who fear the former rebels now in control could seek to impose a conservative form of Islamist government. Small demonstrations also took place in other areas on or near Syrias coast, where most of the countrys Alawite minority live, including in Tartous. The demonstrations took place around the time an undated video was circulated on social networks showing a fire inside an Alawite shrine in the city of Aleppo, with armed men walking around inside and posing near human bodies. The interior ministry said on its official Telegram account the video dated back to the rebel offensive on Aleppo in late November and the violence was carried out by unknown groups, adding whoever was circulating the video now appeared to be seeking to incite sectarian strife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry also said some members of the former regime had attacked interior ministry forces in Syrias coastal area on Wednesday, leaving a number of dead and wounded. (Reporting by Timour Azhari in Damascus; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Chris Reese) It was a moment that could have ended the night for a lesser stand-up comic. Comic and actor Nate Jackson was on the stage of his Super Funny Comedy Club in Tacoma, joking with audience members, asking them to reveal personal details about their lives. Then, an audience member Jackson had asked to stand, fell over. Security and other staff rushed to help him. The man wasnt inebriated he had a prosthetic leg and it had fallen off, sending the man to the floor. A hush fell over the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But within seconds, the man had passed the leg through the crowd to Jackson. Soon, the comic was waving the prosthetic over his head. What could have been a disaster instead became an unlikely but humorous interaction with the man as he recounted the accident that cost him his leg. Nate Jackson performs a crowd work joint at his Super Funny Comedy Club, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. Jacksons adeptness at crowd work, as its called, is one of the many skills the Lacey native has honed over 21 years on stages around the country. Soon, the rest of the country will be able to see Jacksons latest endeavors. Sometime in 2025, Jackson, who co-starred in five episodes of Young Rock on NBC, will appear in several episodes of the still unnamed follow-up to the long running The Office series. He also has four upcoming sold-out stand-up shows at Seattles Neptune Theater in January, which will be filmed for a Netflix special. Working the crowd Every first Wednesday, Jackson performs an all crowd-work show. The fast-paced witty banter between a comic and their audience is something that many comics do, usually after a set of jokes. At these shows, Jackson spends up to 90 minutes doing only that. Its an ability not all stand-up comics have. Nate Jackson performs a crowd work joint at his Super Funny Comedy Club, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. Jackson, 41, is a master at it. He calls crowd work 100 percent me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unfiltered, its raw, he said in a green room after the Dec. 10 Tacoma show. Tonight ended with me holding a guys leg in the air, a prosthetic leg. How do you get to that? That doesnt happen in a regular stand-up set. The shows are filmed and then posted to YouTube, where they routinely garner half a million views. Young Rock to The Office Young Rock was based on the life of Dwayne The Rock Johnson. In that show, Jackson played Sylvester Ritter, known to 1980s wrestling fans as Junkyard Dog. Jackson appeared in five episodes of the show. Tacoma comedian and actor Nate Jackson (right) is a cast member of the new NBC sitcom Young Rock based on the life of superstar Dwayne Johnson. Jackson plays pro wrestler Junkyard Dog. Joseph Lee Anderson (left) plays Rocky Johnson and Adrian Groulx stars as the young Rock. The new show is often referred to as a reboot or a sequel of The Office. More accurately, its in the same universe with the same mockumentary approach. Behind the cameras, the same creators and executive producers of The Office Gregg Daniels and Michael Koman are running the show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson has signed a non-disclosure agreement that prevents him from saying much about the new show. Its been previously reported that his is a recurring character. Deadline reported that, the documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflins Scranton branch is searching for a new subject when they discover a dying historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it with volunteer reporters. Jackson just finished filming his episodes, the number of which could be counted on one hand, he said. But the highly anticipated show will undoubtedly raise his profile in Hollywood. This is a whole other ring of Saturn, man, Jackson said. Acting Jackson has been acting for years and hes no stranger to TV. He appeared on MTVs Nick Cannon presents Wild n Out and HBOs All Def Comedy. He had a role in the 2022 Will Ferrell/Ryan Reynolds Christmas comedy, Spirited, on Apple TV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acting, of course, follows a script. But that doesnt mean Jackson wont try to always put a little of himself in it. As an actor, Im gonna try to ad lib at least one take, he said. I dont know if it makes it past the editing floor. Hes paid to memorize scripts and say his lines. And then Im gonna say, Can I have a take where I would do what I think my character may do?, he said. Jackson calls the writers of The Office geniuses. These are big brain, beautiful, smart, hilarious, funny people, he said. Just being around (writer, producer, director) Greg Daniels was an experience of its own. It was one of the few times I wasnt the funniest person in the room. Nate Jackson performs a crowd work joint at his Super Funny Comedy Club, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netflix special The Jan. 11 and 12 shows at the Neptune sold out in two days, Jackson said. Itll be a mix of his stand-up and crowd work and is a career-to-date culmination of his decades on stage. This is one hour of me giving everything Ive done, he said. Im going to act a fool on this special. Were shooting four shows. I cant miss. So its going to be insane. Jackson said all the aspects of his career start with creativity. He even has a new clothing brand for larger men coming out, The Roses Collection by Nate Jackson. My sizes start at extra large and go to 4X, he said. So, nothing for the little guys. Im sick of going to the mall and I cant get anything. (Its) all big boy stuff. Super Funny In 2020, Jacksons new comedy club took over a vacant, 8,000-square-foot showroom at the Holiday Inn at 8402 S. Hosmer St. It was, of course, just before the pandemic struck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State-mandated closures hit him hard. In April 2020, the motel even became a temporary care site for people who tested positive or were exposed to COVID-19. Hes bounced back, he said, but the scars remain. We survived that, he said. And even though were separated and we dont share a vent or a screw with that hotel, you still had to pull in their lot. Im over here trying to run my dream. Thats hurdles that nobody has had to deal with. Its a moment in the conversation where Jackson seems to want to burst over years of pent-up frustration. He hints at coming changes but wont say exactly what. But he wants Tacomans to know that, where ever his career takes him, they are not going to lose Nate Jackson to the bright lights of Hollywood. AUSTIN (KXAN) During the holiday season in Central Texas, several law enforcement agencies participate in the Blue Santa program, where departments collect and deliver toys but efforts to engage with the community happen year-round. The Austin Police Department, for example, makes efforts to hold quarterly meetings in each district. We invite them to look at statistics, highlight the good work officers do, meet community members, have community members meet the officers, and address some of the issues in the community that they want to highlight to us, said Sgt. William Beck, who oversees patrol officers in the southeast pocket of the city. The last one, we actually had a really high level of community engagement, in particular the Parker and Oltorf area that has really helped highlight some of the issues and encouraged the community to take more action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all meetings have that same level of engagement, however, Beck said. He also added these types of meetings cant always be facilitated, citing two major challenges: time and staff numbers. We just dont have the officers to be able to be as robust as we want to be, he said. But the ones we do have are doing a great job. In smaller municipalities, where officers dont have as many 911 calls to prioritize, there can often be more flexibility in conducting engagement efforts on a daily basis. Were not call driven, so were encouraged to be proactive, we stay proactive, said Officer Jonathan Taylor with the Bee Cave Police Department. About 9,000 people live in Bee Cave. We can walk in somewhere, theyre happy to see us, happy to talk with us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also more unconventional means officers attempt to engage with the community, as seen through Detective Scott Baldridge and Sgt. Ben Mewis with APD. Theyve taken on several crazy running endeavors over the last three years, sharing their journeys on social media so the public can follow along and cheer them on. One of the top priorities for APDs new chief, Lisa Davis, who started in September, is to gather as much input from the community as possible during her first 100 days with APD. You can find and fill out her public safety survey 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 KXAN Austin. PESHAWAR, Pakistan Pakistans airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan killed 46 people, mostly women and children, a Taliban government official said Wednesday, raising fears of further straining the relations between the two neighbors. Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Afghan government, said those killed in the strikes that targeted four locations in Barmal, a district in the province of Paktika, were refugees, adding that six others were also wounded. This comes a day after Pakistani security officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with regulations, told The Associated Press that Tuesdays operation was to dismantle a training facility and kill insurgents in Paktika in Afghanistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Wednesday, Mohammad Khurasani, the spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed in a statement that 50 people, including 27 women and children, have died in the strikes. He said they were unarmed refugees who fled to Afghanistan because of Pakistans offensive in the northwest. The TTP a separate group but also a close ally of the Afghan Taliban also shared photos, alleging they were of children killed during the Pakistani operation. Meanwhile, residents in the area told an AP reporter over the phone that at least 13 people were left dead, adding that the death toll could be higher. They also said the wounded were transported to a local hospital. Pakistan has not commented on the strikes. However, on Wednesday, the Pakistani military said security forces killed 13 insurgents in an intelligence-based operation in South Waziristan, a district located along eastern Afghanistans Paktika province. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday praised Pakistans brave security force in a statement for thwarting the nefarious designs of terrorists. He didnt mention the Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan The Taliban Defense Ministry denounced the attacks on Tuesday and promised retaliation. On Wednesday, the situation along the shared border seemed to be business as usual. However, security analysts say the TTP could launch retaliatory attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan has seen innumerable militant attacks in the past two decades but there has been an uptick in recent months. The latest was this weekend when at least 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed when the TTP attacked a checkpoint in the countrys northwest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pakistani officials have accused the Taliban of not doing enough to combat militant activity across the border, a charge the Afghan Taliban government denies, saying it does not allow anyone to carry out attacks against any country. North and South Waziristan are former strongholds of Pakistani Taliban, who have fled to Afghanistan. Tensions were at an all-high in March when Pakistan said intelligence-based strikes took place in the border regions inside Afghanistan. Pakistan has carried out air strikes on eastern Afghanistan, killing 46 civilians, the Taliban regime said on Wednesday. The Taliban condemned the strikes, which it claimed killed mostly women and children, as an example of clear aggression from its neighbour and pledged to retaliate. A Pakistan security official told AFP that the bombardment across the border late on Tuesday had targeted terrorist hideouts and described the reports of civilians killed as baseless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aerial attacks were the latest spike in hostilities on the frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan after deadly strikes in March. Pakistan has been battling a resurgence of militant violence in its western border regions since the Talibans 2021 return to power in Afghanistan. Islamabad has accused Kabuls Taliban authorities of harbouring militant fighters, allowing them to strike on Pakistani soil with impunity which Kabul has denied. Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban government spokesman, told AFP that Pakistan bombarded four areas in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province. The total number of dead is 46, most of whom were children and women, he said, adding that six more people were wounded, mostly children. Taliban security operator - Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images A senior Pakistan security official said the strikes were on terrorist hideouts using jets and drones and that they killed at least 20 militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the countrys homegrown Taliban group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arguments from Afghan officials claiming civilians are being harmed are baseless and misleading, he added, speaking on condition of anonymity. A Taliban defence ministry statement late on Tuesday condemned the strikes, calling them barbaric and a clear aggression. The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered, but rather considers the defence of its territory and sovereignty to be its inalienable right, the statement said, using the Taliban authorities name for the government. Skirmishes on the frontier followed deadly air strikes in March by Pakistans military in the border regions of Afghanistan, which Taliban authorities said killed eight civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Barmal resident, Maleel, told AFP Tuesdays strikes killed 18 members of one family. The bombardment hit two or three houses, in one house, 18 people were killed, the whole family lost their lives, he said. He said a strike killed three people in another house and wounded several others, who were taken to hospital. Strikes will continue Taliban officials said the dead were local residents and people who had fled over the Pakistan border from the Waziristan region. North Waziristan, which borders Paktika, has historically been a hive of militancy and was the target of a long-running Pakistani military offensive and US drone strikes during the post-9/11 occupation of Afghanistan that saw many people flee over the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike comes after the TTP, who share a common ideology with their Afghan counterparts last week claimed responsibility for a raid on an army outpost near the border with Afghanistan, which Pakistan said killed 16 soldiers. The Pakistani security official said the recent attack was a significant trigger for Tuesdays strikes, but not the only one. He added: The interim Taliban regime has been repeatedly urged to take action against the TTP, but their response has been lukewarm. Such strikes will continue as necessary. A UN Security Council report in July estimated up to 6,500 TTP fighters are based there and said the Taliban do not conceive of TTP as a terrorist group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Tuesday, high-level Taliban officials were meeting with Pakistans special envoy for Afghanistan who was on a visit to Kabul. 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. Chinese outbound tourism market continues to grow in 2024 15:50, December 25, 2024 By Zhao Shan ( People's Daily Online Chinese tourists pose for a picture in the Antarctic. (Photo provided by UTour Group) In 2024, Chinese tourists have ventured further afield to explore more destinations and embark on exciting journeys. Countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, which offer visa-free entry to Chinese citizens, have become popular destinations. Belt and Road partner countries have also been popular among Chinese tourists. Chinese travelers are placing greater emphasis on the quality of their travel experiences and personalized needs, seeking to immerse themselves in the local lifestyles of their destinations. According to information gathered from various travel agencies and online platforms, visa-free countries for Chinese citizens were among the top choices for outbound travel this year, allowing travelers to embark on spontaneous trips. Since December 2023, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand have successively implemented visa-free policies for Chinese citizens, prompting many Chinese tourists to choose these three countries as their preferred outbound travel destinations. Statistics show that as of Dec. 1, Thailand has received a total of 6.21 million Chinese tourists this year. This has made China the largest source of tourists for Thailand. In the first half of this year, 1.45 million trips were made by Chinese tourists to Singapore, more than those from any other country. From January to September this year, over 2.5 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia, surpassing those in the same period in 2019, and the whole-year figure is expected to reach 5 million. "Outbound tourism in 2024 continues to recover and is approaching the levels of 2019," said Yang Jinsong, director of the Institute of International Research at the China Tourism Academy. According to him, this year's standout trends in outbound tourism include a growing demand for high-quality travel experiences among tourists and a corresponding push from market players for premium product development and supply chain optimization. Improved facilitation, such as smoother visa processes and flight options, is also fueling the rise in outbound travel, Yang noted, adding that popular short-haul destinations in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia continue to attract visitors, while Belt and Road partner countries are increasingly drawing Chinese tourists to explore their offerings. According to China CYTS Tours, the outbound tourism market has seen a strong recovery this year, with significant increases in both the number of outbound travelers and overseas travel spending. Data from Chinese online travel services provider Qunar showed a 50 percent increase in hotel bookings in popular outbound travel cities, and it is expected that the total outbound travel bookings for the year will surpass those of 2019. Statistics from the travel service platform Fliggy indicate that a batch of niche destinations with unique natural and cultural landscapes and distinctive experiences have emerged as "dark horses" in outbound travel this year. Countries such as Nigeria, Zambia, Chile, Turkiye, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Belgium, among others, have seen rapid growth in tourism bookings. Recently, Marija Labovic, director of the Tourism Organization of Serbia, stated that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Serbia from January to September this year increased by 71 percent compared to that during the same period last year. Belt and Road partner countries have seen an increase in their share of the Chinese outbound tourism market this year. An executive with Chinese travel operator UTour Group said that countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and others are actively targeting the Chinese tourism market by offering more convenient services to attract more Chinese tourists. According to an executive with online travel services provider Mafengwo, Central Asia has become a popular destination for young travelers seeking novelty. The popular TV series "To the Wonder" not only boosted tourism in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region but also brought attention to Kazakhstan, which shares similar landscapes. Almaty has become a popular tourist city in Central Asia. Additionally, Uzbekistan, boasting a number of World Heritage sites, has seen a significant increase in tourism interest. Samarkand, Tashkent, and the ancient city of Khiva have garnered the highest attention. Following the visa exemption agreement signed between China and Uzbekistan in early December, searches for Uzbekistan tourism have increased by 97 percent compared to the previous month. Dai Bin, director of the China Tourism Academy, said an increasing number of Chinese tourists are now willing to invest in enhancing their quality of life while traveling, which includes choosing upscale accommodations, indulging in superior dining experiences, exploring museums and art galleries, and attending top-notch cultural performances. They hope to discover small, exquisite, and warm life scenes for a deep experience, Dai added. An executive with China CYTS Tours said that the consumption habits of Chinese outbound tourists have changed, and they now place greater emphasis on the quality of tourism and immersive experiences. "They are willing to spend on experiential activities, seeking personalized and high-quality travel services," the executive added. "Chinese travelers are increasingly drawn to immersive outbound travel experiences that offer unique and authentic encounters, such as local trains, ferries, river cruises, and hot air balloons. Cultural experiences, such as hands-on cooking of local cuisine, touring ancient cities by horse-drawn carriage, and visiting local homes, are also popular," said an executive from UTour Group. Photo taken on Oct. 16, 2024, shows the exhibition booth of Uzbekistan at the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market 2024 held in Beijing. (vip.people.com.cn/Du Jianpo) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israel and Hamas exchanged accusations on Wednesday, each blaming the other for delays in reaching a Gaza ceasefire deal. In a press statement, Hamas said the talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, were "progressing seriously." However, it accused Israel of introducing "new conditions related to the issues of the withdrawal (from Gaza), the ceasefire, the prisoners, and the return of the displaced people." These conditions, Hamas claimed, caused "the delay in reaching an agreement that was within reach." In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement denying Hamas's accusations. The statement said Hamas had backtracked on understandings already reached and was "hindering the negotiations." On Tuesday, Israel recalled its delegation from the talks in Doha, stating that the team had been involved in a week of "meaningful" discussions. "The team is returning for internal consultations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations for the return of our hostages," the office said. The withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the coastal Palestinian enclave and the length of the ceasefire have been key sticking points in previous failed negotiation attempts. Hamas seeks to end the war entirely, while Israel insists on removing Hamas' control over Gaza before any resolution and maintaining a military presence in the Palestinian enclave even after the ceasefire. A new utility truck will help Taylor Fire Rescue personnel navigate narrow streets and slick roads. The volunteer fire department recently purchased a 2024 Ford F-350 Knapheide Utility body squad for about $125,000 and responded to its first call in the vehicle Dec. 11 for a report of a telephone pole on fire. Although the call was unfounded, rescue Capt. Wes Jones Jr. noted it was an ideal situation to use the new vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the perfect call for it smaller stuff like that as opposed to running the big truck, he said. Its $1.5 million to replace the big truck now, so you save a lot of wear and tear instead of beating it up so badly. A combination of donations and relief money from the state allowed the department to buy the truck, borough fire Chief Wes Jones said. The vehicle will improve the departments off-road capabilities and help first responders get to certain situations faster. With some alleys, the bigger trucks just wont fit in, Jones said. At least we can get started on something or assist while the bigger trucks are out front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * The back of a new utility truck put into service by Taylor Fire Rescue. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO) * Taylor Fire Rescues new utility truck parked outside the departments station on Union Street Dec. 12. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO) Show Caption 1 of 2 The back of a new utility truck put into service by Taylor Fire Rescue. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO) Expand While the department targeted the truck as a vehicle for battling brush fires, Jones noted it will assist with many calls including structure fires and vehicle accidents. Its an all-purpose truck, so its going to be on almost every call we go on, he said. Its all around better for the borough and the surrounding communities Old Forge, Moosic, Chinchilla. We all assist each other and have a lot of mutual aid calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The truck is equipped with 250 gallons of water and a 300 gallon-per-minute pump. It can put some good water out for us, Jones said. Additionally, it will help crews gain easier access to more areas during inclement weather. In the wintertime, well be able to take it out to a structure fire if we cant get the rescue or engine out, until we can get them there, Jones said. If we have a snowstorm, were probably going to respond on that truck first and then the other vehicles would be secondary. Were always prepared with the bigger vehicles, but this will give us a quick response and we can go to a lot of places with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor Mayor Loni Kavulich Loiselle believes the new vehicle makes the boroughs rescue capabilities even stronger. I think it will be a big asset to the fire department and residents because its smaller and therefore it can fit in tight places, she said. They already have a great fleet, so its just adding to it. She also appreciates the ongoing commitment of the firefighters to serving and protecting the borough. Heaven forbid, you dont want to think of the worst case scenarios but they do and they train for it so theyre ready, Kavulich Loiselle said. Its a great thing that our fire department is always seeking out ways to stay on top of everything. Dec. 24A 16-year-old boy was ordered by a judge Tuesday to be kept behind bars after he allegedly made threats to kill another teen at a school in Southwest Albuquerque. Domynick Lindstrom is charged with making a shooting threat and larceny of a firearm and larceny over $500, said Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Jayme Fuller-Gonzales. Bernalillo County District Attorney spokesperson Nancy Laflin told the Journal on Tuesday that Lindstrom appeared in juvenile court for a detention hearing and will be detained at least until his next court hearing because the judge deemed him a danger to himself and the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies arrested Lindstrom late Sunday afternoon at an apartment complex on Cardenas NE, according to BCSO. Deputies also arrested Manuel Lopez, 18, and Ricardo Lopez-Murillo, 19, who were at the apartment with Lindstrom. Both men were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Lopez was interviewed by detectives and, according to court records, told them that Lindstrom asked for help "with a drive-by shooting." Deputies said Lindstrom wanted to shoot a fellow student when the boy left a Sunday morning play at Tower Road Baptist Church & Christian Academy at 86th and Tower SW. The incident came more than a week after a student opened fire at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, killing a student and a teacher in what has become one of the deadliest years for mass shootings, with close to 500 incidents, according to Gun Violence America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lindstrom, who was reported missing that morning from his grandfather's home, told another person over social media that he was willing to pay $4,000 and provide guns for the shooting, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Bernalillo County authorities spoke to Lindstrom's family members, who told them he left his home with an unknown individual and stole an AK-47-style rifle, 250 rounds of ammunition and $400 in cash from his grandfather, the complaint states. Surveillance footage around Tower Road Baptist Church & Christian Academy showed Lindstrom and an accomplice scouting out the school on Saturday, according to the complaint. However, he never showed up at the school on Sunday, when deputies were dispatched to the area and school operations were shut down. Family told investigators that Lindstrom has mental health issues and was not taking his medications, the complaint states. The boy's mother told deputies Lindstrom had previously threatened to kill her and her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lindstrom had already sent threatening messages to the other student, who Lindstrom believed had flirted with his girlfriend, according to the complaint. The case "underscores the importance of community vigilance and the effectiveness of rapid law enforcement response," Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said in a statement. Tower Road Baptist Church & Christian Academy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A customer at an impasse with Capital One over a disputed debt is facing a half-decade in federal prison after allegedly vowing to assassinate those executives he held responsible for having ruined his life. In a December 12 email, Houston, Texas resident and budding beef jerky impresario Taylor Bullard told the banks collections agency that he had already paid the amount in question and that they were chasing him in error, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed upon his arrest eight days later. Call me before I show up to one of their locations with a machete and gasoline, Bullard wrote, according to a screenshot of the email included in the affidavit. You have ruined my ability to buy a home. Im 34 with a 100k+ job and its time I target the people and companies that have ruined my ability to live the life I deserve. I will be coming after your executive team personally. Please call me before I do things that are unforgivable and will make your executive team question their life choices. Thank you, Taylor Bullard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit says Bullard sent the note in response to an email from Capital One urging [him] to create a payment plan to resolve his approximate $543 debt with the company. FBI agents traced the senders IP address back to Bullards home, and subpoenaed his email records from Google, according to the affidavit, which was obtained by Court Watch and shared with The Independent. Bullard requested a court appointed attorney, but no one is yet listed on the docket. A phone number Bullard provided the court in his release papers went straight to voicemail on Wednesday. A request for comment sent via email to Capital One was met with an out-of-office auto-response lasting until January 2. When an unnamed corporation raised Taylor Bullards ire in 2017, he threatened to release anthrax at one of its events and/or kill himself in public, according to the FBI (Getty Images) Investigators dug into Bullards past and found at least three previous threats to corporations he felt had wronged him, the affidavit goes on. In 2017, it says Bullard emailed an unnamed company, for an unspecified offense, to say he planned to release anthrax at one of their events and/or kill himself in public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBl questioned Bullard at the time, and he told agents that he wanted attention, wanted to see the companies sweat, and did not intend to hurt himself or others, according to the affidavit. In 2022, at odds with an unnamed financial institution, Bullard left a voicemail with customer service, threatening to go to an openbranch with an AK-47 and shoot up the drive through [sic], as well as damage an ATM, the affidavit states. That same year, Bullard threatened Carvana with mass violence after claiming the online auto dealer sold him a defective vehicle, according to the affidavit. The companys name is redacted in court filings, but several postings in which Bullard relayed his promises to exact revenge are still viewable on social media. Im going to drive the lemon you sold me through your front doors in Friday off i10 in Houston, Bullard wrote in one. Be ready for chaos a**holes[.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement @Carvana you will know what you did to me whether you fooking want to or not, he wrote in another. You r***d me and sold me a lemon[.] A third read, F***ing call@me or its all over for your sales team in Houston[.] Taylor Bullard threatened mass violence on Carvana after the online dealer allegedly sold him a lemon (Getty Images) However, a review of Bullards social media activity shows him taking a very different tone with Starlink, the Elon Musk-owned satellite internet provider. In one 2022 message posted on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter and also owned by Musk, Bullard posted a screenshot of a service request with a subject line reading, Data speeds are zero, and asked, politely, for an update. Howdy!! Happy Sunday, can someone please give me a more accurate estimate or help me escalate my order? the message said. Ive been waiting 2 years almost to install a line of site antenna and increased single coverage but Ive cripple [sic] myself while waiting on Starlink promises for so long. Can someone please help me estimate or am I completely on my own? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a follow-up message, Bullard invoked Musks brother, a Starlink executive, writing, Please help me through the appropriate channels, Im not afraid to approach Kimbal to get this mess sorted out and gift yall some grassfed jerky and steaks. Thanks, Taylor Corporate America has been in a state of high alert following the December 4 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. After a multi-state manhunt, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was arrested for Thompsons murder and is now facing both state and federal charges. When Mangione was caught, he was carrying a gun similar to the one used to kill Thompson, as well as a short manifesto. The US Marshals Service arrested Bullard in Houston on December 20. He was charged with one count of sending threatening interstate communications, which carries up to five years in prison, and released on $25,000 bond. Bullard will be tried in Virginia, where Capital One is headquartered. THOMASVILLE A Thomasville man has been arrested in connection with a reported sex trafficking operation in Lynchburg, Virginia, two law enforcement agencies said. Thomas Lee Thomas II, 58, was charged with felony receiving money from the earnings of prostitutes, felony commercial sex trafficking, felony conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, felony keeping, residing in or visiting a bawdy place for immoral purposes, and felony receiving money for procuring or placing a person at a location for the purpose of sex trafficking. Early this month, detectives with the Davidson County Sheriffs Office were contacted by the Lynchburg Police Department about a sex trafficking investigation that began in June, naming Thomas as a suspect, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 12, sheriffs deputies executed a search warrant at Thomas residence. On the same day, Lynchburg police and the Virginia State Police Human Trafficking Unit executed a search at an address in Lynchburg. No information about what was found in the searches was released. Thomas was taken into custody and is awaiting extradition to Virginia. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities ask that anyone with information contact Detective Davis of the Lynchburg Police Department at (434) 455-6166. A newborn baby died from the cold in a tent encampment in Al-Mawasi, in southern Gaza, a health official said Wednesday, highlighting the stark challenges to survival faced by Palestinian children displaced from their homes amid Israels ongoing assault on the strip. Sela Mahmoud Al-Fasih froze to death from the extreme cold in Al-Mawasi, Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, the director general of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, posted on X on Wednesday. In the past week, at least four infants have died of hypothermia from low temperatures and a lack of access to warmth while living in tents, Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra, the head of pediatrics and obstetrics at Nasser Hospital, in Khan Younis, said on Thursday. Among them were a three-day-old and a one-month-old who also died in Al-Mawasi, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff in the neonatal ICU see at least five cases of hypothermia per day, added Al-Farra. Reduced breastfeeding and limited availability of infant formula has severely compounded the risk of hypothermia among babies, he told CNN. Meanwhile, health workers are struggling to treat young patients due to shortages of electricity, diesel and other fuel. This is one of the disastrous results of this criminal war, said Al-Farra. Al-Mawasi, a coastal region west of Rafah, previously designated by Israel as a humanitarian area, has repeatedly come under Israeli attacks. Thousands of displaced Palestinians have moved there in search of refuge, living for months in makeshift tents made of cloth and nylon. CNN footage from a courtyard in Al-Mawasi showed Selas small body wrapped in a white shroud, her 31-year-old father, Mahmoud Al-Fasih, holding her. In another shot, a group of young Palestinian men and boys crouch by her grave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Sela) died from the cold, her mother, Nariman Al-Fasih, told CNN on Wednesday. I was warming her and holding her. But (we) didnt have extra clothes for me to warm this girl. The video showed the three-week-old babys face had turned blue. Israels assault, launched after the Hamas-led October 7 attack, has gutted Gazas once-lively neighborhoods, erased entire families, and spawned a humanitarian crisis of starvation, displacement and disease. More than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed and 107,000 people injured, the health ministry there reported on Monday. War on children Human rights advocates have warned that Palestinian children are bearing the brunt of Israels bombardment and siege. More than 17,600 children have been killed since the war started, Al-Bursh said on Wednesday. One child in Gaza is killed every hour, the chief of the UNs agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, said on Tuesday, citing UN data. Mahmoud Al-Fasih holds the body of his three-week-old daughter, Sela, before laying her to rest. - CNN As many as 17,000 children have been left unaccompanied or separated from their parents and caregivers, the International Rescue Committee reported in October. Others struggle to find enough food, water and warmth, as Israels siege has drained supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children are unable to receive adequate care in the medical system, which has been paralyzed by Israels attacks, doctors have told CNN. Just 20% of neonatal care units are operational in the Gaza Strip, according to Al-Farra. Premature babies are dying due to lack of medical supplies including ventilators, while doctors are forced to triage cases to save childrens lives, he said. Nariman Al-Fasih speaks with CNN about the death of her daughter. - CNN The UNs childrens agency, UNICEF, warned that many displaced children in Gaza are wearing little more than the clothes on their backs after many were forced to flee Israels bombardment in summer clothes, earlier this year. For over 14 months, children have been at the sharp edge of this nightmare In Gaza the reality for over a million children is fear, utter deprivation and unimaginable suffering, Rosalia Bollen, a UNICEF communications specialist, said in a statement on December 20. The war on children in Gaza stands as a stark reminder of our collective responsibility. A generation of children is enduring the brutal violation of their rights and the destruction of their futures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment on the deaths of the three infants in Al-Mawasi. This story has been updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Need to get some last-minute holiday shopping done? A few stores may still be open on Christmas, but several major retailers will remain closed for the day. For most grocery stores, restaurants, and local businesses, Tuesday is the last day that you can shop before Christmas day. Otherwise, you may be met with modified hours or stores closed for the entire day, such as chains like Target, Giant Eagle and Kroger. Will Walmart be open this Christmas? Here's what to know before you plan your next shopping trip. Is Walmart open on Christmas Eve? Yes. Walmart stores will be open on Christmas Eve, but stores will close at 6 p.m. local time, the company told USA TODAY. Is Walmart open on Christmas Day 2024? No. All Walmart stores nationwide are closed on Christmas Day. Walmart's Christmas Eve hours in Ohio Most Walmart locations should be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. To see your local store's specific holiday hours, you can check the retailer's online store locator. How many Walmart stores are in Ohio? There are 138 supercenters in the state, as well as 27 Sam's Club warehouse stores and six distribution centers, according to the company's website. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What time does Walmart open? Christmas Day and Eve hours, Ohio locations AUSTIN (KXAN) A stretch of MoPac in north Austin is about to get a lot more scenic. Drivers may have noticed hundreds of tiny colorful flags dotting a dirt patch along the expressway near Braker Lane. The Texas Department of Transportation told KXAN Tuesday these flags are tied to a landscaping project. TxDOT said its planting a variety of native perennials, shrubs, and trees around and between the retaining walls, which will significantly reduce mowing and stabilize the slope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project will stretch from Braker Lane to Loop 360 and involve 35,299 plants and 1.4 acres of wildflower seeding. TxDOT said the tiny flags along MoPac near Braker Lane are tied to a landscaping project. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bynum) TxDOT plans to incorporate trees like the Mexican Buckeye, Desert Willow and Texas Red Oak, as well as grasses like Gulf Muhly and Little Bluestem into the area. These native plants will help improve air quality, according to TxDOT. TxDOT said this project is part of a larger effort with three other landscaping locations in the Austin area: One location in Georgetown at Interstate 35 and Williams Drive One location in Austin at I-35 and 51st Street One location near the State Highway 45/State Highway 130 interchange Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. As 2024 ends and we bring in 2025, the Volunteer State could ring in the new year with many new laws. Come January 1, several new and impactful state laws are set to take effect. One of those laws is the Protecting Children from Social Media Act. The legislation will require social media companies to verify a users age and allow for parental consent. In addition to safeguarding youth, the Protect Tennessee Minors Act will require websites with sexual content to confirm, in some way that a viewer is 18 or older. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. Another new law will further bartender training to help prevent sexual assault in alcohol settings. Come January 1, all alcohol servers in Tennessee must be trained on the role drugs and alcohol play in sexual assault. This training must be completed every two years. Other new laws set to be enacted include increased birth control access for TennCare customers and increased transparency for landlords with their tenants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As these laws go into effect, we will keep you updated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)- This year, more than 1,000 people have been killed on Tennessee roads, with Davidson County accounting for nearly 100 deaths. The staggering number is only heightened by the need to make safety changes on the street. Since 2022, Vision Zero has been in the works, with the goal of zero deaths on Nashville roadways, but as we get closer to the end of the five-year plan, are things getting any better? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TDOT updates Strategic Highway Safety Plan My daughter was riding her bicycle with a friend on Highway 100, said Kim Milligan, whose daughter was hit and killed. Its a story we hear too often. So much so, that Metro Nashville wanted to highlight the stories behind a staggering number of people. They were going to a park, and she was hit by a truck, and killed, Milligan said in the video. When you send your child away to school, you expect them to come home. It is an other-worldly amount of suffering. Protecting these cyclists and pedestrians is for me a chance to save a family from this brutal grief journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loving, helpful, and passionate womans life was cut short. At 23 years old, Alyssa was one of nearly 40 people killed walking and biking in Nashville last year. In Tennessee, roadway deaths are up by 30% in the last decade, and pedestrian fatalities have tripled, according to the organization Walk Bike Nashville. State representative introduces bill that could improve student pedestrian safety Frankly, if youre on the sidewalk you dont need bright flashing lights, but what else can you do to avoid getting hit?, someone asked during a Vision Zero meeting earlier this year. Its a problem the Vision Zero has been working to address, which is an initiative aimed at eliminating the number of traffic deaths or severe injuries among all road users. The committee pointed to right turns and high-speed lanes as additional risk factor factors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cant be on your phone while youre driving, okay?, said one officer with the Nolensville Police Department. News 2 went on a ride-along to see how different areas around Middle Tennessee are handling pedestrian safety. So these kids here are doing the right thing. Theyre dismounting their bikes, they push the thing, they waited for this car to stop and then they cross together, said one officer. DATA | Pedestrian crashes statewide & TN county breakdowns Close calls are happening specifically on crosswalks. Police said speeding and distracted driving is a major part of the problem, but they say pedestrians and cyclists share some of the responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Come into the crosswalk, look both ways. Make sure you make eye contact with the driver before you cross and dont enter the roadway too early, said Lt. Michael Hofer with the Nolensville Police Department. However, headway on the problem came during the November election, which is when Nashvillians voted to approve Mayor Freddie OConnells $3.1 billion transit plan. The Choose How You Move plan hit the finish line, with the following goals: Expand WeGo bus services in the city Create nearly 90 miles of new sidewalks Fund traffic signal upgrade across the city The next phase in the transit plan is for an advisory committee to be formed and include community input. Voters can expect updates on the budget and infrastructure for the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Wednesday voted to adopt a decision to amend the Supervision Law, the country's primary legislation for combating corruption. The decision, made at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, will take effect from June 1, 2025. Dec. 25Negligence claims lodged by nine parents of children who once attended Sweet Angels Daycare of Newfane are moving slowly through the state court system. Litigation, which got underway in April, followed plea deals accepted by two former Sweet Angels employees charged with one or more counts of endangering the welfare of a child. In January, Victoria Stanton pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree harassment in connection with her actions toward two children who had attended the daycare center. In March, Alexis Cleveley pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree harassment in a case involving another child. In all, three then-employees including Karon Anterline had been accused of child endangerment in September 2023, following a New York State Police investigation of parents' complaints that their children were physically or mentally abused at the daycare center. Sweet Angels-Newfane was shut down by its owner, Kelly Doel, in late December 2023. Nine parents, all represented by the Buffalo-based law firm Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall, filed suit against Sweet Angels Daycare of Newfane Inc. and four former employees on April 19, claiming negligence. The employees include one who was not charged with any crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mallory Bumpers-Wojewoda and Kathy Chenez-Stanko, who emerged this year as leaders of a growing group of upset parents, said the lawsuits are the parents' response to systemic indifference about what happened to their children. Anterline, Stanton and Cleveley all ended up pleading guilty to second-degree harassment and were required to acknowledge, in open court, that they had acted "with intent to harass, annoy or alarm" their victims and "did strike, shove, kick or otherwise subject (their victims) to physical contact, or attempt or threaten to do the same." For that, each one was ordered to pay a $125 or $250 fine and complete 50 or 100 hours of community service. Two-year orders of protection were issued for each affected child and each defendant agreed to waive the sealing of their case. On top of that light penalty, Wojewoda and Stefanko said, their experience with New York State Police and the state Office of Children and Family Services left a lot to be desired. During and after the investigation, those agencies didn't communicate with them, the moms said; multiple phone calls, emails and even FOIL requests went unanswered. The parents' negligence claims are driven by their dismay with the fact that nobody has truly been held accountable for what happened to their children, according to Wojewoda. "It was never just about the criminal side. Our kids were abused," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documents on file with the Niagara County Clerk's Office show: that Sweet Angels Daycare of Newfane Inc. and the four former employees, including Magdalynn Tibbets, formally denied the parents' claims in August; the attorney for the former employees filed a request for a preliminary hearing in November; and Sweet Angels-Newfane Inc. is seeking, from State Police, the Niagara County District Attorney's Office and the Child Advocacy Center of Niagara, any reports, interview notes, evaluations and correspondence or statements by people interviewed about affiliates and employees of Sweet Angels Daycare and/or nine juveniles who were allegedly abused. Meanwhile, three parents of children who attended Sweet Angels Daycare and Preschool in North Tonawanda filed negligence claims against Daycares of WNY Inc. in early August. They too are represented by Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall. The daycare center on Erie Avenue was closed by the owner, Kelly Doel, in May, after OCFS cited it for a series of violations including the use of corporal punishment, confining a child to a sleeping surface when they're unable to sleep during nap time and leaving children without "competent" supervision and North Tonawanda Police Department completed an investigation. Doel's daughter Savanna E. Huntington, who worked at Sweet Angels-NT, was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child in September. Grizzly bears (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service). Its holiday time and with that comes traditions. One of the traditions weve established here at the Daily Montanan is not just presenting our annual list of Top 10 stories as decided by the staff, but we also love to show you what youve been reading. Each year, we also bring together the Top 10 most-read stories and Top 10 most-read columns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, its not surprising that during an election season that seemed to last well beyond a year (because, well, it did), the top story was one of politics. However, critters, the outdoors and our states two national parks also made headlines. While the news changes, Montanans interest in certain topics becomes something more timeless. 1. When Trump comes to town, he brings excitement, leaves unpaid bills behind 2. The mystery of the Fountain Hotel 3. Complaint: DOJs Montana Highway Patrol fired trooper in retaliation 4. Antler-hunter shoots, kills grizzly bear near Wolf Creek 5. Montana man charged by the feds for illegally breeding, trafficking hybrid Asian sheep 6. Remains of missing climber found, Glacier National Park officials say 7. Yellowstone grizzlies are dying at a near record pace. Managers arent alarmed 8. Yellowstone Volcano Observatory releases preliminary report on Biscuit Basin explosion 9. Fifth wolf killed in unit north of Yellowstone National Park, despite quota 10. Montana to start trucking grizzlies to Yellowstone National Park Millions of viewers went to WSOCTV.com for the stories that weve brought them over the past year. From incredible breaking news coverage of a tragic police shootout in Charlotte and a historic hurricane, to Action 9 and 9 Investigates stories, youve been able to count on Channel 9 for the breaking news and the important updates that follow. These were the most-viewed stories on WSOCTV.com for 2024. It was one of the darkest days in Charlottes history, as four members of a task force were killed while serving a warrant in east Charlotte. More officers were hurt, and the policing community of North Carolina mourned their losses for weeks. Financial security can be hard to come by, but those without a degree who are willing to work hard could take advantage of a unique opportunity from the FAA this year. A missing woman was found and taken to the hospital, where she recovered. In January of 2024, officially approaching the two-year mark of Charlottes snow drought, neighbors got excited over the prospect of winter weather on the way. The Kelce family shot up in popularity over the last year, and one sweet story about Donnas cookie recipe made a lot of people smile. As if cicadas werent bad enough, the influx of two broods in the Charlotte area also led to an increase in Copperhead snake sightings. The Carolina Panther-turned Chicago Bear listed his property for sale. An Action 9 story about a homeowners lawsuit against their HOA went viral because of the hefty price tag. In a back-and-forth in North Carolina, courts weighed in on whether or not police can search you or your car if they smell marijuana. A break in the Asha Degree case? Dozens of investigators descended on a Cleveland County property and towed a vehicle in connection with the case, according to court documents obtained by Channel 9. No arrests have been made, and her body still hasnt been found. The top 25: Fast-food chain closing most NC restaurants Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlotte man swept out to sea, found in Hawaii Swim advisories issued for NC beaches due to potential contamination Lake Lure dam no longer at imminent risk of failure Every hour counts: Mecklenburg County prepares for future attacks Scammer tries to refinance house behind owners back, lawyer saves the day Catastrophically unsafe: Neighbors find heartbreaking loss in Chimney Rock FBI-raided NC mansion to be auctioned True crime movie starring Channing Tatum to be filmed in Charlotte Extras needed for two movies being filmed in Charlotte Man wins $6m prize from scratch-off ticket because of lucky numbers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlotte pizzeria named one of the best in the U.S. CMPD searches for person of interest after remains of mother, 2 children found in apartment Drivers say they ended up with car trouble after Take 5 oil changes Texas-based Whataburger sues NC Whataburgers for trademark infringement (VIDEO >> Action 9: Checking in on chickens, MV Realty, and our international impact) 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? TOPEKA (KSNT) While people are getting their last-minute shopping in, one west Topeka liquor store is getting ready for its final rush before Christmas. Christmas Eve is one of the busiest days for liquor stores. Fleming Place Wine & Spirits has seen its own holiday rush this year. Owner Bryan McDonald told 27 News some big-ticket items are collectable bourbons, as well as airport-size shooters for games and even stocking stuffers. Despite Christmas day falling in the middle of the week, McDonald said business hasnt skipped a beat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What punishments are in store for illegally dumping a deer carcass? Its been just as busy, if not more busy than last year, McDonald said. You know, ever since we opened the doors today, its been like this all day. And then, you know, coming up to the week of Christmas day is pretty busy. Its different the Wednesday Christmas. So its been fun. According to Kansas law, liquor stores across the state cannot be open on Christmas Day. McDonald said his store will be open until 8 p.m. Christmas Eve for any crunch-time shopping. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) From weapons detection systems to panic buttons, school districts across the country have rolled out high-tech measures to turn classrooms and hallways into safe havens, but some experts say the products are useless without the basics. Kevin Wren, a school safety advocate for the Cook & Boardman Group and an advisor for the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) told News 2 physical school security products generally fall into three categories: gun-related, artificial intelligence/cloud and communications-oriented. When we look at the guns [category], you have three different folds in there. Youve got audible detection, metal detectors like a physical detector you walk through, and then youve got a camera analytic that picks up a gun, Wren said. Inside each of those three [categories] they have their own nuances and case uses for each of those areas. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts News 2 has covered new, innovative technology aimed at improving school security, including weapons detection systems, panic alarms and even pop-out, bulletproof classroom shelters. However, Wren argues none of that technology is useful if school districts havent tackled the basics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive definitely seen some technologies being implemented that make me scratch my head around, youve just spent $1 million on weapons screening but yet your mass communications system is analog, and its a coin toss if your kindergarten teacher pushes it if they can get help or not, Wren said. Wren advises school districts to focus on training and school safety personnel before purchasing high-tech, physical security products. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom Sometimes we get easily roped into what we think is pushing the easy button and buying something to say we did something, Wren said. Meanwhile we havent trained our people on how to appropriately respond to things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the Tennessee General Assembly approved $230 million to address both training/personnel and physical security improvements in schools. Lawmakers outlined how the money should be spent, including $140 million to place a school resource officer in every school, $8 million for additional School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons, and $54 million for physical school security upgrades. However, Wren has seen some state legislatures fail to set specific spending standards and guidelines, which can lead districts to purchase technology that might not be beneficial. [Lawmakers] are not necessarily funding a school safety director who can provide the mentorship, provide the education, provide the expertise to say, This is the direction we need to go in, so what happens is you get a school administrator or superintendent who is handed a check and at no point in their undergrad have they ever received a course on security and emergency management, yet we expect them to be an expert in it, Wren said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com While high-tech products can be an important tool in keeping students and staff safe in schools, Wren believes they shouldnt be the end-all-be-all, and none of them beat the traditional safety methods proven to be effective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know 100% a shut, locked door works. We know that. We dont know what the exact effectiveness is going to be of an AI analytic on a video camera system on picking up a gun coming in from the parking lot, Wren said. Before we start looking at these cutting edge technologies, we have to address the basics first, and oftentimes the basics are lower cost or no cost and actually have the maximum impact on that school safety climate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Live camera footage captured the moment a boat docked at a popular Fort Lauderdale marina exploded Monday night. It also caught a chaotic scene, with good Samaritans rushing to help the injured and firefighters quelling the blaze that ensued. Just before 6 p.m. Monday, 911 callers reported that a boat at the Lauderdale Marina, 1900 SE 15th St., was engulfed in flames before another caught on fire, according to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue. The incident occurred near the 15th Street Fisheries, an iconic eatery popular with tourists and boaters. READ MORE: Man, it was bad. A Canadian man was killed, 5 hurt in boat blast at Broward marina 41-year-old Sebastien Gauthier, of Quebec, was found dead in the water. The five injured were taken to area hospitals. Three of them had traumatic injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses told the Miami Herald that a vessel exploded while a boater was fueling up. Firefighters extinguished the blaze by 8 p.m. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state agency that patrols the waterways, is investigating the explosion. I turn around and see the boat just go up, an employee at the restaurant told the Herald. People flying up in the air. This lady hit the concrete. This little girl was crying for her mother. Man, it was bad. Travelers who had their flights delayed or canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Christmas Eve were happy to hear that they would be compensated for the inconvenience. But when it comes to Christmas Eve, many folks would rather be with their loved ones than have that money back in their pocket. Some travelers who spoke with Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes were pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowds at Atlantas airport. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] So far its been calm. Its not crowded. Not as crowded as I thought it would be, Tina Jackson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Jackson made her way to the airport on Christmas Eve, she thought the drive from Douglas County to Clayton County would be a mess. But her drive ended up going smoothly. She now thinks most people are already at their holiday destinations. I did see a lot of cars driving on Sunday. The highways were packed over the weekend, she said. American Airlines scared some travelers on Christmas Eve morning when they grounded all flights briefly. They said a technical issue was to blame. Francis Benson was traveling via American Airlines, taking his wife and daughter on a tour of Europe to celebrate his wifes 60th birthday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre headed to England, France, and Italy. Delays havent affected them yet, but even if they do theyre keeping a positive attitude. No matter what we go through in life, if they hand you lemons, make lemonade, Benson said. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ISLAMABAD, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Wednesday celebrated the 148th birthday of the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Born on Dec. 25, 1876, Jinnah led a movement to get a separate homeland for the Muslims of the British-ruled Indian subcontinent in 1947. The day dawned with gun salutes in the country's federal and provincial capitals, with the national flag hoisting atop all public and private buildings, while special prayers for Pakistan's advancement, prosperity, and togetherness were held in mosques across the country. Besides that, special events and activities were held, including exhibitions, conferences, seminars, and cultural gatherings in various cities, to remember the founding father. A change of guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Jinnah in the southern port city of Karachi, where cadets from the Pakistan Military Academy took over guard duties from the Pakistan Air Force. Paying homage to the founder of Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed his country's commitment to building a Pakistan that reflects Jinnah's vision of a democratic, inclusive and prosperous nation. "Jinnah's dream of a peaceful and moderate Pakistan obliges us to promote harmony within and beyond our borders," the president said in his message on the occasion, calling upon the nation to work harder by upholding the values of social justice, economic equity, and the rule of law. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Jinnah's life continued to inspire countless people as a visionary lawyer, principled statesman, steadfast politician, and charismatic leader. "He (Jinnah) achieved what many thought impossible and gifted us our homeland -- Pakistan," the prime minister said. HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) A small Tri-State town is asking its residents to make a big purchase. The village of West Salem, Illinois says it needs a new firetruck. The village is putting the purchase of a 2024 International pumper truck on the April 1 ballot. Town officials say it will cost $475,000. The towns current truck is 20 years old and outdated equipment is among the main reasons for the big purchase in the new year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were told voters have approved funding a new fire truck three times in the past. Anyone with questions is asked to call West Salem Town Hall. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). The trial for a couple suspected of killing their 3-month-old son after regular and frequent child abuse was pushed back to February. Mister Bailey, 32, and Sabrina Martinez, 30, were present at their scheduled trial date Monday in Kern County Superior Court. Attorney Elliott Magnus, standing in for attorney Mai Shawwa to represent Bailey, asked Judge Eric Bradshaw to replace the court-appointed counsel on behalf of Bailey. Shawwa later told The Californian that the court rejected Baileys request during a Marsden hearing the same day, and so Shawwa will continue to represent Bailey on the case. While the reason for Baileys attempt to fire her was unclear, Shawwa said clients are entitled to make that request if they wish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magnus also said, on Martinez's behalf, that there has been a voluminous discovery of videos during her trial that her defense attorney would have to go through. Bradshaw found good cause to set the trial for Bailey and Martinez to start Feb. 10. Bailey and Martinez were both charged with murder in July 2022 for the death of their son Major Bailey, who was 3 months old at the time of his death in December 2020. Bailey was charged with assaulting a child under the age of 8 resulting in death, possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon and eight counts of willful cruelty to a child. Martinez was charged with assaulting a child under the age of 8 resulting in death, eight counts of willful cruelty to a child and an additional misdemeanor count of willful cruelty to a child. The Tehachapi Police Department first responded to this case Dec. 22, 2020, when the agency received a report of an infant not breathing. Major was taken to Adventist Health, where he was pronounced deceased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinez told investigators at the time that the day before Major died she was assaulted by two men and one woman in retaliation for when she drove to Bakersfield because Bailey was a former gang member who testified in court for a different homicide case related to the gang. According to Martinez in the police report, Major was with her during the assault, but she did not believe he was injured in the altercation as he seemed happy afterward. Martinez said the baby showed no signs of injury until the next morning, when Bailey called her at work and told her Major was not breathing. The indoor security camera videos that investigators retrieved from Bailey and Martinezs Tehachapi home told a different story. According to the report, the videos from days before and leading up to Majors death capture Bailey physically and verbally assaulting his three children on a regular basis. For instance, Bailey was seen violently throwing the baby across the bed, making him land face-first on the bed and cry harder. Martinez was standing in the doorway when he threw the baby, but she did not intervene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bailey also roared in the babys face once and often cursed aggressively in front of all three children, telling them to shut the (expletive) up or threatening to physically assault them as punishment for crying or attempting to comfort their sibling. God damn bro! Im about to (expletive) you up, bro. I really (expletive) should! Bailey said in a video recorded when one of his kids was crying. At one point, Bailey held a firearm and danced in front of the children, the muzzle pointed in the direction of two of his family members. He set the gun down on the couch where it was visible to the children and within their reach, according to the report. Martinez was also seen hitting and cursing at the children. She was captured on camera spanking a child for spitting out food and another for not folding clothes properly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other than remaining quiet despite seeing Bailey hurt the children, she was also allegedly heard laughing in the videos. When Bailey forced his older son to pop his sister by spanking her, Martinez was in the same room laughing, the report said. Bailey and Martinez also reportedly smoked marijuana in the living room while all three children were present. After hearing that Major died, Bailey and Martinez became very emotional at the hospital, according to the report. Bailey also showed suicidal behavior, saying at the hospital that he wanted to follow his son and already deceased father, the report said. He walked out of the hospital telling family members that he was going to kill himself, and his family allegedly grabbed him from an overpass above Highway 58 before bringing him back to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is my fault. I shouldnt have laid the baby on his stomach. I want to see my dad. I want to be with my son. I cant do this. I failed him, Bailey said, according to the report. Prior to Majors death, when the two returned to their apartment to get clothes and other items for their children and were blocked by officers and vehicles from entering their home, Bailey became very upset, the report said. Bailey paced around for about a half hour, repeatedly saying he didnt understand why they needed to search the home and that he was willing to go back to prison to get into his apartment. According to the report, they didn't seem concerned for Majors condition at all during this time. In an interview with a social worker, Baileys 5-year-old son said Bailey and Martinez spanked him and his siblings. He said Bailey hit him with his fist, and once held him upside down by holding him by the leg and hit him with a clothes hanger, then a belt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boy said the night before Major died, the babys eyes were open and his stomach was all full. My, my brothers dead, the boy said, according to the report. (Editor's note: This story has been changed to clarify Bailey's actions and words upon learning Major had died.) Three people were shot and a suspect arrested on Tuesday night in Oxford Township, just east of the township's border with Oxford Village. The incident, at about 6:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, occurred a short distance from Oxford High School, the scene of a deadly mass shooting in November 2021. The close proximity of gunfire to the school is causing PTSD post traumatic stress syndrome among families whose homes are near the school and who lived through the mass shooting, according to an online chat room. Oakland County Sheriff deputies have the suspect in custody and have recovered a gun, according to the departments Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are asking that people stay out of the area while the major incident is being processed. The area is an active crime scene (but) it is believed there is no further danger to the public, the Facebook page said. The shooting took place on Ray Road between Lapeer Road and North Oxford Road. More: Prosecutors in Oxford and Virginia school shootings took different approaches to charges More: Judge blasts Oxford school shooter: You got what you deserved there's no do-over The three shooting victims were taken to local hospitals, according to the Sheriffs Office. No information was available on Tuesday night about the condition of the victims or what the shooters motive may have been. Contact Bill Laytner: blaitner@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Suspect in custody after triple shooting near Oxford High School Will Weissert Associated Press WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office on Jan. 20. In a Sunday announcement naming his ambassador to Denmark, Trump wrote that, "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity." Indigenous peoples make up approximately 90 percent of Greenlands population, according to the United Nations. Trump again having designs on Greenland comes after the president-elect suggested over the weekend that the U.S. could retake control of the Panama Canal if something isn't done to ease rising shipping costs required for using the waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He's also been suggesting that Canada become the 51st U.S. state and referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as "governor" of the "Great State of Canada." Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, said Trump tweaking friendly countries harkens back to an aggressive style he used during his days in business. "You ask something unreasonable and it's more likely you can get something less unreasonable," said Farnsworth, who is also author of the book "Presidential Communication and Character." Greenland, the world's largest island, sits between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. It is 80 percent covered by an ice sheet and is home to a large U.S. military base. It gained home rule from Denmark in 1979 and its head of government, Mute Bourup Egede, suggested that Trump's latest calls for U.S. control would be as meaningless as those made in his first term. "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale," he said in a statement. "We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom." The Danish Prime Minister's Office said in its own statement that the government is "looking forward to welcoming the new American ambassador. And the Government is looking forward to working with the new administration." "In a complex security political situation as the one we currently experience, transatlantic cooperation is crucial," the statement said. It noted that it had no comment on Greenland except for it "not being for sale, but open for cooperation." Trump canceled a 2019 visit to Denmark after his offer to buy Greenland was rejected by Copenhagen, and ultimately came to nothing. He also suggested Sunday that the U.S. is getting "ripped off" at the Panama Canal. "If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in full, quickly and without question," he said. Panama President Jose Raul Mulino responded in a video that "every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to," but Trump fired back on his social media site, "We'll see about that!" The president-elect also posted a picture of a U.S. flag planted in the canal zone under the phrase, "Welcome to the United States Canal!" The United States built the canal in the early 1900s but relinquished control to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. The canal depends on reservoirs that were hit by 2023 droughts that forced it to substantially reduce the number of daily slots for crossing ships. With fewer ships, administrators also increased the fees that shippers are charged to reserve slots to use the canal. The Greenland and Panama flareups followed Trump recently posting that "Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State" and offering an image of himself superimposed on a mountaintop surveying surrounding territory next to a Canadian flag. Trudeau suggested that Trump was joking about annexing his country, but the pair met recently at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida to discuss Trump's threats to impose a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian goods. "Canada is not going to become part of the United States, but Trump's comments are more about leveraging what he says to get concessions from Canada by putting Canada off balance, particularly given the precarious current political environment in Canada," Farnsworth said. "Maybe claim a win on trade concessions, a tighter border or other things." He said the situation is similar with Greenland. "What Trump wants is a win," Farnsworth said. "And even if the American flag doesn't raise over Greenland, Europeans may be more willing to say yes to something else because of the pressure." Associated Press writers Gary Fields in Washington and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report. ICT contributed to this report. Donald Trump made a dig at former president Barack Obama as he went on a Christmas Day Truth Social posting spree. The president-elect initially seemed to adopt a toned-down festive message, simply posting, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! on Truth Social on Wednesday morning. In the afternoon, however, he shared a lengthy post where he wished Merry Christmas to the Radical Left Lunatics, but refused the same sentiment to the 37 most violent criminals pardoned by Joe Biden, instead telling them to GO TO HELL. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Christmas morning Trump reeled off 34 posts on his social media platform within a one-hour period, including a meme mocking Obama. The meme featured a photo of the president-elect smirking at Obama during his 2017 inauguration, along with the caption: When you see the guy who said youll never be president at your inauguration. Trump also shared a new holiday photo with the incoming first lady Melania wearing a white glittering dress, captioned Merry Christmas 2024. Trump shared the meme mocking Obama on Christmas Day (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social) Other shared posts by the Trump on Christmas Day consisted mostly of favorable headlines about him and his cabinet, including a Wall Street Journal op-ed titled Kash Patel is right for the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also shared a number of articles in favor of Pete Hegseth, his choice for defense secretary. All we are saying is: Give Pete a chance, one headline by conservative news outlet the Daily Signal was titled. Last year Trump delivered a scathing Christmas message to President Joe Biden and Special Counsel Jack Smith where he wrote: MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Other members of the Trump family and MAGAworld used the festive occasion to show their support for the president-elect and his agenda. Trump shared a new holiday photo with the incoming first lady Melania (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social) Donald Trump Jr shared an AI-generated meme of Trump dressed as Father Christmas at the border titled: Hes making a list, hes checking it twice, were gonna find out whos getting deported by ICE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, GOP senator Tommy Tuberville was mocked for claiming that Trump has brought Christmas back in America. The Trump loyalist posted the festive message on social media platform X on Christmas Eve. Thanks to President Trump, Christmas is back in America, Tuberville said. Marjorie Taylor Greene shared an array of messages over the holiday period varying from the more traditional photo in front of a Christmas tree, to a plea to join her in prayer this Sunday to end abortion in America. Her holiday photo in front of the Christmas tree came hot on the heels of a meme she shared titled amount of people eligible to be mass deported. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The city of Grand Rapids says the Donald J. Trump for President 2024 campaign has refused to pay more than $49,000 in bills for two rallies in the city this year. That is forcing the city to write off those expenses as uncollectable and to reevaluate policies for future campaign visits. The unpaid invoices are for two rallies that drew thousands into the city, both at the Van Andel Arena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grand Rapids billed Trumps campaign nearly $33,000 for his rally in July the biggest chunks for overtime for police and its public works department. The bill was due in October and went unpaid. Its highly unusual to have outstanding bills, especially with someone who clearly had raised enough money from their campaign to pay their bills, said outgoing Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. Federal records show that as of late November, Trumps campaign had nearly $10 million cash on hand of the $464 million it raised. The city of Grand Rapids billed the Trump campaign more than $16,000 for his visit on Nov. 4, his last rally of the campaign. Most was for overtime for public works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get out the vote, says Trump at Grand Rapids rally That also went unpaid. Then, there was Vice President Kamala Harriss rally in October at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. City officials said her campaign paid that $2,800 tab up front. Campaigning in Grand Rapids, Vice President Kamala Harris touts new way forward When asked why Harris bill was so much less than Trumps bills, a city spokesman said Trumps rallies required far more protection, in part because of the location. The Trump campaign utilized a venue in a downtown district requiring more road closures and associated safety measures, driving costs, the city spokesman said in an email to Target 8. It was also the first event the President-Elect held following the assassination attempt, requiring heightened security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Harris campaign event required the same level of security, but utilized a city park with ample green space, requiring a limited number of road closures and associated safety measures, he wrote. Trump wins Michigans electoral votes, AP reports Bliss said the unpaid bills are costing taxpayers. If the campaign doesnt pay, ultimately we still have bills to pay and overtime and staffing costs and fencing costs and all the things that go with having a presidential candidate come, especially with the level of security that was required, Bliss said. Its a huge ask for a city to host when you have a presidential candidate. It takes a ton of work in a very short period of time, and people work overtime. They work really hard to make sure that everyone is safe, and we should be reimbursed for that level of work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Target 8 called the phone number listed on city invoices for the Trump campaign, but the voicemail was full. An email sent to the Trump campaign representative listed on the invoices was not answered. Grand Rapids is not alone. In October, NBC News reported the Trump campaign owed more than $750,000 to four cities and a county across the country, some dating back eight years. That doesnt include the $93,000 bill that went unpaid from the city of Battle Creek for a rally in December 2019, city officials said. In an email to Target 8, a Battle Creek city spokeswoman wrote: Despite multiple attempts to collect payment, the city was unable to do so and subsequently wrote off the invoice in June 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she was unaware of any other political campaigns with unpaid bills from the city. Its important to note that the city does not automatically invoice political campaigns that visit Battle Creek, the spokeswoman wrote. However, the Trump campaigns December 2019 visit resulted in significant overtime costs. In the city of Erie, Pennsylvania, the Trump campaign still owes $40,000 for stops in 2018 and 2023, city spokesman Rob Lee told Target 8. He also hasnt paid the $63,000 tab for a rally this past September, Lee said. The city of Erie said it is also waiting for a $70,000 payment from the Harris campaign for a rally in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in Grand Rapids, a city spokesman told Target 8 in an email that the Trump campaign has referred all requests for payment to the U.S. Secret Service. But the Secret Service wont pay. The US Secret service has indicated they are not budgeted for such costs, the Grand Rapids city spokesman wrote. He said the city is developing policies and processes for future campaign visits, based on what its learned. I hope that well learn from this, Bliss said. But the reality is, I think the city should still continue to pursue getting reimbursed. We do that, we have compliance efforts across the city, and if were doing compliance to make sure a taxpayer is paying their bills, we should do the same for this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gratitude: Mayor Bliss looks back on her time in office From now on, she said, the city should consider getting money up front. Maybe on the front end, we ask for a certain amount down or some kind of commitment to paying for the full cost. But I think we need to look at what our current process is, whats not working, she said. How did this happen? And then what we can do in the future to prevent it. Incoming Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand also said the unpaid bills should lead to a change in protocol. If we have a history of somebody not paying, we definitely want to get money up front, LaGrand 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 WOODTV.com. President-elect Trump has made ambitious promises on the border and immigration, including the biggest deportation operation ever seen. But much like in Trumps first term in office, his immigration agenda faces significant roadblocks. Trump saw a number of his policies tied up in legal battles, with some rejected by the courts on the merits, due to technicalities or on procedural grounds. He also doesnt have the workforce to match his rhetoric as he has suggested that any of the nations roughly 13 million undocumented migrants could face deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think hes going to violate every norm and law in order to do what he wants. The question is whether he really is going to have a [deportation] program as expansive as hes described, because the reality of what hes described would be pretty devastating to the national economy and the workforce, said Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), whose district lies along the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite questions on the economic wisdom of mass deportations and the feasibility of carrying them out, Trump is inheriting a supercharged immigration enforcement apparatus with ample powers to find causes to deport individuals. But he promised enforcement to dwarf the efforts of prior administrations a tall order, given the Biden administration hit a 10-year high with 271,484 deportations in 2024, according to the annual Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) report released Thursday. An expansion beyond that existing deportation behemoth is likely to face new challenges, whether logistical, legal, economic or political. Resources and realities Trump faces a difficult landscape when it comes to carrying out the level of deportations he promised voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has suggested anyone not legally present in the country could face removal, a departure from administrations of both parties that have focused limited resources on deporting those who present a public safety risk. Doing so would require an astronomical budget increase. Incoming border czar Tom Homan on Wednesday acknowledged the size of the deportation program would depend on the budget allocated by Congress, but he said the incoming administration would target all immigrants lacking permanent legal status for deportation. I dont have a number. We want to arrest as many people as we can that are in the country illegally, Homan said on The Source with CNNs Kaitlan Collins. If youre here illegally, youre not off the table. Its a violation of the law; its a crime to enter this country illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Immigration Council estimates deporting the nations estimated 13 million undocumented people at a rate of 1 million per year would cost about $88 billion, exceeding the entire current budget of the Department of Homeland Security. Theres a lot of unknowns right now, until we see exactly what the Republicans are planning in terms of the budget for this program, and until we hear from the future president himself whether he plans to deport as many people as he promised, all of this is hypothetical, Escobar said. She noted that Trump has shifted some of his rhetoric after facing pressure from major agricultural lobbies and business leaders fearful of losing their workforce. He then started talking about focusing only on criminals, which is to a large extent what happens today anyway, Escobar added, noting that the Biden administration prioritizes removal of those with serious criminal records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigrants a group with lower crime rates than native-born residents contend with extra layers of policing from agencies including ICE, Customs and Border Protection and the Border Patrol, in addition to elevated consequences for illicit conduct ranging from infractions to felonies. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), who will take over as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in January, pointed to crimes involving moral turpitude, a tool in immigration law that federal officials can use to render certain immigrants deportable or to prevent their status cases from going forward. If you went to the candy store, you play the numbers, and the candy store got raided, and you were there, they took you in, and if you didnt have your papers, that was considered, or is considered, a deportable offense. Or urinating in the streets, soliciting a prostitute, jumping the turnstile, these are all deportable offenses, Espaillat said. Immigration advocates say there are few obstacles in place to prevent the incoming Trump administration from using those tools to their fullest extent beyond the sheer amount of funding required to remove so many people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could be funding. I think the legal tools are available to them. Certainly the TPS status and DACA can be revoked by the executive, said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), referring to humanitarian programs that rely on executive action to grant protections from deportation. Under the 1996 [Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility] Act, which I voted against, you can do expedited removal for people whove been in the United States undocumented for less than two years within 200 miles of the border. Now that includes coasts, so thats 80 percent of the U.S. population. The question is, what kind of process will be used to determine two years or less, since the majority of individuals who are undocumented have been here way more than two years, but well see what kind of efforts they make. The Trump teams own cost projections fall short of the billions others say theyll need, with Homan saying he would need at least 100,000 detention beds and a significant increase in border agents to fulfill their goals, something he previously said would require $86 billion. Some Republicans are rallying to get Trump the resources he needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter spearheaded by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and signed by conservatives in both chambers, lawmakers called for funding for the hiring of thousands more border and immigration agents to ensure a substantial increase in detention facilities and to encourage self-deportation with a new set of financial penalties for those not here lawfully. Litigation Some of Trumps plans are sure to face legal challenges from immigration and civil rights groups. He has promised to end birthright citizenship, a right enshrined in the Constitution and something that if pursued would be sure to ignite a battle. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the incoming ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee and a former constitutional law professor, noted that Trump would have to undergo the lengthy process to amend the Constitution in order to carry out such a goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The once and future president is talking about abolishing birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed by the first sentence of the 14th Amendment. So if that is indeed their first executive order, which is what theyre talking about, we will have to fight them on that. If they are proposing to do it the right way by amending the Constitution, we will oppose it, Raskin said. Trump has also said he will use the military to aid in carrying out mass deportations, a controversial use of the armed forces that could exceed some authorities. Immigration advocates believe this is illegal, as even emergency powers do not permit the military to arrest and detain people. Opponents scored numerous court wins in challenging immigration policies under Trumps first term, fighting off efforts to end protections against deportation, a citizenship question on the census and other policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trumps evolution on his Muslim Ban shows the possibilities of taking repeated bites at the apple. Though courts struck down his first two versions of the travel ban, Trump kept tinkering with countries on the list to fight claims of discrimination. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld the third iteration of the ban, one that also barred travelers from North Korea and Venezuela. Limits on executive power A number of Trumps previous immigration plans werent thrown out on the merits but because of issues with how his administration rolled them out. Several of his immigration policies were found to have violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which spells out strict guidelines for how the government must craft new rules and regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was the case for one Trump policy seeking to force would-be asylum-seeking migrants to first seek the protections elsewhere on their journey, with a court rejecting government arguments they needed to bypass required advanced notice to avoid a surge in applications. In other cases, courts struck down Trump policies crafted through executive order that went beyond the powers of the office. That included Trumps effort to end protection for Dreamers and seeking to use an emergency declaration to fund his border wall in excess of what had been appropriated by Congress. And Trump also saw some of his policies unwound due to improperly filled vacancies later in his term. As Senate-confirmed officials left their posts, some immigration positions were filled by figures who never went through the vetting process. Courts later tossed some orders that were signed by acting officials in the Department of Homeland Security such as Chad Wolf, determining they did not have the authority to enact such measures. If Trump fills any vacancies by bypassing the Senate confirmation process, he could again find orders from his acting officials are invalidated. But Escobar wasnt sure those laws would ultimately be much of a barrier for Trump. Lawsuits will slow him down, she said. Honestly, he doesnt have the people around him anymore who were encouraging him to adhere to norms and laws, and I think hes going to trample over the Constitution. I think hes going to trample over existing law. I feel like hes going to be violating laws and the Constitution left and right. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President-elect Donald Trumps pick to head the Federal Communications Commission reportedly took a shot across the bow at Disney CEO Bob Iger and the Mouse House-owned ABC News over the erosion in public trust when it comes to the news media. Incoming FCC chair Brendan Carr fired off a letter to Iger on Monday 10 days after he agreed to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump saying, Americans no longer trust the national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly, according to CNN, Incoming FCC chair Brendan Carr sent a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger, claiming ABC News contributed to the erosion of the public trust in the media. AP Carr went on to cite polling data and added: ABCs own conduct has certainly contributed to this erosion in public trust. For instance, ABC News recently agreed to pay $15 million to President Trumps future presidential foundation and museum and an additional $1 million in attorney fees to settle a defamation case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carrs stern letter also suggested that ABC was taking a heavy-handed approach in negotiations with with its local affiliates. The fact that a massive trust divide has emerged between local news outlets and national programmers like ABC only increases the importance of retransmission consent revenues remaining available for local broadcast TV stations to invest in their local news operations and content that serves their communities, Carr wrote in the letter, which was obtained by CNN. Local TV stations, which are licensed by the FCC, are more trusted than national networks, Carr said, adding that he supports more local programming. Disneys Bob Iger recently settled Donald Trumps defamation lawsuit against ABC News for $16 million. Getty Images for Disney Trump sued ABC over a remark by anchor George Stephanopoulos, who said on air that Trump was found civilly liable for rape after being found liable for sexual abuse. ABC Carr expressed concerns over how ABC strikes affiliation agreements with local stations that carry ABC shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My understanding is that ABC is attempting to extract onerous financial and operational concessions from local broadcast TV stations under the threat of terminating long-held affiliations, which could result in blackouts and other harms to local consumers of broadcast news and content, Carr wrote. He also flagged how Disney is prioritizing its global streaming services at the expense of local and freely accessible stations a strategy employed by most major media companies that are trying to compete with streaming giant Netflix. President-elect Trump recently slapped CBS News with a lawsuit, claiming 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with his Democratic challenger Vice President Kamala Harris to make her look better. REUTERS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr concluded his missive on an ominous note, writing that he would be monitoring the outcome of the ABC talks to ensure that those negotiations enable local broadcast TV stations to meet their federal obligations and serve the needs of their local communities. Reps for ABC News, Disney, and Trump did not immediately return requests for comment. While TV station license renewals are rarely contested and hardly ever denied, Trump has taken aim at ABC and other broadcasters, saying he wanted them to lose their licenses. Carr wrote ABC is attempting to extract onerous financial and operational concessions from local broadcast TV stations. ABC Trump recently slapped CBS News with a $10 billion lawsuit, alleging 60 Minutes' interview with Vice President Kamala Harris was deceptively edited to help his Democratic foe during the presidential race. CBS has denied that allegation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also sued pollster Ann Selzer, her polling firm, The Des Moines Register and its parent company Gannett after Selzer released a poll unfavorable to Trump ahead of the election. That poll indicated Harris was ahead by three points, but Trump ended up winning the state by 13. The surprising settlement by Disney followed Trumps lawsuit against ABC and This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos, who said on air that Trump was found liable for rape when in actually he was found liable for sexual abuse in the civil case brought by journalist E. Jean Carroll. Trump denied any wrongdoing. By Jasper Ward (Reuters) -U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has picked Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to serve as ambassador to Panama after having threatened for the U.S. to reassert control over the Panama Canal it handed over 25 years ago. Trump described Cabrera as "a fierce fighter for America First principles" who he said has been instrumental in driving economic growth and fostering international partnerships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin - He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nations interests in Panama!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday. On Sunday, Trump threatened to reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal, which it administered for decades before handing it over to Panama in 1999. Trump said the Central American country, with whom the U.S. has had diplomatic relations since 1903, is "ripping us off on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams." He accused Chinese soldiers of illegally operating the canal and "always making certain that the United States puts in Billions of Dollars in 'repair' money but will have absolutely nothing to say about 'anything.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino has said China had no influence on the canal's administration, and on Thursday added that there were no Chinese soldiers at the canal. "There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal for the love of God, the world is free to visit to the canal," he said in a speech on Thursday. China does not control or administer the canal, but a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, has long managed two ports located on the canal's Caribbean and Pacific entrances. (Reporting by Jasper Ward; Additional reporting by Elida Moreno in Panama City; Editing by Frank McGurty and Chris Reese) President-elect Trumps choice for special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, slammed the Russian military missile and drone attack on Christmas Day and said the U.S. is more resolved than ever to bring peace to the region. Christmas should be a time of peace, yet Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas Day, Kellogg wrote Wednesday on social platform X. Launching large-scale missile and drone attacks on the day of the Lords birth is wrong. The world is closely watching actions on both sides. The U.S. is more resolved than ever to bring peace to the region. Kelloggs remarks came as Russias military hit Ukraines energy supplies and infrastructure Wednesday. Kremlins forces attacked with 78 air and ground missiles and 106 Shahed drones, Ukraines air force said. Ukraines defense said it intercepted 54 Shahed drones and 59 missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all were intercepted, and some hit targets in multiple Ukrainian cities and caused power outages. One person died in the Dnipropetrovsk region due to the attack while at least six people were injured in the Kharkiv region. Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine. Trump appointed Kellogg, who served on the president-elects National Security Council during his first term, in late November. He has called for a ceasefire in the conflict that has been raging since February 2022. In his writing, Kellogg argued that any further U.S. military aid to the war-torn country should depend on Ukraines willingness to enter peace talks with Russia. He has said that in order to bring Russia to the negotiating table, NATO leaders should delay Kyivs entrance into the military alliance for an extended period in exchange for a comprehensive and verifiable peace deal with security guarantees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has vowed on the campaign trail to end the war in Eastern Europe in one day. He has been critical of the Biden administrations policy to allow Ukraine to utilize U.S.-supplied weapons to hit inside Russia. The president-elect met with Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris earlier this month. Trump and Ukraines president also met in late September in New York City where they discussed ending the conflict. Trump said over the weekend that Russias President Vladimir Putin showed willingness to meet with the incoming commander in chief to discuss the war. President Putin said that he wants to meet with me as soon as possible, Trump said at Turning Points AmericaFest convention. So we have to wait for this, but we have to end that war. That war is horrible, horrible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Syrians work at a Syrian restaurant in 6th of October City near Cairo, Egypt, on Dec. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) CAIRO, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ahmed Enaba, a master of Middle Eastern dish Shawarma and a Syrian by birth, embarked on a new chapter in Egypt in 2016 when he opened a restaurant in 6th of October City, a bustling hub near Cairo. His culinary creations, a fusion of Syrian flavors and Egyptian hospitality, quickly won over the local palate, turning his eatery into a cherished community spot. "I always dream of having my own place," said Enaba, a 32-year-old with a proud gleam in his eyes. "It's truly a blessing to see it come to life here in Egypt." A militant alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham waged a major military operation from northern Syria on Nov. 27. It swept southwards, captured the capital Damascus, and overthrew former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government within 12 days. Following the recent power shift in Syria, Enaba started to feel the pull of his hometown, Aleppo. But the middle-aged man has already cultivated a deep-rooted life in Egypt, which he holds dear. "This is my home now. I have built a life and a future here," he said. Yet, his heart remains tethered to Syria, and he envisions a day when he can contribute to its revival by opening a branch of his restaurant in Aleppo once the situation becomes more stable. "I want to be part of the solution to bring jobs and hope back to my people," he said, his voice resolute. To make that possible, Enaba plans to split his time between Egypt and Syria, nurturing his businesses and contributing to both communities at the same time. "Egypt has given me so much, but I also want to give back to Syria," he said. When Enaba first set his foot on Egypt, "the gift of the Nile," he was struck by the generosity of the Egyptian people, who offered him shelter and guidance. "I was overwhelmed by their kindness," Enaba recalled. "They made me feel like family. I found work quickly, and with the support of the local community and government services, I was able to establish my restaurant." Enaba said he cherishes the friendships he has forged with Egyptian colleagues and customers, sharing laughter and stories over plates of steaming Shawarma. "I will never forget what the Egyptian people have done for me," he said earnestly. According to the International Organization for Migration, Egypt is home to 9 million migrants and refugees, including 1.5 million Syrians, among whom is Khaled Omar, who has been living on the other side of Greater Cairo for 10 years. Omar, a Syrian tailor with a passion for design, has also carved out a successful life for himself in Egypt. His wedding dress shop, nestled in the bustling downtown area, is a haven of creativity and craftsmanship. "I pour my heart into every dress," Omar, a 38-year-old father of three, told Xinhua. "Each one is a dream come true." "Cairo has been good to me. I have built a successful business and a good life here," Omar said. Still, the latest developments in Syria have rekindled his dream of returning to his beloved hometown of Damascus. "Damascus is in my blood," he said, his voice filled with yearning. "I can almost smell the scent of my mother's cooking filling our Damascus home." He envisions walking the familiar streets, inhaling the intimate scents of spices and jasmine, embracing his family after years of separation, and contributing to the rebuilding of his war-torn city. "I want to be part of its rebirth," he said, already considering how he can contribute to Syria's economy after he returns. "Maybe I will open a workshop in Damascus. I may share my skills and create jobs." Omar said his heart will always hold a special place for Egypt. "I will never forget the kindness I have experienced here. This is my second home, and I will always cherish it." Omar is particularly grateful for the opportunities he has been given in Egypt, where he felt welcomed and supported from the moment he arrived. He credited Egypt for allowing him to live and work freely, build a life and a career, and integrate into the society. "Egypt gave me a chance to rebuild my life. I was able to live like any other Egyptian, with no restrictions, and for that, I am eternally grateful," he said, with a touch of warmth in his voice. A Syrian man works at a Syrian restaurant in 6th of October City near Cairo, Egypt, on Dec. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Syrians work at a Syrian restaurant in 6th of October City near Cairo, Egypt, on Dec. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) A Syrian man works at a Syrian restaurant in 6th of October City near Cairo, Egypt, on Dec. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) Syrians work at a Syrian restaurant in 6th of October City near Cairo, Egypt, on Dec. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) General Keith Kellogg, Donald Trumps special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, has condemned Russias large-scale Christmas Day missile strike against Ukraine. Source: General Keith Kellogg on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, Kellogg noted, and yet Ukraine had become the target of yet another Russian attack. "Launching large-scale missile and drone attacks on the day of the Lords birth is wrong. The world is closely watching actions on both sides," he tweeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The US is more resolved than ever to bring peace to the region," Kellogg added. Background: Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on 20 December that Ukraine and Trumps team had reached a tentative agreement on a date for General Kelloggs visit to Ukraine. Kellogg had previously said he intended to conduct visits to hear the perspectives of all the parties involved in the full-scale war. Reuters reported that Kellogg is planning visits to Kyiv and other European capitals, but not Russia. Support UP or become our patron! ANKARA (Reuters) - The Turkish military killed 21 Kurdish militants in northern Syria and Iraq, the defence ministry said on Wednesday. In a statement, the ministry reported that 20 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Syrian Kurdish YPG militants, who were preparing to launch an attack, were killed in northern Syria, while one militant was killed in northern Iraq. "Our operations will continue effectively and resolutely," the ministry added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States, began its armed insurgency against the Turkish state in 1984. The conflict has claimed more than 40,000 lives. Turkey regards the YPG, the leading force within the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as an extension of the PKK and similarly classifies it as a terrorist group. Following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, Ankara has repeatedly insisted that the YPG must disband, asserting that the group has no place in Syria's future. The operations on Wednesday come amid ongoing hostilities in northeastern Syria between Turkey-backed Syrian factions and the YPG. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ankara routinely conducts cross-border airstrikes and military operations targeting the PKK, which maintains bases in the mountainous regions of northern Iraq. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Ece Toksabay) Two Greek shipping companies will pay $3.4 million in fines after admitting their vessels crew dumped oily bilge water into the narrow shipping channel between New Jersey and Staten Island, then falsified records to hide it. In addition to the fine, the U.S. Department of Justice ordered Avin International Ltd. and Kriti Ruby Special Maritime Enterprises, owner and operator of the offending Motor Tanker Kriti Ruby, to make a $1.1 million community service payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The feds also sentenced the two companies to five years of probation during which they will be subject to environmental compliance plans with a monitorship to ensure future compliance, the justice department said in a statement. Both companies pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court in Newark to violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, falsifying records and obstruction of justice. The charges stemmed from two 2022 port calls, one of them at a petroleum terminal in the Sewaren section of Woodbridge, N.J., that September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On orders from senior engineering officers, Kriti Ruby crew members bypassed legally required pollution prevention equipment and protocols to discharge the muck straight into the sea via the ships sewage system, prosecutors said. They left that detail out of the vessels oil record book and hid the pumps and hoses they used. All this bilge went into Arthur Kill, the 600-foot-wide shipping channel separating New Jersey from New York Citys Staten Island. Also sentenced Monday were Konstantinos Atsalis, 57, the Kriti Rubys former chief engineer, who had pleaded guilty in May to charges related to the New Jersey dumping and record concealment. He was sentenced to time served and a $5,000 fine for conspiring with second engineer Sonny Bosito to conceal pollution by falsifying records. Bosito was also sentenced to time served. Maritime pollution is extremely harmful to the environment, and so difficult to detect, especially when the polluters take elaborate steps to falsify records to conceal their crimes, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger for the District of New Jersey said in a statement. Law protecting our seas exist for a reason, and we will work together with our enforcement partners to ensure they are followed, and violators are punished. Two people are recovering after a shooting at a recovery center in Mount Vernon sent them to the hospital. Just before 9 a.m., the Mount Vernon Police Department was dispatched to a report of gunshots at New Earth Recovery, a non-profit Christian organization operating a residential recovery program in Skagit Valley, Washington. According to their website, New Earth Recovery loves, strengthens, and accompanies people in recovery from substance addiction through faith-based healing community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived, they found two victims inside the residence with gunshot wounds, a 50-year-old man and a 53-year-old man. Both were taken to Skagit Valley Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. A third man reported that the suspect who shot the two victims had also pointed the gun at him. Mount Vernon police took one suspect outside of the residence into custody without incident and collected a gun as evidence. Police say the suspect, a 49-year-old man, was known to all victims. He will be booked into Skagit County Jail on two counts of first-degree attempted murder, and one count of first-degree assault. New Earth Recovery shared a statement to their social media, saying, Wanted to let our friends and supporters know that a serious incident occurred at one of our houses this morning. Two of our residents were hospitalized after a shooting, and are in stable condition in a local hospital. The suspect is in custody and the situation is stable. Please pray for all involved, as we process the incident with those who were nearby. And pray that the good work of recovery continues to thrive in our valley. On Monday evening, they added an update, Thank you all for your support and love. Tonight our two residents are out of surgery and in good care at the hospital. So grateful for our New Earth Recovery staff and residents, and how they care for each other. Two teenagers were shot and killed around 11:25 a.m. on Christmas day, officials say. A 15-year-old and an 18-year-old were shot on the 1100 block of South 37th Street in Milwaukee. According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the suspect fired shots into a vehicle which hit the victims. The 15-year-old was pronounced dead on the scene while the 18-year-old died at the hospital. Police are investigating the shooting as a double homicide. This is the second double homicide that occurred in Milwaukee this week. On Monday, two Milwaukee men were killed in a double shooting on the 3800 block of West Nash Street, according to the Milwaukee Police Department. A man was arrested today in connection with the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Milwaukee Police are working to find the suspect. Police asked if anyone has any information on the suspect to contact the Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS (8477). No additional information was provided. This story will be updated to add new information. Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Two teens killed on Christmas morning on Milwaukee's south side AUSTIN (Nexstar) The Texas Department of Transportation launched a campaign this year to remind drivers of the dangers of drinking and driving after an uptick in alcohol-related traffic deaths last holiday season. According to the agency, one in every four traffic deaths is caused by a drunk driver, but during the holiday season that ratio ticks up to 28%. The issue is impacting thousands of Texas families like Yolanda Carson. Carsons daughter, Jade Jiles, was hit and killed by a drunk driver in 2013. Jiles was helping a friend look for their dog when a drunk driver hit her on the street and left her to die. The 23-year-old left behind her six-month-old son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We talk about her, but he will never have a hug from her. He will never see her smile, and he will never get the chance to hold her hand, Carson said. Carson and TXDOT are urging people to find an alternative way to get home, like a rideshare or a sober friend, when you are drunk. Do not get behind that wheel and drink and drive. Its just not worth it. Its devastating for a parent to lose a child, Carson said. This year the agency partnered with Walmart to set up their mobile interactive exhibit at stores across the state as people go to buy alcohol for the holidays. According to a report released this year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Texas is one of the leading states for alcohol-related traffic crashes. The report looked at data from 2022 and found Texas had the third highest percentage of alcohol-related crashes in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Alleged mass-murderer Bryan Kohberger was reportedly investigated in connection with another home invasion attack that occurred not far from where hes accused of slaying four University of Idaho students in an off-campus home. The 29-year-old suspect was arrested at his parents' Pennsylvania home in December 2022 after four students were killed in a house where three of them had lived and a fourth was visiting overnight. Police believe Kohberger, who attended nearby Washington State University, committed those murders in Moscow, Idaho, then later drove cross-country with his father for the holidays. A not guilty plea has been entered on his behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to ABC News, a year before those killings, police were called to a Washington state home 10 miles from Moscow where a woman said she fought off a masked intruder armed with a knife in her bedroom around 3:30 a.m. They flew into my closet then ran out the door and went up the stairs, she told cops on bodycam footage obtained by the outlet. The victims roommate called police, who found no evidence pointing them to any suspects. Nearly a couple weeks after Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were murdered, Kohberger reportedly became a person of interest in the Washington case. However, the Washington home invader was said to be at least 7 inches shorter that Kohberger, whos 6 feet tall. And Kohberger hadnt yet been enrolled at Washington State University at the time of that incident, according to ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Kohberger seemingly being ruled out as a suspect in the Washington case, an ABC News contributor suspects his defense team might use that incident to convince jurors their client isnt the Idaho killer. Without a doubt, Bryan Kohbergers defense team is going to try to raise reasonable doubt by pointing to an alternative suspect in using this alleged burglary, said legal analyst Brian Buckmire. That trial is scheduled to begin in August in Boise, Idaho. _________ Ukrainian troops hit the command post of the 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade in the town of Lgov in Russia's Kursk Oblast overnight on Dec. 25, Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications reported. The Russian command post was located in an abandoned civilian building, the military claimed. "This fire strike is part of a comprehensive campaign to weaken the ability of the Russian Armed Forces to coordinate military operations against the people of Ukraine," the statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Kursk Oblast acting governor, Alexander Khinshtein, Ukraine attacked civilian facilities and infrastructure in Lgov, killing four people and injuring five others. Russian Telegram channels shared videos purporting to show a damaged high-rise building and cars. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. In August, Kursk Oblast became the scene of intense fighting between Ukrainian and Russian troops when Kyiv captured dozens of settlements. A senior General Staff official told Reuters in late November that Ukraine had lost over 40% of the territory it previously captured in Kursk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia reportedly deployed over 10,000 North Korean troops to help oust Ukrainian troops. In late December, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the number of killed and injured North Korean soldiers has surpassed 3,000. Read also: Ukraine ends year battered, with Russian troops pushing north, east, and south Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on Dec. 25: Russian air defense missile may have downed Azerbaijani plane, media say Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack against energy grid on Christmas morning Ukrainian drones destroy Russian ammunition depot in Rostov Oblast, SBU source claims Ukraine approves homemade Shchedryk aerial vehicle for military use Ukraine hits Russian naval infantry brigade command post in Kursk Oblast, military claims Japan to transfer $3 billion from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, Zelensky says The Azerbaijani Airlines plane that crashed on Dec. 25 en route to Russia may have been shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile, according to reports from independent Russian media outlets. The aircraft, carrying passengers from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny in Russia's Chechen Republic, crashed near the coastal city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. There were 67 people on board the aircraft, including 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz citizens. Thirty eight people have perished in the crash, according to the latest information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The potential use of air defense systems aligns with several media reports according to which Chechnya was attacked by drones on the morning of Dec. 25. Footage of the plane shows traces of a large surface-to-air missile impact on the tail section of the plane, according to Russian independent media outlet Meduza. Similar-looking holes in the fuselage have reportedly been documented in numerous images and videos of military and civilian aircraft downed by surface-to-air missiles. Survivors recalled hearing an explosion after failed landing attempts in Grozny, according to the independent Russian outlet Mediazona. The plane then turned back, crossing the Caspian Sea toward Kazakhstan. Upon attempting to land at Aktau Airport, it broke apart on impact and caught fire. Meduza and Mediazona also cited Russian pro-war Telegram channels which showed photographs of the crash that suggested the plane had been shot at. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) initially claimed that the plane collided with a flock of birds, prompting the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. During the maneuver, the aircraft "hit the ground." The black box has been recovered from the crash site, Azerbaijani media reported. Its analysis is expected to provide critical insights into the events leading up to the crash. Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack against energy grid on Christmas morning Russia launched a mass aerial attack against Ukraine on Dec. 25, targeting cities across the country with missiles and drones. The northeastern city of Kharkiv was among the hardest hit, coming under "massive fire" from ballistic missiles, according to local authorities. At least six people were injured, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Explosions were also reported in Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Kryvyi Rih, and the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk. A missile was also shot down over Chernivtsi Oblast, located in the West of Ukraine along the border with Romania and Moldova, Governor Ruslan Zaparanyuk reported. There were no casualties. Russia launched 78 missiles and 106 drones, the Air Force said. Ukraine shot down 55 Kh-101/Kh-55/Kalibr cruise missiles and four Kh-59/Kh-69 missiles, as well as 54 Shahed-type drones and other types of drones, according to the report. Another 52 drones were "lost." "Every Russian massive strike takes time to prepare. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a conscious choice not only of targets but also of time and date," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Multiple cities in Ukraine imposed emergency blackouts following the attack. Ukrainian drones destroy Russian ammunition depot in Rostov Oblast, SBU source claims Ukrainian long-range drones attacked an ammunition depot at the Kadamovsky military training ground in Russia's Rostov Oblast in recent days, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent on Dec. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kadamovsky training ground, located near Novocherkassk in Rostov Oblast, is one of the largest in Russia. According to the source, the ammunition depot was completely destroyed by drones operated by the SBU. "It was used by the enemy to supply its troops in the Kramatorsk sector (in Donetsk Oblast)," the source said. "Now the Russians have significant logistical difficulties, which significantly affect their ability to conduct combat operations." The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. This is the latest of several attacks on Rostov Oblast reported over the past week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian drones targeted the city of Millerovo, which hosts a military airbase, overnight on Dec. 24, said Yury Slyusar, the local acting governor. Ukraine's Navy and the SBU also carried out a combined strike against the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Rostov Oblast on Dec. 19. Ukraine approves homemade Shchedryk aerial vehicle for military use Ukrainian-made Shchedryk unmanned aerial vehicle has been approved for military use, the Defense Ministry announced on Dec. 25. The Shchedryk aerial vehicle consists of a control station and remotely piloted aircraft with silent electric motors. It has increased resistance to electronic warfare and can be tasked with monitoring the actions of Russian troops on the battlefield, according to the ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shchedryk can operate both day and night and perform tasks when there is strong wind, frost, or heat. "The capabilities of the aerial vehicle and its optical equipment allow it to operate from an altitude that is difficult to reach for most enemy air defense systems," Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov said. Various aerial, naval, and ground drones have been developed and often successfully used for reconnaissance, combat, and other tasks throughout the full-scale war with Russia. Ukraine has delivered more than 200,000 domestically-produced drones to front-line units so far in December, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said. Ukraine hits Russian command post in Kursk Oblast, military claims Ukrainian troops hit the command post of the 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade in the town of Lgov in Russia's Kursk Oblast overnight on Dec. 25, Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian command post was located in an abandoned civilian building, the military claimed. "This fire strike is part of a comprehensive campaign to weaken the ability of the Russian Armed Forces to coordinate military operations against the people of Ukraine," the statement read. According to Alexander Khinshtein, the acting governor of Kursk Oblast, Ukraine attacked civilian facilities and infrastructure in Lgov, killing four people and injuring five others. Russian Telegram channels shared videos purporting to show a damaged high-rise building and cars. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, Kursk Oblast became the scene of intense fighting between Ukrainian and Russian troops when Kyiv captured dozens of settlements. A senior General Staff official told Reuters in late November that Ukraine had lost over 40% of the territory it previously captured in Kursk Oblast. Russia reportedly deployed over 10,000 North Korean troops to help oust Ukrainian troops. In late December, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the number of killed and injured North Korean soldiers has surpassed 3,000. Japan to transfer $3 billion from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, Zelensky says Japan is poised to allocate an additional $3 billion dollars from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on Dec. 25. In a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Japan's previous aid to Ukraine, which has totaled $12 billion and "makes it possible to save thousands of lives." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I told Prime Minister Ishiba about Russia's massive shelling of Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas night and thanked Japan for its readiness to work toward achieving a just and lasting peace as soon as possible," Zelensky said. Ukraine received $1 billion from Japan and the U.K. through the World Banks Growth Foundations Development Policy Loan (DPL) program on Dec. 24. The funds are intended for use in the social and humanitarian spheres. Zelensky also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya during his visit to Kyiv back in mid-November. The two reportedly discussed Japan's growing concern over the reported presence of North Korean troops on the front line in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Iwaya further underscored Japan's commitment to deepening its relationship with Ukraine, highlighting plans to expand economic cooperation and implement additional sanctions against Russia. Read also: Is Putinism fascism by another name? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. HANOI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnam's textile and garment sector is expected to generate some 44 billion U.S. dollars in export revenue this year, up more than 10 percent year-on-year, local media quoted Cao Huu Hieu, director-general of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Group, as saying. He said textile and apparel companies had seized the opportunity and secured orders through the end of the first quarter and even into the second quarter of 2025. The sector has set a target of export revenue of 47-48 billion dollars next year, he added. Ukraines defence forces destroyed 55 cruise missiles, 4 guided missiles, and 54 drones out of 184 aerial targets launched by Russia on Christmas Eve. Source: Ukraine's Air Force on Telegram Details: Russian forces launched a combined attack on Ukraine's fuel and energy infrastructure, using air, ground, and sea-based missiles of various types, along with Shahed drones and decoy drones, on the night of 24-25 December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, Ukraine's Air Force's radar units detected and tracked 184 Russian aerial targets: 2 ballistic KN-23 missiles (launched from Russias Voronezh Oblast); 10 S-300/S-400 surface-to-air missiles (launched from Belgorod Oblast); 12 Kalibr cruise missiles (fired from the Black Sea); 50 Kh-101/Kh-55SM cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers (launched from Volgograd Oblast and the Caspian Sea); 4 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided air-to-surface missiles from tactical aircraft (launched from Belgorod Oblast); 106 Shahed UAVs/various types of decoy drones (launched from the Bryansk, Millerovo, Orel, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk oblasts, Russia). Early reports indicate the destruction of 113 Russian aerial targets as of 12:00: 55 Kh-101, Kh-55SM, and Kalibr cruise missiles; 4 X-59/X-69 guided air-to-surface missiles; 54 attack UAVs Shahed/decoy drones of various types, with another 52 failing to reach their targets (locationally lost). The Russians targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure in Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Unfortunately, there has been damage as a result of the Russian attack. Quote: "The Air Force is ready to repel any attacks and continues to carry out tasks to protect the country's airspace." Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's Ministry of Defence has codified and authorised the supply of a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) called Shchedryk, which can monitor Russian activity both day and night. Source: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Quote from Ukraine's Ministry of Defence: "The Shchedryk system consists of a control station and remotely piloted aircraft. The latter are equipped with silent electric motors and have increased resistance to electronic interference." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Ministry of Defence notes that the UAV is resistant to wind bursts, extreme temperatures, both frost and heat, and the battery is enough for a long continuous operation. It is also emphasised that the Shchedryk's capabilities allow it to operate from heights that are difficult for most Russian air defence systems to reach. Support UP or become our patron! The Security Service of Ukraine has been behind the attack on the Kadamovsky training ground in Novocherkassk, Russias Rostov Oblast, that was carried out on 22 December. Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in Ukraines Security Service Details: The Ukrainska Pravda source said that this training ground was one of the largest in Russia. A large-scale attack was carried out there on the night of 21-22 December, causing fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Security Service drones hit, there was an explosion and subsequent detonation of ammunition in the warehouse. The source noted that the Russian warehouse was completely destroyed in the attack. The Russians used it to supply its troops on the Kramatorsk front. Background: On 22 December, the Astra news outlet reported that the attack on Russias Rostov Oblast had damaged the Kadamovsky training ground, the largest in Russia. It was noted that at least four UAVs had hit the territory of the Kadamovsky military training ground in the village of Persianovsky in Novocherkassk. As a result of the attack, a fire and detonation started at an ammunition warehouse at the training ground. The Russian 150th Motorized Rifle Division was deployed in the vicinity. Support UP or become our patron! The Ukrainian defence forces targeted a command post of the Russian 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade in Lgov, Russias Kursk Oblast. Source: Centre for Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on Facebook; Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza Quote from StratCom: "Last night, the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck at the location of the command post of the 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, which was located in an abandoned civilian building in the village of Lgov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This attack is part of a comprehensive campaign to weaken the ability of the Russian Armed Forces to coordinate military operations against the people of Ukraine." Details: Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation, said that Russia suffered losses among officers as a result of the attack. Russian Telegram channels, citing the acting governor of Kursk Oblast, claim that there were casualties as a result of the attack on Lgov. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians are trying to break through to Pokrovsk through the flanks and encircle the city, using superior forces and formations of three armies. Source: Viktor Trehubov, spokesman for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote from Trehubov: "The Russian occupiers are throwing all available forces forward [to Pokrovsk ed.] and trying to break through the Ukrainian defence. However, there have been no battles in the city and its suburbs so far." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The spokesperson stressed that there were no Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups in the city and its outskirts. Nonetheless, the Russians are trying to encircle the city from the left and right flanks. Trehubov also noted that the Russians are avoiding frontal battles and plan to gain a foothold on the outskirts of Pokrovsk, as the fighting in the city itself is extremely difficult. Background: On 8 December, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in their report that the Kremlin was likely to continue its attempts to capture the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, despite significant human and material losses. Due to the escalation of the situation in Pokrovsk, natural gas supplies to the population were cut off on 12 December. Analysts also reported that the Russians were six kilometres from Pokrovsk on 12 December. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian long-range drones attacked an ammunition depot at the Kadamovsky military training ground in Russia's Rostov Oblast in recent days, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent on Dec. 25. The Kadamovsky training ground, located near the town of Novocherkassk in Rostov Oblast, is one of the largest in Russia. According to the source, the ammunition depot was completely destroyed by drones operated by the SBU. "It was used by the enemy to supply its troops in the Kramatorsk sector (in Donetsk Oblast)," the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 0:00 / 1 "Now the Russians have significant logistical difficulties, which significantly affect their ability to conduct combat operations." The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. This is the latest of several other attacks on Rostov Oblast reported over the past week. Ukrainian drones targeted the city of Millerovo which hosts a military airbase overnight on Dec. 24, said Yury Slyusar, the local acting governor. Ukraine's Navy and the SBU also carried out a combined strike against the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Rostov Oblast on Dec. 19. Read also: How Ukraines new drone-missile hybrids are changing long-range weapon technology Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Early Christmas morning, two people and three cats died after an apartment fire in east Charlotte, according to the Charlotte Fire Department. Around 3:30 a.m., crews responded to the 3500 block of Spanish Quarter Circle off of N. Sharon Amity Road about reports of a smoke odor. When they arrived, there were no visible signs of smoke or fire from the outside of the building. However, there was a strong smell of smoke, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VIDEO: Family displaced after fire destroyed home in north Charlotte Firefighters were able to find the fire by using thermal imaging cameras. It was quickly found and extinguished, limiting damage to other units. Firefighters found two people who were treated on the scene before being taken to a local hospital; however, sadly, both have died. Crews also found three cats in the apartment which were killed at the scene. Officials determined the fire started in the living room due to unattended burning candles. CFD says the unit had a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide detector, but neither worked because the batteries were removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Explosion rocks Concord Indian restaurant, 2 injured No other occupants of the apartment were displaced. Charlotte Fire continues to urge residents to ensure their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are operational by testing them regularly and keeping batteries installed, officials 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 Queen City News. FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) A power cable linking Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea suffered an outage, prompting an investigation, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Wednesday. Writing on X, Orpo said that power transmission through the Estlink-2 cable stopped Wednesday and that authorities were investigating the matter. He said the interruption would not affect electricity supplies in Finland. Estonian network operator Elering said there was enough spare capacity to meet power needs on the Estonian side, public broadcaster ERR said on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have been on edge about undersea infrastructure in the Baltic. Two data cables, one running between Finland and Germany, the other between Lithuania and Sweden, were severed in November. Germany's defense minister said officials had to assume the incident was sabotage," but without providing evidence or saying who might have been responsible. The remark came during a speech in which he discussed hybrid warfare threats from Russia. The Nord Stream natural gas pipelines that once brought natural gas from Russia to Germany were damaged by underwater explosions in September 2022. Authorities have termed it sabotage and launched criminal probes. The Estlink-2 cable was down for much of this year to repair damage from a short circuit that may have been caused by the cable's complex positioning, ERR reported. ST. LOUIS On Christmas Eve, the spirit of giving is alive in downtown St. Louis, as the New Life Evangelistic Center ensures that those without shelter are not forgotten this holiday season. Volunteers spent the day distributing what are colloquially called bundles of hope: backpacks filled with survival essentials. Anybody that needs sleeping bags, tent, backpack filled with hygiene items, gloves, hats, socks, blankets, foodjust gifts! Larry Rice, NLEC director, said. Were going to the people that have to sleep outside and the people that are hurting. Were bringing them Christmas, because that what we know Jesus is. Several people stopped by to receive these life-saving items, with many expressing thanks for the support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems like the homeless population is steadily increasing but Mr. Rice is doing a great deal for everybody out here, Johnny Carter, an unhoused St. Louisan, said. Were all grateful and well have a very blessed, happy holidays due to him. Starbucks strike expands across St. Louis, nationwide Volunteers from places like Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Lebanon, Illinois, joined to spread holiday cheer. Its another part of outreaching and just giving back. Another service that God wants us to do, Valerie Clark, a volunteer from Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outreach did not end there. Rice and volunteers will return on Christmas morning at 10 a.m. at 1411 Locust Street to continue giving out the bundles. All are welcome to volunteer. As homelessness continues to grow in St. Louis, with over 2,000 people self-identifying as unhoused in 2024, Rice believes efforts like this have brought much-needed hope during the holidays. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A Middletown police officer fatally shot a man on Christmas Eve after officers were called to an apartment complex for a report of a fight, police union representatives said. Officers were called to the 1000 block of Park Lane just after 7 p.m., according to Dan Hils, the president of Front Line Advisors, which represents the Middletown Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 36. Hils said the officers responded to an apartment, knocked on the door and repeatedly identified themselves. He said a man opened the door and pointed a gun at the officers, and one officer fired his weapon in response killing the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hils, the former president of the Cincinnati police union, said the dead suspect was a white male in his 50s. The name of the man has not been released. Middletown police requested that the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation review the incident, which is in line with the department's policy, Hils said. He said the officer, who has been with the department between three and four years, has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation takes place. No officers were injured in the incident, Hils said. No arrests have been reported in connection with the incident. "Everything seems very clean in the shooting with law, policy and procedure," Hils said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials with the Middletown Police Department could not be immediately reached Tuesday night. The Middletown Police Department is made up of between 80 and 90 officers serving approximately 51,000 residents. Middletown straddles Butler and Warren counties and sits about halfway between Cincinnati and Dayton. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Union rep: Middletown officer fatally shoots suspect who pointed a gun ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Hospitals in Yemen's capital Sanaa have been placed on heightened alert over potential Israeli attacks, Yemen's Houthi group said Wednesday. The health ministry under the Houthi-controlled government, which is not internationally recognized, issued a circular directing all public hospitals to raise readiness levels across departments and blood banks, and all ambulance services to be ready to respond to any potential emergencies. "The exceptional circumstances the country is experiencing as a result of the brutal Israeli aggression require heightened preparedness," it said. Earlier in the day, Houthis claimed responsibility for launching a long-range "ballistic missile" toward a military target in Tel Aviv. "Our military operations against Israel will continue until the aggression on Gaza stops and the siege on it is lifted," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. On Wednesday morning, Israeli media reported that sirens sounded after a "missile" from Yemen approached Tel Aviv. The Houthis have sporadically targeted Israel since October 2023 in support of Palestinians in Gaza. In retaliation, Israel has launched several large-scale airstrikes on Yemen. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a controversial proposal to allow the use of phosphogypsum, a radioactive byproduct from the phosphate industry, in a pilot road construction project in Florida. This decision has sparked a backlash from environmental groups concerned about its risks to public health and water quality. The EPA's approval is specifically for a project proposed by Mosaic Fertilizer, a subsidiary of The Mosaic Company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pilot program will take place on company property in Polk County. Mosaic plans to build four test road sections utilizing various mixtures of phosphogypsum in the road base material. Traditionally, phosphogypsum is stored in large stacks, which has raised environmental concerns. Radioactive waste In its notice, set to be published in the Federal Register, the EPA clarified that this approval is limited to the pilot project and does not extend to broader applications of phosphogypsum in road construction. While acknowledging the significant opposition expressed during the public comment period, the agency concluded that the pilot project poses a low risk to human health and the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EPA stated, "Results from multiple modeling efforts indicate that risks due to the proposed pilot project are low. It emphasized that the evaluation focused on potential risks to site workers and residents rather than extensive environmental impacts. The agency further asserted that no new concerns were raised during the public comments that had not already been considered in their assessment. Carcinogen However, environmental advocates have voiced strong concerns about the EPA's decision. Ragan Whitlock, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, criticized the approval as mind-boggling. She emphasized the potential dangers to road workers and the risk of phosphogypsum contaminants affecting nearby water sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitlock cautioned that this pilot project could pave the way for a wider acceptance of phosphogypsum in public infrastructure nationwide. The well-documented harm to public health and the environment from this kind of waste leaking out of radioactive phosphogypsum storage stacks should lead to better oversight of Floridas biggest polluters," Whitlock stated. "Instead, the EPA appears to have succumbed to political pressures from the phosphate industry, allowing this hazardous waste to be used on roads nationwide. We will do everything possible to shield Florida's residents and its precious natural resources from this reckless initiative. The backdrop of this decision includes recent developments in Florida's legislative landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, state lawmakers, along with Governor Ron DeSantis, passed a bill that empowered the Florida Department of Transportation to study the use of phosphogypsum in road construction. The bill states, Upon a determination of suitability by the department, phosphogypsum from phosphate production may be used as a construction aggregate material in accordance with the conditions of the United States Environmental Protection Agency approval for the use. This regulatory shift reflects an increasing interest among industry stakeholders in finding new applications for phosphogypsum despite the environmental risks involved. As Mosaic and the EPA embark on this pilot project, debates surrounding the safety and implications of using radioactive materials in public infrastructure will likely intensify. Environmental groups are expected to closely monitor the outcomes, advocating for stringent oversight to protect public health and Florida's unique ecosystems. As the U.S. Census Bureau gets public feedback about how it should tally people into new race and ethnicity groups, the agency has released new research reflecting how U.S. residents from different backgrounds regard their racial and ethnic identities. Earlier this year, the U.S. government changed how it categorizes people by race and ethnicity to more accurately count residents who identify as Hispanic and of Middle Eastern and North African heritage. Before this year, the categories hadn't been changed in 27 years. Under the revisions, questions about race and ethnicity that previously were asked separately on forms will be combined into a single question. That will give respondents the option to pick multiple categories at the same time, such as Black, American Indian and Hispanic. Research has shown that large numbers of Hispanic people arent sure how to answer the race question when that question is asked separately because they understand race and ethnicity to be similar and they often pick some other race or do not answer the question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Middle Eastern and North African category also was added to the choices available for questions about race and ethnicity. People descended from places such as Lebanon, Iran, Egypt and Syria had been encouraged to identify as white, but now will have the option of identifying themselves in the new group. Results from the 2020 census, which asked respondents to write in their backgrounds on the form, suggest that more than 3.1 million U.S. residents identify as Middle Eastern and North African, otherwise known as MENA. New research released this month by the Census Bureau showed that more than 2.4 million people, or around 80%, who wrote that their background was MENA did so under the white category in the question about their race on the 2020 census questionnaire. Almost 500,000 people, or more than 16%, who wrote that they were MENA identified themselves as some other race, and almost 139,000 MENA people, or 4.5%, identified as Asian. Almost 50,000 MENA write-ins, or 1.6%, did so under the Black race category. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among MENA subgroups, people of Lebanese and Syrian backgrounds had the highest percentages of people identifying their race as white, and people who identified as North African, Berber and Moroccan had the highest rates of marking their race as Black. People with Omani, Emirati and Saudi backgrounds identified at the highest rates as Asian, the report said. In a separate report also released this month, the Census Bureau said there was a noticeable variation regarding racial identity among different U.S. Hispanic groups in the 2020 census. Some other race and American Indian and Alaska Native responses were most common among people from Central America. White and some other race responses were most prevalent among residents from South America. Black alone responses and Black and some other race answers were most common among people from the Caribbean, the report said. There also was variation by region and state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Northeast and West particularly California, Maryland and New York had the highest share of Hispanic respondents reporting that they were some other race alone. Identifying as white alone or white and some other race was most common among Hispanic respondents in the South. The Northeast had the highest share of Hispanic residents reporting as Black alone or Black and some other race." The Midwest had the largest rate of Hispanic residents identifying as American Indian and Alaska Native, particularly in South Dakota, the report said. The new race and ethnicity categories will be used by the Census Bureau starting in the 2027 American Community Survey the most comprehensive survey of U.S. life and the 2030 census, which determines how many congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets. The Census Bureau is seeking feedback from the public through mid-February. The statistical agency wants to hear from groups who feel that they are misclassified or if any groups should be added to the list of codes used to tally people by race and ethnicity. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform X: @MikeSchneiderAP. VIRGINIA (DC News Now) A Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) lieutenant and nurse were found guilty for their involvement in an inmates death nearly four years ago. The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) said 49-year-old Lt. Shronda Covington and Registered Nurse 53-year-old Tonya Farley both of whom are from Chesterfield were working at the Federal Correctional Institution at Petersburg on Jan. 9, 2021. Covington failed to ensure a 47-year-old inmate W.W. was given necessary medical care, even though she knew he had a serious medical need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the early morning hours, the USAO said W.W.s cellmate reported he was exhibiting bizarre and unprecedented behavior, including that he was suddenly incontinent and unable to talk and walk normally. New Virginia laws going into effect on Jan. 1, 2025 Over the course of two days, FBOP officials knew W.W. had symptoms of a sudden neurological crisis, but disregarded his need for medical attention. W.W. fell into walls and other objects numerous times, causing significant bruising and bleeding to his head and body. Despite FBOP policy requiring staff to provide inmates with medical care, Covington and Anderson failed to respond to repeated calls for help from inmates and line staff, according to the USAO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement W.W. finally fell head-first into a wall and then to the floor in an observation cell. Despite inmate-observers calls for help, he lay on the floor for nearly two hours before officials helped him. It was later concluded that he died from blunt force trauma to his head and the lack of medical assistance he received during his falls contributed to his death. Covington and Farley also both made false statements to federal agents while they investigated the mans death, the USAO noted. Another FBOP official, Lt. Michael Anderson, previously pleaded guilty for his role in W.W.s death. He was sentenced to three years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Covington was found guilty of violating the civil rights of an inmate, by showing deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. Farley was found guilty of making false statements to a federal agent with the intent to obstruct the investigation into the inmates death. Covington is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in prison. Farleys sentencing is scheduled for the following day she faces up to five 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Snow falls at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) For years, Utah has scored some of the top spots in the countrys volunteerism rankings. After emerging from a pandemic dip into an increasingly polarized political climate, emphasis is being placed on the connections that can be made on both sides when Utahns serve one another. For decades, the state has maintained an institution whose sole mission is to foster a culture of service the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism, also known as UServeUtah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After AmeriCorps, a federal agency for volunteerism, was established, Utah created the commission to access the new offices funding. But, while some states kept their scopes narrowed to AmeriCorps guidelines, in Utah, the commission became the central coordinating body for service and volunteerism, Mike Moon, associate director at UServeUtah said. Fast forward to 2024, the year of its 30th anniversary, UServeUtah has some shining numbers to show. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX We take that role and that title, that name, the central coordinating body for service and volunteerism very seriously, Moon said, which means for the state that has the highest rate of volunteerism, both formal and informal in the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization helps nonprofit organizations to run volunteer programs, so participants have a good experience and are likely to put their names down for a second time. It also provides individuals with resources to serve, he said. Utah volunteerism is recovering from a bad patch. Following national trends, Utahs volunteer rate dropped from 47% in 2019 to 40% in 2021, according to data gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps. The latest numbers show a recovery, however. Between September 2022 and 2023, more than 1.2 million Utahns served as formal volunteers, contributing nearly 114 million hours of service, according to AmeriCorps. That means that 46.6% of Utah residents helped others through organizations. Informal volunteers, or those who exchanged favors with their neighbors, made up about 68% of the states population. The most common volunteer activities among Utahns center around food, Moon said. There are a lot of food donations, food drives, and hands helping pack and distribute food to those in need. Is niceness a factor? Missionaries from The Church of Latter-day Saints who serve in the state are counted in the metrics gathered by the census. Plus, others in the 2.1 million church membership are highly encouraged to volunteer. However, Moon said, all UServeUtah resources are meant to stay within the states boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, one predominant personality trait of the state may also explain such high numbers: its niceness. Some Utah politicians have coined the term the Utah way mostly to explain the states civility. Gov. Spencer Cox also launched the Disagree Better initiative, aiming to attenuate politically-driven polarization. In a way, UServeUtah jumped on that bandwagon for its 30th birthday. We have a new initiative that we call United in Service, and that initiative is designed around the idea that service is a great tool to help people get to know one another and come together for a common cause, Moon said. Theres so much incivility and division in our society right now that we know that service and volunteerism helps bring people together. It can be one of the cures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers bring volunteers together and have them discuss easy prompts. The events, Moon said, are designed to help people connect, finding common ground around a cause and other life experiences and to keep them coming back. People are indeed connecting and finding that its a good space to do that, so were continuing them, Moon said. The next United in Service project is scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Tooele. Additionally, the commission is planning to focus its efforts on housing, for those in need of affordable homes; mental health, especially for young people and aging adults; and incorporating service projects where people are, providing incentives for people to volunteer through programs at their schools or jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, the commission has many volunteering opportunities on its website and encourages Utahns to use its Community Engagement Pathways tool to find their best volunteering match. And, while these efforts benefit others, Moon highlighted that it can also be good for the person providing the service. We receive so much by giving, by doing things for others, it improves our psyche, our well being, our health, he said. So it is important. Its essential, not only for other people, that we serve, but for ourselves. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) Santas job may start tonight, but some of the pre-Christmas work getting ready for all those holiday parties and dinners started around 5 a.m. at Rulli Brothers Market in Boardman to be ready when customers arrived at 9. A lot of the rush happens early. Thats when all the people are coming and then theyre getting their last-minute items, Mark Rulli said. For many, it means seafood both fresh and already prepared for that celebration known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would be eel, octopus, cuttlefish, skatefish, which is a ray fish; and all the different kinds of things sardines, things that you wouldnt have all year round, Rulli said. Not far away, another Christmas Eve tradition was waiting at Lariccias Italian Marketplace where Santa greets you at the door as customers grab up goodies for tonight and Christmas Day meals. Workers say theyve served nearly 2,000 customers since the weekend, with many more placing orders even before that. We cut them off about two weeks ago, said deli manager Tracy Holden. But in a change this year, workers decided to give back to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We took up a collection as employees and we were able to bless 12 families this year with a little bit of money for their bills, Holden said. A little something extra to celebrate in this season of giving. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. EAST NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Porch pirates may be lurking in East Nashville, but one neighbor is determined to not let them win. One good Samaritan is bringing back holiday cheer by returning stolen gifts. According to Forbes, Tennessee is the eleventh worst state in the nation for porch pirates. In fact, Capital One Shopping found Americans lost more than $13 billion to package theft last year. Some porch pirates in East Nashville are continuing the trend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WATCH: Porch pirate steals package in front of UPS driver in Memphis It appeared a package had been stolen off our porch, recalled Janet Carr, an East Nashville resident. I feel like it happened during the day. Carr told News 2 the porch pirates stole a family members Christmas present. She had these Italian running shoes sent here because they are celebrating Christmas with us, and we were a little concerned because they had not arrived, said Carr. We were expecting them, but we thought they were delayed because of the holidays. However, half a mile away, a good Samaritan saw the package dumped on the side of the road, with the shoes still in the box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Postal Service warns of smishing, other holiday scams: What to know We are very grateful that they took the time to investigate, write a note, and bring it back to us, Carr expressed. On the mangled but returned box, Carr found a note that read: My husband found these boxes with shoes while walking our dogs on 9th. Clearly, someone went through the package but didnt like what they found. Sorry this happened. Best, your neighbor. Carr told News 2 she didnt know who had dropped it off, but she said that this person has returned a bit of joy to the holiday season. I feel pretty sure this is just, you know, someone who was looking out for a neighbor that they hadnt met yet, she said. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County The holidays are so busy for everyone, Carr added. And from the note, we know this person was out walking their dogs, and weve had some really cold and yucky weather, so just the fact that they would stop and investigate, you know, I think its a message for all of us. We need to be looking out for each other, not just at Christmas but all the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her message for porch pirates is to think twice. You know, it may feel like a victimless crime, but its really not, Carr said. Its a lot of disappointment for people and also makes them feel potentially unsafe in their own neighborhood. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JOLIET, Ill. A man accused of snatching a womans purse outside of a bank in Joliet before he was apprehended by the victims son and a group of bystanders has been charged. Officers said 19-year-old David Munoz-Ardila has been charged with one count of robbery in connection with the incident, which allegedly unfolded just before 10 a.m. on Monday, Joliet police said. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, Munoz-Ardila was taken into custody shortly after the incident, thanks to the help of the victims son and a group of bystanders who held him down until police arrived. Officers said the incident unfolded outside of a Bank of America in the 1400 block of West Jefferson Street when Munoz-Ardila allegedly robbed a 44-year-old woman of her purse as she was leaving the bank. Officers said 19-year-old David Munoz-Ardila has been charged with one count of robbery in connection with the incident, which allegedly unfolded just before 10 a.m. on Monday, Joliet police said. After the alleged theft, Munoz-Ardila began running toward a nearby grocery store. The victims 23-year-old son, however, had begun chasing him and officers said during the pursuit, Munoz-Ardila allegedly pulled out a flare gun and fired a flare at him, striking him in the chest. He was not injured during the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Following his arrest, officers said they allegedly recovered a flare gun and an unfired flare. The victims son and a group of bystanders eventually caught up with Munoz-Ardila in the parking lot of the grocery store and held him down until police arrived. The victims purse and all of her belongings were recovered and returned. According to police, the victims son did not wish to pursue charges against Munoz-Ardila. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A southeast Oklahoma City neighborhood, heavily damaged by Novembers tornado, has been dealing with looters for weeks. Jenna Russell said she and her neighbors have been on edge after spotting thieves sifting through homes left vacant while homeowners rebuild. She said since police stopped patrolling the area, the crime has gotten worse. Its ridiculous and its not ok, said Russell. Theyre hitting these houses and its adding insult to injury that people that have already lost like everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the storm wiped out parts of her home, as well as her back fence, she can look out her window and see many of the severely damaged houses. She said two days ago she noticed something unusual happening at the home directly behind her house. LOCAL NEWS: It was horrific: Clean up progress after EF 3 tornado hits OKC neighborhood My neighbors door was open, said Russell. I kind of peered in and I could hear somebody in there. Russell said she called the police and her neighbor. Thieves broke into the house, stole valuables and got away before officers arrived. Rick Masseys wife was injured in the tornado. He said they have since moved out of the house while he cares for her and waits until the house is fixed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says he has been hit more than once by thieves. Last week they stole a generator, a chainsaw and extension cords, said Massey. My generator had never been used. He too called the police and filed a report. Mike Makowicz and his family snapped photos of people who were pilfering through another neighbors garage. My wife and daughter yelled at them and they just took off. One jumped through the window of the drivers side, said Makowicz. They took off peeling down the street, over the curb, so they didnt belong there. Several neighbors living in the area have walked into their homes with thieves inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im just afraid someone is going to get shot, said Makowicz. The neighbors said they have called police multiple times, but the looters have gotten away before officers arrived. They have also reached out to council members and lawmakers for help to solve the problem. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. (Bloomberg) -- A wave of violence spread across Mozambique following the validation of the ruling partys victory in Octobers disputed election, resulting in the deaths of at least 89 people this week. Most Read from Bloomberg The death toll has risen to more than 200 since the unrest began on Oct. 21, according to data from Decide Platform, a local monitoring group, and local authorities. Rioters looted shops and torched police stations, while more than 1,500 prisoners escaped from a maximum security jail outside Maputo, the capital, police chief Bernardino Rafael said in a televised briefing Wednesday. About 33 people were killed during the prison breach, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gas-rich Mozambiques political crisis intensified after the Constitutional Council on Dec. 23 endorsed the ruling partys victory, extending its 49-year rule, saying irregularities in the electoral process werent significant enough to impact the outcome. That angered opposition supporters, triggering renewed unrest. Rising lawlessness may further delay a $20 billion energy export project led by TotalEnergies SE and deter investments in one of the worlds poorest nations. President-elect Daniel Chapo of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front, also known as Frelimo, has ruled out talks with the key opposition leader until after he takes over from President Filipe Nyusi in mid-January. There is no indication that Frelimo and government have a plan to solve the problem, Narciso Matos, rector at Maputos Polytechnic University, said in an email response. The government has been reactive using more lethal force than previously no visibly strategy to sort out the mess. Maputo and neighboring Matola suffered looting and vandalism on Tuesday that was almost incomprehensible, the state-owned Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique reported Wednesday. The situation is slipping into chaos, the news agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venancio Mondlane, the opposition presidential candidate orchestrating the protests against what he said were rigged elections, warned on Tuesday they wouldnt stop. Hes open to international mediation, the fiery pastor and former lawmaker said in a live stream, calling for supporters to refrain from violence. At least 10 of Frelimos offices were burned, Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda said on state television late Tuesday. The skies are covered in black smoke from burning tires and public and private infrastructure, Maputo-based Center for Democracy and Human Rights said in a statement Wednesday. The floor is covered in blood. The state is absent. The US called the electoral process flawed, while the European Union pointed to irregularities during counting of votes and unjustified alteration of election results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondlane fled the country on Oct. 21 and is in an undisclosed location. He got 24% of the vote, the Constitutional Council announced Monday, giving the ruling party candidate, Chapo, 64%. The top electoral courts decision cant be appealed. Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe president and chairman of the Southern African Development Community of which Mozambique is a member, called on parties to abide by the Constitutional Councils decision. South Africas government said urgent dialogue was needed between the groups. Sign up for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter for the latest business and economic news from the continent. --With assistance from Godfrey Marawanyika. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with police chiefs comments in the second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ULAN BATOR, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Mongolian government on Wednesday decided to designate 2025 as the year to promote infrastructure development in the capital of Ulan Bator. "The government made the decision to declare 2025 as the year to advance infrastructure development of Ulan Bator," said Khishgee Nyambaatar, the city's mayor, at a press conference following a regular government meeting. As part of this initiative, cabinet members have been tasked with providing comprehensive support and coordination for projects and initiatives aimed at addressing the city's most urgent challenges and accelerating its development. Ulan Bator is currently grappling with a range of critical issues, including severe air pollution, traffic congestion, energy shortages, and urban planning inefficiencies. In response to these problems, the Mongolian government has recently declared a heightened state of preparedness in the capital. Originally designed to accommodate 500,000 residents, Ulan Bator now hosts approximately half of Mongolia's total population of 3.5 million. More than half of the city's residents live in its ger districts, where there are no running water, central heating, or sewage systems. Deteriorating air quality, largely driven by the use of processed fuel for heating, has become a growing concern, particularly as the city faces harsh winter conditions. PM2.5 levels in both the ger districts and central areas of the city often far exceed the World Health Organization's recommended safety limits during the winter months. In addition to air pollution, traffic congestion remains one of Ulan Bator's most significant challenges. The city currently has 720,000 registered vehicles, further exacerbating its urban issues. Democrats are gearing up for two northern Virginia-area special elections in the state Senate and House of Delegates next month that could set the tone for what is expected to be a consequential election year in the commonwealth. The special elections in state Senate District 32 and House District 26, both located in Loudoun County, are slated for Jan. 7. Both seats are considered safe for Democrats, but the party points out that if it was to lose both races it would tie the House of Delegates and essentially deprive Democrats of control of the Senate with Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears (R) playing the tiebreaker, negatively impacting their performance in the next legislative session. The elections come amid warning signs that Democratic support in the region appeared to slip in last months general election, something that Democrats hope to improve on ahead of next years gubernatorial and House of Delegates races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be a shocker if these races were even close. These are seats that the Democrats should win by 20 points or more, said Bob Holsworth, a veteran Virginia political analyst. But Vice President Harriss performance in Loudoun County in the presidential election was reflective of the ground she lost in other blue areas of the country against President-elect Trump. President Biden won the county by 26 points in 2020 while Harris won it by 16 points. Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) won the county by 11 points in his unsuccessful second bid for governor against Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) in 2021, which saw lower turnout in a nonpresidential year. While the two races have been described as shoo-ins for Democrats, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has telegraphed that the party is taking the contests seriously. Earlier this month, the committee named state Senate candidate Del. Kannan Srinivasan (D) and House of Delegates candidate JJ Singh to its spotlight program in which the committee will support the two candidates with fundraising and organizing. Additionally, the committee announced it was investing $100,000 into Virginias legislative caucuses ahead of next months special elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Democrats say the races are essential to fortifying the Democratic firewall in state legislatures across the country in response to the federal Republican trifecta in Washington. I think theres a lot of anxiety and agita about whats going to happen with the so-called trifecta, Singh said, referring to issues like cutting down the federal workforce and abortion. Theres a risk that that mindset, that level of politics, that style will infiltrate itself here in Virginia and thats what Republicans in Virginia want to do. So its up to us in the House and Senate to protect our values, he continued, referring to Virginias General Assembly. Srinivasan noted that he was still running on state and local issues despite the political environment in nearby Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately the state issues are extremely important, he said, noting his focus on the economy, gun safety, abortion and Medicaid expansion. There are many things we can do in the state that we improve on and we can touch peoples lives. Republicans argue Democrats are ginning up excitement about two races they say wont have any bearing on the general off-year elections in the state next year. Democrats have this habit of trying to turn these random special elections that theyre heavily favored in into referendums on whats going to happen, said Max Docksey, political director at the Republican State Leadership Committee. What theyre really trying to do is recover from the horrible election night they had and theyre going to try to utilize these D plus 21, D plus 22 seats just to do that. I dont think this should be viewed as a sign of what is to come, he added. We havent had enough time to see what the Republican legislatures, which we expanded across the country, are going to be able to do with the newfound power weve gained. We havent seen what President Trump is going to be able to do. What a trifecta control of the federal government is going to be able to do for Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the Jan. 7 special elections will be drastically different from the presidential election in terms of turnout and enthusiasm despite the frequency of elections in Virginia. This election in particular appears to be prime for low turnout given its taking place after the holidays and two months after a blockbuster presidential election. Next Novembers elections in Virginia at the gubernatorial and House levels will also see lower turnout compared to presidential years. The primaries havent taken place, but Sears and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) are the likely nominees for their respective parties. Democrats will need to make sure they are driving up turnout in areas like Loudoun County in an effort to offset potential Republican enthusiasm in red enclaves of the state. [Democrats] dont want to see a further reduction in their advantage in Loudoun because Democrats are not enthusiastic about turning out, Holsworth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) Celebrating a childs first Christmas is a big moment for many families. Thats not always possible for families who are spending the holiday season in the hospital instead of at home. Capturing Hopes Photography and Cone Health worked together to make sure parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Cone Health Womens and Childrens Center at Moses Cone Hospital didnt miss out on this milestone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When youre in NICU, you dont have the opportunity to go to a professional photographer and do that newborn shoot that every parent books and plans and dreams of, so were taking the opportunity to come in and give them that, Capturing Hopes photographer Alison Tapp said. Tapp took pictures of the babies and family members. Cone Health arranged to have Santa and Buddy the Elf visit the families on the same day Tapp was taking pictures. They were included in the photos. Mom Paris Patillo was not expecting to be in the NICU. I came here for a different reason and then next thing you know I was having a baby, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite what she described as a scary situation, she was grateful that her newborn daughter would still have pictures of her first Christmas. Christmas is my favorite holiday, () just for her to be able to take pictures and have Santa here and everything, its just exciting, she said. Thats the kind of reaction that drives the mission of Capturing Hopes Photography. If we can come in and we can create that moment for them, something to be excited about and look forward to and it be fun, then thats worth every minute of it, Tapp said. The Clemmons-based nonprofit provides this service along with other forms of outreach by relying on professional photographers who volunteer their time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mom Kaitlyn Carter appreciates the support because she doesnt feel like her son is missing out. It makes me feel like hes with us, Carter said. It makes me feel like, I know when we come in here, that he has some cheer. The families appreciate the generosity and seeing the various people who worked to make the Christmas season special by sharing their time and talents. You never expect to have a baby at 27 weeks, but you have to be thankful for everything that they did because you wouldnt be here without it, Carter said. Thats just what I want to give them is just that memory to hang on to and something fun, something happy, Tapp said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capturing Hopes Photography visits this NICU once a month. Babies are usually dressed in festive attire related to a theme or specific holiday such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. The Washington state Utilities and Transportation Commission have fined CenturyLink over violations regarding response times and providing documentation to the UTC, the agency announced. CenturyLink was fined $133,000 for the violations. The company is part of Lumen Technologies and is the largest local telephone company in Washington. According to a news release, the commission issued penalties against CenturyLink for 169 violations of WAC 480-07-175(2)(b), which requires companies to make business documents available for commission inspection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company also was issued penalties for nine violations of WAC 480-120-133(2)(c), which requires telephone companies to connect customers to a live representative within 60 seconds of selecting the option to do so. The 178 total violations took place between March 2023 through February 2024 and March 2022 to November 2022. The commission assessed a $750 penalty per violation, leading to a total fine of $133,500. CenturyLink must pay this penalty by Dec. 30. The UTC regulates the rates and services of telecommunications companies, investor-owned electric utilities, natural gas and water companies, garbage-collection haulers, household-goods movers and passenger transportation companies, commercial ferries, pipeline companies, marine pilotage, and a low-level radioactive waste repository. The commission does not regulate the rates of broadband, cellular, cable, or internet service. UTC staff recommends $252,000 fine for CenturyLink over long wait times, lack of documents SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Walgreens pharmacy on State Street will permanently close on January 21st, 2025. Springfield delays trash pickup for holidays Earlier this year the corporation announcing it will close more than 1,000 stores over the next three years targeting underperforming locations. I think it stinks. I use this Walgreens quite often, shared Phil Roncarati. I come here for my medicine and everyday groceries, said David Taimanglo. The State Street location is a staple for the community when it comes to prescriptions and an easy in and out for groceries. According to Walgreens, all of their pharmacy customers have been notified by mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The store also posted the notice at the location and shared the news recorded on the pharmacy voicemail. Phil Roncarati is a frequent customer and currently walks to the location on State Street as his car is not in service, This closing down puts a huge inconvenience trying to get medication. The closure forced some customers to search for a new pharmacy. Ill stay with CVS for what I can, Im probably going to either end up in Ludlow taking a bus there or Carew St, shared Phil Roncarati. According to the corporation, once your store closes you can select any Walgreens location to continue filling your prescriptions. Patient information is available across all locations. Ill probably just go to CVS because CVS is right up here, expressed David Taimanglo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closure has drifted some patients away, as State Street has been a convenience for more than three decades. 22News reached out to Walgreens for a comment but did not hear back. 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. What is, by most measures, the biggest trial in Swedish history doesnt concern events in Stockholm, Malmo or Gothenburg but at a drill site in war-torn Sudan. Twenty-five years ago, Egbert Wesselink, an adviser to the Dutch advocacy group Pax, noticed a new dynamic in the long-running Sudanese civil war. What had begun as conflict over land, religion and ethnicity had become about something else. It was about oil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sudanese government had granted oil rights to a handful of Chinese, European and Canadian companies in areas under rebel control. Quite predictably, the following years saw a vicious fight for control over those areas, Wesselink said. The companies presence totally changed the logic of the war. The case against two former executives from one of those companies, Swedens Lundin Oil, is expected to be Swedens longest and most expensive case ever. Officially launched last year after a decade of investigation its expected to last until February 2026 and involve 32 plaintiffs and 92 witnesses . The former executives Ian Lundin and Alex Schneiter are being prosecuted under a legal principle known as universal jurisdiction, which allows a country to prosecute a foreign national for crimes committed outside its territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Lundin is a Swedish citizen, Schneiter is a Swiss national residing in Switzerland. Both are accused of complicity in war crimes carried out by the Sudanese government. Sudanese troops and government militias killed an estimated 12,000 people over four years as they cleared the area around a Lundin Oil drill site. Lundin and Schneiter, who initially fought the case on grounds of jurisdiction, deny the accusations against them, saying the violence in Sudan was unrelated to their operations, and disputing the reliability of prosecution witnesses. Still, the case has already made legal history. Its the first time since the Nuremberg trials that senior executives of a large, listed company are in the dock for war crimes, said Wesselink. Universal jurisdiction A modern legal principle, the origins of universal jurisdiction stretch back to the Nuremberg and Tokyo war crimes trials that followed World War II, which embedded the idea that when it comes to global jurisprudence, nobody and nowhere should be beyond the reach of the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the decades since, prosecutors have pushed the boundaries of international law among them a former U.S. assistant attorney general named Reed Brody. Inspired in part by Adolf Eichmanns 1961 trial in Israel for organizing the Holocaust, Brody has pursued national leaders including Ethiopias Mengistu Haile Mariam, Ugandas Idi Amin, Haitis Baby Doc Jean-Claude Duvalier and Chiles Augusto Pinochet. He also sought former U.S. President George W. Bush for the U.S.s treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. At times, Brody and others have pursued justice through international institutions such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, as well as special tribunals for genocides in Cambodia in the 1970s, and Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. From 2011 to 2016, Brody also helped set up an African tribunal in Senegal to try former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre for the murder of 12,000 civilians, resulting in the first-ever successful prosecution of a former head of state in a third country. Convicted of ordering the killing of 40,000 people and sentenced to life, Habre died in prison in 2021 after contracting Covid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the organs of international justice work slowly. Since its founding in 2002, the ICC has taken just 10 people to trial. The three genocide tribunals all took more than two decades to conclude. That has led lawyers and prosecutors like Brody to try an alternative route: combining the principle of universal jurisdiction with national laws against murder, rape, kidnap and torture. In the last two decades, prosecution by prosecution, a new ad-hoc system for international law has begun to take shape. Finland and Germany have convicted a Rwandan genocidaire each; Germany has jailed a Bosnian warlord; France, the Netherlands and Sweden prosecuted members of the Syrian regime, including, in France, ex-President Bashar al-Assad; a Malaysian war crimes commission convicted Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in absentia for the invasion of Iraq; Spain tried war criminals from Argentina and Guatemala; Sweden jailed an Iranian executioner; and Germany, Lithuania, Spain and Sweden have begun cases against Russia for war crimes in Ukraine. For all that success, Brody says, a problem has remained. With prosecutions of individuals, the trend is only in one direction, which is more and more accountability its easy to prosecute warlords. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, he adds, if you notice, the ICC has only prosecuted warlords. France at the forefront At Nuremberg and Tokyo, allied lawyers prosecuted hundreds of German and Japanese military and political leaders. But as a new, Cold War took shape, and defending capitalism became a Western priority, the impetus for pursuing those who ran the Nazi or Japanese war machines fell away. Only a handful of businessmen were ever tried, and the application of international law to companies has lagged ever since. The reason, according to Brody, is simple. Corporations are more powerful, he said. Its more difficult for governments to stand up to [business] than some tin-pot dictator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, however, through cases like the one against the former Lundin executives in Sweden, thats beginning to change. U.S. courts are playing a role, ordering ExxonMobil and banana giant Chiquita to stand trial for complicity in atrocities committed in the late 1990s and early 2000s by soldiers or militias paid to protect their premises in Indonesia and Colombia, respectively. Exxon settled a week before the case opened in 2023. A Florida court ordered Chiquita to pay $38 million to the families of eight murdered Colombian men in June 2024; Chiquita's appeal was denied in October. But it is France that is emerging as the epicenter of global corporate justice. In 2017, in an initiative since copied by the European Parliament, France became the first country in the world to pass a Duty of Vigilance law, requiring large French corporations operating overseas to assess human rights risks and make plans to mitigate or prevent abuses. In September, 2021, Frances Supreme Court ruled that a company assisting groups known to commit crimes against humanity could itself be prosecuted as an accomplice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, after one of the most intense investigations in French legal history, Frances anti-terrorism prosecutor said that cement maker Lafarge would stand trial, accused of financing terrorism and breaching sanctions because, it is alleged, its operation in Syria paid protection money to ISIS. In a statement earlier this year, Lafarge said the matter was a legacy issue which it was addressing through the legal process in France. Close to a dozen legal cases against French companies and French bosses are now working their way through the French justice system. [France] conducts more trials than anyone else when it comes to international crimes, says Henri Thulliez, who assisted Brody in the Habre case. A few years ago, you had no case in France using universal jurisdiction. Now you have at least two trials every six months. Thulliez himself has deployed the concept of universal jurisdiction to bring a case in France against the French energy giant TotalEnergies over its operation in Mozambique. His clients include a British-South African survivor of an Islamist attack in March, April and May 2021 against the town of Palma outside a TotalEnergies gas plant in which 1,353 people died, as well as the families of two people, a Briton and a South African, killed in the massacre. They accuse TotalEnergies of leaving them to die. TotalEnergies has said it "firmly rejects the accusations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The French energy company could also be subject to several investigations next year over the torture and killing of dozens of civilians between June and September 2021 by a Mozambican security unit defending TotalEnergies' facility by the Mozambican state prosecutor, an inquiry which began this December; the United Nations, as Friends of the Earth and other activists have demanded; and, according to a lawyer with knowledge of the case, a French war crimes magistrate. TotalEnergies has sought to play down the extent of the Palma massacre, citing "no official count of the number of dead." In September, the company's Mozambican subsidiary also claimed to POLITICO that no staff, contractor or subcontractor had been hurt in the attack despite hundreds of funerals in Palma, a count of 54 staff deaths among project contractors, and a British inquest into the death of the British contractor, Philip Mawer, to which TotalEnergies provided a statement. In a fresh reply to POLITICO in December, the company's Paris press office adjusted its position. "TotalEnergies has never denied the tragedy that occurred in Palma and has always acknowledged the tragic loss of civilian lives," it said. For the first time, it acknowledged "a small number" of project workers had been stationed outside its secure compound during the attack and exposed to the bloodbath. The company did not, however, retract its claim that no one working on the project was killed. As for the alleged container atrocity, TotalEnergies has questioned whether the killings happened, despite corroboration in another news report and by academic researchers. Justice delayed Clemence Bectarte, litigation coordinator for the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights, says the allegations against TotalEnergies involving African soldiers tasked by a European company with protecting their assets, who then tortured, raped and killed civilians bear striking similarities to those against Lundin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You [also] have very thorough investigations on the ground, you have direct testimonies, [you have] company activities maintained during the conflict, and you have its involvement, potentially, in these crimes, said Becarte. This is, I would say, exactly how all the cases I know about have started. The biggest obstacle to prosecutors, said Wesselink, is time. If you want to hold companies to account through legal means, youre in for a very, very long process. It took five years for the Swedish Prosecution Authority to begin a preliminary investigation into Lundin oil in Sudan. It took another 11 for prosecutors to charge Lundin and Scheitner. The trial will last two and a half years. Appeals and final verdicts will take until the decades end. For Wesselink, however, the effort is already worth it. Ten years ago, a former colleague said Youre never going to win that case. Impossible. But if it goes to court, thatll be a major victory, he said. And I think he's right. Its already had an impact. Not yet in terms of compensation for the victims, nor of protecting people in what is now South Sudan. But the very fact that truth is spoken, the idea that something like the candle of justice is burning somewhere, that people are court its very big, Wesselink said. People in South Sudan are happy, very happy. WARREN COUNTY, Miss, (WJTV) A Warren County man has been charged with felony child abuse amid a Warren County Sheriffs Office investigation of a 4-month-old childs injuries. According to Sheriff Martin Pace, authorities were notified that an infant brought to an emergency room by a family member had multiple broken ribs. Aware of the ensuing investigation, Matthew Hudson Barnes, 28, turned himself in to authorities at 10 a.m. on December 16. Barnes was charged with felony child abuse. His bond is set at $20,000. The Department of Child Protection Services placed the child into its care. The case will be presented to a Warren County grand jury for further proceedings in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Dec. 24Champaign County Sheriff Matthew Melvin refused to perform a field sobriety test after being pulled over Dec. 18 at 1:12 a.m. for traffic violations. Cruiser and body camera footage obtained by the Springfield News-Sun shows Melvin's pickup truck swerving over marked lanes, as well as remaining stopped at a green light for about 10 seconds before entering the intersection and being pulled over by an Urbana Police officer whose cruiser was behind him. An officer remarked that the vomit over the side of Melvin's truck and Melvin himself smelled of alcohol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You were kind of all over the road back there. And you were stopped at a green light," the officer said. "I can smell an alcoholic beverage and there's vomit on the side of the vehicle right now." The outgoing sheriff was arraigned on one charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was released on his own recognizance provided he does not drive. His next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. During the stop, Melvin handed the officer his driver's license as well as a law enforcement card identifying him as the Champaign County sheriff. Urbana Police Sgt. Shawn Schmidt then arrived to the stop, asking if the driver was Melvin before he had the officer ask the sheriff to exit his truck for a field sobriety test. Once he exited, Melvin appeared to be off balance and disoriented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melvin several times remarked "Really?" in response to commands. He also sarcastically said, "You guys are amazing." The sergeant told Melvin at one point that he was doing his job. At one point, Schmidt asked Melvin to walk to an area that was flatter for a sobriety test, Melvin started to comply before saying "no," and attempting to walk back to his truck. The sergeant stopped Melvin at that point. "You stay right here. Stop right there," the sergeant said. "You got a gun with you? Don't act this way. Sheriff, don't." Melvin then asked to make a phone call, to which Schmidt agreed. When Melvin did not get answers on the phone, the sergeant attempted to start the sobriety tests before asking the sheriff multiple times if he was refusing to perform the tests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melvin told Schmidt he wanted to go home and the sergeant said the officers would have to make sure it was safe for him to drive first. "We'll do this test with you first to make sure you're OK to drive, man," the sergeant told Melvin. "There's a strong smell of alcohol, you can't drive very well and there's puke all down the side of your car." Melvin told Schmidt that there was no vomit on the side of his car, to which the sergeant said, "there is." The sergeant told Melvin multiple times if he did not perform the test, he would be arrested for OVI. After he confirmed his refusal, police arrested Melvin, placing him in the back of a cruiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the police station, Melvin refused a breath test and fingerprinting. Melvin's term as sheriff is about to end. In March 2024, he lost the Republican primary election for the sheriff's role to Chad Burroughs, who was then elected in November. Burroughs will take office next month. Crews encountered exploding fireworks and icy conditions at a fire that destroyed two homes in Massachusetts. Unfortunately two of our families from town lost everything tonight and a third had damage to their home, Spencer Fire & Emergency Services posted to Facebook. Despite the very frigid conditions firefighters from several communities tried their best to save the two exposures. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Nobody was home when the fire started and no injuries were reported from the fire, according to CBS News Boston. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spencer Fire Chief Robert Parsons said that two firefighters fell through the ice while trying to get water from a nearby pond because there were no hydrants in the area. They were not hurt. Pictures and video from the scene showed intense flames fed by a propane tank in the basement, as well as fireworks exploding in the air. The cause of the fire is not known at this time. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] (WTAJ) After 21 years, WWE Raw is leaving cable to join Netflix every Monday night beginning Jan. 6, meaning streaming is the only way to watch the longest-running weekly episodic show. WWE is hyping up the debut of RAW on Netflix and it looks like its going to be stacked from beginning to end. Roman Reigns will have his first match on RAW since July 2022 (Bloodline vs Matt Riddle and the Street Profits) when he faces Solo Sikoa to determine the one and only Tribal Chief. Its also reported that John Cena will make his triumphant return where hell begin his farewell tour leading to his official retirement after Wrestlemania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are the ins and outs you may need to know before watching the debut of WWE Raw on Netflix. WWEs Raw is moving to Netflix next year in a major streaming deal worth more than $5 billion What matches are scheduled for the RAW debut on Netflix? As mentioned, The OTC (Original Tribal Chief) Roman Reigns will take on the self-proclaimed current Tribal Chief, Solo Sikoa. The winner will be the official Head of the Table and dawn the Ula Fala, a traditional Samoan necklace representing pride, love and respect. In addition to the continued Bloodline saga, a Wrestlemania dream match was announced between Seth Freakin Rollins and The Second City Saint CM Punk in what will undoubtedly get personal and vicious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After months of seeking payback on the Womens World Champion, Rhea Ripley will get her shot at Liv Morgan. Another bout that could certainly get personal as Ripley looks to end this war and take back her title. The trade window between RAW, SmackDown, and NXT is still open. We could see anyone show up Jan. 6 to join the RAW Brand. Recently, Logan Paul announced he joined RAW while the Monster Among Men Braun Strowman jumped to SmackDown. Do I need to upgrade my Netflix plan to watch WWE Raw? No, according to Netflix, it will be available live on all plans. There will be select WWE content available to people outside of the U.S. Sorry, America, youll still need that Peacock subscription for the Premium Live Events (PLEs). Its reported that WWE Raw will be three hours again and will have commercials as normal, even if you pay for an ad-free plan. Where can I watch WWE Raw? Netflix will be the exclusive home for WWE Raw in the United States and territories including American Samoa, Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are the cars of Netflixs Senna mini-series Members in the following countries can also watch WWE Raw on Jan. 6, 2025: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom. Netflix noted that more countries will be added in the future. Can I watch WrestleMania on Netflix? Again, sorry America. Only the countries listed above that are outside of the U.S. and its territories will be able to watch SmackDown, NXT and PLEs, including Wrestlemania 41, on Netflix. Select archive footage from the now-retired WWE Network will also be available. How long do I have to wait after a live WWE Raw to watch it on demand? Netflix said youll be able to watch WWE Raw from the film catalog immediately after it airs live. Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices. Will it still air at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard time? It should be noted, that when Netflix says RAW will be live, they mean it. While it traditionally always started at 8 p.m. Eastern time, that wont be the case going forward. For example, when WWE does a European tour ahead of WrestleMania, then when RAW starts at 8 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time, it will air live on Netflix on the East Coast at 3 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information, you can check out Tudum by Netflix by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. NEW DELHI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Christian community across India on Wednesday celebrated the Christmas festival with joy. Special prayers were held at churches across almost all the main cities and major towns in India. Churches in four metropolitan cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai were decorated with buntings, lights and Christmas trees. In the capital city of Delhi, markets and shopping malls have made special arrangements for Christmas, enhancing the festive atmosphere. In Mumbai, several buildings have been lit up with decorative lights while houses have been adorned with decorations. In Goa, markets and buildings are decorated with Christmas trees or lit up. Officials said a large number of tourists have arrived in the coastal state to celebrate Christmas and New Year. In Tamil Nadu, the faithful thronged to the churches early Wednesday morning to offer special prayers and sing Christmas hymns. Christmas is an official holiday in India. (NewsNation) For the second year in a row, the Northeast dominated Zillows list of the most popular housing markets. Manchester, New Hampshire, topped the real estate websites 2024 rankings, which were based on consumer demand metrics like page-view traffic, home value growth and how quickly homes sold. Typical home values are up 7.4% in Manchester over the past year, climbing to $415,000. The city has gained particular attention from buyers outside the area, suggesting a strong interest in relocating there, Zillow said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The top 10 housing hot spots for 2025 Four cities in Connecticut made the top ten: Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven and Waterbury. Other Northeastern cities like Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Columbia, Maryland were also among the most popular. The majority of the cities on this years list were exurbs smaller towns beyond the suburbs but still within commuting distance of a major metro area. Silver tsunami wont solve affordable housing crisis: Zillow With the rise of hybrid work models, more people are discovering hidden-gem cities they might have previously overlooked when daily commutes were the norm, Zillow Chief Economist Skylar Olsen said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olsen added: Buyers are seeking out locations that offer the right mix of affordable living and lifestyle amenities. Only three cities outside the Northeast cracked the top ten: two in Illinois Rockford and Peoria and Sunnyvale, California. Zillows top 10 most popular markets of 2024: Manchester, New Hampshire Rockford, Illinois Stamford, Connecticut Columbia, Maryland Bridgeport, Connecticut Allentown, Pennsylvania Peoria, Illinois New Haven, Connecticut Waterbury, Connecticut Sunnyvale, California Other popular housing markets in 2024 Zillow also determined the hottest markets across various categories. Most popular large city: Toledo, Ohio The typical home in Toledo is worth $121,000, making it an attractive option for buyers seeking affordability, Zillow noted. Most popular small town: Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania With a population of 12,000, Elizabethtown features picturesque streets, local shops and parks, all of which are attracting the interest of Zillow shoppers, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most popular coastal city: Milford, Connecticut Zillow wrote: With 17 miles of coastline along Long Island Sound, the area has plenty of seaside attractions, including beaches, parks, boating and more. Most popular vacation town: Portland, Maine Renowned for its art scene, architecture and seafood, Portland draws visitors in search of a coastal getaway, according to Zillow. Most popular retirement city: Pahrump, Nevada Zillow: With a warm climate and more than one-third of its population ages 65 and older, Pahrump is an ideal community for retirees. Most popular college town: Normal, Illinois Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Home to the Illinois State University Redbirds, Normal is now Zillows most popular college town. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Massachusetts is awarding $14 million in funding to state universities, which will go directly to student resources to increase graduation rates. This funding comes a year after Massachusetts started offering free community college to eligible adults, and is part of a larger push to make the states renowned education system more accessible. The need for this funding is clearcurrently more than 30% of state university students do not earn a degree within 6 years of enrolling, and that number increases to more than 40% for Black and Latino students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar grants at Massachusetts community colleges contributed to a 10% increase in student retention from fall 2022 to fall 2023. These grants, called the SUCCESS program, are meant to enable state schools to create spaces to support students of color, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, low-income, and first generation students. The Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education explained the need for spaces to support these students. To close equity gaps in higher education, we must support the whole studentwe cannot wait to lift barriers that keep many students from realizing the socio-economic upward mobility that comes from earning a college degree, said Commissioner Noe Ortega. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Award amounts are based on student need, and in western Massachusetts, Westfield State University will receive $1.5 million dollars. In addition to the funding for the SUCCESS program, the state dedicated almost $15 million dollars for community colleges, bringing the total investment in higher education to over $30 million dollars. 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. WESTMORELAND, Tenn. (WKRN) As more rural portions of Sumner County see rapid growth, some residents have built up resentment toward constant development and its pitfalls. Westmoreland, with a population under 3,000, is in the midst of building a large, 300-home subdivision. Yet some locals told News 2 they have concerns. I dont feel like they have the consumers in mind, I dont think they want to help us, said resident and business owner Megan Jimenez. I feel like we are a number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an old tale at this point: another small Tennessee town slowly becoming a suburban hotspot. But Westmorelands growth is happening at a rate that residents believe is outpacing their current infrastructure. Good Samaritan returns gift stolen from Nashville home One common complaint seen across social media: mysterious water leaks that have caused resident water bills to rise. For example, Jimenez said her home had a water leak for 69 straight days. Her family did not know of the leak until their water bill skyrocketed. According to Jimenez, the city never alerted them of any issue. We did question with the clerks why the bill was so high. They did not check our history to find out what was going on. The next bill came, and that came at the end of August, and when that bill came, it was over $1,400, Jimenez explained. And at that point, we were like, Something is absolutely wrong.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it was all said and done, Jimenez said she was forced to pay over $3,000 in water bills, across just a few months time. Murfreesboro city leaders reenvisioning a new downtown She summed up her situation as, incompetent, and not taking responsibility for actions that they have the technology and resources to figure things out with. Meanwhile, Westmoreland Mayor David Leath told News 2 their water supply is strong. He said they are working through their leakage problem. We are detecting leaks on the residents side that they probably didnt realize they had, Leath said. Our water loss is down. We just installed new meters that is measuring every ounce of water that goes through that meter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Leath said Westmorelands real issues are a lack of natural gaswhich theyve worked with Gallatin to resolveand a poor sewage system. Heading into 2025, the mayor says Westmoreland is focused on adapting and welcoming more growth. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com I dont have a bit of problem with water, no, to accommodate anything thats being built. Im expecting several industrials to commit to building here. Im expecting [more] residentials [to move in], Leath said. Jimenez, however, believes Westmoreland officials need more transparency to handle the change thats in front of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would like them to reach out to the community more, she told News 2s Sam Chimenti. I dont see announcements; I dont see city council notices; I dont see anything as a town where theyre trying to get the city 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 WKRN News 2. New Yorkers are waking up to the first white Christmas in New York City in 15 years. The National Weather Service considers it a white Christmas if there's 1 inch or more of snow on the ground at 7 a.m. on Christmas morning. The snow that fell in New York City on Tuesday morning didn't melt overnight, leaving Central Park with 1 inch recorded on the ground at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Nebraska's football team enjoyed a snowball fight in Central Park on Wednesday ahead of their appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. Had a holly jolly Christmas in Central Park this morning pic.twitter.com/LUFZe01Nc1 Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) December 25, 2024 PHOTO: Central Park in New York City is seen, Dec. 25, 2024. (WABC) New York Citys last white Christmas was in 2009, when there was 2 inches of snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston is also getting a white Christmas this year, with 4 inches of snow on the ground. MORE: How to stay safe in the cold: What to know about frostbite, hypothermia as Arctic blast hits US Most of this snow will melt slowly because it'll be colder than normal on Christmas Day and Thursday. Milder weather is forecast to move in by the weekend, with temperatures in the 40s in New York and 50s in Chicago. PHOTO: People bear the cold in New York City, December 23, 2024. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) Meanwhile, the West Coast continues to get pounded by an endless parade of storms bringing huge waves, strong winds, heavy rain and mountain snow. In Oregon and Washington, winds could gust as high as 65 mph on Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Santa Cruz Wharf partially collapses in California, city workers rescued River flooding is possible this week in western Washington and Oregon; some areas could see 6 to 12 inches of rain over the next five days. A winter storm warning has been issued for the Cascade mountains in Washington, where up to 3 feet of snow could pile up over the next 24 to 36 hours. A winter storm watch was issued for the northern Rockies, including Wyoming and Idaho, where 2 feet of snow is possible in the next two days. The West Coast's unusually high waves of 40 to 60 feet have subsided some, but California could still see waves reaching 20 to 30 feet on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the South, a new round of severe weather will move in on Thursday afternoon and evening, bringing an elevated threat for tornadoes, hail and damaging winds. Flash flooding is also possible. Dallas, Houston and Shreveport, Louisiana, are all in the path of the severe weather. White Christmas in New York City for 1st time in 15 years originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Whooping cough has been surging in the United States for months and the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests there are no signs of slowing. There have been more than 32,000 cases reported so far this year, according to preliminary data from mid-December about six times more than there were at this time last year and more than there have been since 2014. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a very contagious respiratory illness. For many, the bacterial infection starts with symptoms similar to the common cold a runny nose, sneezing, a low-grade fever and a tickly cough but a painful, full-body cough can develop after a week or two. These coughing fits can be so severe that they cause patients to vomit or break ribs, and theyre often accompanied by a whooping sound as the person tries to catch their breath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This coughing can last for weeks or months, and people can spread the infectious bacteria for weeks after the cough develops. However, infections can be mild enough for some that they spread the illness without even knowing they have it. Like many respiratory illnesses, whooping cough cases dropped to low levels during the pandemic as people limited social interactions and took other precautions to defend against Covid-19. There are peaks in reported cases of whooping cough every few years, according to the CDC, and the latest trends suggest that the US is returning to pre-pandemic trends. But reported cases have been climbing sharply for months and theyve more than doubled since mid-September, CDC data shows. About a quarter of all cases have been reported in the Midwest region including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania has more reported cases than any other state. While whooping cough can be serious for all ages, children younger than 1 are particularly sensitive because their immune systems are still developing. This is especially true for infants and young children who havent had all their recommended vaccines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vaccination is the best way to protect against whooping cough, the CDC says; the agency recommends that children get the DTaP vaccine and adolescents and adults get the TDaP vaccine. But vaccination rates among children have fallen; only about 92% of kindergartners had gotten their DTaP vaccine for the 2023-2024 school year, below the 95% federal target and leaving thousands of schoolchildren vulnerable. Protection among those who are vaccinated can also fade over time. Antibiotics can treat the infection, but only if its caught within the first few weeks, before the arrival of the exhausting, painful cough. Then, the only treatment is comfort care with plenty of rest and fluids while the infection runs its course. As the US moves into the winter season, broader respiratory illness activity is relatively moderate. Surveillance data suggests that Covid-19 levels are starting to increase from low levels and flu levels are continuing to rise, too. CNNs Brenda Goodman contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Prince Andrew didn't join the royal family's traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham amid another scandal. On Dec. 25, the Duke of York, 64, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson skipped the royal family's traditional Christmas gathering amid backlash around the Duke of York's connection to an alleged Chinese "spy." Their younger daughter Princess Eugenie also didn't join the public-facing walk to church on Christmas, though their elder daughter Princess Beatrice did. It was a last-minute change in plans for Beatrice, 36, who is pregnant with her second child and a decision made as her due date approaches. The princess stepped out with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and stepson Christopher Woolf, 8, for the festive walk to church at St. Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, where they joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton and other members of the royal family. OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Christopher Woolf, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Christopher Woolf, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Related: Princess Beatrice Attends Royal Christmas in Last-Minute Move amid Medical Advice During Pregnancy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PEOPLE understands that Princess Beatrice had plans to spend the holiday with her in-laws in Italy, but doctors advised against travel at this point of her pregnancy. In addition to skipping the Christmas gathering at the Norfolk estate and the traditional family walk to church at St. Mary Magdalene on the estates grounds the morning of Dec. 25, Andrew also didn't go to his brother King Charles pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 19 amid uproar around the alleged spy scandal. Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Christopher Woolf and Princess Beatrice walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Christopher Woolf and Princess Beatrice walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Earlier this month, Andrew found himself at the center of further controversy following his disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview surrounding his sexual assault allegations and association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which resulted in his step back as a working royal. The latest scandal involves the Duke of Yorks close business links with a Chinese national alleged to be a spy, according to multiple reports. The alleged spy, Yang Tengbo, was reportedly appointed as a business adviser to Prince Andrew and was promised access to the highest levels of the royal family in an apparently serious breach of national security, according to The Times. The outlet added that British security services found the man was a member of the Chinese Communist Party and was working for its United Front Work Department, which gathers intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC reported that the man received an invite to Prince Andrews 60th birthday party in 2020 just months after his Newsnight fiasco and was told he could act on his behalf to seek investors in China. The Times reported that the alleged spy was also invited to the royal estate at Windsor. CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at the Thanksgiving Service honoring the late King Constantine of Greece at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Feb. 27, 2024. Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at the Thanksgiving Service honoring the late King Constantine of Greece at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Feb. 27, 2024. Related: Sarah Ferguson Sends Well-Wishes to Those Feeling a Little Bit Low or Sad as She Walks with Queen Elizabeths Corgis Amid the fallout, it emerged on Dec. 16 that the Duke and Duchess of York (who divorced in 1996 but continue to live at Royal Lodge in Windsor) would no longer attend the royal family Christmas at Sandringham. Last year, the ex-couple stayed at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, and were expected to do so again this year. Prince Andrew and Ferguson, 65, are expected instead spend a quiet Christmas at Royal Lodge, and it's thought that Princess Eugenie, 34, is marking the holiday with her in-laws. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are typically fixtures at Sandringham each year alongside their husbands, and Beatrice and Edo brought Christopher Woolf (who is affectionately nicknamed Wolfie) to the royal Christmas walk for the first time in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Royal biographer Ingrid Seward tells PEOPLE that Andrew will have spoken about the decision to forgo royal Christmas with his ex-wife and daughters. "Despite [Fergusons] missteps in the past, she does know how things will play out socially. She would tell him its best to stay away," Seward tells PEOPLE. "And Beatrice would have backed her up in that." David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York attend the officially party celebrating Vogue World: London 2023 at George Mayfair on Sept. 14, 2023 in London, England Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York attend the officially party celebrating Vogue World: London 2023 at George Mayfair on Sept. 14, 2023 in London, England Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Beast also previously reported that King Charles patience is wearing thin with his younger brother, saying that He has stood by Andrew for many years, but everyone has their limits. Another source told The Mail on Sunday, The palace has behaved the best it possibly can with a difficult relation. Every sanction that can be imposed has been, but you cant divorce or sack your brother from being your brother. There will always be a bond of blood, and all families often have difficult relatives to deal with. Victoria Jones/Shutterstock Queen Camilla and King Charles lead the royal family's walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2024. Queen Camilla and King Charles lead the royal family's walk to church at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 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! Of course, it is understood that it looks bad for the entire family, but that is because of one individual, the source continued. Read the original article on People "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Philosopher and essayist George Santayana This could soon be our reality, as it seems weve forgotten how far weve come in preventing serious diseases and saving lives. Over 46% of children born in the 1800s did not make it to their fifth birthday. Today, this number has dropped drastically, reaching its lowest point ever in 2020 where it is just seven deaths per thousand births. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of these deaths in the 1800s were from infectious diseases, which have also significantly declined over the last century. Vaccine hesitancy and mistrust are growing in doctor's offices As you can see, we have made enormous progress in preventing childhood death. Registered nurse Bonnie Pilon gives Harrison Humphreys, 11, his Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt on Monday, November 8, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. This is in large part thanks to vaccination and antibiotics created by medical science. In fact, vaccines have saved 154 million lives, including 146 million among children younger than 5 years old. Of those, 101 million were infants younger than 1 year old. Vaccines have dramatically improved our lives and saved so many families from devastating losses. Child death is so uncommon now that we are shocked when it happens, yet the world used to be full of tiny cons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have been a pediatrician for 23 years now. I have spent my career helping children and they are a very important part of my world as a doctor and a mom. Opinion: Dolly Parton and Tennessee senators show why Trump must stop public health chaos But in the exam room, Im seeing more and more vaccine hesitancy and mistrust. Thats why Im asking those of you who have lost faith in vaccines to reconsider so we dont return to a time when infant and child mortality is the norm. Developing vaccines goes through a thorough process Look at measles were already seeing an uptick in infections after years of this illness being declared eliminated in the United States. I have not had a patient with measles and hope I never do. But this is a perfect example of what happens when we stop vaccinating against these serious diseases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The internet and social media, along with the COVID-19 pandemic, have created the perfect storm for misinformation about vaccines. Anyone can publish their opinion that is not based on science or expertise. Many Americans are unfamiliar with how vaccines are tested and approved and the checks and balances that are built into it. When a vaccine is developed, it is not immediately available to patients. It goes through many years of rigorous development before it is determined safe for human trials. The notable exception to this was the COVID-19 vaccine, which you can read about how the trials were safely run on the website of the National Library of Medicine. If the vaccine is successful after human trials, it then goes before the scientists at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval. The process doesnt stop there. The vaccine will move on to be studied by a committee of experts in various fields of medicine called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP members will carefully study the development and testing process to ensure the safety and efficacy for patients of all ages and certain groups. They will then hold a public hearing to gain input from the community before providing their final vaccine guidance to the CDC. As physicians, we depend on clear recommendations from ACIP without delay to ensure there are no gaps in protection for our most vulnerable patient populations. The CDC will decide to adopt the guidance as the highest standard of care, which is what the medical community considers the gold standard. Complications occur, but this data is collected and reviewed Patients can also rest assured that there is an ongoing reporting database, Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), that closely monitors for patterns and potential complications from vaccines to ensure safety. Since its an open database, its not 100% factual but an important part of the data collection process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bottom line is that this is a tried and tested process that has proven effective for decades. It has kept our population healthy and free of disease. We must maintain this standardized process and not allow politics or unscientific policies to dictate the patient-doctor relationship. We no longer worry about our children catching a vaccine preventable illness because science has led us to lifesaving immunizations. Lets not allow politics and misinformation to get in the way of our medical advancements. Leslie Treece We must restore community trust in the vaccines that protect the doctor-patient relationship and keep our children, families, friends and communities healthy. Dr. Leslie Treece is a practicing pediatrician in Cookeville, Tennessee with 25 years of experience in pediatric medicine. She also serves as the vice chair at Tennessee Medical Association Board of Trustees. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vaccines and medical science have saved American children | Opinion NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A woman was arrested in East Nashville on Tuesday after assaulting three people, including two law enforcement officers, according to documents from the Metro Nashville Police Department. Davidson County Sheriffs Office records show Ashlee Lusk, 40, was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 24 after the incident. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts According to court documents, officers were called to a Loves Truck Stop in the 100 block of Trinity Lane where a caller reported that an assault had occurred after an individual tried to steal a drink from the store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the accused suspect had left the store by the time responding officers arrived. The officers reviewed security camera footage from the store and observed Lusk taking a fountain drink and attempting to leave the store without paying. She was confronted by the store manager and employees, at which point she reportedly threw the drink at the manager and left. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Reports indicated that officers found a woman who matched the suspects description near Dickerson Pike and Trinity Lane and tried to take her into custody. According to police, Lusk attempted to fight back as she was placed in handcuffs. She allegedly punched both officers in the face, leaving one with a cut to his forehead, and the other officer with a bruised right cheek and a cut to the side of his neck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports state Lusk resisted being placed in the patrol vehicle, and a glass pipe fell from her clothing and shattered, further wounding one of the officers. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Lusk faces the following charges and is detained in Metro Jail on a $10,500 bond, based on records from the sheriffs office: Two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with bodily injury Felony Assault, offensive contact Misdemeanor Resisting stop, frisk, halt, arrest, or search- Misdemeanor Theft of merchandise worth $1,000 or less Misdemeanor Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A woman is dead and an infant suffered major injuries in a head-on crash on an Interstate highway in Merced County. California Highway Patrol officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of Interstate 5 and State Route 165 at about 6:24 p.m. on Friday. The CHP said it appears a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling southbound on I-5 when for unknown reasons, the Jeep crossed the grass median into the northbound lanes. The Jeep collided head-on with a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500. Authorities said a female passenger and a female infant inside the Jeep were ejected. The female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The infant suffered major injuries and her condition is unknown at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two occupants inside the Dodge suffered major injuries and were taken to local hospitals. The driver of the Jeep suffered moderate injuries, authorities said. According to the CHP, it appears alcohol or drugs were a factor in the collision. JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israel's air defense systems on Wednesday intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, the Israeli military said in a statement. The projectile "was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory," the military said. Sirens sounded across central Israel "due to the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception," it added. Magen David Adom, Israel's emergency service, said that it had treated at least nine people who were injured on their way to shelters. For the fifth time in a week, millions of Israelis were sent to shelters as Houthi militants in Yemen launched a missile attack, the Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X. Houthi forces have launched sporadic missile and drone attacks on Israel since October last year, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has retaliated with several large-scale airstrikes, the most recent of which occurred last week. More than two years after a Florida motel employee discovered a womans body hidden under a bed, her killer has been sentenced to more than half a century in prison. A Manatee County judge sentenced Steven Joseph Cozens, 26, to 60 years after he pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in the killing of his girlfriend. Prosecutors said Cozens stabbed her multiple times during an argument at a Bradenton motel. Cozens was charged with premeditated first-degree murder and faced up to life in prison, but court records show during a plea deal last week at the Manatee County courthouse the state amended the charge to second-degree murder with a weapon. The plea and sentencing by Judge Matt Whyte came the week Cozens was scheduled to go to trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies with the Manatee County Sheriffs Office said they were called to Americas Best Value Inn at 607 67th St. Circle E. in Bradenton on August 28, 2022, after a member of the motels housekeeping staff discovered the 26-year-old womans body. The woman had been stabbed to death, wrapped in a sheet and hidden under a mattress, the Bradenton Herald previously reported. Prosecutors say the couple had been living at the motel off State Road 64 in Bradenton and had been arguing that day. Following an argument, prosecutors say Cozens pulled out a knife and stabbed her to death. Cozens then cleaned the room, hid her body under a bed and fled the motel, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the maid called law enforcement, Cozens was arrested later that day. During an interview, detectives say Cozens confessed to stabbing the victim a lot. This sentence will not bring Jennifer back but hopefully it will provide some comfort to her family, Assistant State Attorney Suzanne ODonnell said in a written statement. MASURY, Ohio (WKBN) What should be a time filled with family and happiness is instead filled with shock and grief for Susan Honel and her family. Her sister Jane Payton was found dead during a police standoff with Andrew Reedy on Friday in Masury. Reedy, Paytons ex-boyfriend, was charged with murder in connection with her death. Now Susan is searching for justice, bringing attention to the woman who was stolen from them just days before Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anger, sadness heartbroken. This, you know, my heart breaks for her kids and her granddaughter, Honel said. Honel was at her sisters house on Lucy Street in Masury on Friday, pushing past police officers to beat on her front door after her sister stopped answering calls and text messages. We didnt get any answer, needless to say, and I just knew. I told my other sister, I knew deep in my heart that something had already happened to her but we had to hold out hope because thats all we could do, Honel said. Honel was the last family member to speak with Payton. Paytons 57-year-old ex-boyfriend, Andrew Reedy, returned to her home Friday afternoon after being legally evicted. Reedy has been charged with murder in Paytons death after a 24-hour police standoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her family is still in disbelief. We have a lot of support. Well make it through. Im their rock, said Honel. Honel says her sister worked in accounting and she loved her kids, grandkids and her pets, especially her dog Jax who was rescued from the standoff. Payton was also working hard to move on from her 12-year relationship with Reedy. She was just Jane. She was unique. She was different. She loved and liked to be loved and a great person and a great sister, Honel said. Now instead of celebrating the holidays with her sister, Honel is left figuring out whats next. I want to see justice served to the full extent of the law. He is charged with murder and I want to make sure that he gets what he deserves, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reedy surrendered to the police early Saturday morning and was hospitalized due to a gunshot wound on his face. His court appearance has not yet been scheduled. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Lawmakers dont need to worry about their office clocks ever displaying the wrong time inside the Capitol building. Bethany Gill winds all of the clocks weekly. They are 120 years old, most of them, because they were designed for the Capitol in 1906, Gill said. There are 273 clocks spread throughout the Capitol. Gill also oils and cleans them as needed. Clock winding is a regular part of my job, she said. We wind clocks every week. We have eight-day movements in the Capitol so every seven days we wind them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the clocks have been in place since the Capitol was built, some 62 million minutes ago. The clocks are just part of why the buildings so unique and so intricate, Jason Wilson, a historian for the Capitol Preservation Committee, said. I think you have to have some sense when you come to the building of what it represents just in terms of an icon of Pennsylvanias history and government, Wilson said. Most of the clocks are mahogany or mahogany stained. The diligent design of the time trackers help Gill enjoy the weekly wind. Working here makes me feel a lot of pride, Gill said. I love my job. I feel elegant. I feel so happy that I get to walk around and walk through all these different offices throughout the building and meet so many different people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gills work keeps everyone on the same schedule, allowing business to get done in the Commonwealth. I think all of the artwork and the gold leaf and the ornamentation in the building gives you that sense of power and wonder and responsibility that you should have in terms of democratic government, Wilson 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 ABC27. Dec. 25WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Todd Young, R-Ind., recently announced his four committee assignments for the 119th Congress. For the first time, Young was selected to serve on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. The Intelligence Committee was created by the Senate in 1976 to "oversee and make continuing studies of the intelligence activities and programs of the United States Government," and to "provide vigilant legislative oversight over the intelligence activities of the United States to assure that such activities are in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the United States." "As a former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer," Young said, "I have a deep appreciation for our dedicated intelligence professionals and the importance of unbiased intelligence to our national security. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the committee to ensure policymakers are receiving the best intelligence possible as they make critical decisions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Intelligence Committee has 17 senators: nine from the majority party and eight from the minority. The one-seat majority is dictated by Senate resolution and, unlike most other committees, does not change in proportion with the overall Senate ratio of majority to minority membership. The Committee structure is intended to reflect the nonpartisan nature of intelligence and encourage the Committee to work in a bipartisan manner. Senator Young will continue to serve on the Senate Committee on Finance; the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The Senate Finance Committee will play a pivotal role in tax reform efforts next year. "I'm honored to continue my work on these committees to tackle the issues most important to Hoosiers, including stimulating economic growth, reducing costs for families, and ensuring America maintains global leadership in technology," Young said. The committee assignments will begin in January. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russias President Vladimir Putin for greenlighting an inhumane Christmas Day attack, including missiles and drones, that damaged Ukraines energy infrastructure and left thousands with power outages. Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack, Zelensky said in a Wednesday post on social platform X. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine. Ukraines leader said the countrys defense systems shot down more than 50 missiles and a significant number of drones. Others hit multiple cities and caused power outages in several regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia attacked Ukraines energy and fuel supplies with 78 ground and air missiles and 106 Shahed drones, according to Ukraines air force. The military branch said it intercepted 59 missiles and 54 Shahed drones. Because of the attack, one person died in the Dnipropetrovsk region. In the Kharkiv region, at least six people were injured. This was the 13th time Russia attacked Ukraines energy system, according to DTEK, the countrys biggest private energy company. It was the 10th strike on DTEKs facilities, damaging power stations and causing nationwide outages. The energy company said the strike killed one of its engineers. There are no depths to which Russia will not sink. Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered, DTEKs CEO Maxim Timchenko said Wednesday on X. We appeal to every ally of Ukraine to end this state-sponsored terrorism now by giving our armed forces the air defence ammunition they need to protect essential energy infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias military launched at least 12 missile strikes on critical infrastructure in the Kharkiv region, according to regional head Oleh Syniehubovs post on Telegram. About half a million people in the Kharkiv area are without electricity. Across the border, one woman died and three people were injured in the Russian city of Vladikavkaz from a fire caused by a downed drone Wednesday morning, The Associated Press reported. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ukraine is experiencing power outages in several regions following a massive Russian aerial assault launched earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X on Wednesday. Zelensky said Ukraine was attacked by more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, as well as 100 drones on Christmas Day, targeting the country's energy infrastructure. "Today, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?" Zelensky wrote in an English-language post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia continues "to fight for a blackout in Ukraine," he added. "According to preliminary reports," Ukrainian forces were able to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a "significant number of drones," Zelensky said. "Unfortunately, there have been hits," he added. It was not possible to independently verify the claims. "As of now, there are power outages in several regions. Power engineers are working to restore power supply as soon as possible," he wrote. His comments came after air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine amid the latest Russian assault. Ukraine is experiencing power outages in several regions following a massive Russian aerial assault launched earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X on Wednesday. Zelensky said Ukraine was attacked by more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, as well as 100 drones on Christmas Day, targeting the country's energy infrastructure. "Today, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?" Zelensky wrote in an English-language post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia continues "to fight for a blackout in Ukraine," he added. "According to preliminary reports," Ukrainian forces were able to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a "significant number of drones," Zelensky said. "Unfortunately, there have been hits," he added. "As of now, there are power outages in several regions. Power engineers are working to restore power supply as soon as possible," he wrote. Several injured in 'massive' aerial attack Air-raid sirens sounded across the country on Wednesday morning. Russian Tu-95 MS fighter jets fired numerous cruise missiles at Ukraine over the Black Sea, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least four people were injured in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv amid heavy rocket fire, according to the authorities. Among them was a 39-year-old man who was wounded in the Saltivskyi district and taken to hospital, according to the region's military governor, Oleh Syniehubov. "Two other victims are in serious condition," Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram. In addition, one person was injured when a residential building was hit in another district. "The Russian army has carried out at least seven attacks," Syniehubov said, reporting fires and damage to civilian infrastructure as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Terekhov, a fire broke out after the Kiev district of Kharkiv was hit. Explosions were also reported from the eastern city of Dnipro, according to state news agency Ukrinform. Due to the ongoing attacks, measures have been taken in Ukraine to limit electricity consumption, Ukrinform reported, citing the power grid operator Ukrenergo. Fierce fighting reported over Pokrovsk Meanwhile Russian attackers and Ukrainian defenders once again engaged in fierce battles over the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. The General Staff in Kiev said in its Wednesday evening situation report that 35 Russian attacks were reported around the city on the edge of the Donbass during the course of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Three Russian armies are concentrated here against us," regional commander Viktor Trehubov was quoted by the news agency UNIAN as saying. He stated, "The battles here are very intense because the Russian occupiers are throwing all available forces forward and trying to break through our troops' defence lines." In the attempted pincer attacks on Pokrovsk, the Russian attackers reportedly suffered heavy losses. On the previous day alone, 133 Russian soldiers were killed, he said. These figures could not be independently verified. The Russian military is attempting to advance as close as possible to the outskirts of Pokrovsk and break through the defenders' left and right flanks. Trehubov described the situation, saying, "Since fighting in the city itself is very unpleasant, the enemy is trying to force battles in the outskirts to compel the Ukrainian forces to retreat and avoid a frontal assault." KABUL, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 51 people, including women and children, were killed in airstrikes by the Pakistani military in the border regions of eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province on Tuesday night, Afghan government's deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said on Wednesday. "Last night, in the bombardment in Barmal district, Paktika province, 51 people were killed and six others injured," Fitrat told Xinhua. Several residential houses have been destroyed during the strikes, Fitrat added. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russian forces fired more than 70 missiles and more than 100 attack drones during a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day. He also noted that Ukrainian defenders had managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a significant number of drones. Source: Zelenskyy on social media; Ukraines Air Force Quote: "Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to preliminary reports, our defenders managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a significant number of drones. Unfortunately, there have been hits. As of now, there are power outages in several regions. Power engineers are working to restore power supply as soon as possible." Details: As of 09:00-10:00, the Air Force reported that missiles were flying toward different regions of the country, including the cities of Kryvyi Rih and Kremenchuk. The all-clear was given at 10:21. Nevertheless, the threat of drone attack remains relevant for Kharkiv Oblast. Firefighters dealing with the aftermath of the Russian attack on Christmas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Ukrainian State Emergency Service in Donetsk Oblast Firefighters dealing with the aftermath of the Russian attack on Christmas Photo: Ukrainian State Emergency Service in Donetsk Oblast Background: Ukraines Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko reported that Russian forces were conducting a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy system. During an attack on 25 December, Russian forces targeted thermal power plants belonging to Ukraines largest energy company DTEK, causing severe damage to the power plants equipment. Russian forces struck the Prykarpattia region during the large-scale attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure, leaving parts of the region without electricity. Explosions were reported in the cities of Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Samar and Kamianske. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed ballistic missile strikes on the city, with three casualties reported in the Saltivskyi district, two of them in a serious condition. Hits were also recorded in the Kyivskyi district. Support UP or become our patron! Stories of China's major-country diplomacy: Chancay Port serves as bridge between South America and Asia 15:31, December 25, 2024 By Gonzalo Rios ( People's Daily Online Before joining the Chancay Port project, I worked for over 40 years in government departments in Peru. I was familiar with the pragmatic cooperation between China and Peru and hoped for an opportunity to personally participate in a major national project. In 2019, I received an invitation to join the Chancay Port project, and my life took a new direction. Gonzalo Rios (Photo/Qiu Yan) This year, I was on site to witness the port's opening and to see Peru-China pragmatic cooperation enter a new stage. On the evening of Nov. 14, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte attended the opening ceremony of the Chancay Port in the Government Palace in Lima, Peru, via video link. Members of my team and I were present during the ceremony at Chancay Port. After the two heads of state jointly issued the command to open the port, operations began in the evening. The towering quay cranes lifted cargo in a well-coordinated manner, while the COSCO Shipping Peru and the Xin Shanghai, two container ships operated by China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited (COSCO Shipping Group), began unloading and loading operations, respectively. Farmers harvest blueberries at a farm in Trujillo, Peru. (People's Daily/Yan Huan) Meanwhile, another vessel of COSCO Shipping Group, named the COSCO Tengfei, slowly sailed away from the dock, sounded its horn as it embarked on its voyage. At the same time, autonomous container trucks moved effectively around the port. No words can fully capture how I felt at that moment. Every effort we made over the past five years had been for this moment. The cooperative blueprint jointly charted by China and Peru was finally becoming a reality. It is very inspiring and encouraging to see such a modern port take shape in just a few years, President Xi said in his speech at the opening ceremony. "From Chancay to Shanghai, the Belt and Road Initiative is bearing fruit in Peru before our eyes. A new Asia-Latin America land-sea corridor for the new era is taking shape," President Xi said. Photo shows students taking a computer class at a school in Colombia. (People's Daily/Wang Yuan) The opening of Chancay Port is a historic moment that all the people of Peru are proud of. The recognition from both heads of state and their praise for the builders filled me with honor and gave me great confidence in the future of the port. I believe this port will serve as a bridge for exchanges between two ancient civilizations and deepen the friendship between the peoples of China and Peru. As a barren beach was transformed into a modern port, the blueprint for China-Peru cooperation has slowly unfolded. The port shortens shipping time from Peru to China to just 23 days, cutting logistics costs by more than 20 percent, and generates $4.5 billion in annual revenue for Peru. These figures demonstrate the immense development potential of Chancay Port. The Peruvian government is considering establishing a special economic zone around the port, which will inject new vitality into regional economic development. Since the construction of Chancay Port began, the project has not only created over 8,000 direct jobs, but has also spurred development in surrounding areas, improving the lives of countless families. Chancay Port carries my dreams as well as the dreams of many other Peruvians. It embodies the hard work of the builders from both China and Peru. As a member of this historic project, I will continue working hard to ensure the port's successful operations, turning it into a cornerstone that will truly change the region's economic landscape. Vessel COSCO SHIPPING Thames arrives at Chancay Port, Peru, Dec. 20, 2024. (Photo/Qiu Yan) I am confident that the route "from Chancay to Shanghai" will become a road of prosperity for promoting the shared development of China, Peru, and Latin America, bringing opportunities and hope to more people. I firmly believe that Chancay Port is not just a port; it is a bridge and a link that connects South America and Asia more closely. "The completion of Chancay Port will enable Peru to put in place a multi-dimensional, diverse and efficient network of connectivity spanning from coast to inland, from Peru to Latin America and further on to the Caribbean. It will also help build an Inca Trail of the New Era with Chancay Port as its starting point, thus boosting the overall development and integration of the region," President Xi said in his signed article published in Peruvian media outlet El Peruano. President Xi's grand vision deeply inspired me. Since Phase I of the Chancay Port project was completed, more and more businesses from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and other countries have come to seek cooperation, hoping to export more high-quality products to China via the port. Every time I hear entrepreneurs describe their aspirations, I feel proud of the work we are doing, because this is exactly why we built this port. (Gonzalo Rios is deputy general manager of COSCO Shipping Ports Chancay Peru. The article is compiled by People's Daily reporter Song Yiran based on an interview with him.) (Web editor: Hongyu, Zhong Wenxing) Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the West Bank on Wednesday, the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry said in a press statement. Rayan Bani Odeh, 17, died from critical injuries he sustained in the airstrike on the town of Tamoun, south of Tubas, according to the ministry. An Israeli drone targeted a group of young men in the town with a missile, according to local sources and eyewitnesses. The Israeli army has not commented on the incident yet. Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced in a press statement that an officer was injured when an explosive device targeting a military vehicle exploded during an ongoing military operation in the city of Tulkarm. No Palestinian group has claimed responsibility for the explosion yet. The Israeli army has been carrying out a large-scale military operation since Tuesday in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. In a press statement, Rawhi Fattouh, head of the Palestinian National Council, condemned the ongoing "crimes" committed by the Israeli army in the West Bank during Christmas. The West Bank has witnessed escalating tensions since Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of more than 800 Palestinians from Israeli gunfire and airstrikes, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Israeli military vehicles are seen during an Israeli raid in the Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) A Palestinian man stands in front of Israeli military vehicles during an Israeli raid in the Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Palestinians mourn a victim killed by the Israeli army at a hospital in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) A Palestinian woman mourns a victim killed by the Israeli army at a hospital in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) A Palestinian boy mourns a victim killed by the Israeli army at a hospital in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People are seen on a street after an Israeli military operation in Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 26, 2024. The Israeli army has been carrying out a large-scale military operation since Tuesday in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) People are seen on a street after an Israeli military operation in Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 26, 2024. The Israeli army has been carrying out a large-scale military operation since Tuesday in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) A man is seen inside a building after an Israeli military operation in Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 26, 2024. The Israeli army has been carrying out a large-scale military operation since Tuesday in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) A woman sits outside a building after an Israeli military operation in Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 26, 2024. The Israeli army has been carrying out a large-scale military operation since Tuesday in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) People are seen outside a building after an Israeli military operation in Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 26, 2024. The Israeli army has been carrying out a large-scale military operation since Tuesday in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) People are seen on a street after an Israeli military operation in Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 26, 2024. The Israeli army has been carrying out a large-scale military operation since Tuesday in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) A man is seen inside a building after an Israeli military operation in Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 26, 2024. The Israeli army has been carrying out a large-scale military operation since Tuesday in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) People are seen on a street after an Israeli military operation in Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, on Dec. 26, 2024. The Israeli army has been carrying out a large-scale military operation since Tuesday in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua) Christmas is a beloved holiday celebrated worldwide, marked by joyous traditions, festive decorations, and heartwarming stories. Central to this holiday are three significant figures: Jesus Christ, the religious cornerstone of Christmas; Santa Claus, the mythical bearer of gifts; and Christmas itself, the annual celebration on December 25th. While these elements might seem distinct, their histories and meanings are interwoven, creating the rich tapestry of modern Christmas celebrations. Lets explore their connections. Jesus Christ: The Heart of Christmas Christmas derives its name from "Christ's Mass," a Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. According to Christian belief, Jesus was born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago as the Messiah and Savior, fulfilling ancient prophecies. His birth story, told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, includes iconic elements such as the Virgin Mary, Joseph, the star of Bethlehem, and the visit of shepherds and wise men. For Christians, Jesus is the central reason for Christmas. The holiday is a time to reflect on his teachings of love, compassion, and salvation. The traditions of attending midnight Mass, setting up nativity scenes, and singing carols are all rooted in celebrating his birth. Santa Claus: The Symbol of Joy and Generosity Santa Claus, with his red suit, sleigh, and bag of gifts, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Christmas. His origins trace back to Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Myra (modern-day Turkey) known for his generosity and love for children. Stories of Saint Nicholas giving secret gifts inspired the legend of Santa Claus. Over centuries, cultural influences shaped Santa into the jovial figure we know today. The Dutch brought "Sinterklaas" to America, which evolved into Santa Claus. The 19th century solidified his image through poems like A Visit from St. Nicholas (commonly known as The Night Before Christmas) and illustrations by artists like Thomas Nast. Santa embodies the spirit of giving, which aligns with the Christian value of selflessness celebrated during Jesus birth. Christmas: Bridging Faith and Festivity The celebration of Christmas merges Christian traditions with pre-Christian and secular practices. Early Christians chose December 25th to honor Jesus' birth, coinciding with pagan winter solstice festivals, which symbolized hope and renewal. This timing helped convert pagan communities to Christianity while preserving joyous winter celebrations. Santa Claus became a key figure in making Christmas accessible to people of all beliefs. His secular appeal allowed the holiday to extend beyond religious observances, focusing on universal values of kindness, family, and generosity. How Are They Connected? The connections between Christmas, Jesus, and Santa Claus lie in shared themes: Love and Giving: Jesus' teachings emphasize love for others, which Santa Claus mirrors through his gift-giving. Hope and Joy: The nativity story brings hope to the world, just as Santas arrival brings joy to children. Universal Appeal: While Jesus is central to Christian celebrations, Santa Claus helps Christmas transcend religious boundaries, making it a cultural and global phenomenon. Together, they make Christmas a time of reflection, joy, and connection, uniting people across the world in shared celebration. Whether you find meaning in the nativity story, the magic of Santa Claus, or the warmth of togetherness, Christmas offers something special for everyone. (This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.) Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and President of JKPDP, Mehbooba Mufti paid glowing tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary, remembering him as a statesman who transcended ideological boundaries to address the nations most complex challenges, particularly those faced by Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti praised Vajpayees tenure as Prime Minister, calling it a golden period for Jammu and Kashmir, where his vision of humanity (Insaniyat), democracy (Jamhuriyat), and Kashmiryat (Kashmiri Sentiment) shaped his approach to resolving the regions issues. Despite his ideological background, Vajpayee Ji rose above partisan politics and extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan, even in the face of immense hostility. His belief that neighbors cannot be changed, but relations can be reimagined was a testament to his statesmanship, Mehbooba Mufti said. The former Chief Minister highlighted how Vajpayees outreach to Pakistan, including the historic Lahore bus journey in 1999 and subsequent peace initiatives, laid the groundwork for building trust and reducing tensions in the subcontinent. His courage to pursue dialogue, even after the Kargil War and numerous terror attacks, showed his unwavering commitment to peace. It was Vajpayee Jis leadership, coupled with Mufti Mohammad Sayeeds critical understanding and advocacy, that led to historic confidence-building measures in Jammu and Kashmir, she added. Mehbooba Mufti credited Mufti Mohammad Sayeeds role in persuading Vajpayee to take bold steps that broke the ice and initiated a new era of hope for the region. She recalled how Vajpayee, with Sayeeds insights, facilitated people-to-people contacts across the Line of Control (LoC), initiated a ceasefire, and emphasized reconciliation as the only way forward. Vajpayee Jis approach mirrored the pragmatic yet humane vision of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. He believed in healing wounds, fostering trust, and creating opportunities for dialogue. His policies provided a beacon of hope for Jammu and Kashmir, showing how leadership rooted in empathy and foresight can bring transformative change, Mehbooba said. She further stressed the need for similar leadership today to lift the people of Jammu and Kashmir out of decades-long violence and uncertainty. We need leaders who can rise above divisive politics, inspire confidence, and bridge divides not just within the region, but across the subcontinent. Vajpayee Jis legacy reminds us that Jammu and Kashmir can serve as a bridge of peace, not a battleground for discord, Mehbooba said. Ms. Mufti paid her heartfelt tribute to Vajpayee, remembering him as a towering leader whose vision continues to inspire. She reiterated her fathers pivotal role in shaping a narrative of reconciliation during Vajpayees tenure, a partnership that remains an enduring example of how collaboration and vision can transform even the most challenging situations. Delhi News: In a shocking incident, a man tried to end his life by setting himself on fire near Parliament in the national capital on Wednesday. He was rushed to RML hospital. Briefing about the incident, Delhi Police said the local police and railway police, along with some civil persons immediately extinguished the fire. Delhi | A man has tried to commit suicide by setting himself on fire near Parliament. He has been taken to RML hospital: Delhi Police More details awaited December 25, 2024 "Today one person, probably Jitendra of Uttar Pradesh's Bagpat, set himself on fire in roundabout Rail Bhavan. The local police and railway police, along with some civil persons immediately extinguished the fire, and the person was sent to the hospital. The issue, as we can decipher, is probably related to personal enmity in Bagpat. Further investigation is on," officials said, as quoted by news agency ANI. Today one person probably Jitendra of Uttar Pradesh's Bagpat set himself on fire in roundabout rail Bhavan. The local police and railway police along with some civil persons immediately extinguished the fire and the person was sent to hospital. The issue as we can decipher is ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2024 Speaking about the incident, Special CP Law and Order Madhup Tiwari said that the man was identified as Jitendra Kumar. He is a resident of Baghpat district in Uttar Pradesh. He also said that the man decided to take this extreme step due to a rivalry case in which he was not getting justice. "In the afternoon at around 3:30 pm, a man set himself on fire and the policemen deployed there extinguished the fire and he was immediately sent to RML Hospital for treatment in a police vehicle. We have found many documents from him and our officers have also spoken to him, which revealed that the name of this youth is Jitendra Kumar, he is 26 years old and is a resident of Baghpat district. He has an old rivalry case going on and he has alleged that he is not getting justice in it and the police is supporting the other party... We have contacted the hospital administration and we spoke to their senior doctors and said that he should get the best possible treatment so that we can save his life," Tiwari said. New Delhi: The Delhi governments Women and Child Development (WCD) department has clarified that the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana,' announced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the 2025 assembly elections, is not an officially notified scheme. In a public notice, the department stated that any individual or political party collecting information or forms for the so-called 'Mahila Samman Yojana' is committing fraud. "The Delhi Government has notified no such scheme," the notice read. The department also emphasized that since this scheme does not exist, there is no question of accepting forms or applications. It warned the public against sharing personal details such as bank account information, voter IDs, or phone numbers with unauthorized individuals, as it could lead to fraud or data breaches. Citizens were urged not to fall for false promises related to this scheme and to remain cautious about sharing sensitive information to avoid being misled. After the notices were issued, Arvind Kejriwal criticized the BJP-led central government. He claimed that the Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana had unsettled them. "They plan to arrest Atishi ji in a fake case soon. Before that, senior AAP leaders will face raids," he wrote on X. This clarification comes after AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday that registration for the 'Mahila Samman Yojana,' which claims to offer Rs 2,100 per month to women in Delhi, would start on December 23. He said teams had been formed to assist women in registering for the scheme and receiving cards. Last year, the Supreme Court decided that the Delhi government would have control over services in the capital. However, the Centre later passed an ordinance, followed by a law, to change this decision. The new law created the National Capital Civil Services Authority, which includes the Chief Minister, the Delhi Chief Secretary, and the Principal Home Secretary. This Authority advises the Lieutenant Governor on transfers, postings, and disciplinary actions for officials. Since the Chief Secretary and Principal Home Secretary are appointed by the Centre, they can easily overrule the Chief Minister. JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli soldiers opened fire on a gathering of protesters and injured at least three civilians in southern Syria, including a child, Israeli and Syrian sources said Wednesday. According to Syrian media reports, Israeli troops opened fire on a group of civilians who were gathering in the Quneitra area to protest Israel's seizure of Syrian territory in the Golan Heights. Meanwhile, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on social media platform X that "several gatherings were identified in the area of southern Syria, with individuals approaching IDF (the Israel Defense Forces) forces operating in the region." The forces called on the protesters to move away and then "responded with warning shots," he said, adding that the Israeli military was aware of reports of casualties and was investigating into the incident, and that its deployment in the area "will continue." Earlier in December, the Israeli military seized the UN-monitored demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, where it claimed to expand settlements, a move that drew widespread international condemnation. NASA recently shared a festive update on the astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station, showcasing Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore dressed in Santa hats and other holiday-themed accessories. After celebrating Thanksgiving in space with their colleagues, the duo is now preparing a grand Christmas and New Years menu to enjoy away from home during the holiday season. Originally planned as an eight-day mission, Williams and Wilmores journey has faced numerous delays and setbacks, extending their stay in space to nearly a year, with their revised rescue mission now scheduled for Spring 2025. These prolonged challenges have turned updates about the astronauts' lives into hot topics online, often fueling heated debates and conspiracy theories, including earlier concerns about significant weight loss. Did they take Santa hats with them before they launched, a user commented online. Or did they knit them while they are there? Another person, enraged with doubt, added, "Luckily, they had the foresight to bring Christmas decorations with them." To everyone on Earth, Merry Christmas from our @NASA_Astronauts aboard the International @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/GoOZjXJYLP NASA (@NASA) December 23, 2024 She looks like a starved skeleton, are they testing how long it takes to dye if the supply ships from earth stop coming, wrote a user. Another user claimed the astronauts were actually in a film studio instead of being in space. LMAO they have the Christmas gear cause its all filmed at the Olympic pool at NASA HQ," wrote an another individual. What Did NASA Say? NASA confirmed to the New York Post that the Santa hats, along with other festive decorations, special gifts for the ISS crew, and their Christmas meals, were included in a three-ton SpaceX shipment delivered in late November. The International Space Station receives supply deliveries several times a year. This particular shipment featured traditional holiday foods such as ham, turkey, potatoes, vegetables, pies, and cookies, in addition to mission-specific and scientific equipment. NASA also utilized some extra space to send festive items, including the Santa hats and a small Christmas tree, to bring holiday cheer to the astronauts. New Delhi: Delhi Airport authorities issued an advisory on Wednesday, warning passengers that flights not compliant with CAT III standards could experience potential disruptions due to low visibility conditions. In a post on social media platform X, the authorities stated, "While landings and take-offs continue at Delhi airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may be affected." The authorities also requested passengers to contact the concerned airline for updated flight information. "Passengers are requested to contact the airlines for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted," the post added. CAT III, or Category III, is an approach system that allows flights to land safely during poor visibility conditions and ensures operational functionality for compliant flights. Visibility in the city was recorded at 100 meters due to dense fog at 5:30 am. Meanwhile, Indigo airlines also issued an advisory for the passengers travelling from Delhi and stated that the low visibility and fog like conditions could impact the flight schedules. "#6ETravelAdvisory : A blanket of fog wraps Delhi's cold winter morning and may impact flight schedules. If you or your loved ones are travelling, we recommend checking the flight status before heading to the airport. Safe travels," the post read. The airline advised passengers to keep an eye on their flight status and plan their journeys to the airport with extra time to ensure smooth travel. "We recommend keeping a close eye on your flight status and planning your journey to the airport with additional time to ensure smooth travels," the post said. This comes after the national capital witnessed moderate rainfall and a severe cold wave, further intensifying the winter chill. On December 19, authorities had also issued an advisory, urging passengers to contact their concerned airlines for updated flight information before traveling. "Low visibility procedures are still in progress at Delhi Airport. However, there has been no impact on flight operations. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information," a post said. New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Wednesday lashed out at the Aam Aadami Party (AAP) after Delhi government's Women and Child Development Department put up a public notice stating that no welfare scheme announced by Arvind Kejriwal for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections had been officially notified. The Delhi departments clarification came after Kejriwal announced Sunday that registration for the 'Mahila Samman Yojana' will begin on December 23. The scheme promises Rs 2,100 per month to women in Delhi. Kejriwal had further added that teams are set up to help women register and obtain cards. BJP Slams Kejriwal, AAP Government Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva accused Arvind Kejriwal of misleading the public and promoting a "non-existent scheme." Sachdeva alleged, "Arvind Kejriwal is leading the people of Delhi towards digital fraud. There is an AAP government in Delhi, and their own department is issuing a warning to the public that no such scheme exists. Arvind Kejriwal is cheating the people of Delhi. This is Atishi vs Arvind Kejriwal." BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused Delhi CM Atishi and Arvind Kejriwal of cheating the people of Delhi. He told ANI, There is no such proposal and no such plan. Arvind Kejriwal has stooped so low that he is cheating the people of Delhi. Now it is coming to light that money can be withdrawn from the accounts of those who are signing. Why is Atishi silent, she is the Chief Minister." He added that the Delhi is shocked by the news that the WCD department had to release advertisement to make the citizens aware of the ongoing fraud. He has been exposed, said UP Minister Sanjay Nishad adding that Kejriwals magic has finished. Union Minister Harsh Malhotra accused Arvind Kejriwal and his leaders of consistently misleading the people of Delhi. He said, "They promised 500 schools in 2015 but failed to open them. They also promised 20 hospitals and 20 colleges, which has been proven false." Malhotra further criticized the 'Mahila Samman Yojana,' saying, "Initially, they promised Rs 1000, then changed it to Rs 2100. If someone is supposed to receive Rs 1000 in their account, their account number should be collected securely on the Delhi government website, not on a physical form. This could lead to a major fraud, including a cyber fraud." AAP Hits Back Over Fraud Allegations Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Arvind Kejriwal responded Wednesday to a notice from the Women and Child Development Department (WCD). The notice stated that the welfare schemes launched by Kejriwal have not been notified by the Delhi government and are "non-existent." In a post on X, Kejriwal claimed that the BJP is upset by the 'Mahila Samman Yojana' and 'Sanjeevani Yojana.' "These people are badly upset by the Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana. They have planned to arrest Atishi ji in the next few days by making a fake case. Before that, raids will be conducted on senior AAP leaders. I will hold a press conference on this today at 12 o'clock," he said. Reacting to the allegations, AAP MP Sanjay Singh told the news agency, "Why is there so much hatred? Action will be taken against officers on whom pressure was put by BJP to release this notice. The public will not believe the lies spread by BJP." (With ANI inputs) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying that Babasaheb Ambedkar guided India's water conservation efforts, but the saffron party never gave Babasaheb credit for these water conservation initiatives. The Prime Minister said that where there is good governance, both current challenges and the future are given attention. In a no-holds-barred attack on Congress, PM Modi said that in whichever state Congress government is there, good governance is not possible. Addressing a public rally in Madhya Pradeshs Khajuraho today, PM Modi said, "Unfortunately, Congress governments ruled the country for a long time, believing that governance was their birthright, but they were never truly connected to governance. Where Congress is, governance cannot happen." "In the past, Congress governments were experts in making announcements, but people never benefited from them. Congress governments neither had intentions nor the seriousness to implement plans. Today, we are witnessing the benefits of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Farmers in MP are receiving Rs 12,000 through this scheme. In MP, there is the Ladli Behna Yojana, and if we hadn't opened bank accounts for women, could this scheme have been successful?" he said. The Prime Minister also highlighted that for generations, farmers in Bundelkhand have struggled for a drop of water. He further emphasized that even today, the Central Water Commission owes its existence to Ambedkar's efforts, but Congress never gave Babasaheb credit for these water conservation efforts. "These conditions arose because Congress never thought about permanent solutions to the water crisis. After the country gained independence, the first thing that was done was Jal Shakti, and who thought about it? The truth was suppressed. was it kept hidden and in the intoxication of giving credit to one person? After the country gained independence, it was the vision of a great leader, Babasaheb Ambedkar, that guided India's water resources and water conservation efforts. Even today, the Central Water Commission owes its existence to Ambedkar's efforts, but Congress never gave Babasaheb credit for these water conservation efforts," PM Modi said. "When Atal ji's government came to power, they worked seriously to solve water-related challenges, but after 2004, Congress dismantled those efforts. Today, our government is focusing on river-linking projects," the Prime Minister said. Speaking on the 100th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Prime Minister said that it is an inspiring day for all. "Today marks the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Atal ji. For years, he has taught many activists like me. Atal ji's contribution to the country's development will always remain etched in our memories. In Madhya Pradesh, the construction of over 1100 Atal Gram Seva Sadans is starting today, and the first installment for this has already been released. This will give a new momentum to rural development," he said. PM Modi also emphasized that good governance is the hallmark of BJP governments. Hailing the saffron party, the prime minister said that wherever the BJP has had the opportunity to serve, the party has broken old records in the works of public welfare and development. "The people of the country have continuously elected the BJP government at the centre for the third time. In Madhya Pradesh, people are consistently choosing the BJP, and behind this, the trust in good governance is the strongest. I confidently say that whenever the BJP has had the opportunity to serve the nation, we have broken old records and achieved success in the works of public welfare and development. The success of government schemes is measured by how much they benefit the people; this is the standard of good governance," he said. (With ANI Inputs) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other party leaders paid homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary on Wednesday. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "Respectful tributes to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his 100th birth anniversary. He dedicated his life to building a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant India. His vision and mission will continue to give strength to the resolve for a Viksit Bharat." In a video message, he highlighted the significance of Vajpayee's legacy, stating, "Today, in honour of Atal Jayanti, is celebrated as 'Good Governance Day.' Good governance means when the Centre doesn't have a feeling of power but of service." He urged citizens to fulfil their responsibilities, adding, "It should be our aim to achieve our goals on this occasion of 'Good Governance Day' and in remembrance of Atalji. This is the expectation of the public, and this is the lesson Atal Bihari Vajpayee taught us." Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid homage to Vajpayee, calling him a leader who ushered in an era of development and good governance. "Atal ji made cultural nationalism a work culture and always kept the country's security and public welfare paramount. He made the BJP popular with the masses with his purity and self-restraint in political life. Like the Pole Star, Atal ji will continue to guide the countrymen on the path of national service till eternity," Shah wrote. BJP President and Union Minister J.P. Nadda, in his tribute, lauded Vajpayee's contribution to Indian politics. "Revered Atal Ji gave new heights to the tradition of integrity and service in Indian politics. His contribution to establishing the country as a global superpower is unforgettable," Nadda wrote. He further described Vajpayee's life as "an inspiration" and extended greetings on 'Good Governance Day,' stating that the day reflects Vajpayee's dedication to all-round national development. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also joined in paying tributes, referring to Vajpayee as "a pillar of independent Indian politics." "Atal ji set new standards in both politics and diplomacy, working throughout his life with the resolve to build a strong and prosperous India," Singh wrote, adding, "His significant contribution to India's progress cannot be appreciated enough. Today, on his 100th birth anniversary, I pay my humble tribute to him." Vajpayee, remembered as a statesman and visionary leader, served as India's Prime Minister three times and played a pivotal role in shaping modern India. His leadership continues to inspire millions across the country. Himachal Snowfall: Shimla and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, along with parts of Jammu and Kashmir, have been blanketed in fresh snowfall. Temperatures have plunged below freezing, creating a white wonderland. While tourists rejoice in the Christmas holiday charm, the snow has caused trouble for vehicles in the region. At least four people died in accidents during the past 24 hours and several other sustained injuries, according to PTI. Heavy snowfall hit Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, and higher areas of Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, and Sirmaur districts. Over 223 roads, including three national highways, remain shut. Key routes like the Attari-Leh highway, Sanj-Aut in Kullu, and Khab Sangam-Gramphoo in Lahaul-Spiti are closed to traffic. Hotel occupancy in Shimla has crossed 70%, PTI reported MK Seth, president of the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders' Association as saying. He stated that snowfall boosted room bookings by 30 percentage points. A total number of 145 routes are closed in Shimla, followed by 25 in Kullu district and 20 in 20 in Mandi. Some regions are facing electricity issues as 356 transformers stopped working amid heavy snowfall, the State Emergency Operation Centre said. Authorities rescued tourists stranded in around 500 vehicles by late Monday, said Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue and Disaster) Onkar Sharma. He urged tourists to follow advisories issued by the district administration and police. Sharma also advised them to heed local suggestions and avoid driving in snowy conditions. Social media is abuzz with images of snow-covered Shimla and Manali. The MeT department has forecasted rain and snow at isolated places in some parts of the state and Shimla in particular from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, with increased downpour expected on Saturday. Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh expressed hope that the snowfall will boost tourism. He said that the department is ready to handle the increased tourist influx expected mostly in Shimla, Kullu-Manali and Dalhousie. A total of 268 machineries, including two snow blowers, have been deployed to clear the roads, Singh added. Khadrala recorded the highest snowfall at 24 cm, followed by Sangla with 16.5 cm. Shillaro received 15.3 cm, while Chopal and Jubbal registered 15 cm each. Kalpa saw 14 cm, Nichar 10 cm, Shimla 7 cm, Pooh 6 cm, and Jot 5 cm. (With PTI inputs) Actor Allu Arjun and the makers of 'Pushpa' announced a financial aid of Rs 2 crore on Wednesday for the family of the woman who died in a stampede during the film's screening on December 4 at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. Allu Arjun will contribute Rs 1 crore, while the Pushpa production company, Mytri Movie Makers, and the films director, Sukumar, will each donate Rs 50 lakh to support the family. Allu Arjun's father and veteran producer Allu Aravind visited a private hospital where a boy injured in the stampede is undergoing treatment. He expressed relief after speaking to the doctors, who informed them that the boy is recovering and can now breathe on his own. On December 4, a 35-year-old woman died in a stampede at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the screening of 'Pushpa 2' and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised. Meanwhile, Telangana State Film Development Corporation (FDC) chairman and prominent producer Dil Raju announced that a delegation of film personalities would meet Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday to promote healthy relations between the government and the film industry. Following the incident, a case was registered against Allu Arjun, his security team and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on a complaint by the deceased woman's family. Earlier on December 13, Pushpa 2 actor was arrested by the city police in connection with the death of the woman. The Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day, and he was released from prison on the morning of December 14. (With PTI inputs) Washington: Legal troubles surrounding actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni are intensifying as he faces a breach of contract lawsuit filed by his former publicist, Steph Jones. A lawsuit, lodged in New York State court this week, follows allegations of sexual misconduct made by Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' co-star, Blake Lively, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Baldoni, who both directed and starred in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel 'It Ends With Us', had entered into a one-year contract with Jones' PR firm, Jonesworks, at a rate of USD 25,000 per month, as per The Hollywood Reporter. However, in August, just as the film was released theatrically, Baldoni reportedly severed ties with Jonesworks and moved his business to a new PR firm founded by his former publicist, Jennifer Abel. The lawsuit filed by Jones accuses Baldoni of breach of contract, but it also names Abel and fellow publicist Melissa Nathan as conspirators in a broader effort to damage Jones' professional reputation, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Jones claims that after Baldoni's departure, the publicists, along with Baldoni, engaged in a smear campaign against Lively. According to the lawsuit obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, the campaign was orchestrated as retaliation after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of 'It Ends With Us'. In Lively's complaint, filed with the California Civil Rights Department on December 23, she described how Baldoni and his team allegedly engaged in a "social manipulation" effort to ruin her reputation. This was supposedly done in response to her claims of sexual harassment by Baldoni, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Lively's legal team obtained evidence, including text messages, which were allegedly exchanged between Abel, Nathan, and Baldoni. The communications, presented in Lively's suit, suggest a coordinated effort to "bury" Lively's allegations to prevent a public scandal. Baldoni has strongly denied the accusations made by Lively, calling them "shameful" and "categorically false." In a statement, Baldoni labelled the claims as "serious and defamatory" and vehemently rejected any wrongdoing by him or the film's production company, Wayfarer Studios, as per The Hollywood Reporter However, the legal drama does not end with Lively's allegations. The breach of contract lawsuit filed by Jones claims that Abel, who had plans to leave Jonesworks, took steps to undermine the firm while simultaneously attempting to take its clients. Jones further alleges that Nathan encouraged Abel's departure and that this concerted effort caused significant harm to Jonesworks' reputation and operations. "This scheme ultimately inflicted serious damage on Jones and Jonesworks," the lawsuit asserts, as per The Hollywood Reporter. As the legal battle unfolds, both the allegations surrounding Baldoni and the ongoing disputes between the involved parties continue to draw attention. Hyderabad: Film producer and Chairman of the Telangana Film Development Corporation, Dil Raju, has shared that Sri Tej, the victim of the Sandhya Theatre tragedy and the son of Revathi, who lost her life in the incident, is responding well to treatment and has been taken off the ventilator two days ago. Dil Raju visited KIMS Hospital in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, to meet Sri Tej's family. Speaking to ANI, he revealed that he had earlier met Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to discuss providing support to Sri Tej's family, ensuring that both the film industry and government would extend all necessary assistance. "He (the child injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premiere show of Pushpa 2) is responding and recovering... He was taken off the ventilator two days ago," said Dil Raju. Sri Tej's father, Baskar, also spoke to the media and shared a positive update, stating that his son is slowly recovering. Earlier, the producers of Pushpa 2, Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar, handed over a Rs 50 lakh cheque to the victim's family at KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad, in the presence of Telangana Minister for Roads & Buildings and Cinematography, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. The cheque was received by Revathi's husband, the father of Sri Tej, who is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Also Read: Pushpa 2 Director Sukumar Mulls Leaving Cinema Amid Stampede Controversy WATCH The tragic incident occurred on December 4, when Allu Arjun attended the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule. A large crowd gathered to see him, and the situation escalated when he waved to fans from the sunroof of his car. Revathi lost her life, and her son, Sri Tej, was injured. Following the incident, Allu Arjun was arrested and later released on bail after posting a Rs 50,000 bond. The case took another turn when the Pushpa actor was served a notice to appear for questioning in connection with the Sandhya Theatre tragedy. "The case is under investigation, and your presence is essential before the undersigned officer to elicit answers about the incident and, if necessary, to visit the scene of the offence to ascertain the true facts," read the notice issued by the Telangana Police. Actor Allu Arjun has since returned to his residence after appearing at the Chikkadpally police station in Hyderabad in connection with the incident On December 22, a group of protestors demanding justice for Revathi attacked Allu Arjun's residence. According to DCP West Zone, Hyderabad, the group arrived holding placards and shouting slogans. One individual climbed the compound wall and began throwing stones, prompting security to intervene. During the altercation, the protestors damaged flower pots and manhandled security personnel. Six individuals, claiming to be members of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU-JAC), were taken into custody and later granted bail. The incident has also sparked political controversy. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy blamed Allu Arjun for the tragedy, stating in the Assembly that police had denied permission for any event at Sandhya Theatre due to safety concerns The actor, however, dismissed the allegations, calling them an attempt at "character assassination." Mumbai: Police have managed to freeze a sum of Rs 4.65 crore out of Rs 7.5 crore lost by the Mumbai-based owner of a private company in a SIM swap cyber fraud, officials said. In the SIM swap fraud, a form of identity theft, scammers trick the network provider into linking the mobile phone number of their target to a SIM card they have in possession and access to OTPs sent by the bank to the genuine person. It is a form of account takeover where cyber crooks gain access to a victim's phone number. This allows them to assume control over the victim's mobile identity, enabling unauthorised access to personal online accounts linked to the number. The private firm owner was duped for Rs 7.5 crore by cyber fraudsters in suburban Kandivali on Monday, officials said on Tuesday. The scamsters got the access of the company's bank account with the help of SIM swipe and made multiple unauthorised transactions, an official said, adding the money was then transferred to various bank accounts in a span of a few minutes. On realising he has been cheated, the company owner dialled 1930 cyber helpline and informed about the fraud. The victim also sent an email giving details about the unauthorised transactions, he said. Officials of cyber crime branch immediately contacted the nodal officer of the bank concerned and also put the complaint on the NCCRP (National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal) simultaneously. The cyber police team managed to freeze Rs 4.65 crore out of the total amount lost by the victim within four hours of the fraud. However, most of the remaining amount was withdrawn by the fraudsters, the official said. BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- China strongly urges the United States to abandon its Cold War mentality and ideological bias, and to refrain from implementing the negative content related to China in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, a spokesperson from China's top legislature said Wednesday. Noting that both houses of the U.S. Congress passed the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2025 and President Joe Biden signed it into law, Xu Dong, spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), expressed China's strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the negative content targeting China. He criticized the NDAA for repeatedly hyping up the "China threat," advocating military support for Taiwan, suppressing China's scientific, technological and economic development, restricting China-U.S. economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges, grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, and undermining China's sovereignty, security, and development interests. China has always handled its relations with the United States in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and has always believed that the success of both countries presents an opportunity for each other, Xu said, adding that the two countries should be a boost to each other's development rather than an obstacle. The steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations is not only vital to the two peoples but also to the future and destiny of humanity, the spokesperson said. "It is inevitable that China and the United States, as two major countries, will have some differences and disagreements, but they should not undermine each other's core interests, still less engage in conflict and confrontation," Xu said, adding that the Taiwan question, democracy and human rights, China's path and system, and China's development right are red lines that cannot be challenged. "We strongly urge the United States to abandon its Cold War mentality and ideological bias, not to implement the negative articles of the NDAA concerning China, and avoid repeating mistakes on issues concerning China's sovereignty and core interests. China will take resolute measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests," Xu said. New Delhi: Beware of a new scam which is targeting mobile users. Fraudsters are now impersonating the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and sending fake voicemails. The voicemails falsely warn about your bank account being blocked due to a alleged credit card fraud. Dont fall for itPIB Fact Check has confirmed that these messages are completely bogus and should be ignored. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), PIB Fact Check exposed the voicemail as a scam. The post cautions users to stay alert: Have you received a voicemail, allegedly from the Reserve Bank of India, claiming that your bank account will be blocked due to fraudulent credit card activity? #PIBFactCheck Beware! This is a scam. What Message Does the Fake Voicemail Deliver? The voicemail falsely warns users: All bank accounts in your name will be blocked in the next two hours. For more information, please press 9. Namaste, this is Bhartiya Reserve Bankyour credit card has been involved in fraudulent activity. If users press 9, they are connected to a scammer who tries to steal sensitive information or carry out fraudulent activities. How to Stay Safe from Fake Calls - Be Alert to Unknown Calls: Be cautious when receiving calls from unfamiliar numbers or unexpected sources. Legitimate organizations typically do not request sensitive details through unsolicited calls. - Confirm the Callers Identity: If a caller claims to represent a bank, government agency, or business, verify their identity. Use contact information from the official website to confirm if the call is genuine. - Keep Personal Information Private: Never share sensitive details like bank account numbers, credit card information, passwords, or other personal data over the phone with unknown callers. - Avoid Falling for Urgent Requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into quick decisions. Stay calm, think carefully, and avoid acting in haste. - Disconnect and Report Suspicious Calls: If you suspect a call is fraudulent, end it immediately. Report such calls through platforms like Chakshu or the Sanchar Saathi portal to help authorities take action. At least 38 people were killed and 29 others survived after an Azerbaijani passenger jet flying from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, as reported by news agency Reuters. The survivors were rushed to the hospital for treatment, according to Kazakh authorities. According to Reuters, Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 had flown hundreds of miles off its scheduled route to crash on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea after what Russia's aviation watchdog said was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike. An aviation expert, however, suggested that the cause behind the crash seemed unlikely. There was no immediate explanation from officials about why it had crossed the sea, but the crash came shortly after drone strikes in southern Russia. Speaking on the crash, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said that as per the information received by him, the plane changed course due to bad weather conditions. He, however, further stated that the exact cause of the crash was unknown and must be fully investigated. This is a great tragedy that has become a tremendous sorrow for the Azerbaijani people, he said, as quoted by Reuters. In the video of the crash, the plane was seen descending quickly before bursting into flames as it hit the seashore, and thick black smoke then rising. The crash left several passengers bloodied and bruised, and they were seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that remained intact. The passengers aboard the plane included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz nationals. Earlier, an Azerbaijan airlines' passenger plane heading from Baku to Grozny crashed near Kazakhstan's Aktau airport on Tuesday. The aircraft had reportedly requested an emergency landing before the crash. The tragic incident reportedly left 42 dead, PTI reported citing Kazakhstan's emergency ministry. (With Reuters Inputs) An Azerbaijan airlines' passenger plane heading from Baku to Grozny crashed near Kazakhstan's Aktau airport on Tuesday. The aircraft had reportedly requested an emergency landing before the crash. The tragic incident reportedly left 42 dead, PTI reported citing Kazakhstan's emergency ministry. In a Telegram statement on Wednesday, the ministry confirmed the plane carried 67 people, including five crew members. Preliminary assessments indicated 25 people survived. Of these, 22 have been hospitalised. Kazakh media reported that a plane traveling from Azerbaijan's capital Baku to Grozny in Russia's Chechnya crashed at Aktau airport. Before the crash, the aircraft reportedly circled the airport several times while requesting an emergency landing before stalling and crashing. Video of the incident has surfaced on social media, showing the flight descending abnormally toward the ground. Upon touching the runway, the plane erupts into flames. WATCH Video Here: BREAKING: Azerbaijan Airlines flight traveling from Baku to Grozny crashes in Aktau, Kazakhstan, after reportedly requesting an emergency landing pic.twitter.com/hB5toqEFe2 December 25, 2024 Azerbaijan Airlines confirmed the crash in social media posts on X, Facebook, and Instagram. The posts, written in Kazakh and English, stated: "The Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight numbered J2-8243 on the Baku-Grozny route, made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) near the city of Aktau. Additional information regarding the incident will be provided to the public." FlightRadar24.com data showed the flight's last location near Aktau airport on Wednesday, December 25. The Central Asian country's emergencies ministrys statement said that the fire had been doused. The survivors are being treated at a nearby hospital, the statement added. Meanwhile, Russian news agencies reported that the plane was rerouted due to heavy fog in Grozny. Kazakh authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. They are exploring multiple possibilities, including a technical issue, according to Russia's Interfax news agency. (With Reuters inputs) Sanjeeb Wazed, son of deposed Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has accused the Muhammad Yunus led interim government of weaponising the judiciary for carrying out a political witch hunt against the Awami League leadership. Wazed's allegations, as a long post on X, came two days after the interim government on Monday said it has sent a diplomatic note to New Delhi seeking Hasina's extradition from India. Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 when she fled Bangladesh following a massive student-led protest that toppled her Awami League's (AL) 16-year regime. Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for crimes against humanity and genocide. The judges and prosecutors appointed by the unelected Yunus led regime to conduct farcical trial process through International Crimes Tribunal makes it a political witch hunt that forsakes justice and marks another ongoing onslaught to persecute Awami League leadership, Wazed said in his post on Tuesday. An IT entrepreneur, Wazed is based in the US and has been an ICT adviser in Hasina's government. The kangaroo tribunal and subsequent request for extradition comes while hundreds of leaders and activists are extrajudicially killed, framing of outrageous murder charges, illegal incarceration of thousands by law enforcement and violent attacks including looting vandalism and arson going on with impunity everyday fuelled by denial of the regime, he added. On Monday, India confirmed receiving the 'note verbale' or diplomatic communication from the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi but refrained from commenting on it. Under the provisions of the India-Bangladesh extradition treaty, extradition may be refused if the offence is one of a political character. Bangladesh's de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain said Dhaka wants Hasina back to face the judicial process. Wazed further accused that the chief prosecutor of ICT Tribunal Tajul Islam appointed by Yunus regime on December 22, despite proven records of defending war criminals, reportedly spread deliberate disinformation campaign against Hasina by claiming that Interpol issued red notice against her, and termed it as a desperate bid to extradite her and hold farcical trial to serve the interest of Dr Yunus. But the very prosecutor later altered his statement following media exposure of the outright lie and now officially sent a request to India for the extradition, Hasina's son said. We reiterate our position that every single incident of human rights violation between July and August needs to be investigated in a free and fair manner but the Yunus led regime weaponised the judiciary, and we express no confidence in the justice system, he alleged. Last month, in an address to the nation on the completion of 100 days of the interim government, Yunus said Bangladesh will seek Hasina's extradition. We must ensure justice in every killing We will also ask India to send back fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina, he had said then. Yunus, who assumed office on August 8, claimed that about 1,500 people, including students and workers, were killed while 19,931 others were wounded during the protest against the Hasina government. Later on Tuesday night, Wazed, in another post on X, termed as bogus the corruption allegations made (by the Bangladesh government) against him and his family. We have never been involved in or made money from any government projects, he said and added, It is not possible to siphon billions of dollars from a USD 10 billion project, he said. His reference was to the investigation launched by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzlement of USD 5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant (NPP). Indian companies are participating in the construction of Bangladesh's first NPP, being built by Rosatom, Russia's state-run corporation, 160 km west of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. Rosatom has already refuted the provocative statements that have appeared in the media in connection with the Rooppur NPP project. The development came two days after the High Court asked questions about ACC's inaction over the alleged transfer of USD 5 billion from the Rooppur NPP project to a Malaysian bank by Hasina, Wazed, and one more person should not be declared illegal. Wazed, in his post on X, further said: Claiming transactions are 'linked' to us is a way to make false allegations. Either the transactions come to us or they don't. I challenge the ACC to publish these so-called transactions and show they come to us. The illegitimate #Yunus regime with the #terrorist students are trying to divert attention from their failure to run the country, the total lack of law and order, economic failure, human rights, democracy and political vendetta, he added in his post on X. India has expressed concern as there have been a spate of attacks on minorities including on the Hindu community in Bangladesh in the last few months. In recent weeks, Hasina has accused the Yunus-led interim government of perpetrating genocide and failing to protect minorities, especially Hindus, since her ouster. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka two weeks back during which he conveyed to the Bangladeshi side India's concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. Bannu: At least one police personnel died in an attack carried out by terrorists in Pakistan's Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ARY News reported on Wednesday. An official said that the terrorists opened fire in jurisdiction of Ahmedzai Sub-division Wazir police station, which killed Head Constable Wazir Zada, as per ARY News. A police official told ARY News that the police Head Constable was moved to District Headquarter Hospital for post mortem. Earlier, a police personnel was killed and a polio worker was injured in an attack on Monday by unknown assailants in the Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa's Karak area. The police personnel was guarding a team conducting anti-polio drive in the Banda Dawood Shah area of Karak. Law enforcement authorities reported that extra police force were dispatched to the location, following the assailants' escape. Earlier on December 2, at least three children lost their lives as a motor shell exploded in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ARY News reported on Monday. The incident occurred in Sintanga Jani Khel area of Bannu where seminary students were playing with the shell. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police officials stated that the shell exploded in their hands killing three on the spot. At least three children were killed while five others sustained injuries on November 30 when a live mortar shell exploded in Lower Kurram Tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Five other children were critically injured in the incident, which happened in a village area of Lower Kurram Tehsil. The police said the children, all under the age of 11, were playing when they saw a live mortar shell at a mountain. The children started pelting stones at the shell which exploded, killing three of them on the spot. Earlier in September, a woman and her four children died after a mortar shell struck their home in the North Waziristan, a tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Two other family members were critically injured in the incident, which happened in the Garyom area of the district. A mortar shell hit the residence of a local tribesman named Noor Gul early in the morning. The sheer force of the impact claimed the lives of Noor Gul's wife and four children, named Resham, Janshada, Mujahid, and Noor Kalam, as per ARY News. Pakistan launched airstrikes on Taliban bases in Afghanistan on Tuesday. The strikes killed an estimated 25-30 people and destroyed training centers, according to officials. The operation targeted a mountainous region in Barmal district of Paktika province near the Pakistan border. Pakistani jets were responsible for the bombing, ANI reported citing local sources. According to media reports, Murg Bazaar village came under fire, causing severe civilian casualties and widespread destruction. However, Pakistani officials have not confirmed the strikes. Security sources linked to the military, said the operation targeted Taliban bases near the border. Reports from Khaama Press said the strikes on December 24 hit seven villages, including Laman. Five members of one family were reportedly killed. Recovery efforts are ongoing, and further investigation is needed to confirm details and assign responsibility, the report added. Afghanistan Vows Retaliation Against Pakistan The Taliban's Ministry of Defence has pledged to respond to the airstrike in Barmal, Paktika. The ministry condemned the attack and called it their legitimate right to defend their land and sovereignty. The ministry further claimed Waziristani refugees were among the victims. The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered but rather considers the defense of its territory and territory to be its inalienable right," the statement said. The airstrikes came hours after Mohammad Sadiq Pakistan's special representative for Afghanistan travelled to Kabul to discuss various matters, including strengthening bilateral trade and improving relations. In Kabul, Afghanistan's Defence Ministry also criticised Pakistan's airstrikes. They stated the bombing targeted civilians, including women and children. #BREAKING | Pakistan Airforce conducted air strikes at 4 key terrorist locations in Paktika province Afghanistan killing 20-25 terrorists. Ground sources reported continuous explosions, indicating large quantities of explosives at the sites. Key targets included Sher Zaman alias pic.twitter.com/F5nSuR87Iz Global Defense Agency (@Defense_GDA) December 24, 2024 The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers this a brutal act against all international principles and blatant aggression and strongly condemns it, the ministry said. Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been rising. Pakistan has blamed the Afghan Taliban for sheltering Pakistani militants. Recent months have seen a surge in attacks by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Pakistani forces. Taliban defense ministry spokesperson Inayatullah Khwarazmi denied Pakistans claims. He stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the airstrikes killed civilians, mainly Waziristani refugees. He mentioned that several children and other civilians were martyred and injured, but did not give official casualty numbers. Sources said at least 25-30 bodies, including women and children, have been recovered. Search operations are ongoing. Waziristani refugees are civilians displaced by military operations in Pakistans tribal regions. Pakistan claims that TTP commanders fled to Afghanistan and are sheltered in border areas by the Afghan Taliban. The Taliban deny aiding the TTP and reject accusations of collaboration. (With agency inputs) VIENTIANE, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Laos is working to enhance its tourism sector to attract more visitors and create greater opportunities for local businesses. Soutvimon, a vendor selling handicraft products in Lao capital Vientiane, is optimistic that the booming tourism industry will help create more job opportunities, promote local businesses, and bring long-term economic benefits to communities. "I believe Laos has great potential to boost its tourism industry, which will provide an opportunity for Lao people to improve their livelihoods. As more visitors come to Laos, local businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and souvenir shops are set to benefit," she told Xinhua on Wednesday. She added that the boost in tourism opens doors for her business to reach a larger audience, as foreign visitors are more likely to purchase local products and services. Laos' Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has convened a meeting to evaluate the implementation of the Visit Laos Year 2024 tourism promotion campaign, laying the groundwork for future tourism initiatives. Speaking at the meeting on Monday, Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaket emphasized the government's commitment to tourism as a vital economic sector, highlighting its role in job creation, income generation, and foreign currency inflows, all of which significantly contribute to Laos' economic and social development. Laos is formulating a plan to enhance its tourism sector, focusing on promoting high-quality tourism that meets international standards. Phengchanh, a street food vendor, said, "I believe that as tourism continues to grow, more customers will come, creating higher income and better opportunities for all local vendors like me." "At the same time, we need to focus on the quality of our products and services, because satisfied tourists could return and recommend us to others. The more tourists we attract, the more opportunities there are for businesses like mine to grow and provide employment for local people," he added. ISLAMABAD, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Wednesday expressed deep condolences over the loss of precious lives in the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Expressing his deep sorrow over the crash, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari extended condolences to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani government and the people, sharing their grief, according to a statement from the president's secretariat. Zardari also conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families, emphasizing that Pakistan stands with them during this difficult time, said the statement. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is deeply saddened by the news of the airplane crash of Azerbaijan Airlines in Kazakhstan. "Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and we wish a swift recovery of the injured. Pakistan stands with Azerbaijan in this hour of grief," the prime minister wrote on social media. An Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, according to Azerbaijan's Report News Agency. The aircraft had 62 passengers and five crew members on board. According to Kazakh authorities, at least 28 people have survived in the crash. BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya held talks here on Wednesday, reaching an agreement on promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Noting that the significance of China-Japan ties goes beyond bilateral, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Asia will be more stable when China-Japan relations are stable so that it can play a more important role in the world. Wang expressed the hope that Japan will work with China to uphold the correct orientation of the strategic relationship of mutual benefit, abide by the important consensus that "the two countries are cooperative partners, not a threat to each other," and jointly advance the sound and stable development of bilateral relations. Wang said Japan should calibrate its strategic perception, view China's development objectively and with goodwill, and pursue a positive policy toward China. Japan should honor its promises on major sensitive issues such as history and Taiwan, said Wang, calling on both sides to strengthen communication and dialogue, continue to carry out exchanges at all levels and through all channels, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and tap the potential of cooperation in emerging fields. China and Japan should also strengthen people-to-people exchanges, consolidate public support for China-Japan friendship, and properly handle disputes and differences, Wang added. Iwaya said Japan is willing to enhance mutual trust, coordination and cooperation with China, increase the positive agenda in bilateral relations, and reduce pending issues. Japan abides by the principles of the Japan-China Joint Statement, said Iwaya, noting that on historical issues, Japan expresses deep introspection and stands by an apology that was issued by then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama in a statement in 1995. Iwaya said there is huge potential for practical cooperation between Japan and China, and Japan is ready to work together to achieve more tangible results and better benefit the two peoples. Japan will further relax its visa policy and facilitate personnel exchanges between the two sides, Iwaya added. Wang reiterated China's opposition to Japan's ocean discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, stressing that Japan should fulfill its international obligations and commitments to China, establish a long-term international monitoring mechanism, and allow China to sample and test independently. A symposium is held to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of late Chinese nuclear physicist Zhu Guangya in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 25, 2024. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the symposium and met with Zhu's family before the event. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A symposium was held on Wednesday in Beijing to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of late Chinese nuclear physicist Zhu Guangya. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the symposium and met with Zhu's family before the event. At the symposium, Hu Chunhua, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, called for efforts to learn from Zhu's loyalty to the Party, patriotism, rigorous approach to academic study, and moral integrity. Zhu was one of the pioneers of China's nuclear science cause, an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and a former vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee. BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 14th National People's Congress (NPC) will open its third annual session in Beijing on March 5, 2025, according to a decision made by the NPC Standing Committee on Wednesday. The decision was adopted at the end of an NPC Standing Committee session held from Saturday to Wednesday. A Palestinian girl is seen at the site of a building destroyed in Israeli bombardment in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) GAZA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 22 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Palestinian sources said. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Civil Defense in Gaza, told Xinhua that Israeli aircraft targeted tents housing displaced persons inside the Al-Muhabban school in northern Gaza City. Civil defense crews recovered at least seven bodies and 25 injured individuals from the school following the Israeli attacks, transferring them to a local hospital, Basal said. Local sources and eyewitnesses reported that the tents caught fire and some bodies were mutilated in the bombing. The Israeli military said in a press statement that an Israeli Air Force aircraft, acting on intelligence, targeted a Hamas member in the Al-Furqan area of Gaza City. The statement claimed the military took precautions, including the use of precision munitions, aerial photographs, and intelligence, to minimize civilian casualties. In Beit Hanoun town in northern Gaza, four people were killed in an Israeli bombing of a house sheltering displaced people, while paramedics reported four more deaths in an Israeli bombardment targeting a group of Palestinians east of Jabalia. Khalil Al-Daqran, spokesperson for Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, said three bodies and dozens of wounded arrived at the hospital after a gathering east of the al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza was targeted. The Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis also reported receiving four bodies following an Israeli airstrike on a house east of the city. According to an update released by Gaza's health authorities on Wednesday, 45,361 Palestinians have been killed and 107,803 others injured since Oct. 7, 2023. The Israeli escalation followed a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israeli towns, which Israeli reports say resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 200 taken hostage. A Palestinian man is seen at the site of a building destroyed in Israeli bombardment in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) Palestinians are seen at the site of a building destroyed in Israeli bombardment in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) Palestinian children are seen at the site of a building destroyed in Israeli bombardment in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 25, 2024. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) NEW YORK, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least eight Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies have been relieved of duty amid a federal investigation into the beating of a transgender man last year in a 7-Eleven parking lot, the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday cited several law enforcement sources. Last week, nearly two years after the incident, Deputy Joseph Benza III agreed to plead guilty to one felony civil rights violation in federal court. In his plea agreement, Benza admitted that he lied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about the incident and alleged that numerous other deputies and sergeants helped obstruct the investigation and cover up the misconduct. After confirming on Dec. 18 that Benza had been taken off the job, the next day the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said "multiple" other deputies have also been relieved of duty. Sheriff's officials would not specify how many employees have been sidelined, but the report said that eight people, including several sergeants, were relieved of duty. ISTANBUL, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A new documentary offering a glimpse into everyday life in China's northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is set for an online premiere in early January, its director said on Wednesday. The half-hour film, "Seven Days in Xinjiang," was named after Turkish filmmaker Serkan Koc's week-long stay in the region. Koc told Xinhua that the film, through its portrayal of Chinese culture, offers a chance for Turkish and Chinese audiences to connect and better understand each other by discovering shared cultural elements. Koc conducted spontaneous interviews, approaching people he met on the streets, buses, and metro, as well as in markets, and recording their stories. The documentary also showcases local customs, cuisine, and traditional dances and music. NEW YORK, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The first federal anti-hazing law has been enacted by U.S. President Joe Biden, marking the end of a yearslong push by victims' families for more transparency and accountability on college campuses. The Stop Campus Hazing Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in September and the U.S. Senate this month and signed by Biden on Tuesday, requires universities to start collecting hazing statistics to include in regular public reports. "These requirements could kick in as soon as next week and impact many campus groups," reported USA Today about the development. Under longstanding federal statutes, colleges and universities must disclose crimes that occur on their campuses each year. Yet despite the sometimes violent and fatal nature of hazing, schools have never been required by the federal government to disclose statistics about how often it happens, especially within fraternities and sororities that target their new members. While nearly every U.S. state has an anti-hazing law, the measures vary in scope and impact, according to the advocacy group StopHazing. Prior attempts to put a federal law on the books have fizzled out in Congress. JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A drone launched by Yemen's Houthi forces struck southern Israel on Wednesday, causing no casualties, Israeli military and rescue service said. Warning sirens sounded in the western Lachish area and communities near the Gaza Strip following the drone incursion. The Israeli military said in a statement that the drone, after crossing into Israeli territory, was identified and subsequently fell in an open area. Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service confirmed no injuries were reported. Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile also fired by the Houthis. Sirens sounded across central Israel, sending millions to shelters as a precaution against falling debris from the interception. MDA reported that nine were injured while running for shelter. The Houthis claimed the missile attack targeted a "military facility" in Tel Aviv. They have not yet commented on the drone incident. Houthi forces have launched sporadic missile and drone attacks targeting Israel since October last year, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has responded with several large-scale airstrikes, the most recent of which occurred last week, resulting in at least nine deaths. JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Wednesday that Houthi forces in Yemen would face consequences similar to those experienced by other anti-Israel groups. "The Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas, Hezbollah, the Assad regime, and others have learned, and even if it takes time, this lesson will be understood across the Middle East," Netanyahu said in a video statement. Earlier on Wednesday, Houthi forces launched a ground-to-ground missile toward Israel for the second consecutive day. In the evening, they fired a drone, which crashed into an open field in southern Israel. Israel is reportedly weighing a new large-scale strike against Houthi forces in Yemen, following a series of retaliatory missile and drone launches attributed to the Houthis. On Tuesday, Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that the military has been preparing for a potential operation. Citing senior security officials, Kan TV said the Israeli Air Force, Military Intelligence, and Operations Directorate have been "developing significantly more aggressive plans and expanding the target database" across Yemen after the previous attack last week. Since October last year, Houthi forces have launched sporadic missile and drone attacks on Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has responded with several large-scale airstrikes, the most recent of which occurred last week, resulting in at least nine deaths. DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) said Wednesday that it had received 264 cargo wagons made by China's CRRC Qiqihar Rolling Stock Co., Ltd for the standard gauge railway (SGR) electric trains. According to a statement by TRC, the 264 cargo wagons, as part of 1,430 wagons manufactured by the CRRC for the TRC, arrived in the port of Dar es Salaam Tuesday. TRC said 200 of the delivered wagons will be for ferrying containers, with 64 for loose cargo. After offloading the cargo wagons, the corporation will undergo trial runs, first without cargo and later on with cargo, between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania. Commercial operations for the cargo wagons will start after TRC and experts from the contractors have certified the wagons for use, it added, without detailing when the trial runs will begin. On Aug. 1, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially launched passenger commercial operations of the country's SGR electric train service from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma via Morogoro. TRC Director General Masanja Kadogosa said the entire SGR project will cover 1,596 km from Dar es Salaam to the Mwanza region, and upon completion, the modern rail link will cut travel time significantly and boost economic development in Tanzania and across the region. An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 25, 2024 shows the plane crash site near Aktau, Kazakhstan. A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said. The Embraer 190 aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport. The ministry reported 28 survivors in the incident, with rescue operations ongoing. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X. (Photo by Azamat Sarsenbayev/Xinhua) ALMATY, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said. The Embraer 190 aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport. The ministry reported 28 survivors in the incident, with rescue operations ongoing. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X. According to Kazakh media reports, the passengers on board included 37 citizens from Azerbaijan, 16 from Russia, six from Kazakhstan, and three from Kyrgyzstan. The Chinese Consulate General in Aktobe confirmed to Xinhua that there were no Chinese nationals on board the plane. The initial cause of the tragedy appears to be a bird strike. The MES dispatched 52 personnel and 11 units of equipment to the site, where the aircraft was found to be on fire. The Embraer 190 aircraft is designed to carry between 96 and 114 passengers, depending on its cabin configuration. The aircraft can fly up to 4,500 km. According to FlightAware, the aircraft took off from Baku 11 minutes ahead of schedule. While flying over the Caspian Sea, it issued an emergency signal. Azerbaijani media reported that the aircraft was unable to obtain permission to land in Grozny due to fog, leading it to be redirected to Makhachkala and later to Aktau. Azerbaijan Airlines has assured that more information will be provided, while local authorities and emergency services are investigating the crash. An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 25, 2024 shows the plane crash site near Aktau, Kazakhstan. A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said. The Embraer 190 aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport. The ministry reported 28 survivors in the incident, with rescue operations ongoing. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X. (Photo by Azamat Sarsenbayev/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 25, 2024 shows the plane crash site near Aktau, Kazakhstan. A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said. The Embraer 190 aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport. The ministry reported 28 survivors in the incident, with rescue operations ongoing. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X. (Photo by Isa Tazhenbayev/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 25, 2024 shows the plane crash site near Aktau, Kazakhstan. A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said. The Embraer 190 aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport. The ministry reported 28 survivors in the incident, with rescue operations ongoing. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X. (Photo by Isa Tazhenbayev/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 25, 2024 shows the plane crash site near Aktau, Kazakhstan. A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said. The Embraer 190 aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport. The ministry reported 28 survivors in the incident, with rescue operations ongoing. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X. (Photo by Isa Tazhenbayev/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 25, 2024 shows the plane crash site near Aktau, Kazakhstan. A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said. The Embraer 190 aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport. The ministry reported 28 survivors in the incident, with rescue operations ongoing. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X. (Photo by Isa Tazhenbayev/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 25, 2024 shows the plane crash site near Aktau, Kazakhstan. A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) said. The Embraer 190 aircraft with flight number J2-8243 crashed near Aktau Airport. The ministry reported 28 survivors in the incident, with rescue operations ongoing. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members, Azerbaijan Airlines said on X. (Photo by Isa Tazhenbayev/Xinhua) COLOMBO, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives has recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals in a single year in 2024, PSM News, the official State Media of the Maldives, said on Wednesday. The PSM said that by Dec. 23, the country welcomed 1.97 million visitors, a 9-percent increase over the total arrivals in 2023. This number exceeds the previous record set in 2023, the PSM said, adding that the country had set a goal of attracting 2 million tourists in 2024. The PSM said that they expect to achieve that target by Dec. 26. To promote and diversify the tourism sector in the coming years, the national carrier, Maldivian, is scheduled to commence international flights using wide-body aircraft in January 2025, the PSM said. The inaugural flights will be to Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu in China, with plans to expand operations to various European countries, the PSM said. Over the past 12 years, the Maldives has experienced steady growth in tourist arrivals, it added. BAKU, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev extended deep condolences following a plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday. "I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane flying from Baku to Grozny. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured," Aliyev said in a social media post. Aliyev, who was en route to Russia for a summit when informed of the crash, immediately instructed his return to Azerbaijan and ordered a full investigation. A high-level delegation from Azerbaijan has departed for Aktau to oversee the investigation. Earlier, Azerbaijan's First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva also expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. The Embraer 190 aircraft, operating flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, made an emergency landing approximately three km from Aktau, said Azerbaijan Airlines. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and five crew members. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations has so far reported 28 survivors in the accident, with rescue ongoing. ANKARA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) "neutralized" a senior member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, allegedly before an attack on the Turkish forces in the region, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported Wednesday, quoting anonymous Turkish security sources. Firat Serihan, who was wanted by Turkiye, was "neutralized" in a pinpoint strike in northern Iraq's Gara region, the report said, without specifying the time frame of the operation. Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralize" in their statements to imply the alleged terrorists have either surrendered, been killed, or been captured. According to Turkish public broadcaster TRT, Serihan and other militants preparing to attack Turkish security forces in Gara were neutralized during the operation. Serihan allegedly has personally planned and directed attacks against Turkish security forces in northern Syria in 2016. He is also accused of supplying weapons and ammunition to operatives seeking to carry out attacks in the Turkish military's Pence-Kilit Operation Zone in northern Iraq. The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades. Turkiye regularly conducts military operations in northern Iraq, where the group has headquarters and hideouts. HOUSTON, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Two men were shot dead by police officers during separate traffic stops in the southern U.S. state of Alabama over the past two days, authorities said. Drew Patterson Banks, 41, was killed Monday in northern Alabama by local police officers who tried to pull him over after identifying his vehicle as stolen, said the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency in a statement. After a police pursuit on multiple highways, Banks exited the car, holding what officers believed to be a handgun, said an AP report. He was shot and pronounced dead at the scene. It was later revealed that he had been holding a realistic-looking replica firearm. On Sunday evening, Logan Tyler Swanson, 24, reportedly engaged in a physical altercation with two police officers during a traffic stop in southwestern Alabama. During the confrontation, Swanson pulled out a gun, prompting the officers to shoot, said the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit in a statement. He was also pronounced dead at the scene. NEW YORK, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Four years ago, dozens of companies denounced the invasion of the U.S. Capitol and pledged to withhold support from those who disputed the 2020 election results. Now, many of those companies are lining up to fund Donald Trump's inauguration, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported. The newspaper has identified at least 11 companies and trade associations that are backing the inauguration, which is on track to be the most lucrative ever, after earlier pledging to suspend or reconsider political-action committee donations after the Jan. 6 incident. Ford, Intuit, Toyota and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America are each giving 1 million U.S. dollars. Other major donors that made Jan. 6-related pledges include Goldman Sachs, General Motors, Bank of America, AT&T and Stanley Black & Decker, it said. For Goldman Sachs, Intuit, Toyota and PhRMA, this marks the first time in at least a decade that they are supporting an inauguration fund. After Trump supporters invaded the Capitol in 2021 to protest the results of the presidential election, dozens of companies vowed to rethink their political contributions going forward. Some paused all donations. Others suspended donations to any lawmaker who voted against certifying the 2020 electoral college results. Some simply promised to factor integrity into their donation decisions going forward. "Now, as corporate executives hurry to make inroads with an incoming president whose agenda will have sweeping ramifications for the business world, many of those pledges are a thing of the past," added the report. Description The Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas) will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 25 at 9:30 AM (Hours at 9:00 AM) at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 369 Green Avenue, East Meadow. The service will be followed by a festive Christmas brunch. All services are conducted in English and streamed on https://www.facebook.com/htocem. For more information, call 516-483-3649, email info@htocem.org, or visit www.htocem.org (including the full liturgical schedule for the Christmas and Theophany season). The parish, founded in 1924, is the first Orthodox Christian parish in the Nassau/Suffolk area and centrally located in mid-island East Meadow. Holy Trinity is a diverse community of Orthodox Christians who come from all walks of life and ethnicities, gathering in the oneness of Faith to worship God in the fullness of the Churchs liturgical life. The parish also has a strong commitment to serving others through various charities. We welcome all people seeking a community rooted in the oldest Christian Church with an emphasis on Holy Scripture, Holy Tradition, liturgical and prayer life, and traditional Christian values. Buffer ETF What if there were a better version of popular buffer ETFs that limits downside losses in exchange for a cap on upside performance? Ben Fulton, chief executive of WEBs Investments in Park City, Utah, believes he has the answer. The WEBs Defined Volatility SPY ETF (DVSP) and the WEBs Defined Volatility QQQ ETF (DVQQ), which started trading last week, essentially seek the same outcome of buffer exchange-traded funds in the form of lower price volatility. The main distinction, as Fulton explained, is that his ETFs operate without the embedded guardrails and instead target a level of volatility that is in line with the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ). The index-tracking ETFs target the historical average volatility levels of the underlying ETFs by adding volatility when it is below average and reducing volatility when it is above average. Volatility management is accomplished by increasing cash when volatility is too high and adding to the underlying ETFs exposure by as much as 200% when the volatility is too low. Taking on Buffer ETFs Our whole goal is taking existing ETFs and creating a more stable environment for investors and financial advisors who are trying to keep their clients in the markets, Fulton said. And we give investors a chance to outperform the traditional ETF. The strategy, which Fulton has back-tested going back to the financial crisis of 2008, is managing the ride investors experience by managing volatility. While a strategy that targets average volatility is technically no different than just owning SPY or QQQ, Fulton said by taking out the peaks and valleys he expects investors to have a smoother ride. We compare it to a thermostat that keeps the temperature inside your house at 70 degrees all the time, he said. We dont care what the temperature is outside as long as its 70 degrees inside. Regarding the historical average volatility of SPY and QQQ getting to the same place as his new funds, Fulton said, Thats like saying the average temperature of Park City is 60 degrees, but you wouldnt want to live outside year-round. The WEBs ETFs charge 85 basis points, and Fulton said there are more to come. You could use buffered ETFs and pay for the downside protection with upside caps, he said. Or you could go with us and not have any caps. Permalink | Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved High-yield dividend stocks often catch investors' attention -- and for good reason. When established companies maintain larger-than-average dividend payments, they can provide both substantial current income and the potential for long-term appreciation. However, unusually high yields can be a double-edged sword. Sometimes, they reflect temporary market pessimism, creating genuine value opportunities. Other times, they signal legitimate concerns about a company's ability to maintain its dividend payments in the face of deteriorating business conditions. Image source: Getty Images. In today's market, two high-profile dividend payers particularly highlight this dynamic. Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Altria Group (NYSE: MO) both offer yields well above their respective industry averages, with each stock trading at notably low forward earnings multiples. Their situations raise classic questions for dividend investors: Does the market's pessimism create opportunity, or are the risks too great? I'll examine how these two dividend heavyweights compare to determine which stock offers the better opportunity for income-focused investors today. A pharmaceutical giant in transition Pfizer, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, is known for developing breakthrough medicines and vaccines and currently yields 6.53%. This stands well above its large-cap pharmaceutical-peer average of 4.2%, while the stock trades at just 9x forward earnings. The company's payout ratio, defined as the percentage of earnings paid out as dividends, sits at 221%, so it's currently paying more in dividends than it earns. However, it's far from cutting its dividend. On Dec. 12, Pfizer's board of directors approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.43 per share, marking its 345th consecutive quarterly payment. According to CEO Albert Bourla, this increase reflects "strong financial performance, disciplined execution, and our commitment to returning value to shareholders." Several upcoming key pipeline developments in 2025 could prove critical to the drugmaker's long-term financial performance and ability to sustain its rather generous dividend program. Specifically, Pfizer is expected to release once-daily dosing data for its obesity drug candidate danuglipron early in 2025, while multiple oncology programs are set to report results next year, as well. Pfizer's ability to maintain and grow its dividend appears stronger than the payout ratio alone would suggest. While the company's transition beyond COVID-19 revenue creates near-term pressure, management's confidence in raising the dividend, combined with potential pipeline catalysts and strategic moves like the Seagen acquisition, paint a more encouraging picture for income investors. By Dan Catchpole SEATTLE (Reuters) -Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has tapped Ann Schmidt to be chief communications and brand officer in the latest executive appointment since Ortberg took over as chief executive in August. He announced her appointment on Monday in a memo to employees viewed by Reuters. Schmidt has been the interim head of communications since her predecessor, Brian Besanceney, retired on Oct. 1. In the past five years, several crises - two fatal crashes, safety and quality lapses, criminal investigations, financial losses and a seven-week-long strike - have tarnished the company's legacy. In October, Ortberg told investment analysts that Boeing has lost its iconic status and needs a "fundamental culture change." On Friday, he told employees in a memo that Chief Information Officer Susan Doniz had left the company. Dennis Eng is filling in as interim CIO. Earlier this month, Boeings chief lobbyist, Ziad Z Ojakli, left the company. In September, the head of Boeing defense, space and security, Ted Colbert, left. The division's chief operating officer, Steve Parker, was named to temporarily head BDS. Boeing's head of quality for commercial airplanes, Elizabeth Lund, is retiring this month. She was named in February to the new position of senior vice president of quality for its commercial planes, after the crisis sparked by the Jan. 5 mid-air panel blowout of a new Alaska Airlines, 737 MAX 9. Lund will be replaced by Doug Ackerman, who has served as vice president of supply chain and fabrication quality and has been involved in the company's quality improvement plan. (Reporting by Dan Catchpole in Seattle; Editing by Rod Nickel and Chris Reese) https://www.tipranks.com/news/the-fly/gms-inc-price-target-lowered-to-65-from-82-at-rbc-capital Diana Shipping (DSX) announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has extended the time charter contract with Cobelfret S.A., Luxembourg, for one of its Post-Panamax dry bulk vessels, the m/v Amphitrite. The gross charter rate is $8,750 per day for the first fifty days of the charter period and $12,100 per day for the balance period of the time charter, in each case minus a 5.00% commission paid to third parties, for a period until minimum January 1, 2026 up to maximum March 15, 2026. The new charter period is expected to commence on December 31, 2024. The Amphitrite is a 98,697 dwt Post-Panamax dry bulk vessel built in 2012. The employment extension of Amphitrite is anticipated to generate approximately $4.22 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the time charter. Don't Miss Our Christmas Offers: Discover the latest stocks recommended by top Wall Street analysts, all in one place with Analyst Top Stocks Make smarter investments with weekly expert stock picks from the Smart Investor Newsletter Published first on TheFly the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> Read More on DSX: European car and van manufacturers are urging the European Union (EU) decision-makers to clarify CO 2 regulations before the end of 2024, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). This call aims to protect Europe's competitiveness and jobs, while supporting the green transition. With stricter CO2 tailpipe limits for 2025, manufacturers risk losing 16bn ($16.63bn) if targets are not achieved. ACEA represents 16 leading European vehicle manufacturers, including BMW, Daimler Truck, Toyota Motor Europe, Stellantis, and Volkswagen. According to the ACEA, the industry remains committed to the EU's 2050 climate neutrality goal and the shift to zero-emission mobility. However, attaining tougher CO2-reduction targets requires a seamless interplay of factors beyond manufacturers' direct control. The transition must be market-driven, yet electric vehicle sales are stagnating at around 13% market share, 10 percentage points below the target, the industry body said. A clear declaration of support is vital to securing competitiveness and jobs along the value chain, it added. ACEA president Luca de Meo said: Without a clear political statement by the European Commission by the end of 2024, as also urged by the German, French, Italian and other European governments, the auto industry risks losing up to 16bn in investment capacity by either paying penalties, reducing production, pooling with foreign competitors or selling electric vehicles at a loss. Current compliance options, such as phasing-in or multi-year average compliance, do not alter CO2 targets but address market realities such as trade tensions and sluggish charging infrastructure growth. These options are already recognised in EU law and other jurisdictions. De Meo added: ACEA members have pledged 250bn into the green mobility transition and, just like everyone else, we want this to succeed. Unfortunately, the honest assessment must be that the transition is not going to plan and that sticking to legal rigidity leads to potentially irreversible damage. Legal flexibility, instead, will keep investment flowing and the transition on track. Last week, AECA reported a 1.9% decline in new car registrations in the EU for November 2024. France experienced the largest drop at 12.7%, followed by Italy at 10.8%. The German market saw a slight increase of 0.5%, while Spain recorded positive growth with a 6.4% increase. In November 2024, the market share of battery-electric cars decreased to 15%, down from 16.3% the previous year, with volumes declining by 9.5%. By David French NEW YORK (Reuters) -Buyout firm TPG's climate investment arm is in talks to acquire Altus Power, a provider of solar power to commercial property owners and residential homes, people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. If the talks between TPG Rise Climate and Altus are successful, a deal could be signed in the coming weeks, said the sources, who requested anonymity as the discussions are confidential. The transaction has yet to be finalized, the sources cautioned, adding that another suitor could also approach Altus and that it was possible that no deal with any party would be reached. Shares of Altus surged more than 23% on the news on Monday before paring some gains, giving the company a market value of nearly $650 million. Altus also had debt net of cash of about $1.1 billion as of the end of September. Stamford, Connecticut-based Altus, one of the largest owners of commercial-scale solar plants in the United States, had said in October it was working with advisers to explore options including a potential sale. Altus and TPG declined to comment. A boom in artificial intelligence and data centers has been driving power demand higher, making clean energy providers increasingly attractive to infrastructure investors. Founded in 2009, Altus operates commercial-scale solar power installations and provides energy storage and vehicle charging facilities. The company's portfolio currently produces about 1 gigawatt of power, according to its website. As of Friday's close, Altus shares had lost nearly two-thirds of their value since the company went public in 2021 through a $1.6 billion merger with a blank-check acquisition firm backed by commercial real estate giant CBRE Group, as it faced increased competition from other clean energy providers. CBRE remains the biggest shareholder in Altus with a 15.38% stake, according to LSEG data. Blackstone's energy arm, which provided $350 million in debt financing and committed $300 million in preferred equity as part of the SPAC deal in 2021, holds a 13.2% stake in Altus. In recent quarters, Altus has witnessed an uptick in fortunes as it has signed new commercial property customers, amid a surge in demand for renewable energy. For the quarter ended September, Altus posted a 30% jump in revenue to $58.7 million, with net profit up more than 26% to $8.6 million. TPG through its Rise Funds, including TPG Rise Climate, manages $19 billion of assets focused on backing companies that aim to drive social and environmental impact, according to its website. (Reporting by David French in New York; Editing by Anirban Sen and Matthew Lewis) By Pete Schroeder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Reserve said on Monday it was considering major changes to its annual bank "stress tests" in light of recent legal developments, including allowing lenders to provide comment on the models it uses, in a major victory for Wall Street banks. The Fed said it may also allow lenders to provide input on the hypothetical scenarios it uses for the annual bank health checks, and it may also average results over two years to reduce annual volatility in how much capital banks must set aside to absorb potential losses. Created following the 2007-2009 financial crisis, the tests assess whether big lenders could weather an economic shock. They are core to the U.S. capital regime, dictating how much cash lenders must put aside to absorb losses, and how much they can return to shareholders. The Fed said the proposed changes were not designed to affect overall capital requirements, but followed recent court rulings that have significantly changed the framework of administrative law in recent years. "The (Fed) Board analyzed the current stress test in view of the evolving legal landscape and determined to modify the test in important respects to improve its resiliency." In June, the Supreme Court dealt a major blow to federal regulatory power by overturning a 1984 precedent that had given deference to government agencies in interpreting laws they administer. That precedent arose from a ruling involving oil company Chevron that had called for judges to defer to reasonable federal agency interpretations of U.S. laws deemed to be ambiguous. While the 2010 Dodd-Frank law passed following the crisis broadly requires the Fed to test banks' balance sheets, the capital adequacy analysis the Fed performs as part of tests, or the resulting capital it directs lenders to set aside, is not mandated by law. Analysts have said the overturning of Chevron makes the stress tests more vulnerable to litigation. Wall Street banks and their Washington trade groups have been quietly lobbying this year to try to increase the transparency of the stress tests, according to industry sources and public records of meetings industry groups had with the central bank. Those discussions were part of a massive industry effort to water down the so-called Basel Endgame capital hikes, over which Wall Street banks had taken the unusual move of threatening to sue the Fed and the two other federal regulators working on the draft rules. Both the Basel standards and the tests help set bank capital. Major Apple supplier Foxconn Technology Group is injecting 600 million yuan (US$82 million) into a new electric-vehicle (EV) battery plant in Zhengzhou, capital of central Chinese province Henan, where it runs the world's largest iPhone factory. The company, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, on Monday announced its "long-term investment" in Foxconn New Energy Battery (Zhengzhou), which was established in October, according to a filing to the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The initial capital injection of 350 million yuan was made through Foxconn New Business Development Group, which fully owns the battery unit, it said. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The move marks the latest step by the Taiwanese giant to diversify its revenue sources with forays into EVs, semiconductors and robotics. It established the Foxconn New Business Development Group in Zhengzhou in June last year, with 1 billion yuan in registered capital, to conduct business in EV sales and battery production. The Foxtron Model B electric vehicle designed by Foxconn as part of a joint venture. Photo: EPA-EPE alt=The Foxtron Model B electric vehicle designed by Foxconn as part of a joint venture. Photo: EPA-EPE> A 70,000-square-metre headquarters for the new business is under construction in the city. Foxconn reaffirmed its commitment to Zhengzhou after its iPhone production there suffered major disruptions late in 2022, when a Covid-19 outbreak led to an exodus of factory workers. The debacle caused shipment delays for Apple during the most important time of the year for its business, prompting the Cupertino, California-based giant to accelerate the shift of some production outside China to areas including India and Vietnam. On a visit to Zhengzhou in July this year, Foxconn chairman Liu Young-way said the company "attaches great importance to cooperation with Henan" and promised to "continuously be deeply rooted" in the province. That month, the company broke ground on a "trial manufacturing centre" for EVs in Zhengzhou. Still, Foxconn has been investing in production globally outside mainland China. Its EV factory footprint includes a facility in the US state of Ohio that the company acquired from Lordstown Motors in 2022. To date, Foxconn has released several EV models, including the Model D multipurpose utility vehicle, the mid-sized electric bus Model U and the Model C family SUV. Jun Seki, head of Foxconn's EV business, said in an interview with Bloomberg in October that the company aimed to secure a 5 per cent share of global EV manufacturing by next year. The executives of Nissan Motor, Honda Motor, and Mitsubishi Motors on Monday said merger talks had begun to create the third-largest auto group in the world. - Photo: Nissan Motor (Getty Images) Nissan Motor (NSANY) and Honda Motor (HMC) have officially begun talks to merge by 2026 as Japans automakers seek an edge over tough Chinese rivals and Tesla (TSLA). On Monday, the carmakers said they would explore placing both Nissan and Honda under a joint holding company, which would create the worlds third-largest auto group by vehicle sales. Only Toyota Motor (TM), Japans leading carmaker, and Volkswagen (VWAGY), the leader in Europe, would outmatch the group by sales. The merger of Japans second and third-largest automaker would mark the biggest shakeup in the industry since 2021, when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (STLA) and the PSA Group combined to launch Stellantis, which operates over a dozen brands. If realized, I believe that by uniting the strengths of both companies, we can deliver unparalleled value to customers worldwide who appreciate our respective brands, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida said in a statement. Together, we can create a unique way for them to enjoy cars that neither company could achieve alone. Nissan and Honda may not be alone in this venture either. Theyre also considering Mitsubishi Motor (MMTOF) as a potential third partner in the venture; Nissan is the firms largest shareholder. Whether Mitsubishi will join will be announced by the end of next month, the companies said. Nissan and Honda plan to finish talks around June 2025 before establishing a holding company about a year later, with shares being delisted around that time. Honda will appoint the majority of the future firms board of directors. At this time of change in the automobile industry, which is said to occur once every 100 years, we hope that Mitsubishi Motors participation in the business integration discussions of Nissan and Honda will lead to further social change, and that we will be able to become a leading company in creating new value in mobility through business integration, Honda CEO Toshiro Mibe said in a statement. At a press conference in Tokyo on Monday, Mibe said that the rise of Chinese automakers and new players has changed the car industry quite a lot, adding that the companies need to strengthen their offerings by 2030, otherwise well be beaten. Honda and Nissan began exploring partnerships in March, although the companies said at the time that they would be focused on collaborating on electric vehicles and related components to better compete with Tesla and Chinese automakers. In August, they agreed to work together and added Mitsubishi as a potential third collaborator. In response to weak sales, Nissan said last month that it plans to slash 9,000 jobs and a fifth of its production capacity after sales dropped in China and the U.S. Honda posted a 15% decline in operating profit for its last quarter, along with a sales miss led by the Chinese market over the past nine months. Honda and Nissan pulled some production in China earlier this year, with the former scaling back its partnerships with local partners as its once-biggest market has become more competitive. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Kiyoshi Ota / Bloomberg / Getty Images Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida (left), Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe (center), and Mitsubishi CEO Takao Kato (right) discuss the planned merger of Nissan and Honda at a press conference on Dec. 23, 2024 Key Takeaways U.S.-listed shares of Honda jumped Monday morning after the Japanese automaker and Nissan announced plans to merge. The sides signed a memorandum of understanding Monday, with plans to finalize details in June 2025 and merge in August 2026. The companies said it will be decided by the end of January whether Mitsubishi will be included in the merger, while Honda also announced a new stock buyback plan. Honda's (HMC) U.S.-listed shares popped Monday morning after the Japanese automaker and Nissan announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining their plans to merge in 2026. The automakers plan to finalize the terms over the next several months and announce a definitive agreement in June 2025. A combined entity is expected to be listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in August 2026, the companies said. Mitsubishi Possibly Included; Honda Launches New Buyback Plan It's still undecided whether Mitsubishiof which Nissan holds a stakewill be included in the merger. The three companies signed a separate MOU Monday to say Mitsubishi's inclusion will be decided by the end of January 2025. Honda also announced a plan to buy back up to 1.1 trillion Japanese yen ($7 billion) worth of the automaker's own stock over the next calendar year, replacing a 100 billion yen ($636.3 million) plan announced last month. While the sides said the merger would allow them to optimize their supply chain and manufacturing process to cut costs, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe "did not address how the companies would combine their businesses to face pressing issues like shutting or streamlining factories" at a joint press conference, according to Bloomberg. Japanese regulators have not explicitly spoken about the Honda-Nissan deal, but Yoji Muto, head of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said last Friday that the government "should take a favorable view when companies cooperate to strengthen their competitiveness," The Wall Street Journal reported. Honda's U.S.-listed shares soared 15% in premarket trading Monday after entering the day down about 23% this year. Read the original article on Investopedia Relationship managers, customer due diligence officers and data analysts are some of Hong Kong's hottest jobs in the coming year, according to human resource professionals. In the current business environment, relationship managers will be one of the "hot jobs" in the financial services sector, according to Betty Lam, the head of human resources at DBS Bank in Hong Kong. Outside private banking, relationship managers are also supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. The relationship managers are especially helpful in guiding these businesses through the challenges of Hong Kong's current economic environment, Lam said. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The Singaporean bank went on a hiring spree this year, adding 106 new staffers - including 50 relationship managers. The rest support its private bankers, according to Lam. Banks in Hong Kong are looking to hire relationship managers and private bankers. Photo: Harvey Kong alt=Banks in Hong Kong are looking to hire relationship managers and private bankers. Photo: Harvey Kong> Banks like HSBC Holdings and Standard Chartered have also signalled they would focus on more profitable parts of their business, including private and corporate banking. Earlier this year, Standard Chartered said it would double the size of its wealth management team, hoping to grab a bigger piece of the growing ultra-rich segment in the region. UBS Group said it would add staff as it looks to double the assets it manages for its millionaire clients in the region over the next three to five years, while Bank of Singapore boosted staffing levels in Hong Kong by 30 per cent. "Wealth management is a growing industry, as the ultra-wealth segment matures in China," said Jerry Chang, a consultant at executive search firm Barons & Co. "Beyond that, maintaining client relations, having people skills and connections to get business," he said. "These are really the important parts of a good relationship manager, which banks today are all looking for." German lender Deutsche Bank's hiring of late has focused on investment banking, private banking and corporate banking. It has emphasised the importance of client coverage. Key skills for 2025 include language proficiency - especially Mandarin - and data analytics, according to Nishant Mihir, Deutsche Bank's head of human resources for Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Hyzon Motors Inc., a company once celebrated for its strides in the hydrogen fuel cell arena, is now at a crossroads. On Thursday, the board of directors approved, pending stockholder consent, the transfer of nearly all of the companys assets, coupled with a plan for liquidation and dissolution, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The move comes as Hyzon continues to explore strategic alternatives aimed at maximizing its business and asset values. Despite efforts since June to identify strategic paths, none have emerged as viable options, prompting the current course of action, the company said. Before officially moving forward with the dissolution, Hyzon plans to hold a special stockholder meeting to seek approval, with SEC filings expected in the near future. The company also announced it would be conducting layoffs at its Bolingbrook, Illinois, and Troy, Michigan, facilities, according to a news release. All employees at these locations received notices under the WARN Act, marking a 60-day countdown to potential layoffs if no financial lifeline materializes. Hyzons financial situation has been precarious, with recent reports indicating cash reserves and cash burn rates that forecast depletion of resources by 2024. This financial strain is exacerbated by a $25 million SEC fine related to fraud allegations over misrepresented business claims, adding to the challenges that have beleaguered Hyzon recently. While the board will continue to look for strategic alternatives and funding opportunities, it retains the option to amend or abandon the dissolution plan if circumstances permit. However, without new capital or strategic mergers, Hyzons bold attempts in the sustainable transportation sector might soon come to an end. The post Hyzon plans to liquidate business appeared first on FreightWaves. Iberdrola has finalised a 100m ($103m) green loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB), guaranteed by SACE under the Archimede scheme, to construct a new photovoltaic plant in Sicily, Italy. This marks the first collaboration between the EIB and Iberdrola backed by SACE. The plant, expected to be operational by 2025, will bolster Italy's renewable energy capacity and contribute to the European Union's climate objectives. The photovoltaic facility, spanning the provinces of Enna and Catania, will have a capacity of 242.78MWp, producing an estimated 400GWh annually. This output is sufficient to satisfy the energy requirements of approximately 154,000 Italian households. The EIB's financing will cover 70% of the project cost, with SACE's Archimede guarantee providing market conditions for up to 25 years. EIB vice-president Gelsomina Vigliotti said: "The EIB remains a key partner for Italy in the renewable energy sector. The EIB plays a key role in attracting foreign investors to the country to promote environmental sustainability, social cohesion and economic growth." SACE CEO Alessandra Ricci said: "We are proud to partner with the EIB and Iberdrola for this landmark investment in the renewable energy sector in Sicily, a project that will not only increase productivity and competitiveness but also create new job opportunities." The plant will feature advanced technologies to maximise energy efficiency while minimising ecological disruption. Moreover, the construction and operation of the plant are expected to generate employment opportunities, fostering economic growth in the local community. Iberdrola also announced the completion of the final step in acquiring 100% of its subsidiary Avangrid, securing approval from the New York regulator after receiving approvals from the federal (FERC) and Maine regulators. The acquisition was announced in May this year and approved by Avangrid shareholders in September. Once the transaction closes, Avangrid shareholders will receive $35.75 per share, and the companys shares will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. Shareholders as of 2 December 2024, will receive the proportional quarterly dividend, payable on 2 January 2025. "Iberdrola secures $103m green loan for new PV plant in Italy" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. American insurance brokerage Inszone Insurance Services has further strengthened its national footprint with the purchase of Esquire Insurance, which is based in Denver, Colorado. Financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed. Set up in 2007 by Brian Cook and Scott Ligouri, and joined by John R Thomas in January 2021, Esquire Insurance conducts business under the name Loft & Co. The company operates physical locations in three states. Initially concentrating on personal lines insurance, Loft & Co, under the guidance of John R Thomas, has branched out into commercial lines. The firm has developed a division dedicated to high-net-worth clients, offering substantial umbrella policies. The company's Coverage Link product enables collaboration with credit unions and financial institutions to provide co-branded insurance solutions and revenue-sharing opportunities. The deal is said to help Loft & Co's clients gain access to a wider array of insurance carriers and resources. Clients are assured of a smooth transition and the continued provision of customised insurance solutions. Inszone CEO Chris Walters stated: "Brian, Scott, and their team have built an innovative agency with a strong commitment to client service and technological advancement. Their approach aligns with our vision for the future, and we look forward to combining our resources to enhance service offerings and continue driving growth." Loft & Co co-founder Brian Cook said: "After navigating the rapidly changing landscape of the independent insurance industry over the past few years, we recognised the need to align with a partner who could provide the resources necessary for continued growth. Inszone has built what we were striving for, and their layered approach and appetite for the market align with our vision." Earlier this month, Inszone expanded its group benefits capabilities through the acquisition of Get Benefits Insurance Services, headquartered in Ventura County, California. "Inszone expands with acquisition of Colorado insurer Esquire" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) The transportation and logistics industry is in a constant state of flux as the market shifts and the Great Freight Recession comes to an end. Shippers should expect a more expensive pricing environment over the next several months. Despite these changing conditions, companies can remain competitive by embracing flexibility, efficiency and innovation. When the cost of doing business increases, making moves toward more efficient operating structures becomes more important than ever. No two companies are the same, and neither are their freight needs. This is especially true in todays competitive supply chain landscape. Flexibility, cost-effectiveness and reliability are no longer just nice-to-haves theyre critical to staying ahead. And multi-modal solutions are often the answer. Why Multi-Modal Matters From intermodal and Mexico to final mile and premium services, multi-modal solutions provide a strategic advantage and the flexibility needed to meet any supply chain challenge head on. Multi-modal solutions will become critical for shippers looking to move freight efficiently and cost-effectively in 2025, with flexible routes and multiple modes to choose from to help meet changing requirements. There are risks associated with not embracing this approach, including: Increased costs: Shippers may see higher costs to move their freight without the flexibility to shift transportation modes based on needs or unexpected external factors. Flexible routes and multiple modes to choose from help meet changing requirements. Supply chain disruptions: Natural disasters, geopolitical events or road closures can cause shipments to be delayed or hinder them from ever reaching their final destination. With multi-modal solutions, shippers can pivot and look for options to deliver their goods on time and safely. Lack of visibility: Tracking is a must for shipping, and partnering with a carrier that offers multi-modal solutions provides more visibility and real-time tracking data across all shipments. Inconsistent service: There are unique challenges with each mode of transportation. The learning curve for each can be steep and challenging to overcome for those who dont have experience. Selecting an experienced carrier can be the right path to success. Fortunately, Werners power lies in providing multi-modal supply chain solutions to help its customers thrive, no matter what the market is doing. We can integrate different transportation methods to provide the most efficient and cost-effective solution for your business while keeping sustainability in mind, Werner Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Eric Downing said. We tailor the right plan for your business by leveraging our comprehensive suite of solutions. Nissan and Honda have announced plans to merge by 2026 in a seismic shift for the Japanese auto industry. The two carmakers signed a memorandum of understanding that allows them to continue discussions about integration via a joint holding company, the companies announced. If Nissan and Honda are do integrate, they could become the third-largest auto group in the world, Reuters. Mitsubishi Motors, of which Nissan owns a 24% stake, will announce if the company will join the merger by the end of January. Makoto Uchida, Director, Representative Executive Officer, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Corporation, and Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President and Representative Executive Officer of Honda, react during a joint press conference on their merger talks, in Tokyo, Japan, December 23, 2024. "The rise of Chinese automakers and new players has changed the car industry quite a lot," said Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe at a press conference, citing technological trends of electrification and autonomous driving. "We have to build up capabilities to fight with them by 2030, otherwise we'll be beaten." Once the merger is complete, Honda and Nissan aim to have combined sales of $191 billion, according to Reuters. Merger could be a 'long-term strategy' play Jessica Caldwell, head of insights for auto research and news company Edmunds, previously told USA TODAY that the merger makes sense. A merger would be a long-term strategy, not a solution to any short-term challenges either company is facing," Caldwell previously told USA TODAY. "Both Nissan and Honda are positioning themselves for the future, which will be defined by electrification and autonomous technology developments that are extremely costly." With the future turning to EVs and self-driving vehicles, "its logical that smaller automakers may need to collaborate to keep pace with larger players, including rising competition from Chinese manufacturers that have entered the market aggressively," Caldwell said. Merger could face roadblock with new presidency The potential rollback of EV-friendly policies by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and merger scrutiny from the Trump Administration could pose a hurdle for the companies. The incoming president vowed to take a hard line on imported vehicles, including 25% tariffs on vehicles shipped from Canada and Mexico. Both companies currently have plants in Mexico and Honda has a plant in Canada. Trump could seek concessions from Honda and Nissan to approve any deal, auto industry officials said. During his first term, Trump threatened tariffs on Japanese vehicles. Honda and Nissan also manufacture vehicles in the U.S. Honda has 12 manufacturing plants in the U.S., where it makes automobiles, power equipment and aircraft engines. Nissan, which has three plants in the U.S., announced 9,000 global layoffs last month and a 20% production cut. US-based luxury department store chain Nordstrom has entered a definitive agreement for a private acquisition led by family members and Mexican company El Puerto de Liverpool, in a transaction valued at approximately $6.25bn. This all-cash deal will result in Nordstrom's common shareholders receiving $24.25 for each share they hold. The proposed buyout offers a significant premium of around 42% over Nordstrom's stock price as of 18 March 2024. Additionally, a special dividend of up to $0.25 per share is planned, dependent on the transaction's completion. Nordstrom Board, with Erik and Pete Nordstrom abstaining, has given unanimous approval to the transaction, following a unanimous recommendation from an independent special committee. This committee, formed in February 2024, was tasked with evaluating the transaction after the Nordstrom family expressed interest in a potential buyout. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, contingent upon regulatory approvals and the consent of two-thirds of common stockholders, excluding the Nordstrom family, Liverpool, their affiliates, and company insiders. Funding for the transaction will be a mix of equity from the Nordstrom family and Liverpool, cash from Liverpool, a potential $450m in new bank borrowings, and company reserves. Nordstrom's existing senior notes and debentures, totalling $2.7bn, are anticipated to remain in place post-transaction. Post-acquisition, the Nordstrom family will own a 50.1% stake. El Puerto de Liverpool will hold the remaining 49.9%. Following the deal, Nordstrom's common stock will be delisted from public markets. Nordstrom CEO Erik Nordstrom said: For over a century, Nordstrom has operated with a foundational principle of helping customers feel good and look their best. Today marks an exciting new chapter for the business. On behalf of my family, we look forward to working with our teams to ensure Nordstrom thrives long into the future. Last month, Nordstrom unveiled plans to expand its off-price retail division, Nordstrom Rack, with a new store in Lakeland, Florida. "Nordstrom to go private after family-led buyout for $6.25bn" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Orlen has signed a second agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to fund its strategic electricity distribution network investment programme. The nearly 1bn zlotys ($244m) funding aims to boast renewable energy connections, including powering 1,000 new EV charging points and expanding grid capacity to integrate 1.4GW of clean energy, enough to supply 900,000 households. The investment will enable Energa Operator, an Orlen Group company, to embark on projects beginning next year. By the end of 2026, the funds will be used to construct approximately 830km of power lines and 320km of service lines, extending the network to nearly 25,000 new customers. The projects also include the deployment of 170,000 smart meters to enable quick remote reading of energy consumption data. Orlen management board CFO and vice president Magdalena Bartos said: The ORLEN Groups energy transition depends heavily on our ability to secure cost-effective financing for investment projects. Through our partnership with the European Investment Bank we have access to the necessary funding on highly favourable terms, significantly better than those offered by commercial lenders. Cost optimisation for our growth programmes is a priority, and directly supports the creation of shareholder value. The EIB-backed initiative will significantly boost Orlen Group's green energy portfolio. This funding is part of a larger 3.5bn zlotys package allocated by the EIB for Orlens investments in expanding and modernising its energy network. EIB vice-president Teresa Czerwinska said: The EIB is doubling its financing to Orlen this year because upgrades and expansion of Polands power distribution network are key aspects of energy transition in Poland, As the EUs climate and development bank, the EIB has so far contracted some 1.8bn zlotys for that purpose out of more than 3.5bn zlotys envisaged for Orlens subsidiary Energa. This will drive grid expansion to add new customers and upgrades to increase RES connection capacity. Investments will also increase supply security by improving the grids resilience to extreme weather events such as gale-force winds or heavy downpours that are aggravated by climate change. EIB financing will work towards these strategic goals for Polands safety and sustainable development through this partnership with Orlen. "Orlen secures $219m funding for energy network expansion" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Joe Buglewicz / Bloomberg / Getty Images Key Takeaways Shares of Playa Hotels jumped Monday after the hotel operator said it is in discussions to be acquired by Hyatt Hotels. The exclusivity agreement Playa and Hyatt signed will run until either a deal is reached, or through Feb. 3. Playa operates two dozen resorts across Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, including collaborations with Hyatt, Wyndham, and Hilton. Playa Hotels' (PLYA) shares surged Monday after the resort operator said it has entered into an agreement to explore a potential acquisition by Hyatt Hotels (H). The sides will discuss "strategic options," including a potential acquisition, and the agreement will last either until a deal has been made, or through Feb. 3, Playa said Monday. Hyatt Chief Executive Officer Mark Hoplamazian on Monday called Playa a "valuable partner for many years," and said a potential deal could "have compelling strategic merit to add new incremental durable fee streams for Hyatt." Playa Hotels Runs Resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic Playa operates two dozen resorts with more than 8,600 rooms across Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, under brands including Hyatt, Hilton (HLT), and Wyndham (WH). Hyatt operates more than 1,300 hotels across 79 countries. In its latest earnings call last month, Playa CEO Bruce Wardinski reiterated Playa's belief that there is "tremendous opportunity" for consolidation in the all-inclusive resort industry. When discussing a deal Hyatt had made with another resort company that operates in some of the same markets as Playa, Wardinski said Hyatt was "just really smart strategically" and said the deal likely wouldn't have much impact on Playa's business. Hyatt shares were nearly 2% lower Monday. Playa shares were up about 28%, pushing them greater than 40% higher on the year. Read the original article on Investopedia If you have ever struggled with a dropped phone call, you might understand the frustration Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) has been for its shareholders. Despite the telecom giant being on track to end 2024 with a positive return, shares have deeply underperformed stock market benchmarks in recent years, losing about 15% of their value in the past five years compared to an 84% gain in the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) over the same period. Nevertheless, encouraging signs in the company's core wireless services business, combined with a more positive outlook into 2025, provide a signal bar of hope that the stock could finally be on the cusp of a sustained rebound. Is it time to dial in and buy Verizon stock now? Here's what you need to know. An improved outlook for 2025 Verizon is navigating a significant transformation in the telecommunications industry. Traditional growth engines, such as mobile device sales, are facing a secular decline as consumers increasingly favor buying directly from brands like Apple. On the enterprise side, the company is selling less networking equipment due to the waning relevance of legacy wireline phone services. All this is in an intensely competitive landscape where peers like AT&T and T-Mobile have moved aggressively with pricing promotions. For Verizon's last reported third quarter (for the period ended Sept. 30), total revenue was flat year over year, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) was down 2.5% from the prior-year quarter. Even as these top- and bottom-line numbers don't inspire much confidence, investors focusing on them too much may be missing the bigger story. A more favorable aspect was Verizon's 2.7% increase in wireless services revenue, underscoring its momentum in mobility and broadband through more premium offerings. The metric that stands out is the $139 in consumer wireless average revenue per account (ARPA), up 4.2% from Q3 2023. The increase reflects higher pricing and success in bundling several services, including accelerating demand for fixed wireless access (FWA). Verizon anticipates these trends to continue. Image source: Getty Images. A key development in the third quarter was Verizon's announced acquisition of Frontier Communications. The deal is seen as strengthening Verizon's position in the broadband market, by leveraging Frontier's substantial fiber optic infrastructure to drive up more robust long-term growth. Management has reaffirmed its commitment to paying down debt and supporting its dividend, which saw its 18th consecutive annual rate increase this year to a new quarterly rate of $0.6675 per share. On this point, Verizon's leverage ratio has declined compared to 2023, while the $14.5 billion in free cash flow generated through the first nine months of the year more than covers the $8.4 billion in dividends paid. That's a great sign that fundamentals are solid and Verizon's shareholder distribution is sustainable. Yellow Corp. failed to provide sufficiently detailed notices to terminated employees when the trucking firm ceased operations in July 2023, a bankruptcy judge said in a memorandum opinion Thursday. But the company could still see reduced damages in a class-action lawsuit that has former workers seeking as much as $244 million in claims. A lawsuit filed in the wake of the Yellow bankruptcy last August on behalf of more than 25,000 employees had argued that the company failed to provide 60-day layoff notices to employees as required by the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. More from Sourcing Journal A three-day trial surrounding these matters is scheduled to take place starting Jan. 21, 2025. The less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier has defended its decisions, saying it was unable to provide earlier notice of the companys shutdown under various exceptions set forth in the WARN Act, such as that it was a faltering company and enduring unforeseeable business circumstances. Under those exceptions, a 60-day notice period may be shortened. Under the faltering company defense, Yellow said that it had been in discussions with various parties seeking to refinance existing debt as it became apparent in May 2023 that the company was rapidly running out of cash. The trucking firm believed that sending a WARN notice would tank those efforts, the judgment said. And the unforeseeable business circumstances came when Yellows cash crunch forced the company to miss a $50 million payment to its pension funds that Julywhich prompted the Teamsters and its 22,000 Yellow drivers to threaten a strike within 72 hours. This ultimately led to more customers abandoning Yellow for other carriers in the weeks ahead of the companys Aug. 6 bankruptcy. Judge Craig Goldblatt agreed that both of these exceptions were applicable to Yellows defense at the time, but that the form of notices given to both union and non-union employees did not contain enough facts adequately to justify the reduced notice. The notices that the debtors sent were inadequate, Judge Goldblatt said. The debtors emphasize that much of the information that should have been included in the notices was communicated separately to the employees and indeed was so widely publicized that it was well known to everyone and anyone. While there is some truth to thatit does not fully excuse the failure to send a compliant notice as the statute requires. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close BRI boosts infrastructure development, trade connectivity: Thai scholar Pub Date:24-12-25 09:52 Source:Xinhua China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has boosted infrastructure development and trade connectivity, said a Thai scholar in a recent interview with Xinhua. #GLOBALink Editor:Qin Shuying Related News Central SOEs invest 2 trln yuan in emergin... China's finance ministry vows to step up f... Karawang Station on Indonesia's Jakarta-Ba... GLOBALink | China 2024: Breakthroughs & ac... Police are searching for a suspect who allegedly robbed a bank near downtown Colorado Springs on Christmas Eve. Colorado Springs police responded to the bank robbery in the 400 block of East Pikes Peak Avenue just before 4 p.m. Investigators say that an adult male entered the bank and presented a note of demands to employees. The suspect then fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police say the department's robbery unit is assisting in the investigation. Colorado's second-highest court last week overturned the contempt conviction and $1,500 fine for former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters, concluding a trial judge did not make all the necessary findings that Peters had willfully disobeyed a court order. Peters is currently serving a nine-year sentence after a jury found her guilty this year of attempting to influence a public servant, official misconduct and related offenses stemming from a security breach of her office's elections equipment in 2021. In the separate contempt proceeding, Peters had attended a February 2022 hearing in the criminal case of her deputy clerk, Belinda Knisley, when employees of the district attorney's office allegedly saw Peters recording on her iPad. "Were you recording, ma'am?" District Court Judge Matthew D. Barrett asked Peters after the prosecution brought it to his attention. Peters denied the accusation. After issuing a warning that no one may record the proceedings, Barrett continued with the rest of the hearing. He did not find that Peters had been recording, only commenting that there was a "decorum order" and "a sign on the outside of the door" saying no recording was allowed. Later that month, District Attorney Daniel P. Rubinstein sought to hold Peters in contempt. "Tina Peters was not truthful in her answers to the court about whether she was recording the proceedings," Rubinstein alleged. "The conduct of Ms. Peters in being dishonest with the court is offensive to the authority and dignity to the court." At a brief trial before Paul R. Dunkelman, a retired district judge assigned to the case, witnesses testified to seeing Peters holding her iPad as if recording, and some overheard her making comments suggesting she had done so. Dunkelman found the witnesses credible and held Peters in contempt. "She was recording a proceeding. She was doing so covertly. She hid the fact when called out on it by Judge Barrett certainly an indication to this court that Ms. Peters was aware it was not acceptable, if not a violation of a court order," he said. Featured Local Savings Peters appealed Dunkelman's decision. The district attorney's office maintained there was a valid court order prohibiting recording and that Peters knew about it. "Was there a finding that Ms. Peters was aware, had knowledge, of that order?" asked Judge Christina F. Gomez during oral arguments this month before a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals. Deputy District Attorney Richard Tuttle responded that the circumstantial evidence, including how Peters behaved after Barrett called her out, suggested she knew. But that was not good enough, the panel concluded. Case: People v. Peters Decided: December 19, 2024 Jurisdiction: Mesa County Ruling: 3-0 Judges: Stephanie Dunn (author) Christina F. Gomez Daniel M. Taubman Background: Tina Peters may not force judge to testify about courtroom recording incident, Supreme Court rules "Peters is correct that the contempt judgment lacks several required findings, without which it cannot stand," wrote Judge Stephanie Dunn in the Dec. 19 opinion. Dunn explained that Dunkelman had not identified which court order Peters allegedly violated either the sign on the door or the "decorum order." Neither document was evidence at the trial, Dunn added. "Second, even if we assume the prosecution presented some evidence that (Barrett) entered a decorum order that prohibited recording the proceedings, the district court didnt find that Peters had actual knowledge of the order," she continued. A "general awareness that certain conduct isnt 'acceptable' isnt enough to support a punitive contempt finding." Finally, Dunkelman had not found Peters willfully violated an order, which is also a component of contempt. The panel overturned the contempt finding and the associated $1,500 fine. The case is People v. Peters. Authorities have arrested a man suspected of fatally shooting a 7-year-old boy on a tribal reservation in Colorado, the FBI announced Wednesday. Jeremiah Hight, 23, was arrested near Monument Valley, Utah, in connection with the Dec. 11 shooting death of Zamias Lang at a home in Towaoc on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, law enforcement officials said. The FBI has not released a motive for the shooting. Hight was wanted on charges of murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Two years after HVAC equipment fell into the pool at Auroras Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center and injured six people, the matter will head to a jury trial. Victims affected by an heating and air conditioning duct collapsing at the resorts indoor pool said the equipment failure was caused by years of recklessness, they allege in their lawsuit. Two of the victims were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. They pointed blame at the companies behind the construction, design, installation, cleaning and maintenance of the HVAC system, as well as the owners of the Gaylord Rockies Resort Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. The companies deny responsibility for the incident, though a review by The Denver Gazette of court records show some defendants behind the design and installation are pointing fingers at each other. A three-week trial is set for January 2026, according to recently filed court records. The Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center, located south of Denver International Airport in Aurora, is the largest hotel in Colorado. Construction began in 2016 and finished in 2018, costing about $800 million to build. It recently made headlines as the backdrop where President-elect Donald Trump hosted a rally to detail his immigration deportation plan dubbed as Operation Aurora. To get the 85-acre resort developed, its owners got more than $1.3 billion in tax incentives over 23 years from Colorado and the City of Aurora, and the debate over its government subsidies lasted years and included a lawsuit from downtown Denver and Colorado Springs hotels worried it created an unfair competitive advantage (a case later tossed by a judge). Resort owner Ryman Hospitality is again fighting a court battle in Adams County to contest its property valuation and lower it by several hundred million dollars. From its inception, officials hoped the government tax incentives would draw development in the prairie land around the resort, known for its everything in one place model. There are five Gaylord Resorts across the country with a sixth on the way in Chula Vista, Calif. of the San Diego region. The Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora offers 1,500 hotel rooms and nearly a half-million square feet of convention center space boasting restaurants, shops, a spa, pools and a lazy river. Its become a major hub for attracting business events to the state, akin to the Colorado Convention Center, and is continuing to expand. Gaylord Resort officials did not respond to a request for comment. A terrible misfortune In May 2023, less than five years after opening, an HVAC system collapsed in the resorts indoor pool area filled with guests. It weighed thousands of pounds and dropped 35 feet from the air, according to court documents. It fell like dominos around most of the pools perimeter. John Markiewicz was on a trip to Denver from Florida to celebrate his granddaughters 4th birthday when he was crushed and trapped by the resort duct, leaving him unconscious and with life-altering injuries, according to the lawsuit. Markiewicz was covered in a black liquid and struggled to breathe under the weight of the duct. His wife, Patti Markiewicz was not at the pool at the time of the collapse, but rushed to help her husband in the danger zone. Shes named on the suit seeking damages for emotional distress. An unnamed minor competing in a gymnastics competition hosted at the resort was also seriously injured. The minor was using the hot tub when the duct collapsed. It struck her in the abdomen, according to court docs, including rib and pelvic fractures, a bruised lung and shock from severe blood loss. The family is suing Gaylord Rockies Resort and its contractors for damages and economic harm, post traumatic stress disorder, potential reproductive harm and emotional distress. The mother is listed as a plaintiff to seek damages for causing fear of her own life and fear for her daughters. In the days following the equipment collapse, an Aurora spokesman said the city couldnt investigate the collapse and it was up to the property owner to determine what caused it. Officials said Auroras building department conducted more than 60,000 inspections ahead of the resorts debut. Featured Local Savings The plaintiffs are suing the Gaylord Rockies Resort, Marriott International and its various contractors and subcontractors who designed, installed and/or worked on the HVAC system. Theres a total of 17 defendants the victims are suing for personal injury claims. They all have some responsibility. Certainly some may have more than others. And this is a tragedy, Michael Burg, a personal injury lawyers representing the victims, told the Denver Gazette. If anybody was paying attention, this would never happen. Burg said he was surprised none of the defendants tried to resolve the case through mediation before it got to trial. Theres all these defendants who are trying to figure out how they could get out from having liability here, Burg said. But there are so many ways that this could have been prevented. Dispute over the cause One of the biggest disputes is whether the design of the collapsed duct or the hanger holding it were the cause of the failure. Defendant Blum Consulting Engineers, a Dallas-based mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering firm, designed the HVAC system and the duct work for the indoor pool building. The company was hired as a subcontractor for the resorts architects, Denver-based HKS, Inc. Blum denies the victims allegations the design was at fault and led to the collapse. Instead, court documents show, Blum claims it believes the hanger system meant to support the HVAC did not conform with the design that was chosen and the company also said it never approved the hanger system. The Gaylord Rockies Resort was built by a joint venture between Mortenson and Welbro Building Corp. It subcontracted a Denver-based construction company to develop the hanger system, RK Industries. Blum rejected the hanger system designed by RK on three separate occasions. The hanger system was finally approved in a meeting that did not include Blum, according to Blums defense position outlined in a November court filling. Blums contractor HKS also said in its defense position that it later learned that the hangers were not what was previously submitted. RK Industries and Mortenson/Welbro denied the hangers design led to the equipment malfunction injuring several resort guests in court docs. The hanger designer retorted Blum stamped and sealed all plans related to construction, according to court documents. Attorneys representing RK Industries did not respond to a Denver Gazette request for comment. Blum filed a motion to add fault to the resorts developer, RIDA Development Corp. one of the main beneficiaries of the $1 billion tax incentives before it sold the rest of its ownership stake to Ryman in 2021. RIDA, credited for getting Colorados Gaylord-branded hotel across the finish line after years of fighting over incentives, was not originally on the victims complaint when the lawsuit was first filed. The motion brought by Blum claimed experts during an investigation after the collapse found the Gripple Duct Hanger was the sole cause of the collapse. Blum said RIDA made the final approval despite their rejections. RIDA denied responsibility and said in its answer to complaints that the accident was the result of acts or omissions of others over whom RIDA had no right or authority to control. Meanwhile, RK Industries and Johnson Controls, Inc. are placing some if not all blame on the commissioning engineer for the Gaylord Rockies, Rick Botto of Compass Commissioning & Design based out of Tennessee. Botto was in charge of overseeing the equipment and systems such as the HVAC in the Indoor Pool Building, according to a motion the company filed. The document didnt state a reason for negligence like Blums similar motion to add another party to the case other than Bottos role as the commissioning engineer. Compass Commissioning specializes in building automation systems, power and heat generation and HVAC testing and balancing, according to its website. Commissioning is the process of checking the system after its installed to make sure its installed and operated as designed to. Compass Commissioning and Botto denied any claims of negligence and said he wasnt in charge of overseeing the equipment and systems at the relevant times. The company, in its answer to the complaint, said it performed a limited scope of commissioning work on the HVAC in the pool area during the warranty phase, and one time after the period ended. Burg said he doesnt know yet what might come out of the investigation conducted by Gaylord Resorts, though he hasnt seen many cases were an independent investigation in incidents like this werent conducted. Why would you not let outside people come in and investigate such a horrible incident, Burg said. Paul J. Batura is a local writer and founder of the 4:8 Media Network. He can be reached via email Paul@PaulBatura.com or on X @PaulBatura. Sean Duffy, a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Bill Owens, is a communications and media relations strategist and ghostwriter based in the Denver area. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Join critical care physician Jon Marinaro as we explore the transformative potential of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in revolutionizing cardiac arrest outcomes. Discover why traditional CPRs limitations demand a paradigm shift and how ECPR offers hope for higher survival rates and better neurological outcomes. We discuss barriers to implementation, the importance of simplifying procedures, and the future of life-saving interventions. Jon Marinaro is a critical care physician. He discusses the KevinMD article, The hidden flaws of traditional CPR: Why we need a new approach to save lives. Our presenting sponsor is DAX Copilot by Microsoft. DAX Copilot, by Microsoft, is your AI assistant for automated clinical documentation and workflows. DAX Copilot allows physicians to do more with less and turn their words into a powerful productivity tool. DAX Copilot automates clinical documentationmaking it available in the EHR within minutesand clinical workflows, including referral letters, after-visit summaries, style and formatting customizations, and more. 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. Discover AI-powered solutions for clinical documentation and workflows. Click here to see a 12-minute DAX Copilot demo. 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 slash podcast. Today, we welcome Jon Marinaro. Hes a critical care physician. Todays KevinMD article is The Hidden Flaws of Traditional CPR: Why We Need a New Approach to Save Lives. Jon, welcome to the show. Jon Marinaro: Ah, thank you very much. I really appreciate being invited to speak on what is a very large show. Kevin Pho: All right, so before we start, just briefly share your story journey. Jon Marinaro: Yeah, Im Jon Marinaro. Im a critical care physician from the University of New Mexico. I did the emergency medicine critical care pathway and did my residency in emergency medicine at the University of New Mexico, and then went to Shock Trauma in Baltimore and did a trauma critical care fellowship. I finished there, came back to the University of New Mexico, and Ive been there since 2003 or 2005, actually, and have been the director of several ICUs here, and now the chief of critical care for the university health system, and the director of the adult ECMO program here. Kevin Pho: All right, excellent. Lets talk about your KevinMD article, The Hidden Flaws of Traditional CPR: Why We Need a New Approach to Save Lives. For those of you who get a chance to read your article, tell us what its about. Jon Marinaro: Yeah, so, you know, its fascinating. In 1956 or so, Peter Safar came up with CPR, right? Pushing on the chest saves lives. And, you know, from 1956 till about 2000, that was the only thing we did for a person in cardiac arrest that was kind of generally pop that everybody in the world could do. Then, around 2000, Paul Pepe and Lance Becker published a paper about putting defibrillators in airports and how they really change the outcome of a lot of different patients. Their paper is a really great paper to read, and it talked about how if you can rapidly apply a defibrillator to a person immediately after cardiac arrest, the survival rates jump up enormously. So right now, current out-of-hospital cardiac survival rates are about 8.5 percent of those people surviving neurologically intact. Other than that, 91.5 percent die or are neurologically devastated and die. With the addition of the defibrillator, if that defibrillator is applied early, you can actually save up to about 35 to 40 percent of people with neurologically intact survival. Outside of that, most people die if they have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. What the paper is about is using ECMO, which is extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, applied emergently during CPR within an hour of the cardiac arrest to save more lives. What we have shown, the various centers around the nation that do this, is that if you apply this rapidly, you actually triple the survival rate. Were getting around a 30 percent survival rate for cardiac arrest, up from the 8.5 percent. And these are all people that have failed the defibrillator. This is that subset of patients that never really had the chance. In the olden days, the person would get CPR, theyd get shocked, they dont survive, and they die. As a matter of fact, in November of last year, the American Heart Association moved defibrillation ECMO to higher than amiodarone for refractory VTAC and VFIB cardiac arrest. Kevin Pho: So those who arent familiar with ECMO, tell us about the device itself and the physiology behind it. Jon Marinaro: Absolutely. So ECMO is essentially kind of like cardiac bypass, but its applied percutaneously in the emergency department or in the ICU, or for some of us who are doing this in the field. Basically, you put a cannula, which is like a large drainage tube, in the venous systemusually up into the intrahepatic IVC. You drain out, you go through a pump that pressurizes it, go through an oxygenator, which removes CO2, it adds oxygen, and then shoots it back into the left femoral artery, a common femoral artery, and provides perfusion to the organs. Interestingly enough, 75 to 78 percent of all cardiac arrests die because their brain doesnt get saved. Its not because their heart doesnt come back. You can get the heart back, but you cant save the brain. So the first five to 10 minutes of any cardiac arrest is about saving the heart so then you can save the brain. After about five to 10 minutes, when youve shocked that person two to three times, you really need to move into, like, how do we save the brain? And that is where ECMO really helps, because those that dont respond to those first few shocks, the mortality just drops off substantially. Actually, I believe it is aroundI might be wrong with this numberbut I believe at 20 minutes, you have a 16 percent survival rate, I think is what its at. Kevin Pho: So practically speaking, what does that look like? Lets say someone in the ICU or in the emergency department comes in cardiac arrest or goes into cardiac arrest, CPR, defibrillator not responding, and then now youre considering ECMO. Jon Marinaro: Yeah, you know, so basically you have a witnessed cardiac arrest. We have five minutes for people to kind of stand around and look at the person and be like, whats going on? Because a lot of people think people are seizing, or the patients are still gasping, because those are normal post-arrest things the body doesthey look like theyre seizing, or theyre still gaspingand people have to jump on that patient and do CPR. So once the CPR starts, the clock starts ticking for 55 more minutes. You have a total of an hour. Its kind of like the final 60, like theres the golden hour for trauma, theres the final 60 for this. And you have 55 more minutes to get the person from the place they arrested to the hospital where they could be cannulated for ECMO. They basically prep the groins, put a needle in the common femoral vein, common femoral artery, put a wire up, dilate, put a cannula up, and turn the machine on. And you can do that. There are certain places around the worldLyon, La Pitie-Salpetriere in Paris with Alice Hutinthey do pre-hospital ECMO where theyre cannulating people on the floor of the Metro or in the Louvre. Thats the famous pictures that are out there. Dr. Yannopoulos, Dr. Bartos in Minneapolis have a mobile ECMO cannulation van; we actually have an ambulance that weve outfitted to do that. And so various places around the world are trying to bring ECMO to the patient. Then theres a lot of places that just do it in the hospital, in the ER is where theyre doing it. Actually, in the Netherlands, Dennis Miranda has a helicopter-based pre-hospital ECMO service where theyre flying a helicopter and theyve shortened their time from arrest to time being on ECMO to 40 minutes, from the moment of arrest to the moment of being on flow. Kevin Pho: So in the United States, how available is extracorporeal CPR? Jon Marinaro: Yeah, its growing. You know, 10 years ago, this was like, what are you doing? Youre crazy. This isnt going anywhere. Now, across the U.S., most major centers are offering ECMO, like academic centers such as us. In San Diego, Sharp Memorial with Zach Shinar, Joe Bellezzo, those guys are actuallytheyve trained 150 ER doctors up across the Sharp Memorial system. It is the standard of care if you arrest in that Sharp Memorial areayou get on ECMO. The people in Los Angeles have a growing ECMO program, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Seattle, and all the way across the U.S. Im obviously on the west part of the country, so I know those folks a lot better, but across the country, most major academic centers are offering some form of eCPR, and more and more smaller places. Jason Bowman at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Kentucky actually offers it, and thats a smaller place. Chandler Regional Medical Center in Arizona, a smaller place, theyre offering it, too. Kevin Pho: Now, does it require specialized training on the physician standpoint? What are some of the barriers preventing a spread? Jon Marinaro: Well, yeah, its a great question. So does it require specialized training? Well, for most ER docs and critical care docs, putting in central lines is regular training, and all were doing is putting in bigger central lines. Now, when you start saying most people who go out and practice in the community may, after a few years, stop putting in central lines, they do a lot of stuff through peripheral lines, and they let the specialistmaybe the surgeon or the critical care doc or whateverput in the larger central lines. But these are really, its a 15. Im actually just about to hopefully publish a paper about a 13 French ECMO cannula, which is the arterial return, and a dialysis catheter is 13 French. So if youve ever put in dialysis catheters, its about the same as that on the arterial side. The venous cannula is about the size of my index finger, so thats usually like a 25 French. And thats really the special training: who do you put on, can you put in these big cannulas? Then you typically just need an ECMO specialist, which almost every hospital has, who has a perfusionist team, and they turn, they hand you the tubes, you turn on a machine, and it goes. But the machines are getting simpler and simpleryou actually dont need a super highly perfusionist-trained person. We use ECMO specialists, which are nurses and respiratory therapists whove just been through extra training, and theyre super well qualified. But its not quite the same as going to perfusionist school. My entire career goal is to make ECMO available to the masses, because youre not going to save people just being near University of New Mexico or near the University of Minnesota in Minneapolisyou need to make this more widespread. Really, the goal of all of us should be to simplify this so that we can save more people, much like Lance Becker and Paul Pepe did with the defibrillator on the wall in the airport. Kevin Pho: So just so Im clear in terms of the outcome data, were talking about a benefit, not only in overall survival rate, but also in terms of intact neurological function after cardiac arrest? Jon Marinaro: Yeah, basically, the national data is you have a 30 percent neurologically intact survival rate with using ECMO CPR, eCPR. And again, that is people who are typically getting on between 30 and 60 minutes after their cardiac arrest, which if you look without that, the survival rates are in the single percentages. We say it triples survival, but a lot of that tripling is because youre taking the 8.5 percent, which is all different levels of survival. This is like people who would have, years ago, we would have just stopped, but now were continuing. And, you know, Ive put on people at an hour and 16 minutes, and theyve survived, and weve actually had hypothermic arrestsone person that was at three hours of CPR, and they walked, they were neurologically intact, and left the hospital. And there are a number of stories. Thats not some random story; at these centers that do this, this is a common thing. Kevin Pho: So you mentioned one of your goals is to bring ECMO and eCPR to the masses, like in Paris, for instance. Whats preventing your vision from happening? What are some of the immediate obstacles that prevent that? Jon Marinaro: Yeah, you know, some of the immediate obstacles are technological. The pumps are expensive, right? So, like, if you look at the Cardiohelp pump, its something like 000, probably depending on how many you buy for your hospital, and the disposables are 14,000 to 15,000. When you start making products thatits a wonderful product, the Cardiohelp ECMO pump is a great productbut its kind of complex. There are a lot of buttons and a lot of things, and youve got to zero stuff and all this other stuff. When you start making devices that are kind of complex like that, it scares people off, and theyre like, oh, now I have to have an ECMO specialist, and now I have tothis stuff. What we did initially in Albuquerque for our pre-hospital is when the mechanical pump goes down, you have a hand crank that powers the motor. And so in the back of our ambulance for the first couple of years we did this, we had just the hand crank thats not powered, and we had a firefighter just hand crank, and the only thing you needed to do is connect the tubes and have him crank, and you could get flow. It works perfectly; it works just fine. Weve now moved, because we have enough machines and we have enough bodies, that we could actually have an ECMO specialist in the back of the ambulance. But the whole point of the thing is, you just need to beat CPR, and youre going to save more lives. So if you can simplify the processsmaller cannulas, easier setup, devices that are just a single squeeze or just something simple, as opposed to all this other stuffyoure going to simplify the technology and make it something like an intubation, right? Thirty, or maybe not 30like 60 years ago, people probably were like, only an anesthesiologist could intubate a person, and now paramedics intubate. And, you know, 50, 60 years ago, surgeons were probably like, you have to be a surgeon to put a chest tube in. Now anybody can put a chest tube in. We just have to keep simplifying the technology and simplifying the processes, and well be able to bring this to the masses. Because its unfortunate that so many people are going to die between 10 years ago and 10 years from nowbetween the early adopters and the laggards who decide to adopt this because, oh, its too hard to do this. And there are just going to be a lot of body bags that do not need to be filled. I can tell you the most important thing is Peter Safars 1955 CPR. You cannot save a person 60 minutes into their cardiac arrest with ECMO unless they have had really good CPR for 55 minutes. So the public education is that when you see a person suddenly collapse, and even if they look like theyre breathing or they look like theyre seizing, they very easily could be a cardiac arrest, and you should start CPR, activate 911. Theres more and more technology out there thats on your iWatch or your Apple Watch or all these things that says, hey, youve collapsed, and it can alert stuff. But that rapid CPRbecause if your low-flow or your no-flow time, which is no CPR, is greater than five minutes, youre not a good candidate, and you have to have good CPR for 55 minutes now within starting ECMO and within starting the bypass. What I think is really important is that, you know, I want to say its like Jan Belohlavek from Europe and Demetri Yannopoulos were really very responsible for making ECMO be a 2A indication under American Heart Association. That really helped a lot with getting more people to say, hey, we should be offering eCPR at our institution because now American Heart Association is saying what everybody has been doing is not the number one indication. If you have the ability to do ECMO, you should do ECMO, not amiodarone for VTAC, VFIB arrest, refractory VTAC, VFIB arrest. And so the ability for some of the really big powerhouses around the nation to move American Heart Association to say, hey, should we raise these levels to even higher? And then once those levels are higher, hospital administration will say, yes, now we need to have this at X hospital or Y hospital, because its the standard of care for managing things. You know, the other thing I was amazed by is massive pulmonary embolism. A massive pulmonary embolism kills a lot of people. In 2016 at our institution, we had an 80 percent mortality rate. Since 2017, if youre not in cardiac arrest, you do not die at the University of New Mexico from a massive PE. We put 100 percent of our massive pulmonary embolism patients on ECMO if theyre candidatestheyre not older, too old, or have too many comorbidities or whatever, that kind of stuff. But if theyre a candidate for ECMO, we put them on, and then they get their clot sucked out. You know, thats not quite eCPR, but its another example of how good ECMO is at saving people who previously died. Kevin Pho: Were talking to Jon Marinaro. Hes a critical care physician. Todays KevinMD article is The Hidden Flaws of Traditional CPR: Why We Need a New Approach to Save Lives. Jon, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Jon Marinaro: Yeah, I mean, I would just say the take-home message is if youre a physician, if youre a critical care physician, emergency physicianactually, the other great group would probably be trauma physicians, because theyre in the hospital 24 hours a day, kind of people who are always at the hospital. You cant have a call-in, like, hey, Ill be there in 20, 30, 40 minutes. Youve got to have the people who live at the hospital. And again, its, you know, if youre a shift-working trauma surgeon, shift-working critical care doc, shift-working ER doc, you or somebody is in the hospital 24 hours a day who can then apply this technology quickly. So if youre one of those docs, take the time, go to an ECMO class, learn how to be an ECMO cannulator. Its not hard. Its just getting over a little hump. Then work with your institution to create the infrastructure so that you have a robust cardiac resuscitation program with your nurses running your CPR and your ACLS, and with your physicians cannulating and getting these people on, and you will save lives. And its a great opportunity for the medical community to hinge on what Peter Safar did in 1955, and what Lance Becker and Paul Pepe did in 2000, to finally move the needle further forward on cardiac arrest survival. Kevin Pho: Jon, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight, and thanks again for coming on the show. Jon Marinaro: Thank you so much. I appreciate the time. Telepsychiatry is a private audio (telephony) or video (video with sound) conference connection through which most psychiatric services can be provided to patients. I have been an early adopter and advocate for providing services, through telepsychiatry, to our patients who are experiencing mental health issues and psychiatric illnesses. The road leading to where we are right now in the field of telehealth has been treacherous and filled with regulatory landmines and obstacles. I believe telepsychiatry is here to stay because it is being demanded by patients. The road was quickly paved by the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet it remains shifty and unpredictable. In 2006 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approved the reimbursement of telepsychiatry services to provide mental health access to individuals in rural areas of Pennsylvania. I was one of the first group of psychiatrists to provide services in rural Pennsylvania by telepsychiatry. In 2007, I assisted a local hospital system in Pennsylvania in developing a telepsychiatry connection between its emergency rooms on several campuses to evaluate patients needing psychiatric services. The goal was to provide a disposition to those severely ill psychiatric patients who were boarding in the emergency department awaiting psychiatric beds. We also helped with initiating early treatment for psychiatric illness and preventing further decompensation by providing those patients with a telepsychiatry evaluation to assist in the diagnosis and early treatment. This program is active to this day and was featured by the American Hospital Association as a model for telehealth early adoption. This telepsychiatry program was later utilized as a stepping stone for this hospital system to establish its tele ICU program in 2010, an expanded program that proved lifesaving during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2009 the practice of telepsychiatry expanded further when the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) approved the use of telepsychiatry to provide psychiatric care to Medicare beneficiaries residing in federally underserved and designated rural areas in the United States. In Pennsylvania, that included many counties and their residents (42 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania). Simultaneously, in 2008, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) advocated for the establishment and passing of the Ryan Haight Act, legislating that no controlled substance may be delivered, distributed, or dispensed by means of the internet (telepsychiatry). Since 2008 the DEA was mandated by Congress to establish procedures for implementing the Ryan Haight Act, which the DEA has failed to implement to this moment, even during the suspension of the implementation of this act during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The DEA has extended for the third year in a row the suspension of the Ryan Haight Act and the continuation of flexibilities around prescribing controlled substances that were implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). As the US faces a significant mental health crisis and a shortage of psychiatrists, the practice of telepsychiatry flourished between 2012 and 2020 until it became mainstream during the COVID-19 PHE. The number of adults with any psychiatric illness increased by nearly 30 percent during the same period, increasing from 40 million to 52 million, and these numbers continued to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the United States is experiencing a significant shortage in the number of psychiatrists, as only 30 percent of people in the US live in an area with enough psychiatrists available to meet the needs of the population of the area. There is voluminous evidence-based peer-reviewed research on the utility of telepsychiatry in the treatment of psychiatric illness and its equivalence to face-to-face encounters. Additionally, patients in rural areas in the United States with limited internet access benefited from the flexibilities of allowing telephonic encounters for providing much-needed psychiatric care in patients who suffer from severe mental illness and who have little access to transportation. Despite this tremendous need, CMS and Congress have failed to act, and the flexibility that was implemented during the COVID-19 PHE is set to expire at the end of 2024. There will no longer be reimbursement for telephonic visits with indigent Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas. These patients will have to arrange transportation to see their psychiatrist face-to-face. Many of the psychiatric clinics that were established during the COVID-19 PHE remain virtual with no brick-and-mortar clinic locations for the patients to visit. I can tell you firsthand that the implementation of telepsychiatry has been mired with administrative obstacles and legal landmines. In 2022 I was indicted and faced trial on federal health care fraud charges related to telepsychiatry services I provided in 2017. I went to trial in 2024 and was found not guilty, and it was evident during the trial that the government, including the DOJ and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, lacked a basic understanding of telepsychiatry services, their rules, relevant legislation, and the implementation of psychiatric services through telehealth. Over the past two years, many other physicians and companies that provided telepsychiatry services have faced criminal legal charges, as well as civil enforcement actions from government prosecutors who present experts who lack a basic understanding of the service of telepsychiatry and its rules and regulations. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed telepsychiatry from an alternative backup model of care reserved only for rural and underserved areas to a mainstream necessity utilized across the field of mental health. And while the DOJ, the DEA, and other regulatory bodies remain wary of telepsychiatry due to concerns about fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as concerns about non-efficacy, telepsychiatry is here to stay. The impact of telepsychiatry is undeniable. The American Psychiatric Association data shows that most psychiatric encounters continue to be conducted through telepsychiatry, bringing much-needed psychiatric services to underserved areas. Practicing psychiatrists continue to deploy telepsychiatry to meet patients for their convenience with good clinical reliability and improved patient-psychiatrist satisfaction. Patients, on their part, still prefer telepsychiatry for its convenience, privacy, efficiency, and reduced stigma. The hope is that regulatory bodies (CMS) will realize this and reverse course in their action to end telepsychiatry flexibilities, as they are set to mandate in-office visits for reimbursement of psychiatric visits starting in 2025. Muhamad Aly Rifai is a practicing internist and psychiatrist in the Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. He is the CEO, chief psychiatrist and internist of Blue Mountain Psychiatry. He holds the Lehigh Valley Endowed Chair of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Rifai is board-certified in internal medicine, psychiatry, addiction medicine, and psychosomatic medicine. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, and the American Psychiatric Association. He is the former president of the Lehigh Valley Psychiatric Society. He can be reached on LinkedIn, Facebook, X @muhamadalyrifai, YouTube, and his website. You can also read his Wikipedia entry and publications. The Criminal Chamber of the Nouakchott West Court of Appeal decided on Monday December 23 to suspend the trial of former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, due to the state of health he presented before the Court. At the beginning of the hearing, Ould Abdel Aziz said that he had not slept last night due to his state of health, and asked the Court to postpone the hearing until his state of health improves. Ould Abdel Aziz did not reveal the nature of his health problems, but the judge asked him whether he was able to continue the hearing or whether he was unable to do so, to which he replied: I can continue if the court requires me to. The judge decided to postpone the trial of the former president, accused of corruption and money laundering, until next Monday. During the discussion on the adjournment, the former presidents defense team protested and called the continuation of the hearings a disregard for the former presidents health, and altercations took place between the defense team and the civil partys lawyers. Lawyer Ibrahim Ould MBarek, a member of the former presidents defense, threatened to withdraw from the hearing, considering that the law is not respected in this trial, a threat rejected by the civil partys defense team, which represents the state in the trial, considering that it is a form of pressure on the court. Regarding his health, Ould Abdel Aziz said he did not trust the doctors appointed by the state to treat him, calling them a bunch of butchers. Before the session was adjourned, the court began questioning the former president about the origin of his wealth, which he described as significant. The judge asked him to explain the large gap between the assets declared to the state when he left power in 2019 and those recorded by investigators in 2021. In his response, Ould Abdel Aziz portrayed himself as a victim and reaffirmed that he was the subject of an obvious political target by a group that ganged up against him for purely tribal and regional reasons. The main contents of the Family Code revision propositions were presented to the representatives of national and international media at a meeting in Rabat Tuesday, as instructed by King Mohammed VI during the working meeting he chaired on Monday at the Royal Palace in Casablanca, on the Family Code revision. Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch stressed that this meeting with the media is meant to inform them and, through them, inform the public opinion of the content of the main amendments proposed for a substantial revision of the Family Code. Akhannouch recalled that the King has given his instructions and clear-sighted guidelines concerning the principles and objectives that should guide the revision of the Family Code, assuring that the Sovereigns expectations in this area would be achieved as soon as possible, in the context of the draft revision, with a view to submitting it to Parliament for adoption. The meeting was marked by presentations by the Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi, who outlined the achievements made in revising the Family Code, and Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq who presented the data relating to the legal opinion submitted by the Supreme Council of Ulema. Ahmed Taoufik explained that the Fatwa Commission had responded favorably to ten of the legal issues relating to the Family Code, namely the age of marriage, the presence of two Muslim witnesses, joint legal representation, consideration of a wifes household work as a contribution to the husbands assets, the obligation, by deed, of the Nafaqa (alimony) for the wife, the lifetime right to housing for the surviving husband/spouse, the statement of both spouses debt in relation to the assets acquired, the maintenance of custody in the event of the wifes remarriage, the Mouta (compensation) for the woman requesting divorce, and equality in the right to a will for the grandchildren of sons and daughters alike ad infinitum. The Minister also mentioned three questions to which the Commission had provided alternative solutions, in line with Sharia rule, which meet the desired objective and should be retained, namely the parentage of children born of adultery, the will for an heir if not accepted by other heirs, and the abrogation of Taasib (male succession only in certain cases) in the event that only daughters inherit without sons. He also cited two questions to which the Commission had presented two alternative solutions in line with the Sharia and serving the desired objective, on which the Sovereign will decide in order to guarantee the Maslaha (Interest), namely inheritance between spouses of different religions and inheritance between the person providing Kafala and the person subject to Kafala. In addition, he mentioned a question on which the Commissions opinion can only be overtaken by a decision of the Sovereign in view of the Maslaha, namely the inclusion of the condition of acceptance by the first wife of polygamy, as well as article 400 stipulating recourse to the Malekite rite as a reference. He emphasized that the scope of Ijtihad is limited to subjects for which there is no Quranic or Sunnah text and which are not the subject of consensus, adding that Ijtihad for the Kingdoms Ulema is based on consideration of the absolute Maslaha and respect first and foremost for the Malikite rite. Justice Minister Ouahbi, on his part, outlined the key achievements reached during the Family Code revision, and listed some of the main points adopted on the basis of the proposals of the entity entrusted with the code revision and on the opinion of the Supreme Council of Ulemas. Among these points, the minister particularly mentioned the possibility of documenting engagements and the consideration of the marriage certificate as the sole proof of marriage as a general rule, while establishing exceptional cases for admitting the action of recognizing marriage, as well as strengthening guarantees for the marriage of persons with disabilities by revising the formal and administrative procedures required for establishing the marriage certificate, as well as the possibility for Moroccan expatriates to register their marriage without the presence of two Muslim witnesses, if deemed impossible. He also mentioned the legal marriage age set at 18 (as per the Gregorian calendar), with an exception whereby the legal majority is set at 17 years old, subject to a series of conditions that practically keep it within the exception circle. AS to polygamy, he explained the obligation to obtain the wifes opinion during the documentation of the marriage certificate regarding whether the husband commits to renouncing polygamy or not, and to mention this in the certificate. In the absence of this condition in the marriage certificate, the exceptional objective justification for polygamy is limited to cases of infertility of the first wife or illness that prevents marital relations, or other cases left to the judges discretion based on well-defined legal criteria deemed equally objective and exceptional. The Justice Minister also explained several aspects of divorce (consensual divorce without judicial intervention, divorce by discord, repudiation cases) and the new framework for managing assets acquired during the marital relationship, valuing the wifes work within the household as a contribution to the development of assets acquired during the marriage. Regarding child custody, the revision considers the custody as a shared right between both spouses during the marriage, with the possibility of extending it, if agreed, after the breakdown of the relationship, and strengthening the childs right to housing under guardianship, in addition to establishing new rules governing the childs visitation or relocation. Besides, it preserves the divorced mothers right to custody of her children, even in case of remarriage; provides for the establishment of reference standards for estimating Nafaqa (alimony and child support), along with procedural mechanisms to expedite the notification and execution of corresponding judgments, and for the determination of the legal procedures the court must follow to grant emancipation to a minor, strengthen the legal protection of their assets, and subject the actions of their legal, testamentary, or appointed guardians to judicial control. The revision also guarantees the right of the husband or wife to retain the marital home in the event of the spouses death, under the conditions set by law. The Justice Minister also noted the adoption of the proposal from the Supreme Council of Ulemas regarding the inheritance of daughters, recommending that anyone may, during their lifetime, donate part of their assets to heirs, replacing derivative possession with actual possession, and the opening the possibility of wills (Wassiya) and donations (Hiba) for both spouses in the case of differing religions. Ouahbi also noted that since this is a profound revision of the Family Code, a formulation will be adopted with modern expressions, replacing certain terms that have become obsolete in our legal and judicial system. He then explained the general proposals aimed at supporting this reform, such as mobilizing qualified and sufficient human resources, including judges and executives, to manage family matters; reviewing procedures and measures related to family law, while establishing a practical guide and reference for the Family Code; facilitating access to family justice by creating a one-stop shop in family courts; raising awareness among future spouses about the rights and obligations derived from marriage, while adopting a public policy to support this issue; and studying the possibility of creating a national registry to record marriage and divorce certificates. Ouahbi also emphasized that, in supervising all stages of this reform, the King ensured it was imbued with the virtues of participation and ownership, establishing a constructive framework that integrates the contributions of all, each from their own position, to promote the objectives of renewal, development, and Ijtihad, as expressed by the Family Code during its drafting in 2004 and the favorable response it generated both nationally and internationally. This underscores the distinguished character of the reform methodology adopted by the Kingdom, based on consistency, gradualism, capitalization, and moderation of its religious reference framework, as well as the capacity of Ijtihad tools to reconcile the objectives of Sharia with the progress made in terms of rights and freedoms. On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, a verdict was issued in the trial concerning the embezzlement of funds intended to support internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso. The case involved the theft of several billion CFA francs from the accounts of the ministry overseeing this aid. Amidou Tiegnan, the primary accused, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined 5.64 billion CFA francs. A civil servant in the ministry, Tiegnan was found guilty along with three colleagues of embezzling public funds, illicit enrichment, forgery, and the use of forged public documents. The four officials received prison sentences ranging from 6 to 15 years, in addition to substantial fines. They had forged signatures and issued several hundred fraudulent checks from the Public Treasury, amounting to 2.8 billion CFA francs (approximately 4.2 million euros). The Courts decision satisfied magistrate Karfa Gnanou, representing the State, who stated: We demonstrated the offenses, which were upheld. We established the financial losses and moral damage, and while we claimed a total of 5 billion CFA francs, the court acknowledged 2.13 billion as the States financial loss. Beyond prison sentences and fines, the Court ordered the confiscation of all movable and immovable property owned by the four convicted individuals for the benefit of the State. On the defense side, opinions were divided about pursuing an appeal. Genevieve Ouedraogo, the lawyer for Amidou Tiegnan, who received the heaviest sentence, stated: We will discuss with our client to determine whether to appeal the decision. The choice ultimately rests with him. The convicted individuals now have 15 days to decide whether to appeal the courts ruling. The Angolan government reported significant financial losses from the timber industry in 2024, estimating a shortfall of $157.4 million (151 million) from sawn timber exports. Despite exporting approximately 17,000 cubic meters of sawn timber to markets in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, revenues amounted to just $4.5 million, according to a note from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry presented during its end-of-year ceremony on Tuesday, December 24. The ministry highlighted the discrepancy between actual earnings and potential revenues, stating that Angolas native forests could support an annual export capacity of 360,000 cubic meters. Based on an average reference price of $450 (432) per cubic meter, expected revenues should have reached $162 million. The Angolan State is losing a lot of money in the timber operation, the ministry emphasized, attributing the losses to inefficiencies and challenges in the sector. In the 2024 Forestry Campaign, at least 146,989 cubic meters of round timber were licensed, generating 687.2 million kwanzas (720,000) in fees and related charges. Efforts to renew and expand forest areas included the production of 1.5 million forest seedling plants by the public sector and 3.15 million by the private sector, covering 4,184 hectares in Benguela, Huambo, Bie, and Huila provinces. Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry plans to enhance inspection services, increase the involvement of the Multisectoral Commission for the Creation of the National Forest and Wildlife Guard Service, and continue training beekeepers as part of broader environmental and forestry management efforts. In his Christmas message, Cape Verdes Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva reaffirmed his commitment to improving citizens quality of life, prioritizing employment, income, health, and transport in the coming year. While challenges persist and many families face difficulties, improving quality of life remains a legitimate expectation for all. We are working to uplift the poorest and the middle class alike, he promised. He emphasized that creating jobs, reducing poverty, eliminating extreme poverty, and protecting the vulnerable remain central to Government policies, with plans to intensify efforts. Next year holds positive expectations for job creation, family income, health services, and transport improvements, he added. The Prime Minister extended his thoughts to those facing hardships during the festive season, including patients, prisoners, and others separated from their families. Christmas is a time to reflect on the society we are building for our children and commit to their future, he noted, highlighting Cape Verdes resilience as it approaches 50 years of independence. Reflecting on past challenges, he praised collective efforts to overcome crises, relaunch the economy, and enhance social protection. He also sent greetings to diaspora communities, many of whom are home for the holidays, and recognized the importance of family during Christmas. Cape Verdes struggles and achievements strengthen our confidence in a brighter future. Its a shared responsibilitygovernment, municipalities, citizens, businesses, civil society, and the diaspora must all contribute, he concluded. With its operating room running 24 hours a day without stopping amid post-election social unrest, Maputo Central Hospital (HCM), Mozambiques largest medical facility, faces severe challenges, including dwindling blood supplies and disruptions to essential services. On Wednesday, December 25, the hospitals management described the situation as a critical moment, citing an inability to secure food deliveries or adequate staffing due to ongoing unrest. We are experiencing an unprecedented crisis at HCM, with a significant increase in trauma cases compared to previous years and a reduced number of health professionals, stated Eugenia Macassa, the hospitals deputy clinical director. She reported a deficit of 200 on-duty staff, with some teams working non-stop for 48 to 72 hours. The turmoil has made access to the hospital difficult for healthcare workers and suppliers. We urgently appeal for permission to allow ambulances and health workers to reach the hospital so we can provide the necessary care to patients, Macassa pleaded. In the past 24 hours, the hospitals adult emergency room treated 161 patients, 117 of whom suffered trauma injuriesdouble the number seen during the same period in 2023. Of these, 62 were victims of gunshot wounds, with two dying upon arrival in critical condition. The spike in injuries coincides with violent clashes between protesters contesting the general election results and authorities. HCM, which has a capacity of 1,500 beds and currently houses 900 patients, is also grappling with a serious food crisis. Macassa explained, Our suppliers are unable to reach the hospital. If this continues, we may run out of food for our patients within hours. The hospitals blood supply is also under strain. With only 111 bags of blood available, far below the daily requirement of around 100 liters, the situation is particularly dire. Meanwhile, the broader unrest has led to 236 acts of serious violence in 24 hours, including attacks on police stations and prisons, resulting in 21 deaths, according to Mozambiques Minister of the Interior. Authorities have announced an immediate reinforcement of security to address the escalating crisis. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rapidly become Africas leading investor, committing over $110 billion to new business projects across the continent from 2019 to 2023, but also raising concerns that Emirati companies could compromise the rights of workers and environmental protections. Between 2019 and 2023, the UAE has cemented its position as Africas top investor, as its companies announced projects worth $110 billion, $72 billion of which were in renewable energy, according to FT Locations, a data company owned by the Financial Times. The pledges from the UAE-based companies dwarfed those made by traditional investors from the United Kingdom, France or China, who pulled back from big-ticket infrastructure investment projects in the continent after many delivered disappointing returns. This has prompted the UAE investors to step in to address Africas critical funding gaps. Although African leaders have welcomed the increased investments from the UAE, some activists and analysts have raised alarms over the Emirati companies poor record on labour rights for migrant workers and environmental practices. A darker side of Emirati involvement came to light, for example, with revelations by some NGOs that documented widespread gold smuggling, uncovering over 2,569 tonnes of gold worth $115.3 billion that were reportedly unaccounted for between 2012 and 2022. African countries are in dire need of this money [to] plug huge holes [where] the West failed said Ahmed Aboudouh from the Chatham House think tank. But African leaders must navigate the fine line between welcoming Emirati investments and ensuring these projects come in with [sufficient] attention to labor rights, to environmental standards, Aboudouh added. After a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom companies such as Verizon and AT&T that were targeted. The advice includes one tip we can all put into practice with our phones: Ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible. End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE, means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is garble that can't be unscrambled without the key. Law enforcement officials had until now resisted this type of encryption because it means the technology companies themselves won't be able to look at the messages, nor respond to law enforcement requests to turn the data over. Here's a look at various ways ordinary consumers can use end-to-end encryption: Texting Officials said the hackers targeted the metadata of a large number of customers, including information on the dates, times and recipients of calls and texts. They also managed to see the content from texts from a much smaller number of victims. If you're an iPhone user, information in text messages that you send to someone else who also has an iPhone will be encrypted end-to-end. Just look for the blue text bubbles, which indicate that they are encrypted iMessages. The same goes for Android users sending texts through Google Messages. There will be a lock next to the timestamp on each message to indicate the encryption is on. But there's a weakness. When iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages are encrypted only using Rich Communication Services, an industry standard for instant messaging that replaces the older SMS and MMS standards. Apple has noted that RCS messages arent end-to-end encrypted, which means theyre not protected from a third party reading them while theyre sent between devices. Samsung, which sells Android smartphones, has also hinted at the issue in a footnote at the bottom of a press release last month on RCS, saying, Encryption only available for Android to Android communication. Chat apps To avoid getting caught out when trading texts, experts recommend using encrypted messaging apps. Privacy advocates are big fans of Signal, which applies end-to-end encryption to all messages and voice calls. The independent nonprofit group behind the app promises never to sell, rent or lease customer data and has made its source code publicly available so that it can be audited by anyone to examine it for security and correctness. Signal's encryption protocol is so reputable that it has been integrated into rival WhatsApp, so users will enjoy the same level of security protection as Signal, which has a much smaller user base. End-to-end encryption is also the default mode for Facebook Messenger, which like WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms. What about Telegram? Telegram is an app that can be used for one-on-one conversations, group chats and broadcast channels" but contrary to popular perception, it doesn't turn on end-to-end encryption by default. Users have to switch on the option. And it doesnt work with group chats. Cybersecurity experts have warned people against using Telegram for private communications and pointed out that only its opt-in secret chat feature is encrypted from end-to-end. The app also has a reputation for being a haven for scammers and criminal activity, highlighted by founder and CEO Pavel Durov's arrest in France. Making calls Instead of using your phone to make calls through a wireless cellular network, you can make voice calls with Signal and WhatsApp. Both apps encrypt calls with the same technology that they use to encrypt messages. There are other options. If you have an iPhone you can use Facetime for calls, while Android owners can use the Google Fi service, which are both end-to-end encrypted. The only catch with all these options is that, as with using the chat services to send messages, the person on the other end will also have to have the app installed. WhatsApp and Signal users can customize their privacy preferences in the settings, including hiding an IP address during calls to prevent your general location from being guessed. Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan A Taliban spokesman said six more people were wounded, mostly children. Photo: AFP Pakistan air strikes in an eastern border region of Afghanistan killed 46 civilians, the Taliban government said on Wednesday, whilst a Pakistan security official said the bombardment had targeted "terrorist hideouts." The strikes were the latest spike in hostilities on the frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with tensions escalating since the Taliban seized power in 2021. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that late on Tuesday Pakistan bombarded four areas in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province. "The total number of dead is 46, most of whom were children and women," he said, adding that six more people were wounded, mostly children. Neither Pakistan's foreign ministry nor its military have responded to a request for comment. But a senior Pakistan security official said the strikes were on "terrorist hideouts" using jets and drones and that they killed at least 20 militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the country's homegrown Taliban group. "Arguments from Afghan officials claiming civilians are being harmed are baseless and misleading," he added, speaking on condition of anonymity. A Taliban defence ministry statement late on Tuesday condemned the strikes, calling them "barbaric" and a "clear aggression." (AFP) NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 25: In an aim to enhance educational outcomes through nutritional support, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, recognized as the world's largest NGO-run school meal program and a distinguished partner of the PM POSHAN initiative, celebrated the inauguration of its 76th kitchen in Cheemasandra Village, Avalahalli Panchayat, Bidarahalli, Bangalore, supported by Canara Bank as the anchor patron donor, represents a significant extension of Akshaya Patra's efforts to improve educational results by providing nutritional support to students. This new facility marks the organization's sixth location in Bengaluru. The event was inaugurated by chief guests, Manjula Aravind Limbavali, Member of Legislative Assembly, Mahadevapura Assembly Constituency, Bengaluru, and Aravind Limbavali, Former Minister, Government of Karnataka. Lathakumari IAS, CEO of Bengaluru Urban District Zilla Panchayat, graced the occasion. On-behalf of the foundation Chanchalpathi Dasa, Co-Founder & Vice-Chairman, and Gunakara Rama Dasa, Regional President - Bengaluru Cluster, of The Akshaya Patra Foundation were present. The event saw Shri Satyanarayana Raju K, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Canara Bank, as the anchor patron donor. Manjula Aravind Limbavali, Member of Legislative Assembly, Mahadevapura Assembly Constituency, Bengaluru, said, "I am delighted to be part of the inauguration of Akshaya Patra's 76th kitchen, the newly launched kitchen is a testament to their dedication to serving nutritious meals to children and communities. This initiative reflects the spirit of service and development, bringing hope and nourishment to many and strengthening the future of Karnataka." Chanchalpathi Dasa, Co-Founder & Vice-Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, said, "We are immensely grateful for the support of the Government of Karnataka and Canara Bank, whose unwavering commitment has been instrumental in the inauguration of our 76th kitchen in Cheemasandra, Bengaluru. This new facility is not just a kitchen; it's promising enhanced educational outcomes through nutritional support to over 7,500 students. The strategic location and advanced capabilities of this kitchen enable us to extend our reach and efficacy, reflecting our dedication to nurturing young minds and empowering them through education." He also added, "Our heartfelt thanks to Canara Bank for their pivotal role as our anchor patron donor, and to the Government of Karnataka and The Government of India for their continuous partnership. Together, we are forging a future where no child's educational opportunities are limited by their nutritional status." The kitchen, sprawling over 5,000 square feet, is strategically located to cater to over 7,500 students across 60 government and government-aided schools in the Bidarahalli and Cheemasandra areas. It aims to provide hot, nutritious mid-day meals within a strict 4-hour cook-to-consumption timeline, emphasizing the foundation's dedication to quality and efficiency. This effort not only aims to nourish young minds but also boosts local employment and procurement, & the facility is semi-solar powered, with future plans to incorporate more electric vehicles into its delivery fleet, reflecting its commitment to sustainable practices. Satyanarayana Raju K, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Canara Bank said, "Our bank takes immense pride in supporting cultural and spiritual celebrations across the country, reflecting our commitment to community engagement. As we grow and prosper, we remain dedicated to contributing to the well-being of our nation, especially in Karnataka. It is a privilege to be part of the inauguration of Akshaya Patra's 76th kitchen, a remarkable initiative that serves and uplifts the community." Shridhar Venkat, CEO, The Akshaya Patra Foundation said, "The transformative power of a daily meal cannot be overstated--it shapes futures, builds dreams, and nurtures the young beneficiaries. The Akshaya Patra Foundation's success is a testament to the strength of public-private partnerships, with unwavering support from the Government of India, state governments, and generous donors. As we march towards the milestone of our 100th kitchen, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. Together, we are creating a legacy of nourishment, hope, and empowerment." Akshaya Patra's mid-day meal offerings in Bengaluru are customized to appeal to the local palate, ensuring that they are not only nutritious but also palatable. The menu features a variety of dishes including vegetable pulav, bisibele bath, and moong dal payasam, catering to diverse tastes while promoting healthy eating habits among students. This initiative is further enhanced by The Akshaya Patra Foundation's role as an implementing partner of the visionary 'Ksheera Bhagya' program by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, aimed at providing milk to schoolchildren, ensuring that their educational pursuits are not hindered by nutritional deficits. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the guests toured the facility and served meals to children, visibly impressed by the foundation's dedication to quality and community impact. The Akshaya Patra Foundation currently serves over 1.8 lakh children across 1200+ schools in Bangalore and 4.4 lakh children across 3400+ schools in Karnataka. This project is more than just a facility; it reflects The Akshaya Patra Foundation's enduring dedication to nurturing young minds and fostering community participation. It also underscores the organization's drive towards promoting healthy eating habits and advancing sustainable practices. With the continuous support of the Government of Karnataka and the commitment of all stakeholders, The Akshaya Patra Foundation is set to continue its mission of ensuring that 'No child is deprived of education because of hunger.' For more details, please log on: www.akshayapatra.org. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India Moscow [Russia], December 25: Moscow's Manege will host the second Moscow Beauty Week, from December 26 to 29 -- a large-scale exhibition bringing together residents, visitors, and industry professionals. This event not only immerses attendees in the festive spirit but also serves as a key platform for promoting Russian brands. It will be one of the flagship events of the "Winter in Moscow" project. New Year's is the most beloved holiday in Russia, symbolizing renewal, magic, and cherished family traditions. During this time, cities across the country transform into winter fairy tales filled with festive atmosphere and grand celebrations. Among these events, the second Moscow Beauty Week will stand out as a major attraction in the capital. Visitors from India are warmly invited to explore the exhibition, experience Russian traditions, and find unique gifts and souvenirs for themselves and their loved ones. The Moscow Beauty Week will feature over 500 Russian brands, offering a one-stop solution for holiday shopping. The market will showcase skincare and decorative cosmetics, accessories, holiday decor, and confectionery items, with discounts of up to 20% on select products. Special attention will be drawn to the "Made in Moscow" stand, where more than 50 local brands will present products infused with soul and care. This enchanting space will transport visitors into the atmosphere of a magical workshop, offering assistance in selecting and beautifully wrapping souvenirs for the New Year celebrations. For Visitors from India Planning a Trip to Moscow: The exhibition offers an excellent opportunity to visit the capital with family, combining a stroll through Moscow's festive streets with the experience of its premier pre-New Year event. Organizers have prepared over 50 free master classes and a transformation zone where industry professionals will provide tips on creating unique New Year's looks, including makeup and hairstyles. Young visitors will enjoy a special Magic Gift Workshop, where they can craft their own Christmas tree ornaments and festive decorations. Children can also meet Ded Moroz (the Russian Santa Claus), make a wish, and savor caramel apples, adding an extra touch of magic to their holiday experience. The second Moscow Beauty Week is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Moscow, discover Russian traditions, and create unforgettable memories for the whole family. (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) PNN New Delhi [India], December 25: TARAgram Yatra 2024, the flagship event of Development Alternatives, brought together social impact enthusiasts, civil society leaders, social innovators, policymakers, corporate, government officials, and changemakers, with the aim to showcase replicable, scalable impactful work on-ground that has happened alongside communities at grassroot level. It was a pilgrimage for participants representing various stakeholders who came together to meet communities and understand their challenges. Through this unique rural learning and immersion program, community members could highlight their lived realities, providing invaluable insights into local needs and innovative grassroots solutions. The yatra began with TARAgram Mela, which was a celebration of bringing together artisans from across the country and showcasing their creativity. The Yatra witnessed an interesting engagement with women leaders of the communities through Nari Manchan, where 22 rural womenpreneurs narrated their challenges and their solutions, highlighting the critical issues they face and the innovations they are driving. The Yatris then travelled the length and breadth of Bundelkhand to witness the change that has been brought about by DA over the years. Three Yatra's, three different themes-Circular Economy, Rural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience was flagged of by DA's CEO Shrashtant Patara. The yatra on Circular Economy, took the yatris to Mador Village where they witnessed transformative application of circular economy principles through sustainable building practices and innovative material use. Demonstrations at TARA Nirman Kendra, Orchha included alternative construction materials such as fly ash bricks and limestone calcined clay cement (LC3), emphasizing resource efficiency and low-carbon solutions. Discussions revolved around integrating these models into mainstream practices to drive systemic change. Another set of Yatris went on the yatra with focus on Creating Rural livelihoods through Skilling and Entrepreneurship, with field visits to Shakti Kendra, Ghugwa Village showcasing a small lens into micro-movements in the form of enterprises. Participants engaged in dialogues with community members, gaining insights into innovative practices that promote sustainable and inclusive economic resilience. Further the Yatris witnessed the proceedings of Kaun Banega Business Leader an innovative tool to identify local business leaders at Village Simrawadi. The focus on Building Climate Resilience through Ecosystem Restoration was demonstrated by the visit to Budhpura Village. Community-led initiatives, including the construction of check dams and the implementation of the WADI model of farming, showcased the transformative power of restoring ecosystems. Yatris also witnessed the working of the Radio Bundelkhand and how it has been amplifying our message to more and more members of the community. With more than 300 community members actively participating, the Yatras highlighted the critical role of grassroots innovation in mitigating climate vulnerabilities and fostering adaptability to environmental challenges. During the TARAgram Yatra 2024, participants witnessed a collaborative panel discussion, Nadi Kinare Chaupal, moderated by the Indian Climate Collaborative (ICC), aimed at understanding and advancing community-led climate action. Later, the conclusive plenary, Saar Sangam, brought together key stakeholders for a policy level discussion, including Padma Shri Uma Shankar Pandey Ji, representing the community; Amita Sharma, Former Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, as the voice of the government, Prabhakant Jain, CSR Head of DS Group bringing in the corporate perspective; Ram Sanjivan ji of Manviya Drishtikon Sewa Samiti, as the voice of grassroots and Prof. V Padmanabhan from Goa Institute of Management presenting the academia side and also as the Knowledge Partner for the Yatra. These discussions bridged grassroots challenges with institutional expertise, emphasizing nature-based solutions and sustainable livelihoods to connect community actions with policy frameworks. Highlighting on this synergy, Prabhakant Jain, GM and CSR Head of DS Group, said, "The Yatra exemplifies the potential of collaboration to tackle pressing climate challenges. The insights and innovative solutions shared during the Yatra inspire actionable takeaways, reinforcing the importance of partnerships in driving impactful, community-led change." "Development Alternatives has been doing impactful work in Bundelkhand since 1982 and has consistently brought creative solutions to solve water and livelihood problems in the region, which shows how grassroots challenges can be transformed into actionable solutions. Platforms like the Taragram Yatra are essential to design creative plans that integrate community insights with expert knowledge, creating blueprints for governments to implement policies that truly benefit society." said Padma Shri Uma Shankar Pandey Ji. "TARAgram Yatra 2024 was a proud moment for Development Alternatives as it showcased its 40 plus years in Bundelkhand. This year's Yatra was special as we have tried to focus on how industry can play a critical role in contributing towards creating social impact. Our various conversations during the Yatra and the three Yatra's itself highlighted how corporates can lead the change and how best they can meet the challenges to drive this change. Bundelkhand was the microcosm example of this much desired change across India. We hope to replicate, scale and accelerate our work across India with renewed fervour to help build a nation that is resilient and futuristic. To showcase that humans and planet can coexist and prosper," said Dr. Ashok Khosla, Chairman, Development Alternatives. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], December 25: As we look ahead to 2025, a new generation of visionary leaders is emerging, poised to redefine industries, drive innovation, and accelerate growth across the nation. These trailblazers are not only shaping the future with groundbreaking ideas and technologies but also creating environments where disruption becomes opportunity. From tech startups to established giants, these leaders are setting the stage for the next wave of transformation, navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving digital landscape. In this article, we highlight the innovators to watch in 2025--individuals who are transforming the way we work, live, and connect. 1. Shipra Dawar: Founder and CEO of ePsyClinic Shipra Dawar is the Founder and CEO of ePsyClinic, an innovative platform dedicated to improving mental and emotional wellness. A graduate of the Australian National University and an MBA in Leadership and International Strategy, Shipra's personal battle with depression inspired her to create IWill, a mobile-first therapy app launched in 2017. With over 1.5 million unique visitors monthly, IWill pairs users with therapists tailored to their unique needs, making mental health support accessible to all. Shipra is deeply committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in India, where her platform offers virtual therapy sessions to help people combat depression, anxiety, and other disorders. Through her leadership, ePsyClinic continues to grow, providing much-needed resources and education on mental wellness, while championing the cause of accessible, affordable healthcare for everyone. 2. Anurag Sharma, Founder & CEO at GM Enterprises Founded in 2016 by Anurag Sharma, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience in solutions, software, and hardware, GM Enterprises is committed to providing high-quality products for the utility sector. Specializing in advanced metering solutions, we help organizations efficiently meter and conserve natural resources like gas and water. Our product range includes gas and water meters, regulators, and AMR/AMI solutions, designed to meet evolving industry needs. With a strong presence in India, the Middle East (Saudi Arabia & Dubai), and Africa, GM Enterprises is dedicated to sustainability and resource conservation for future generations. Driven by Sharma's vision, we offer innovative solutions that support global sustainability efforts while serving industries and communities worldwide. 3. Ishaan Bahl, CEO - Risa hospitality Pvt Ltd Ishaan Bahl, CEO of 145 Cafe & Bar, represents a new wave of innovation in India's hospitality sector. As a third-generation restaurateur from the Bahl family, known for the iconic Khyber restaurant, Ishaan has carved his unique path by creating spaces that resonate with millennials. His vibrant 145 chain combines diverse global cuisines with casual, youth-oriented environments featuring pool tables and edgy decor. Educated at USC's Marshall School of Business, Ishaan refined his entrepreneurial vision, blending his global exposure with street-style Bombay charm. 145 is entering its 10th year and Ishaan is poised to expand 145 to cities like Delhi and Bangalore, exemplifying resilience and forward-thinking leadership. 4. Aditi Balbir, Aqeel Ahmed and Shruti Anand, Co-founders, EcoRatings Founded in 2023, by Aditi Balbir, Aqeel Ahmed and Shruti Anand, EcoRatings is a Gen AI solution for sustainability applications aimed at enterprises with sustainability related goals and compliance requirements. The solution consists of a Large Language Model with a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture in an enterprise environment which seamlessly integrates with the company's ERPs to streamline disparate datasets and offer real-time decision making. It enables tracking of Scope 3 emissions, developing decarbonisation strategies, conducting need gap analysis, competitor mapping, ratings, providing insights to improve performance and meet compliances- all in a geography, industry and framework agnostic approach that allows for immense global scalability. The company has successfully raised $1 million in its pre-seed funding round and was recognized as part of the Forbes Select 200 Companies with Global Business Potential. Its subsidiary, EcoRatings Fintech Solutions, has recently obtained a SEBI license as an ESG ratings provider to rate both listed and unlisted companies and their financial securities. 5. Anish Deshpande, Founder of The Deshco Group Anish Deshpande, the visionary Founder of The Deshco Group, brings years of expertise to elevating luxury hospitality through his flagship venture, Deshco Holidays. With a collection of 27 exclusive villas & growing, near Mumbai and Delhi, Deshco Holidays has delighted over 5,000+ guests with exquisite stays in lavish villas and suites, delivering unparalleled comfort and elegance. He has also founded The Luxe Wagon, a brand that provides a unique mobile luxury experience, featuring exclusive amenities. Looking forward, Anish aims to expand into luxury boutique hotel space, ensuring even more personalized and unique experiences for everyone. His unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation ensures Deshco Holidays emerges a leader in the luxury hospitality landscape, setting new benchmarks for opulence and exceptional service. 6. Dhanjay Kumar, Founder & CEO: Gydium Dhanjay Kumar, Founder and CEO of Gydium, is a leading force in shaping the future of digital and technological innovation. As we approach 2025, his relentless pursuit of progress positions him as a leader to watch. Under his leadership, Gydium has pioneered an AI-powered social media platform that integrates photo and video sharing with augmented and virtual reality, offering new possibilities for businesses and individuals. Dhanjay is also driving advancements in AI, from personalized content delivery to generative AI tools, reshaping user experiences and business operations. Gydium's vision for a seamless digital ecosystem blends the physical and digital worlds, promoting innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. Committed to ethical practices, Dhanjay aims to empower individuals and communities globally through technology. 7. Agnel John founder of Error Makes Clever Error Makes Clever, founded by Agnel John in 2023 and co-founded by Richa Marcia, is revolutionizing the EdTech industry by simplifying technology education. With a mission to make learning unforgettable, this bootstrapped company has achieved remarkable 3x growth in just over a year through the strategic use of personal branding. By focusing on delivering clear, concept-driven education, Error Makes Clever empowers students from all backgrounds, including Tier 3 regions, to master technology. The company has built a strong digital presence, earning the trust of over 1.5 million students worldwide and becoming the most-followed EdTech brand in Tamil Nadu. They have also personally trained over 5,000 students, delivering exceptional value through their programs. Guided by a vision to provide an unforgettable learning experience globally, Error Makes Clever proves that with the right approach, anyone can achieve tech mastery, making them a trailblazer in accessible education. 8. Rajeev Chhabra, Founder & CEO of PropFTX Rajeev Chhabra, Founder & CEO of PropFTX, is a visionary leader transforming the real estate investment landscape with cutting-edge technologies like AI and Blockchain. With over three decades of industry experience, Rajeev has built a reputation for scaling businesses and driving innovation. His latest venture, PropFTX, is the world's first fractional real estate platform powered by AI and Blockchain, making high-value property investments accessible to a global audience. Under his leadership, PropFTX is redefining transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in the real estate sector. Rajeev's commitment to democratizing real estate investment and his focus on sustainable growth are paving the way for a new era of financial empowerment and global expansion in 2025 and beyond. 9. Shrideep Ghag, Visionary Entrepreneur, Founder of OGenee, AI fashion Platform Shrideep Ghag, a visionary entrepreneur, founded THE HEXCLO fashion brand to honor his late mother's passion for design. With over a decade of experience in software development, Shrideep faced challenges entering the fashion industry, which led him to create Ogenee, an AI-powered platform designed to transform the fashion landscape for emerging brands. Ogenee offers tools, actionable analytics, and AI-driven solutions to streamline processes like outfit generation, trend prediction, and personalized recommendations. The platform empowers small and mid-sized brands to thrive in a competitive market, addressing key industry challenges like accessibility and creativity. Shrideep's mission is to bridge technology and fashion, enabling innovation and fostering creativity. Ogenee is set to revolutionize the future of fashion, offering a new approach for brands and individuals in the digital era. 10. Shweta Gupta, CEO & Founder of FYVA - https://fyva.in/ FYVA is a rapidly growing fashion destination that combines sustainability with premium quality, offering a unique solution for the modern, conscious shopper. Founded by Shweta Gupta, a seasoned expert with over 20 years in the garment industry, FYVA focuses on transforming export surplus into high-quality, affordable fashion--preventing waste and reducing landfill impact. Through strategic partnerships with top garment exporters in India and Bangladesh, FYVA ensures access to premium, export-grade apparel at true, competitive prices. The platform's business model promotes circularity, delivering significant cost savings while contributing to a sustainable fashion ecosystem. What sets FYVA apart is its curated collections with limited editions, creating exclusivity and driving demand. The intuitive platform personalizes the shopping experience, enhancing customer engagement. As FYVA scales, it continues to redefine value in fashion by combining high-quality, exclusive designs with a commitment to environmental responsibility and conscious consumption." 11. Shipra Neeraj: Motivational Speaker & Entrepreneur - Dream With Shipra Shipra, also known as Dream With Shipra, is a leading entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and empowerment advocate. Hailing from a small town in rural India, she broke free from societal constraints to build a successful business empire spanning industries like real estate, e-commerce, and fashion. As one of the top motivational speakers and success mindset influencers, Shipra inspires thousands globally to overcome challenges, pursue their dreams, and achieve personal growth. Through her social initiative, One Purpose, she empowers individuals with education, skill-building, and business opportunities, fostering financial independence and leadership development. Shipra's ethos of empowerment goes beyond just providing resources--she instills self-belief and resilience. Her speaking engagements, workshops, and mentorship continue to transform lives, encouraging people to embrace their potential and break through limitations. Shipra's message is clear: success begins with belief, and that belief starts within you. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 25: The National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) organized the 'Palasamudram National Painting Camp' in association with the Sir JJ School of Art, Architecture and Design. This prestigious event brought together 25 renowned artists from contemporary Indian art, all distinguished alumni of the Sir JJ School of Art, Architecture, and Design. The camp was organized as part of the beautification through the creation of unique and meaningful artworks. The painting camp, commenced on December 13th and hosted its closing ceremony on December 19, 2024 at the NACIN campus. Over this period, the celebrated artists contributed their exceptional talents to transform the campus into a vibrant space that reflects the rich cultural heritage and creativity of India. The initiative not only aimed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the campus but also to provide a platform for fostering artistic exchange and collaboration. The event was curated and implemented with the joint efforts by Mr. Shashikant Kakade, Registrar, Sir JJ School of Art, Architecture and Design, Mumbai and Prof. Rajanish Kamat, Vice Chancellor, Sir JJ School of Art, Architecture and Design, Mumbai of the institute. Mr. Kakade also graced the event by his august presence. The artists from Sir JJ School of Art, Architecture and Design showcased a remarkable confluence of art, culture, and creativity to witness the transformation of the Palasamudram campus into a masterpiece of collective imagination. Shri Gaigongdin Panmei, Principal Director General, NACIN, Palasamudram said, "This painting camp is a unique fusion of art and purpose, symbolizing the power of creativity to inspire and transform spaces. We are honored to host such a talented group of artists who will leave a lasting legacy on our campus." Prof. Rajanish Kamat, Vice Chancellor, Sir JJ School of Art, Architecture and Design, Mumbai said, "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the participating artists and organizers for their dedication to this initiative. The National Painting Camp at Palasamudram is not only a celebration of artistic excellence but also a testament to the enduring partnership between NACIN and the Sir JJ School of Art." The artworks created during this camp will become an integral part of the NACIN Palasamudram campus, enriching the environment for trainees and visitors alike. The initiative reflects Sir JJ School of Art's commitment to promoting art, culture and education in harmony. Through this event, we aim to establish Palasamudram as a hub of artistic and intellectual inspiration, paving the way for future collaborations in the field of art and design. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Amber Heard has spoken out following the bombshell allegations made by actress Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director on 'It Ends With Us'. Lively's complaint accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment and engaging in a coordinated effort to smear her reputation. Heard, who has long been familiar with the public scrutiny of high-profile legal battles, reacted to the allegations with a personal statement that sheds light on her own experiences with media manipulation. In her statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, the 37-year-old actress, who now resides in Spain, commented on the challenges of public perception, especially when it comes to the power of social media. "Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying 'A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.' I saw this firsthand and up close. It's as horrifying as it is destructive," Heard shared, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Her comments echo sentiments she expressed during her own defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp, where the media played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion. In 2023, Justin Baldoni hired crisis PR expert Melissa Nathan, who had previously been employed by Depp's legal team during his defamation case against Heard. Nathan, who worked for Hiltzik Strategies during Depp's trial, left the company in October 2023 to start her own firm, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Lively's lawsuit, filed in late December, outlines an alleged "social manipulation" campaign orchestrated by Baldoni's team to damage her reputation after she accused him of harassment on the 'It Ends With Us' set. According to the complaint statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Baldoni and his publicist, Melissa Nathan, had discussed strategies to "bury" Lively. In one of the text exchanges, Nathan allegedly responded, "We can't write we will destroy her," referencing efforts to discredit the actress, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Lively's accusations include disturbing allegations of Baldoni making inappropriate comments and displaying nude videos or images of women during filming. She also claims that Baldoni discussed his alleged pornography addiction, and sexual experiences, and made inappropriate comments about her weight. She demanded these actions stop in a meeting attended by Baldoni, members of the crew, and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. In a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Lively expressed hope that her legal action would help expose the "sinister retaliatory tactics" used to target individuals who speak out against misconduct. "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted," she said, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Justin Baldoni, through his attorney Bryan Freedman, has strongly denied Lively's allegations, calling them "serious and categorically false." Freedman argued that Lively's claims were an attempt to fix her negative reputation, which he believes was formed organically through her actions during press interviews and the promotional campaign for the film. "TAG PR must be the most powerful group of publicists the world has ever seen for it to be able to completely change the perception of both Amber Heard and Blake Lively," Freedman stated, referring to the crisis PR teams involved, as per The Hollywood Reporter. He further criticized the public nature of the actresses' interviews, claiming that the public had already formed their opinions based on the information available. The controversy took another turn when WME, a major talent agency, dropped Baldoni as a client following the news of Lively's complaint. WME also represents both Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. (ANI) Allu Aravind, film producer and father of 'Pushpa 2' actor Allu Arjun, has announced financial support of Rs 2 crores for Sri Tej, the victim of the Sandhya Theatre tragedy and the son of Revathi, who lost her life in the incident and the victim's family. After meeting the child injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premier show of 'Pushpa 2', Allu Aravind told the media, "...After speaking to the doctors, we are very happy to know that the boy is recovering... and all the days he has been on ventilator and ventilator has been removed and he is breathing himself and doctors are very positive about his recovery..." He added, "To support the family and the boy after coming out... for his future, all this we thought we should support him with an amount of Rs 2 crores-Rs one crore has been given by Allu Arjun and Rs 50 lakhs given by the producers and 50 lakhs by the director. This amount is being handed over to Dil Raju, Chairman of Telangana Film Development Corporation..." Dil Raju visited KIMS Hospital in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, to meet Sri Tej's family. Speaking to ANI, he revealed that he had earlier met Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to discuss providing support to Sri Tej's family, ensuring that both the film industry and government would extend all necessary assistance. "He (the child injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premiere show of Pushpa 2) is responding and recovering... He was taken off the ventilator two days ago," said Dil Raju. Earlier, the producers of Pushpa 2, Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar, handed over a Rs 50 lakh cheque to the victim's family at KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad, in the presence of Telangana Minister for Roads & Buildings and Cinematography, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. The cheque was received by Revathi's husband, the father of Sri Tej, who is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. On Tuesday, actor Allu Arjun was questioned by Hyderabad police in connection with the tragic incident during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2 on December 4. Meanwhile, the boy injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premiere of Pushpa 2 in Hyderabad, Telangana, has responded after 20 days, his father said. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Bhaskar, the father of the injured child, expressed gratitude for the support they are receiving. "The child responded after 20 days. He is responding today. Allu Arjun and the Telangana government are supporting us," he said. On December 4, when Allu Arjun attended the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre, a massive crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor, and chaos ensued when he waved to fans from the sunroof of his car. This led to the tragic death of a woman named Revathi and injuries to her child. Following the incident, Allu Arjun was arrested and later released on bail after furnishing a Rs 50,000 bond. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Police have intensified their crackdown on drug peddling in the region, registering 94 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act this year, officials said on Tuesday. As part of their efforts, chargesheets have been filed in 64 cases, and 156 individuals have been arrested and produced in court. "Along with terrorism, there is a drug menace as well. J-K Police are relentlessly working against drug peddling and those involved. This year, we have registered 94 cases under the NDPS Act. Chargesheets have been filed in 64 cases, and 156 people have been produced in court. We have also seized properties worth Rs 4.5 crore," Srinagar SSP Imtiyaz Hussain said. On December 22, the Budgam Police attached properties worth Rs1.28 crore in four cases under the NDPS Act. The properties include a residential house and vehicles, such as a Mahindra Scorpio, Mini Truck, and Ashoka Leyland, owned by Muhammad Yaseen Dar of Sholipora Budgam. Dar is implicated in FIR Nos. 302/2020 and 134/2021. Additionally, in Chadoora, police attached land and a residential house worth Rs 63.7 lakh owned by Muhammad Ayoub Beigh, involved in case FIR No. 47/2024, officials said. On December 10, Awantipora Police seized property worth Rs3.30 lakh from drug peddler Jitender Singh. The property, a four-wheeler, was confiscated under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act for being acquired through illicit drug trafficking, they said. In October, Anantnag Police disrupted an interstate drug trafficking racket. Three individuals were arrested, and 413 bottles of Codeine Phosphate were recovered. The consignment, destined for Sopore and Srinagar, was intercepted at Doonipora Sangam, they added. (ANI) On Tuesday, the maximum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 21 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature settled at 9 degrees Celsius, intensifying the need for night shelters, where homeless people found relief from the biting cold. Visuals from the Jama Masjid night shelter showed people resting comfortably, while similar facilities at Sarai Kale Khan, Old Delhi, and other locations also provided shelter to those in need. On Tuesday evening, Delhi experienced light rain across several parts, further amplifying the winter chill. Visuals from Kasturba Gandhi Marg showed how the drizzle added a wintry touch to the festive atmosphere. These showers also brought temporary relief from the city's persistent pollution, settling dust particles and slightly improving air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) at 10 pm stood at 356, still in the "very poor" category. However, the unexpected rain caused traffic jams and congestion in parts of the city, with vehicles moving at a snail's pace on roads like Ring Road near South Extension. (ANI) According to officials, the shooting occurred after a scuffle. The injured were identified as Bharat and Tushar. Both were rushed to the hospital, where Bharat has since been discharged, and Tushar is undergoing treatment, they said. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and also under the Arms Act. Delhi Police are making efforts to arrest the accused. Further details are awaited. Earlier, a 21-year-old youth died and another man was critically injured in Delhi's Jahangirpuri area on Monday after being stabbed by three juveniles, who were later apprehended. The deceased was identified as Aman (21), a resident of Jahangirpuri, and the injured person as Pawan (45). (ANI) BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri has announced that the party's manifesto, Sankalp Patra, for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections has been finalised and will soon be unveiled. In a post on X, Bidhuri added that the manifesto would represent the aspirations of the people. "The final meeting of the Sankalp Samiti of Delhi Pradesh BJP was held at my residence today. The Sankalp Patra for the upcoming assembly elections has been finalised. It will be released soon. The Sankalp Patra will be a symbol of people's aspirations. All the members of the committee were present in the meeting," the BJP MP said. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a brainstorming session with the RSS at the BJP headquarters extension office in Delhi on Tuesday. The leaders discussed ways to improve coordination between the BJP and RSS during the elections. Building on victory strategies used in Haryana and Maharashtra, discussions focused on enhancing BJP-RSS coordination for the polls. National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santosh, Delhi BJP State General Secretary (Organisation) Pawan Rana, State President Virendra Sachdeva, State In-charge Baijayant Panda, and several other officials attended the meeting. Assembly elections in Delhi are due in February, and the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is pushing for a third consecutive term. Kejriwal stepped down as Chief Minister after being granted bail in a corruption case. He has stated that he would return to the top office only after the "people's verdict" in this election. The BJP, meanwhile, is going all out to turn the tables on the AAP and ensure its defeat. The Aam Aadmi Party has released its candidates on all the seats for the upcoming polls. The Congress has released two lists of candidates whereas the BJP is yet to announce its candidates. In the 2020 Assembly elections, AAP secured 62 out of the 70 seats, while the BJP won eight. The Delhi Assembly elections are expected to take place in early 2025. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday paid tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary. Highlighting Vajpayee's legacy, Dhami praised him as a skilled administrator and a pioneer of the state's creation while commemorating his contributions to India's progress and global stature. "The late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a great orator, skilled administrator, politician, and popular public leader who was respected by people from all sections of society. National interest was paramount for the late Vajpayee. Atal ji has been the pioneer of the state of Uttarakhand. He not only created the state but also laid the foundation for its development," he said. "Under the leadership of the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India created its new identity in the world and moved forward strongly in the 21st century. He had an amazing ability to take everyone along. He will always be remembered for his far-sighted thinking, creations, the Pokhran nuclear test, and India's victory in the Kargil war," Dhami added. In a post on X, CM Dhami remembered the "unique leadership skills, farsighted thinking and invaluable contribution to Indian politics" of the former Prime Minister. "My heartfelt tributes to the former Prime Minister of the country, our source of inspiration, 'Bharat Ratna' revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his birth anniversary. Your unique leadership skills, farsighted thinking and your invaluable contribution to Indian politics will always remain unforgettable," he stated. https://x.com/pushkardhami/status/1871739316063650171 Earlier, Pushkar Dhami extended his greetings to the people of the state, particularly the Christian community, on the occasion of Christmas. In his message, CM Dhami said that this festival of Christmas gives us the message to follow ideals like service, sacrifice, love and compassion. He added that the festival is a celebration of mutual brotherhood and sharing happiness. On Friday, CM Pushkar Dhami paid tribute to late statehood activist Indramani Badoni by garlanding his portrait on his birth anniversary at Uttarakhand Niwas in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Chief Minister said Indramani Badoni made a significant contribution to the movement for the formation of a separate Uttarakhand state. Referring to Badoni as the "Gandhi of Uttarakhand," Dhami highlighted his pivotal role as the architect of the 1994 statehood movement. He praised Badoni's vision for the development of mountainous regions and his enduring contributions to the struggle for state formation. (ANI) The rescue operation to save a three-and-a-half-year-old girl who fell into a 150-foot-deep borewell in the Kiratpur village of Kotputli district in Rajasthan entered its third day on Wednesday. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Brajesh Chaudhary said, that the priority of the rescue team is to save the child alive and the NDRF operation has been going on for 24 hours. "The rescue team's priority is to take out the child alive and more probability for that is through NDRF's rescue operation. NDRF was saying that through piling machine, the probability (of taking out the child alive) would be less. Therefore, for 24 hours we continued this (NDRF rescue operation) but the child couldn't be taken out so now the piling machine is being brought...it will take 6-7 at least (to complete the rescue operation) once the piling machine comes," SDM Brajesh Chaudhary said. On Tuesday the trapped three-and-a-half-year-old girl was brought up 30 feet above with the help of clips by personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) OP Saran said, "The girl was 150 feet below. Using clips, we have brought her around 30 feet above. We are trying to rescue her and the NDRF team is also engaged in the same. Oxygen is being continuously provided to her. we are trying to save her by boring nearby." "Cameras have also been installed and our entire team is engaged.. efforts are being made to take out the girl as soon as possible," Saran told ANI. Authorities including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration have been working tirelessly to ensure her safe recovery. Teams from the district administration and medical personnel have been on-site since the incident was reported, ensuring safety protocols are maintained. Local authorities have cordoned off the area to ensure rescue operations can proceed without interruptions. (ANI) The Janata Dal (Secular) recently condemned the Mysuru City Corporation's proposal to rename a road after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. "The decision of the Mysore Metropolitan Corporation to name the KRS Road in the historic city of Mysore as 'Siddaramaiah Arogya Marg' is condemnable," JD(S) posted on X. This comes after the Mysuru City Corporation proposed the famous KRS road be renamed "Siddaramaiah Arogya Marga." The KRS road stretches from the city to popular attractions outside city limits. Raising strong objections against the proposal, JD(S) said that the Chief Minister was accused number one in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam and was facing a Lokayukta probe. "The accused A1 Siddaramaiah, who illegally obtained a site in MUDA and cheated, is facing trial in the court and Lokayukta," the Karnataka's opposition party said, adding that there was no elected board in the city's Corporation. "There is no elected board in the Mysore Metropolitan Corporation. The officials appointed by the Congress government have decided to name the road after Siddaramaiah to repay their debt," JD(S) said. The opposition party further said that renaming the KRS road after CM Siddaramaiah was an "insult" to the entire state. "Naming a road after the Chief Minister is a betrayal and insult not only to the historic city of Mysore but to the entire state," JD(S) added. Over a week ago, tensions escalated between Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Karnataka over issues of internal reservation and alleged land allotment scams. Congress leader BK Hariprasad responded sharply to BJP President BY Vijayendra's demands on the MUDA scam, challenging his stance. "Vijayendra should ask for the investigation of the land allotted to RSS and Sangh Parivar... At what cost have they taken this land?" Hariprasad demanded, directing attention toward land allocations he believes warrant investigation. Vijayendra had previously sought action on the alleged MUDA scam, raising questions about land irregularities. Hariprasad, however, chose to shift focus to the BJP's ties with right-wing groups, calling for greater scrutiny of their land dealings. (ANI) Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra extended greetings on the auspicious occasion of Christmas on Wednesday, and wished for everyone to enjoy a celebration filled with "peace, joy, and the light of kindness and love." "May the spirit of Christmas illuminate our hearts with compassion and fill our days with kindness and joy. Wishing you and your loved ones a celebration filled with peace, joy, and the light of kindness and love," Priyanka Gandhi posted on X today. https://x.com/priyankagandhi/status/1871745654051205482?t=aSjerd-SUsZ5LyCg5j2B9w&s=08 Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge also extended Christmas greetings while underscoring the values of compassion for all living beings and concern for those in need. He added that the festival underscores the need to follow the ideals of sacrifice, service, redemption and amity. "To my fellow citizens, I extend warm wishes on Christmas, which embodies the ideals of forgiveness, peace, and unity. The festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ underscores the need to follow the ideals of sacrifice, service, redemption and amity," Kharge said in a post on X. "The values of compassion for all living beings and concern for those in need imbue this joyous occasion with a unique spirit of sharing. May these festivities usher in a new era of hope, happiness, and prosperity for all. Merry Christmas!" he aded. https://x.com/kharge/status/1871730488785711388 As the festive spirit swept across the nation, cities were beautifully adorned with dazzling lights on Tuesday night, setting the stage for the Christmas celebration. Churches and markets came alive with vibrant decorations, including sparkling stars, twinkling lights, and intricately arranged Christmas cribs, creating a joyous ambience on the eve of the holiday. The festive mood was evident everywhere as communities gathered to commemorate the occasion. Churches across the country showcased stunning decorations, drawing large congregations for prayers and reflection. Meanwhile, bustling markets added to the excitement with shoppers picking out Christmas trees, gifts, and festive treats. Visuals from across India captured the essence of the celebrations. In Kerala's Ernakulam, the St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral was adorned with lights, stars, and Christmas cribs as devotees sang hymns and carols. Similarly, special prayers were held at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral in Thiruvananthapuram. In Goa's Panaji, the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church sparkled with festive decor, while in Tamil Nadu's Madurai, the St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral was beautifully illuminated, as shown in captivating drone visuals. Midnight mass prayers were a highlight at the Santhome Cathedral Basilica in Chennai, and devotees also gathered at the Thiru Iruthaya Andavar Church in Thoothukudi.(ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his greetings to the people of the country on the occasion of Christmas while wishing for peace and prosperity. In an X post, the Prime Minister also shared highlights from a Christmas programme at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). "Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity," he wrote. "Here are highlights from the Christmas programme at CBCI," he added. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1871756588429815862 President Droupadi Murmu also wished the nation on Christmas, and wrote, "Merry Christmas to all! This special day reminds us of Jesus Christ's timeless teachings of love, kindness, and compassion." "On this joyous occasion, let us strive to spread happiness, promote equality and foster the spirit of unity in the society," she added. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1871756539041849545 Prime Minister Modi on Monday attended a Christmas program at the headquarters of the Catholic Church in India. The Prime Minister also interacted with key leaders from the Christian community, including cardinals, bishops, and prominent leaders of the Church. Notably, this is the first time a Prime Minister has attended such a program at the headquarters of the Catholic Church in India. Meanwhile, cities across India were beautifully adorned with lights on Tuesday night, creating a festive ambience for the Christmas celebration. Churches and markets were illuminated with vibrant lights, sparkling stars, and beautifully arranged Christmas cribs a day before the main holiday. The spirit of celebration was visible everywhere, with communities coming together to mark the joyous occasion. Churches were adorned with stunning decorations, creating a magical atmosphere that drew large crowds for prayer and reflection. Markets were bustling with activity as people shopped for Christmas trees, gifts, and festive treats, adding to the holiday excitement. Visuals of the celebrations are emerging from the different parts of the county. In Kerala's Ernakulam, St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral was beautifully decorated with lights, stars and Christmas cribs. Devotees sang hymns and carols in celebrations. (ANI) Dense fog and poor visibility in New Delhi caused major disruptions on Christmas morning, with 20 trains departing from the city delayed, including major services like the Mumbai Central Rajdhani Express and Dakshin Express. The fog, coupled with the persisting cold temperature and poor visibility, added to the problems. The trains delayed included the Mumbai Central Rajdhani express running from New Delhi to Mumbai, Durg-Hazrat Nizammudin expres running from Durg to Delhi, Dakshin express running from Delhi to Hyderabad, Duronto express and the Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizammudin Gondwana Express running from Jabalpur to Delhi among other trains. The temperature recorded in the city was 10 degrees Celsius, according to the Indian Meteorological Department. Visibility in the city was recorded at 100 meters due to dense fog at 5:30 am. Earlier today, locals said that they used bonfires to keep themselves warm. "The temperature have dropped down a lot due to the rain that took place yesterday. We have to use bonfires to keep ourselves warm.." Mohammad Javed Ansari, a local said speaking to ANI. .Another local complained about the lack of visibility due to the fog. "The temperature has dropped down a lot due to the rain yesterday. It has become very cold and there is barely any visibility.." said the local. Meanwhile, the AQI in the city was recorded at 333, falling under the 'very poor' category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board at 8 am. The AQI measured in other areas also remained in the 'very poor' category. AQI in Anand Vihar was 360, 372 at Ashok Vihar, 362 at Bayana, and 324 at the CRRI Mathura Road. An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401-500 is severe. Deepak Pandey, another local, said both the winter and pollution had become harsh in the city. "The pollution and the winters both have become very harsh. It is taking a toll on people as they are suffering from breathing difficulties..." said Pandey. Another local said that the government would have find a permanent solution to the pollution in the city. "The pollution has reduced a bit due to the rain, however the government needs to find a permanent solution to this," said the local. Meanwhile, on December 24, moderate rain lashed the city further amplifying the winter chill. (ANI) Telangana Congress MLA Bhupathi Reddy has issued a stern warning to actor Allu Arjun, threatening to prevent the release of his films in the state unless he refrains from making further comments about the Chief Minister. Speaking at a public meeting in Nizamabad, Reddy stated that Arjun should respect his position as an actor and stay focused on his career. T The Congress MLA said, "I am warning you not to speak about our CM. You're from Andhra and should behave like one. You have come here for livelihood. I am speaking as a ruling party MLA, so respect the position given to you and do your business. You are just an actor. You do your work and live; what is your contribution to Telangana? We are issuing a warning to you--if you don't change your behavior, Congress workers will not let your movies run." On Tuesday, actor Allu Arjun was questioned by Hyderabad police in connection with the tragic incident during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2 on December 4. Meanwhile, the boy injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premiere of Pushpa 2 in Hyderabad, Telangana, has responded after 20 days, his father said. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Bhaskar, the father of the injured child, expressed gratitude for the support they are receiving. "The child responded after 20 days. He is responding today. Allu Arjun and the Telangana government are supporting us," he said. On December 4, when Allu Arjun attended the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre, a massive crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor, and chaos ensued when he waved to fans from the sunroof of his car. This led to the tragic death of a woman named Revathi and injuries to her child. Following the incident, Allu Arjun was arrested and later released on bail after furnishing a Rs 50,000 bond. (ANI) Union Minister of State Nityanand Rai on Wednesday praised Arif Mohammed Khan after he was appointed new Governor of Bihar and said that the latter is very educated and cares about the poor, backward and deprived. "The post of Governor is a very respected post and Arif Sahab is very educated, he cares about the poor, backward and deprived. He respects the Constitution. Bihar has got a very good Governor, the previous Governor was also very good," Rai said. On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu appointed former Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the governor of Manipur, replacing Lakshman Prasad Acharya. Bhalla's appointment comes in the midst of the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities which erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, last year, against the Manipur High Court's directive to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list. Moreover, Hari Babu Kambhampati, governor of Mizoram, is also appointed as the governor of Odisha, following the resignation of Raghubar Das. Hari Babu Kambhampati will now be replaced by Former Minister of State for Civil Aviation Retd. General Vijay Kumar Singh who'll soon take oath as Mizoram governor. Notably, the President also appointed Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan as Governor of Bihar. Bihar governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will succeed Khan as the Governor of Kerala. The appointments will take effect from the dates the Governors assume charge of their respective offices. (ANI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Wednesday hit out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amid chaos over a public notice issued by the Delhi government's Women and Child Development (WCD) department, labelling it as "Bharatiya Jootha Party" and accusing it of spreading falsehood. He said that action will be taken against officers who were pressured by the BJP to release the public notice rejecting the existence of Mahila Samman Yojana announced by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. People will not believe the lies spread by the BJP, Singh said. He further said that Kejriwal fulfilled the promises while he was the Chief Minister of Delhi, but the BJP has not been able to do so. BJP failed to bring back black money or provide two crore jobs, Singh alleged. "BJP has gone mad. Their brains have stopped working. Action will be taken against officers who were pressured by the BJP to release this public notice. Kejriwal, as the Chief Minister, gave free electricity, water, education, and healthcare...these schemes (Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana) will also be implemented. It is not only a promise but a guarantee. We will fulfil it. On the other hand, there is the Bharatiya Jootha Party that promised to bring back black money, provide two crore jobs, and give 15 lakhs...they did nothing. They have destroyed the country. Nobody is going to believe the Bharatiya Jootha Party. They can spread lies," Singh told ANI. The Rajya Sabha MP, further said that these schemes were guarantees given by Kejriwal that will be implemented after AAP wins the upcoming 2025 Delhi assembly elections. "Why is there so much hatred against elderly people and women? Kejriwal is one of those Chief Ministers who worked more than he promised. This is Kejriwal's guarantee that after winning elections, senior citizens above the age of 60 will receive free treatment in private and government hospitals. Rs 2,100 will be given to women," he added. Meanwhile, the BJP has slammed Kejriwal, accusing him of misleading the public and committing "digital fraud." Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva said, "Arvind Kejriwal is leading the people of Delhi towards digital fraud. There is an AAP government in Delhi, and their own department is issuing a warning to the public that no such scheme exists. Arvind Kejriwal is cheating the people of Delhi. This is Atishi vs Arvind Kejriwal." (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary and called him a great thinker of Indian politics and a true son of Mother India who dedicated his entire life to the prestige, service and development of the country. Speaking to ANI, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "The birth centenary of Prime Minister Atal Ji is being celebrated all over the country. I believe that Atal Ji was a great thinker of Indian politics and a true son of Mother India who dedicated his entire life to the prestige, service and development of the country. Atal ji not only got the respect of the people of his political party but other political parties as well." Singh also praised Vajpayee for strengthening the Indian economy and starting the North East West Corridor. "I have had a personal relationship with him, I have also got the opportunity to work with him for a long time...He played a very important role in strengthening the Indian economy and everyone knows that the GDP growth rate at that time was more than 8%. I think this was a very big achievement. He also started the North East West Corridor. He started many such schemes and I believe these schemes were pathbreaking steps," Defence Minister Singh said. Earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries paid floral tribute to the Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100 birth anniversary at the 'Sadaiv Atal' memorial in New Delhi. Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and was elected three times as the nation's prime minister. Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from 19 March 1998 to 22 May 2004. He also served as India's External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979. He passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16, 2018. (ANI) Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's foster daughter, Namita Kaul Bhattacharya on Wednesday offered floral tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birthday at the 'Sadaiv Atal' memorial in the national capital. Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Vajpayee as a tall statesman whose leadership continues to inspire the nation and recalled the pivotal role played by the former Prime Minister in India's transition to the 21st century. In an article he penned, PM Modi describes Vajpayee as the "architect of India's transition into the 21st century that set stage for country's economic surge". In his tribute, PM Modi lauded Vajpayee for his foresight in projects like the Golden Quadrilateral, his leadership during the nuclear tests, and his commitment to strengthening Indian democracy and the Constitution. PM Modi wrote, "Our nation will always be grateful to Atal Ji for being the architect of India's transition into the 21st century. When he took oath as PM in 1998 our nation had passed through a period of political instability. In about nine years we had seen four Lok Sabha elections." The PM's article on Vajpayee's contribution to the nation was carried in several newspapers. The Prime Minister said, "The people of India were getting impatient and also sceptical about governments being able to deliver. It was Atal Ji who turned this tide by providing stable and effective governance. Coming from humble roots, he realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance." Praising Vajpayee further, the PM wrote that his era marked a gigantic leap in the world of Information Technology, telecom and communications. "This was particularly important for a nation like ours, which is also blessed with a very dynamic Yuva Shakti. The NDA Government under Atal Ji made the first serious attempt to make technology accessible to the common citizens. At the same time, there was foresight in connecting India." "Even today, most people recall the Golden Quadrilateral Project, which connected the length and breadth of India. Equally notable were the Vajpayee Government's efforts to enhance local connectivity as well through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Similarly, his Government gave a push to metro connectivity by doing extensive work for the Delhi Metro, which stands out as a world-class infrastructure project," he wrote. "Thus, the Vajpayee Government not only boosted economic growth but also brought distant regions closer, fostering unity and integration," the Prime Minister wrote. "On his 100th Jayanti, let us rededicate ourselves to realising his ideals and fulfilling his vision for India. Let us strive to build an India that embodies his principles of good governance, unity, and progress. Atal Ji's unwavering belief in the potential of our nation continues to inspire us to aim higher and work harder," PM wrote. The Uttrakhand Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami also paid tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary. Dhami highlights Vajpayee's legacy and praises him as a skilled administrator and a pioneer of the state's creation while commemorating his contributions to India's progress and global stature.(ANI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday extended protection to the mother and sister of an accused in a case involving alleged religious conversion and abetment of suicide. This follows a recent order in which the court granted protection to the brother of the accused, who is a practicing lawyer at the Delhi High Court. Advocates Kashif Athar and Irfan Firdous, representing the petitioners, informed the court that the mother and sister of the main accused, Faraz Athar, are seeking protection. Faraz Athar is currently in judicial custody. The lawyers clarified that Faraz Athar had been engaged to the complainant's daughter and that the suicide occurred at her residence. They argued that the allegations against the petitioners involve facilitating tuition for the complainant's daughter, with claims that they attempted to convert her to Islam against her will. However, they emphasised that there is no allegation suggesting the petitioners played any role in instigating the complainant's daughter to commit suicide. The bench, led by Justice Vikas Mahajan, on December 24, issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government and directed that the notice be served through the Resident Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh in New Delhi, as well as the Standing Counsel in Delhi. Kashif Athar, the brother of the accused, stated that despite the Delhi High Court granting protection to their family, the Ghaziabad Police has announced a Rs 25,000 reward on them. He insisted they are not absconding and slammed the actions of the Uttar Pradesh Police. Athar further condemned the investigation, calling the allegations false and fabricated. He also questioned the timing of the FIR, which was filed six days after the incident. On December 20, the Delhi High Court granted transit anticipatory bail to a lawyer whose brother faces charges under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religious Act, as well as for cheating, breach of trust, causing hurt by means of poison, sexual intercourse by deceitful means, miscarriage, and dowry-related allegations. These charges stem from accusations made by the father of the woman, who alleged that the accused abetted her suicide. The lawyer sought protection from arrest, as the case is being handled in Uttar Pradesh. Advocates Sumit Gehlot and Nikhil Bhalla, representing petitioner Kashif Athar pro bono, argued that the petitioner's brother, Faraz Athar, had been engaged to the complainant's daughter and that the suicide occurred at her residence. Advocate Sumit Gehlot stated that the sole allegation against the petitioner is that he allegedly instructed his brother to obtain a no-objection letter from the complainant, stating he had no issue with his daughter marrying a Muslim man. However, there are no allegations that the petitioner instigated the complainant's daughter to take her own life. During the hearing, the court requested Additional Standing Counsel for the State of NCT of Delhi, Amol Sinha, to assist in determining whether the court has the authority to grant transit anticipatory bail since the FIR is registered in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, which falls outside its jurisdiction. The court noted the law established by the Supreme Court in Priya Indoria v. State of Karnataka & Ors. and held that it does have jurisdiction to grant such bail. The court also observed that, according to the prosecution, the petitioner's brother had gotten engaged to the complainant's daughter on November 24, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Noida in the presence of family members from both sides. However, on December 1, the complainant's daughter tragically committed suicide, leading to the FIR against the petitioner and his family members, including his mother, brother, and sister. The Ghaziabad police recently arrested 38-year-old Faraz Athar on charges of abetting the suicide of a 30-year-old woman and allegedly coercing her to convert for marriage. According to the police, the woman died after setting herself on fire with kerosene at her house in Ghaziabad on December 11. Her 70-year-old father subsequently filed an FIR against Faraz Athar, a resident of Shahdara, Delhi, currently living in Noida. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday paid tribute to Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his birth centenary. Speaking on this occasion, he acknowledged Vajpayee's deep connection with the state of Himachal Pradesh and his contributions to the nation. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a very old and cherished bond with Himachal Pradesh. He often visited Preeni village and had a profound love for nature. He was one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and worked as a statesman throughout his political career," CM Sukhu said. The Chief Minister emphasised Vajpayee's efforts in strengthening the BJP and RSS ideologies, noting his pivotal role in the early days of the party. Sukhu said, "Under his leadership, the BJP managed to secure victories for two MPs, solidifying the party's foundation. Despite political differences, Vajpayee Ji maintained good relations with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. His representation of India at the United Nations during Congress rule at the Centre showcased his dedication to upholding the nation's dignity." Highlighting Vajpayee's legacy as a leader, Sukhu added, "He was forthright and clear in his approach. Whether it was the 13-day government, the 13-month government, or his full term as Prime Minister, he always spoke his mind and worked tirelessly for the country. His contributions will forever remain in the hearts of every Indian." CM Sukhu departed for Bengaluru to attend the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. Discussing the agenda for his trip, he said, "I am going to Bengaluru to participate in the Congress Working Committee meeting. Following this, I will meet with Union Ministers and government representatives to discuss federal issues concerning Himachal Pradesh. If appointments are arranged, I also plan to attend the pre-budget meeting in January and raise issues related to our state." He highlighted critical concerns, including revenue and financial challenges faced by Himachal Pradesh. "Baddi is known as a pharma hub, yet we are not receiving GST shares adequately. From 2022, we have been deprived of around Rs2,500 to Rs3,000 crore in GST. Revenue deficit grants have also been withheld, and our borrowing limits have been capped," he explained. The Chief Minister expressed optimism about resolving these matters through federal cooperation. "After implementing OPS (Old Pension Scheme), we have charted a direction for the state. I am happy that all our MLAs and cabinet members are united in these efforts. If financial aid and support come from the Centre, it will be a positive step. I will continue to raise these issues in the coming days," he stated. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary, saying that despite his rightist ideology, he upheld the secular fabric of our country as Prime Minister. In a post on X, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin said "On the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, we remember his contributions to Tamil Nadu's infrastructure and his camaraderie with our leader, Kalaignar. As Prime Minister, despite his rightist ideology, he upheld the secular fabric of our country. His legacy endures." Earlier today, in the national captial, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries paid floral tribute to the Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100 birth anniversary at the 'Sadaiv Atal' memorial. In Uttar Pradesh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Ministers KP Maurya and Brajesh Pathak paid floral tributes to Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary. Speaking to ANI, Rajnath Singh called Atal Bihari Vajpayee a great thinker of Indian politics and a true son of Mother India who dedicated his entire life to the prestige, service and development of the country. "The birth centenary of Prime Minister Atal Ji is being celebrated all over the country. I believe that Atal Ji was a great thinker of Indian politics and a true son of Mother India who dedicated his entire life to the prestige, service and development of the country. Atal ji not only got the respect of the people of his political party but other political parties as well," Singh said. Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and was elected three times as the nation's prime minister. Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from 19 March 1998 to 22 May 2004. He also served as India's External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979. He passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16, 2018. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday spoke about the celebrations marking former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 100th birthday, stating that these events are a medium for people to express their gratitude to the great men of the country. Adityanath's comments came during a series of events marking the centenary of Vajpayee, which included a special poetry recital and the unveiling of a statue of the revered leader by the Chief Minister and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. "The celebrations are a medium for all of us to express our gratitude to the great men so that we can inspire the coming generation to follow those paths. Atal Vajpayee was a great poet and his poems have been very famous. A poetry recital was also organized for him. I am happy that the youth took a lot of interest in it..." Adityanath said while addressing the people and the media. During the celebrations, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also unveiled a statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Earlier in the day, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the former Prime Minister, stating that his governance was appreciated worldwide. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee's governance was appreciated all over the world... his good governance has brought the country to where it is today and he showed on how we can achieve good governance. The government of America has also said that if one wants to see good governance they should come to India.. be it Atal's government or Narendra Modi's government, we have achieved good governance today.." Singh said while addressing the media. He further added that good governance can only be achieved when it fulfills the body, mind, wealth, and soul. "Governance can only be called good when it fulfills the body, mind, money and the soul. The Uttar Pradesh government has proved a good governance. In the last eight years, India has brought 25 crore people out of poverty line... this is good governance. Our Prime Minister has fulfilled all his duties.. good education, employment and so many other schemes have been introduced for the people..." the Defence Minister added. Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India in two terms--from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. He also served as India's External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Morarji Desai from 1977 to 1979. Vajpayee passed away on August 16, 2018, at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi. (ANI) Congress leader TS Singh Deo on Wednesday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary saying that his policies and openness are what the country needs. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Deo said, "I wish the countrymen a Merry Christmas. Today is also the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I pay tribute to him. He was such a leader of the country who was acceptable to me even when he was in the opposition. His policies, his nature, his comparative openness, this is what the country needs. No matter which party the leader belongs to, he should have such ideas that can take the country forward unitedly." Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and called him a great thinker of Indian politics and a true son of Mother India who dedicated his entire life to the prestige, service and development of the country. "The birth centenary of Prime Minister Atal Ji is being celebrated all over the country. I believe that Atal Ji was a great thinker of Indian politics and a true son of Mother India who dedicated his entire life to the prestige, service and development of the country. Atal ji not only got the respect of the people of his political party but other political parties as well," Singh said. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary, saying that despite his rightist ideology, he upheld the secular fabric of our country as Prime Minister. In a post on X, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin said "On the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, we remember his contributions to Tamil Nadu's infrastructure and his camaraderie with our leader, Kalaignar. As Prime Minister, despite his rightist ideology, he upheld the secular fabric of our country. His legacy endures." Earlier today, in the national capital, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries paid floral tribute to the Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100 birth anniversary at the 'Sadaiv Atal' memorial. Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and was elected three times as the nation's prime minister. Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from 19 March 1998 to 22 May 2004. He also served as India's External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979. He passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16, 2018. (ANI) According to the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner's office, the accused is in police custody and an investigation is underway. The police formed four special teams to nab the accused in the alleged sexual assault of a college student. The members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and All India Women Welfare Federation held a protest outside the Anna University campus in Guindy over alleged sexual assault on a University student on campus on Tuesday. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Wednesday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary. "I pay tribute to Bharat Ratna former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth centenary year. Today is being celebrated as Good Governance Day. We all have pledged to realise Atal ji's dream," Keshav Prasad Maurya told ANI. He also paid tribute to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya on his birth anniversary. "Today is also the birth anniversary of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya; we pay tribute to him and will work to carry forward his ideas and principles," he added. Good Governance Day is observed in India annually on December 25, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lucknow. Addressing the public, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee's governance was appreciated by people from all over the world. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee's governance was appreciated all over the world... his good governance has brought the country to where it is today and he showed us how we can achieve good governance. The government of America has also said that if one wants to see good governance, they should come to India. Be it Atal's government or Narendra Modi's government, we have achieved good governance today. Singh said while addressing the media. Further, he said that governance could only be claimed good when it could fulfil the body, mind, money and soul. Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and was elected three times as the nation's prime minister. Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. He also served as India's external affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979. He passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16 2018. (ANI) Gorakhpur BJP MP Ravi Kishan marked the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee by distributing fruits at the District Women's Hospital and meeting families of newborn babies on Wednesday. Speaking to ANI, BJP MP Ravi Kishan said, "We distributed fruits to everyone here at the women's hospital, and met the families of the newborn babies. Everyone reflected on Atal ji's memories and poems. It felt great to be here and meet all the newborn babies. It was a great experience." Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's foster daughter, Namita Kaul Bhattacharya on Wednesday offered floral tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birthday at the 'Sadaiv Atal' memorial in the national capital. Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Vajpayee as a tall statesman whose leadership continues to inspire the nation and recalled the pivotal role played by the former Prime Minister in India's transition to the 21st century. In an article he penned, PM Modi described Vajpayee as the "architect of India's transition into the 21st century that set the stage for country's economic surge". In his tribute, PM Modi lauded Vajpayee for his foresight in projects like the Golden Quadrilateral, his leadership during the nuclear tests, and his commitment to strengthening Indian democracy and the Constitution. PM Modi wrote, "Our nation will always be grateful to Atal Ji for being the architect of India's transition into the 21st century. When he took oath as PM in 1998 our nation had passed through a period of political instability. In about nine years we had seen four Lok Sabha elections." The PM's article on Vajpayee's contribution to the nation was carried in several newspapers. The Prime Minister said, "The people of India were getting impatient and also sceptical about governments being able to deliver. It was Atal Ji who turned this tide by providing stable and effective governance. Coming from humble roots, he realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance." (ANI) Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary on Wednesday, highlighting his legacy and remarkable contributions to the country and Himachal Pradesh. Speaking to media persons, Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur reflected on Vajpayee's widespread popularity, stating, "There was a time when he was the most popular politician not just in India but the entire world. He started the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana...without which numerous villages of our country would not have had road connectivity." Thakur further credited Vajpayee for key initiatives in Himachal Pradesh, such as the industrial package, the establishment of the country's biggest pharma hub in Nalagarh, and the construction of the Atal Tunnel. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla also lauded Vajpayee's achievements, emphasizing his role in strengthening India's global standing. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave such an achievement to India by conducting the nuclear test in Pokhran (Rajasthan) that the entire world has in admiration. He gave a message to the whole world, that India will not accept anyone's coercion," Shukla stated. Highlighting Vajpayee's inclusive political approach, the Governor added, "Even while being in the opposition, he worked alongside every party. He tied the whole country together." Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday paid tribute to Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his birth centenary. Speaking on this occasion, Sukhu acknowledged Vajpayee's deep connection with the state of Himachal Pradesh and his contributions to the nation. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a very old and cherished bond with Himachal Pradesh. He often visited Preeni village and had a profound love for nature. He was one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and worked as a statesman throughout his political career," CM Sukhu said. The Chief Minister emphasised Vajpayee's efforts in strengthening the BJP and RSS ideologies, noting his pivotal role in the early days of the party. Sukhu said, "Under his leadership, the BJP managed to secure victories for two MPs, solidifying the party's foundation. Despite political differences, Vajpayee Ji maintained good relations with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. His representation of India at the United Nations during Congress rule at the Centre showcased his dedication to upholding the nation's dignity."(ANI) Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President K. Annamalai on Wednesday criticised the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led state government over the alleged sexual assault of a student at Anna University, stating that crimes against women are at an all-time high. Speaking to reporters, Annamalai said the incident occurred when a girl and a boy, both university students in their fourth and second years respectively, were on the university campus. Two unidentified individuals allegedly entered the campus and sexually assaulted the girl. "There are some terms that are new to Tamil Nadu. One of them is gang rape. We have been hearing it frequently over the past three years. Crimes against women are at an all-time high. This incident is not only shocking but leaves us paralysed with shame. In one of the safest places, Chennai--specifically the sprawling Anna University campus, which has existed for decades--a girl and a boy were attacked. The boy was beaten, and the girl was brutally sexually assaulted, sustaining injuries," Annamalai said. Criticising the state government for its handling of law and order, Annamalai urged authorities to grant the police freedom to investigate the incident thoroughly to prevent such occurrences in the future. "The CCTVs on campus were not functioning, which reflects the current state of law and order and administration in Tamil Nadu. This is a moment of collective shame. We hope the police will be allowed to do their job without interference. With all MLAs and MPs in Chennai belonging to the DMK, is this how the city ensures the safety of its people? I hope and pray the Tamil Nadu government takes action. At least let this incident be the last of its kind," he added. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami condemned the incident, highlighting its occurrence 12 years after the Nirbhaya case in Delhi as an indictment of the Stalin administration's failure to prioritise law and order. "The news of a female student being sexually assaulted by two men at Anna University is shocking. It is disgraceful that such a heinous crime occurred at Anna University, a proud landmark of Tamil Nadu, located in the heart of the capital. The fact that such incidents are happening 12 years after the Nirbhaya case in Delhi shows that Chief Minister Stalin has relegated law and order to the background," Palaniswami posted on X. He added, "Mr. @mkstalin's model government, which always denies the breakdown of law and order when I point it out, could have prevented many such incidents had it taken even minimal action. I strongly condemn the DMK government for letting law and order deteriorate to a level where women cannot feel safe at educational institutions or workplaces." Palaniswami called for immediate action and the harshest punishment for the perpetrators. "I urge Mr. Stalin's DMK government to arrest the culprits immediately, ensure they receive the maximum legal punishment, and strengthen police efforts to safeguard women across the state," he said. BJP State Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy also expressed shock, demanding swift action. "The capital of Tamil Nadu is becoming a lawless city. This government has lost control over law and order. A girl has been gang-raped in Chennai. This is the state of governance. The BJP strongly condemns this. The perpetrators must be arrested immediately, and justice must be served. The Anna University campus must be made secure," he stated. Meanwhile, one person has been arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape, according to officials. The Greater Chennai Police Commissioner's office confirmed that the accused is in custody and investigations are underway. The police have formed four special teams to apprehend all those involved in the assault. In response to the incident, members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Women Welfare Federation held a protest outside Anna University's campus in Guindy, demanding justice and improved safety measures for students. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has responded to the recent Kalyan rape case, emphasizing the urgent need for quick judicial action and greater societal awareness. Speaking about the incident, Fadnavis said, "Unfortunately, these incidents are happening in the society. The solution is that the judicial system should provide justice quickly and there should be awareness in society." He stressed that 95 per cent of such crimes are committed by relatives and acquaintances, calling it both a law-and-order issue and a deeper societal problem. Fadnavis continued, "There should be sensitivity towards women and girls in the society," underlining the necessity for a cultural shift to prevent such crimes. His remarks come in the wake of a brutal rape case that has shaken Kalyan, a town in the Thane district of Maharashtra. In the same address, the CM also hit out at the Congress party, accusing them of distorting speeches to tarnish the reputation of national leaders. Fadnavis said, "Congress always fears that no one should become bigger than the Nehru-Gandhi family. That is why they always insulted Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar." He called on Congress to apologise for their actions, particularly accusing them of "editing and cutting" speeches, such as that of BJP leaders Amit Shah and PM Modi. "What they did with Amit Shah is the cheapness of politics because BJP, Amit Shah and PM Modi cannot insult BR Ambedkar even in their dreams," Fadnavis stated, adding that Congress has "lost its ground" and that every move by the Congress is to "regain the ground." Yesterday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has accused the Congress party of playing politics by sharing an edited video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on BR Ambedkar. CM Fadnavis demanded an apology from the Congress, alleging that they had disrupted the Parliament session. "The Congress party should first apologise for editing the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah and politicising it. They disrupted the Parliament session. Prime Minister Modi, during his speech in Parliament, exposed how the Congress has repeatedly insulted the Constitution--from Nehru to Indira, from Rajiv to Sonia," CM Fadnavis said. The Chief Minister added that the Congress was frustrated after PM Modi "exposed" their leaders for "continuously insulting" the Constitution. (ANI) "Nitish Kumar has worked for the development of the state. Naveen Patnaik has also served Odisha for years. Such people should be honoured with awards like Bharat Ratna," Giriraj Singh told reporters. He further said that the NDA government will be formed under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. "NDA government will be formed again in Bihar. Nitish Kumar has been the Chief Minister for so many years. Today's children who have turned thirty have not seen Lalu ji's jungle raj," he added. On Tuesday, Union Minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will contest the 2025 Bihar Assembly election under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. "In the 2025 Bihar Assembly election, the NDA will contest under the leadership of Nitish Kumar," Ranjan Singh told ANI. The ruling NDA did well in the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar. Apart from BJP, NDA in Bihar includes JD-U, LJP (Ram Vilas) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular). Nitish Kumar toppled the Mahagathbandhan government a few months before the 2024 Lok Sabha election and again formed a government with the BJP. BJP is senior partner in the NDA in the state. While BJP has 84 MLAs, JD(U) has 48 in the State Assembly. Notably, the Assembly elections for 243 assembly seats in Bihar are likely to be held at the end of 2025. (ANI) In a post on X, CM Dhami said that the local administration has been directed to carry out immediate relief and rescue operations. "The news of the bus accident near Bhimtal is very sad. The local administration has been directed to carry out immediate relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of all the travellers," he wrote on X. This comes after several people were injured after a roadways bus fell into a ditch about 100 meters deep in the Bhimtal area of Uttarakhand's Nainital on Wednesday, officials said. As per the officials, the bus belongs to roadways and was going from Bhimtal to Haldwani with 20 to 25 people travelling on the bus. Following receiving information, a relief team SDRF reached the spot and the rescue operation is underway. "Today, on 25 December 2024, information was received from the District Control Room, Nainital that a roadways bus has crashed near Bhimtal, on which the rescue teams of SDRF have left for the spot from Post Nainital and Khairna," SSP Nainital Prahlad Meena said. (ANI) In a bid to assess the state of healthcare in Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today conducted surprise inspections at some of Srinagar's premier medical institutions. His visit aimed to get a firsthand look at the facilities and services provided to patients and their attendants, ensuring that healthcare infrastructure meets the growing demands of the region. The Chief Minister's first stop was at the Bone & Joint Hospital, Barzulla, one of Kashmir's leading orthopedic healthcare centers. Accompanied by Minister of Health Sakeena Itoo, senior doctors, and hospital staff, Abdullah toured the hospital's various wards, interacting with patients and their families. His focus was on understanding the challenges they face and assessing the hospital's ability to cater to the increasing number of patients, particularly during the winter months. One key area of concern addressed during the visit was the hospital's additional block, which is currently under construction. Funded by the World Bank as part of the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP), this state-of-the-art block will add 160 new beds, increasing the hospital's total capacity from 150 to 310 beds. The project is designed with earthquake-resilient technology, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of safety and efficiency. However, Abdullah expressed concern about the delay in its completion, particularly after a fire incident in 2022 that reduced the hospital's original capacity from 200 to 150 beds. He directed the executing agencies to expedite the process and set a firm deadline for the operationalization of the block by January 2025. Abdullah also visited the 500-bedded Children's Hospital in Bemina, where he continued his inspection. Here, he spoke with patients, attendants, and hospital staff to understand their issues. One of the primary concerns raised by attendants, especially those from far-flung areas, was the lack of a Sarai (inn) where they could stay during their visits. The Chief Minister immediately directed authorities to construct a Sarai to accommodate attendants and alleviate their difficulties. Additionally, hospital staff pointed out challenges related to space constraints for expanding super-specialty services. Abdullah assured them that these issues would be addressed on priority. He also promised to resolve the shortage of medical staff, including doctors and paramedics, not only at this hospital but across healthcare facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. Throughout the inspections, the Chief Minister emphasized the government's commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure. He also underscored the need for timely availability of medicines and other essential facilities to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. (ANI) A man tried to commit suicide by setting himself on fire in front of Rail Bhawan on Wednesday afternoon, said the police. The local police and railway police along with some civil persons immediately extinguished the fire and the person was rushed to hospital. More information is awaited. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi wished a Merry Christmas to the Christian community in India and around the world. He recalled that the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, had completed a year since its formation and congratulated the people of Madhya Pradesh. He added that developmental works had gained momentum, along with the implementation of new infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores in the past year. The Prime Minister remarked that today marked the laying of the foundation stone for the historic Ken-Betwa river-linking project, the Daudhan Dam, and the Omkareshwar floating solar project - Madhya Pradesh's first solar power plant. He congratulated the people of the state for these advancements. Terming the day as exceptionally inspirational in honour of the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Prime Minister said it marked a festival of good governance and service, inspiring everyone. While releasing the commemorative stamp and coin in memory of former PM Vajpayee, PM Modi said that Vajpayee had mentored many foot soldiers, including him, over the years. The Prime Minister stated that Atalji's service to the nation's development would always remain indelible in our memory. He underlined that work on more than 1,100 Atal Gram Sushasan Sadans would begin today, with the first installment released for the same. He noted that the Atal Gram Seva Sadan would drive the development of rural areas. Emphasising that Good Governance Day was not a one-off event, PM Modi said, "Good Governance is the identity of our governments." Thanking the people for allowing him to serve for a third consecutive term at the Centre and continuously in Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister said that Good Governance was the key factor behind this. He urged intellectuals, political analysts, and academicians to evaluate the country after 75 years of independence, considering parameters such as development, public welfare, and good governance. PM Modi highlighted that his government had succeeded in ensuring people's welfare and developmental works whenever it had the chance to serve. He said, "If we are evaluated on certain parameters, the country will see how dedicated we are to the common people." The Prime Minister stressed that the government worked relentlessly to fulfil the dreams of freedom fighters who sacrificed for the nation. He highlighted that good governance required not just good schemes but also their effective implementation. He noted that the measure of good governance lies in how much the people benefit from government schemes. The Prime Minister pointed out that previous governments had made announcements but failed to ensure their benefits reached the people due to a lack of intent and seriousness in implementation. He highlighted the success of schemes such as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, which ensures farmers in Madhya Pradesh receive Rs 12,000, made possible through Jan Dhan bank accounts. PM Modi also drew attention to the Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh, stressing that it wouldn't have been possible without linking bank accounts to Aadhaar and mobile numbers. He remarked that although cheap ration schemes existed before, the poor had to struggle to obtain rations. Today, thanks to technology and initiatives like One Nation, One Ration Card, the poor receive free rations with complete transparency. PM Modi remarked that good governance means citizens should not have to beg the government for their rights or run around government offices. He emphasised their policy of connecting 100% of beneficiaries with 100% of benefits, setting their government apart from others. He noted that the entire country is witnessing this, which is why the people repeatedly allowed them to serve. The Prime Minister stated that good governance addresses both current and future challenges. He expressed regret that the people of Bundelkhand had suffered for decades due to the misgovernance of previous governments. He highlighted that many generations of farmers and women in Bundelkhand struggled for every drop of water due to ineffective governance, which never considered a permanent solution to the region's water crisis. PM Modi pointed out that Dr BR Ambedkar was one of the first to recognise the importance of river water for India. He highlighted that major river valley projects in India were based on Dr Ambedkar's vision and that the Central Water Commission was established due to his efforts. The Prime Minister expressed regret that previous governments had never given Dr Ambedkar the due credit for his contributions to water conservation and large dam projects. He remarked that even after seven decades, many states in India still faced water disputes due to a lack of intent and misgovernance in the past. PM Modi noted that Vajpayee's government had made serious efforts to address water-related challenges, but these were sidelined after 2004. He stressed that his government was now accelerating the campaign to link rivers across the country, with the Ken-Betwa Link Project about to become a reality, opening new doors of prosperity in Bundelkhand. He explained that the Ken-Betwa Link Project would provide irrigation to 10 districts in Madhya Pradesh, including Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Panna, Damoh, and Sagar, and would also benefit Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh, including the districts of Banda, Mahoba, Lalitpur, and Jhansi. "Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to initiate two projects under the grand river-linking campaign," said PM Modi. He highlighted that during his recent visit to Rajasthan, agreements were made to link several rivers through the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal and Ken-Betwa Link Projects, which would significantly benefit Madhya Pradesh. "Water security is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century," PM Modi remarked. He stressed that only countries with sufficient water would progress, as water is essential for prosperous agriculture and thriving industries. PM Modi shared his experience from Gujarat, where drought is prevalent in many parts, and said that the blessings of the Narmada River from Madhya Pradesh had changed Gujarat's fate. He affirmed his responsibility to end the water crisis in drought-affected areas of Madhya Pradesh. The Prime Minister noted that he had promised the people of Bundelkhand, especially farmers and women, to work sincerely to alleviate their difficulties. He highlighted the creation of a Rs 45,000 crore water-related plan for Bundelkhand. PM Modi stated that the governments in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were continuously encouraged, leading to the laying of the foundation stone for the Daudhan Dam under the Ken-Betwa Link Project. He explained that this dam would have a canal stretching hundreds of kilometres, providing water to approximately 11 lakh hectares of land. "The past decade will be remembered in India's history as an unprecedented decade for water security and conservation," said PM Modi. He added that while previous governments divided water-related responsibilities among various departments, his government created the Ministry of Jal Shakti to address the issue. PM Modi emphasised that for the first time, a national mission was launched to provide tap water to every household. He highlighted that in the seven decades after independence, only 3 crore rural families had tap connections. In the past five years, however, they had provided tap water to 12 crore new families, spending over Rs 3.5 lakh crore on this initiative. The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of water quality testing under the Jal Jeevan Mission, stating that 2,100 water quality labs had been established nationwide and 25 lakh women had been trained to test drinking water in villages. He said that this initiative had freed thousands of villages from contaminated water, protecting people from diseases. PM Modi noted that before 2014, around 100 major irrigation projects in India had been incomplete for decades. His government, however, spent thousands of crores to complete these projects and increased the use of modern irrigation techniques. He highlighted that nearly one crore hectares of land had been connected by micro-irrigation in the past 10 years, including five lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh. The Prime Minister also noted that efforts were being made to create 75 Amrit Sarovars in each district to mark 75 years of independence, resulting in the creation of over 60,000 Amrit Sarovars across the country. The Prime Minister praised Madhya Pradesh's progress in tourism, calling it a sector that creates jobs for the youth and strengthens the economy. He added that India was set to become the world's third-largest economic power, with growing global curiosity about the country, which would benefit Madhya Pradesh. He highlighted a recent report naming Madhya Pradesh among the world's top ten most attractive tourist destinations. PM Modi noted that the central government was continuously working to improve facilities for both domestic and international tourists, introducing e-visa schemes for foreign tourists and expanding heritage and wildlife tourism in India. He emphasised the exceptional tourism potential of Madhya Pradesh, noting its rich historical and spiritual heritage, including sites like Kandariya Mahadev, Lakshman Temple, and Chausath Yogini Temple. He added that Khajuraho had hosted a G-20 meeting, and a state-of-the-art international convention centre was being constructed there to promote tourism. PM Modi elaborated on the government's support for Madhya Pradesh through the Swadesh Darshan scheme, allocating hundreds of crores to develop eco-tourism and new amenities for tourists. He also highlighted the development of the Buddhist Circuit, including Sanchi, and eco-tourism projects like Gandhi Sagar, Omkareshwar Dam, Indira Sagar Dam, and Bhedaghat. He added that the Heritage Circuit would connect Khajuraho, Gwalior, Orchha, Chanderi, and Mandu, while Panna National Park would be part of the Wildlife Circuit. The Prime Minister concluded by stating that the government's efforts to boost tourism would strengthen the local economy, benefiting farmers, small businesses, and the entire community. Lauding Madhya Pradesh for its progress in various areas, PM Modi said the state would play a key role in India's economic growth in the coming decades. He assured the people that the governments at the Centre and state would continue to work sincerely to make Madhya Pradesh a developed state for a developed India. The Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Mangubhai C. Patel, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Virendra Kumar, and C.R Patil, and other dignitaries attended the event. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Tamil Nadu on December 27 to inaugurate newly constructed BJP offices in various districts. The Tamil Nadu BJP has been actively building party offices across various districts, with completed offices in Tiruvannamalai, Coimbatore, and Ramanathapuram. During his visit, Shah will stay overnight in Chennai and then proceed to Tiruvannamalai the following day. There, he will inaugurate the district BJP office in person and, through video conferencing, inaugurate offices in Coimbatore and Ramanathapuram. Apart from the office inaugurations, Amit Shah will hold meetings with senior BJP leaders during his trip. They are expected to discuss the current political scenario in Tamil Nadu, strategize on the ongoing organizational elections, and prepare for the 2026 Assembly elections. BJP's presence in Tamil Nadu is very limited as the party has only four MLAs in the state out of the 234 Assembly constituency. MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam currently holds the majority in the state with 133 seats, while AIADMK forms the largest opposition with 62 seats. Earlier on December 1, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai said that 2026 assembly polls would probably be the end of DMK and its dynastic politics in the state. Annamalai also criticised Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's fast track promotion from MLA to minister to now as Deputy Chief Minister of the state. "Mr Udhayanidhi Stalin wanted to come into politics. We are telling that this is an era of new family member coming in, probably the third generation to continue. They said no, no, he'll be an MLA, then he became a minister, then he fast track as Deputy Chief Minister. Now Tamil Nadu politics is losing its merit. New people are not willing to enter and DMK is a prime example because you want to revolve around the same set of people and now Udhayanidhi Stalin coming up, probably Raja coming up, all sets of sons and daughters racing up. It clearly shows that it's not a very democratic model and no model which is democratic and it will break eventually. And I'm very, very sure Udhayanidhi in entering would be a proof that DMK is a dynastic oriented party. It refuses to listen to other people and 2026 probably will be the end of DMK, will be the end of dynastic. We have to wait and watch," Annamalai told reporters. When asked about actor Vijay's political debut, he said that Tamil Nadu politics is entering a new era because 2026 elections are those elections where one big party won't come into politics and it will be a "coalition era." (ANI) Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel distributed appointment letters to over 800 young recruits in the state forest department on Wednesday, Good Governance Day, celebrating the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a press release said. CM Patel upheld the tradition started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of celebrating Good Governance Day on December 25, the birthday of former PM Vajpayee, by distributing appointment letters. The CM noted that Atal Bihari Vajpayee's governance was centred on the welfare of the poor and common citizens. He emphasized the importance of a skilled workforce in realizing PM Modi's saturation approach, which seeks to extend the benefits of good governance to marginalized communities. The Chief Minister pointed out that the government has adopted transparent, time-bound recruitment processes to channel the youth's skills and potential into public service. He stressed that leveraging the demographic dividend of youth is crucial for driving the state's development. CM Patel also urged the newly appointed youth in the state's Forest Force to actively contribute to both the state's development and the conservation of the environment. He conveyed the belief that these recruits would serve the welfare of nature and humanity, supporting the vision of Viksit Gujarat for Viksit Bharat @2047. The Chief Minister also hoped that their contributions would take Gujarat's development model to new global heights. Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera said that Good Governance Day is being observed across the nation, including in Gujarat, in tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He mentioned that the then Chief Minister and current PM Narendra Modi shaped Gujarat's unique identity through good governance, a legacy that is being strongly carried forward by CM Patel. The Forest Minister emphasized that Good Governance Day is being genuinely celebrated today with the recruitment of a large number of new Forest Guards in the Forest Department. He conveyed that the new generation, empowered with knowledge of science and technology, will play a crucial role in the conservation of forests and wildlife. Mulubhai Bera also wished the newly appointed Karma Yogis great success in their roles. Bera further noted that rescue and treatment centres have been established in Morbi, Jambughoda, Kutch, Jamnagar, and Dwarka to manage human-wildlife conflicts. He also highlighted the initiation of safari arrangements at Barda and Amberdi for lion sightings and informed that scientific methods are being employed to track and count various species, including lions, leopards, bears, and birds. The Forest Minister mentioned that trees are being planted under agroforestry programs to enhance farmers' income. In 2023-24, approximately 20 to 25 urban forests were established in urban areas. Minister of State Mukesh Patel said that good governance is characterized by effective administration and transparent functioning. With the issuance of appointment letters to forest guards, he emphasised their responsibility to protect forests, prevent illegal poaching, and work in harmony with local families. He also urged the nation to actively participate in 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' Abhiyan, initiated by PM Modi, to encourage tree planting and strengthen the connection with nature. On Good Governance Day, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries released three books: "Seva, Sankalp and Sushasan Na 2 Varsh," "Best Practices of Forest," and "Atlas of Indian Wolf Habitats in Gujarat." A documentary showcasing the role of forest rangers in forest and wildlife conservation was also presented. The event was attended by Gandhinagar Mayor Miraben Patel, Gandhinagar North MLA Ritaben Patel, Chief Secretary Raj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretaries Pankaj Joshi and M.K. Das, General Administration Department Additional Chief Secretary Kamal Dayani, Forest and Environment Department Principal Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, Forest Department Head Nityanand Srivastava, senior Forest Department officials, newly appointed Karmayogis, and their families. (ANI) A group of around 100 people attacked the Municipal Corporation Team, who went to remove illegal enclosures located in the Chandan Nagar area in Indore and to shift cows from there to Hatod Gaushala on Wednesday morning, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) commissioner said. The attackers also vandalised the vehicles of the Municipal Corporation and three employees were also injured in the incident. They were admitted to the hospital and doctors said their health condition was fine, he added. "Under the continuous action of Municipal Corporation Indore against illegal encroachment and illegal enclosures, actions were taken against these two illegal enclosures located in Chandan Nagar on Wednesday. Cows located there were being taken to our Gaushala located in Hatod. In the meantime, around 100 of people stopped our vehicles and attacked our team and vandalised the vehicles," said Shivam Verma, Commissioner, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC). "Three of our employees were injured in the incident. We have spoken to the doctor and all of them are fine as of now. Now, we will take further steps into the matter and lodged a complaint with the police. We shifted around 75 cows from the illegal enclosures. We take good care of cows at our Hatod Gaushala," he added. He further emphasised that Indore Municipal Corporation worked according to the instruction of the Chief Minister. Since those were illegal enclosures, action was taken against them. Additionally, residents were constantly complaining that these fences were being built on the drain, which causes nuisance and also proper care of cows should be observed. When there is a proper Gaushala, they should be kept there. Proper arrangements are being maintained in Hatod Gaushala which is owned by the Municipal Corporation, the commissioner said. "We will lodge a complaint and police will take further action against the people who were involved in the attack on our team. We will follow the legal process and strict action will be taken," he added. (ANI) Tensions flared in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, as police used lathi-charge to disperse protestors opposing the proposed Rs 250-crore ropeway project. They also detained some of the protestors. The project, which is intended to link Tarakote Marg and Sanji Chhat over a 12-km route, has sparked widespread protests among locals. Earlier, in response to growing protests against the proposed Rs 250-crore ropeway project connecting Tarakote Marg to the Vaishno Devi shrine, security forces conducted a flag march in Katra to maintain law and order. The project, which aims to improve access to the shrine, has sparked widespread opposition from locals who fear its impact on the environment and their livelihoods. On December 25, local business owners, including pony wallas, shopkeepers, and other proprietors, called for a 72-hour bandh to protest the proposed project. As part of the shutdown, all commercial activities in Katra, a popular pilgrimage town, will come to a complete halt for the next three days. Meanwhile, on November 25, Pony and palanquin owners, along with locals, pelted stones during their protest against the Mata Vaishno Devi ropeway project in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra on Monday. The pony and palanquin owners, who assist thousands of pilgrims travelling to the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, began their protest on November 22. The protestors were opposing the Rs 250-crore ropeway project planned between Tarakote Marg and Sanji Chhat along the 12-km route. Paramvir Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi, told ANI, "People have been protesting here for the past three days, and we have been managing the situation. Today, some of them pelted stones at the police team. We are trying to handle the situation, and hopefully, normalcy will be restored soon." Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the site of the under-construction Jammu Tawi Riverfront Project and reviewed the ongoing work. He stated, "Ninety per cent of the work has been completed, and we hope it will be finished by January. This project will contribute to the development of J-K's tourism." Commenting on the ongoing protest in Katra, he added that any losses suffered would be addressed. The locals and workers have expressed concerns that the ropeway project would render them jobless. The ropeway project, announced by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, aims to provide a faster and safer journey for pilgrims. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Delhi Assembly LoP Vijender Gupta on Wednesday wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, stating that it has become a hallmark of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to make "false announcements" before elections to "entice voters" and then abandon them after gaining power. "The AAP-led Delhi Government, in March 2024, just before the Lok Sabha Election, announced the 'Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana', aiming to provide all women aged above 18 years with monthly financial support of Rs 1000/- starting from 15 April 2024. However, the scheme never took off and remained only on paper, like other similar announcements by the AAP Government in Delhi," Vijender Gupta stated in his letter. The BJP leader further stated that it has been a modus operandi of the Aam Aadmi Party to announce a scheme before elections to lure voters and then discard it after winning the elections. "This modus operandi was also adopted by the party in Punjab when assembly elections were nearing in February 2022. In December 2021, AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal announced a similar scheme of providing Rs 1000/- monthly financial support to women in Punjab. However, the promise was never fulfilled," he said. Vijender Gupta alleged that the scheme to provide Rs 1100/- per month in financial support to women in Punjab was never implemented. "Again, with the Lok Sabha Election 2024 approaching, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Punjab re-announced the scheme to provide Rs 1100/- per month in financial support to women. However, the scheme was again never implemented. It has become a symbol of the AAP government to make false announcements before elections to entice voters, only to abandon them once in power," he added. He further urged the AAP government to implement the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana expeditiously in Delhi. "I would, therefore, request you to implement the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana expeditiously in Delhi to provide social security, in the form of financial assistance, to eligible women residents. It should not prove to be a hollow promise by the AAP Government, especially with the impending General Elections in Delhi," he said. BJP leader Amit Malviya said that Arvind Kejriwal is "nervous due to the fear of defeat." "The man who did not step into the New Delhi Assembly after becoming an MLA and Chief Minister for the third time, leaving the people there yearning for basic amenities like clean water, is now searching for an excuse for his defeat before the election announcement," Amit Malviya posted on X. He further stated that Arvind Kejriwal had "lost his balance" after the Department of Women and Child Development declared that the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana is not part of the Delhi government's schemes. "Arvind Kejriwal has lost his balance ever since the Department of Women and Child Development and the Department of Health and Family Welfare issued public notices clarifying that the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, which promises Rs 2,100 to women, and the Sanjivani Yojana, which claims to provide free medical facilities to senior citizens, are not part of the Delhi government's schemes," he added. This follows the Delhi government's Women and Child Development (WCD) department issuing a clarification regarding the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana' announced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the 2025 assembly elections. The department stated that no such scheme has been officially notified. "It is clarified that no such scheme has been notified by the Delhi Government," the department said in the notice published in national newspapers on Wednesday. "It is emphasised that since no such scheme exists, the question of accepting forms/applications for registration under this non-existent scheme does not arise. Any private individual or political party collecting forms/applications or gathering information from applicants in the name of this scheme is committing fraud and has no authority," the notice said. Following the publication of the notices in several media outlets, the main opposition party in Delhi, BJP, slammed Kejriwal, alleging digital fraud. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday announced to hold 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhaan' rally on December 27. He also took a jab at the BJP, stating that they lack understanding of India's independence history and the importance of iconic figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar. "They (BJP) do not know the history of independence. They do not know the importance of Mahatma Gandhi or Dr BR Ambedkar. The rally that will be held on December 27 will be 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhaan'..." said Shivakumar ahead of the Belagavi CWC meeting on December 26. He emphasised the significance of the Congress party in India's history, saying that whenever Congress has been in power, all sections of society have benefited. Shivakumar credited the Congress party with keeping the country united "The history of Congress is the history of the country. Whenever the Congress party has been in power, all sections of the society have been in power. The Congress party has kept this country united. The resolution that is going to be passed will be discussed by all our national leaders.," he told ANI. This comes after Congress party's ongoing protests over remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah about Dr Ambedkar. The Congress has demanded Shah's resignation over his controversial statement, and in response, the party has called for a series of actions to highlight its commitment to Ambedkar's ideals. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had reportedly said in the Rajya Sabha, "If they (the Opposition) had taken the name of God as many times as they take Ambedkar's name, they would have secured heaven for seven lives." Following Shah's remarks, Parliament witnessed parallel protests from both the Treasury and Opposition benches outside the parliament last week, leading to a huge scuffle between the two sides, with BJP MPs Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput sustaining injuries. The ruling BJP MPs were protesting in Parliament's premises against the Congress party for "insulting" Babasaheb Ambedkar. INDIA bloc MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi, held a protest in Parliament and demanded the resignation of Shah over his remarks on Ambedkar. During the scuffle in Parliament's premises, BJP MPs Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput were injured on their heads. Both parties have alleged that their members were pushed around. Furthermore, an FIR has been registered against Rahul Gandhi by the Delhi police regarding the incident. (ANI) On the occasion of Good Governance Day, Gujarat's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday, launched several innovative initiatives focused on leveraging technology to enhance citizen-centric schemes and public services. Gujarat CM mentioned that the true essence of good governance lies in providing the maximum possible support to even the most ordinary individuals in the state. According to the Gujarat CMO, these initiatives include the Government Performance Index, Scholarship Monitoring System, Revenue Monitoring System, CM Fellowship Website, Swar (a speech-to-text platform), and the modernization of the Gujarat India Portal. The Government Performance Index facilitates the evaluation of state-level citizen-centric schemes, services, projects, and grievance redressal mechanisms across various departments. Key performance parameters have been established to ensure effective monitoring, with departments ranked based on a comprehensive assessment of their performance. To efficiently track and manage the scholarships provided by various state government departments for youth education, a dedicated Scholarship Monitoring System has been integrated into the CM Dashboard. A separate "Revenue Dashboard" has been developed and launched by the Chief Minister to monitor various portals under the Revenue Department, including iORA, Khedut Kharai, Sudhara Hukam, eDhara, City Survey, iMojani, Collector Portal, and case management systems. The CM Fellowship Website has been launched to promote the CM Fellowship Program and encourage youth to engage with good governance initiatives. This platform enhances awareness and facilitates participation in the program. Leveraging Bhashini, an AI-based app developed by the Government of India to promote regional languages, the CMO introduced the "Swar" platform. This platform allows citizens to submit applications or representations through speech. Its speech-to-text feature, integrated with the "Write to CMO" section of the Chief Minister's Office website, was inaugurated by the Chief Minister. The modernized Gujarat India Portal, launched by the Chief Minister, provides single-window access to accurate and comprehensive information about state government services and initiatives, catering to citizens and other stakeholders. While inaugurating these initiatives, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel remarked that true good governance can only be achieved by remaining committed to the welfare of the people and working with genuine intent. He encouraged citizens to provide feedback to enhance these initiatives further and reaffirmed the government's strong commitment to citizen-centric governance. The Chief Minister also urged officers and staff to continuously evaluate their responsibilities and contribute with excellence to enhance the state government's prestige. He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach as an example of how one person can bring transformative and impactful changes in governance. Earlier on Good Governance Day 2023, the Chief Minister's Office and the Wadhwani Institute signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve data-driven governance, data quality, and the implementation of standardized protocols on dashboards and other platforms. The chief minister was also presented with a report detailing the progress made during the first year of this collaboration. Secretary to the Chief Minister, Avantika Singh stated that technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing transparency and delivering swift public solutions. Inspired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's vision, this approach aims to strengthen citizen engagement and improve grievance redressal mechanisms. She assured that the CMO staff remains committed to making technology-driven governance more dynamic through the newly launched initiatives. On this occasion, Chief Secretary Raj Kumar, Advisor to the Chief Minister SS Rathore, Additional Chief Secretaries to the Chief Minister Pankaj Joshi, MK Das, and other senior officers and CMO staff were present. Since 2014, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, December 25, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has been observed nationwide as Good Governance Day. (ANI) Speaking at the 'Good Governance through Effective Implementation' conference in Gurugram, Haryana, Saha highlighted the establishment of a separate Good Governance Department in Tripura. This department ensures the efficient functioning of various sectors, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on the holistic development of the North Eastern region. Additionally, Saha announced the inauguration of the Tripura Institution for Transformation, which aims to improve the implementation of government schemes with 100% transparency. Good Governance Day, observed annually on December 25th to honour the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, emphasizes the principles of transparency, accountability, and effective administration across India. In Tripura, this day was marked by various initiatives and events underscoring the state's commitment to these ideals, much like other states in the nation. As part of its commitment to good governance, the Tripura government inaugurated the Tripura Institution for Transformation. This initiative seeks to drive development and implement effective governance strategies within the state, showcasing Tripura's proactive approach to administrative reforms. Tripura's MBB University and Tripura University also commemorated Good Governance Day by organizing events that honoured Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee's legacy. The observances included discussions and programs focused on promoting good governance principles among students and faculty, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency in academia. These initiatives highlight Tripura's commitment to upholding the values of good governance, ensuring that administrative processes are efficient, transparent, and beneficial to all citizens. In terms of governance, Tripura has gained recognition and awards in several sectors at the Panchayat and District levels in national competitions, drawing attention from Prime Minister Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other high authorities in recent months. Manik Saha emphasized that nearly all areas of good governance have benefitted millions of people, including those in remote and urban areas, bringing smiles to their faces. (ANI) On the occasion of Good Governance Day, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel carried forward the tradition of honouring the legacy of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with renewed vigour. Reflecting on Atal Ji's inspirational words, "Chalo Jalaye Deep Wahan, Jahan Abhi Bhi Andhera Hai" (Let us light a lamp where darkness still prevails), the Chief Minister emphasized the state's commitment to bringing transparency, accountability, and progress to every corner of Gujarat. Marking the day, CM Patel unveiled several new initiatives on Wednesday, aimed at the state's vision of effective governance, ensuring that the benefits of development reach all sections of society, according to a press release. The "Mari Yojana" unified digital platform was launched, providing citizens with detailed information on over 680 schemes of the Central and State Governments. Developed by the Information Department, this portal empowers citizens, including those in remote areas, to access scheme-related information conveniently from their homes. According to a press release, the launch of 'SWAGAT 2.0' Auto Escalation Metrics and the SWAGAT Mobile App introduced an efficient system for handling citizen representations and complaints. These are categorized into GREEN, YELLOW, and RED channels based on severity or complexity, with specific resolution timeframes assigned to each. If a designated officer fails to respond within the given timeframe, the representation automatically escalates to the next higher authority for prompt action. Additionally, dissatisfied complainants can provide feedback, triggering automatic escalation for further review. The SWAGAT Mobile App improves convenience by enabling citizens to submit representations online and track the status of their applications effortlessly. The Chief Minister inaugurated several initiatives by the Department of Science and Technology, including the Semiconductor Training Center established under the Gujarat Semiconductor Policy at Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), Gandhinagar. This ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marketing, and Packaging) Training Center aims to equip 1,000 youths with specialized skills in the semiconductor sector over the next five years. Under Bharat Net Phase-2, the Science and Technology Department, through Gujarat Fiber Grid Network Ltd. (GFGNL), is working to improve connectivity in rural areas. The initiative includes linking 40,000 rural government institutions to the state capital, Gandhinagar, providing 25,000 Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections under the "Har Ghar Connectivity" initiative, and leasing 30,000 kilometres of optical fibre cables through the "Fiber-to-Far Flung Towers" project. These efforts will connect over 1,000 rural towers, enhancing mobile coverage and connectivity quality in the state's remote rural areas. The country's first space observatory, established at the Regional Science Center in Bhuj by the renowned American company "Plane Wave Instruments," has become operational. In addition, the largest CDK24 telescope in the country, now available for use by citizens and students, has been launched. Additionally, the Government of India's digital learning platform i-GOT has introduced Gujarat's state page on the Karmayogi portal. This initiative provides government employees in the state with access to training modules in the Gujarati language on the i-GOT Karmayogi portal. On this occasion, Citizen Civic Centers have been made operational in 34 municipalities across the state to facilitate easy access to government services for citizens. The Department of Labour and Employment, through the State Government's Skill Development University, has distributed 100 drones to 19 ITIs across the state for drone pilot training. As part of the Good Governance Day celebrations, the state government has launched the "Connect Gujar@t" campaign to ensure that the people are informed about various citizen-centric initiatives through different mediums. Through Connect Gujar@t, people will be made aware of the government's actions and various programs, and the government will also receive accurate feedback regarding any shortcomings. On this occasion, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's vision of Surajya Kranti (Good Governance Revolution) has been transformed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi into technology-driven good governance through the dimensions of smart governance, m-governance, and e-governance. He mentioned that through the digitization of governance by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has become easier to deliver rights to the most marginalized sections of society, lifting 25 crore people out of poverty. The Chief Minister regarded this year's Good Governance Day as a harmonious occasion, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the 75th anniversary of the Constitution, and the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Chief Minister stated that the "SWAGAT Online" program initiated by Narendra Modi has addressed numerous critical issues for common people. He conveyed that the "SWAGAT 2.0" mobile app would prove to be extremely useful for grievance redressal and feedback mechanisms. For good governance, he urged both citizens and the government to remain committed to their duties and work towards realizing the goal of "Sauno Sath, Sauno Vikas." In the presence of the Chief Minister, MoUs were signed by Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA) with esteemed organizations such as the National Center for Good Governance (NCGG), Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA), Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), Center for Environmental Planning and Technology University (CEPT), and Art of Living. The Minister of Forests and Environment Mulubhai Bera, Minister of State for Cooperation Jagdish Vishwakarma, Minister of State for Forests and Environment Mukesh Patel, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department Kamal Dayani, along with senior government officials, officers and employees from various departments, and leaders from various organizations were present at this occasion. (ANI) As part of the preparations for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, IG PAC East Zone Prayagraj, Rajeev Narain Mishra, stated that efforts have been made to incorporate all available new technology to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. Speaking to ANI, Mishra explained that an underwater drone was tested on Wednesday, which will be used by the water police and Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC). "Efforts have been made to use all the new technology available to ensure the smooth conduct of this Maha Kumbh. In this sequence, an underwater drone was tested today. It will be used by the water police and PAC. This drone can identify a person or object underwater... We can deploy it anytime as needed... We are continuously making arrangements for all kinds of water surveillance," he said. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya criticised the previous state government led by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, referring to the 2013 Kumbh Mela incident in Prayagraj, where many devotees lost their lives. "When SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was the Chief Minister of UP, the Kumbh was organised in Prayagraj in 2013. The responsibility for the Kumbh Mela was handed to Azam Khan, and an incident occurred during the event in which many devotees died," he said. Maurya highlighted the success of the 2022 Ardh Kumbh Mela, which saw over 24 crore participants. "The Ardh Kumbh Mela was organised in 2022, with more than 24 crore people participating in the event...40-50 crore devotees are expected for the Maha Kumbh. We have made proper arrangements for the safety of the devotees," he said. Under the guidance of the Yogi government, the Maha Kumbh 2025 will showcase a vibrant display of India's cultural diversity from January 10 to February 24. The Uttar Pradesh Culture Department is finalising preparations to present the rich folk arts of India during this period, a press release stated. The Culture Department will set up 20 small stages at key locations across Prayagraj, allowing tourists, devotees, and locals to experience the country's diverse cultural heritage over 45 days. Folk dance forms from various states across India will be performed on these stages. (ANI) Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh expressed gratitude to the Central Government for accepting the state's request to metalise old roads alongside new ones, benefiting approximately 1,000-1,500 kilometres of road metalisation work in the state. He stated that this decision would significantly strengthen the rural road network and help ease the burden on the state exchequer. The minister also highlighted that provisions under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Phase-4 would play a crucial role in strengthening roads in rural areas. Furthermore, efforts are being made to ensure smooth traffic flow on snow-affected roads, with most blocked roads being reopened on time and an adequate workforce and machinery deployed in affected areas. Earlier, Vikramaditya Singh met with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi. Singh thanked the Union Minister for sanctioning Rs350 crores under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), which will significantly improve road connectivity and enhance the state's economic growth. He also expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Minister in exempting ropeway projects from forest clearances by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. The PWD Minister further requested the construction of an alternate road from Ghatasni, Shilha-Badhani-Bhubujot-Kullu, with a tunnel at Bhubujot, which would reduce the distance by 40 km on NH144. He emphasised that this project was vital not only from a tourism perspective but also for its strategic importance, adding that it would greatly benefit tourists visiting Kullu district. The PWD Minister also urged Nitin Gadkari to prioritise the approval for the construction of a Rs125.57 crore double-lane bridge over the Beas River between Basantipattan and Kheri, connecting Kangra and Hamirpur districts, under the Bharat Setu Yojna. He mentioned that the Himachal Chief Minister had also raised this issue with the Union Minister during a previous meeting. Additionally, he requested approval for the construction of a Rs19.09 crore, 110-metre span single-lane steel truss motorable bridge over the Beas River at Pandoh on the Pandoh-Shiva road in the Mandi district. (ANI) Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, inaugurated 10,000 newly established Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (MPACS), along with Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies, in New Delhi on Wednesday. The event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal and Murlidhar Mohol, as well as the Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, according to an official release by Ministry of Cooperation Amit Shah announced the launch of 10,000 new Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (MPACS), along with Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies, coinciding with the birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He emphasized that this milestone is deeply symbolic, as it was during Atal Ji's tenure that the 97th Constitutional Amendment was enacted, highlighting his commitment to revitalizing the long-overlooked cooperative sector. Amit Shah highlighted that on September 19, 2024, an SOP was established, and within just 86 days, the registration of 10,000 PACS was successfully completed. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, upon establishing the Ministry of Cooperation, introduced the motto 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' (Prosperity through Cooperation).Shah emphasized that achieving this vision requires the presence of cooperatives in every Panchayat, actively contributing in some capacity. He explained that primary cooperative societies are the foundation of India's three-tier cooperative structure, which is why the Modi government has set an ambitious target to establish 2 lakh new PACS, as per the press release. Home Minister acknowledged the crucial role of NABARD, NDDB, and NFDB in facilitating the registration of 10,000 PACSs. He highlighted that one of the most significant initiatives after the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation was the computerization of all PACS. This modernization has enabled the integration of PACS with 32 diverse activities, including storage, manure, gas, fertilizer, and water distribution, making them more versatile and effective. Amit Shah noted that these advancements require skilled manpower, which led to the launch of a comprehensive training module. This module aims to equip PACS members and employees with the necessary knowledge and skills. He emphasized that district cooperative registrars must take responsibility for implementing the training program effectively, ensuring the secretaries and executive members of PACS receive quality training. Home Minister Shah shared that the Modi government has set an ambitious target of establishing 2 lakh new PACS within the next five years and expressed confidence that this goal will be achieved ahead of schedule. He detailed the phased approach for this initiative, with NABARD forming 22,750 PACS in the first phase and 47,250 in the second. Similarly, NDDB will establish 56,500 new societies while strengthening 46,500 existing ones, and NFDB will create 6,000 new fisheries cooperative societies while empowering 5,500 existing ones. Additionally, state cooperative departments will contribute by forming 25,000 PACS. Shah highlighted that, to date, 11,695 new primary cooperative societies have been registered under the new model bylaws, marking a significant milestone. He emphasized that once the target of 2 lakh PACS is achieved, it will greatly facilitate the seamless integration of farmers' produce into global markets through robust forward and backward linkages. Amit Shah also paid homage to two eminent figures--Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee--on their birth anniversaries. He lauded Pandit Malviya as a leading figure in India's freedom struggle who dedicated his life to promoting the nation's independence, culture, and Indianness, as well as upholding the values of Hinduism. Speaking about Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shah highlighted his remarkable contribution as the voice of India and its culture in Parliament for over five decades. He credited Atal Ji's visionary leadership as Prime Minister, which laid the foundation for India's rise, including the establishment of nuclear power capabilities and steadfast leadership during the Kargil War. Shah also noted Atal Ji's transformative initiatives, such as the creation of a separate ministry for tribal affairs, the development of the 'Golden Quadrilateral' highways, and the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to connect villages with state highways. Shah further observed that the day also marks the death anniversary of C. Rajagopalachari, a revered freedom fighter and scholar of Vedic and ancient Indian literature. He praised Rajagopalachari's significant contributions to the drafting of India's Constitution and his enduring legacy in the nation's history, the press release stated. (ANI) Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh has questioned the central government's handling of border security, following recent inputs about potential security threats. Speaking to the media, Ghosh highlighted that opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, who holds Z-category central security, is protected by the central government. He pointed out that if individuals are entering from across the border, it is primarily the responsibility of the central government, particularly the BSF, to secure the border. "Inputs are coming through the media, but one thing is that opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has Z category central security and if someone is coming from across the border, it is the responsibility of the central government, it is the responsibility of the BSF to protect the border," said Ghosh. He further raised questions about the role of the Central Intelligence Bureau (CIB) in preventing miscreants from entering India, stating, "If some miscreants enter India, what is the central IB doing? This is also a central responsibility." Meanwhile, commenting on the recent arrest of two members of the Al-Qaeda affiliate Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) from West Bengal, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh on Sunday blamed the Modi government, saying "border is the central government's lookout". His comment came following the recent arrest of eight members of ABT, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) terrorist organisation. Among the eight terrorists, two were arrested from West Bengal, one from Kerala and five others from Assam. The TMC leader stated that this kind of infiltration was also happening in other states of India. "Our state is a border state, and the border is the central government's lookout. The border is not in the hands of the West Bengal government. This infiltration is happening in other states as well," Ghosh said. According to the IGP of Assam STF, Partha Sarathi Mahanta, the arrested members have been sent to police custody for 10 days by a Guwahati court on Friday. "All eight accused arrested were produced before the court, and they have been remanded to 10 days' police custody. We also seized 4 pen drives and other incriminating documents, which we are analysing. Among the 8 arrested persons, one is a Bangladeshi national. All follow-up actions are underway," Mahanta said. (ANI) Aspirants of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) continued their indefinite strike on Wednesday, demanding a re-examination of the 70th BPSC exam. An aspirant said, "We just wanted to peacefully present our demands to the BPSC, but the police resorted to a lathi charge. We have been protesting for the last eight days." Independent MP Pappu Yadav from Purnia joined the protest on Wednesday and urged opposition MPs and MLAs to support the students' cause. Speaking to ANI, Yadav said, "We urge all opposition MPs and MLAs to join the protest. People should sit outside the residences of ruling party MPs and MLAs across Bihar. What is political about this? These students have been protesting for so many days, and their only demand is a re-examination." On Tuesday, YouTuber and educator Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, visited the students participating in the hunger strike. After meeting the protesting students, Khan urged the Bihar Public Service Commission to consider the plight of the aspirants, many of whom have been on hunger strike for the past four to five days. He noted that 4-5 students are in critical condition and have been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). "These students have been on a hunger strike for 4-5 days, and no one is paying attention to their situation. Their condition is now very serious. The Commission should consider the grievances of these students, who have taken this step after appearing for the exam. We have filed a PIL in the High Court, and we are ready to approach the Supreme Court if necessary. It is our responsibility to convince the Commission and the government. Currently, 4-5 students are in a critical condition and are in the ICU," Khan said. On December 21, BPSC aspirants met Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Dilip Jaiswal at his residence to discuss alleged irregularities during the 70th BPSC exam. Earlier, on December 18, protesters in Patna demonstrated against the Bihar Public Service Commission, demanding a re-examination. BPSC aspirants have previously protested against changes in the exam pattern and the normalisation process, urging that exams be conducted in a single shift with one paper to eliminate the normalisation process. (ANI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's conduct, behaviour, working style saying that the new MPs and all democratic representatives should learn from him. Speaking to ANI, the Speaker said, "Atal Bihari Vajpayee's personality, his work, his high-level dignified conduct in the House, new MPs and all democratic representatives need to learn from his conduct, behaviour, working style." Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Vajpayee as a tall statesman whose leadership continues to inspire the nation and recalled the pivotal role played by the former Prime Minister in India's transition to the 21st century. In an article he penned, PM Modi described Vajpayee as the "architect of India's transition into the 21st century that set the stage for country's economic surge". In his tribute, PM Modi lauded Vajpayee for his foresight in projects like the Golden Quadrilateral, his leadership during the nuclear tests, and his commitment to strengthening Indian democracy and the Constitution. PM Modi wrote, "Our nation will always be grateful to Atal Ji for being the architect of India's transition into the 21st century. When he took oath as PM in 1998 our nation had passed through a period of political instability. In about nine years we had seen four Lok Sabha elections." The PM's article on Vajpayee's contribution to the nation was carried in several newspapers. The Prime Minister said, "The people of India were getting impatient and also sceptical about governments being able to deliver. It was Atal Ji who turned this tide by providing stable and effective governance. Coming from humble roots, he realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance." Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and was elected three times as the nation's prime minister. Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from 19 March 1998 to 22 May 2004. He also served as India's External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979. He passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16 in 2018. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party MP K Laxman on Wednesday suggested Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to read the history of Congress after the Telangana CM accused China of "encroaching" over 2,000 kilometres of Indian land since 2014. "Congress was in power for about 60 years. I want to ask that when there was a war with China in 1962, Nehru ji was the Prime Minister. About 42,000 square kilometers of land was occupied. Not only this, when we had a war with Pakistan, about 93,000 Pakistani soldiers were in our custody. They were captured by our army. Why did Indira Gandhi release them without any conditions? ... When terrorists killed our soldiers in Pulwama, Modi ji gave a befitting reply, surgical strikes were done... Congress people insulted Dr Br Ambedkar. Revanth Reddy should first read the history of Congress ...," Laxman said. Earlier on Tuesday, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy attended a book release program at Ravindra Bharathi and accused China of "encroaching" over 2,000 to 4,000 square kilometres of Indian land since 2014. "China occupied about 2,000 to 4,000 square kilometres of Indian territory after 2014. The rulers lack the courage to discuss this subject or reveal the facts, and no one is taking up these issues. Whether it is Chinese intrusion, or the conflict in Manipur, an extensive discussion on these issues is necessary to control them. Only then can peace be established in this country," Reddy said. This year in May, Revnath Reddy raised questions over the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 and the retaliatory airstrikes on a terror hideout in Balakote, deep inside Pakistan. Laying the blame on the BJP-led NDA at the Centre for 'failing' to prevent the Pulwama attack, the Telangana CM said, "For Modi, everything is political. Everything is about winning elections. His way of thinking is not good for the country. The time has come for the country to be rid of Modi and the BJP. Ask them anything and they will respond with 'Jai Shri Ram' (glory to Lord Ram). They failed to prevent the Pulwama attack. What was the IB doing? What was our intelligence network doing?" (ANI) Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary in Dibrugarh. Addressing the gathering, Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted Vajpayee's leadership qualities and said that he was a great leader who taught us the values of unity, service, dedication, and humanity. "His exemplary leadership paved the way for us to serve the nation with unwavering commitment. His ideals continue to inspire us as we work to strengthen India's future," Sonowal said. Sonowal recalled Vajpayee's unwavering dedication to good governance and the welfare of the people and said, "Atal Ji's commitment to the principles of good governance won the hearts of the masses. His leadership inspired the creation of a peaceful and prosperous India. It is in his footsteps that we must move forward, ensuring that the welfare of the people remains at the core of our efforts." "Following Vajpayee Ji's legacy, Prime Minister Modi has created an environment of good governance in India. Under his leadership, India's global stature has grown, with the world now looking to us for guidance on important international issues," Sonowal said. Sonowal further emphasised the importance of building a self-reliant and developed India, with a call for collective effort to achieve this vision by 2047. "As citizens of the world's largest democracy, we have a responsibility to carry forward the ideals of Vajpayee Ji--peace, prosperity, and the principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' where the world is one family," he said. The Union Minister also spoke about Vajpayee's belief that true happiness in politics comes from serving the people selflessly. "Vajpayee Ji believed that through good deeds in politics, one could bring joy and happiness to the people. His life was a testament to this philosophy, and we must all embrace this simplicity and dedication to public service," he added. Concluding the event, Sonowal urged the youth of India to uphold Vajpayee's values of simplicity, service, and sacrifice in their pursuit of a prosperous nation. "Only through dedication to the nation can we truly honour the spirit of Atal Bihari Vajpayee," he said. Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and was elected three times as the nation's prime minister. Vajpayee served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. He also served as India's external affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979. He passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16 2018. (ANI) BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Wednesday came out in support of Pushpa 2 star Allu Arjun and suggested that some people are trying to tarnish the image of Telugu actor. Although the specifics of Thakur's statement are unclear, it's likely a response to the ongoing tensions between the Congress government in Telangana and the BJP. "If you look at the contribution of Telugu actors in the film industry, they have put the film and Indian cinema on the global map. But some people are trying to pull them down on floor map," Anurag Thakur told ANI. The BJP leader was reacting to actions of the Telangana police against actor Allu Arjun after a stampede incident at a theatre during premiere of his film Pushpa 2. "If you look at the last few years, Allu Arjun got the National Award in Narendra Modi's government, Chiranjeevi got the Lifetime Achievement Award and their contribution has been appreciated by the whole country and the world. On the other hand, look at the films, whether it is RR, Pushpa, KGF, Baahubali all of them have brought fame to Indian cinema. I think instead of creating controversy, efforts should be made to have a dialogue, take care of safety and not do politics," he added. Anurag Thakur said that the statements of Congress leaders and MLAs in the state put question marks on the intention of the state government. Earlier in the day, Telangana Congress MLA Bhupathi Reddy issued a stern warning to actor Allu Arjun, threatening to prevent the release of his films in the state unless he refrains from making further comments about the Chief Minister. Speaking at a public meeting in Nizamabad, Reddy stated that Arjun should respect his position as an actor and stay focused on his career. The Congress MLA said, "I am warning you not to speak about our CM. You're from Andhra and should behave like one. You have come here for livelihood. I am speaking as a ruling party MLA, so respect the position given to you and do your business. You are just an actor. You do your work and live; what is your contribution to Telangana? We are issuing a warning to you--if you don't change your behaviour, Congress workers will not let your movies run." On Tuesday, actor Allu Arjun was questioned by Hyderabad police in connection with the tragic incident during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2 on December 4. Meanwhile, the boy injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premiere of Pushpa 2 in Hyderabad, Telangana, has responded after 20 days, his father said. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Bhaskar, the father of the injured child, expressed gratitude for the support they are receiving. "The child responded after 20 days. He is responding today. Allu Arjun and the Telangana government are supporting us," he said. On December 4, when Allu Arjun attended the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre, a massive crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor, and chaos ensued when he waved to fans from the sunroof of his car. This led to the tragic death of a woman named Revathi and injuries to her child. Following the incident, Allu Arjun was arrested and later released on bail after furnishing a Rs 50,000 bond. (ANI) The BSF troops further launched a search operation around the dropping zone and recovered the China-made DJI MAVIC 3 Classic drone in broken condition. The robust technical countermeasure and alert BSF troops successfully foiled yet another drone intrusion in Punjab from across the border, the release stated. On Tuesday, the BSF, in collaboration with the Punjab Police, recovered another drone and a heroin consignment as part of its ongoing seizure efforts. Based on input from the BSF intelligence wing, BSF troops, along with the Punjab Police, jointly recovered one packet of suspected heroin weighing 460 grams at around 10:15 am from a farming field near Bachiwind village in Amritsar district. The packet was wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, and a copper wire loop, along with two illumination strips, was found attached to it, the release stated. Following another tip-off, BSF troops, together with the Punjab Police, recovered one DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone in damaged condition at approximately 06:22 pm from a farming field near Khemkaran village in Tarn Taran district, the release added. The reliable information and diligent efforts of the BSF, in coordination with the Punjab Police, successfully thwarted the illicit drone intrusion and smuggling attempt from across the border, the release concluded. (ANI) A meeting of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders was held on Wednesday at the residence of Union Minister and BJP president JP Nadda. The meeting, held on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and leaders of parties in NDA including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Sources said Amit Shah urged NDA leaders not to get distracted unnecessary controversies created by the Congress and other opposition parties and focus on positive governance initiatives and delivering results on the ground. At the same time, there was an emphasis on speaking with one voice against "fake narrative" of the Congress including its allegations on remarks of Amit Shah pertaining to BR Ambedkar. The sources said leaders talked about how Congress governments in the past "have violated constitutional principles". The meeting also explored ways to enhance coordination within the NDA. It was noted that a Cabinet Minister and a Minister of State should work closely with MPs to address their concerns and provide necessary support effectively. Nadda later said that the BJP-led NDA government remains steadfast in its pursuit of the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'. "Attended the NDA leaders' meeting in New Delhi today. Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, India is achieving unprecedented milestones and has positioned itself as a global superpower. The NDA government remains steadfast in its pursuit of the vision of 'Viksit Bharat@2047,' ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all," Nadda said in a post on X. Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad, who belongs to NISHAD party, said there was discussion on several issues. He said the leaders noted that Congress has made several mistakes and they have come to power to work in the interest of people. "The energy is to be spent on how to get more successful in working for the people and not focusing on the negative thinking of Congress, its thinking is negative. Congress has made several mistakes and the country is bearing the consequences," he said. Congress has slammed Amit Shah's remark pertaining to BR Ambedkar during his debate in Rajya Sabha on 150 years of Constitution. The BJP has hit back and accused Congress of "insulting" Ambedkar. Leaders present at the meeting from different parties in NDA included Union Ministers Prataprao Jadhav, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, HD Kumaraswamy, Jiten Ram Manjhi and Anupriya Patel. Bharat Dharma Jana Sena leader Tushar Vellappally was also present. The meeting emphasised greater synergy among NDA allies and a focus on constructive political efforts. (ANI) Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party chief Vijay on Wednesday said that the news of a college student sexually assaulted inside the Anna University campus in Chennai is "deeply shocking and painful." Vijay urged the Tamil Nadu government to take swift legal action against the perpetrator. "Although the police have informed that a person who sexually assaulted has been arrested, I urge the Tamil Nadu government to take swift legal action against him and ensure appropriate punishment. Also, if anyone else is involved in this heinous crime, appropriate action should also be taken against them promptly," Vijay said in a post on X. He urged the government to take measures to ensure the safety of women in public places. "Using the Nirbhaya fund allocated every year, we should identify places where women are not safe and install smart poles there, install facilities including emergency buttons, CCTV cameras, telephones, ensure women's safety in all city buses, provide women's toilet facilities in public places, provide emergency telephones and mobile apps for women's safety, and ensure the safety of women in all places including educational institutions, private institutions and public places," he said. https://x.com/tvkvijayhq/status/1871899892140122130 "In addition to implementing all these, we should also continuously monitor whether these are fully functional," he added. He said that appropriate safety precautions should be taken without any compromise. It is also necessary to create awareness about adequate legal assistance and psychological support for women to defend themselves with mental strength in any situation, he said. One person was arrested on Wednesday for the alleged sexual assault at Anna University, officials said. According to the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner's office, the accused is in police custody and an investigation is underway. The police formed four special teams to nab the accused in the alleged sexual assault of a college student. The members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and All India Women Welfare Federation also held a protest outside the Anna University campus in Guindy. (ANI) AIADMK National Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan on Wednesday slammed the DMK government and the police for the alleged sexual assault at the Anna University campus in Chennai. "The rape that took place within Anna University is shocking and what's more shocking is the way the police is handling this issue," Kovai Sathyan told ANI. He accused the police of being lackadaisical in its investigation. "How can an outsider come inside the premises when there is so much security? Clearly exposes the plight of law and order and the safety of women and children in the state of Tamil Nadu under this incompetent leader MK Stalin. What's more shocking is an hour ago police were saying that all the CCTVs inside the universities were not functioning. Is this a blatant attempt to cover up something? Is this a blatant attempt to safeguard the culprits or the people who had committed this heinous crime?" he said. He demanded strict action against perpetrators. "The way the investigation has been handled shows the lackadaisical attitude of the police force. We strongly condemn this and we want strict actions to be taken and stringent punishment to be given to these offenders as per the books of law...A habitual offender roaming freely in society is the lapse of the police force and management equally has a role in this," he said. "Everybody has a collective responsibility. But what is more needed at this hour is justice and there should not be any attempt to cover up this incident nor should there be any pressure from the ruling government to hide their incompetence," he added. Meanwhile, one person has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault, according to officials. The Greater Chennai Police Commissioner's office confirmed that the accused is in custody and investigations are underway. The police have formed four special teams to apprehend all those involved in the assault. In response to the incident, members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Women Welfare Federation held a protest outside Anna University's campus in Guindy, demanding justice and improved safety measures for students. (ANI) The Delhi High Court recently granted interim bail to man accused in a jail van double murder case of August 2015. Accused Sunil Mann has been granted two weeks interim bail on medical grounds after more than nine years of custody. An FIR was lodged in Mangolpuri Police Station in this case. This case is related to alleged killing of two Neetu Dabodia Gang members by Neeraj Bawana and his men in a jail van carrying the both deceased Paras Vikram and Pradeep Bhola accused persons from Rohini Court to Tihar Jail. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani on Monday granted two weeks interim bail to accused Sunil Mann after considering the medical status report and submissions of his counsel advocate Sumeet Shokeen. "In view of what has been observed in the petitioner's medical status report, and since the nominal roll shows that the petitioner has been in judicial custody for more than about 09 and half years without any interim bail or other respite having been granted to him in the subject FIR, while giving due consideration to the extreme seriousness of the offences with which the petitioner is charged in the present case, onhumanitarian considerations, this court is persuaded to grant to the petitioner Sunil Mann alias Jai Sunil Maan interim bail for a period of 02 weeks from the date of his release, to attend to his problem of varicose veins," Justice Bhambhani said in the order passed on December 23. Interim bail has been granted subject to the conditions including that the petitioner shall furnish a personal bond in the sum of Rs. One Lac with 03 sureties in the like amount from family members/relatives, to the satisfaction of the learned trial court/Duty Magistrate. He shall mark his presence at the police station on every alternative day. The High court among various conditions also directed that upon expiry of the period of interim bail, the petitioner shall surrender before the Jail Superintendent. "At the time of his surrender, the petitioner shall furnish to the Jail Superintendent his discharge summary and other relevant medical documents, to evidence the surgery/procedure that he has undergone while on interim bail," the High Court directed. The said jail van was carrying the deceased and accused persons to Tihar Jail after a hearing in Dabodia's man Pradeep Dahiya murder case in Rohini Court. Paras Vikram was heading Dabodia Gang after the death of Neetu Dabodia in an encounter with a special cell in 2013. Advocate Sumeet Shokeen submitted that the allegation in the subject FIR is that the 05 co-accused persons, including the petitioner, had strangulated 02 other inmates, who were travelling in the same jail van, with their bare hands and with gamchas. He submitted that the MLCs are evidence of the fact that the petitioner was not involved in the strangulation of the 02 inmates, else the petitioner would also have sustained at least some bruises or injuries on his arms and hands, which is not the case. It was further argued that the prosecution's attempt to link the petitioner with 'Neeraj Bawania Gang' is completely misplaced and baseless, inasmuch as the petitioner's nominal roll would show, that though he has 01 other criminal involvement in a case under section 302 IPC, he is not a otherwise a history-sheeter; and he is not a co-accused in any of the several other cases pending against the other 04 co-accused in the subject FIR, who are claimed to be members of that gang. Petitioner's Counsel also submitted that had the petitioner been part of the notorious gang, his name would have figured in at least some of the other FIRs in which the other 04 co-accused are implicated, which is not the case. (ANI) Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala on Wednesday renewed call to launch new Satyagraha on December 26 under the leadership of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, highlighting the significance of December 26, 1924, in India's struggle for independence. It was in 1924 that Belagavi hosted the 39th plenary session of the INC and it is significant because it was the only session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. And it was here that Gandhi ji reiterated the "Non-violent, non-cooperation movement" as a means to attain freedom. Speaking to ANI, Surjewala asserted, "In the history of the country's independence, 26th December 1924 will always be remembered as a day when the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi started a new phase of the freedom struggle to overthrow the British government, to give equal rights to the rich and the poor. Mahatma Gandhi started a new movement of Satyagraha, civil disobedience from this land, against the wealth given to few hands by Britain, England and the East India Company. After 100 years, once again Congress will unite for a new Satyagraha under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge." Mahatma Gandhi's movement of Satyagraha, or civil disobedience, aimed to challenge the wealth disparities created by British colonialism. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala equated the BJP to the East India Company, accusing the party of perpetuating inequality, exploiting the vulnerable, and concentrating wealth among a small elite, accusing a threat to the Constitution. "The BJP has become a modern-day East India Company, perpetuating inequality and exploiting the vulnerable. The rights of Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, and the poor are being eroded. The wealth gap has widened, with a staggering 40% of the country's wealth concentrated in the hands of just 1% of the population. Meanwhile, 62% of the country's wealth is owned by a mere 2-4% of the people, leaving 70% of the population with less than 5% of the property. This blatant disregard for equality and justice threatens the very fabric of our Constitution and the freedom we fought for," he said. (ANI) Iranian authorities have officially lifted the ban on WhatsApp and the Google Play Store, signalling a significant shift in the country's internet restrictions, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. The decision, which comes after a meeting with top government officials, marks a new phase in the easing of internet blockades that have restricted access to major global platforms for some time. On Tuesday, a meeting was convened with the participation of heads of all three branches of government, ministers, and members of the Supreme Council, where discussions focused on reviewing and adjusting policies surrounding internet governance and restrictions. Following the presentation of assessments from relevant authorities, the council approved changes to the existing internet restrictions. Sattar Hashemi, Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology, later took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the development, stating, "Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions with unity and collaboration. I extend my gratitude to the President, media, and activists for their efforts. We need this solidarity more than ever. This path continues." The move to lift the ban aligns with the Iranian government's broader approach to managing its digital landscape, emphasising the importance of regulated cyberspace governance while also stressing the need to support domestic platforms, reported the IRNA. The lifting of internet restrictions was one of the key promises made by President Masoud Pezeshkian during his presidential campaign, and this decision marks an early fulfilment of that commitment. However, despite the progress, the government has emphasised that its approach will continue to prioritise the development and use of local platforms alongside the reintroduction of global services like WhatsApp and Google Play, the IRNA reported. As these changes unfold, the broader impact on both local businesses and individual users is still to be fully assessed, but the easing of restrictions is a significant step forward for internet freedom in Iran. (ANI) Amid criticism over the recent sentencing of 25 civilians by military courts, Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) on Tuesday defended the country's legal system, saying it complies with international human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Dawn reported. This response came after concerns raised by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, who expressed alarm over the military court sentences of civilians involved in the May 9 (2023) riots. The sentences, handed down on December 21, came after a military court convicted 25 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists for their involvement in violent demonstrations that followed the arrest of PTI leader Imran Khan. The punishments, which range from two to 10 years of imprisonment, sparked international backlash, with particular focus on the use of military courts to try civilians. A spokesperson for the European Union emphasised that countries benefiting from the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, including Pakistan, have voluntarily agreed to uphold 27 core international conventions, including the ICCPR. These conventions, they noted, require a commitment to upholding human rights, and the use of military courts for civilian trials raises concerns about adherence to these standards. In response, the PTI continued to criticise the military trials, asserting that international concerns were both "well-founded and justified." The party expressed fears that the decision to subject civilians to military trials could damage Pakistan's international standing, potentially isolating the country on the global stage, reported Dawn. Addressing these concerns, the FO defended the country's legal system, emphasising that it operates in line with international law. In a statement, the FO said that Pakistan's judicial process includes remedies for judicial review by superior courts and guarantees the promotion and protection of human rights. "The verdicts were made under a law enacted by the parliament and in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court," the statement added, reaffirming the government's commitment to uphold the rule of law. Pakistan also expressed its commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the GSP+ scheme and reiterated its adherence to international human rights conventions. The FO emphasised that Pakistan would continue to engage with international partners, including the European Union, to promote and protect human rights without discrimination or double standards. "We will continue to engage with our international partners including the European Union to uphold the international human rights law," the FO added. The military court sentences stem from the violence that erupted on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan. During the riots, protestors targeted military installations, leading to the involvement of military courts in the prosecution of those responsible. On December 21, the military courts sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for their role in the attacks on military property. The sentences came after the Supreme Court of Pakistan's constitutional bench allowed military courts to proceed with the verdicts for 85 civilians detained in connection with the May 9 riots. Following this decision, those who are eligible for release after serving part of their sentence will be released immediately, while others will be handed over to prison authorities to serve their full term, as outlined by the Supreme Court, Dawn reported. The military spokesperson confirmed that the sentences were issued after examining all the evidence and ensuring that the accused were granted all legal rights. "All convicts retain the right to appeal and other legal recourses, as guaranteed by the law and the Constitution," the spokesperson said. They further noted that additional sentences for other accused individuals would be announced once the due process is completed. (ANI) Lin proposed amending Taiwan's Anti-Infiltration Act to compel foreign-based platforms deemed a potential national security threat to establish local offices in Taiwan. Under Lin's proposal, platforms failing to meet the requirement by the designated deadline could face access restrictions. Taiwan's security agencies would have the authority to instruct internet service providers to block such platforms. Lin emphasised that these measures would align Taiwan's digital regulations with those in Europe and the United States, ensuring better protection against foreign interference. The deepfake videos sparked controversy after DPP lawmakers Ker Chien-ming and Wang Yi-chuan reported them to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office. One video, altered from a Taiwan Television news segment, falsely depicted Ker as criticising his own party, claiming: "Taiwan in the hands of the DPP is without hope." Another video featured both Ker and Wang alongside simplified Chinese characters, suggesting potential ties to mainland China, reported CNA. Ker attributed the videos to efforts by China to manipulate public opinion in Taiwan using platforms like TikTok. "Those with ulterior motives" were exploiting social media to interfere in Taiwan's politics, Lin argued. Speaking outside the prosecutors' office, Ker expressed confidence that the videos would not mislead the Taiwanese public, given their clear falsification. Wang revealed that screenshots showed the videos circulating in group chats linked to the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's main opposition party. The KMT advocates closer ties with Beijing, which routinely criticises the DPP as "Taiwan independence separatists." Both Ker and Wang urged the public not to repost the videos, underscoring the harm they could cause, CNA reported. Lin's call for tougher measures reflects growing concerns over foreign influence in Taiwan's political landscape, particularly as tensions with China remain high. By enforcing stricter oversight on platforms like TikTok, Lin and other lawmakers aim to safeguard Taiwan's democratic integrity against external threats. (ANI) Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan stated on Tuesday that he needs to meet with his party's negotiation team to fully understand the issues before the planned talks between the government and his party for meaningful results, as reported by Dawn. Imran Khan currently detained after being convicted in several cases, said that understanding the core issues would be crucial for him to engage in the negotiation process effectively. The PTI's fraught relationship with both the government and the establishment has worsened since Imran's arrest last year, leading to numerous protests, many of which turned violent due to state repression. The political climate surrounding PTI has become increasingly tense since its "Final Call" power show last month, which sparked renewed calls to ban the party. The party also accused the government of engaging in a "malicious campaign" following the alleged deaths of a dozen PTI supporters, claims the government officially denies. Despite this, after forming a five-member committee to engage in dialogue with the government, PTI lawmakers softened their stance in parliament. Subsequently, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq's recommendation, established a committee with members from the ruling coalition. The first meeting between the two committees took place yesterday, marking the beginning of long-awaited talks aimed at easing political tensions. In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Imran Khan acknowledged the efforts of his party's negotiation committee, describing it as a "good thing." However, he stressed the importance of him meeting with the committee to gain a thorough understanding of the issues, which would help make the negotiations more impactful. Imran also appointed MNA Sahibzada Mohammad Hamid Raza as the official spokesperson for PTI's negotiation committee. Imran outlined two key demands from the government: the release of under-trial political prisoners and the creation of a judicial commission consisting of senior judges to investigate the incidents of May 9 and November 26, 2023. He stated that if the government agreed to meet these demands, the PTI would postpone its civil disobedience movement. Imran, however, voiced concerns that the government might ignore their demand for a judicial commission. Additionally, Imran rejected the sentences handed out by military courts to 25 individuals convicted for their involvement in violent attacks on military installations during the May 9 riots, condemning the verdicts as politically motivated. Meanwhile, speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail after a meeting with Imran, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan revealed that the former premier had called for a time frame for the negotiations, expecting progress on the party's demands within a specific period. Gohar stated, "We have said before that some progress should be made on our two major demands within the time frame that we are expecting." The PTI chairman confirmed that the party would present a charter of demands in the next meeting with the government. He also indicated that the negotiation committee was working towards meeting with Imran to ensure his participation in the discussions, Dawn reported. Gohar Khan further expressed optimism that a solution to all issues could be reached, stating that Imran Khan hoped for a fair trial in all of his cases, which he argued were politically motivated. He added that although not all committee members attended the meeting yesterday, they would be present in the next round of discussions and would submit their demands in writing. (ANI) "The Secretary-General is alarmed by the rapidly worsening food security situation in Sudan, as access to food and nutrition for millions of people across the country continues to deteriorate according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)," spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay said in a statement. Saying that the "latest report by the IPC's Famine Review Committee indicates that famine conditions are present in at least five locations in Sudan," the statement indicated displacement camps in North Darfur and the western Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan as areas of risk. Additionally, five other areas are deemed at risk of famine in the coming months, according to the IPC. Stressing that "more than 24.6 million people in Sudan-over half the population-face high levels of acute food insecurity" with the conflict, the statement further noted that "ongoing fighting and restrictions on the movement of relief supplies and personnel continue to imperil aid operations." Guterres renewed "his call for the parties to facilitate rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained access so that humanitarian assistance and staff can reach people in need wherever they are." (ANI/WAM) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Wednesday reported the operation of three Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels. The aircraft and vessels were detected operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time) on Wednesday. Of the three People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, one of them entered Taiwan's eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Sharing a post on X, Taiwan's MND wrote, "3 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 of the aircraft entered Taiwan's eastern ADIZ. #ROCArmedForce have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1871722535487717484 On Tuesday, MND reported the operation of eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels. The aircraft and vessels were detected operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time) on Tuesday. Of the eight People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six of them crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. Meanwhile, following the White House announcement of arms sales and assistance to Taiwan, China's foreign ministry said that the "Taiwan issue" is the core of China's interests and the "first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations," Taiwan News reported. Further, the ministry also accused the US of "playing with fire." A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry on Sunday condemned the latest US arms package to Taiwan, stating that it "seriously violates the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques, especially the 'August 17' communique, seriously infringes on China's sovereignty and security interests, and seriously violates the US leaders' commitment not to support "Taiwan independence." The spokesperson claimed that Washington's actions sent a "seriously wrong signal to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces." Recently, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also criticised China's stance towards Taiwan and said that "China is bullying Taiwan, and pursuing access to critical infrastructure in ways that could cripple societies." He said, "We need to be clear-eyed about China's ambitions. China is substantially building up its forces, including its nuclear weapons - with no transparency and no limitations. From 200 warheads in 2020, China is expected to have more than 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030. Its space-launch investments are skyrocketing. China is bullying Taiwan, and pursuing access to our critical infrastructure in ways that could cripple our societies." 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. In recent weeks, Taiwan has observed an uptick in such military operations, with multiple incidents involving Chinese aircraft crossing into Taiwan's ADIZ. This uptick in activity is viewed as a show of force by Beijing, aimed at intimidating Taiwan amid ongoing diplomatic support from the United States and other international allies. The Taiwan Strait remains a focal point of heightened tensions, with Taiwanese officials repeatedly condemning the increase in Chinese military operations as a direct threat to the island's sovereignty and regional peace. However, China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday extended Hanukkah greetings to Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar and the global community celebrating the festival. Jaishankar wished "hope, health, and happiness" to all those celebrating, concluding his message with the traditional Hebrew greeting, "Chag Sameach," a traditional greeting said by Jews, which translates to "Happy Festival." Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Warmest #Hanukkah greetings to FM @gidonsaar, friends in Israel, and those celebrating it around the world. May the wonderful occasion bring hope, health and happiness in everyone's lives. Chag Sameach!" A day before, Israeli Foreign Minister extended Christmas greetings and asserted that the support of Christians has been a "source of strength" for Israel. Sharing a post on X, Sa'ar wrote, "To our Christian friends in Israel and around the world - your friendship and steadfast support for the Jewish State, especially as it fought enemies on many fronts, has been a source of strength." "We are united by our shared values. Together, let us continue striving for a better and freer world, guided by these very convictions. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," the post added. https://x.com/gidonsaar/status/1871603171480539239 Hanukkah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime "festival of lights," and the first night of Hanukkah is falling on the same day as Christmas for the first time since 2005, according to CBS News. This year's celebration will continue through January 2, 2025. The first day of Hanukkah and Christmas have only coincided a handful of times since 1900, according to the Jewish Federations of North America. The holidays started on the same day in 1910, 1921, 1959 and 2005. According to Chabad, at the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting. The menorah holds nine flames, one of which is the shamash ("attendant"), which is used to kindle the other eight lights. On the first night, one flame is lit. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Chanukah, all eight lights are kindled. (ANI) US President-elect Donald Trump in a series of social media posts has stirred controversy by expressing interest in acquiring Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal, citing national security and economic benefits. His remarks have drawn sharp rebukes from leaders in Denmark, and Panama. In the latest social media post, Donald Trump's son Eric Trump posted a picture depicting Trump purchasing Canada, Greenland and Panama Canal and wrote, "We are so back!!!" https://x.com/EricTrump/status/1871376220115669456 Recently, Trump expressed interest in Greenland and said that American ownership and control of the territory is an "absolute necessity" for national security and global freedom. "For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Following Trump's remarks on Greenland, Rasmus Jarlov, a Member of Parliament in Denmark's opposition Conservative Party, said that "dictators" threaten to take control over other countries' territory. Sharing a post on X, Jarlov wrote, "Not sure whether it is a joke or not. But certainly not funny. One week Canada is threatened. Now Denmark. Greenland is Danish. It has been since 1380 and it will continue to be. This is undisputed, signed in rock in treaties and not open for negotiation at all. Dictators threaten to take control over other countries' territory. Free democratic countries do not." https://x.com/RasmusJarlov/status/1871096273694015556 Earlier on Monday, Trump also posted a cryptic message on Truth Social about the Panama Canal. He posted a picture with the flag of the US flying above the Panama Canal, resonating with his threat to Panama that he would not let the canal fall into the "wrong hands." He wrote, "Welcome to the United States Canal! The Panama Canal is considered a vital national asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America's economy and national security. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!" Following Trump's remarks on the Panama Canal, Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino responded to Trump and said, "Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging so." Earlier, Trump also created a stir by calling it a "great idea" for Canada to become the 51st state of the US, as Canadian leader Justin Trudeau faces a domestic political crisis linked to fears over a potential tariff war with Trump. "Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. "They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!" he added. (ANI) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday defied summons from a joint investigation team regarding his brief declaration of martial law, marking the second time he has defied summons, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency. Yoon failed to appear at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) in Gwacheon by the 10:00 am deadline. The CIO has stated it will remain prepared for his potential appearance later in the day. The summons was part of a joint probe conducted by the CIO, police, and the defence ministry's investigation unit into his December 3 martial law declaration. This follows Yoon's earlier refusal to comply with a summons issued last Wednesday. On Tuesday, Seok Dong-hyeon, Yoon's lawyer, had said that Yoon places a priority on the Constitutional Court proceedings on his impeachment and that he plans to issue a statement on his position on the trial after Christmas Day, Yonhap News Agency reported. A day before, the main opposition in the South Korean assembly, the Democratic Party (DP), announced that it will delay its plan to introduce the impeachment motion against South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo who refused to promulgate two special counsel bills targeting Yoon and former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Initially, the DP planned to introduce the motion on Tuesday evening (local time) but decided to postpone it for two days to see if Han would appoint Constitutional Court justices after the motions for their appointments are passed during Thursday's plenary session, according to DP floor leader Representative Park Chan-dae. "We have decided to wait with patience to see whether our demands are implemented on Thursday," Park said as quoted by Yonhap News Agency, emphasising that Thursday is the final opportunity for Han to act. On December 14, Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly over his attempt to impose martial law in the country. The members of the unicameral National Assembly had voted 204 to 85 to impeach South Korea's President. Three members of the National Assembly abstained from voting while eight votes were declared invalid. The voting was conducted through secret ballot, with two-thirds of the vote needed for impeachment. All 300 members of the assembly cast their vote. After his impeachment, Yoon was suspended from office. South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo took over as the interim president. (ANI) The Canadian government condemned China's imposition of sanctions on two Canadian civil society organisations and 20 human rights advocates, calling it an arbitrary target against those speaking for human rights. The country also expressed solidarity with the targeted groups, and called China to "respect its obligations under international law." In a statement released on Tuesday, the Canadian government said, "On December 22, 2024, the Government of the People's Republic of China arbitrarily targeted two Canadian civil society organizations and twenty human rights campaigners with sanctions." "Global Affairs Canada expresses solidarity with the members of the Canadian Tibet Committee and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and condemns the decision by the Chinese government to punish them for speaking out for human rights." the statement added. The statement further underlined that Canada would not tolerate any threats, acts of violence, or harassment against people in Canada, or their families and friends, because of their political opinions or to silence dissenting viewpoints. "Multiple independent United Nations experts and other established multilateral mechanisms have called on China to respond meaningfully to credible allegations of human rights violations. China must respect its obligations under international law. Canada views scrutiny of its own human rights record as an opportunity to improve its performance, and continues to call on China to do so, as well," the statement added. The government also advised Canadians in China to exercise caution due to the risk of arbitrary law enforcement. "Canada continues to urge all Canadians in China to exercise a high degree of caution in China due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Global Affairs Canada stands ready to offer consular assistance to any Canadian nationals in China impacted by these sanctions," the statement added. Earlier on Monday, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) condemned the Chinese government's sanctions against Uyghur, and Tibetan organisations in Canada. WUC criticised China's decision to impose sanctions on the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP) and its leadership, including former WUC Director of the Legal Committee, Mehmet Tohti, along with 14 of its staff members and experts. According to a press release by the WUC, the Chinese government has also sanctioned Samphe Lhalungpa, Chair of the Canada Tibet Committee, and four other members. The WUC had urged the Canadian government to take immediate steps to safeguard these organisations and individuals, who are lawfully and peacefully operating within Canada. On December 22, a Chinese state-run media outlet stated that the sanctions followed Canada's decision to sanction eight current and former Chinese government officials, including Chen Quanguo, Erkin Tuniyaz, Shohret Zakir, Peng Jiarui, and Wu Yingjie, for their involvement in orchestrating the Uyghur genocide in East Turkistan. (ANI) Hong Kong police have issued new arrest warrants for six pro-democracy activists living abroad, offering rewards of one million Hong Kong dollars for information that leads to their capture, according to a report by Voice of America. The six activists are sought on charges including secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign entities. This action highlights how the Hong Kong government -- a special administrative region of China -- targets exiled activists in response to their activities. Voice of America reported that the six individuals include Chloe Cheung, a 19-year-old activist with the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong; Carmen Lau, a former district councillor and current member of the Hong Kong Democracy Council; and Tony Chung, the former leader of the now-dissolved pro-independence group Studentlocalism. Cheung expressed rage and stated, "Fear cannot restrain me. Suppression cannot silence me. I will wear this burden with pride and without fear." Carmen Lau said, "I have always considered serving Hong Kongers and fighting for freedom and democracy my lifelong obligation. As a diaspora member and a Hong Konger, I swear to put our fight for Hong Kong before anything else, even before myself." Voice of America further reported that the list also includes Chung Kim-wah, a former member of the independent polling group Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute; Joseph Tay, co-founder of the Canada-based organisation HongKonger Station; and YouTuber Victor Ho. With the latest arrest warrants, the total number of individuals wanted has risen to 19. On the other hand, the Hong Kong government also ordered the cancellation of passports for seven "fugitives," including Kwok, the leader of the Hong Kong Democracy Council; Siu, a well-known activist; and Frances Hui, a member of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong. The passports of former Hong Kong lawmakers Ted Hui and Dennis Kwok were also revoked, as reported by Voice of America. (ANI) Nawab Aslam Raisani, the former Chief Minister of Balochistan and leader of the Sarawan tribe has stressed that lasting peace in Balochistan cannot be achieved unless the issue of 'missing' persons is addressed and the province's constitutional rights are acknowledged. According to a report by the Balochistan Post, Raisani highlighted the ongoing grievances of Balochistan while speaking at an event on Monday at Sarawan House to welcome the new office-bearers of the Sarawan Press Club Mastung. Raisani stated, "Balochistan, as a federating unit of Pakistan, is entitled to constitutional rights that have been denied by successive rulers. Without addressing these core issues, any attempts to impose peace through force will prove fruitless." Raisani emphasised the plight of missing persons as a crucial humanitarian and political issue, fueling ongoing unrest and mistrust between Balochistan and the federal government, the Balochistan Post reported. He stressed that Pakistan's federal system must be based on equality and justice, urging central authorities to recognise Balochistan's rights for lasting peace and stability. The event concluded with strong calls for tangible measures to address Balochistan's grievances, including a transparent process to locate missing persons and reunite them with their families. This, Raisani argued, is essential for healing the wounds of the province and fostering a harmonious relationship with the federal government. The Baloch people have been suffering from ongoing enforced disappearances by the Pakistan security forces. A large number of the missing individuals are activists, students, and ordinary citizens. Their disappearances have ignited widespread outrage, with families relentlessly demanding answers about the fate of their loved ones. These ongoing human rights violations have heightened tensions in the region, fueling local anger and amplifying calls for accountability. The situation has deepened resentment and further intensified demands for justice and transparency. Although efforts to document these abductions continue, little has been done to resolve the issue or hold those responsible accountable. (ANI) Beijing [China], December 25 (ANI) Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on his first visit to China after becoming minister on Wednesday began talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing, as per Japanese state media. The two countries aim to increase mutual high-level visits while maintaining communication amid continuing tensions, Kyodo News reported. Earlier Xinhua reported that Wang Yi and Takeshi Iwaya will hold foreign ministers' talks and attend the second meeting of the high-level Consultation Mechanism on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges between China and Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinese President Xi Jinping had during their summit in November in Peru on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and agreed to promote "mutually beneficial" and "stable" relations and to arrange foreign ministers' reciprocal visits "at an appropriate time." Announcing the Japanese minister's visit China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference said that China attaches importance to Iwaya's visit adding that China stands ready to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era, Global Times reported. Disputes persist between China and Japan with the "intrusion of Chinese vessels into Japanese territorial waters around the Tokyo-governed, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, as well as the detention of Japanese nationals over espionage allegations," Kyodo News reported. This is Iwaya's first visit to China as Japan's top diplomat, according to Kyodo. The last time a Japanese foreign minister travelled to China was in April 2023 when Yoshimasa Hayashi visited Beijing. The two sides may exchange views on promoting exchanges through visa policy relaxations and other issues, according to NHK. During Iwaya's visit, the two sides are expected to affirm China's readiness to lift a ban on imports of Japanese seafood, which was imposed due to the discharge of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea as per Kyodo. China and Japan launched the high-level consultation mechanism on people-to-people exchanges in November 2019, with both sides vowing to push for greater development of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries in the new era, Xinhua reported. (ANI) Chinese authorities have wrongfully arrested over 20 Tibetans and tortured to death a Tibetan village head Gonpo Namgyal, who was subjected to months of severe torture, including repeated electric shock sessions during his detention, as per a report in Tibet.net. The Central Tibetan Administration reported that Namgyal, a village head in Ponkor township, Darlag County, located in the Tibetan region of Amdo (now part of Qinghai, Sichuan, and Gansu provinces) tragically died on December 18. His death comes after over seven months of inhuman treatment in custody, where he was held for participating in a cultural campaign led by the Tibetan Language Association. The crackdown in May 2024 followed the launch of the "Pure Mother Tongue" campaign, spearheaded by the association under the leadership of Khenpo Tenpa Dhargye, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher. The campaign aimed to preserve the Tibetan language, which has been increasingly threatened by Chinese policies promoting Mandarin as the dominant language. The Chinese government arrested Khenpo Tenpa Dhargye and Gonpo Namgyal, along with several others, accusing them of "endangering state security." They were taken to Golog Prefecture headquarters for detention, reported by the Central Tibetan Administration. While Gonpo Namgyal was eventually released due to ill health, he passed away within three days of his release. During the preparation of his body for cremation, it was discovered that many of his internal organs had been burned, presumably due to the electric torture he endured while in custody. Khenpo Tenpa Dhargye, a close associate of the revered Lama Jigme Phuntsok, had been a vocal advocate for the preservation of Tibetan culture, including language and traditional practices. His arrest and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his condition have deeply concerned Tibetan communities in the region, prompting widespread religious prayers and ceremonies for his health and safe release. The Chinese government's continued persecution of influential Tibetan figures like Khenpo Tenpa Dhargye and Gonpo Namgyal reflects its broader effort to suppress Tibetan identity and resistance. These actions are seen as part of a systematic attempt to undermine Tibetan culture and language in favour of a "Chinese national unity consciousness," at the cost of basic human rights for Tibetans. (ANI) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia for launching a massive missile and drone attack on the festival of Christmas, targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure and described the assault as "inhumane." He further emphasised that such attacks require deliberate planning and timing and are never "spontaneous decisions." Sharing a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice - not only of targets but also of timing and date." "Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine," the post added. Zelenskyy praised the efforts of Ukrainian defenders who intercepted over 50 missiles and numerous drones, vowing that Russia's aggression would not break Ukraine or spoil Christmas. He wrote, "According to preliminary reports, our defenders managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a significant number of drones. Unfortunately, there have been hits. As of now, there are power outages in several regions. Power engineers are working to restore power supply as soon as possible." "I thank everyone who is working for the country, who is on combat duty, who is protecting our skies. We will restore the maximum. Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not spoil Christmas," the post added. Earlier on December 22, the Ukrainian Air Force reported an attack by Russian forces, involving 103 Shahed drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), launched from multiple locations including Bryansk, Millerovo, and Berdyansk.Ukraine's Defence Forces repelled much of the attack, downing 52 UAVs and drones across several regions. In a post on the social media platform Telegram, the Ukrainian Air Force wrote, "The enemy attacked with 103 Shahed UAVs and drones of other types from the directions of Bryansk, Millerovo, Orel, Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Berdyansk. The launch of an Iskander-M ballistic missile from Crimea towards the Kherson region was also recorded." "The air attack was repelled by anti-aircraft missile troops, aviation, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defence Forces of Ukraine. It has been confirmed that 52 Shahed UAVs and drones of other types have been shot down in Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhia regions," the post added. (ANI) The governor, alongwith his team were seen enjoying the picturesque surroundings of the Taj Mahal and posing for the cameras. Nagasaki expressed his admiration for India during his meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday, highlighting the strong diplomatic and historical ties between the two nations. "I have deep respect for your country - the crater of human civilisations and the world's largest democracy," Nagasaki stated. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture in Lucknow on Monday. Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Yamanashi was leading the Japanese delegation. After the signing of the MoUs, CM Yogi emphasized the growing economic cooperation between India and Japan, by delivering his opening remarks in Japanese. "India and Japan are countries with big economies... The state government is keen to cooperate with Japanese companies... Economic cooperation between India and Japan is very rich... Uttar Pradesh is a state of unlimited potential. After this MoU, relations between India and Japan are going to get a new strength," CM Yogi said. The signing of MoUs between UP government and Yamanashi Prefecture highlights a key milestone in India-Japan relations. On Tuesday, a Japanese delegation met Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel. "On Mahatma Gandhi's land with Japanese delegation. A joyous day of progress and unity!" Patel said in a post on X. https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/1871515524754248110 https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/1871514013559140395 https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/1871510040454246848 "Delighted to welcome H.E. Suzuki Yasutomo, Hon'ble Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture of Japan and the delegation accompanied him, in Gujarat. I am happy to share that today we signed five agreements that mark a significant step in deepening economic, cultural and strategic ties with Japan. Friendship agreement between the State of Gujarat and Shizuoka prefecture and agreement on mutual cooperation between cities of Ahmedabad and Hamamatsu were exchanged today at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar," Patel said, adding that the agreements are a major milestone in Gujarat-Japan relations. (ANI) Syria's de facto leader and Vice President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has reached an agreement with Syrian rebel factions to unite under the country's Defence Ministry, according to the new Syrian administration, Al Jazeera reported on Tuesday. According to Al Jazeera, citing a statement by the new administration, a meeting between al-Sharaa and the leaders of the rebel groups resulted in a deal for the dissolution of these factions and their integration into the ministry. However, the Kurdish-led, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria are not part of this agreement, Al Jazeera reported. Syrian interim Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir had also announced the ministry's restructuring would involve former rebel groups and defected officers from Bashar al-Assad's army. According to Al Jazeera, this marks a significant development in Syria, particularly after the fall of ousted President Assad's regime, when opposition forces had taken control of parts of Damascus. The main concern had been how these armed groups would unite. Al-Sharaa's leadership has now facilitated this merger under the Defence Ministry, a notable achievement, Al Jazeera reported. Following a major offensive that brought rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) into power in Damascus, Murhaf Abu Qasra, a key figure in the rebellion, was appointed as the interim defence minister. Al-Sharaa has emphasised that all weapons in Syria, including those held by Kurdish forces, will be under state control and also reassured Western officials that HTS would not seek revenge against the previous regime or oppress minorities, focusing instead on reconstruction and economic development, as reported by Al Jazeera. The Syrian opposition fighters took control of Damascus on December 8, leading to Assad's flight and ending his regime after over 13 years of civil war. Forces loyal to al-Sharaa have established a three-month caretaker government. On the same day, Qatar called for the swift lifting of sanctions on Syria, following the reopening of its embassy in Damascus and a high-level visit that marked a shift in diplomatic relations. (ANI) In a major turn of events, over 100 children in Parachinar in Pakistan have died due to the lack of medical care, as the road has been blocked for more than two months, severely disrupting essential services and worsening the ongoing crisis in Kurram, The News International reported. The situation has led to widespread protests, with citizens demanding immediate action to reopen the access routes. This marks the sixth consecutive day of protests against the road blockade. According to the report, the blockade, which has lasted for over two months, has left residents without vital food and medical supplies. Agha Muzamil, Chairman of Upper Kurram Tehsil, stated, "The road closures have prevented residents from accessing basic necessities such as healthcare and food. More than 100 children have died due to the lack of medical care." In response, the Deputy Commissioner of Kurram announced that a Grand Jirga has arrived in the district to begin peace talks focused on resolving the ongoing tribal conflict. The government is hopeful that these discussions will bring about stability and result in the reopening of roads. Additionally, solidarity protests have been held outside Karachi's Numaish Chowrangi and Lahore Press Club, organised by Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, to raise awareness about the struggles of Parachinar residents. Barrister Saif, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's adviser on information, announced that a special police force has been approved to secure Parachinar Road. He stressed that the government aims to find a lasting solution to the century-old tribal dispute that has caused significant turmoil in the region. The ongoing tribal conflict in Parachinar has resulted in over 100 deaths and has paralysed the district by blocking all major and minor routes for the past two and a half months. The situation remains critical, with both residents and authorities struggling to cope with the consequences of the extended blockade. (ANI) The death toll from the Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan's Barmal district of Paktika province has risen to 46, with six people left injured so far, with the majority of victims being women and children, as reported by Khaama Press, citing reports from Taliban authorities. According to Khaama Press, the Taliban authorities had condemned the airstrike, which they claim targeted four areas in Afghanistan on December 24. The Pakistani military said the airstrikes were aimed at bases of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the region, resulting in the deaths of several militants and the destruction of four TTP bases, Khaama Press reported, citing the Pakistani media outlets close to the Pakistani Army. However, the Taliban's Ministry of Defence argued that the strike also hit "Waziristani refugees," disputing the claim that only militants were targeted. This escalation in violence has sparked tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the Taliban warning of retaliation, Khaama Press reported. The Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has increased its attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months, with Pakistan accusing the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter to these militants, Khaama Press reported. Enayatullah Khwarazmi, a spokesperson for the Taliban Ministry of Defence, denied the Pakistani claims and posted on X that "civilian people, mostly Waziristani refugees," had been killed in the airstrike. Khwarazmi added that "several children and other civilians were martyred and wounded" in the attack, though no official casualty figures were provided. Sources reported that at least 15 bodies, including women and children, have been recovered, and the death toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue. The Waziristani refugees are civilians who had been displaced by military operations in Pakistan's tribal areas. However, Pakistan maintains that many TTP commanders and fighters have fled to Afghanistan, where they are reportedly being protected by the Afghan Taliban in border provinces, Khaama Press reported. Tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have been building for some time, fuelled by the ongoing presence of TTP militants in Afghanistan. While Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of harbouring these militants, the Taliban insists it is not collaborating with the group. The incident further threatens regional stability and peace efforts, underscoring the need for urgent diplomatic dialogue to prevent more casualties and address the underlying issues fuelling the conflict. (ANI) Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar on Wednesday extended Hanukkah greetings to people and explained the significance of the Jewish festival. Azar shared a video on X that explains the history of the Jewish festival. In a post on X, the Israeli Embassy in India said, "This year, Hanukkah coincides with Christmas. But have you ever heard of Hanukkah? Come, listen to our Ambassador Reuven Azar as he shares the Jewish history of resilience and acceptance. The Embassy of Israel in India wishes everyone Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and joyful holiday season!" https://x.com/IsraelinIndia/status/1871896322678358178 "How are you? Have you heard of Hanukkah?" the delegate was seen asking a passer-by, to which she replied, "I have, but I don't know what it's about." Others said that they know it is a Jewish festival, but they don't know what it was about. He then said, "In Hanukkah, we celebrate the victory of light over darkness. More than 2,300 years ago, the greatest empire of the time, the Seljuks, tried to completely erase our faith, the Jewish faith. But thanks to a small family in the middle of Israel called the Maccabees, we managed to re-inaugurate our temple in Jerusalem and keep our identity." Azar added that in the feast, they light the menorah, a symbol of respect to other faiths. "In this feast, we light the menorah that shines over the world and we send a universal message of respect towards other faiths and respect to our identity," he added. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday extended Hanukkah greetings to Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar and the global community celebrating the festival. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1871765781262037260 To this, Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar thanked his "dear friend" Jaishankar for his wishes. https://x.com/gidonsaar/status/1871820385588744612 "Thank you, S Jaishankar, dear friend, for your warm Hanukkah wishes and your kind words," Sa'ar wrote on X. (ANI) Denmark has announced plans to enhance Greenland's defence capabilities after US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his controversial desire for the US to purchase the Arctic territory, Euronews reported on Wednesday. In response to Trump's comments, the Danish government revealed a significant defence investment plan aimed at bolstering Greenland's security. According to Euronews, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that the country would invest a "double-digit" billion amount in Danish kroner to upgrade its defence systems, though he did not specify the exact figure. The investment could range from EUR 1.34 billion to EUR 13.27 billion, as reported by Euronews. Earlier on Sunday, the US president-elect made his comments via the social media platform Truth Social, stating that the US should seek ownership of Greenland for "purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world." He made this remark while announcing the former US Ambassador to Sweden, Ken Howery, as the US Ambassador to Denmark. Meanwhile, Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute Egede, swiftly rejected the notion, asserting that "Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland" and emphasising that the country "is not for sale and will never be for sale," Euronews reported. Egede further highlighted the importance of preserving Greenland's long-standing struggle for independence. Notably, Greenland, despite having its own government, remains a part of Denmark under the Danish crown, and the country was a Danish colony until 1953, after which it became a district of Denmark and was fully integrated into the Danish state, making Greenlanders Danish citizens. Moreover, Trump previously had expressed interest in the US gaining control of territories like Canada and Panama, citing economic and strategic reasons, including the significance of the Panama Canal. He has also indicated intentions to confront drug cartels in Mexico, drawing comparisons to the US's actions against the Islamic State in Syria. (ANI) The tender notice, posted on Taiwan's Government e-Procurement System, indicates that the ROC Defence Mission to the US is looking to procure C-130 aircraft propellers, with an estimated value of NT 126 million (USD 3.85 million), as reported by Focus Taiwan. The contract for the successful bid will be announced on January 8, 2025, and the project is scheduled to run through December 2025. According to Focus Taiwan, this marks the official start of the planned overhaul of Taiwan's Air Force's 20 C-130 aircraft to enhance their capabilities in collision avoidance, sea rescue, and other systems. The upgrade project is set to run from 2025 to 2030. The primary focus of the Taiwanese military will be to integrate cockpits and improve the aircraft's sea rescue functions, additionally, simulators will be acquired, and ageing systems will be upgraded, including updated GPS, improved position reporting, and enhanced collision avoidance capabilities, Focus Taiwan reported, citing sources. The estimated budget for the entire project is expected to exceed NT 10 billion, the sources stated to Focus Taiwan. Taiwan's Air Force first acquired 20 C-130Hs and a modified C-130HE for electronic warfare from the United States in the early 1980s, with the first batch entering service in 1986. The Air Force currently operates a fleet of 20 C-130s, which serve as the primary transport aircraft for Taiwan's armed forces. (ANI) Israel President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday thanked President Droupadi Murmu for her wishes on Hanukkah. Herzog emphasised the friendship between both the countries and said that together, Israel and India bring light to the world. In a post on X, he said, "Thank you my dear friend Droupadi Murmu! Together our nations bring much light to the world, not only at Hanukkah but all through the year. May we enjoy a year of peace and prosperity." https://x.com/Isaac_Herzog/status/1871880147630223610 President Murmu wished her Israeli counterpart on the occasion of Hanukkah. She also extended her wishes to all the people worldwide. In a post on X, the Rashtrapati Bhavan stated, "I extend my warmest greetings to President Isaac Herzog and people worldwide on the auspicious occasion of Hanukkah." https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1871830198112641238 This year, Hanukkah coincided with Christmas. Earlier in the day, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar extended Hanukkah greetings to people and explained the significance of the Jewish festival. Azar shared a video on X that explains the history of the Jewish festival. In a post on X, the Israeli Embassy in India said, "This year, Hanukkah coincides with Christmas. But have you ever heard of Hanukkah? Come, listen to our Ambassador Reuven Azar as he shares the Jewish history of resilience and acceptance. The Embassy of Israel in India wishes everyone Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and joyful holiday season!" https://x.com/IsraelinIndia/status/1871896322678358178 Azar said, "In Hanukkah, we celebrate the victory of light over darkness. More than 2,300 years ago, the greatest empire of the time, the Seljuks, tried to completely erase our faith, the Jewish faith. But thanks to a small family in the middle of Israel called the Maccabees, we managed to re-inaugurate our temple in Jerusalem and keep our identity." Azar added that in the feast, they light the menorah, a symbol of respect to other faiths. "In this feast, we light the menorah that shines over the world and we send a universal message of respect towards other faiths and respect to our identity," he added. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday extended Hanukkah greetings to Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar and the global community celebrating the festival. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1871765781262037260 To this, Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar thanked his "dear friend" Jaishankar for his wishes. https://x.com/gidonsaar/status/1871820385588744612 "Thank you, S Jaishankar, dear friend, for your warm Hanukkah wishes and your kind words," Sa'ar wrote on X. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Hanukkah greetings to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and people across the world celebrating the festival. PM Modi wished that the radiance of the festival illuminates everyone's lives with hope. "Best wishes to PM Netanyahu and all the people across the world celebrating the festival of Hanukkah. May the radiance of Hanukkah illuminate everybody's lives with hope, peace and strength. Hanukkah Sameach!" PM Modi said in a post on X. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday extended Hanukkah greetings to Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar and the global community celebrating the festival. Sa'ar thanked "dear friend" Jaishankar for his wishes. "Thank you, S Jaishankar, dear friend, for your warm Hanukkah wishes and your kind words." Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar extended Hanukkah greetings to people and explained the significance of the Jewish festival. Azar shared a video on X that explains the history of the Jewish festival. In a post on X, the Israeli Embassy in India said, "This year, Hanukkah coincides with Christmas. But have you ever heard of Hanukkah? Come, listen to our Ambassador Reuven Azar as he shares the Jewish history of resilience and acceptance. The Embassy of Israel in India wishes everyone Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and joyful holiday season!" Azar said, "In Hanukkah, we celebrate the victory of light over darkness. More than 2,300 years ago, the greatest empire of the time, the Seljuks, tried to completely erase our faith, the Jewish faith. But thanks to a small family in the middle of Israel called the Maccabees, we managed to re-inaugurate our temple in Jerusalem and keep our identity." Azar added that in the feast, they light the menorah, a symbol of respect to other faiths. "In this feast, we light the menorah that shines over the world and we send a universal message of respect towards other faiths and respect to our identity," he added. (ANI) An official said that the terrorists opened fire in jurisdiction of Ahmedzai Sub-division Wazir police station, which killed Head Constable Wazir Zada, as per ARY News. A police official told ARY News that the police Head Constable was moved to District Headquarter Hospital for post mortem. Earlier, a police personnel was killed and a polio worker was injured in an attack on Monday by unknown assailants in the Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa's Karak area. The police personnel was guarding a team conducting anti-polio drive in the Banda Dawood Shah area of Karak. Law enforcement authorities reported that extra police force were dispatched to the location, following the assailants' escape. Earlier on December 2, at least three children lost their lives as a motor shell exploded in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ARY News reported on Monday. The incident occurred in Sintanga Jani Khel area of Bannu where seminary students were playing with the shell. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police officials stated that the shell exploded in their hands killing three on the spot. At least three children were killed while five others sustained injuries on November 30 when a live mortar shell exploded in Lower Kurram Tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Five other children were critically injured in the incident, which happened in a village area of Lower Kurram Tehsil. The police said the children, all under the age of 11, were playing when they saw a live mortar shell at a mountain. The children started pelting stones at the shell which exploded, killing three of them on the spot. Earlier in September, a woman and her four children died after a mortar shell struck their home in the North Waziristan, a tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Two other family members were critically injured in the incident, which happened in the Garyom area of the district. A mortar shell hit the residence of a local tribesman named Noor Gul early in the morning. The sheer force of the impact claimed the lives of Noor Gul's wife and four children, named Resham, Janshada, Mujahid, and Noor Kalam, as per ARY News. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], December 25 (ANI/WAM): The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity and conveyed its sincere condolences to the Republic of Azerbaijan over the victims of the Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy with the government and people of Azerbaijan and to the families of the victims, as well as its wishes of a speedy recovery for all the injured. (ANI/WAM) Abu Dhabi [UAE], December 25 (ANI/WAM): UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, discussed enhancing cooperation between the UAE and Turkiye in various fields in reflection of the strategic relations that unite the two countries. Hakan Fidan conveyed to the UAE President the greetings of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye, and his wishes for further progress and prosperity for the UAE. In turn, he conveyed his greetings to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wishes for Turkiye to experience continued growth and development. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed developments in the Middle East, stressing the need to intensify efforts to prevent the expansion of regional conflict, which threatens security and stability, and pursue a clear path to peace that ensures stability and security for all. Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Turkish Foreign Minister also discussed the latest developments in Syria, underscoring both countries' firm stance towards Syria's stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as their joint support for the aspirations of the Syrian people for security, stability, and development. The meeting was attended by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser; Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security, and Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State. (ANI/WAM) The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Wednesday condemned the ongoing cases of enforced disappearances and targeted harassment of Baloch people in Pakistan, after the recent abductions of Zaman Baloch and Abul Hassan. In a post on X, BYC stated, "The enforced disappearances of Zaman Baloch and Abul Hassan highlight an ongoing pattern of targeted harassment against their family, who have endured relentless trauma, including multiple abductions and the devastating suicide of a cousin, Chakar Majeed." It also noted that on December 17, Zaman and Abul Hassan were detained by the District Chairman Hothman, and handed over to secret agencies. Notably, while their cousin Altaf was released, Zaman and Abul Hassan remain missing. This marks Zaman's third disappearance and Abul Hassan's second, underscoring a grave violation of human rights, the BYC observed. As per the BYC, the families of the abducted individuals have been protesting for the last three days, blocking the main CPEC road at Shapuk, Turbat, demanding their safe release. The BYC in its post said, "We stand in solidarity with them and call for the immediate release of Zaman and Abul Hassan." BYC also gave a call to establish an independent investigation into these enforced disappearances and called for an end to the systemic targeting of their family. "We urge authorities to act urgently and for civil society to amplify this demand for justice", the post concluded. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1871962966624542953 The ongoing unrest in Balochistan is characterized by a disturbing pattern of abductions and killings, with a wide range of individuals including activists, politicians, journalists, and ordinary civilians falling victim to enforced disappearances by security forces. The Pakistani military is frequently accused of using enforced disappearances as part of a broader strategy to target insurgents or separatist groups. However, human rights organizations and Baloch nationalist groups contend that these abductions are primarily intended to suppress dissent. Enforced disappearances are often followed by torture and extrajudicial killings, further exacerbating the human rights crisis in the region. (ANI) The Indian Army and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) offered their condolences on the untimely passing of Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, who died due to health reasons on December 23. At the time of his passing, Brigadier General Jha was serving as UNDOF's Deputy Force Commander. Condolences were extended by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, and all ranks of the Indian Army. In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information of the Indian Army noted, "#GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS and All Ranks of #IndianArmy express deepest condolences on the untimely demise of Brigadier Amitabh Jha due to medical reasons, who was deployed on a #UN Mission as Deputy Force Commander (DFC) in #UnitedNations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), Golan Heights. The officer was also the Acting Force Commander of the mission. Indian Army stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief." https://x.com/adgpi/status/1871459399861977210 The UNDOF also shared a message on X, saying, "UNDOF regrets to announce the untimely passing of its Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, on 23 December 2024. He recently served as Acting Force Commander of UNDOF in complex circumstances following the fall of the Assad government in Syria". The post highlighted that Brigadier General Jha played a vital role in supporting the Mission's mandate to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Syria and served with the highest dedication and professionalism in continually challenging circumstances. He was a respected leader who will be remembered for his service in United Nations peacekeeping, including in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) from 2005 to 2006. https://x.com/UNDOF/status/1871814103423148170 "UNDOF's leadership and all of its personnel extend their deepest condolences to Brigadier General Jha's family, friends and colleagues. Despite this tragic loss, UNDOF remains committed to fulfilling its mandate," the post concluded. (ANI) Hundreds of American Humvees have been left to rust in scrapyards across Afghanistan, three years after the US abandoned the trucks so emblematic of its military campaign in the country to the new Taliban regime. New satellite images from former Nato and US bases in several Afghan provinces show the US-made vehicles dismantled and hollowed out, with their parts haphazardly strewn around open-air garages and compounds. The US forces tried to dismantle or destroy much of their machinery, from aircraft to computer systems, in the last weeks of their chaotic pull-out from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. But much still fell to the Taliban in August 2021 when the US-trained Afghan military crumbled and surrendered to the Islamist militants, according to US defence officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon says US forces left behind military equipment worth over $7.2bn at the time. Glimpses of this leftover military hardware are occasionally seen at Taliban events, such as a grand parade held by the Taliban at Bagram airbase in August to mark their three years in power. Taliban military helicopters fly to celebrate the third anniversary of Talibans takeover of Afghanistan (AFP via Getty) Images from the immediate aftermath of the pull-out showed Taliban militants seizing US-supplied firepower, including guns, ammunition, helicopters and other modern military equipment. The Independent has analysed images from Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Khost and Ghazni which show Humvees, along with other military and heavy vehicles such as rangers and army tracks that were given by the American armed forces to the Afghan National Defence Security Forces and police authorities before the fall of Kabul in August 2021. The majority of these Humvees are seen in images from the two power centres in Afghanistan Kabul and Kandahar with several in the backyard of the Kabul International Airport. Most of the Humvees in Kandahar are also seen at the now-abandoned US military-run airbase near the Spin Boldak road. A satellite view from 2019 of Humvees and other military vehicles parked at the Kandahar airbase, the main point for the Nato forces inside Afghanistan (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) The same place as seen this year, under Taliban control (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) Contrasting the available images from 2019 and 2020, when the US and Afghan forces jointly managed the bases, with images from now, under the Taliban regime, shows the poor state of these vehicles. A satellite view of of destroyed Humvees and other military vehicles in Kandahar this year (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same place in June 2019 (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) Qais Alamdar, an open source intelligence researcher and analyst, confirms to The Independent that at least 20 geolocated coordinates from Afghanistan show abandoned Humvees, as well as other armoured vehicles, trucks and tanks. The comparison [of images] from before the Taliban took over shows that they are no longer able to upkeep this expensive Nato machinery, and there are several reasons for it including the maintenance and expensive fuel to run them, he says. In the first few months of their takeover, the Taliban were using these Humvees alongside pick-up trucks to patrol parts of Afghan provinces, but over the years they seem to have junked them by the dozen, Mr Alamdar says. A satellite view of neatly parked Humvees and other military vehicles near Kabul International Airport in 2019 (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) The same place in June 2024 (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) Besmillah Taban, former general director of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) under the Ashraf Ghani government, says the fuel to run Humvees is more expensive and the spare parts to repair them are impossible to get outside of US and European markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just the fuel, which guzzles five to six times more than an average vehicle, but you cannot find even a small part of the Humvee in the Afghan bazar. You have to order from the United Arab Emirates. The maintenance of the Humvee is turning out to be costly and, frankly, out of the budget for the Taliban, he says. The Talibans local leaders now seem to have switched to using motorcycles to carry out patrolling, especially in areas like Baghlan and Badakhshan, he says. Mr Taban, who worked in Kabul near the places where the Humvees have been disposed of, says the mechanics who worked for Nato forces are now in the US or other parts of the world, and afraid to return to Afghanistan. Even if you manage to buy a spare part or fix a Humvee in such dire conditions, you can do it for 10 to 12 Humvees, not 100 or 200 Humvees, Mr Taban says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, the Humvees are now a mere showpiece of stolen American equipment, stationed at border checkpoints in the country. In a rare show of force, a column of Humvees was used to guard the procession at the funeral of the senior Taliban minister Khalil Haqqani, who was killed in a suicide bombing attack last week. Sources present at his funeral told The Independent that a convoy of around 30 to 40 Humvees was placed in a line at the burial in Paktia province. Humvees are seen parked during the funeral ceremony of Khalil Haqqani (AFP via Getty) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the absence of spare parts, the Taliban is cannibalising these Humvees, says Lynne O'Donnell, journalist and analyst on Afghanistan. The satellite images showed several Humvees that appeared to have been broken down or hollowed out completely. Pointing to how the Taliban was able to fix Black Hawk helicopters and other US military aircraft that they flew in Afghanistan, she says the US trained the Afghan military to repair and maintain the billions of dollars worth of materiel that was transferred to the republic to build its military capacity. The US spent around $83bn to develop and sustain Afghan security forces from 2001 to 2021, according to reports from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, which oversees American taxpayers money spent on the conflict. Ahmad Zia Saraj, who served as Afghanistans spy chief from 2019 to 2021, says there is a concern that the Taliban will be able to raise funds by selling off parts of former US military hardware on the black market via neighbours like Pakistan and Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as the Taliban took over the depots of the ministry of defence, they were looted, they stole a lot of things, weapons, ammunition, and these spare parts of these vehicles, and all of them were sold in the black markets of Pakistan, he says. An Afghan national army Humvee drives past a US army Black Hawk helicopter in Kandahar (AFP via Getty) Soon they will just sell these Nato vehicles like scrap and of course, the market will be Pakistan and how Pakistan will use it later on, he says. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A woman who crashed into another car while driving the wrong way down the interstate three years ago will spend half a decade behind bars. Danielle Archuleta pled no contest to homicide by vehicle charges in June. 16-year-old charged with making shooting threats in Albuquerque In 2021, police say she was driving west in the eastbound lanes on I-40 near 98th Street when she hit Nikal Adhi which resulted in his death. Judge Cindy Leos sentenced her to five years behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Ukrainian tank crew survived multiple Russian drone strikes on their Abrams tank. Abrams tanks have better crew protection than Soviet-style tanks. But Ukrainian forces are also enhancing Abrams with additional armor to counter emerging threats. A Ukrainian tank crew survived around half a dozen direct Russian drone strikes on their Abrams tank, a feat a tank commander told researchers wouldn't have been possible in a Soviet-style tank like a T-72. As footage of the engagement circulated on Russian Telegram channels, war analysts Rob Lee and Michael Kofman, experts at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, connected with the Ukrainian tank commander from the 47th Mechanized Brigade who shared how that bad situation in Russia's Kursk region ultimately played out. "That's our tank," he told them. "There were 4-6 direct hits. The crew survived, and even without injuries. God bless America." Russian telegram channels posted videos of fiber optic cable FPV strikes on a Ukrainian Abrams tank in Kursk oblast last week. Aside from a concussion, the crew survived without injury and made it back to friendly lines. @KofmanMichael and I spoke to the commander of the tank pic.twitter.com/piqapqvVMv Rob Lee (@RALee85) December 19, 2024 The American-made tank was disabled and taking repeated hits from fiber-optic first-person-view, or FPV, drones, which are not as vulnerable to electronic warfare countermeasures as other systems in use in Ukraine because the connection comes from a cable linking the drone and the operator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Abrams is a great tank," the Ukrainian commander said in a string of remarks Lee shared on X. "Thanks to the fact that the ammo is completely separated from the crew, the crew has a chance to survive." The Russians were unable to penetrate the hull or the turret while the crew was inside. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly celebrated Western tanks for their survivability. Unlike the T-series tanks, where ammunition is stored on racks in the turret, the Abrams is equipped with blast doors and vents that protect the crew in the event the ammunition is ignited. On Soviet-style tanks, which were not built with crew survivability as a top priority, if the ammunition in the turret is ignited, it can cause a major explosion inside the tank. The serious overpressure kills the crew and launches the turret into the air. The tank commander told Lee and Kofman that the crew likely wouldn't have survived the fight if they'd relied on the Abrams armor alone, though. A US-provided M1A1 Abrams tank at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. 47th Mechanized Brigade via Telegram The American-made M1 Abrams tank is powerful, with greater range, firepower, and armor than the Russian T-series tanks, which were built for mobility and massed armored assaults, but the M1s that the Ukrainians received are older export variants that lack the top armor upgrades of US Army tanks, such as depleted-uranium armor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commander said that "without the additional ERA and 'cope netting' on top of the turret," the crew "would have been smashed and surely dead by now without any chance. The tank's armor is weak, and it is vulnerable (as any other tank) to FPV drones." Ukrainian troops have been analyzing Abrams losses and equipping tanks with explosive reactive armor made to explosively repel projectiles, and cages and netting designed to catch incoming drones before they can strike the tank, especially around the vulnerable turret. The Ukrainians sometimes add two to three tons of additional Kontakt-1 ERA. The tank commander said that the Abrams armor combined with the add-ons, as well as the tank features specifically built for crew survivability, "saves human lives, even in DIRE conditions." The crew was able to get out of the tank and fall back to friendly lines. The Russians struck the tank several more times after they abandoned it. The commander said it might still be salvageable. With better crew survivability, trained tankers live to fight another day, but a key challenge for Ukraine is that it only has a limited number of Abrams. The US only sent 31 tanks. It did, however, provide hundreds of armored Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. The US Army trained members of the Ukrainian armed forces on the American M1A1 Abrams tank in Grafenwoehr. Matthias Merz/picture alliance via Getty Images The Ukrainian tank commander who spoke to Lee and Kofman expressed concerns about American preparation for future wars. For instance, he called attention to the training he received. He said that the US instructors "were completely unaware of the modern battlefield threats." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They do not understand at all the threat posed by the FPVs," the commander said. There's a growing awareness in the US military that these systems are threats, but having not experienced these challenges the way the Ukrainians have in a war that is being dominated by deadly uncrewed systems, developing sufficient training programs and necessary tactics, techniques, and procedures remains a work in progress. But important to note is that the US military fights with more capabilities than Ukraine as a combined force that offers it greater lethality. Still, there are lessons to be learned from this war and the way the Ukrainians are fighting it. "American tankers should act promptly," the commander said. "Protect your tanks urgently to avoid losses in potential near-future conflicts, taking into account our experience." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US Army is monitoring developments in Ukraine closely and working to apply lessons from the conflict. The Pentagon, likewise, is increasingly recognizing the threat that drones can play, from the high-end systems to the cheap, off-the-shelf capabilities, and recently released its counter-drone strategy to prepare the joint force for future battlefields where drones are likely to pose a significant challenge. Read the original article on Business Insider TOKYO, Dec 26 (News On Japan) - The individual-type defined contribution pension system, known as iDeCo, which offers tax-saving benefits, has sparked controversy online, with the phrase "iDeCo reform" trending on social media. Currently, iDeCo is at the center of heated discussions across social media platforms. iDeCo is a private pension system that supplements public pensions such as the national pension and employee pension plans. Often referred to as "another pension," contributions are accumulated and can be withdrawn after the age of 60. Additionally, recipients can enjoy benefits such as the "retirement income deduction" if taken as a lump sum payment. The controversy now stems from a change in the rules governing this deduction period. Under the current system, individuals receiving iDeCo lump sums at the age of 60 can maximize the retirement income deduction if there is a "five-year gap" before they collect retirement benefits. However, under the tax reform proposals outlined by the ruling coalition for the next fiscal year, this "five-year rule" is set to become a "ten-year rule." In other words, unless retirement benefits are deferred until the age of 70, recipients will not be able to fully utilize the available deductions. This change has sparked outrage on social media: From X (formerly Twitter): "Theres no way most companies will let you work until 70!" "This is a scam... How much more tax do they want to squeeze out of us?" "This is the very definition of an iDeCo reform gone wrong." Amid public outcry, the government moved into the final stages of adjustment on December 25th for the fiscal 2025 budget proposal. Despite rising prices, wage increases, and the absence of fixed tax reductions next fiscal year, projected tax revenues are expected to reach a record high. As annual tax revenues continue to exceed expectations, the question remains: how should we prepare for our retirement while national living standards show little sign of improvement? Source: ANN TOKYO, Dec 26 (News On Japan) - Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a decision to ease visa requirements for Chinese nationals visiting Japan. For group tourist visas, the allowable stay will be extended from the current limit of 15 days to 30 days. Additionally, changes will be made to the issuance requirements for individual tourist visas. For individuals aged 65 and older, submission of an employment certificate will no longer be required. The ministry also plans to introduce a new individual visa valid for 10 years, exclusively available to individuals with significantly high incomes. While the exact timing of these changes has not yet been determined, ministry officials suggested that the measures are unlikely to be implemented in time for the Chinese New Year holidays at the end of January 2025. On December 25th, Iwaya visited China for the first time since assuming his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He held successive meetings with Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During the discussions, both sides agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges to deepen mutual understanding. The easing of visa requirements is expected to contribute to improving relations between the two countries. Source: ANN YAMANASHI, Dec 26 (News On Japan) - Tourists crossing the roadway despite warnings have long been a challenge for local authorities. Despite attempts such as installing barriers and banners, the problem has persisted. Now, a new approach has been implemented. Two pedestrian crossings, once painted solely in white, have been redesigned with alternating green and white stripes. Fujikawaguchiko Mayor Hideyuki Watanabe explained: "Some suggested using blue, or incorporating Lawsons signature colors for better visibility on social media, but we decided to prioritize functionality. The green and white stripes are meant to be both noticeable and effective in guiding pedestrians to use the crossings." Has it worked? While the number of people using the crosswalks has increased, challenges remain. Mayor Watanabe commented further: "We must analyze the results to determine how pedestrian traffic flows and decide on the next steps accordingly." Source: ANN TOKYO, Dec 26 (News On Japan) - A Chinese national was sentenced to eight months in prison by the Tokyo District Court for defacing a stone pillar at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, an act deemed disrespectful to the worship site. Jiang Zhuojun, a 29-year-old Chinese citizen, was accused of using red spray paint in May to write "Toilet" on a stone pillar at Yasukuni Shrine. He faced charges for violating laws against disrespecting worship sites. In its ruling on December 25th, the Tokyo District Court noted, "The damage caused by the act is significant and the case demonstrates a high degree of malice. Furthermore, no compensation for damages has been made, and the defendant played a pivotal role in the incident." Based on these findings, the court sentenced Jiang to eight months of imprisonment. During the trial, the prosecution sought a one-year prison term, while the defense argued for leniency to avoid a custodial sentence. Source: ANN TOKYO, Dec 26 (News On Japan) - Abandoned hotels in Shizuokas Izu Peninsula are becoming an increasing concern for local authorities. Once bustling with tourists during Japans economic boom, many hot spring resorts in Higashi-Izu Town have been left derelict, their structures crumbling and ownership unclear. Drone footage reveals large, decayed buildings that have stood untouched for over a decade, their interiors filled with debris and remnants of a bygone era. Despite identifying some property owners, little progress has been made toward demolition. The decline of these resorts reflects broader changes in Japans travel habits. During the bubble era, Higashi-Izu saw nearly 6.5 million visitors annually, with large hotels catering to group tours. However, the collapse of the bubble economy and a shift toward smaller, individualized travel left many of these facilities unsustainable. Nearby Atami City successfully revived its tourism industry, but Higashi-Izu continues to face dwindling visitor numbers and increasing numbers of abandoned properties. In southern Izu, similar challenges persist. Abandoned hotels in Shimoda City have become popular with thrill-seekers, sometimes leading to trespassing and even fires. The decay has created safety hazards for nearby residents, particularly as the region prepares for potential earthquakes. Local governments are taking action in some cases, such as Shimodas purchase of the Shimoda Grand Hotel, which will be demolished and converted into a park. However, the high costs of demolition, estimated at 500 million yen or more, pose a significant financial burden. Efforts to repurpose vacant properties have also begun. In Higashi-Izus Inatori district, older homes are being transformed into boutique inns, offering a more personalized experience for visitors. Larger hotels are adapting as well, renovating spaces to cater to individual travelers rather than large groups. These initiatives highlight the potential for renewal, but the road ahead remains challenging as municipalities work to balance restoration with financial and logistical obstacles. Source: ANN By Michael Ovat The Anambra Police Command has arrested Chukwuma Obi, a 32-year-old man from Umuagu Village, Igboukwu, in Aguata Local Government Area of the state, in connection with an alleged case of attempted kidnapping and extortion. According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who disclosed this in a statement in Awka on Wednesday, the arrest was made on December 24, 2024, by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Squad in Enugu-Ukwu. The suspect is accused of demanding a ransom of one million, two hundred thousand naira (#1,200,000) through threats of abduction. The victim reported receiving a menacing message from an individual claiming to be a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who threatened abduction unless the ransom was paid into a specified account. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and is currently assisting the police in identifying and apprehending other members of the gang involved in these criminal activities. This arrest follows a similar case late last month, in which the Command apprehended a couple specializing in sending threatening messages and extorting victims under the guise of planned abductions. The couple confessed to their crimes and admitted to destroying the SIM cards used in their illicit activities. The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, reiterated the Commands commitment to pursuing all cases to a conclusive end, ensuring suspects are apprehended and justice is served. He emphasized that such efforts are vital to preventing further criminal activities and ensuring the safety and security of residents. The Anambra State Police Command continues to urge the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines. By Matthew Atungwu The Taliban government on Wednesday said Pakistan air strikes in an eastern border region of Afghanistan killed 46 civilians. Authorities said the strikes were the latest spike in hostilities on the frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with tensions escalating since the Taliban seized power in 2021. According to Taliban government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, Pakistan bombarded four areas in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province. He said six more people were wounded, adding that the total number of dead is 46, most of whom were children and women. Neither Pakistans foreign ministry nor its military have responded to a request for comment. However, a senior Pakistan security official said the strikes were on terrorist hideouts using jets and drones and that they killed at least 20 militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP, the countrys homegrown Taliban group. Arguments from Afghan officials claiming civilians are being harmed are baseless and misleading, the senior Pakistan security official said on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, a Taliban defence ministry statement late Tuesday condemned the strikes, calling them barbaric and a clear aggression. The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered, but rather considers the defence of its territory and sovereignty to be its inalienable right, the statement said, using the Taliban authorities name for the government. The humanitarian crisis in South Sudans displacement camps has reached an alarming level as thousands of Sudanese refugees, fleeing a brutal war, endure worsening conditions and a rapidly escalating cholera outbreak. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) issued a stark warning, on Monday, December 23, describing the situation as totally overwhelming. Every day in December 2024, over 5.000 refugees have crossed into South Sudan, seeking safety from the conflict that erupted in Sudan in April 2023, according to MSF. The war, fought between the Sudanese Army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 11 million people. Already plagued by persistent violence and climate-related disasters, South Sudan is struggling to cope with the massive influx of people. The situation is totally overwhelming and insufficient, said Emanuele Montobbio, MSFs emergency coordinator in Renk. The transit centers in Renk, designed to accommodate 8,000 people, are now hosting over 17,000, far exceeding their capacity. Meanwhile, more than 100 wounded refugees, many with severe injuries, remain in dire need of surgical intervention. In makeshift settlements surrounding the camps, thousands are forced to live under trees or in improvised shelters, with little to no access to essentials such as food, clean water, medical care, and sanitation. Alhida Hammed, a refugee from Sudans Blue Nile region recovering from a gunshot wound at Renk hospital, shared her harrowing story: Our village was on fire. We were displaced and are now living under a tree. MSF has also highlighted the alarming spread of cholera in the overcrowded camps, where the outbreak is overwhelming healthcare capacities. In Unity State alone, 92 cholera-related deaths have been reported, and MSF teams have treated over 1,210 patients in just four weeks in Bentiu, where nearly 4,000 suspected cases have been identified. Near Juba, MSF has treated about 1,700 suspected cholera cases, with local reports citing 25 fatalities. The scale of the crisis underscores the urgent need for international intervention and additional resources to address the worsening humanitarian disaster in South Sudan. Paraguays Lower House has passed a new resolution reiterating its unwavering support for Moroccos sovereignty over its Southern Provinces. In this resolution, adopted last week, Paraguayan deputies reiterate their endorsement of Moroccos Autonomy Initiative as the foundation for a peaceful, fair resolution to the regional dispute, a resolution compliant with international legality. In addition, the Chamber of Deputies urged the Paraguayan government to adopt this position formally by issuing official statements and called for explicit support for the Moroccan Initiative in international fora. Since the establishment of Moroccos embassy in Asuncion in November 2016, the Chamber of Deputies has adopted seven resolutions, five of which explicitly support Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over the Sahara. Through this resolution, the Chamber of Deputies joins the international momentum spearheaded by King Mohammed VI, in support of the Autonomy Plan and Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara. The latest resolution follows a similar move by the Paraguayan Senate on November 13, which endorsed the Autonomy Initiative proposed by Morocco as a basis for achieving a peaceful, fair, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution, in full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco. Thus, both chambers of the Paraguayan National Congress agree, on one hand, to express unequivocal support for Moroccos Autonomy Initiative as the sole basis for any solution to this regional dispute, within the framework of Moroccos national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and, on the other hand, to urge their government to adopt this same position through official statements and to provide explicit support for it in international fora. At least 21 people were killed in violent unrest in Mozambiques capital Maputo and northern cities a day after the countrys top court Monday (23 December) controversially confirmed the ruling partys victory in a disputed poll. Mozambiques largely deserted capital and other cities across the eastern African nation have been hit by skirmishes between protesters and police, which were triggered by the Constitutional Councils decision to uphold the victory of the long-ruling Frelimo partys presidential candidate Daniel Chapo. A total of 236 acts of serious violence were reported since Monday across the Portuguese-speaking African country, in which at least 25 people were wounded, including 13 police officers, interior minister Pascoal Ronda said late Tuesday (24 December). More than a 130 people have already died in the violence following the 21 October election. Chapos main challenger, exiled opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, has claimed the election was rigged, marred by voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and irregularities in vote counting, and called the courts decision the humiliation of the people. The unrest has led to the arrests of at least 78 people, with the government warning of more detentions as protests continue. The armed and defense forces will increase their presence in critical and key points, Ronda said, emphasizing that security measures are being reinforced to restore order. But Mondlane remains defiant, writing on Facebook that history is made of thorny, rocky moments, but the truth is that victory is guaranteed for all of us. With the two-term tenure of African Development Bank (AfDB) president Akinwumi Adesina coming to an end by May 2025, a total of eight candidates, including from South Africa, Algeria, Senegal, Zambia, and Mauritania, are in race to succeed him. The race is beginning to heat up with candidates across Africa declaring their intention to replace Adesina and more expected to declare interest in the coming months. The Nigerian economist became president of the bank in 2015 and initially served his five-year tenure before getting re-elected to serve another five-year tenure. The AfDB president is elected by the board of governors for a renewable five-year term and oversees the banks daily operations, supported by a chief economist and five vice presidents. The AfDB voting interests are influenced by powerful regional blocs, including ECOWAS, SADC and COMESA, especially when they have a candidate in the running. Several candidates are already on maneuvers in an election which could have significant ramifications for the direction of travel at the AfDB. Joining the race are, for example, Abbas Mahamat Tolli from Chad, former governor of the Bank of Central African States, the dual French-Algerian citizen Rabah Arezki, a former chief economist of the AfDB, Senegals Hassatou Diop NSele, the AfDBs current vice-president of finance, and Albert G. Zeufack, the World Bank country director for Angola, Burundi, the DRC and Sao Tome and Principe. While the current AfDB president is currently busy undertaking a valedictory global tour, highlighting his successes and outlining his vision for Africa, management reform is high on the agenda and as we get closer to September the debate about reforming the institution will heat up, said Alex Vines from the London-based Chatham House think-tank. The online media journalists in Chad are voicing dissatisfaction over the authorities refusal to respect the Supreme Courts decision for a ban on the broadcasting of audiovisual content to be lifted while opposition is calling for a boycott of the countrys legislative and local elections scheduled for 29 December. With Chads legislative and local elections looming, a heated debate is unfolding about its transparency and legitimacy, with the opposition arguing that presenting candidates in these pre-determined elections is merely legitimizing a power structure that seeks to be validated. Also journalists reporting for online media platforms have joined the outcry against what Bello Bakary Mana, the president of the Association of Online Media of Chad, called a deliberate attempt by the countrys High Media and Audiovisual Authority (HAMA) to silence the local online media. The HAMA officials have refused to lift the ban accusing journalists of reposting videos without the content producers permission but journalists assert they are being silenced from reporting on critical election issues before the elections. Journalists in Chad say by banning online audiovisual content, HAMA wants to silence online media that have been reporting that Debys Patriotic Salvation Movement, or MPS, wants to use the polls to consolidate its grip on power at all costs. Several hundred online reporters assisted by local radio, print and TV journalists gathered for a protest in the capital Ndjamena to let the world know that the media is being silenced in Chad. They will continue protesting until HAMA stops threatening journalists and lifts what he calls its illegal 4 December ban on the broadcast of online audiovisual content, Mana said. While the ruling party of President Mahamat Idriss Deby is actively campaigning, with festive rallies, door-to-door visits, and market tours, the opposition has urged the public to reject the upcoming vote, calling it an electoral coup. The UAE companies topped the list of investors in the African continent, pledging projects worth 110 billion dollars between 2019 and 2023, the Financial Times reported. Most of the investments, or 72 billion dollars, went to renewable energy projects, FT said. These investments outweighed those announced by UK, France or China. UAE companies also have investments in agriculture and telecoms. Since 2022, the Dubai royal Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook al-Maktoum has struck deals to sell carbon credits from forests covering a fifth of Zimbabwe, 10% of Liberia, 10% of Zambia and 8% of Tanzania. In the mining industry, International Resource Holdings, part of a conglomerate controlled by the Abu Dhabi national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, paid $1.1bn to Zambias state mining company, ZCCM, for a 51% stake in Mopani Copper Mines. Morocco started imposing a 29.9% anti-dumping duty on Egyptian canned tomatoes to protect the local industry from unfair prices, the trade ministry and the customs administration said. The duty has been applied since May 31 and will be in place over the next five years to protect the local industry, they said in a statement. The duty was imposed following an investigation into the market at the request of the national agri-food federation Fenagri. Three main Moroccan industrial operators, representing 96% of the market, had complained to Fenagri, following the surge in imports of Egyptian canned tomatoes, Morocco and Egypt are part of the Agadir Agreement, a free trade agreement that also includes Jordan and Tunisia. By Qabil Ashirov SOCAR's Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) and Kazakhstan's Safi Utebayev Atyrau Oil and Gas University JSC have signed an additional protocol to their existing cooperation memorandum. Azernews reports that the higher education institution, the additional protocol has led to the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Science and Education Center on the BHOS campus. This center will conduct scientific research activities in the oil and gas industry, energy, and environmental sectors. These activities will focus on reducing carbon emissions, promoting digitalization, and supporting sustainable development initiatives. In addition to supporting the development of specialists in these fields, these initiatives will further expand the cooperation between the two brotherly countries in the areas of education and scientific research. Morocco and Senegal have expressed their shared desire to strengthening their partnership and enhance regional integration This was at the focus of talks held on Tuesday in Rabat between Moroccos Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, and visiting Senegals Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yassine Fall. During the meeting, both ministers commended the excellent friendship and fraternity ties binding Morocco and Senegal, and highlighted the existing opportunities to bolster economic cooperation, particularly through the large-scale regional integration initiatives spearheaded by the Kingdom under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said in press release posted on its website. Mrs. Fettah emphasized that Senegal, with its exemplary development process and ongoing commitment to regional and continental integration, is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in the success of the Atlantic Initiative and the operationalization of the Atlantic Africa Gas Pipeline, two transformative initiatives poised to deliver far-reaching benefits to all countries in the region, the press release said. At a meeting Monday with her Moroccan peer, Nasser Bourita, Mrs Fall had insisted on her countrys resolve to consolidate economic Partnership with Morocco, and to contribute to the success of the Atlantic Initiative and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project. During the meeting, Mrs Fall handed over to Bourita a message from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to King Mohammed VI, expressing his desire to strengthen international relations between Morocco and Senegal. Talks covered collaboration at various levels, whether pan-African, regional, or bilateral. The General Assembly of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) held its 29th extraordinary session in Rabat on Wednesday, with the participation of the organizations 22 member states. The session of the ACAOs General Assebly was devoted to examining the extension of the current directors mandate for a third term and expanding the executive council to 11 members, with the integration of Tunisia and Yemen. Speaking on this occasion, Chairman of the ACAO General Assembly and Libyan Minister of Transport Mohamed Salem Al-Chahoubi, emphasized that hosting this face-to-face meeting in Rabat, where the organization is headquartered, testifies to the commitment of member states to strengthening their cooperation in the civil aviation sector, a key area for promoting national economies and improving services offered to citizens. Joint action in civil aviation plays a central role in achieving a unified Arab market, facilitating citizens mobility, bolstering regional integration and laying solid foundations for a lasting partnership in the service of common interests, al-Chahoubi noted. For his part, Chairman of ACAOs Executive Board Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duaile, emphasized the importance of Arab countries common will to improve and develop this vital sector, an essential pillar of sustainable development in the region. Success depends on unity, complementary roles and cooperation between Arab countries, he pointed out, recalling that Arab States have already proved their ability to compete with the West, and must now unite to showcase their strength in this strategic field. Since its creation in 1996, the Arab Civil Aviation Organization has worked to strengthen coordination and cooperation between the civil aviation authorities of its member states, through its governing bodies, technical committees, and general secretariat. ACAO has inked memoranda of understanding with regional organizations in Africa, Europe and Latin America, as well as with several countries around the world, enabling it to contribute to capacity building and offer technical support to international civil aviation. Participants in the session defined priorities and joint action plans drawn up with the regional offices of the International Civil Aviation Organization and similar regional organizations, focusing on strengthening air transport, its safety and security, increasing air navigation capacity and efficiency, and protecting the aeronautical environment. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) immediately became the worlds key emergency energy supply when Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Unlike oil or gas transported through pipelines, LNG does not require vast expense and years of building a complex infrastructure before it is ready to transport. On the contrary, it can be bought quickly and reliably either through short- or long-term contracts or in the spot market and then shipped anywhere within a matter of days. In the event of further major conflicts breaking out in the coming years as many expect, LNGs importance will only increase further, as existing oil and gas land transportation routes involving Russia and China are unlikely to remain functional for long. Even without such a conflict, global demand for LNG is projected to increase by more than 50% by 2040, according to Shell. Before the U.S. became the worlds biggest exporter of LNG at the end of last year, Qatar had long held that position, only occasionally relinquishing the top spot to Australia. As it stands now, Qatar forecasts that it will more than double its current 77 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) production to 160 mtpa by 2030. By that time, the Emirate will account for at least 40% of all new LNG supplies across the globe. This makes it even more crucial to the U.S. and its allies and to China and its alliance. Related: Big Oil Looks to The Eastern Mediterranean as Replacement for Russian Gas Prior to 2022s invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the pendulum of superpower influence in Qatar had swung in Chinas favour. Information received around the time by OilPrice.com from impeccable security sources indicated that China had been broadly told by Russia of its plans for a large-scale special operation in Ukraine months before it happened, not just prior to the 4 February 2022 start of the Beijing Winter Olympics, as many reports have it. This tallies with the commencement of multiple long-term deals for huge LNG supplies by China in March 2021, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. The first was the signing of a 10-year purchase and sales agreement by the China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec) and Qatar Petroleum (QP) for 2 million mtpa of LNG. December 2021 saw another major long-term contract for Qatar to supply China with LNG, on that occasion a deal between QatarEnergy and Guangdong Energy Group Natural Gas Co for 1 million mtpa of LNG, starting in 2024 and ending in 2034, although it could be extended. And further deals followed aimed not only at safeguarding China from any immediate energy supply shocks in the event that Russian gas supplies were sanctioned after it invaded Ukraine but also at depriving the West of access to these Qatari LNG supplies into the bargain. It was little wonder, then, that both China and Russia were bullish enough about Moscows prospects before it launched its special operation against Ukraine and Beijings ability to benefit from it that they issued a very carefully worded and equally carefully timed joint statement that their partnership had no limits. In retrospect, many commentators highlight this as the green light for Putin to go ahead with his plans for invading Ukraine. In fact, Beijing had signalled to Putin around a year before that it had no objection to what he was planning. This does not necessarily mean that Qatar was decisively aligning itself for the long term with China and Russia. A small country in a precarious geographical position between the two great Middle Eastern powers (Saudi Arabia and Iran) and their principal superpower sponsors (the U.S. up until relatively recently, and China, respectively), it has long been compelled to play a delicate diplomatic balancing act between these respective parties. Instead, with LNG being its primary budget income generator, these huge deals with China although they turned out to be enormously strategically beneficial to Beijing were just business, as far as Doha was concerned. Ultimately in business, sellers will always finally align with the best offer available to them, and after Russia failed to secure its anticipated lightning capture of Ukraine, this turned out to be the U.S. and its allies. The end of March 2022 saw the first in a series of strategically crucial meetings for Washington and its allies with senior representatives from Qatar aimed at securing vital LNG supplies urgently for the West. They also signalled to China and Russia that the West was not going to allow them to get away unopposed with yet another land grab in Europe, following the 2014 forced annexation of Ukraines Crimea as ordered by Putin. Indeed, following one such meeting that month -- between Qatars Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, German economy minister, Robert Habeck, and a representative presence by the U.S. - President Joe Biden reiterated his view of Qatar as a major non-NATO ally. Several more business and political carrots and sticks were laid out by the U.S. to Germany and Qatar designed to ensure that the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia did not end up as consequence-free as its 2014 invasion of the country, as also detailed in my new book. May 2022 saw Qatar sign a declaration of intent on energy cooperation with Germany aimed at becoming its key supplier of LNG. These plans would run in parallel with, but were likely to be finished significantly sooner than, the plans for Qatar to also make available to Germany sizeable supplies of LNG from the Golden Pass terminal on the Gulf Coast of Texas. QatarEnergy holds a 70 percent stake in the project, with the U.S.s ExxonMobil holding the remainder. Following on from these developments, December 2022 saw two sales and purchase agreements signed between QatarEnergy and the U.S.s ConocoPhillips to export LNG to Germany for at least 15 years from 2026. Looking ahead, 18 million mtpa of Qatars forecast 160 million mtpa of LNG output by 2030 will come from its share in the Golden Pass Project. The remainder is to come from the ongoing expansion of its part of the worlds biggest gas reservoir the 6,000 square kilometre North Dome (or North Field) site. The other part is Irans 3,700 square kilometre South Pars section, which accounts for around 40% of the Islamic Republics total estimated 33.8 trillion cubic metres (tcm) of gas reserves and about 75% of its gas production. The inextricable relationship between Qatar and Iraq over this prize asset is another reason why Qatar is so strategically important to the U.S. and its allies. The Emirates cooperation with Iran to enhance the yield from its side of the reservoir provides major leverage over Iran, while doing nothing to help would have a significantly negative impact on Irans gas flows and finances from the site over time. For Qatars side, the remainder of the output boost is to come partly from its six major new developments in the North Field East (NFE) and North Field South (NFS) to the end of 2029. Four new trains (production facilities) each with 8 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) will be built on the NFE site, and two (with the same production capacity) in the NFS site, totalling 48 million mtpa of new LNG production. Additionally, at the end of February, QatarEnergy announced another set of projects focused on its North Field West (NFW) that will increase its LNG output from the current 77 million mtpa to 142 million mtpa before the end of this decade. This compares to the 404 million mtpa of LNG traded globally in 2023 and to industry estimates that this figure will reach around 625-685 million mtpa in 2040. It is with an eye on these NFW sites that Qatar very recently announced that it will very shortly sign more long-term LNG supply deals to add to the 25 million tonnes of sales secured last year. With Trump entering a second presidential term on 20 January, these will provide an interesting marker as to how the U.S.s long-term plans for Qatar will pan out in the next four years. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Brother William Woeger used his talents in architecture, sacred liturgy, music and the arts to serve God and, through each act, he taught those around him. Brother William was incredibly deep, active and expressive in his faith, John Wees, a member of the Cathedral Arts Project said. He was always teaching. Whatever activity we were doing, I always came away having learned something that I didnt know. Woeger had a national reputation for his work as a liturgical designer/consultant for new and older churches. A liturgical designer is a person who creates visual elements and designs specifically for use in religious worship services, focusing on the aesthetics of the liturgy, including elements like altar arrangements, church decorations, vestments and other visual aspects. He is probably best known in Omaha as the founder of the Cathedral Flower Festival in 1985. The flower show, held each January at St. Cecilias Cathedral, snowballed into the Cathedral Arts Project which promotes and celebrates the performing and visual arts in Omahas historic cathedral. The 40th Anniversary Flower Festival at St. Cecilia Cathedral will be held Jan. 25-26 and it will honor its founder. Board members Msgr. James Gilg, K.C. Halpine, and Ron Rubin will also be celebrated. Brother William was a brilliant designer, artist, liturgist, and an extraordinary visionary, said Judy Kennedy, the Cathedral Arts Project president. As the founder of Cathedral Arts Project, he coined the term cathedral culture, and led the organization for 36 years to bring the arts to the heart of the city. Woeger, 79, died Dec. 17 while visiting friends on the East Coast, Wees said. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Cecilias on Jan. 2 at 10 a.m. Internment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery where Woeger had already placed a headstone with a view of the cathedral. Marjorie Malarkey, 87, who lives in a suburb of Baltimore, is Woegers only surviving sibling. Her brother, she said, was serious but fun loving. The two shared many adventures on trips around the U.S. and she always enjoyed coming to Omaha to see the cathedral and her brothers many friends. After my second husband died in 1997, Bill would call and say, Would you like to take a trip with me? and off we would go to so many places from New Mexico, to Hawaii and California, Malarkey said. We would just have a lot of fun. Malarkey said her brother demonstrated an artistic bent as a youngster when he painted a still life that their mother immediately framed. She wasnt surprised when her brother chose a religious life. He was always what I would call a deep thinker, Malarkey said. He looked beyond what a normal person would see as far as his feelings for people in need. He always excelled. For 42 years, Woeger served in the Omaha Archdiocese, coming to the city in 1967 as a teacher of English, religion and art at what was then Rummel High School before becoming Roncalli High School. He retired in 2022 as the archdiocese director of the Office of Divine Worship and provost of the Saint Cecilia Institute for Sacred Liturgy, Music and the Arts. Archbishop George Lucas, who came to Omaha in 2009, said one of his great joys in coming to the city was meeting and working with Woeger. One of my choicest blessings since coming to Omaha has been my association with Brother William. We have a beautiful cathedral, thanks to the faith and sacrifices of our spiritual ancestors, Lucas said in a statement. It remains beautiful and vibrant today thanks in great part to Brother William, who loved every stone, statue and window. Many of us will miss him; many more will continue to be inspired by his legacy. A native of St. Louis, Woeger told the Catholic Voice, that he was inspired by the priests and religious sisters who taught him during high school. He entered the Christian Brothers, a teaching order, in 1963 and professed perpetual vows in 1970. Woeger earned a bachelors degree in philosophy and theology and minors in English and art from Christian Brothers College in Memphis, Tennessee. He also received a masters degree in spirituality from St. Louis University. In 1978, Woeger started working for the archdiocese in the Worship Office. Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan wanted Woeger to help lead the ongoing implementation of liturgical changes following the Second Vatican Council. He said he was drawn to how ritual, art, music and architecture affected worshippers. That opened the door to the founding of the Cathedral Arts Project. Asked by a World-Herald reporter in 2019 why the flower festival was held in January, Woeger pointed to a window. Outside, Omaha was in the midst of one of the snowiest winters on record. I always say if we did this in June, nobody would come, Woeger said. In January, its kind of an act of defiance. Wees met Woeger when he moved into the St. Cecilia parish in the mid-1990s. The act of defiance comment, he said, was indicative of Woegers humorous side. Brother William had a wry, dry and impish sense of humor, Wees said. He had an incredibly deep, active and expressive faith. He was not overly pious, He was pious at the right time. Woeger traveled the country as a member of the board of the national Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. There were literally scores of churches, chapels and cathedrals where he was either the liturgical designer or a consultant, Wees said. His focus was to work with architects to make sure the primary function (of the building) remains sacred, Wees said. Over the years, Woeger was commissioned to create religious icons for 23 other churches, chapels, religious communities and other institutions across the country. He also served as a consultant and/or designer for 30 new churches and chapels and renovations of 33 others across the U.S. and Canada. One of his largest projects involved the renovation of the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California, formerly the church of televangelist Robert Schuller, and its conversion to the Christ Cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Orange. In 2014, the Diocese of Orange unveiled plans to remodel the building, aiming to preserve the structures architectural qualities, while extensively remaking the interior to make it more suitable for the altar-centric Catholic liturgy. Woeger worked with a Los Angeles design firm as the principal liturgical consultant. I believe that design of spaces for worship, as with all the arts, is at the service of the liturgy, Woeger was quoted as saying in the diocesan announcement. I help clients to understand, explore and appreciate the possibilities within their community for full expression of the Churchs liturgical rites. This is an exciting process which can result in a unique outcome expressive of a particular communitys identity and understanding of itself as a worshiping assembly in the Roman Catholic tradition. Other California projects included serving as designer/consultant for the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, a 1998 renovation of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in San Francisco, and the renovation of Sacramentos Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Wees, who dined with Woeger nearly every week in recent years, said his friend was passionate about more than liturgy and the arts. Woeger, he said, had been near the forefront for helping people with AIDS since the 1980s. He knew people in the gay community and saw how they were being treated, Wees said. He said, Its insane the way we are treating people who need compassion and comfort. Woeger helped organize a community-wide AIDS Task Force and the AIDS Interfaith Network. He also organized a monthly prayer service in the Our Lady of Nebraska Chapel at St. Cecilias. It was some of the best ecumenical stuff, I think, that has gone on in the city here, because we werent focused on ecumenism, we were focused on the ministry, Woeger told the Catholic Voice. People got to know each other and be supportive of one another. Apparently jolted by the barrage of criticisms the announcement of commencement of implementation of federal governments cattle settlement policy, tagged Ruga settlement, has generated, the presidency Thursday summoned the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammadu Umar. Umar had on Monday, told journalists that the federal government had commenced the implementation of the policy in 12 states, saying it was a pilot scheme meant to test-run the governments solution to the endemic herders confrontation with crop farmers nationwide. His pronouncement attracted loud outcry from the government of Benue State and the governors of South-east states, who stated clearly on Tuesday that the policy would be resisted by them. The protesters on Wednesday received hefty support from such socio-cultural groups as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pan-Niger Delta Development Forum (PANDEF) and the Middle-Belt Forum as well as social critics, who rejected the policy as unworkable and unacceptable. Ministry sources told THISDAY yesterday that Umar was called to the presidency to explain his statement, which is believed to be unauthorised, particularly given the sensitive nature of the policy said to still be at consultative stage. The permanent secretary had said the federal government had commenced the building of Ruga settlements to curb the recurrent clashes between farmers and cattle herders, pointing out that the establishment of the settlements had been settled along with other people that are interested in rearing animals. But THISDAY gathered that he might have exceeded the limits of his office by discussing the issue without authorisation as this ought to be the prerogative of the minister. A source said the permanent secretary might have spoken too soon as the federal government had not concluded consultations with the pilot states, most of them still resistant to the policy. Constitutes Economic Advisory Council President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, dissolved the Economic Management Team headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and constituted the Economic Advisory Council (EAC), which does not include the vice president. It was highlighted that the Economic Advisory Council is to advise President Buhari on economic policies, as well as fiscal analysis and economic growth. A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, indicated that the Economic Advisory Council will replace the dissolved Economic Management Team (EMT) headed by Vice President Osinbajo which will be reporting directly to President Buhari. Membership of the advisory council was identified to include Professor Doyin Salami, Chairman; Dr. Mohammed Sagagi, Vice-Chairman; Professor Ode Ojowu, Member; Dr. Shehu Yahaya, Member; Dr. Iyabo Masha, Member; Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Member; Mr. Bismark Rewane, Member; Dr. Mohammed Adaya Salisu, Secretary, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Development Policy. Some stakeholders in the Nigerian project have expressed discontentment that the dissolution of the EMT and non-inclusion of the Vice President in the new EAC is signal of loss of confidence by the President on the Vice President. However, it was acknowledged that President Buhari may have opted to bring in professionals and economists to help his administration in finding viable ways of reviving Nigerias sinking economy. Adesina in the statement highlighted that the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) will advise the President on economic policy matters, including fiscal analysis, economic growth and a range of internal and global economic issues working with the relevant cabinet members and heads of monetary and fiscal agencies. The EAC will have monthly technical sessions as well as scheduled quarterly meetings with the President. The Chairman may, however, request for unscheduled meetings if the need arises, he declared. PV: 0 By Akbar Novruz Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed his condolences regarding the crash of an AZAL passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. In a post on "X," Pashinyan shared his sorrow over the incident, which involved an AZAL aircraft travelling from Baku to Grozny. The crash occurred near Aktau, with 67 people on board, including crew members. As reported, 28 individuals survived the crash. A mass gathering was sited today in Abuja during the burial of the Chief of Staff to the President and Nigerian have reacted grateful not only to the mass gathering but the disobedience of the NCDC directives to maintain social distancing. A popular twitter user Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) has expressed his observations and opinion on the death of the Chief of Staff to the President. The question on the minds of Nigerians are why disregard these directives that will keep us safe. Odanz explained that the chief of staff who initially travelled to Germany when the cases of Covid19 was in the increase, returned to Nigeria and refused to self isolate, which was against the NCDC directives. Abba Kyari went to Germany when covid-19 cases was rising in that country. He came back and refused to self-isolate against NCDCs directive. Even in his death, his corpse was released to his family who again violated social distancing rules to bury him.Our elites are cancerous We should be really concerned about those who conducted that burial today in Abuja. Emotions (family ties) pushed them to, but what about the risks? Will they now go into self-isolation for the next 14 days? Will they allow the NCDC manage the looming disaster theyve caused? Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) April 18, 2020 It was gathered that Most citizens who returned from other countries refused to fill the NCDC Covid19 assessment form or filled in wrong information and this act has brought about the endangerment of Nigerian citizens, especially by the elites of the society. @Odanz also stated that after these returnees are back from other countries, they throw parties and rallies thereby putting other citizens at risk and refuse to self isolate And when they finally get past the airport, they do the opposite of self-isolation. From hosting parties to receiving families and friends to rallies. Everything but self-isolate. They think Covid-19 is the Nigerian laws they can break/violate at will and go scot-free Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) April 18, 2020 The only drawback to this crisis is that ordinary Nigerians are even more vulnerable and in danger of dying from it. If this pandemic will be limited to the small cycle that stubbornly imported it into this country, I am not sure anyone will care. Bunch of idiots Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) April 18, 2020 The post #COVID19: Should We Be Concerned After The Mass Gathering At The Burial Of Late Abba Kyari Today? appeared first on Breaking Times. ]]> Christmas Day, December 25, is the day that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is of little consequence as to whether His birth occurred precisely on December 25th because it is the totality of His life, His teachings, and His sacrifice that form the foundation of Christianity. Its Christmas Day and we remain thankful for the blessings of this past year. It is a different Christmas this year. Normally, we are a part of those Christmas traditions of our children and we travel to be with them for this Christmas season. But this season because my wife is recovering from a broken hip, travel to the snow and cold of Oregon and Colorado seemed like a poor idea. But thanks to video links on the internet we will still participate. For our family Christmas always begins with Mass. It is one of those special days in the Catholic Church when the church is overflowing as Catholics and visitors join in celebrating the birth of Jesus over two thousand years ago. The four weeks preceding Christmas are known as Advent in the Church. It is a time during which we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ and it is a time best described as a season of hope. Our belief is that God became man in fulfillment of His promises in the Old Testament. That His life brings with it the hope that He will come again to redeem our souls. It is the belief in God and the hope for an eternal life with Him that provides purpose. A purpose that extends beyond the acquisition of comfort and material gains. A purpose that does not end with the death of ones body. It is in marked contrast to a secular world where hope is finite, where purpose is confined to the needs of an intellectual being comfort, wealth, power and knowledge. Where the concepts of a prime mover, a perfect being and an eternal life are not only foreign but ridiculed. A world in which trust and expectation is placed solely in man an imperfect being. A world in which we are regularly disappointed at best and enslaved at worst by those in power and those who seek power. For many in the secular world, government has become their religion a belief that government is and should be the solution to all problems. But governments have been created by men and by definition inherit the imperfections of man. Those who place their hopes and expectations in government are most often disappointed. Even in America where we enjoy the best form of government we find that the approval ratings of the president and Congress at historical lows and fully two-thirds of our citizens believing that we are headed in the wrong direction. Poverty and unemployment have grown and remain stubbornly high. Educational achievement continues to decline. And opportunity continues to be stifled in deference to temporal social policy. This is not meant as a criticism of the efforts of men many are well meaning, however flawed. But more and more, politicians seek office primarily to gain power and, thereafter, use government to maintain that power. Power has become the end and the means to the end. The first and last consideration for every decision is how it will impact the acquisition or preservation of power. In pursuit of that power, promises are made promises that cannot and never were intended to be kept. But those promises build expectations and those expectations are rarely met thus creating the low approval ratings of those in government. But the most disappointing aspect of the secularists vision of the world is that this is all there is. It is a world in which expectations are finite, suffering is inevitable and redemption is unknown. It is a world tightly constricted into the life span of each of us. It is a life that no matter how virtuously led ends with death. In the end it is a life with limited and temporal hope. In contrast, our hope is rooted in a spiritual world, a belief in an eternal life and a hope that in the end we will be reunited with The Perfect Being. That hope is not confined to our personal destiny. It extends to all of mankind. As G.K. Chesterton wrote: The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried. Any one thinking of the Holy Child as born in December would mean by it exactly what we mean by it; that Christ is not merely a summer sun of the prosperous but a winter fire for the unfortunate. The progress in human relations is measured by your treatment of others. It is not measured by governments, or power, or wealth. It is as simple as a new pair of shoes for a barefoot man and as complex as a childs unshakeable belief in Santa Claus. God Bless you and keep you safe and healthy all of this Christmas Season and for the whole of the New Year. 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: Distribution of Bell Beaker-derived and Yamnaya-derived ancestry proportions obtained from the IBD admixture model. The proportion of each steppe source is standardized by the total steppe contributions, i.e. the sum of Corded Ware, Bell Beaker and Yamnaya_Samara contributions. Credit: bioRxiv (2024). DOI: 10.1101/2024.12.02.626332 A team of 91 researchersincluding famed geneticist Eske Willerslev at the Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, University of Copenhagenhas discovered a Bronze Age genetic divergence connected to eastern and western Mediterranean Indo-European language speakers. Findings indicate that Spanish, French and Italian populations received steppe ancestry from Bell Beaker groups, while Greek and Armenian groups acquired ancestry directly from Yamnaya populations. Their results are consistent with the Italo-Celtic and Graeco-Armenian linguistic models. Indo-European languages cover much of Europe and western Asia and are thought to have originated mainly from migrations of Early Bronze Age people across the Pontic Steppe. The Pontic Steppe region stretches north of the Black Sea from the edge of modern-day Bulgaria across southern Ukraine to the shores of the Caspian Sea. Relative linguistic models have served as pushpins in mapping European migration, though language speakers' physical origins versus cultural adaptation have remained uncertain. Prior genetic studies confirmed steppe ancestry across Europe but can not differentiate whether different European populations received steppe input from the same or distinct sources. In order to cement theoretical conclusions, timepoint-specific genetic information from entire regions of the Mediterranean was needed. In the study, "Ancient genomics support deep divergence between Eastern and Western Mediterranean Indo-European languages," posted on the preprint server bioRxiv, researchers analyzed 314 ancient genomes to clarify the trajectories of steppe-related populations and the possible origins of languages such as Italic, Celtic, Greek and Armenian. Ancient genomes from Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Moldova, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, all dated between 2,100 and 5,200 years ago, were sequenced and combined with previously published ancient genomes for a total of 2,403 samples. Steppe ancestry sources were compared using identity-by-descent admixture modeling. To assess mobility within populations, 224 individuals underwent strontium isotope analyses. Strontium isotope analysis is a technique for tracing human migration. It examines the ratios of strontium isotopes (particularly 87Sr/86Sr) in human remains. Once ingested through drinking water or eating plants, strontium is incorporated into bone and tooth enamel, where it retains the isotopic ratios present during their formation. Different regions have distinct strontium signatures (87Sr/86Sr ratios) based on their underlying geology. Analyzing these ratios in bones and teeth can reveal the geographic origins of where an individual has lived and obtained their food and water, allowing researchers to infer migration patterns. While not providing a precise location in most cases, it can accurately reveal the difference between local and non-local inhabitants of an area. Genetic findings revealed a pronounced divide between Eastern and Western Mediterranean populations during the Bronze Age, with two distinct expansions of steppe ancestry into the Mediterranean. Distribution of ancient individuals distributed by country (A), (N= the number of individuals in this study/total number of individuals in dataset), and locality shown on the map (B). We only demonstrate the individuals limited by time frame (6,0001,000 cal BP) to avoid overlapping. Credit: Genetics (2024). DOI: 10.1101/2024.12.02.626332 Bell Beaker populations originated from steppe pastoralists who mixed their steppe ancestry with local European farmers. Specifically, Bell Beaker groups carried steppe-related genetic profiles from earlier steppe populations, such as Yamnaya, combined with ancestries related to the pre-existing Globular Amphora Culture in Western Europe. 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. Local admixture likely facilitated the westward spread of Bell Beaker populations into Italy, France, and Spain, aligning with linguistic models proposing an Italo-Celtic subgroup, as both Italic and Celtic languages share a common origin. Steppe ancestry in Greece and Armenia was derived directly from Yamnaya populations of the Pontic steppe without significant admixture of locals. In Greece, this ancestry was detected in individuals from the Peloponnese as early as 3,800 BP, preceding the emergence of the Greek language and the Mycenaean civilization. Steppe ancestry coincided with the political rise of Mycenaean culture. Armenian steppe ancestry appeared during the Middle Bronze Age and was genetically similar to Greek populations, supporting the Graeco-Armenian linguistic hypothesis. Steppe ancestry paralleled the Kura-Araxes culture's decline and the Trialeti culture's emergence. Genetic data from Northern and Central Italy indicated multiple admixture events, reflecting complex interactions between steppe migrants and local Neolithic farming populations. In Greece, steppe ancestry coincided with the political rise of Mycenaean culture. Strontium isotope ratios identified 56 non-local individuals in Greece, Cyprus, and Italy, reflecting active mobility patterns during the Bronze Age. An individual from Pian Sultano in Italy showed a non-local signature in the petrous bone but a local signature in the tooth, indicating the individual spent their childhood in a distant land. Four non-local individuals in Cyprus came from different genetic backgrounds. One showed a high radiogenic strontium isotope signature consistent with a Scandinavian place of origin. This individual's genetic sequences also clustered with Bronze Age Scandinavian ancestry, hinting at Mediterranean trade routes reaching far beyond the local horizons. When compared with hypothesized linguistic mapping, the combined genetic and strontium data provide compelling evidence for a distinct genetic and linguistic split between ancient Eastern and Western Mediterranean Indo-European populations. Italic and Celtic groups are linked to Bell Beaker populations, while Greek and Armenian groups trace their ancestry to Yamnaya populations. These findings are consistent with the Italo-Celtic and Graeco-Armenian linguistic migration hypotheses and do not align with alternative models such as Indo-Greek and Italo-Germanic. More information: Fulya Eylem Yediay et al, Ancient genomics support deep divergence between Eastern and Western Mediterranean Indo-European languages, bioRxiv (2024). DOI: 10.1101/2024.12.02.626332 Journal information: bioRxiv , Genetics 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: Average trust scores for British institutions, 20022022. Trust on the slide. P Whiteley, CC BY-ND Trust in Britain's institutions is in bad shape, according to recent data from the European Social Survey. Trust is important because a good deal of governing involves trying to persuade people to do things or convince them that things will get better in the future. This is increasingly difficult to do if trust is in decline. Trust in political institutions is particularly important when governments have to make unpopular decisions, such as raising taxes. Data covering a 20-year period shows a marked decline in trust in parliaments, political parties and politicians. The following question is asked in the European Social Surveys over time: "Please tell me on a score of 010 how much you personally trust each of the following institutions. 0 means you do not trust an institution at all, and 10 means you have complete trust in it." The decline in trust began around the time of the 2016 survey, when the lowest level of trust in politicians and political parties was recorded in 20 years of doing the survey. Parliament has done a bit better, but decline in trust for it is still quite marked. It is no coincidence that this decline started in 2016the year of Brexit. But the European Social Survey carries another important measure of trustour trust in fellow citizens. A question in the surveys asks how trusting respondents felt about other people on an 11-point scale, with a high score indicating that people are trusting. Average trust scores in other people in Britain, 20022022. Credit: P Whiteley, CC BY-ND After a shaky start at the beginning of the millennium, trust in other people increased significantly in Britain in 2006, to over 5.35 on the 11-point scale. It then dropped in 2008, the year of the financial crisis. The recovery from this decline was in place by 2010. It is noticeable that the trust scores fell again in 2018, when the political consequences of Brexit were making themselves felt. Trust revived again in 2020 during the pandemic. So, our trust in each other is in healthier shape than our trust in institutions. This is important because trust in others is a key measure of social capitalthe willingness of people to work together to solve social and economic problems in society. The importance of social capital in creating prosperity in the US was highlighted by the American political scientist Bob Putnam in his best-selling book, Bowling Alone. There is now a large literature on social capital and trust, some of it focusing specifically on Britain. The findings are that trust promotes prosperity for a number of reasons. If people trust each other, they are more likely to volunteer. This free labor helps to provide a social safety net, which increases prosperity for alleven if it is not fully recognized in the national income statistics. High-trust countries like Denmark and Sweden also have low levels of corruptionand corruption is a blocker to growth. In a high-trust environment, the costs of doing business are lower because there is less need for elaborate contracts, expensive lawyers and lots of litigation to make other people behave properly. This is, in part, why high-trust countries are richer than low-trust countries. 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. It's well established that economic growth is driven by investment in innovation, skills and transport, extra manufacturing capacity and greater workplace productivity. However, it is also the case that social capital helps to create economic growth. In researching this across a variety of countries, I found that trust was very important in stimulating economic growth alongside these other factors. Government has limited direct influence on social capital, but it can encourage it by investing in voluntary organizations and increasing transparency in its dealings with the public. Britain has suffered from a lack of investment in capital spending and infrastructure, and has neglected investment in education over the past 15 years. Social capital seems to be in much better shape, and faced with the significant challenge of restoring growth, the UK government needs to pull every lever at its disposal. It can repair trust in politics with its own actions, and this is likely to help with sustaining social capital, which is part of the solution to restoring economic growth. 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: A deepwater octopus investigates the port manipulator arm of the ALVIN submersible research vessel. Credit: NOAA, CC BY We named him Squirtnot because he was the smallest of the 16 cuttlefish in the pool, but because anyone with the audacity to scoop him into a separate tank to study him was likely to get soaked. Squirt had notoriously accurate aim. As a comparative psychologist, I'm used to assaults from my experimental subjects. I've been stung by bees, pinched by crayfish and battered by indignant pigeons. But, somehow, with Squirt it felt different. As he eyed us with his W-shaped pupils, he seemed clearly to be plotting against us. Of course, I'm being anthropomorphic. Science does not yet have the tools to confirm whether cuttlefish have emotional states, or whether they are capable of conscious experience, much less sinister plots. But there's undeniably something special about cephalopodsthe class of ocean-dwelling invertebrates that includes cuttlefish, squid and octopus. As researchers learn more about cehpalopods' cognitive skills, there are calls to treat them in ways better aligned with their level of intelligence. California and Washington state both approved bans on octopus farming in 2024. Hawaii is considering similar action, and a ban on farming octopus or importing farmed octopus meat has been introduced in Congress. A planned octopus farm in Spain's Canary Islands is attracting opposition from scientists and animal welfare advocates. Critics offer many arguments against raising octopuses for food, including possible releases of waste, antibiotics or pathogens from aquaculture facilities. But as a psychologist, I see intelligence as the most intriguing part of the equation. Just how smart are cephalopods, really? After all, it's legal to farm chickens and cows. Is an octopus smarter than, say, a turkey? A big, diverse group Cephalopods are a broad class of mollusks that includes the coleoidscuttlefish, octopus and squidas well as the chambered nautilus. Coleoids range in size from adult squid only a few millimeters long (Idiosepius) to the largest living invertebrates, the giant squid (Architeuthis) and colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis) which can grow to more than 40 feet in length and weigh more than 1,000 pounds. Some of these species live alone in the nearly featureless darkness of the deep ocean; others live socially on active, sunny coral reefs. Many are skilled hunters, but some feed passively on floating debris. Because of this enormous diversity, the size and complexity of cephalopod brains and behaviors also varies tremendously. Almost everything that's known about cephalopod cognition comes from intensive study of just a few species. When considering the welfare of a designated species of captive octopus, it's important to be careful about using data collected from a distant evolutionary relative. Marine biologist Roger Hanlon explains the distributed structure of cephalopod brains and how they use that neural power. 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. Can we even measure alien intelligence? Intelligence is fiendishly hard to define and measure, even in humans. The challenge grows exponentially in studying animals with sensory, motivational and problem-solving skills that differ profoundly from ours. Historically, researchers have tended to focus on whether animals think like humans, ignoring the abilities that animals may have that humans lack. To avoid this problem, scientists have tried to find more objective measures of cognitive abilities. One option is a relative measure of brain to body size. The best-studied species of octopus, Octopus vulgaris, has about 500 million neurons; that's relatively large for its small body size and similar to a starling, rabbit or turkey. More accurate measures may include the size, neuron count or surface area of specific brain structures thought to be important for learning. While this is useful in mammals, the nervous system of an octopus is built completely differently. Over half of the neurons in Octopus vulgaris, about 300 million, are not in the brain at all, but distributed in "mini-brains," or ganglia, in the arms. Within the central brain, most of the remaining neurons are dedicated to visual processing, leaving less than a quarter of its neurons for other processes such as learning and memory. In other species of octopus, the general structure is similar, but complexity varies. Wrinkles and folds in the brain increase its surface area and may enhance neural connections and communication. Some species of octopus, notably those living in reef habitats, have more wrinkled brains than those living in the deep sea, suggesting that these species may possess a higher degree of intelligence. Holding out for a better snack Because brain structure is not a foolproof measure of intelligence, behavioral tests may provide better evidence. One of the highly complex behaviors that many cephalopods show is visual camouflage. They can open and close tiny sacs just below their skin that contain colored pigments and reflectors, revealing specific colors. Octopus vulgaris has up to 150,000 chromatophores, or pigment sacs, in a single square inch of skin. Like many cephalopods, the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is thought to be colorblind. But it can use its excellent vision to produce a dizzying array of patterns across its body as camouflage. The Australian giant cuttlefish, Sepia apama, uses its chromatophores to communicate, creating patterns that attract mates and warn off aggressors. This ability can also come in handy for hunting; many cephalopods are ambush predators that blend into the background or even lure their prey. The hallmark of intelligent behavior, however, is learning and memoryand there is plenty of evidence that some octopuses and cuttlefish learn in a way that is comparable to learning in vertebrates. The common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), as well as the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and the day octopus (Octopus cyanea), can all form simple associations, such as learning which image on a screen predicts that food will appear. Some cephalopods may be capable of more complicated forms of learning, such as reversal learninglearning to flexibly adjust behavior when different stimuli signal reward. They may also be able to inhibit impulsive responses. In a 2021 study that gave common cuttlefish a choice between a less desirable but immediate snack of crab and a preferred treat of live shrimp after a delay, many of the cuttlefish chose to wait for the shrimp. Cuttlefish perform in an experiment adapted from the Stanford marshmallow test, which was designed to see whether children could practice delayed gratification. A new frontier for animal welfare Considering what's known about their brain structures, sensory systems and learning capacity, it appears that cephalopods as a group may be similar in intelligence to vertebrates as a group. Since many societies have animal welfare standards for mice, rats, chickens and other vertebrates, logic would suggest that there's an equal case for regulations enforcing humane treatment of cephalopods. Such rules generally specify that when a species is held in captivity, its housing conditions should support the animal's welfare and natural behavior. This view has led some U.S. states to outlaw confined cages for egg-laying hens and crates too narrow for pregnant sows to turn around. Animal welfare regulations say little about invertebrates, but guidelines for the care and use of captive cephalopods have started to appear over the past decade. In 2010, the European Union required considering ethical issues when using cephalopods for research. And in 2015, AAALAC International, an international accreditation organization for ethical animal research, and the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations promoted guidelines for the care and use of cephalopods in research. The U.S. National Institutes of Health is currently considering similar guidelines. The "alien" minds of octopuses and their relatives are fascinating, not the least because they provide a mirror through which we can reflect on more familiar forms of intelligence. Deciding which species deserve moral consideration requires selecting criteria, such as neuron count or learning capacity, to inform those choices. Once these criteria are set, it may be well to also consider how they apply to the rodents, birds and fish that occupy more familiar roles in our lives. 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: Dark comets fly through space, but unlike comets, they dont have dust tails. Credit: Adina Feinstein and NASAs Earth Observatory The water that makes up the oceans acted as a key ingredient for the development of life on Earth. However, scientists still do not know where the water here on Earth came from in the first place. One leading idea is that space rocks such as comets and asteroids delivered water to the Earth through impacts. As a planetary scientist, I'm curious about the kinds of space objects that could have led to the formation of the oceans. For the past few years, I've been studying a type of object that I called a dark cometwhich could be just the culprit. In a new study my colleagues and I published in December 2024, we discovered two classes of these elusive dark comets What is a comet? The solar system is teeming with small bodies such as comets and asteroids. These space rocks were fundamental building blocks of planets in the early solar system, while the remaining leftovers are the comets and asteroids seen today. These objects are also avenues by which material can be transported throughout the solar system. These small worlds can contain things such as rubble, ice and organic material as they fly through space. That's why researchers see them as good potential candidates for delivering ices such as water and carbon dioxide to the Earth while it was forming. Traditionally, the difference between comets and asteroids is that comets have beautiful cometary tails. These tails form because comets have ice in them, while asteroids supposedly do not. When a comet gets close to the sun, these ices heat up and sublimate, which means they turn from ice into gas. The gas heats up because of the sunlight and is then blown off the comet's surface in a process called outgassing. This outgassing brings with it rubble and small dust grains, which reflect sunlight. Asteroids, on the other hand, do not have cometary tails. Presumably, they are more like classic rockswithout ice on their surfaces. What is a nongravitational acceleration? The outgassing material from the surface of a comet produces a cometary tail and a rocketlike recoil. The fast moving gas pushes on the surface of the comet, and this causes it to accelerate. This process drives comets' motion through space on top of the motion set by the gravitational pull of the sun. So, when comets outgas, they have what planetary scientists call nongravitational accelerationmotion that isn't caused by the gravity of objects in the solar system. Planetary scientists typically measure the nongravitational accelerations of comets after detecting their cometary tails. What are dark comets? Our team identified a class of small bodies in the solar system that take some of the properties of both comets and asteroids. We called them dark comets. These dark comets have nongravitational accelerations like comets, so they experience a rocketlike recoil from comet outgassing. However, they don't have the dusty tails that most comets have. In other words, they look like typical asteroids, but gravity alone can't explain their motion. The first interstellar object, 'Oumuamua, was the first comet or asteroid-sized body that was detected in the solar system that came from outside of the solar system. 'Oumuamua displayed this same mysterious combination of no dust tail but a cometlike nongravitational acceleration, which led to many theories trying to explain what the object could have been. One option is that it was outgassing like a comet but not producing a dusty tail. Since 'Oumuamua was first spotted in 2017, my colleagues and I have identified other dark comets within the solar system. In our study, we found seven new dark comets, bringing the total to 14. Now that we've found more dark comets, we've noticed that they come in two flavors. Outer dark comets are largerabout a mile wide in sizeand on more elliptical orbits farther out in the solar system. Inner dark comets are smallertypically 1,000 feet in sizeand on circular orbits close to the Earth. Dark comets fly through space, but unlike comets, they dont have dust tails. Credit: Adina Feinstein and NASAs Earth Observatory 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. Contributions to the Earth's oceans? It's still not clear exactly what these dark comets are. They may not even be traditional comets if they don't have icy surfaces. However, the most likely answer for their nongravitational accelerations is that they outgas water, like a comet, but don't produce a dusty tailat least not one we can see when we look at them with our telescopes. If this is the case, there are sure to be many more of these objects, parading around like asteroids, still yet to be identified. Since scientists don't know for sure where the Earth's water came from, if there really are lots of dark comets that have water near Earth, it is possible that these dark comets contributed water to the early Earth. These dark comets could tell researchers more about the origins of Earth's oceans and the development of life here on Earth. Reasons to be excited for the future This research is really just the tip of the iceberg, because we only just started finding these dark comets in 2023. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time, which comes online in 2025, will start scanning the entire southern sky almost every night to spot anything that moves. This telescope, located on a mountain in Chile's Atacama desert, is home to the largest camera ever built. It will give astronomers almost five orders of magnitude greater sensitivity for detecting moving objects in the night sky. It will likely help my colleagues and me discover lots of new dark comets in the near future. Telescopes that are already operating, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope, could also help my team watch for outgassing or ice on the surface of the 14 dark comets we've already identified. Landing on a dark comet would probably look similar to Hayabusa2s rendezvous with the Ryugu asteroid. Finally, the JAXA Hayabusa2 extended mission is slated to rendezvous with one of the inner dark comets, 1998 KY26, in 2031. Therefore, we will be able to see the surface of a dark comet in exquisite detail. 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 Climate and environmental protest is being criminalized and repressed around the world. The criminalization of such protests has received a lot of attention in certain countries, including the UK and Australia. But there have not been any attempts to capture the global trenduntil now. We recently published a report, with three University of Bristol colleagues, which shows this repression is indeed a global trendand that it is becoming more difficult around the world to stand up for climate justice. This criminalization and repression spans the global north and south, and includes more and less democratic countries. It does, however, take different forms. Our report distinguishes between climate and environmental protest. The latter are campaigns against specific environmentally destructive projectsmost commonly oil and gas extraction and pipelines, deforestation, dam building and mining. They take place all around the world. Climate protests are aimed at mitigating climate change by decreasing carbon emissions, and tend to make bigger policy or political demands ("cut global emissions now" rather than "don't build this power plant"). They often take place in urban areas and are more common in the global north. Four ways to repress activism The intensifying criminalization and repression is taking four main forms. 1. Anti-protest laws are introduced Anti-protest laws may give the police more powers to stop protests, introduce new criminal offenses, increase sentence lengths for existing offenses, or give policy impunity when harming protesters. In the 14 countries we looked at, we found 22 such pieces of legislation introduced since 2019. 2. Protest is criminalized through prosecution and courts This can mean using laws against climate and environmental activists that were designed to be used against terrorism or organized crime. In Germany, members of Letzte Generation (Last Generation), a direct action group in the mold of Just Stop Oil, were charged in May 2024 with "forming a criminal organization." This section of the law is typically used against mafia organizations and had never been applied to a non-violent group. In the Philippines, anti-terrorism laws have been used against environmentalists who have found themselves unable to return to their home islands. Criminalizing protest can also mean lowering the threshold for prosecution, preventing climate activists from mentioning climate change in court, and changing other court processes to make guilty verdicts more likely. Another example is injunctions that can be taken out by corporations against activists who protest against them. 3. Harsher policing This stretches from stopping and searching to surveillance, arrests, violence, infiltration and threatening activists. The policing of activists is carried out not just by state actors like police and armed forces, but also private actors including private security, organized crime and corporations. In Germany, regional police have been accused of collaborating with an energy giant (and its private fire brigade) to evict coal mine protesters, while private security was used extensively in policing anti-mining activists in Peru. 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. 4. Killings and disappearances Lastly, in the most extreme cases, environmental activists are murdered. This is an extension of the trend for harsher policing, as it typically follows threats by the same range of actors. We used data from the NGO Global Witness to show this is increasingly common in countries including Brazil, Philippines, Peru and India. In Brazil, most murders are carried out by organized crime groups while in Peru, it is the police force. Protests are increasing To look more closely at the global picture of climate and environmental protestand the repression of itwe used the Armed Conflicts Location Event database. This showed us that climate protests increased dramatically in 20182019 and have not declined since. They make up on average about 4% of all protest in the 81 countries that had more than 1,000 protests recorded in the 20122023 period: Climate protests increased sharply in the late 2010s in the 14 countries studied. (Data is smoothed over five months; number of protests is per country per month.). Credit: Berglund et al; Data: ACLED, CC BY-SA This second graph shows that environmental protest has increased more gradually: Environmental protests in the same 14 countries. Credit: Data: ACLED, CC BY-SA We used this data to see what kind of repression activists face. By looking for keywords in the reporting of protest events, we found that on average 3% of climate and environmental protests face police violence, and 6.3% involve arrests. But behind these averages are large differences in the nature of protest and its policing. A combination of the presence of protest groups like Extinction Rebellion, who often actively seek arrests, and police forces that are more likely to make arrests, mean countries such as Australia and the UK have very high levels of arrest. Some 20% of Australian climate and environmental protests involve arrests, against 17% in the UKwith the highest in the world being Canada at 27%. Meanwhile, police violence is high in countries such as Peru (6.5%) and Uganda (4.4%). France stands out as a European country with relatively high levels of police violence (3.2%) and low levels of arrests (also 3.2%). In summary, while criminalization and repression does not look the same across the world, there are remarkable similarities. It is increasing in a lot of countries, it involves both state and corporate actors, and it takes many forms. This repression is taking place in a context where states are not taking adequate action on climate change. By criminalizing activists, states depoliticize them. This conceals the fact these activists are ultimately right about the state of the climate and environmentand the lack of positive government action in these areas. 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: Simeulue men gather to perform 'nandong,' a traditional local song. Credit: Jihad fii Sabilillah/Youtube, CC BY Off the southern coast of Aceh lies Simeulue, a small island with a powerful story of survival. When the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami killed hundreds of thousands across the region in 2004, only five people died on Simeuluesome say just three. This remarkable survival was credited to a local wisdom called smongtheir term for tsunamis in the Simeulue languagethat taught them to read nature's warning signs and escape to safety. Passed down through generations since a previous tsunami struck in 1907, smong describes the signs of an upcoming ghostly wave: a strong earthquake and the receding of seawater. This knowledge becomes a survival guide that directs them to move away from the coast immediately or head to higher ground. Two decades after the 2004 disaster, our research shows that this life-saving knowledge is transforming, reflecting broader social shifts and information and communication technology development. It is no longer told only through nafi-nafi (oral storytelling) but adapting to new channels, from traditional songs to pop music and even into children's names. From tradition to transformation Our studyspanning from 2016 to 2023 and involving interviews with 18 participantscaptures how smong evolves over time. Smong, for instance, finds its way to nandong, Simeulue's traditional songs that now incorporate lyrics about the life-saving local wisdom. A local artist said, After the 2004 tsunami, we adapted the smong story into nandong. This became a new way to convey the "smong" message, ensuring it remains relevant and easy to remember. One popular nandong lyric goes: "Linon uwak-uwakmo (The earthquake rocks you like a cradle)/Elaik kedang-kedangmo (Thunder beats like a drum)/Kilek suluh-suluhmo (Lightning flashes like your lamp)/Smong dumek-dumekmo (The tsunami is your bathing water)." Video containing song or nandong about smong But even as Simeulue's younger generation embraced modern influences, smong kept up. Local artists began creating pop songs in Devayan, one of the island's local languages. The catchy tunes brought smong into classrooms, as a 23-year-old local testified: I first heard a "smong" song at school. The lyrics were simple but clear. They told me exactly what to do if a tsunami came. A childrens tale telling a stort about smong Smong as a symbol of resilience Today, smong is more than a safety warning; it symbolizes the island's strength and identity. In some families, smong even lives on in names. One grandmother named her grandson "Putra Smong" (smong's son) as a tribute, saying His name reminds us of the wisdom that saved our lives. The challenge of preservation Despite its transformation, preserving the smong narrative faces challenges that risk eroding this customary knowledge. The biggest challenge is the shift in lifestyle and culture among Simeulue's youth. Today's younger generation is more familiar with digital technology than oral traditions. A mother said, In the past, our elders would tell "smong" stories every evening after Maghrib (dusk) prayers. Now, children are too busy with their gadgets. Globalization also brings external cultural influences, diverting the attention of Simeulue's youth from the local heritage. Many young people grow up with limited knowledge of traditions like nafi-nafi. Another major challenge is the declining use of local languages such as Devayan, Sigulai, and Lekon in daily conversations. Since smong originates from these languages, preserving it relies on their continued use. Our observation concludes that the transmission of smong narratives remains sporadic. Its spread often depends on individual or small group initiatives and sometimes awaits external interventions. Without concrete efforts, the smong narrative risks fading and being forgotten by future generations. A local activist stated: I once proposed building a "smong" monument to remind the younger generation, but the idea has yet to be realized. 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. Hope for continuity: Bridging tradition and modernity The elders of Simeulue firmly believe that smong is a heritage that must be safeguarded. An 80-year-old community elder expressed his hope for future generations to keep smong alive. As long as the 'smong' story exists, we will remain safe. But if this story is lost, we will lose our most precious wisdom and treasure. To keep smong alive, educators and community leaders are looking to the future. Some propose integrating smong into school curriculum, ensuring every child knows its lessons. A teacher said. "Smong" isn't just a story. It's a life-saving guide that must be passed on to every generation. Technology can also be an important means of preserving the native understanding. Digital videos, disaster simulations, and interactive storytelling could bring smong to a tech-savvy audience, making it relevant today. As we hope these approaches will bridge the old tradition with modern needs, smong transformation highlights that it is not just a relic from the past. Its narrative must evolve to adapt to the times, ensuring its treasured knowledge remains alive amid social changes. In the face of ongoing disaster threats, particularly in Indonesia's Ring of Fire, smong offers a valuable lesson on how preserving local wisdom can form the foundation for disaster preparedness. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The 2025 state budget allocates 8 billion manats for defense and security needs, with approximately 5 billion of that amount set aside for the purchase of weapons. However, there is not a single manat in this budget intended for the purchase of Indian weapons. This issue has gained attention in light of recent discussions surrounding reports that appeared some time ago in an Indian media outlet. The article claimed that Azerbaijan allegedly reached out to India through a third country to purchase weapons, but India supposedly declined. The origin of this information remains unclear, and we can only speculate about its source. Lets assume its just hearsay, as there is no indication of where the story came from, and frankly, it doesnt matter. What is important is that our neighbors seem to have taken this idea to heart, perhaps with even more enthusiasm for India, the land of elephants and ATAGS howitzers. Finally, they seem to have obtained something that wasnt available to everyone. For a long time, Armenia struggled with its inability to procure weapons from Israel, but now, it seems they have found their answer. To clarify, Azerbaijan has never considered India as a source for arms purchases. The country has never approached India, neither officially nor unofficially, about acquiring weapons. Additionally, Azerbaijan does not rely on third countries to address strategic matters, such as the procurement of weapons. If a representative of a friendly country to Baku raised the issue of arms sales to Armenia in a private conversation with an Indian general, that does not mean Azerbaijan is "probing the ground." Our military does not require Indian weapons. There are several reasons for this. Azerbaijan is highly selective when it comes to military purchases, always striving to acquire the best available. The Indian military-industrial complex, however, cannot be regarded as a top-tier manufacturer. In fact, it is far from it. India is more of an importer than an exporter of weapons. According to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in March of this year, India is one of the largest arms importers globally. Over the past two decades, India has spent $60 billion on foreign weapons and plans to increase this figure to $100 billion. Its worth noting that Armenia seems to have found a model in India. Despite being a nuclear power and one of the worlds 20 largest economies, with the third-largest number of dollar millionaires, Indias spending $100 billion on weapons is a questionable decision. Around 70% of Indias population lives below the poverty line, half of its settlements lack running water and sanitation, and the country, despite earning billions from pharmaceutical exports, faces a high infant mortality rate. Additionally, 80% of the population has no access to medical services due to the lack of insurance. Armenia, similarly, has increased its military budget to 10% of total expenditures, despite being mired in social and economic problems. These billions are urgently needed for the development of the country, yet they will go to India in exchange for weapons of questionable quality. Moreover, Armenia is the first and only importer of certain types of Indian weaponry. There is speculation that India expects Armenia to become involved in another conflict, which would provide an opportunity to test these weapons in real combat. Hopefully, this remains a mere assumption. Former Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan told the Armenian media that India sells weapons to Yerevan at a high price and without any quality guarantees. According to him, the items purchased from India are in unusable condition. The ex-minister claims that he has a document confirming that "Indian-made weapons have been impossible to repair or restore to a usable condition for a year." In fact, India has deceived Armenia. Under the signed contract, India is set to supply 90 ATAGS howitzers to Armenia. Armenia expects these purchases to significantly strengthen its artillery. However, there is one notable fact: the Indian armed forces themselves have not adopted this product. Why is that? According to Indian media, these howitzers have been tested for several years but without success. Moreover, they are more expensive than their foreign counterparts. There are no domestic buyers for these productsonly Armenia has managed to purchase them. The Philippines also signed a contract, but they are in no rush to implement it. So, does Azerbaijan need dubious Indian weapons when our country is already partnering with the worlds best manufacturers in this regard? A WORD TO THE EXPERT Military expert, former corps commander, recipient of the Order of the Azerbaijani Banner, Reserve Colonel Shair Ramaldanov: "As far as I can tell from the information I have, Azerbaijan has shown no interest in Indian weapons. The fake story was probably spread at the suggestion of the Armenian side or by the manufacturers themselves, who are trying to raise their price. These rumors are nothing more than wishful thinking. I believe the Armenians themselves are not enthusiastic about Indian weapons. According to Armenian media, buyers have been disappointed with the purchases. This is especially true for the howitzers, which can fire conventional ammunition up to a distance of 48 kilometers, and up to 70 kilometers in the rocket version. The fact is that of the 6 guns that have already arrived from India to Armenia, 2 have failed, and another one revealed problems, though these were later resolved. The Armenian military has raised concerns with the Indian side regarding the optical sights of these guns. The mechanism that allows the howitzer to rotate and change position during firing is also malfunctioning. It has been reported that the Indian side has committed to fixing the identified issues, and until then, the supply of howitzers to Armenia has been suspended." Indian weapons are not in demand. Armenia is essentially the only buyer. India's pavilions at international defense exhibitions are often empty. Indian weapons have many technical flaws, which likely explains their lack of demand, with Armenia being the sole purchaser. After Armenia started buying, India began actively promoting these purchases to show that it has buyers abroad. As for Azerbaijan, it supports military-technical cooperation with countries that have already earned respect in the global arms market. Notable examples include Turkey, Israel, Belarus, and Russia. The weapons from these countries were tested in the field during the Second Karabakh War and proved that their military-industrial complexes are highly developed. The Turkish military-industrial complex is considered one of the most advanced in the world. For instance, the Bayraktar UAVs, which demonstrated outstanding performance during the 44-day war, significantly boosted demand for Turkish drones following the conflict. In other words, there is no need for Azerbaijan to buy weapons from India. Azerbaijan treats the issue of arms procurement with great seriousness and strict oversight. Decisions are made by a competent commission that carefully considers all pros and cons. Especially after the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan buys weapons from countries whose military-industrial complex products have been tested in combat and proven their effectiveness. India is not one of them. By Akbar Novruz Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his deep sorrow following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. According to Azernews, Erdogan extended his heartfelt condolences to both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, offering his wishes for peace during this tragic time. "On behalf of our nation, I offer my condolences to both brotherly countries - Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan and my wishes for peace," the Turkish president stated. The AZAL aircraft, operating the Baku-Grozny flight, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, with 67 people on board, including crew members. Colombian food seller gunned down in targeted attack Playa del Carmen, Q.R. A Colombian food vendor was gunned down in broad daylight Tuesday in Playa del Carmen. Municipal officers arrived at the Paseos del Mayab Avenue and Calle 38 Norte location to a dead adult male. The shooting happened at the main entrance to the Selvanova residential complex around 4:45 p.m. Witnesses reported two individuals riding a motorcycle heading toward the food stand and opening fire. The Colombian man, who owned the food kiosk, was killed in the targeted attack. According to witnesses, the responsible subjects fled south along Paseos del Mayab. Elements of the State Police and Municipal Citizen Security arrived to start an investigation. So far no arrests have been made. Earlier this week, a Canadian man was shot and killed by subjects riding a motorcycle. He was shot while inside his vehicle in a Playa del Carmen parking lot. After his murder, it was revealed that he had international drug ties. Holiday glitch affects 14 American Airlines flights at Cancun International Cancun, Q.R. An American Airlines glitch caused more than a dozen flight delays at Cancun International. The Tuesday morning technical issue lasted about an hour. While no flights were canceled, thousands of travelers experienced delays. A total of 14 American Airlines flights were affected by the Tuesday glitch. According to ASUR (Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste), the managing company of the Cancun airport, 14 of the airlines flights were affected by the issue. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said American Airlines requested a nationwide ground stop, which was lifted by the FAA once the problem was resolved about an hour later. American Airlines said flights had resumed by 8:50 a.m. ET with the resolution of the problem. They also said no flights were canceled as a result of the stoppage. A vendor technology issue briefly affected flights. That issue has been resolved and flights resumed, the airline said in a statement. We sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience. Its all hands on deck as our team is working diligently to get customers where they need to go as quickly as possible. A total of 14 American Airlines flights at the Cancun airport experienced delays due to the technological problem Tuesday. ASUR reported that four flights to and from Charlotte were delayed, while two flights to and from New York were affected. Another four flights to and from Miami, two flights to and from Dallas and two flights to and from Chicago were also off schedule due to the airlines technical glitch. The technical issue lasted about an hour. According to American Airlines, the setback affected the systems needed for them to release flights. The plane carrying Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. Upon receiving information about the incident while en route to Russia to attend the informal summit of CIS heads of state in St. Petersburg, President Ilham Aliyev promptly instructed the plane to return and has flown back to Azerbaijan. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. In Sex Reviews, writers offer a sober critical assessment of the sex scenes in new films and television series. This installment contains spoilers for Babygirl. Nestled amid a nice little set of Christmas releases is Babygirl, an erotic thriller set during the holidays, written and directed by Halina Reijn of Bodies, Bodies, Bodies fame. The film stars Nicole Kidman as Romy, a work-addicted CEO of a robotics company, who lives with her play-directing, gray-goatee-sporting husband Jacob (Antonio Banderas) and two teenage daughters in a gorgeous Manhattan apartment. Romys creeping dissatisfaction with the rounds of Botox, therapy, and meetings that make up her life comes to a head when she meets Samuel, an intern at her company, played by hyper-handsome English actor Harris Dickinson. In fits and starts, the Gen X Romy and Gen Z Samuel discover that they have a very particular type of chemistry: She wants to be told what to do, and hes willing to tell her. This movie has plenty of sex scenes, but still, at least one Letterboxd reviewer thought it wouldve worked better if they went all out and made this a porno. Does Slate culture writer Nadira Goffe agree? Does Slate senior editor Rebecca Onion? Lets find out. 0:00: We Start Right Out With Some Marital Congress Rebecca Onion: Those in the always-subtitles hive will see a description of what Nicole Kidmans doingBREATHING HEAVILYbefore any other image. She is on top, having sex with her husband. She looks like shes having an orgasm, kind of arches her back a bit, and exchanges I- love-yous with him. I loved the way the shot of her from above also includes his legs in the frame. I always feel like a guys legs are so weirdly vulnerable, almost vestigial in this position, and it works well to see Banderas here, because you can tell that all is not well with themhis frown-y orgasm face is a little bit concerned. And he should be, because her next move is to take herself to her home office (their apartment is so big!) and pull up some porn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadira: The start of this film made me laugh because it asks you to believe in a fantasy where Banderas isnt as sexually appealing as the other guy and, man, what a suspension of disbelief! I loved the way this was shot, the way it opens the film, and I love the stakes it sets. This is a wife who is incredibly powerful at work, but feels the need to protect her husbands emotions in the bedroom. Which is also funny, because hes a theater director, so, plausibly, his entire job is about channeling and evoking passion. Theres a scene later on where Romy tries to have more agency in her sex life with Jacob, telling him she wants to watch porn while they have sex, but she backs down when he balks at the idea. Then, she tries but fails to get him to finger her while her head is covered with a pillowIt makes me feel like a villain, he saysbefore just going along with the usual sex that leaves her wanting. Its no surprise, then, that the arrival of Samuel would pique Romys interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 38:50: Romy and Samuels First Actual Sexual Encounter, in a Dirty Hotel Room He Rented Nadira: Theres a lot that happens in between those first moments of the film and her first real, sexually intimate experience with Samuel. For one, theres the failed attempt of bringing her kinks into sexy time with her husband. And then, of course, theres all of her increasingly intimate encounters with Samuel in public. Hes a cheeky lil bugger, constantly negging her, asking her teasing questions, and staring at her like shes the only intriguing person who has ever existed. And Romy watches him, constantly. When she finds his tie on the floor after a rambunctious holiday party, she takes it to her office and gives it a deep sniff before hungrily gnawing on it. During the first meeting of their mentee-mentor relationship, Samuel looks into her soul and says, I think you like to be told what to do, and when Romy then rushes to leave, he blocks the door, the unbearable sexual tension leading to their first kiss. (For which Romy is deeply apologetic and discomposed. In fact, she spends the whole movie seemingly discomposed.) Afterward, at an office happy hour, Samuel sends a glass of milk over to Romy. They lock eyes from across the bar as Romy downs the entire glass. And when Romy stays behind her employees to pay the tab, Samuel leaves last, walking behind her and whispering good girl as the Lacrimosa from Mozarts Requiem cues up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Samuel leaves Romy a note to meet in a scuzzy hotel room, where Romy waits for him, ceremoniously studying strangers hair on the bed. She tries to call the whole thing off when he arrivesWhat youre doing is wrong, she saysbut we all know shes lying, simply because she showed up. She goes to leave but doesnt make it out the door, hungrily kissing him, which he rejects, before he goes on to give her orders. He makes his demands very calmly: Go stand in the corner with her face to the wall, get on all fours, crawl to him and eat a candy out the palm of his hand, spit the candy back into his hand, etc. After the charade, he places her lying down on her stomach, kneels beside her, and fingers her from behind. The camera remains fixed on Romy, who is both enjoying it and ashamed shes enjoying itan incredible moment from Kidmanand when she finally climaxes, she erupts into a sob. Samuel holds her and tells her its OK. Im being long-winded about this because its simply one of the most captivating builds of sexual tension, and one of the most emotional sex scenes, I think I have ever seen on film. What to do with shame, whether its appropriate to feel it, the burden of itthis is one of the movies main themes, and at every point you both know and question the myriad motivations of both Romy and Samuel. Its a masterclass in emotional complexity, when sex scenes are too often depicted with a lack of nuance on-screen. The way Samuel looks at Romy, the way Romy gives in, the strategizing behind both of their eyesits impossible to look away from them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rebecca: The long-windedness is merited. What I absolutely love about the lead-up to this encounter, and the encounter itself, is how it sets Samuel up as a guy whos experimenting with this stuff as well. When he tells Romy to get on her knees, and she says no, he starts laughing, and says, I dont know is that what you want? Be honest. Hes feeling out a character, like a guest at a murder-mystery party whos a little embarrassed to get into a role, and it really works for this scene. Yet somehow, despite all his tentativeness, he puts her in exactly the same supine position she put herself in earlier, when she was watching porn in her home office. How did he know? I love the fact that you dont see his face at all during this part, the way she protests that shes going to pee and doesnt want to, and the way that the camera shows you her handsthe only thing on 57-year-old Nicole Kidman that looks aged. (There are a few other old hands moments in the film, and I really appreciate that Kidman let the director do that.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 49:50: A Montage of Romy and Samuels Trysts, Set to INXSs Never Tear Us Apart Rebecca: The aboveground world of Romys lifemeetings in her office (sounds like the companys doing well), sweet moments at her apartment where shes sleeping in a bed with her husband and daughtersalternates with scenes of her getting absolutely rocked by Samuel. They have sex (she faces the wall) in what looks like a stairwell, he breaks a mug in her office and commands her to clean it up, and she kisses his shoes. The girl is lost! Advertisement Nadira: First, I want to say thank you to the sound director and music supervisor and composers of this film. The score and every needle drop are damn near perfect! With that being said: I mean, I guess its kind of hot? I think the mileage may vary when it comes to appreciation for the dom/sub kinkbut theres something to be said for a woman finally getting what she wants after being starved of it for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1:01: Poor Jacob Tries to Have Sex with Romy, and She Is Repelled Nadira: Oy vey! Romys understandably on edgeafter a tiff, Samuel wants to transfer to a different department, leaving Romy worried that her career might be over if word gets out that shes been screwing a subordinate. And then, of course, theres the clarity that Romy may have lost her only access to sex that works for her. Poor Jacob tries to initiate intercourse, and after kissing for a couple seconds, she violently pushes him away. She fesses up: Ive never had an orgasm with you. And when he reaches out to comfort her, she viciously recoils. I feel so bad for this man who has committed a crime he knows nothing about! Romy is angry about a number of things, and takes her frustration out on him. But he has, unknowingly, been one of the many sources of her exasperation and disappointment. The truth had to come out, butouch! Rebecca: I really, really hated how Jacob asked her if she wanted to play, which may be a me thing, but that hatred from me, rising up during this particular scene, worked really well, given that Romy is utterly disgusted by him. The line also works on a different level given that shes been playing with Samuel, without them really calling it thatand its been really great. The contrast between that relationship and this one, where it seems like she hasnt had fun during sex for years, if she ever didits too much, and I can see why she cracks. Advertisement Advertisement 1:06: Romy and Samuels Intense Conversation in a Private Room at the Office Nadira: This starts as a table-turn of a scene from the first mentorship meeting between Romy and Samuel. Romy is worried about losing her husband, her job, and SamuelSamuel, with the upper hand this time, is scared hes being used for some alleged self-sabotage on Romys part. But, like always, he sees the real her, and he toys with it like he has been since the start. What is very funny to me is Samuel saying what they do is normal as long as its consensual and Romy responding: What does that mean? The conversation is full of small yet meaningful callbacks to their earlier moments. And then, when Samuel gets Romy to basically admit that she wants what they have to continue, theyre right back to their illicit affair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this scene is so interesting because I cant necessarily tell what Samuel wants, or what it is about this arrangement that he is attracted to. Is it just the power and domination of calling the shots with a big-time business shot-caller? What does he, who seems genuinely like a child at times and very perceptive at others, get out of it? Rebecca: The first time I watched this scene, I was like, Ah, this is the movie trying to do callbacks to other erotic thrillers of the pasta gender-flipped version of a scene common in the dangerous romance gone bad trope, where the outside love interest starts making vague threats, and you think to yourself, Uh-ohthis isnt going to turn out well. Thats sort of whats happening here, but its also just Samuel figuring out that what she wants (as she says to her husband later on) is sex that has stakes to it. He caps the conversation by having her sit next to him on the table, and fingering her, but so briefly that theres nothing anyone could really get out of itits just a gesture, sealing the deal, him telling her We will continue, and her saying Yes. (This movie is brilliant at that kind of moment.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1:08: Second Hotel-Room Encounter, This Time in a Fancy One Romy Rents Rebecca: Romy rents a hotel room so large that Samuel, as he explores it, adorably shouts to her Theres a whole other living room here! Samuel finally gets Romy to take off her clothesin this case, a gorgeous burnt-umber strapless evening gownin front of him. There is a little bit of making amends hereearlier, when they were fighting, he had said something fairly diminishing to her about not wanting a girlfriend, especially not her, because shes a mom. (Ouch.) I think theres something about her nakedness and his approval of it thats supposed to be a fix to that moment, whether hes conscious of that or not. He dances to George Michaels Father Figure, shirt off, with a glass in his hand, and honestly? Harris Dickinson can do whatever he wants to me. I get it. Nadira: There are a few moments in that movie that made me fall in love with Harris Dickinson. Him dancing shirtless to George Michael is definitely one of themand we dont have another 50 pages to hear me spill about the genius of the rave scene. This is also the specific moment where I thought to myself: I wish we got more shirtless Dickinson throughout the movie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This montage is chock-full of some great content: Samuel sticking his fingers in Romys mouth; Samuel pouring milk into a saucer, prompting Romy to crawl around like a cat and lick it up; them having sex on the bed; at one point, Romy even suggests that their safe word be her husbands nameSamuel agrees. It ends with them having a truly sweet conversation in bed, which I love because its one of those moments where Samuels insecurities come through again. Samuel asks if hes a bad person, and Romy assures him hes nothes attuned to peoples needs, like you and I have been saying throughout this conversation, and isnt that a marvel? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1:40 Samuel Calms Jacob Down During a Panic Attack Nadira: Manwhat was going on here?! Though Romy comes clean about her cheating, she lied about the parametersand in this moment everything comes to a head when Jacob finds out that Romy has been cheating with her much younger intern, when he finds them at the familys country house, after theyve made out in the (heated?) backyard pool. Naturally, Jacob loses his shit. But he gets calmed down by Samuel, in a moment that seems almost amorous with how emotional and informal it is. Samuel touches his forehead to Jacobs forehead, and they inhale together. Somehow, it worksSamuel, the young man who has been having very high-octane sex with his wife for months, helps Jacob cool off. Does everyone want to fuck Samuel? Is that whats going on here? (I certainly would consider it ) Or is he just a magical elf of emotional intelligence who can see through to people and give them what they want and need, like we were saying earlier? I didnt know what to make of this, but I liked it as a twist on our expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rebecca: I think hes a magical elf, and I love how this whole scene unfolds in the living room where the familys Christmas tree is lit up and shining. This scene works so well in the narrative, because without it, you wouldnt see how Jacob gets why Romy would go for Samuel. Before the panic attack, Jacob tells Samuel that Romy abused him. Jacob seems to have assumed that Romy, his hard-charging wife, was of course the dom in this relationship, and Samuel was the sub, because (as he says) female masochism is nothing but a male fantasy. Youre wrong, Samuel says. Thats a dated idea of sexuality. Im sorry, but you dont understand. Related From Slate The Incredible 2024 Movie That Everyones Top 10 Lists Are Overlooking Read More And that, I think, is what sets Jacob offseeing how deeply he misunderstood his wife, misunderstood everything; being told, by clear implication, that hes too old to understand his wife. Samuel talking him down, so intimately close, helping him breathe, shows Jacob just what Romy found appealing. I think were supposed to think that its the impact of this knowledge that leads to the next scene. Advertisement 1:46: Romy and Jacob Try It Out. Rebecca: Romy and Jacob are together in bed. They kiss. Then she lies down on the pillow, Jacob covers her face with his hand, then presses her head down into the pillow with it. She plays a mind-video of Samuel, in the first dirty hotel room where they got together, petting the dog that he had tamed on the street when we first saw him, way back at the beginning of the movie. Jacob fingers her, fairly violently. She seems to come? Do you think she came? Too bad she had to do it while thinking of her lover, but, I guess, baby(girl) steps? Advertisement Nadira: I think she did, given her mental imagery of someone else. I also was really glad that the movie brought us back to that early scene of Samuel calming down the dog, and telling it good girl, because, given the comparisons, either Romy sees herself in the dog or the movie is drawing the comparison. I dont know what to make of it (much like the characters in the story), but I know how it makes me feel. And I think thats the underlying understanding that the characters have, too. In many ways, Romy is still protecting Jacob and his egobut its refreshing that hes willing to try to meet her where she is, assuring her that shes not a bad person for wanting something different out of sex and intimacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall Nadira: We usually end Sex Reviews by ranking how horny this movie made us, on a scale of 1 to 10. For me, Im giving this a high 8! Not all of whats displayed in the sex scenes resonated with meif someone told me to crawl around like a cat and sop up some milk, or really, ingest any milk at allwhich happens twice in this movie for some reasonI would hightail it out of there. But the dynamic between the two, the things that led to their amazing sexual connectionintimacy, assurance, vulnerability, trustcertainly do resonate. Not to mention, Harris Dickinson is unbelievably effing hot in this movie! That voice? Those eyes? That rave scene?! Rebecca: As a lactose-tolerant American, I would certainly consider the saucer. And as a lover of an alpha hero whos assertive and confident, but never a dick, I give this one a 9. Good girl! In Slates annual Movie Club, film critic Dana Stevens emails with fellow criticsfor 2024, Bilge Ebiri, K. Austin Collins, Alison Willmore, and Odie Hendersonabout the year in cinema. Read the first entry here. Cherished colleagues: Like Kam, I first saw Megalopolis alone at a commercial screening in a big multiplex. Unlike his showing, mine did not play to a full house, nor was the audience especially engaged. As I remember, it was a handful of mostly older dudes and me, experiencing whatever the movie was doing to us without much external reaction. In my case, what it was doing felt like a not unpleasant (but also not mind-blowing) trip on a mild hallucinogen. Shelving for now the movies Darjeeling Limitedlevel quantities of baggagethe 40 years spent in development hell while Francis Ford Coppola dug himself out of the debt accrued from previous self-funded projects that flopped, the rafts of formerly attached actors who dropped out before the final cast was assembled, the allegations about the directors inappropriate behavior toward female extras on setits hard to overstress what a sui generis artifact the result is. As Kam notes, the default critical take after Megalopolis debuted at Cannes to general puzzlement seemed to be that Coppola had lost his touch behind the camera, or lost his control of the project. But you dont make something as elaborately weird as this movie is by mistake: the flat digital sheen of the images, the dialogue thats too inorganic to be called woodenits more like iridescent Styrofoam pelletsand the uncannily sustained impression that every actor is in a completely different physical space than whoever theyre talking to, even when they both share the frame. In its embrace of glitzy kitschglitzsch?Megalopolis owes more to Showgirls or Cats than to the great-male-auteur-coded cinema de qualite tradition of The Godfather or Apocalypse Now. (Its a tradition that The Brutalist pays tribute to, though that movies script was co-written by a womandirector Brady Corbets life- and filmmaking partner, director and actor Mona Fastvoldand to my mind incorporates questions of gender and sexuality in a more thoughtful and modern way than those sausage-party masterpieces.) There was a very 2024 marketing dustup last summer when a Megalopolis trailer had to be scrapped because it was full of fabricated and apparently A.I.-generated pull quotes from nonexistent reviews of past Coppola movies. But such frank fakery seemed in keeping with the deliberate artificiality of the film itself. That said, a movie like Megalopolis could never have been made by A.I.its way too personal, too specific in its aesthetic choices and thematic obsessions. Like many a long-germinating work, it exudes the claustrophobic funk of ideas that have spent too long trapped in their creators brain. But that same passage of time has given the story, about corruption and court intrigue in the city government of a phantasmagoric New Rome, resonances it would never have had if it had come out in the pre-Reagan era when it was conceived. Its vision of America as a gladiatorial arena of empty consumerist spectatorship is certainly a sharper stab at contemporary political satire than anything in Ridley Scotts Gladiator II, a movie that always seemed to be asking its audience Russell Crowes defiant question from the 2000 original, Are you not entertained?but this time in an unpleasantly needy register, as if Scott were standing ready to release more CGI baboons into the arena in case our answer was no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before I hand the talking stick off to Bilge, let me ponder for a minute Kams philosophical query about why we love what we love at the movies. Its a beautiful question, because its ultimately as unsolvable as a koan. To write criticism is to forever be confronted with that exact tautology: Week after week, our task is to provide a coherent, persuasive, and hopefully enjoyable-to-read explanation of why the beloved thing is beloved, the despised thing despised, or the indifferent thing felt indifferently toward. Any answer to those questions will contain some irreducible element of just because, a kernel of divine inexplicableness. But among the films I found myself loving this year were those that found new ways to put a life on screennot life in the abstract, but one individual life in all its particularity. This effort rarely succeeds when the biography under examination is one drawn from the real world, a life whose basic shape the audience likely already knows (otherwise why would they go to the trouble of seeing a movie about that person?). The celebrity biopic at this moment in film history seems like a cursed genre, as advances in digital and prosthetic technology make it possible for anyone to look like anyone else, and as the time that elapses between real events and their servile reenactment in front of a camera gets shorter and shorter. I never could bring myself to see The Apprentice, starring Sebastian Stan as an ascendant Donald Trump and Jeremy Strong as his mentor and evil-whisperer Roy Cohn. (The podcast I co-host, the Slate Culture Gabfest, did record a segment on the movie, but I was out that week and relieved to be so.) However, based on the response from critics and audiences, director Ali Abbasis portrait of the artist as a young asshole doesnt seem to have risen above the issues that plagued Sam Taylor-Johnsons Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black, Pablo Larrains opera-diva portrait Maria, and to a lesser extent James Mangolds A Complete Unknown, starring Timothee Chalamet as a very young Bob Dylan. The Dylan biopic is probably the best of the lot: Though there is something inherently absurd about charging any artist with the task of reproducing another artists by-definition-inimitable charisma, A Complete Unknown boasts an excellent and surprisingly range-expanding lead performance from Chalamet, alongside a host of strong supporting performances and a solid if conventional script that spends as much time with Dylans flummoxed friends and lovers as with the inscrutable troubadour. Its not as good as the Cate Blanchett segment of Todd Haynes deconstructed Dylan biopic Im Not There, but how many movies (including the rest of Im Not There) can say they are? Advertisement Advertisement The films this year that best captured the lives of real people were not Madame Tussaudsstyle fictional recreations of famous figures, but innovative documentaries that approached the mystery of their subjects time on Earth from an oblique angle. Gary Hustwits Eno used a custom-built software program to remix 500-plus hours of footage from the legendary composer and music producers life into a movie thats different every time you see it, a gambit that perfectly suits the technology-friendly, chance-based artistic practices of its subject. Benjamin Rees gutting Netflix doc The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, as Bilge noted in his previous post, quickly moves from a traditional talking-heads format to an extended animated reconstruction of the online existence of a severely disabled young man who spent much of his short life interacting with other gamers in the form of Ibelin Redmoore, a musclebound-yet-sensitive digital avatar. And then theres the astonishing No Other Land, made by a collective of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers including the films central character, Basel Adra, a lifelong West Bank resident who uses his cellphone to document the violent Israel Defense Forces raids that have been systematically destroying his home region for decades. Its always felt strange to me to use that word, character, in describing the real-life subject of a nonfiction film, though the usage is common practice in the documentary world. In speaking of these movies, the word lands even more awkwardly, since all three are, in their own way, about the necessary limitations of any attempt to represent one human life. Were all at once the directors, writers, and main characters of our own stories: choosing the framing, making the edits we see fit, generating alternate selves to send on side quests. Bilge, where would you locate the nexus of your cinematic desire in 2024? What did you notice yourself going to the movies to look for, and when were you surprised to find it where you least expected, or disappointed not to find it where youd been sure you would? Dont let the now destroy the forever, Dana Read all of the entries in Slates 2024 Movie Club. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/air-defense-destroys-59-ukrainian-drones-over-5-russian-regions-sea-of-azov---mod-1121263039.html Air Defense Destroys 59 Ukrainian Drones Over 5 Russian Regions, Sea of Azov - MoD Air Defense Destroys 59 Ukrainian Drones Over 5 Russian Regions, Sea of Azov - MoD Sputnik International The air defense destroyed 59 Ukrainian drones over five Russian regions and the Sea of Azov last night, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. 2024-12-25T05:19+0000 2024-12-25T05:19+0000 2024-12-25T05:19+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine russia belgorod region russian defense ministry kursk ukrainian drone attacks on russia drone strikes https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/02/1117090111_0:225:2841:1823_1920x0_80_0_0_cbed16e800f686c041afdf50cbe6db3a.jpg "Over the past night, air defense systems destroyed 59 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles: 26 drones were shot down over the Belgorod Region, 23 over the Voronezh Region, three drones each over the Kursk, Bryansk and Tambov Regions, and one over the Sea of Azov," the ministry said.Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241224/watch-russias-lancet-drones-vaporize-ukraines-equipment-while-wreaking-havoc-on-its-troops-1121252379.html ukraine russia belgorod 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 air defense destroys, ukrainian drones, sea of azov, russian defense ministry https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/death-toll-in-mayotte-after-cyclone-chido-rises-to-39-1121262921.html Death Toll in Mayotte After Cyclone Chido Rises to 39 Death Toll in Mayotte After Cyclone Chido Rises to 39 Sputnik International The death toll from Cyclone Chido in the French overseas department of Mayotte has risen to 39, the archipelago's prefecture said on Tuesday. 2024-12-25T05:26+0000 2024-12-25T05:26+0000 2024-12-25T05:26+0000 world mayotte france emmanuel macron cyclone https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/19/1121262763_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_0638a80c6331116a2dc0328553269e74.jpg "The death toll caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte is now at 39. The work to identify and search for victims of the cyclone continues," the statement read. Earlier, the new minister of the overseas department, Manuel Valls, said that soon he was going to visit the archipelago accompanied by Prime Minister Francois Bayrou. On December 14, Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte, becoming the strongest storm in over 90 years, according to the French Meteorological Service. President Emmanuel Macron declared December 23 a national day of mourning. French public-sector re-insurer CCR has said that damages could cost insurers between 650 and 800 million euros ($678 to $834 million). https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/nearly-1000-feared-dead-in-cyclone-hit-mayotte-archipelago-1121183521.html mayotte france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International cyclone chido, french overseas department of mayotte, death toll By Alimat Aliyeva Taiwan's armed forces have reported the approach of three Chinese aircraft and six ships to the island, Azernews reports. "Three PLA aircraft and six PLA Navy ships operating around Taiwan were detected before 6 a.m. today (02:00 Baku time). One of the aircraft entered Taiwan's eastern air defense identification zone," the statement said. The agency notes that Taiwan's armed forces are closely monitoring the situation and are "responding appropriately" to ensure the island's security. This escalation comes amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, with China frequently conducting military maneuvers near Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province. Taiwan has strengthened its defenses in recent years, including modernizing its military and increasing surveillance capabilities to counter potential threats. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/four-killed-5-injured-in-ukraines-shelling-of-lgov-town-in-kursk-region-1121268291.html Four Killed, 5 Injured in Ukraine's Shelling of Lgov Town in Kursk Region Four Killed, 5 Injured in Ukraine's Shelling of Lgov Town in Kursk Region Sputnik International As a result of Ukraine's shelling of the town Lgov in Russia's Kursk Region four people have been killed and five have been injured, Governor Alexander Khinshtein said on Wednesday. 2024-12-25T11:41+0000 2024-12-25T11:41+0000 2024-12-25T11:41+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine kursk alexander khinshtein ukraine russia multiple-launch rocket systems (mlrs) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/1a/1119913751_0:35:1587:928_1920x0_80_0_0_9effdc419cb9f4bf0e5073c1a490210d.jpg "According to preliminary information, three people were killed as a result of the barbaric shelling by the armed forces of Ukraine of the town of Lgov, and another person died later in hospital. Five victims were hospitalized, including one woman in serious condition. They are currently receiving all the necessary medical and psychological assistance," Khinshtein said on Telegram. Three residential buildings were seriously damaged, Khinshtein added. The operational headquarters of the government of the Kursk Region has been deployed in Lgov after the shelling, the governor added. According to preliminary data, the attack was carried out using a HIMARS multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), a spokesperson for the military investigative authorities told Sputnik at the scene of the incident. The Kursk nuclear power plant said that it was operating as usual, unaffected by the Ukrainian shelling of Lgov. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240707/russian-air-defenses-down-5-himars-missiles-over-melitopol-1119279412.html kursk ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukraine's shelling, lgov in russia's kursk region,governor alexander khinshtein https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/hamas-accuses-israel-of-stonewalling-gaza-ceasefire-with-new-demands-1121268579.html Hamas Accuses Israel of Stonewalling Gaza Ceasefire With New Demands Hamas Accuses Israel of Stonewalling Gaza Ceasefire With New Demands Sputnik International Israel has put forward "new conditions" related to the withdrawal of troops from the Gaza Strip, ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners, Palestinian movement Hamas said on Wednesday. 2024-12-25T12:39+0000 2024-12-25T12:39+0000 2024-12-25T12:39+0000 world palestine-israel conflict israel gaza strip middle east israel defense forces (idf) hamas doha https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/0f/1119777305_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_40a2c6c2dd541a336c7f738768a44f50.jpg Serious negotiations on a ceasefire in Gaza and an exchange are taking place in Doha, with the mediation of Qatar and Egypt, the movement said in a statement. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, Hamas fighters infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. The IDF launched Operation Iron Swords in Gaza and announced a complete blockade of the enclave in response to the attack. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241223/netanyahu-says-some-progress-in-gaza-talks-hostage-exchange-reached-1121248354.html israel gaza strip doha 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 hamas accuses israel, gaza ceasefire, palestinian movement hamas, gaza strip https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/over-20-people-killed-in-gaza-strip-due-to-israeli-strikes-in-past-day---health-ministry-1121262633.html Over 20 People Killed in Gaza Strip Due to Israeli Strikes in Past Day - Health Ministry Over 20 People Killed in Gaza Strip Due to Israeli Strikes in Past Day - Health Ministry Sputnik International At least 21 people have been killed and 51 injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip over the past day, the Gaza Strip's health ministry said on Tuesday. 2024-12-25T05:22+0000 2024-12-25T05:22+0000 2024-12-25T05:22+0000 world palestine-israel conflict gaza strip israel middle east hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/0d/1120130972_0:198:3072:1926_1920x0_80_0_0_d7504e693dbbc4b33f867a5a7d0fc673.jpg "During the past 24 hours, the Israeli occupation committed three massacres of families in the Gaza Strip, with 21 dead and 51 being admitted to hospitals," the ministry said. Overall, since the start of the conflict in 2023, the death toll in Gaza has risen to 45,338, with more than 107,000 people injured, the ministry added. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, fighters of Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in Gaza and announced a complete blockade of the enclave. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241214/israel-defense-forces-struck-hamas-command-center-in-gaza---statement-1121162906.html gaza strip israel 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 gaza strip, gaza strip's health ministry, israeli strikes https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/pakistani-air-strike-in-afghanistans-east-kills-at-least-15-civilians---reports-1121264245.html Pakistani Air Strike in Afghanistan's East Kills at Least 15 Civilians - Reports Pakistani Air Strike in Afghanistan's East Kills at Least 15 Civilians - Reports Sputnik International The Pakistani air force has struck Afghanistans western province Paktika, which resulted in at least 15 civilian casualties, Afghan news outlet Khaama press reported on Wednesday. 2024-12-25T06:43+0000 2024-12-25T06:43+0000 2024-12-25T06:43+0000 world afghanistan pakistan the united nations (un) strike https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107853/41/1078534139_0:148:2989:1829_1920x0_80_0_0_dee9fce158d934caa0446962fcce92e0.jpg Citing eyewitnesses, the news outlet said that Pakistani planes attacked on Tuesday night, when seven settlements of the Barmal district had been simultaneously bombed from the air. The number of victims may continue to rise as more bodies, including those of women and children, are found among the rubble, the report read. The target of Pakistan's attack were reportedly terrorists from Pakistan's Waziristan region who fled and sheltered across the border in Afghanistan. The Afghan authorities consider the Waziristani refugees to be ordinary civilians from tribal areas who have been forced to flee their homes due to military operations by the Pakistani armed forces. At the same time, the Pakistani government claims that dozens of leaders and fighters of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Islamist group have fled to Afghanistan under the protection of the Afghan Taliban (under UN sanctions for terrorism). https://sputnikglobe.com/20241103/pakistan-imposes-new-tax-on-transit-goods-for-afghanistan---reports-1120762660.html afghanistan pakistan 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 pakistani air strike, afghanistans western province paktika, civilian casualties https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/passenger-plane-crashes-in-kazakhstan-1121265144.html Passenger Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan Passenger Plane Crashes in Kazakhstan Sputnik International An Azerbaijan Airlines plane flying from Baku to Grozny crashed at the Aktau airport in western Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Emergency Situations Ministry said on Wednesday. 2024-12-25T08:12+0000 2024-12-25T08:12+0000 2024-12-25T13:05+0000 world azerbaijan airlines kazakhstan baku grozny plane crash azerbaijan russia russian foreign ministry maria zakharova https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/19/1121266648_0:104:2000:1229_1920x0_80_0_0_7eea4ae38632cd48ade8675532567f1c.jpg The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's office on Wednesday said it has launched a criminal case into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) passenger plane near Aktau airport in western Kazakhstan.An AZAL Embraer 190, flying from Baku to Russia's Grozny, crashed in Kazakhstan's Aktau with 69 people on board earlier in the day. The Kazakh Ministry for Emergency Situations said that the crash site was some 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) away from the Aktau airport. The airline said the preliminary cause of the plane's crash was collision with a flock of birds.A total of 32 people have survived the plane crash in Kazakhstan's Aktau, but this is not the final figure, the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan said.Here is what is known so far: There were 62 passengers and 5 crew members on board. There were 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 citizens of Russia, six citizens of Kazakhstan and three citizens of Kyrgyzstan on board the plane that crashed in Aktau in Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Transport Ministry said.The Russian Embassy in Kazakhstan is in contact with the local authorities on the issue of providing assistance to the victims of the plane crash in Aktau, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.Russian diplomats working in Kazakhstan will monitor the situation and promptly inform on this issue, the spokeswoman added.The state delegation of Azerbaijan was sent to Kazakhstan to find out the reasons for the crash of the AZAL plane on the spot, according to the instructions of the country's President Ilham Aliyev, the APA news agency reported on Wednesday.Russian President Vladimir Putin called Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and expressed condolences in connection with the crash of an Azerbaijani airline plane in Aktau, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said."Unfortunately, Azerbaijani President Aliyev was forced to leave St. Petersburg. Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau," Peskov told reporters.Moscow sends sincere condolences to those who lost loved ones in the plane crash and wishes recovery to all the injured, the official added.Putin said that the parties would coordinate the work of their aviation services on all issues related to the plane crash in Kazakhstan.Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin have held a phone conversation to discuss the plane crash in Aktau and expressed condolences in connection with the loss of life, Aliyev's office said.Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have signed an order declaring December 26 a day of mourning in Azerbaijan in connection with the plane crash near Aktau, the state AzerTc news agency reported. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240809/passenger-plane-crashes-in-brazil---reports-1119696791.html kazakhstan baku grozny azerbaijan russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International plane crashes in kazakhstan, baku to grozny crashed, azerbaijan airlines plane, kazakh emergency situations ministry https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/russia-foils-ukrainian-terrorist-plot-against-defense-industry-chief-1121263592.html Russia Foils Ukrainian Terrorist Plot Against Defense Industry Chief Russia Foils Ukrainian Terrorist Plot Against Defense Industry Chief Sputnik International Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Wednesday that it had prevented a terrorist attack in the Moscow Region plotted by the Ukrainian special services against one of the heads of a defense industry enterprise working for the Russian Defense Ministry. 2024-12-25T05:57+0000 2024-12-25T05:57+0000 2024-12-25T06:08+0000 russia federal security service ukraine moscow region russia russian ministry of defense https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/19/1110577890_0:79:1594:976_1920x0_80_0_0_96e0c044f81e976445ee8a71b53c00d3.jpg "The Federal Security Service of Russia has prevented a terrorist attack in the Moscow Region planned by the Ukrainian special services against one of the heads of a defense industry enterprise of Russia, which makes products for the Russian Ministry of Defense," the FSB said in a statement. During the operation, seven Russians, living in the Moscow, Sverdlovsk regions and the Perm Territory were detained, including three minors involved in organizing surveillance of the parking lot of the personal vehicle of the target of terrorist attack, making a homemade explosive device from components seized from a hiding place, and planting it under the vehicle to carry out the explosion. Whats known so far:The activities of the perpetrators were coordinated by the Ukrainian special services via foreign internet messengers, which is confirmed by information in the communication devices seized from the detainees. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241218/fsb-arrests-ukraine-recruited-terrorist-for-deadly-blast-that-killed-general-kirillov-1121203770.html ukraine moscow region russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russias federal security service, moscow region plotted by the ukrainian special services, russian defense ministry https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/uk-lags-behind-russia-iran-and-china-in-defense-spending-as-army-shrinks---report-1121263437.html UK Lags Behind Russia, Iran and China in Defense Spending as Army Shrinks - Report UK Lags Behind Russia, Iran and China in Defense Spending as Army Shrinks - Report Sputnik International UK trails Russia, Iran, and China in defense spending,according to research from the House of Commons library. 2024-12-25T06:31+0000 2024-12-25T06:31+0000 2024-12-25T06:31+0000 military military defense spending united kingdom (uk) armed forces military & intelligence the royal navy russia china https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104819/28/1048192823_0:0:2048:1153_1920x0_80_0_0_eb1e26f6c33fe03e850cf8b10d1d5979.jpg The United Kingdom has fallen behind Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran in terms of defense funding, according to a report by The Times. Over the past decade, Britains defense budget has grown by only 14% (in 2022 cash terms), while Russia, Iran, and China have experienced significantly larger increases of 34%, 57%, and 60%, respectively, as highlighted by research from the House of Commons Library. This underinvestment has led to a shrinking army, an aging fleet of submarines, and unreliable air defense systems, the publication emphasized. The Royal Navys two aircraft carriers, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth, have been plagued by technical malfunctions. Additionally, the military has struggled to secure the necessary numbers of F-35 aircraft for the carriers, as well as escort ships and support vessels. He further noted that the army is set to shrink to 72,500 troops under plans announced by the previous Conservative government. The UKs military budget for next year is approximately $71.3 billion, equivalent to roughly 2.3% of its GDP. Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he will urge NATO member states to up defense spending to 5% of GDP, according to the Financial Times.UK soldiers are quitting the armed forces "at an alarming rate," despite a record pay raise in the summer, the Telegraph newspaper reported earlier in December.The report said that there were now just two servicepeople per thousand people in the United Kingdom for the first time in history. Over the past 12 months, over 15,000 soldiers have reportedly quit the armed forces, despite the government raising wages by 6%, which is the largest increase in the past 22 years. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241116/war-games-show-uks-beleaguered-flagship-aircraft-carriers-get-sunk-every-time-1120905397.html united kingdom (uk) russia china 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 uk trails russia, iran, and china in defense spending, what is the state of the british military, is the british army strong, what does the british military spend its money on, is there a recruitment problem in the uk army, why does the uk army lack manpower, is the uk army shrinking, how strong is the uk army, what are the problems facing the uk army, british royal navy, type 23 class frigates, type 26 class frigates, uk defense ministry, type 45 class destroyers, royal navy recruitment decline, royal navy fleet reductions, uk navy operational challenges. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/ukraine-ready-to-cut-support-for-its-refugees-in-eu-to-encourage-their-return---reports-1121260691.html Ukraine Ready to Cut Support for Its Refugees in EU to Encourage Their Return - Reports Ukraine Ready to Cut Support for Its Refugees in EU to Encourage Their Return - Reports Sputnik International Kiev is advocating for EU countries to halt assistance for Ukrainian refugees and deny consular services to men of draft age, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on Tuesday. 2024-12-25T00:23+0000 2024-12-25T00:23+0000 2024-12-25T00:23+0000 world ukraine kiev european union (eu) migrants refugees https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/0e/1121163528_0:306:3098:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_d2cf7827d25aca337c553b4a2f44f870.jpg Ukrainian authorities are reportedly considering any measures to resolve the demographic crisis. In an effort to encourage refugees to return, the country's parliament has passed a bill in its first reading that would recognize dual citizenship. Later in the day, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi called some of these reports incorrect. "The Ukrainian government is not requesting the reduction of assistance. Men of draft age have access to consular services," Tykhyi wrote on X. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law in April to lower the draft age from 27 to 25, prompting a public outcry. The government said in August that it had no plans to drop the draft age lower. A Ukrainian lawmaker said in September that the army had banned recruiting citizens under 25, who previously had the "fit for limited military service" status. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/ukraine-army-drafting-30000-new-recruits-monthly-since-may---reports-1119575123.html ukraine kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukraine, eu, ukrainian refugees, ukrainian migrants, men of draft age, mobilization https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/walkout-by-starbucks-employees-closes-170-stores-across-us---reports-1121262286.html Walkout by Starbucks Employees Closes 170 Stores Across US - Reports Walkout by Starbucks Employees Closes 170 Stores Across US - Reports Sputnik International At least 170 Starbucks stores have closed in the US due to a walkout, the USA Today newspaper has reported. 2024-12-25T04:59+0000 2024-12-25T04:59+0000 2024-12-25T04:59+0000 americas us los angeles chicago starbucks strike https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106380/18/1063801805_0:120:1280:840_1920x0_80_0_0_307c3836a0565629f86a2d0ba8df6f93.jpg The walkout began last Friday in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Chicago. On Monday, media reported that the walkout spread across 10 states. The company's workers reportedly boosted their efforts all across the US on Tuesday, which led to the closure of at least 170 stores. At the same time, Starbucks Workers United said early on Tuesday that it expected over 5,000 people to walk out, leading to closures of 300 stores in 45 states. Starbucks employees are calling for increased salaries, expanded staffing, and more flexible scheduling, the union states. CNN has reported that the strike may expand to all of the United States if the management and the union fail to come to an agreement. americas los angeles chicago 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 starbucks employees, starbucks stores have closed, stores across us https://sputnikglobe.com/20241225/yoon-unlikely-to-appear-for-questioning-in-martial-law-investigation---lawyer-1121263148.html South Korean President Unlikely to Appear for Questioning in Martial Law Investigation - Lawyer South Korean President Unlikely to Appear for Questioning in Martial Law Investigation - Lawyer Sputnik International South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is unlikely to show up for questioning over his short-lived declaration of martial law in early December while investigators await him, the Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday. 2024-12-25T05:31+0000 2024-12-25T05:31+0000 2024-12-25T08:47+0000 asia south korea yoon suk yeol investigation martial law https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/0c/1121151044_0:126:3072:1853_1920x0_80_0_0_41aebf85019a4678290d5c242166aa27.jpg A joint law enforcement team investigating the martial law case has asked Yoon to appear for questioning at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on December 25, which is Catholic Christmas Day. Seok Dong-hyeon, Yoon's lawyer, reportedly said that the president considers the Constitutional Court's impeachment inquiry to be a priority and that is why he will deliver a statement on the matter after the holiday. The police have teamed up with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) and the defense ministry to conduct a joint investigation into charges of inciting sedition and abuse of power in the declaration of martial law against Yoon and other lawmakers. Earlier in the month, Yonhap reported that police had raided Yoon's office as part of the probe into the failed attempt to impose martial law. South Korea's parliament voted on December 14 to impeach Yoon over his controversial declaration of martial law. The Constitutional Court will make a final decision on the matter by June 11, 2025. Yoon will be suspended from office, pending the ruling, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serving as interim president until the final verdict is passed. On December 3, Yoon declared martial law, claiming that the opposition was sympathizing with North Korea and plotting subversion. The parliament defied the presidential declaration and voted to lift the martial law. The office of the speaker of the parliament, Woo Won-shik, said that the president's declaration of martial law was invalid following the lawmakers' vote. Shortly after, the South Korean president lifted martial law and apologized to the nation. He was banned from leaving the country pending the results of an investigation, while the former defense minister was arrested on suspicion of treason. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241224/south-korean-govt-rejects-bills-to-investigate-yoon-his-wife---reports-1121250700.html south korea 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 martial law, south korean president yoon suk-yeol, martial law By Qabil Ashirov The resettlement of former IDPs who were forced to leave their homes by Armenia in the 1990s continues under the state program. Azernews reports that on December 25, 2024, another group of IDPs, comprising 49 families or 253 people of different ages, left for the newly reconstructed Jabrayil city, which was liberated by the Azerbaijani Army during the 44-day war in 2020. The people expressed their happiness and shared their joy with local media outlets. Ismyil Mahmudov, a former IDP, was in his 40s when he was forced to leave his home, and today he is over 70. Over the past 30 years, he and his family have longed to return to their hometown, and today their dream has come true. "Today, we are returning to the city of Jabrayil. The 31-year separation is over. It is difficult to express our feelings in words. We return with great joy and pride. May Allah bless the souls of our martyrs, and I wish good health to our veterans. Thanks to them, today we are returning to the places where we were born, to our homes and villages. May Allah grant all IDPs the opportunity to return," he told the local media outlets. Former IDP Zarifa Farzaliyeva is also elated to return to her hometown. Despite the passage of 30 years, she vividly remembers how she and her children left their native city. She spoke with deep emotion about the days when they were forced to leave. But now, she said, all agonies are over, and she is returning with her five family members. "Our joy knows no bounds for returning to Jabrayil. We had visited recently as well, and the air and water of our liberated lands are very beautiful," Farzaliyeva concluded. Amil Aliyev was a child when he left his home in Jabrayil and sought shelter in Baku with his family. He cannot contain his emotions and underscores that returning to his ancestral land and living there is a wonderful feeling. "We lived without Jabrayil for thirty-two years. True, I was a child when I was forced to leave, but being away from my homeland and living as an internally displaced person is very difficult. Today, at the age of 35, my life as an IDP is finally coming to an end," he concluded. Jabrayil, once a flourishing district of Azerbaijan, is located in the south of the country on the border with Iran. The region was known for its agriculture and strategic importance due to its proximity to the Iranian border and its position along the Araz River. The district was invaded by Armenians in August 1993 and was liberated by the Azerbaijani Army in 2020. Harrahs Philadelphia has even more reason to celebrate this holiday season, as its Christmas Eve 12 p.m. program shattered records, handling an impressive $1,587,638 in wagers the largest betting total ever recorded at the southeast Pennsylvania racetrack. Trainer Joe Bongiorno swept both of the fast-class pacing features on the card. Despite a track that was off due to cold and wet conditions, Bongiorno's horses made the trip from Yonkers to Philly a successful one, dominating the competition in both events. In the $21,429 fast-class handicap feature, Rock Diamonds N, driven by George Napolitano Jr., delivered a dominant performance, powering out of post eight and quickly clearing to the lead. Once in command, the 11-year-old pacer maintained a firm hold on the race, cruising through the mile in 1:51.3 the fastest winning time in nearly three years. Rock Diamonds N, a Rocknroll Hanover Dancing Diamonds gelding, is owned by Ben Mondello and JB Racing. This victory pushed his lifetime earnings to nearly $1.04 million. In the $20,000 sub-feature fast-class handicap pace, trainer Joe Bongiorno sent out Vici, who lived up to his name with a dominant 1:52.1 victory, setting a new lifetime best. After sitting a perfect pocket trip, driver Johnathan Ahle and Vici made their move nearing the head of the stretch, sprinting clear in the final strides to secure a two-length win. Vici is a Lazarus N - Triple V Hanover four-year-old gelding. This win gave JB Racing its second feature winner of the day, this time in partnership with Barbara Bongiorno Stable LLC. Vici now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $306,217. Only three cards remain in 2024 at Harrahs Philadelphia. Regular racing will take place this Friday at 12:25 p.m. and Sunday at 12:40 p.m. as usual, while a special New Years Eve card is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 31, with a post time of 4 p.m. (With files from Harrahs Philadelphia) For the second straight year, individuals connected with Clinton Raceway and the harness racing industry have ensured that the spirit of the holiday season is alive and well in the southwestern Ontario town. On Wednesday, Dec. 25, Clinton Raceway will host its second annual Central Huron Community Christmas Dinner at the Libro Hall in the Central Huron Community Complex. The event, which will run from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., offers a free holiday meal to those in need and anyone who may be spending Christmas alone. The idea for the Christmas dinner followed race day fundraising efforts at the racetrack over the summer racing season. Recognizing a need within the community, the team at Clinton Raceway reached out to local businesses and organizations, all of whom agreed to help make this vision a reality. Clinton Raceway spearheaded the event, with longtime racing industry participants Mark Johnston and Brad Hymers taking the lead in organizing much of the effort. In 2023, the event served over 300 meals 225 in person and 75 delivered to local hospitals, shelters, and hospice care centres. The response in 2023 was phenomenal," Michelle Maloney, Controller at Clinton Raceway told Trot Insider. "The community quickly jumped on board with the initiative, and we had an overwhelming number of volunteers come forward wanting to be a part of the event. Everyone that was in attendance that day raved about the positive experience. Community donations far exceeded expectations, and we were able to donate nearly $5,000 towards six schools in Central Huron nutrition programs. Encouraged by last years success, Clinton Raceway has made several improvements for the 2024 edition of the Central Huron Community Christmas Dinner. This year, they are focusing on ensuring that all those who would like to attend the event, whether for a warm meal or simply for companionship, know they are welcome. The event will also extend its support to local first responders, with meals being delivered to ambulance crews and OPP officers working on Christmas Day. The team behind the event is preparing to serve 450 meals this year, a significant increase from 2023. Tickets for the event were made available over a three-week period in November and were quickly claimed. I enjoy being a part of this event...it's a wonderful feeling seeing the entire community want to get involved, continued Maloney. The chatter throughout the community is very positive about the event, and so many are so appreciative! Last year, it was so great to see so many people enjoying a warm Christmas dinner, listening to live Christmas music, and enjoying social interactions on a day where they would otherwise be alone. Donations for the event are being accepted and can be made via e-transfer, cash, or cheque to Clinton Raceway. All proceeds will benefit nutrition programs at local schools, helping to provide food for students in need. (Standardbred Canada) Since 2004, the Office of the Capitol Commission has used Christmas ornaments to commemorate aspects of the Nebraska State Capitol building while expressing the messages intended in its original design. Each year, the commission releases an ornament designed around the Capitols architecture, offering the general public an opportunity to learn more about it. We Nebraskans see the Capitol and come to the building, use the building, visit and tour it, said Roxanne Smith, the tourism supervisor for the commission. But theres so much artistic detail, and it is such a gem in terms of an architectural monument that sometimes theres too much to see. The 3 inch solid brass ornaments are designed based on what the commission believes should be highlighted. This can include messages, artwork, motifs and seals. The 2024 ornament depicts part of a light fixture in the Governors Hearing Room, which was restored earlier this year as part of the Capitols heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacement project. Smith said the entire process of creating and selling the ornaments takes around four months. The commission decides on a feature and creates a preliminary sketch, then sends it to Beacon, an ornament manufacturing company in Rhode Island. The commission then works with Beacon to tweak the design, and the company then manufactures about 500 ornaments and ships them to Nebraska to be sold. The commission also sends Beacon educational information that is incorporated into the packaging and a card. We want it to be a true representation of the ornament and the building, Smith said, because the artists that created our building were so careful and were so meticulous in every detail that we want to respect the artistic integrity of the Capitol. Legislators, state Supreme Court judges, tour participants and even non-Nebraska residents all flock to purchase an ornament each year, Smith said. Former Lincoln City Councilman and state Sen. Ken Haar of Lincoln buys one annually to add to his personal collection. After buying one when he became a senator in 2008, Haar decided to purchase the ornaments from the previous years as well. He keeps them all on a wooden tree in his home, along with a binder of photos of the ornaments and information about them, including where to find the objects or motifs in the Capitol building. Some of them are really important reminders, Haar said. The first ornament in Haars collection was the 2008 angel with the message Hope engraved at the bottom. The figure is located in the dome of the second floor Rotunda, where eight angels of virtue form a mural. It talks about what we have to do to be civilized. And so thats in the little card, and everything about hope, we need to be reminded of some of those things, Haar said. I think todays rancorous political stuff going on, things like civility and all those are important parts of being civilized. His favorite ornament is from 2006 and depicts the relief sculpture The Spirit of the Pioneers, located above the grand staircase leading to the north entrance of the Capitol. The relief is accompanied by the message The Salvation of the State is the Watchfulness of the Citizen. That thing, and also hope, ought to be put in front of all the state senators and put em in front of me too, and say you know, this is all around you. And when things get rancorous, think of hope, Haar said. In the future, Haar said hed like to create a game where he can take kids to the Capitol and have them search for the ornaments motifs as a way to educate them about the building. Smith said the ornaments were created as a way of preserving the Capitol while simultaneously raising funds to restore it, and they seem to be fulfilling their purpose. We want Nebraskans, as well as visitors, to see beyond just the overall beauty of the Capitol and start focusing on the individual artistic elements, Smith said. And looking at how those artistic elements were specifically created to represent Nebraska. 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 I research the intersection of artificial intelligence, natural language processing and human reasoning as the director of the Advancing Human and Machine Reasoning lab at the University of South Florida. I am also commercializing this research in an AI startup that provides a vulnerability scanner for language models. From my vantage point, I observed significant developments in the field of AI language models in 2024, both in research and the industry. Perhaps the most exciting of these are the capabilities of smaller language models, support for addressing AI hallucination, and frameworks for developing AI agents. Small AIs make a splash At the heart of commercially available generative AI products like ChatGPT are large language models, or LLMs, which are trained on vast amounts of text and produce convincing humanlike language. Their size is generally measured in parameters, which are the numerical values a model derives from its training data. The larger models like those from the major AI companies have hundreds of billions of parameters. There is an iterative interaction between large language models and smaller language models, which seems to have accelerated in 2024. First, organizations with the most computational resources experiment with and train increasingly larger and more powerful language models. Those yield new large language model capabilities, benchmarks, training sets and training or prompting tricks. In turn, those are used to make smaller language modelsin the range of 3 billion parameters or lesswhich can be run on more affordable computer setups, require less energy and memory to train, and can be fine-tuned with less data. No surprise, then, that developers have released a host of powerful smaller language modelsalthough the definition of small keeps changing: Phi-3 and Phi-4 from Microsoft, Llama-3.2 1B and 3B, and Qwen2-VL-2B are just a few examples. These smaller language models can be specialized for more specific tasks, such as rapidly summarizing a set of comments or fact-checking text against a specific reference. They can work with their larger cousins to produce increasingly powerful hybrid systems. What are small language model AIs and why would you want one? Wider access Increased access to highly capable language models large and small can be a mixed blessing. As there were many consequential elections around the world in 2024, the temptation for the misuse of language models was high. Language models can give malicious users the ability to generate social media posts and deceptively influence public opinion. There was a great deal of concern about this threat in 2024, given that it was an election year in many countries. And indeed, a robocall faking President Joe Biden's voice asked New Hampshire Democratic primary voters to stay home. OpenAI had to intervene to disrupt over 20 operations and deceptive networks that tried to use its models for deceptive campaigns. Fake videos and memes were created and shared with the help of AI tools. Despite the anxiety surrounding AI disinformation, it is not yet clear what effect these efforts actually had on public opinion and the U.S. election. Nevertheless, U.S. states passed a large amount of legislation in 2024 governing the use of AI in elections and campaigns. Misbehaving bots Google started including AI overviews in its search results, yielding some results that were hilariously and obviously wrongunless you enjoy glue in your pizza. However, other results may have been dangerously wrong, such as when it suggested mixing bleach and vinegar to clean your clothes. Large language models, as they are most commonly implemented, are prone to hallucinations. This means that they can state things that are false or misleading, often with confident language. Even though I and others continually beat the drum about this, 2024 still saw many organizations learning about the dangers of AI hallucination the hard way. Despite significant testing, a chatbot playing the role of a Catholic priest advocated for baptism via Gatorade. A chatbot advising on New York City laws and regulations incorrectly said it was "legal for an employer to fire a worker who complains about sexual harassment, doesn't disclose a pregnancy or refuses to cut their dreadlocks." And OpenAI's speech-capable model forgot whose turn it was to speak and responded to a human in her own voice. Fortunately, 2024 also saw new ways to mitigate and live with AI hallucinations. Companies and researchers are developing tools for making sure AI systems follow given rules pre-deployment, as well as environments to evaluate them. So-called guardrail frameworks inspect large language model inputs and outputs in real time, albeit often by using another layer of large language models. And the conversation on AI regulation accelerated, causing the big players in the large language model space to update their policies on responsibly scaling and harnessing AI. But although researchers are continually finding ways to reduce hallucinations, in 2024, research convincingly showed that AI hallucinations are always going to exist in some form. It may be a fundamental feature of what happens when an entity has finite computational and information resources. After all, even human beings are known to confidently misremember and state falsehoods from time to time. The rise of agents Large language models, particularly those powered by variants of the transformer architecture, are still driving the most significant advances in AI. For example, developers are using large language models to not only create chatbots, but to serve as the basis of AI agents. The term "agentic AI" shot to prominence in 2024, with some pundits even calling it the third wave of AI. To understand what an AI agent is, think of a chatbot expanded in two ways: First, give it access to tools that provide the ability to take actions. This might be the ability to query an external search engine, book a flight or use a calculator. Second, give it increased autonomy, or the ability to make more decisions on its own. For example, a travel AI chatbot might be able to perform a search of flights based on what information you give it, but a tool-equipped travel agent might plan out an entire trip itinerary, including finding events, booking reservations and adding them to your calendar. AI agents can perform multiple steps of a task on their own. In 2024, new frameworks for developing AI agents emerged. Just to name a few, LangGraph, CrewAI, PhiData and AutoGen/Magentic-One were released or improved in 2024. Companies are just beginning to adopt AI agents. Frameworks for developing AI agents are new and rapidly evolving. Furthermore, security, privacy and hallucination risks are still a concern. But global market analysts forecast this to change: 82% of organizations surveyed plan to use agents within 13 years, and 25% of all companies currently using generative AI are likely to adopt AI agents in 2025. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. By Akbar Novruz According to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations, approximately 25 people from the crashed plane were taken to hospitals. The updated passenger list provided by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport reports the nationalities of those onboard as follows: 37 Azerbaijani citizens 6 Kazakh citizens 3 Kyrgyz citizens 16 Russian citizens The emergency landing, attributed to a collision with a flock of birds, occurred three kilometers from Aktau. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and further updates will be provided to the public. To be updated.... ****11:20 An Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight J2-8243 en route from Baku to Grozny, made an emergency landing 3 kilometers from the city of Aktau, Azernews reports. Preliminary reports suggest the incident was caused by a bird strike when the aircraft collided with a flock of birds. According to initial claims, the aircraft was carrying 67 passengers and 5 crew members. Details on the condition of the passengers and crew or the extent of the aircraft's damage have not yet been disclosed. Azerbaijan Airlines has stated that additional information about the incident will be provided to the public soon. VIDEO Sources: Baza Telegram Channel/Lada KZ The Kuwaiti Cabinet has endorsed a draft resolution on issuing a law imposing a 15 per cent tax on multinational entities, which have business in more than one country or a state. The endorsement was given during the Cabinet's weekly meeting on Tuesday, held at Bayan Palace under chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The law, which is in line with global tax standards, aims to curb tax evasion and prevent sending tax revenues to other countries, said a Kuwait News Agency report. The law will come into effect as of January 1, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Mousherji said in a statement after the meeting, according to the report. Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has announced an additional loan of AED147 million ($40 million) to the island nation of Maldives to support the completion of its Velana International Airport project. This follows an earlier loan of AED183.5 million ($50 million) provided in 2017 for the projects initial phases, highlighting the airports vital role in driving tourism, a key pillar of the Maldivian economy. On complete expansion, the Velana International Airport will boast upto 26 gates for passenger access to aircraft, in addition to a building for international flights. It will also be able to handle 7.5 million passengers per annum. Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has been actively contributing since 1976 to supporting and financing many strategic projects in the Maldives. "This funding reflects the critical role of ADFD in driving economic and social development in partner countries through transformative infrastructure projects. The additional support for the modernization and expansion of the Velana International Airport will promote the Maldives growth, as it increases capacity to meet the rising demand from a thriving tourism sector," remarked Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, the Director General of ADFD after signing the deal with Moosa Zameer, the Minister of Finance in the Maldives in the presence of senior officials . He pointed out that these efforts align with the Maldivian governments development objectives. "ADFD is committed to deepening its partnership with the Government of the Maldives, collaborating on impactful initiatives that fulfill the aspirations of the Maldivian people, generate employment opportunities, and drive sustainable development, he added. Zameer, emphasizing the shared commitment to advancing sustainable development in Maldives, said: "The ADFD funding is instrumental in establishing a state-of-the-art international airport equipped with world-class services and technologies." "This marks a major milestone in achieving our national goals of developing infrastructure in the transport sector, enhancing the travel experience, and boosting tourism revenues key pillars of our national economy," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Dubai is set to host the 19th World Congress of Neurosurgery in 2025, bringing one of the most prestigious congresses in the medical field to the Middle East for the first time. The awarding of the event to Dubai follows a successful bid led by the Emirates Society of Neurological Surgeons, and supported by Dubai Business Events, the citys official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, a WAM report said. Set to take place under the theme Connecting the Neurosurgical World, the congress is the flagship event of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), and is typically held every two years. 4,000 delegates Dubai will welcome approximately 4,000 delegates for the event, set to take place from December 1 to 5, 2025, including key opinion leaders from the industry, innovators and changemakers. The decision by WFNS to award the event to Dubai highlights its rapid growth as a host for international association conferences and congresses, and builds on the citys status as the highest ranked destination in the Middle East for the number of association events hosted, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: The decision by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies to bring this prestigious event to Dubai is a testament to the evolution of our knowledge economy, driven by the citys visionary leadership. It also further highlights the platform that Dubai is able to provide to associations around the world for sharing knowledge, networking, and professional development. Business events continue to be important catalysts for Dubais development, driving economic growth and powering key sectors, including healthcare and medical sciences. The congress will attract luminaries from the field of neuroscience as well as business leaders and innovators, pushing Dubai to the forefront of scientific and technological innovation. In a statement, the Administrative Council of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, said: There is no better place in the world than Dubai to bring the neurosurgical world together. Science, technology and innovation have been the hallmarks of Dubais knowledge economy and we are delighted that the World Congress of Neurosurgery will be held in such a vibrant and dynamic city. Dubais infrastructure, business-friendliness and leisure activities make it a top-of-mind destination for large scale global events, and we are confident this will be an engaging and insightful event. Attracting more business events Dubais focus on attracting more business events is closely tied to wider Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of Dubais economy in the decade up to 2033, and consolidate its position as a leading global city for business and leisure. As the citys official convention bureau, DBE collaborates with stakeholders across the public and private sector to grow the pipeline of events taking place in Dubai. Among its key initiatives is the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme, through which it engages with local experts and leaders to identify, bid for, capture, and host international business events in their respective fields. Dr Mohamed Al-Olama, President of the Emirates Society of Neurological Surgeons, President of the Gulf Neurosurgical Society, General Secretary of Arab Pediatric Neurosurgical Society, Treasurer of Asian Australasian Society of Neurological Surgeons, and an Al Safeer Congress Ambassador, added: This conference will bring some of the most intelligent and talented doctors from around the world to Dubai, to discuss their innovations in the field of neurosurgery. Their surgical skills will add tremendous value to the field of medicine and elevate Dubais positioning as a destination of choice for specialised events. Im proud to say that as Al Safeer Ambassador, I have worked to bring many society meetings to Dubai, including the Walter E Dandy Neurosurgical Society Annual Meeting in 2015, the Leksell Gamma Knife Society Meeting in 2018, as well as the International Federation of Neuroendoscopy Interim Meeting took place in December 2024. The success of these events continues to pave the way to attract even larger and more prominent congresses to Dubai.--TradeArabia News Service The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) is set to showcase its 2024/25 season in January 2025, offering world-class performances and educational activities for all ages, including ice-based magical tales, cultural heritage displays, and operatic masterpieces. Beauty and the Beast on Ice, 2,3,4 January - British-Omani ice-skating champion Amani Fancy stars in this enchanting production of Beauty and the Beast. Brought to life by the International Ice Stars, the show combines breathtaking choreography, aerial acrobatics, and special effects, creating a magical icy wonderland for families to enjoy. Folk Music Festival, 16 & 17 January - This years Folk Music Festival unites Omani folk traditions with performances from Bulgaria, South Korea, and Paraguay. Held in the stunning maidan of the Royal Opera House of Musical Arts, the event celebrates heritage and cultural exchange through music, dance, and storytelling. Simon Boccanegra by Giuseppe Verdi, 23 & 25 January Director of the Mariinsky Theatre and world-renowned conductor Valery Gergiev leads the Mariinsky Opera in Verdis Simon Boccanegra, a powerful tale of love, loss, and reconciliation. Directed by Andrea De Rosa, the production features historical costumes and video projections of the Ligurian Sea. A pre-performance talk offers additional insights into the operas themes and history. Opera enthusiasts can attend Opera Talks (January 22), exploring the storyline and dramatic highlights of Verdis Simon Boccanegra with live musical excerpts, while a Lunch Music session (January 18) in the Opera Galleria offers a relaxed performance of some of the operas most beloved arias. Accompanying a stellar weekend with the Mariinsky Opera, ROHM presents Opera Masterpices an opera recital with young Mariinsky soloists on 24 January - Rising stars from the Mariinsky Theatre present a recital of Russian arias by composers such as Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky. This special performance highlights emerging operatic talent and the beauty of Russian vocal traditions. ROHMs January calendar also includes a range of educational and community events with free admission, offering enriching experiences for all. Highlights include Paganinis Violins and Italian Violin Making (January 14), a talk and workshop featuring violin experts and a special session for Omani students as part of the Paganini for Everyone initiative. Children aged 7 and above can enjoy a Lets Read storytelling session (January 11) in ROHMs Music Library, featuring readings of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone in both Arabic and English Ghaffar Pourazar poses for a photo before a Peking Opera performance in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Ke) The global success of China's acclaimed game "Black Myth: Wukong" has introduced the enchanting tale of Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, to audiences worldwide. But for Ghaffar Pourazar, a British-American dual citizen living in California, this legendary figure has been a part of his identity for decades. Seated before the backstage mirror at Beijing's Liyuan Theater, an old Peking Opera venue especially popular among foreign travelers, Pourazar deftly applies white, red and black paint to his face, transforming it into the vibrant likeness of the mischievous Monkey King. "How time flies! Look at you, an old monkey now!" remarks an elderly from the opera troupe. "Indeed, I am now a white-haired Monkey King," Pourazar, 63, replies in Mandarin, his distinctive Beijing accent evident. Pourazar has spent the past three decades mastering Peking Opera, establishing himself as a rare foreign performer excelling in this traditional Chinese art, and earning the nickname "Western Monkey King" for his exceptional portrayal of the Chinese superhero from the classic novel "Journey to the West." Currently, he travels between China and the United States, serving as a cultural ambassador, introducing the art of Peking Opera to Western audiences, and offering a unique perspective of the art to Chinese audiences. "I want to be a bridge between cultures," he said, reflecting on his multicultural background. Love at first sight Pourazar's lifelong passion for Peking Opera began by chance. In 1993, 32-year-old Pourazar, then a computer animator, attended a performance at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall and was instantly captivated. "I was crying," he recalled. "I previously had a passion for various art forms, including acting, dancing, mime, and movement. But at that moment, everything else faded away. I saw the convergence of all these arts in Peking Opera." He went to the backstage right after the show and made friends with the Chinese performers. "We didn't speak each other's language, but they could see my passion," Pourazar said. With the help of the head of the Chinese troupe, Pourazar was enrolled at an opera school in Beijing. Just three months after his first exposure to Peking Opera, he left his life in Britain behind and moved to Beijing to train in the martial roles of the art. Starting as an adult was not easy, as Peking Opera is a complex blend of vocal performance, mime, martial arts, dance and acrobatics. "My classmates were all children," he said. "As an adult without any basic skills, it is very hard for you to practice the movements." In addition to the physical demands, mastering the Chinese language posed another hurdle. "I was constantly reciting the subtitles and songs, whether I was eating, bathing, walking, or even dreaming," Pourazar added. "Though there were some extremely painful days, I enjoyed every moment," he said. Initially, he focused on portraying ancient soldiers and generals like Wu Song and Lin Chong, before eventually transitioning to the iconic role of the Monkey King. Lifelong commitment Pourazar believes that great art transcends languages. Over the years, he has devoted himself to introducing Peking Opera and Sun Wukong to international audiences, taking Chinese performers to perform in countries such as the United States, Britain and Malaysia. He has also been teaching courses and organizing workshops in the United States, bringing Peking Opera to curious Western learners. To better connect with Western audiences and learners, he adapted some classic plays such as "The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven" into English versions. "I changed the spoken parts into English and kept the original songs, and it became a success on the international stage," he said. "I am the most powerful spirit in heaven and earth," Pourazar exclaims, dressed in a signature yellow costume reminiscent of the Monkey King. As he recites the dialogues in English with the distinctive intonation of Peking Opera, he leaps, flips and executes movements that capture the playful nature of the mischievous monkey. Despite not being Chinese, his efforts bring the essence of the Monkey King to life. Over the past two decades, his captivating performances have introduced the enchanting character to numerous international audiences. "My young nephew, who lives in Turkey, has become so enamored with the Monkey King that he taught himself to perform this character," Pourazar said. "I love the Monkey King for his simplicity and the inner child that defines his character. His love for freedom and quest for longevity are also qualities that I respect," he said. "I believe this character resonates with people of different cultures." With an aim to enhance communication with Western audiences, he also adapted Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" into Peking Opera. "By presenting a story that the Western audiences are already familiar with, I hope to more effectively introduce them to the charm of Peking Opera," he said. In recognition of his contributions, Pourazar received the Great Wall Friendship Award from the Beijing government in 2014. Over the years, Pourazar has accumulated numerous injuries and health issues. His right knee now suffers from arthritis and edema due to excessive exertion during a recent Peking Opera workshop in California, yet he continues his efforts undeterred. "I rely on traditional Chinese medicine when I am unwell or injured," he said while sipping Chinese green tea from an insulated bottle. He said his love for Chinese culture extends well beyond the Peking Opera, encompassing Chinese calligraphy, painting, cuisine and Kung Fu. Despite his health challenges and advancing age, Pourazar remains committed to his artistic pursuits. He is currently working on two Broadway-style musical projects, both influenced by the performance traditions of Peking Opera. The first, Dream of Wukong, explores his personal journey of mastering Peking Opera, while the second, Dr. Jane Goodall, tells the story of the renowned ecologist and her extensive work with chimpanzees. "Cultural exchange should be reciprocal. I aim to blend my expertise in opera with my multicultural background to create enriching artistic experiences for the audiences," Pourazar said. PRESIDENT of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Pandits Parishad (council of pandits) Pt Navin Omadath Maharaj supports the call by Hindus to declare the festival of Phagwa a public holiday. This move, he said, would increase awareness of the festival, which has seen both local and international growth in recent years. Phagwa, also known as Holi, will be observed at several locations across the nation on Sunday. The Hindu festival is popularly known as the festival of colour. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley says she is prepared to have her United States visa revoked, as she urged Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries to ensure they are able to explain...what the Cubans have been able to do for us as they seek to defend the Cuban health brigade programme. This matter, with the Cubans and the nurses, should tell us everything that we need to know. Barbados does not currently have Cuban medical staff or Cuban nurses, but I will be the first to go to the line and to tell you that we could not get through the (Covid-19) pandemic without the Cuban nurses and the Cuban doctors, Mottley said in a statement in Parliament. The iconic Japanese franchise "Detective Conan" is set to captivate Chinese audiences with a classic film release nationwide and a 30th-anniversary exhibition in Beijing. A Detective Conan character actor poses with audience members amid falling artificial cherry blossoms during the Beijing premiere of "Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital," Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Road Pictures] The 2003 film "Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital," directed by Kenji Kodama, will make its Chinese debut as the seventh theatrical installment of the detective manga series. Road Pictures is importing the Kyoto-set film, which follows Conan and Heiji Hattori investigating a Buddha statue theft and a series of murders while Heiji searches for a childhood friend. Chinese movie promoters have a history of creating immersive theater experiences. Last year, they recreated snow scenes from "Shining for One Thing." For the premiere of "Crossroad in the Ancient Capital," organizers have arranged for artificial cherry blossoms to shower audiences, recreating the film's romantic scenes to enhance the viewing experience. This practice will extend to other venues during the national release beginning Dec. 27, catering to fans who enjoy event screenings. The Chinese promotional poster for "Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital." [Image courtesy of Road Pictures] "Crossroad in the Ancient Capital" was the first "Detective Conan" film presented in full-length traditional digital animation and remains widely regarded by fans as one of the franchise's best. The film earned 8.5 out of 10 from more than 136,000 users on Douban, China's review site. It grossed 3.2 billion Japanese yen during its 2003 Japan release. The "Detective Conan" series has maintained steady success in the Chinese market. In August 2024, the latest installment, "Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram," grossed 286 million yuan ($39 million) in the Chinese mainland, becoming the franchise's highest-grossing film both domestically and worldwide. "Crossroad in the Ancient Capital" arrives as an additional treat for Chinese fans of the series. An exhibit display at the "30th Anniversary Detective Conan Exhibition" in Beijing, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo/China.org.cn] Meanwhile, the "30th Anniversary Detective Conan Exhibition" is running at Beijing's Chaoyang Joy City Shopping Mall from Dec. 21, 2024, to Feb. 23, 2025. Working with Shanghai Character License Administrative Co., Ltd., the Chinese agent of "Detective Conan," GuGuGuGu, a Road Pictures subsidiary managing major animation franchises, brought the exhibition to the Chinese market. The exhibition maintains its original format from its debut in Ikebukuro. After touring several Japanese cities since January 2024 and completing a successful run in Shanghai from July to October, it now comes to Beijing. The Beijing exhibition chronicles the series' 30-year history through six themes: words, love, mystery, unsung heroes, justice and magic. The exhibition includes a theater showing a documentary on the series' history and a gallery featuring original artwork by creator Gosho Aoyama. Visitors can also purchase exclusive merchandise and enjoy themed refreshments. A Detective Conan character actor poses during the "30th Anniversary Detective Conan Exhibition" in Beijing, Dec. 20, 2024. [Photo courtesy of GuGuGuGu] "Detective Conan," also known as "Case Closed," is a leading Japanese manga and anime series by Gosho Aoyama. Since its 1994 debut in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday, it has sold over 250 million copies globally. The series has also been adapted into a TV anime and more than 20 movies. Note to readers: This is a reprint of a column that ran in the Star in December 2014. When Italian priest Father Donato Rogieri arrived from Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1862 or 1863, Tucson had a population of about 60 European-Americans and 500 Mexican-Americans, most of them Catholic. The town consisted mostly of adobe houses near the Santa Cruz River. It had no house of worship, so Father Rogieri began working to build a church in honor of the patron saint of Tucson, San Agustin (Saint Augustine). In an interview in October 1927, pioneer Tucsonan Ana Maria Coenen, who was born in 1859, said this about the building of the San Agustin Church: The adobes were made on the property of Solano Leon, where the Manning House is now located. When services were over every morning, Father Donato would tell the congregation not to leave until he had changed robes. Then he would instruct them to follow him and they would go to the place of Solano Leon and each woman would return with one brick in her arms. Father Donato would carry one brick also. The entire church was built by the people of the parish. In late 1863, Father Rogieri left Tucson for Mesilla, New Mexico. The following year, Fathers Charles E. Messea and Aloysius Bosco arrived to fill the void. They spent most of their time performing marriages, baptisms and other church duties; their contributions to the growth of the fledgling church were minimal, and by the end of the year they were in California. Because of the potential dangers of the voyage from Santa Fe to Tucson, Bishop Jean Baptist Lamy was hesitant to appoint clergy to Tucson. Instead, he requested volunteers and from among the faithful he chose John Baptist Salpointe (namesake of Salpointe Catholic High School). Salpointe was born in Saint Maurice, France and spent many years as an educator in a seminary school before being recruited for hard and dangerous service in the New World, C. L. Sonnnichsen wrote in San Agustin: First Cathedral Church in Arizona. First arriving in Santa Fe, he eventually made the month-long, 600-mile journey on horseback, arriving in Tucson on Feb. 7, 1866. With the assistance of Don Juan Elias, a small residence was purchased for Salpointe near the site of the church, which at that point consisted of only four walls, each about 8 to 9 feet high. Like his predecessors, Salpointe carried on the work adobe brick laid upon adobe brick until it was worthy of a proper pine roof. Due to the cost of transporting wood from the mountains by wagon team, a temporary canvas cover was placed over the unfinished church and services were held early in the mornings to escape the blistering sun. In 1867, Salpointe had workers build walls for a new adobe building adjoining the incomplete church, which would become a convent and girls school. Thanks to widespread support for a new school, money was raised for the roof of both the school and church. The lumber came from the Huachuca Mountains and the freighting company of Tully and Ochoa brought it to town free of charge. The Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Tucson then the capital of the Arizona Territory in 1870, to much fanfare and a building ready for school. As the community grew, a larger and newer church was needed. Saint Augustine Church, on South Stone Avenue, was dedicated on Feb. 7, 1897. The opening of the new cathedral meant the closing of the old one. The old San Agustin Church was sold and turned into many different businesses finally as a Shell gas station, painted bright yellow. In 1936 it was demolished and only the stone portal still exists, now over the front entrance to the Arizona Historical Society. It is unknown when Church Street (now Church Avenue), which ran behind the old San Agustin Church, was named, but it appears in several ads in the Arizona Citizen newspaper in 1871 and was likely named around that time. Sources: Special thanks to Art & Exhibits Coordinator Betsy Langley of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library. George W. Chambers and C.L. Sonnichsen, San Agustin: First Cathedral Church in Arizona, The Arizona Historical Society, 1974 Most Rev. John Baptist Salpointe, Soldiers of the Cross, St. Bonifaces Industrial School, 1898 A high school construction project in Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam, valued at over VND400 billion (US$15.7 million), has been left unfinished and abandoned for several years, falling into disrepair. Founded in 1974, Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted is celebrated for its outstanding academic achievements and its track record in preparing students for national academic competitions. In 2018, provincial authorities approved a plan to relocate the school from Hung Binh Ward to a new campus in Nghi An Commune. The project was meant to have three phases and broke ground in 2021 with funding delegated from the local budget and Asian Development Banks Secondary Education Sector Development Program. Phase 1, managed by the provincial Department of Education and Training, was supposed to be completed in one year, with the subsequent phases handled by the provinces management board for civil construction investment projects. Spanning over 85,000 square meters, the design would feature classrooms, functional rooms, a library, dormitories, a canteen, fire protection systems, an electricity substation, and an underground water tank. By 2022, the first phase was completed but the new campus failed to meet operational standards. Consequently, the site has been paused indefinitely for nearly two years. The first phase of building a new campus of Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted was finished in 2022, but the project was stalled afterward due to financial strain. After being abandoned for nearly two years, the site shows signs of deterioration. Photo: Doan Hoa / Tuoi Tre A recent site visit by a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper correspondent revealed that the project is mostly completed but showing signs of decay. The site is overgrown with grass and plants, the walls are marked with cracks, the stair railings have rusted, and the ceiling surfaces are peeling, cracked, and stained, with visible water damage. No construction workers or security personnel were present at the site. The project management board estimated that an additional VND300 billion ($11.7 million) is required to complete the project. The board is seeking approval from the provincial Peoples Council to allocate extra funding to resume construction and open the campus in 2026-30. Ceilings in the stalled campus are peeling. Photo: Doan Hoa / Tuoi Tre The vice-chairman of the Provincial Peoples Council, Nguyen Nhu Khoi, said at a recent press briefing that aside from this high school project, other key public works in Vinh City, the provincial capital, have experienced significant delays and inefficiencies. He added that the Peoples Council will inspect the key public projects and work with the Peoples Committee to ensure better oversight and faster progress. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Its a simple but brutal equation: The number of people going hungry or otherwise struggling around the world is rising, while the amount of money the worlds wealthiest nations are contributing toward helping them is dropping. The result: The United Nations says that, at best, it will be able to raise enough money to help about 60 percent of the 307 million people it predicts will need humanitarian aid next year. That means at least 117 million people wont get food or other assistance in 2025. The U.N. also will end 2024 having raised about 46 percent of the $49.6 billion it sought for humanitarian aid across the globe, its own data shows. Its the second year in a row the world body has raised less than half of what it sought. The shortfall has forced humanitarian agencies to make agonizing decisions, such as slashing rations for the hungry and cutting the number of people eligible for aid. The consequences are being felt in places like Syria, where the World Food Program (WFP), the U.N.s main food distributor, used to feed 6 million people. Eyeing its projections for aid donations earlier this year, the WFP cut the number it hoped to help there to about 1 million people, said Rania Dagash-Kamara, the organizations assistant executive director for partnerships and resource mobilization. Dagash-Kamara visited the WFP's Syria staff in March. Their line was, We are at this point taking from the hungry to feed the starving, she said in an interview. U.N. officials see few reasons for optimism at a time of widespread conflict, political unrest and extreme weather, all factors that stoke famine. We have been forced to scale back appeals to those in most dire need, Tom Fletcher, U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, told Reuters. Financial pressures and shifting domestic politics are reshaping some wealthy nations decisions about where and how much to give. One of the U.N.s largest donors Germany already shaved $500 million in funding from 2023 to 2024 as part of general belt tightening. The countrys cabinet has recommended another $1 billion reduction in humanitarian aid for 2025. A new parliament will decide next years spending plan after the federal election in February. Humanitarian organizations also are watching to see what U.S. President-elect Donald Trump proposes after he begins his second term in January. Trump advisers have not said how he will approach humanitarian aid, but he sought to slash U.S. funding in his first term. And he has hired advisers who say there is room for cuts in foreign aid. The U.S. plays the leading role in preventing and combating starvation across the world. It provided $64.5 billion in humanitarian aid over the last five years. That was at least 38 percent of the total such contributions recorded by the U.N. Sharing the wealth The majority of humanitarian funding comes from just three wealthy donors: the U.S., Germany and the European Commission. They provided 58 percent of the $170 billion recorded by the U.N. in response to crises from 2020 to 2024. Three other powers China, Russia and India collectively contributed less than one percent of U.N.-tracked humanitarian funding over the same period, according to a Reuters review of U.N. contributions data. The inability to close the funding gap is one of the major reasons the global system for tackling hunger and preventing famine is under enormous strain. The lack of adequate funding coupled with the logistical hurdles of assessing need and delivering food aid in conflict zones, where many of the worst hunger crises exist is taxing efforts to get enough aid to the starving. Almost 282 million people in 59 countries and territories were facing high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023. Reuters is documenting the global hunger-relief crisis in a series of reports, including from hard-hit Sudan, Myanmar and Afghanistan. The failure of major nations to pull their weight in funding for global initiatives has been a persistent Trump complaint. Project 2025, a set of policy proposals drawn up by Trump backers for his second term, calls on humanitarian agencies to work harder to collect more funding from other donors and says this should be a condition for additional U.S. aid. On the campaign trail, Trump tried to distance himself from the controversial Project 2025 blueprint. But after winning the election, he chose one of its key architects, Russell Vought, to run the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, a powerful body that helps decide presidential priorities and how to pay for them. For secretary of state, the top U.S. diplomat, he tapped Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who has a record of supporting foreign aid. Project 2025 makes particular note of conflict the very factor driving most of todays worst hunger crises. Humanitarian aid is sustaining war economies, creating financial incentives for warring parties to continue fighting, discouraging governments from reforming, and propping up malign regimes, the blueprint says. It calls for deep cuts in international disaster aid by ending programs in places controlled by malign actors. Billionaire Elon Musk has been tapped by Trump to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new body that will examine waste in government spending. Musk said this month on his social media platform, X, that DOGE would look at foreign aid. The aid cuts Trump sought in his first term didnt pass Congress, which controls such spending. Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and close Trump ally on many issues, will chair the Senate committee that oversees the budget. In 2019, he called insane and short-sighted a Trump proposal to cut the budget for foreign aid and diplomacy by 23 percent. Graham, Vought, Rubio and Musk did not respond to questions for this report. A WFP worker stands next to a truck carrying aid from Port Sudan to Sudan, November 12, 2024. Photo: Reuters Olympics and spaceships So many people have been hungry in so many places for so long that humanitarian agencies say fatigue has set in among donors. Donors receive appeal after appeal for help, yet have limits on what they can give. This has led to growing frustration with major countries they view as not doing their share to help. Jan Egeland was U.N. humanitarian chief from 2003 to 2006 and now heads the Norwegian Refugee Council, a nongovernmental relief group. Egeland said it is crazy that a tiny country like Norway is among the top funders of humanitarian aid. With a 2023 gross national income (GNI) less than two percent the size of Americas, Norway ranked seventh among governments who gave to the U.N. that year, according to a Reuters review of U.N. aid data. It provided more than $1 billion. Two of the five biggest economies China and India gave a tiny fraction as much. China ranked 32nd among governments in 2023, contributing $11.5 million in humanitarian aid. It has the worlds second-largest GNI. India ranked 35th that year, with $6.4 million in humanitarian aid. It has the fifth-largest GNI. Egeland noted that China and India each invested far more in the type of initiatives that draw world attention. Beijing spent billions hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics, and India spent $75 million in 2023 to land a spaceship on the moon. How come there is not more interest in helping starving children in the rest of the world? Egeland said. These are not developing countries anymore. They are having Olympics ... They are having spaceships that many of the other donors never could dream of. Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said China has always supported the WFP. He noted that it feeds 1.4 billion people within its own borders. This in itself is a major contribution to world food security, he said. Indias ambassador to the U.N. and its Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to questions for this report. To analyze giving patterns, Reuters used data from the U.N.s Financial Tracking Service, which records humanitarian aid. The service primarily catalogs money for U.N. initiatives and relies on voluntary reporting. It doesnt list aid funneled elsewhere, including an additional $255 million that Saudi Arabia reported giving this year through its own aid organization, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre. Restrictions and delays When aid does come, it is sometimes late, and with strings attached, making it hard for humanitarian organizations to respond flexibly to crises. Aid tends to arrive when the animals are dead, people are on the move, and children are malnourished, said Julia Steets, director of the Global Public Policy Institute, a think tank based in Berlin. Steets has helped conduct several U.N.-sponsored evaluations of humanitarian responses. She led one after a drought-driven hunger crisis gripped Ethiopia from 2015 to 2018. The report concluded that while famine was avoided, funding came too late to prevent a huge spike in severe acute malnutrition in children. Research shows that malnutrition can have long-term effects on children, including stunted growth and reduced cognitive abilities. Further frustrating relief efforts are conditions that powerful donors place on aid. Donors dictate details to humanitarian agencies, down to where food will go. They sometimes limit funding to specific U.N. entities or nongovernmental organizations. They often require that some money be spent on branding, such as displaying donors logos on tents, toilets and backpacks. Aid workers say such earmarking has forced them to cut rations or aid altogether. The U.S. has a long-standing practice of placing restrictions on nearly all of its contributions to the World Food Program, one of the largest providers of humanitarian food assistance. More than 99 percent of U.S. donations to the WFP carried restrictions in each of the last 10 years, according to WFP data reviewed by Reuters. Asked about the aid conditions, a spokesperson for the U.S. Agency for International Development, which oversees American humanitarian spending, said the agency acts in accordance with the obligations and standards required by Congress. Those standards aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian aid, the spokesperson said, and aid conditions are meant to maintain an appropriate measure of oversight to ensure the responsible use of U.S. taxpayer funds. A doctor measures the upper arm of Habib, a three-year-old boy, suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Yaka Dokan village, Herat, Afghanistan, October 23, 2024. Photo: Reuters Some current and former officials with donor organizations defend their restrictions. They point to theft and corruption that have plagued the global food aid system. In Ethiopia, as Reuters has detailed, massive amounts of aid from the U.N. World Food Program were diverted , in part because of the organizations lax administrative controls. An internal WFP report on Sudan identified a range of problems in the organizations response to an extreme hunger crisis there, Reuters reported earlier this month, including an inability to react adequately and what the report described as anti-fraud challenges. The U.N. has a zero tolerance policy toward interferences that disrupt aid and is working with donors to manage risks, said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Solving the U.N.s broader fundraising challenges will require a change in its business model, said Martin Griffiths, who stepped down as U.N. humanitarian relief chief in June. Obviously, what we need to do is to have a different source of funding. In 2014, Antonio Guterres, now the U.N.'s secretary-general and then head of its refugee agency, suggested a major change that would charge U.N. member states fees to fund humanitarian initiatives. The U.N.s budget and peacekeeping missions already are funded by a fee system. Such funding would offer humanitarian agencies more flexibility in responding to need. The U.N. explored Guterres idea in 2015. But donor countries preferred the current system, which lets them decide case by case where to send contributions, according to a U.N. report on the proposal. Laerke said the U.N. is working to diversify its donor base. We cant just rely on the same club of donors, generous as they are and appreciative as we are of them, Laerke said. They don't advertise and they are largely unknown to the general public but niche perfumes are able to command prices of hundreds of dollars from men and women seeking to stand out. Produced in small batches with high-quality, natural or rare ingredients, niche perfumes are becoming big business even while retaining their exclusive nature. "We've had absolutely incredible growth," said Julien Sausset, director of Parfums de Marly, a France-based niche fragrance producer. The company posted more than 50-percent sales growth in 2023 and expects more than 40-percent growth this year to $600 million in sales. "People don't want to smell like others anymore. They want to free themselves, affirm their identity," Sausset told AFP. Producers use high concentrations of unconventional ingredients to give their perfumes unique and complex scents, such as amber, bergamot, cedarwood, pink peppercorn, or rhubarb. Niche perfumes account for 10 to 12 percent of the overall market, according to Sausset. It will likely continue to expand as it is growing at 13 percent per year while mass market perfumes are growing between three and five percent. Something different Present in more than 80 countries, Parfums de Marly does most of its business in the United States, where a small bottle will set you back at least $250. It plans to open a boutique in Paris near the Champs-Elysees in a neighborhood known as the Golden Triangle for its high concentration of luxury shops. "What is important is to have a place where you can have your own salespeople do some storytelling and present the products," Sausset said. The brand was created in 2009 by Julien Sprecher, an aficionado of the 18th century, when modern perfumery was created. The name comes from the Chateau de Marly, located near Versailles, where Louis XV was known to throw lavish parties. Niche perfumes tap into that sense of luxury. Julie El Ghouzzi, who wrote a book on the luxury industry, said the sector developed in reaction to the popularization of perfumes in the 1990s, when many brands seemed to resemble one another. Some perfumers wanted to do something different, to "blow up the notion of masculine and feminine and developed perfumes around high-end ingredients, using the names of these ingredients and not brands," she said. Present in more than 80 countries, Parfums de Marly does most of its business in the United States, where a small bottle will set you back at least $250. Photo: AFP 'Bottle code' These independent perfumers "didn't have the money to order custom bottles, so they used rectangular ones for all their perfumes. And it worked," said El Ghouzzi. Their success drove luxury houses like Dior and Cartier to imitate them with simple bottles to signal the product was niche, she added. This "bottle code" has changed somewhat, with some perfumers now adopting more creative bottles, but beauty products giant L'Oreal still uses it for its niche perfumes. But while the bottle signals to consumers a difference, it is what's inside that sets them apart. "When a consumer pays 400 euros for a bottle of orange blossom perfume, it is in our interest to use top-quality orange blossoms in high concentrations," said Karine Lebret, L'Oreal's global vice-president for scent science and fragrance design. "There isn't a top brand without its niche perfume today," said Eric Briones, who wrote a book about luxury and Generation Z (people born between the late 1990s and early 2010s). He said the Chinese market and Gen Z particularly like niche perfumes in contrast to other luxury goods. Then there is the ultra niche of bespoke perfumes. Sylvaine Delacourte, who previously created perfumes for Guerlain, now has her own line of perfumes but also offers to create made-to-order fragrances. A two-hour meeting is set up with customers to take a "trip in their olfactory memory". After that, a unique fragrance is created over several months. The price: 20,000 euros ($21,000) for two liters. Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Politics -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a working session with ambassadors and staff of the Embassies of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in Hanoi on Tuesday to accelerate the realization of high-level agreements between Vietnam and the three countries, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Society -- Storm Pabuk, the 10th to have entered the East Vietnam Sea this year, is forecast to move toward the sea areas of Ninh Thuan and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces and weaken into a tropical depression within Wednesday. Its impact will bring heavy rain to the central region. -- Starting Wednesday, users of social networking platforms in Vietnam, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, must authenticate their accounts with personal mobile phone numbers in order to post content, comment, live-stream, and share information, according to a government decree. -- From 2026 to 2030, the Ho Chi Minh City health authority plans to invest US$54.7 trillion (US$2.15 billion) in key health projects, officials said at a visit to the 115 Peoples Hospital on Tuesday. -- The Peoples Committee of Tay Ninh Province in southern Vietnam has preliminarily estimated the total investment for the first phase of the proposed Tay Ninh airport construction at around VND4.73 trillion ($186 million), with a capacity to serve one million passengers annually. -- Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam has introduced a pilot program to extend ferry and express boat operating hours, adding two time slots: 4:00 am to 6:00 am and 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with the program running until December 31, 2025. Lifestyle -- The La Reine train, inspired by the palace of Queen Nam Phuong, the last empress consort of Vietnam, began operating on the Da Lat-Trai Mat route in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province on Tuesday, according to Vietnam Railways Corporation. Sports -- The first sailing race in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho will take place at 8:00 am on December 30 on the Hau River. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! A 33-year-old Filipino man was detained in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam for allegedly snatching a necklace off a woman, who is his compatriot, several days ago. On Tuesday, police in the provinces Tho Xuan District said they had arrested a Filipino suspect, Gaston Galam Ricky, for investigation on charges of snatching. The victim, Liezel Kindica, 28, a Filipino national, arrived in Vietnam as a tourist on November 8 and has been temporarily residing in Tho Xuan. According to the case file, around 9:15 pm on December 21, Kindica was riding her motorbike in Tay Ho Commune when Ricky approached from behind on another motorbike. Ricky allegedly cut into her path, forcing her to stop abruptly, then grabbed her necklace -- valued at approximately VND24 million (US$940) -- before speeding away. Kindica reported the incident to the district police around 10:00 pm, prompting an immediate investigation to identify and apprehend the suspect. After reviewing surveillance footage and gathering relevant information, investigators identified Ricky as the alleged perpetrator. According to the Tho Xuan police's Facebook page, Ricky had previously met Kindica through his romantic partner. Detectives were dispatched to track down Ricky and later discovered that he was hiding in Hanoi, planning to flee back to the Philippines. The district police quickly organized a plan to apprehend the suspect, arresting Ricky on December 22 as he was traveling from Hanoi to Tho Xuan -- less than 20 hours after the crime. Upon his arrest, Ricky confessed to the crime, and officers recovered the stolen necklace, returning it to Kindica. The district police have praised and rewarded the officers involved for their swift probe, search, and capture of the suspect. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, attends a lawmakers' symposium held on the sidelines of a legislative session on Dec. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] China's top legislator, Zhao Leji, on Tuesday called on people's congresses to give full play to their role in Chinese modernization. Zhao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the remarks at a lawmakers' symposium held on the sidelines of a legislative session. This year, the NPC Standing Committee has achieved new progress in its work, contributing to the accomplishment of annual economic and social development goals and making solid strides toward advancing Chinese modernization, Zhao said. Zhao asked people's congresses to uphold and develop whole-process people's democracy and base all their work on the will of the people. He also called for conducting in-depth investigations and research in a realistic and pragmatic manner, as well as making plans and carrying out work in a coordinated and orderly manner. Zhao also stressed the importance of making thorough preparations for the third annual session of the 14th NPC. Ho Chi Minh City has announced plans to achieve citywide 5G network coverage in 2025, a key objective for the Centrer for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR). On December 22, city leaders met with the C4IR management board, founding members, and network participants. During the meeting, Nguyen Van Nen, secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, commended the center's role in meeting the citys development needs. "You have built an organization that aligns with the city's growth ambitions," Nen stated, then expressing gratitude to the founding members, management board, and other contributors. Phan Van Mai, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, echoed these sentiments, pledging that the city would allocate sufficient resources to ensure the center operates effectively from the outset. He also urged the center to quickly build its workforce and commence planned activities without delay. "I encourage everyone to closely monitor the centers operations, especially during this critical initial phase," he stated. "The People's Committee will direct departments and agencies to provide close coordination in supporting the center's initiatives and in achieving its outcomes." Vo Van Hoan, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and chairman of the C4IR management board, highlighted the center's collaboration with experts from the World Economic Forum (WEF). This partnership aims to leverage expertise from the global C4IR network and partners to draft its inaugural Policy Report, which will focus on how Vietnam can actively engage in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and strengthen its position in the global value chain. "For 2025, the center has identified nearly 20 major initiatives," Hoan noted. "These include a strategy to achieve comprehensive 5G coverage for the city, led by Viettel Group, and the training of 1,000 high-quality engineers specializing in AI and semiconductors." At the meeting, members of the management board, founding members, and network participants discussed upcoming schemes, including plans to supply high-quality human resources in technology and innovation, the application of AI to air transportation, and the development of a semiconductor ecosystem. They also reviewed strategies for achieving green and sustainable growth, promoting green finance, and ensuring comprehensive 5G network coverage next year. A foundation for national development Since its opening in September, C4IR has rapidly developed foundational infrastructure, operational frameworks, and strategic plans. This groundwork is intended to enable the center to fulfill its mission of driving socio-economic development, not only for Ho Chi Minh City but also on a national scale. The center operates under the close oversight of the prime minister. C4IR was established based on a memorandum of understanding between the government of Vietnam and WEF for the 202326 period, along with a cooperation agreement between the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee and the forum. Its mission is to spearhead Vietnam's transition to a high-value economy driven by science, technology, innovation, and green and digital transformation. The center also collaborates with the global C4IR network to propose solutions, policy recommendations, and research in breakthrough fields, aligning with national priorities and international trends. By mobilizing resources and supporting the government and businesses in adopting emerging technologies, the center aims to position Vietnam as a leading participant in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, paving the way for sustainable and inclusive economic development. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Nine hundred of the 1,000 respondents partaking in a survey conducted by the Ninh Thuan authorities throwed their support behind the restart of a nuclear power project in the south-central Vietnamese province. The Ninh Thuan authorities asked 1,000 residents for their opinions on the revival of the nuclear power project which was suspended in November 2016, Nguyen Van Muoi, deputy head of the provincial information and education board, said at a press conference on Tuesday. The respondents were mainly officials, armed forces, and residents directly impacted by the project. As many as 92 percent said they were aware of the project resumption. Ten percent of the respondents expressed no opinions and a mere 0.35 percent disagreed with the plan over safety concerns. Muoi added that certain residents had voiced concerns over possible incidents and risks during the project development, so they proposed choosing prestigious foreign contractors with advanced technologies to build the plant. The official mentioned that many residents have proposed special policies for those affected by the project, expressing hopes for stable jobs and livelihoods once the project is underway. Le Kim Hoang, director of the Ninh Thuan Department of Planning and Investment, asserted that reviving the nuclear power project would have a significant impact on the province's economic development. He described it as both an opportunity and a driving force for the province's progress in the coming years. Hoang confirmed that the provincial authorities had urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade to work out a specific road map to execute the project and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to redetermine the scale, planned completion time, and technology for the plant so that Ninh Thuan Province can recalculate the needed land. Chairman of the Ninh Thuan Peoples Committee Tran Quoc Nam said the nuclear power plant is an important national project. It was suspended in 2016, and since then, the provincial administration has been supporting the livelihoods of residents in the planned site. The national government and the law-making National Assembly have agreed to allocate VND273 billion (US$10.7 million) to the province for the development of infrastructure, healthcare, schools, and dyke projects. Nam said that the resumption of the nuclear power project is a driving force, opportunity, and aspiration of Vietnam to move forward. On November 30, The National Assembly passed a resolution to revive the project, approving the government's proposal to restart its construction. The Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant is projected to require an investment of billions of U.S. dollars to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable operations. In 2009, when the government designated state utility Vietnam Electricity as the project's investor, the initial design outlined two plants with a combined capacity of over 4,000 MW, requiring an estimated investment of approximately VND200 trillion ($7.8 billion). The project was suspended in 2016 out of many concerns about safety, high investment costs, technological issues, and developments in the global energy situation then. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The projected path of Pabuk, the 10th storm to hit the East Vietnam Sea this year, has shifted toward the waters from Khanh Hoa Province to Binh Thuan Province in south-central Vietnam and could lose its strength, said the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, the storm had approached the waters between Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan, packing maximum sustained winds of 74kph near its center and traveling west-southwest at 10-15kph. Over the next 12 hours, the storm is anticipated to weaken into a tropical depression and reach the waters from south-central Ninh Thuan Province to southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. By 7:00 am on Thursday, the system could dissipate into a low-pressure area over the waters between Binh Thuan and southern Ca Mau Province, remaining consistent with speed and direction. The national weather agency warned of dangerous conditions in the southwest-central East Vietnam Sea and the waters between Khanh Hoa and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where waves may reach 2-5m, blowing strong winds near the storm center. Vessels operating in these areas may be at risk from thunderstorms, whirlwinds, and extreme waves. From Da Nang City to Khanh Hoa, rainfall of 60-150mm is expected through Wednesday night, with localized areas exceeding 250mm. Meteorologist Nguyen Tien Kien from the national weather agency warned of a flood surge in rivers from Binh Dinh Province to Khanh Hoa, increasing the risk of lowland inundation, flash floods, and landslides in hilly areas. In related news, Hoang Phuc Lam, deputy head of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, warned residents of northern Vietnam of rain and a drop in temperature till the end of December due to the arrival of a new cold spell from Wednesday. From Thursday to Saturday, Hanoi will see lows of 15-16 degrees Celsius and highs of 19-21 degrees Celsius. The northern mountainous areas, including Lang Son, are predicted to experience harsher conditions with lows near 10 degrees Celsius. During the New Year holiday, temperatures will possibly hover around 11-14 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas and 14-17 degrees Celsius in the lowlands, with foggy mornings and mild sunshine in the afternoons. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Peoples Committee of Tay Ninh Province in southern Vietnam has preliminarily estimated the total cost for the first phase of the proposed Tay Ninh airport construction at around VND4.73 trillion (US$186 million), with an annual capacity of one million passengers. Of the total capital, some VND711 billion ($28 million) will be sourced from the central and local coffers, while the rest will be arranged via the public-private partnership (PPP) format, according to a recent dispatch sent by the province to the Ministry of Transport. The investor of the project is expected to recoup their capital in 42 years. The airport is planned to be located in Phuoc Ninh Commune, Duong Minh Chau District, according to the provincial administration. As planned, Tay Ninh Airport will be located approximately 74 kilometers from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and nearly 106 kilometers from the under-construction Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province. The proposed airport will be 44 kilometers from the border with Cambodia, around 24 kilometers from Tay Ninh City, the provincial capital, 15 kilometers from the Ba Den Mountain tourist area, and nearly 68 kilometers from Lo Go Xa Mat National Park. If approved, the airport will be built on a vacant land lot with even terrain, far from residential areas, making it easy for site clearance and compensation. The airport was designed to meet the requirements of the 4E category of the International Civil Aviation Organization and have an annual capacity of one million passengers, along with a peak hour capacity of 400 passengers per hour. The airport will feature a runway with a length of 3,200 meters and a width of 45 meters, plus six aircraft parking spots. It was designed to accommodate Code E aircraft such as Boeing 777-300ER, Airbus A350-900 and the equivalents, and Code C airliners like Airbus A320 and A321. Tay Ninh Airport will be opened for both civil and military operations. As planned, it will be listed as a domestic terminal, but will offer international flights as well. The Tay Ninh airport project will span an area of 420 hectares, including the reserved land for future development. The project is set to get off the ground during the 2026-30 period. In the dispatch, the provincial administration asked the ministry for consideration of the project before the province submits the plan to the prime minister for approval. If passed, the Tay Ninh airport project will be added to the national general airport plan in the 2021-30 period, with a vision toward 2050. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! As 2024 comes to an end, many science and technology events have been voted as most prominent by the Vietnam Science and Technology Journalists Club in various categories such as science policies, applied sci-tech, social sciences and humanities, and celebrations of scientists. Take a look at the ten most outstanding sci-tech events of 2024 chosen by the club, which is under the Vietnam Journalists Association. 1. Approval to restart Ninh Thuan nuclear power project On November 30, the 15th National Assembly (NA) passed a resolution to restart the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project after an eight-year hiatus, in a bid to ensure national energy security and support the countrys goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The NA tasked the government, which had proposed the projects resumption, to arrange resources for the project and amend relevant laws, including the Atomic Energy Law, to facilitate its implementation. The project was launched in 2009 under an NA resolution and suspended in 2016 over many safety concerns, high investment costs, technological issues, and developments in the global energy situation then. 2. Promulgation of semiconductor industry development strategy by 2030 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 21 signed a decision promulgating the semiconductor industry development strategy by 2030, with a vision to 2050, aiming to transform Vietnam into a global electronics and semiconductor hub. The strategy will form at least 100 design companies, a small-scale semiconductor manufacturing facility, and 10 packaging and testing plants from now to 2030. The industry is expected to earn over US$25 billion in annual revenue and train a workforce of more than 50,000 engineers and technicians during the period. 3. Merger of Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Information and Communications On December 6, the government issued a plan to streamline its apparatus that currently has a total of 22 ministries and ministerial-level agencies. Pursuant to the plan, eight of the total will be maintained and 14 others will be subject to a rearrangement and merger. The Ministry of Science and Technology will be merged with the Ministry of Information and Communications. The official name of the new ministry will be determined later. 4. Provincial innovation index announced On March 12, the Ministry of Science and Technology released the Provincial Innovation Index (PII) 2023, the first of its kind so far. The index, consisting of 52 indicators, aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the socio-economic development model at the provincial level, focusing on science, technology, and innovation. The ministry also publicized the 2023 PII rankings for the countrys 63 provinces and cities, where Hanoi achieved the highest score, followed by Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong City. 5. Institute of Geophysics mastery of earthquake monitoring and warning technologies The Institute of Geophysics, part of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, is responsible for monitoring and issuing warnings on earthquakes and tsunamis across the country, as per government regulations. To date the Institute of Geophysics has mastered advanced technologies for earthquake monitoring and warning, setting up and operating nearly 100 earthquake monitoring stations in Vietnam's territory and territorial waters. This image shows trainees in Vietnams National Innovation Center (NIC) semiconductor training course conducted by its Vietnamese and American partners in Hanoi. Photo: NIC 6. Viettel opens largest data center in Vietnam In April 2024, the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group put into operation the Viettel Hoa Lac Data Center with a capacity of 30MW. This is the largest in Vietnam and is equipped with 60,000 servers, over 2,400 racks, and a floor area of 21,000 square meters. This is the first data center in Vietnam designed with high capacity, twice the average level, to accommodate the growing demand for AI, which requires high-performance chips to enhance computing power. 7. Techfest Vietnam 2024 marks decade of Vietnam's startup ecosystem development The National Creative Startup Festival 2024 (Techfest Vietnam 2024) was held in Hai Phong City from November 26 to 28. This year's theme was Joining Hands to Develop Vietnams Creative Startup Ecosystem. This was the 10th edition and featured 400 exhibition booths, attracted nearly 10,000 visitors and 1,100 speakers and experts, and organized more than 50 investment matchmaking sessions. Vietnam has climbed up two positions to 56th in the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Index. The country is now home to about 3,800 startups, mostly based in major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hai Phong. 8. FPT builds artificial intelligence center worth over $171.3 million On August 18, FPT Quy Nhon Consortium, under Vietnamese tech giant FPT Group, broke ground on a project to build an AI center and an auxiliary urban area in south-central Binh Dinh Provinces Quy Nhon City, with a view to turning the province into an AI hub. Covering over 93.2 hectares and costing around VND4,362 billion ($171.3 million), the center is meant to become a hub for research, training, software production, digital transformation support, cybersecurity solutions, and social security, among others. 9. Discovery of 8,000-year-old prehistoric human settlement in Bac Kan In August, the Vietnam Archaeological Association and Bac Kan Museum discovered many traces of prehistoric people at four sites accommodating more than 20 caves in Quang Khe and Dong Phuc Communes, Ba Be District, northern Bac Kan Province. The survey team initially determined Kem Liem cave to be a prehistoric human settlement in the early stage of the Neolithic period, dating back about 7,000-8,000 years. In some other caves, the team recorded similar results. 10. First Vietnamese winner of international astronomy award Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Chi Thiem, currently working at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute and the Korea University of Science and Technology, won the 2024 NCU-Delta World Young Astronomer Lectureship Award given by Taiwans National Central University (NCU) and Taiwan-based Delta Electronics Foundation. Dr. Thiem is the first Vietnamese person and the fourth working in Asia to claim this award, which has been given annually since 2012 to 1-2 scientists under the age of 45 who have made outstanding contributions to astronomy or astrophysics. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! SBS screens music documentary Leonard Cohen: If It Be Your Will. In November 2017, the Bell Centre in Montreal became a sacred ground where thousands gathered to honour the poetic brilliance of Leonard Cohen. Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen was more than a concert; it was a mesmerising symphony of music, memories and heartfelt tributes. Featuring Cohens original band and musicians from the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the event included performances by Sting, Elvis Costello, Lana Del Rey, Feist, Damien Rice, The Lumineers, k.d. lang, Courtney Love, and Cohens son and collaborator, Adam Cohen, among others. This documentary combines the electrifying performances from that evening with intimate interviews and rare archival footage of Leonard Cohen. Offstage, Adam Cohen, and other artists, share personal anecdotes and reflections, highlighting Cohens impact on their lives and his profound influence in the world of music. These insights paint a rich portrait of Leonard Cohen, as an artist and man. 8.35pm Friday, 27 December on SBS. Bastar: Right-wing groups, including the Surv Adivasi Samaj and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), have intensified their campaign against the Christian community. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Chhattisgarhs Bastar and the State Executive Chairman of Surv Adivasi Samaj held a press conference recently where they declared their intention to run a campaign against the alleged illegal churches in Bastar. They vowed to demolish these churches and replace them with Hanuman temples in the villages. Support TwoCircles Raja Ram Todem, a key leader of the movement, told the media, We have selected a place that we will not disclose now. The day it is demolished, we will install Bajrangbali or Budhadev (a tribal god worshipped in Chhattisgarh) on it. He further claimed, We have data of 66 thousand tribal converts to Christianity in the last few years. Over the past five to six years, right-wing groups have targeted tribal Christians in various ways. A church in Narayanpur district was destroyed two years ago by a VHP member. It had sparked a clash between the tribal Christians and other tribal groups. The Narayanpur church has yet to be rebuilt. This year, all tribal communities in Bastar wrote a letter to the district collector asking for restrictions on Christmas celebrations in Narayanpur. They claimed that Bastar falls under the 5th Schedule area and that Christmas is not a traditional tribal festival. They argued that the celebrations create unnecessary tension within the community. This area comes under the fifth schedule, where every work must be done with the permission of the Gram Sabha. But churches are being built on government land in the village, Todem told TwoCircles.net. When asked how he knew that these churches were built illegally, he said, We have surveyed many villages. Our people are going from village to village and talking to the locals. People say that others are building churches here and adopting Christianity. However, when pressed to name specific instances of illegal church constructions, he could not provide any examples. When inquired about the figure of 66,000 Christian converts that Todem had mentioned, especially since the last national census was conducted in 2011, he explained, I had filed an RTI (Right to Information request) some time ago. It was told that after independence, only 250 people in the entire Bastar region had officially converted to Christianity. However, in every village here, people are adopting Christianity. When asked about the source of the 66,000 figure, Todem claimed, We have been given intelligence about this data from the Collectors office. Following Todems press conference, Christian community organisations, including the VHP and other tribal right-wing groups, held their own press briefing. Sarpat Mandavi, divisional president of the Tribal Christian Service and Educational Welfare Committee, said, If they have any kind of documents for this, they should present them. Ratnesh Benjamin, state vice president of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, rejected the accusations of illegal church constructions. All the churches here are built on allotted land. Mandirs are built on government land, but no one is talking about this matter, he said. He also highlighted the larger issue of harassment against Christians, which he believes is politically motivated. The main objective is to harass Christians in any situation, Benjamin explained. This is mostly done around Christmas. For example, this year, we are being told to end Carol singing by 10 PM, which never happened before. Benjamin also pointed to the discrimination faced by Christians in rural areas, particularly regarding burial rights. We are already not allowed to bury our dead, even though people in the village have their own land and graveyards. This ill-treatment is happening to us, he told TwoCircles.net. A lawyer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Christian community had submitted a memorandum to the collector regarding the issues of harassment and religious discrimination. The lawyer also noted that the harassment of Christians appeared to be politically motivated. Christians are being harassed for political gains, he said. Even when an aggrieved Christian goes to the police station to file a complaint, they are often met with harassment instead of support. The situation in Bastar reflects growing concerns over the protection of religious freedom and the rights of minority communities in Chhattisgarh. Despite the increasing pressure, the Christian community continues to stand firm and seek justice and fair treatment in the face of these challenges. Sanjana Chawla, TwoCircles.net Lying on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort stand proudly as symbols of history and romance, a centuries-old monument is now in danger of being lost forever. The Shahi Hammam, a historical bathhouse dating back to Emperor Jahangirs era, is being demolished by a private builder, with at least three houses already razed this year. The Shahi Hammam, a grand Persian-style bathhouse built in 1620 by Ali Vardi Khan, was once a cultural hub. According to Volume VII of the District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, the hammam was located in the Chhipi Tola and featured five arched gateways and a large courtyard surrounded by two-story chambers. Tahir Ahmed, the founder of Agra Heritage Walk, says, There is a pathway that connects Agra Fort with the Shahi Hammam, and all the royal women used to visit here for special baths and occasions. Being the central and largest of its kind in North India, the hammam holds great historical significance. Once a testament to architectural grandeur, the Shahi Hammam has withstood centuries of change, from the rise and fall of empires to the transformation of Agra itself. With its structure weakened and its spirit at risk of being erased, the hammams destruction represents not just the loss of a monument but the loss of a shared history, identity and community. The Shahi Hammam has been home to my family for five generations, says Nikhil, who runs a shop within the Hammam complex. More than 50 families and over 500 people live here, all now at risk of being displaced. Many of us own or rent shops here, which provide for our families. If we are evicted, we will have nothing. We are helpless and dont know what to do. The Shahi Hammam is irreplaceable. There is no other hammam like it in India, and such monuments are key to preserving the stories of the past. This monument makes Agra unique; it is a testament to the citys rich history and tales of love, says Tahir. Like all monuments, the Shahi Hammam should have been restored and opened to the public. This would allow people to experience what a Persian Hammam was like, and the revenue generated could have helped maintain the structure. Unfortunately, many other historic structures in Agra remain outside the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and are allegedly left to deteriorate. Without proper preservation, these monuments often collapse, are neglected, or fall into the hands of private developers. The Shahi Hammam is not officially owned by anyone, says Tahir. It falls under the custody of the District Magistrate (DM), but if he doesnt exercise his rights, the builder can do anything. This is not an isolated case. Agra once had over 140 monuments, but now only 40 remain. Some collapsed due to neglect, and others were demolished by private parties, like in this case. The impending destruction of the Shahi Hammam is a clear example of both greed and negligence. Private builders, eager to profit from the land, encroach upon such sites, ignoring protests from locals. Nikhil recalls an encounter in 2016 when builders tried to force him and others to vacate the Hammam. We refused, and a fight broke out. My four family members were arrested, and I was charged with IPC 307, he says. Despite claims from officials at ASI that a survey would be conducted, no action has been taken. Locals also accuse the District Magistrate of being complicit with the builder. Whether true or not, it is heartbreaking to see a place that once bustled with life and preserved our history now standing empty and neglected. If the hammam is razed, many families will lose their homes and livelihoods, with no plans for rehabilitation, laments Nikhil. This year alone, three houses within the Hammam complex have been demolished, displacing 10-12 people. Nikhil explains, According to Indian law, a notice must be served before demolition, but no notice was given. The builder only offered a remuneration of 1.5 lakhs to the families who lost their homes, and nothing more was done to help them. I am scared for my family and worried that our homes will be next. There are several measures that can be taken to protect such cultural sites, including listing monuments, raising awareness, and holding both the government and private developers accountable for the destruction of heritage sites. If the Shahi Hammam had been converted into a tourist site, it could have generated crores in revenue each year and created thousands of jobs, says Tahir. Organizations like Agra Heritage Walks, Heritage Hindustan, and Heritage with Arsalan are working tirelessly for the preservation of Agras heritage. The people of Agra have also filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Allahabad High Court, seeking justice and urging the government to take immediate action to protect and preserve the remaining heritage sites in the region. This is a wake-up call for all of us to take collective action and ensure that the legacy of such monuments is preserved for future generations. Chris Tang Ping-keung, secretary for security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, on Tuesday exercised the powers conferred by the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to specify seven absconders and the measures to be applied against them by notices published in the gazette. The Hong Kong Police Force also put six other individuals on the wanted list on suspicion of violating the national security law in Hong Kong. They are Chung Kim-wah, Lau Ka-man, Chung Hon-lam, Ho Leung-mau Victor, Joseph Tay and Cheung Hei-ching Chloe. The police are offering a bounty of 1 million Hong Kong dollars (about 128,758 U.S. dollars) on each of them. The seven relevant absconders are Hui Chi-fung, Kwok Fung-yee, Yuan Gong-yi, Kwok Wing-hang, Yam Kevin, Hui Wing-ting and Siu Joey. The four measures applicable to all the seven absconders are "Prohibition against making available funds etc. or dealing with funds etc.", "Prohibition against certain activities in connection with immovable property", "Prohibition in connection with joint ventures or partnerships with relevant absconders" and "Cancellation of HKSAR passports etc.," said the HKSAR government. Moreover, "Suspension of qualification to practice" is applicable to Kwok Wing-hang and Yam Kevin, while "Temporary removal from office of director" is applicable to Yuan Gong-yi. Tang told a media briefing that the seven absconders continued to engage in activities that endanger national security. Tang said the measures must be imposed to prevent these absconding acts and urge the absconders to return to Hong Kong to face the legal and judicial processes. The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR on Tuesday said that it firmly supports the law enforcement actions taken against the seven absconders, as well as the decision to put the six individuals who had fled overseas on the wanted list. Hui Chi-fung, Lau Ka-man and the other absconders and wanted persons have been spreading smearing attacks on Hong Kong's rule of law and begging external forces to sanction Hong Kong or meddle in Hong Kong affairs, said the office in a statement. Their abominable moves gravely violated the national security law in Hong Kong, severely harmed the fundamental interests of Hong Kong, and gravely jeopardized national sovereignty, security and development interests, according to the statement. The law enforcement actions are necessary for implementing the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. They are just acts to safeguard national security and also imperative acts to ensure Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, said the office. Common mistakes in treating respiratory illnesses in children Misusing antibiotics and nasal sprays/drops containing corticosteroids are two of the most common mistakes parents make when treating their childrens respiratory issues. Both types of medication, if not prescribed by a doctor and used incorrectly, can cause many side effects affecting users' health, especially in young children. According to medical experts, common respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat, cough and fever do not always require antibiotics. Using antibiotics in these cases neither helps reduce the symptoms nor prevents side effects. Instead, it poses risks of drug-resistant bacteria, complicating future treatments. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also issued warnings about the global antibiotic resistance crisis. It predicts that by 2050, around 10 million people could die each year due to drug-resistant bacteriaequivalent to one death every three seconds. At that point, even minor conditions like a simple cough or a small cut on the skin could be fatal. Similarly, the misuse or overuse of nasal sprays/drops containing corticosteroids can become a 'double-edged sword', causing unpredictable consequences such as high blood pressure, cataracts or osteoporosis. Supporting respiratory treatment with LiveSpo NAVAX nasal and throat cleansing solution The LiveSpo NAVAX ear-nose-throat cleansing solution, formulated with spore probiotics, is designed for infants and young children. It helps reduce the risk of respiratory infections and boosts children's natural immunity, thus decreasing the need for antibiotics and minimising antibiotic misuse in treating respiratory conditions. LiveSpo NAVAX is an innovative product developed by LiveSpo Pharma, using proprietary pre-activation and spore refinement technology from the sixth generation of probiotics currently the most advanced generation. LiveSpo NAVAX for infants and children contains safe ingredients, consisting of saline solution (0.9% NaCl) with 24 billion bacillus spores per ten-tube box, completely free of corticosteroids, antibiotics or any other additives. The product has been clinically tested to international standards by medical experts from the Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and ENT specialists from Hanoi Medical University. The studies found no abnormal reactions or side effects throughout the testing process. Therefore, LiveSpo NAVAX is suitable for all users, including newborns, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. In the context of weather changes and air pollution, respiratory diseases are increasing, especially acute respiratory infections caused by RSV & flu viruses. Using LiveSpo NAVAX is an optimal solution helping protect children's comprehensive respiratory health, contributing to reducing antibiotic dependence. HA NOI Taking a pioneering role, the industry and trade sector in 2025 must accelerate to implement and meet the countrys longer term development targets. That was the message from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on the specifics of the five-year Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025. At a meeting to review the work in 2024 and deploy tasks in 2025 of the industry and trade sector on Monday, Son said 2025 would be very important, as it would be the year to consolidate the fundamental factors and create a premise for Viet Nam to confidently enter a new era, towards successfully implementing the goals of the 10-year Socio-Economic Development Strategy in 2021-2030. The countrys target of eight per cent GDP growth or higher in 2025 is a very high requirement. This requires great efforts from the entire political system, people and businesses, in which the industry and trade sector needs to affirm its pioneering role in this process, Son noted. In 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) targets industrial production index to increase by about 9-10 per cent compared to 2024; export of goods to increase by about 12 per cent, total revenue of retail sales of goods and consumer services to increase by about 10 per cent and total electricity production and import to increase by about 12.2 per cent to 347.5 billion kWh. To meet the targets, Son raised a number of issues for the MoIT to study and implement in 2025 and the following years. Firstly, to free up resources and attract investment, it is necessary to create a favourable, clear and transparent legal environment and remove barriers in administrative procedures for industrial production development and promote trade, according to the deputy PM. Secondly, the ministry needs to promptly review, complete and submit to the Prime Minister for promulgation the Strategy for Industrial Development, in order to enhance the independent and self-reliant capacity of Viet Nam's production. The strategy must focus on developing industries that use a lot of technology, have high added value and low-carbon emission. It must issue incentive policies that are strong enough to develop priority areas of key industries such as metallurgy, mechanical engineering, electronics and semiconductor industries, energy industry ecosystem and supporting industries. In addition, it is necessary to deploy solutions to ensure national energy security. Avoiding power shortages is a mandatory requirement. The ministry must strengthen trade promotion, diversify markets and supply chains to create a breakthrough in expanding new potential export markets while consolidating and expanding market share in traditional markets. In particular, it is necessary to promote the development of the domestic market to stimulate local consumption and trade. The ministry must also closely monitor the domestic market situation to timely implement measures to ensure the balance of supply and demand of goods, especially during peak periods including the upcoming Tet holiday. Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said in 2025, the industry and trade sector would focus on institutional development, considering it a breakthrough to create a synchronous and feasible legal corridor in order to promote investment attraction for industrial, energy and trade development. The ministry is completing legal regulations on guiding the implementation of the newly amended Electricity Law and the Government's decrees on incentive policies to develop the industrial sector, especially foundational industries and new types of energy, Dien said. At the same time, the ministry is also completing the draft Law on Chemicals, the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, the Law on Production of Key Industrial Products and the Law on E-commerce Management to submit to the National Assembly for approval at the NAs upcoming meetings, he added. In particular, the ministry would strengthen international economic integration, proactively advise on effectively exploiting opportunities from foreign relations with major countries to seize the wave of investment shifting in key industries to third countries by multinational corporations. It would closely connect FDI enterprises with domestic enterprises to contribute to improving the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises. The ministry would continue to promote the role of Vietnamese trade offices abroad in supporting localities and enterprises to effectively exploit FTAs of which Viet Nam is a member. According to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang, the industry and trade sector has so far completed and exceeded all assigned targets and tasks set for 2024. VNS HA NOI Although there are few trade defence investigations initiated by the UK on imported products originating from Viet Nam, exporters should actively prepare for the risk of more of them, as exports are expected to grow rapidly thanks to the UK-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA). The UKVFTA has greatly improved trade between the two countries since the deal took effect on May 1, 2021. Vietnamese enterprises have successfully taken advantage of the opportunities brought by the UKVFTA to expand exports to the UK. Statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade show that bilateral trade jumped by 17.2 per cent over 2020 to reach US$6.6 billion in 2021. In 2022, despite a drop in two-way trade due to the global economic slowdown, Viet Nams exports to the UK rose by 1.9 per cent and by 11 per cent in 2023, while exports to most markets saw decreases. In the first 10 months of this year, two-way trade reached more than $7 billion, up by 19.9 per cent over the same period last year. Thanks to the UKVFTA, Viet Nams exports to the UK are expected to hit $10 billion in the next few years. However, along with rapid export expansion, there will be a corresponding increase in the use of trade defence instruments to protect local production industries, requiring manufacturers and exporters to actively prepare for investigation risks. According to the Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam, there is only one trade defence investigation initiated by the UK on Vietnamese products to date, on steel products. The authority noted that the UKVFTA and the UKs official participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) from December 15 are creating significant opportunities for Viet Nam to expand exports to the UK. The UK is a large market with a population of around 68 million and a diversified consumption demand. The risk of trade defence investigations from the UK on Vietnamese export goods is always present. According to the authority, steel and aluminium products face a high risk of trade defence investigations. Ceramics, tiles and garments are at low risk of being investigated, but caution is still needed. After Brexit, the UK has remained a member of the World Trade Organization. Thus, the UKs trade defence regulations are still based on the WTOs. However, there are some notable differences from EU regulations. The UKs trade defence policy focuses on three main measures: anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard. Nguyen Canh Cuong, former Trade Counselor of Viet Nam to the UK, said that the UK had developed its own trade defence mechanism to protect its domestic industries from unfair competition. Therefore, to export sustainably to the UK, manufacturers and exporters needed to be careful in managing prices and cooperate closely with relevant parties to avoid investigation risks in the UK. He also urged enterprises to keep a close eye on updates to UK trade policies to minimise the risk as well as maintain a reasonable pricing strategy. The Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam said that dealing with trade defence investigations was a problem for a majority of Vietnamese exporters. Active preparation would thus be critical to minimise the negative impacts from the investigations as well as the imposition of duties. Manufacturers and exporters should follow early warnings from the Ministry of Industry and Trade for appropriate adjustments in production and business plans, while cooperating with each other to cope with trade defence lawsuits. Lawyer Nguyen Thanh Ha, chairman of SB Law Firm, said that enterprises should always be aware that it would be better to compete with quality rather than price in the international market. Quality should be the top priority, which would help not only avoid trade defence investigations but also maintain the competitiveness of Vietnamese products in the international market. VNS HA NOI Hue and Ha Noi are two Vietnamese destinations making it into the list of the 50 must-visit food cities in the world in 2024-2025 by food magazine TasteAtlas. With an average score of 4.53/5, Hue ranked 35th. Gourmet critics from TasteAtlas recommended that food enthusiasts try dishes such as Bun bo Hue (Hue beef noodle soup), Nem lui (grilled pork paste skewer), Banh beo (steamed savoury rice cake) and Banh khoai (Hue pancake), along with a list of delicious and affordable eateries they can try in the city. The list of restaurants in Hue includes Banh Ganh, Hong Mai, Huyen Anh and Bun bo hue Ba Xuan. The capital city Ha Noi ranked 40th with an average score of 4.5/5. The magazine recommends trying Cha gio (Vietnamese fried spring rolls), Bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli noodles), Bun rieu (tomato and crab noodle soup) and Bun oc (snail noodle soup) in Ha Noi. TasteAtlas highlights several renowned restaurants in the city, including Bun Cha 34, Pho Bat an, Xoi Yen, and Pho 10. HCM City ranked 56th with an average score of 4.45. TasteAtlas recommends Cha gio and Com tam (broken rice) and Canh chua (sweet and sour tamarind soup) to try in this city. The magazine also features several famous restaurants in the city, such as Pho Chao, Pizza 4P, and Hum Vegetarian. Hue has dropped six spots compared to last year's city rankings. However, the top 50 list welcomed a major landmark for Viet Nam the capital Ha Noi. HCM City has also moved up from 73rd place on last year's list to 53rd place this year. The top four positions in the best food cities in the world in 2024-2025 by TasteAtlas are held by Italian cities, including Naples, Milan, Bologna, and Florence. Last year, a similar situation occurred with the top three cities being Rome, Bologna and Naples, reaffirming the dominance of great Italian cuisine worldwide. The one hundred Best Cuisines in the World is a ranking within the framework of the annual TasteAtlas Awards, based on voting and scoring by culinary critics, chefs and foodies around the world. This year, the list was based on 477, 287 user votes from 17,073 cities around the globe, selected based on the highest user ratings for 15,478 local dishes in TasteAtlas' database. VNS HCM CITY The coastal city of a Nang in central Viet Nam has been recognised as the only representative from the country included in travel publication Time Out magazines prestigious list of the top eight travel destinations in Asia for 2025. The UK-based travel publication commended a Nang, which occupies the third position in the ranking of the most desirable locations to visit in Asia, for its unspoiled charm, diverse recreational offerings, and rich culinary experiences. Nestled between the Son Tra Mountain and South China Sea (known as East Sea in Viet Nam), a Nang has long been a favoured beach destination for regional travelers. My Khe beach in particular has been recognised globally as one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. While historically celebrated for its relaxed atmosphere, the coastal gem is swiftly evolving, enhancing its dining and nightlife scene to rival those of HCM City and Ha Noi. The London-based travel publication recommended that those seeking adventure rent a motorbike and traverse the scenic route through Hai Van Pass to Hoi An, a popular ancient town renowned for its vibrant lanterns and well-preserved architecture. Leading the list of travel destinations in Asia for 2025 is Sumba, an untouched island in Indonesia celebrated for its idyllic beaches. Following closely in second place is Siargao Island, a well-known haven for surfing enthusiasts in the Philippines, according to Time Out. VNS HA NOI Human resources will be the key factor in determining the efficiency of a streamlined, logical apparatus, according to Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh. Speaking about the public sector restructuring, in a recent review meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), the official said that promoting dedicated, capable and experienced human resources was a challenging, but crucial mission. The overhaul is estimated to impact about 100,000 people the largest number ever seen but is considered a bold decision to significantly improve efficiency as well as policies and benefits for public employees. Deputy PM Binh noted that it was necessary to conduct accurate evaluations of civil officials per Party General Secretary To Lams direction to remove incapable individuals and attract talent into the public administration system. He also pointed out that while current concerns mostly focussed on ministry-level mergers, the larger picture was that every ministry and local authority must conduct internal restructuring, reducing their apparatus by at least 15-20 per cent. Several government agencies were required to reduce by 40 per cent of their current apparatus through mergers or streamlining. We must act quickly but logically. We innovate and reform to move forward but must maintain calm to take precautions against risks, said Binh as he mentioned the need to avoid mechanical or unreasonable mergers. Ministries, departments and local authorities were also reminded to conduct streamlining procedures while maintaining their operations to ensure uninterrupted public services. Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung underscored that improving the quality of public employees had been a persistent challenge. He noted that the application of AI (artificial intelligence) could be a promising approach to address the issue, in addition to the conventional method of capacity training. To build a streamlined, effective and efficient governance system, technology and especially AI is necessary in addition to apparatus and human resources revamping, Hung said, while reaffirming his support to the home affairs sector in digital transformation. A prominent AI application for this sector is virtual assistants, which have been mastered by many Vietnamese tech companies and can be rapidly implemented at the MoHA, according to Hung. The home affairs minister and the ministrys information technology director also play an important role in this process of digital transformation. The MoHA, as with many other departments, have two types of tasks that require technology. These include time-consuming tasks such as managing public employee records and more complex tasks such as capacity and productivity appraisals. The ministry has recently established a public employee database for centralised and real-time management. Hung believes that the MoHA can implement automated evaluation tools to monitor progress and assess performance through appropriate necessary indicators, which will then be processed with AI to generate objective analysis. Addressing the MoHAs recent review meeting, Home Affairs Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra said that the ministry would continue to contribute to administrative reforms, with an emphasis on building an e-government as an enabler for development. It would also address the bottlenecks to improve governance efficiency and promote digital transformation in the home affairs sector. In 2024, the MoHA issued numerous official documents to address shortcomings in structural and administrative procedures, carried out wage policy reforms for public employees, worked with relevant departments and localities on rearranging the local authorities, and notably advised the governments steering committee on the major apparatus overhaul. The focus is to establish professional, responsible and efficient civil service, alongside innovative public employee appraisals, decentralisation of powers in employee recruitment and promotion, as well as streamlining processes for the convenience of the people. VNS NEW YORK The signing ceremony for the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime will take place in Ha Noi in 2025, according to official information from the United Nations (UN). The UN General Assembly adopted the convention on Tuesday, concluding nearly five years of negotiations. This groundbreaking international agreement aims to enhance cooperation among nations in tackling cybercrime and protecting societies from digital risks. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres celebrated the treaty's adoption, highlighting its significance as the first international criminal justice treaty negotiated in over two decades. This treaty is a demonstration of multilateralism succeeding during difficult times and reflects the collective will of Member States to promote international cooperation to prevent and combat cybercrime, his spokesperson said in a statement. The agreement is anticipated to pave the way for unprecedented cooperation in evidence sharing, victim protection and crime prevention, while ensuring the preservation of human rights online. The treatys adoption comes amid alarming increases in cybercrime, which caused global economic losses estimated at US$8 trillion in 2023, with projections climbing to $10.5 trillion by 2025. Crimes such as online child exploitation, elaborate cyber scams and financial fraud underline the urgent need for coordinated global action. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), described the treaty as a major victory for international cooperation and confirmed the UNODCs commitment to aiding nations in adopting and implementing the agreement. The Convention addresses critical threats posed by the misuse of information and communication technologies (ICT), targeting crimes ranging from terrorism and human trafficking to drug smuggling. It prioritises justice for victims, particularly vulnerable populations, and emphasises the importance of technical support and capacity-building to enhance global resilience against cybercrime. The choice of Ha Noi as the venue for the signing ceremony underscores Viet Nams rising profile on the international stage and its active role during the treatys negotiation process. The event also marks a milestone in Viet Nams nearly five-decade-long partnership with the UN. This is the first instance of a location in Viet Nam being associated with a global multilateral treaty, reflecting the nations commitment to being a proactive and responsible global participant. Referred to as the 'Hanoi Convention', the convention will come into force 90 days after being ratified by the 40th signatory. VNS HA NOI The Hanoi Convention will be the first time Viet Nam hosts a signing ceremony of a UN convention, a new milestone for the countrys international legal cooperation, as well as its multilateral foreign affairs, said Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. The UN Convention against Cybercrime, to be referred to as the Hanoi Convention after the location of the ceremony in 2025, consists of nine chapters and 71 articles. It is the result of nearly five years of negotiations between the UN member states to establish a landmark, multilateral legal framework to prevent and combat cybercrime. It is also the first international anti-crime treaty by the UN for 20 years. Speaking to the press, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said that the convention holds great significance in terms of international cooperation. The convention established the first global legal framework for cyberspace, which emphasised the engagement of all countries in preventing and combating cybercrime, reducing the gaps between national laws and creating a constant cooperation mechanism. This promotes cooperation for effective cross-border crime prevention and facilitates national digital transformation efforts, he said. In addition, through a democratic and inclusive negotiation process, the convention not only reflects the views of developed, but also those of developing countries, the latter facing multiple disadvantages in global technology governance, he added. The treaty ensures a balance between the rights and responsibilities of all member states, while also promoting technical assistance and capacity building for the global common good. Son also explained that the convention affirms the key role of the UN in coordinating international joint efforts in responding to cybercrime, a pressing issue of the times. Amid a complex global situation, with profound strategic competition, as well as differing views and approaches to cybercrime, the adoption of the Hanoi Convention enhances trust in the UNs role and the multilateral approach. This also demonstrates the goodwill and interest in promoting cooperation and dialogues between countries on international issues. The convention can act as a role model for future international frameworks on digital technology such as AI (artificial intelligence) governance, Son said. Since the start, Viet Nam has demonstrated interest and support to initiate the conventions negotiation process. We also persistently advocate for the development of an international legal framework for cyberspace based on the fundamental principles of international laws, said Son. Throughout the eight sessions of the ad hoc committee, Viet Nam always took the initiative, actively engaged, and made practical contributions to the convention. The deputy PM and foreign minister said: With a spirit of goodwill, constructiveness and readiness to listen and share perspectives, Viet Nam has earned the high regard and trust of the UN and partner countries throughout the process. Therefore, Viet Nam received widespread and positive support from the international community when it proposed to be the host for the conventions signing ceremony, Son said. He explained that this initiative also reaffirms the commitment of the Party and the State to international cooperation in combating transnational crime, raising awareness and enhancing the publics capacity to prevent cybercrime, while also contributing to social order and safety, building a stable, secure business environment and promoting socio-economic development. This is also part of Viet Nams consistent stance of upholding international laws and proactively participating in the UNs collective efforts to address global issues, especially when crime remains a threat to the security, social and economic stability worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, he said. This provides a foundation for Viet Nam to continue its positive contributions to the implementation of the convention and help shape the global cyberspace governance framework for a safe, cooperative and inclusive future in the digital era. This is especially significant as many countries, including Viet Nam, are promoting digital transformation with a focus on ensuring security and safety to make development breakthroughs, said Son. The international community on Tuesday welcomed the unanimous adoption of the convention. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the adoption, stressing that it is the first legally binding document to be negotiated in over two decades. He described the convention as a testament to multilateralism moving in the right direction during challenging times and a reflection of the UN member states collective will to foster international cooperation in crime prevention and combat. Once in effect, the new convention will help ensure a safer cyberspace, Guterres said, urging all nations to join it. Echoing views on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, President of the 79th session of the UNGA Philemon Yang described it as a vital tool to safeguard people in a world where information technology and cyberspace offer immense potential but also harbour numerous threats. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), hailed the adoption as a meaningful victory of multilateralism and a major step forward in the international community's efforts to combat cybercrimes such as child sexual exploitation, online fraud, and money laundering. She reaffirmed the UN's commitment to supporting all member states in signing, ratifying, and implementing the convention, as well as providing the necessary tools and assistance to protect economies and ensure cybersecurity. The same day, the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) also commended the adoption, calling it a milestone in the global fight against the threats posed by cybercrimes. VNS Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region is now home to over 530,000 college-educated residents, according to data released during an education conference on Tuesday in the regional capital of Lhasa. The number marks a significant increase from the figure reported during the seventh national census conducted in 2020, which showed that the region had 401,980 people with a college degree. Data released at Tuesday's conference also showed that new additions to the labor force in the region now have an average of 13.1 years of education. By strengthening cooperation with research institutes, universities and enterprises, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Peking University, Xizang has established 103 regional-level platforms for scientific and technological innovation, according to the regional department of education. In old Xizang, over 95 percent of young people were illiterate, and access to education was predominantly limited to the privileged aristocracy. Xizang is the first provincial-level region in China to provide 15 years of publicly funded education, from kindergarten to senior high school. The compulsory education completion rate has reached 97.73 percent. Official statistics show that the region is now home to 3,472 schools of various types and levels. HA NOI The correct policies of the Party and State on overseas Vietnamese needed to be transformed into actions to bring about strong and practical results for the country and the overseas Vietnamese community, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. He made the statement at the workshop '65 years of connecting overseas Vietnamese with the country (1959-2024) and 20 years of implementing the Politburos Resolution No 36-NQ/TW on overseas Vietnamese (2004-2024)', held on Wednesday by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Attending the workshop, Deputy PM Son awarded the First Class Labour Order (for the second time) to the committee for its outstanding achievements in contributing to the country's socio-economic development and national solidarity. The committee has supported and created conditions for the Vietnamese community abroad to sustain their lives, integrate into local society, turn to their homeland and country to preserve national cultural identity. Dare to innovate Speaking at the workshop, the Deputy PM said that the work of overseas Vietnamese needed to be strongly implemented across all aspects, including research. The committee should continue to promptly advise and recommend to the Party and State to promulgate, amend and strengthen policies and regulations to facilitate people returning to the country to work, invest and do business. The committee should also come up with comprehensive measures to support overseas Vietnamese, especially in tough places, to have solid legal status, develop the economy and integrate into the local society. One more important work is caring for and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the community. Along with that, the committee should consolidate and develop overseas Vietnamese associations to truly play an important role as a bridge between compatriots and their homeland and country. The committees duty is effectively promoting overseas Vietnamese resources to contribute to the country's growth, supporting overseas Vietnamese to preserve and enhance national cultural identity, especially innovating and improving the teaching and learning of Vietnamese, promoting traditions and cultural identity to younger generations. Together with the entire diplomatic sector in general, the committee will rearrange its apparatus in the direction of "streamline, strong, effective and efficient" in parallel with building a staff who "dare to pioneer breakthroughs, dare to innovate and create" to meet the requirements and tasks involved in the work of overseas Vietnamese and the country in the new era. Deputy PM Son requested Vietnamese representative agencies abroad to pay more attention, together with the committee, to be worthy of being a common home, a trusted address for overseas Vietnamese and a bridge to bring them closer to the Fatherland. Promoting the tradition during 65 years of construction and growth, the Deputy PM believes that all officials and employees of the committee will maintain solidarity and unity, constantly strive, train, improve capacity and qualifications, strive to the best of their ability, excellently complete all assigned tasks. They will bring the work of overseas Vietnamese to reap more success, worthy of the trust of the Party and State leaders and more than six million of our compatriots abroad, actively contributing to the common achievements of the country in the new stage of national development. Emphasising that the work of overseas Vietnamese has been a key focus of the Party and State, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and also Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed that the committee would continue to work hard for them. It will innovate and diversify its activities, better caring for and supporting overseas Vietnamese. It will also encourage and create conditions for overseas Vietnamese to contribute to the development of the country, preserving culture and honouring the Vietnamese language. VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received Special Envoy of the President and Advisor for International Affairs of Palestine Riad Malki in Ha Noi on Wednesday. Son highlighted the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Palestine, which began in 1968, even before the establishment of official bilateral diplomatic ties. He noted the solidarity and mutual support shared by Viet Nam and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) in their respective struggles for national liberation and independence. The Deputy PM affirmed that Viet Nam always highly valued relations with traditional friends, including Palestine, and expressed Viet Nams deep sympathy over the immense hardships and challenges faced by the State and people of Palestine amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He stressed the need for an immediate and lasting ceasefire to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as the enhancement of humanitarian aid efforts to provide essential support to the Palestinian people. Son reaffirmed Viet Nam's consistent stance of supporting the two-state solution, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions. Malki expressed admiration for Viet Nams achievements in nation-building and development, and a desire to learn from its experience. He thanked the Southeast Asian nation for its steadfast solidarity and consistent support for the Palestinian people's just struggle. He described Viet Nam as a model and an enduring source of inspiration for Palestinians in their pursuit of inalienable rights, the right to self-determination, and the right to establish an independent Palestinian State. Mentioning the current difficulties and losses faced by Palestine, he called on the international community, including Viet Nam, to continue supporting and promoting reconciliation efforts, peaceful conflict resolution and humanitarian aid for people in Gaza. The two sides agreed to explore measures to overcome challenges and strengthen cooperation in potential areas such as trade, education, science-technology, and agriculture. They also discussed promoting cultural exchanges and deepening people-to-people connections. Both sides committed to advancing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the political consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries, and expediting negotiations and signing of agreements to facilitate further collaboration. Son said that Viet Nam is willing to work with the international community to provide humanitarian assistance and capacity-building support for Palestine. Thanking Viet Nam for delivering proposals to enhance support and cooperation, the Palestinian guest highlighted the potential for further collaboration, and pledged to actively promote the implementation of the outcomes agreed during this meeting. VNS HA NOI - In 2025, Viet Nams Ministry of Health aims to spearhead reforms in the healthcare system with a focus on improving service quality, ensuring vaccine availability and bolstering patient satisfaction. Alongside this, the ministry will propose equitable incentive policies for healthcare workers as part of the broader national salary reform plan. Key priorities include enhancing healthcare legislation, optimising organisational structures and advancing the digital transformation of healthcare services. Completing legal frameworks According to Deputy Minister of Health Le uc Luan, in 2025, the Ministry of Health will prioritise achieving three key targets assigned by the National Assembly in the socio-economic development plan: 15 doctors per 10,000 people, 34.5 hospital beds per 10,000 people and 95 per cent health insurance coverage. Additionally, the government has set seven sector-specific targets for the ministry. To meet these targets, the ministry will expedite reforms in legal and institutional frameworks to address challenges and develop a sustainable healthcare system. It aims to ensure the timely and quality completion of draft laws, policies and plans included in the National Assembly's 2025 legislative programme and the government's work plan. Key legislative efforts include developing regulations to guide the amended Law on Pharmaceuticals, the revised Law on Health Insurance and the new Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. Other legislative priorities include drafting laws on disease prevention, population, medical devices and food safety. The ministry also plans to integrate healthcare-related content into the socio-economic report for the 14th National Party Congress. In addition, the ministry will reorganise its organisational structure to ensure it is "streamlined, strong, efficient, and effective," in line with the directives of the Central Steering Committee and the Government Steering Committee. This includes implementing the healthcare network planning for 20212030, restructuring hospitals under the Ministry of Health for 20232030 and enhancing administrative reforms, decentralisation and resource allocation. Ensuring vaccine availability In 2025, the Ministry of Health will closely monitor disease outbreaks globally and regionally, enhance forecasting and surveillance capabilities, and proactively manage public health emergencies. The ministry aims to ensure the availability of vaccines and maintain a vaccination rate of over 90 per cent under the expanded immunisation programme, while implementing a roadmap to include more types in the programme. Additionally, efforts will focus on managing and treating non-communicable diseases, mental health disorders, occupational diseases and injuries. The ministry will continue to improve national capacity for ensuring food safety and environmental health. A key aspect of this strategy is the timely response to challenges such as emerging diseases and maintaining the continuity of essential health services. The ministry will also complete the development of proposals to adjust birth rates in accordance with regional and demographic targets by 2030, ensuring a sustainable national replacement fertility rate. Special attention will be given to maternal and child health, healthcare for the elderly and addressing gender imbalances at birth. It will also explore policy frameworks to adapt to population ageing, aiming to extend life expectancy and harness the benefits of the demographic dividend. In clinical care, the ministry will intensify efforts to improve healthcare quality and patient satisfaction. This includes expanding the satellite hospital model, implementing remote healthcare initiatives and advancing the transfer of technical expertise to local facilities. Efforts will also include tightening safety protocols within medical institutions and accelerating the licensing processes for medical practices and practitioners. Furthermore, the ministry will focus on enhancing the integration of traditional medicine with modern healthcare practices, through effective implementation of programmes promoting traditional medicine. These initiatives aim to preserve cultural heritage while addressing the diverse health needs of the population. The ministry will continue efforts to improve medical services and public satisfaction, including remote consultations, technical transfers and ensuring safety in medical facilities. Expediting the licensing of medical practices and coordinating with local authorities to manage medical professionals will also be priorities. The ministry will boost domestic production of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and devices. It plans to ensure adequate supply and fair pricing for drugs, vaccines and equipment while enforcing strict regulations on medical waste management. The target is to process 98 per cent of hospital-generated medical waste in compliance with environmental standards. Boosting domestic medicine-related industries The Ministry of Health will implement comprehensive solutions to enhance training, transfer techniques, and rotate healthcare staff to improve the quality of human resources in the healthcare sector, according to the deputy minister. Efforts will also be directed towards advancing research, increasing the effectiveness of scientific and technological activities, and fostering innovation in healthcare. Equitable incentive policies for healthcare workers will be proposed as part of overarching salary reform plans. The ministry will strengthen management, licensing, and renewal processes to ensure sufficient provision of quality, safe, and affordable drugs, vaccines, medical supplies, and equipment for disease prevention, treatment, disaster response, and emergencies. Special attention will be paid to developing domestic industries in pharmaceuticals, medicinal materials, and medical equipment. Additionally, hospital waste management within and around healthcare facilities will be closely monitored, with strict actions against violations, aiming for over 98 per cent compliance with waste treatment standards. Further reforms will focus on transforming operational and financial mechanisms within public healthcare units. This includes integrating administrative costs into medical service fees and advancing universal health insurance coverage. Strategies to mobilise resources and expedite healthcare investment projects will be prioritised. Efforts will also aim to maximise investment efficiency and financial autonomy at healthcare facilities. Revisions to regulations concerning health insurance coverage for drugs, chemicals, medical supplies, and technical services will ensure participant benefits and align with professional standards across healthcare levels. Advancing digital transformation In 2025, the Ministry of Health will significantly prioritise digital transformation to improve healthcare access, efficiency, and innovation. Key initiatives include establishing robust legal frameworks specific to the unique needs of healthcare-related digital systems. This includes refining standards for electronic health records, telemedicine platforms, and data security to ensure comprehensive patient care. The ministry will also develop competency standards for healthcare professionals tailored to the digital age and ensure alignment with modern healthcare demands. It will encourage academic and professional institutions to integrate digital tools into training curriculums, with particular emphasis on supporting healthcare workers in underprivileged and remote regions. Digital transformation efforts will extend to administrative processes, including the development of an integrated platform for managing healthcare resources, patient data, and medical equipment. The ministry will also enhance public access to healthcare information by improving the functionality and user experience of online portals. Further, the ministry plans to expand its collaboration with international partners, leveraging global expertise to incorporate best practices in digital health. This will include participating in multilateral forums such as ASEAN, WHO, and APEC to exchange knowledge and foster joint initiatives in digital healthcare. Lastly, the ministry will prioritise community engagement in its digital transformation agenda. Through awareness campaigns, training programmes, and public forums, it aims to equip citizens with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate digital healthcare services effectively. By integrating these advancements into everyday practices, the Ministry of Health seeks to transform Viet Nams healthcare landscape, ensuring better outcomes and accessibility for all. VNS HA NOI - The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) held an awarding ceremony for the 7th press photo contest Khoanh Khac Vang (Golden Moment) at its headquarters in Ha Noi on December 25. Addressing the event, VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang highlighted the press photos as a critical pillar of VNA - the national key press agency, saying that its photo archive holds immense value with images capturing historical moments of the nation, the fierceness of the war for national independence and the country's renewal process. Launched in 2008 by VNA, the annual press photo contest aims to enrich the collection of valuable images, and honour the contributions of the press photo to the country's photography industry, she said. Trang added that, through six editions, the award has gathered and spread the value of diverse photographic works by Vietnamese journalists and photographers both in and outside the country in terms of content, quality, and unique expression. After nearly two months of launch, the award received 3,435 entries, including 2,930 single photos and 505 sets of photos by 431 photographers. Of those, 22 outstanding works were selected for the awards and exhibition at the awarding ceremony. The first prizes for the single photo and the sets of photos went to the works Am nhac gan ket moi nguoi (Music connects people) by Pham Tuan Anh (Ha Noi) and Bo oi am minh trong bun tim kiem thi the nan nhan lang Nu (Soldiers wade in the mud searching for bodies of victims in Lang Nu Village) by Pham Ngoc Thanh (Ha Noi). The organising board also presented four second, six third, and ten consolation prizes to photographers with outstanding works. On this occasion, an exhibition featuring outstanding photo works from the contest opened at the VNA headquarters. VNS BANGKOK Chulalongkorn Universitys Halal Science Centre of Thailand has introduced Halal Route, an application created to help Muslim travellers from around the world explore the country with ease. As reported by the countrys English news service Thai PBS World, the app is designed to meet the needs of Muslim travellers by providing reliable, detailed and easy-to-use information. It lists Halal-certified restaurants, categorised by cuisine, nearby mosques and accommodations that offer prayer rooms and Halal food. The app also features a Qibla compass, daily prayer schedules, and an Islamic calendar. The application supports Thai, English and Arabic, making it accessible to both local and international users. The app is available for free download on both iOS and Android platforms. Halal tourism has been growing fast and the IMT-GT region (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand - Growth Triangles) is a key destination for Muslim travellers. The global Muslim travel market showed strong recovery in 2023, with nearly 145 million Muslim travellers, reaching about 90 per centThai of pre-pandemic levels, according to WebinTravel. By the end of 2024, the figure is expected to hit 168 million. VNA/VNS An electronic component production line at a factory of Suntech Vietnam JSC in Bac Giang province. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi - The import value of computers, electronic products and components reached 4.52 billion USD in the first half of December, according to the General Department of Customs. This brings the total import value of this group of goods since the years beginning to December 15, to 102.25 billion USD. This group alone accounts for 28.26 per cent of the total import value of the country. Compared to the same period in 2023, imports of these goods increased by 18.05 billion USD, or 21.4 per cent. The two main markets from which Vietnam purchases this type of products are the Republic of Korea (RoK) and China. By the end of November, the import value from the RoK was 31.53 billion USD, an increase of 49 per cent compared to the same period last year. It accounted for 32 per cent of Vietnams total imports of computers, electronic products and components. Imports from China reached 29.22 billion USD, a 12.3 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the export value of computers, products and components reached 68.54 billion USD by December 15, up 14.38 billion USD (or 26.6 per cent) compared to the same period in 2023. Vietnam, NZ to pilot use of electronic quarantine certificates Vietnam and New Zealand signed a cooperation agreement to utilise electronic certificates in the veterinary field for the 2024-2026 period, witnessed by Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan and New Zealand Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay on March 11. Thai billionaire plans factory to extract gold from electronic waste in Binh Dinh Thai billionaire Peter Palanugool has expressed an interest in developing a project to process gold from electronic waste in the central province of Binh Dinh. The Vietnam National Quality Awards is the only quality-focused honour at a national level, of which the golden prize is the highest accolade. The awards cover all areas, from quality management to sustainable development. Businesses are evaluated based on seven criteria comprising the role of leaders, strategic planning, customer and market orientations, measurement, knowledge analysis and management, human resource management and development, operational management, and operational results. Tran Hau Ngoc, vice chairman of the National Committee for Standards, Metrology, and Quality, said that the awards have a strict evaluation process based on the principles of publicity, transparency, and objectivity. Award-winning enterprises are pioneers in applying quality management systems and tools to production and business, contributing to improving productivity and quality in Vietnam. In particular, the awards are an important tool to help enterprises comprehensively evaluate the performance of their management systems according to international standards. At Nestle Vietnam, quality, food safety, research and improvement, customer suitability, and humans are the cornerstones of the company's success and competitive advantage. These factors laid a solid foundation for the company to win the golden prize. To facilitate the goal, Nestle Vietnam ensures strict compliance with food safety management processes, quality management, and labour safety in every stage of the operation and production processes, from inputs to complete products. With a business strategy based on the motto Creating Shared Value and guided by the value of Respect, Nestle Vietnam focuses on activities to maintain and regenerate resources for future generations. Nestles product portfolio is constantly innovated and developed to meet the increasing needs of consumers through scientific foundations in research and development. In addition, Nestle also encourages consumers to move towards a healthier lifestyle through sharing knowledge of nutrition and appropriate physical activity. Binu Jacob, CEO of Nestle Vietnam, shared his pride that the company was honoured with the golden prize National Quality Awards for the second time. Participating in the awards provides an opportunity for the company to learn, evaluate, and comprehensively improve management activities, product quality, and services. The award is a recognition of Nestle Vietnam's efforts in the journey to improve quality of life, contributing to a healthier future for Vietnamese people." Established in 1995, Nestle Vietnam is committed to a long-term investment for the sustainable development of Vietnam. With a vision to become a global company, bridging local communities and leading in sustainable development, Nestle Vietnam places people at the centre of its activities and operates around three main pillars of innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development. Among them, innovation and digital transformation create positive changes for the entire supply chain, improve product quality and consumer experience, support production operations and sustainable farming practices, and create a safe, productive, and connected workplace for employees. With the motto Creating Shared Value, Nestle Vietnam is a pioneer in implementing sustainable development initiatives for the business community towards the net-zero goal by 2050. The company has collaborated with many organisations to hold training and sharing sessions about greenhouse gas inventories, measurements, and reductions for businesses, especially stakeholders in the supply chain. In addition, Nestles success also stems from people, who are considered the companys most important asset. Nestle has committed to creating a favourable working environment with a competitive welfare regime and flexible working options to balance between personal life and work. Thanks to these efforts, Nestle Vietnam was recognised as the most sustainable business in Vietnam in the manufacturing sector from 2021-2023 and Typical Enterprise for Labourers for five consecutive years. Its NESCAFE Plan programme was recently granted the 'Award of the Year' at the 2024 Human Act Prize ceremony in Hanoi for the impactful initiative, recognising the companys journey to continuously enhance the position and value of Vietnamese coffee beans, contributing to building a sustainable coffee farming community. Nestle Vietnam leads green and digital transformation journey As the importance of sustainable development continues to grow, businesses are no longer viewing the 'green' trend as merely a competitive edge but as a crucial aspect of their investment strategies, according to Nestle Vietnam. Nestle Vietnam accompanies business community towards green era The development of the carbon market is key to helping Vietnam effectively cope with climate change and contribute to achieving its net zero target. This was the main point in the Ministry of Industry and Trades (MoIT) draft decree last week, detailing a number of articles of the Electricity Law on renewable energy and electricity. Under the draft, for foreign investors implementing offshore wind (OSW) power projects, it is recommended that they have implemented at least one initiative of equivalent scale either in Vietnam or elsewhere, and have a total audited net asset value in the last three years greater than the total expected investment. Vietnam wants only experienced developers in the offshore wind power spacePhoto: Shutterstock At the same time, the potential undertakings in Vietnam must have the participation of domestic enterprises, with the condition that foreign investors capital contribution does not exceed 65 per cent of the charter capital of the joint venture. Vietnamese enterprises implementing OSW power must have financial capacity, capital mobilisation plan or loan commitment, personnel, expertise, and experience to implement it. According to the Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), Vietnam aims to reach 6,000MW of OSW power by 2030, and 30,000-50,000MW by 2050, becoming a centre for OSW power production in Southeast Asia. Vietnam currently has no such initiatives in operation. To encourage the development of this power source, the MoIT proposes that OSW power projects be exempted from fees for using sea areas during construction; and 50 per cent reduction in fees for using sea areas within 12 years from the date of operation. They could also be exempted from land use fees and land rent during construction, and then continue to be exempted according to regulations on investment and land. In a previous interview with VIR, Stuart Livesey, chief representative of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners in Vietnam, expected a pilot mechanism to be issued towards the end of 2024, allowing state-owned enterprises to cooperate with foreign investors to develop the first OSW schemes in Vietnam. However, he added that Vietnam should not expect a complete legal system for OSW right from the start. Many other markets have instigated a special mechanism to allow new energy industries to commence. It would be useful for Vietnam to initially utilise a flexible legal system that can evolve based on the progress and implementation of pilots, which is quite similar to how Vietnams oil and gas industry began at its early stages, he said. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 12 said at a conference that the government strives to solve problems facing renewable energy by the end of January 2025. According to the conclusion of the government Inspectorate on the management and investment in construction of power according to PDP8 released last year, 14 solar power ventures in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan are entitled to the feed-in tariff (FiT) price mechanism. Over 170 grid-connected solar and wind power plants were also recognised for commercial operation to date, and enjoy the FiT price without having the competent state agency issue a document approving the results. Meanwhile, 20 projects overlap with mineral planning, and five overlap with irrigation planning and irrigation areas such. There is currently one scheme overlapping with national defence land planning, and 40 have incorrect procedures and land records. PetroVietnam proposed to pilot OSW projects Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has tasked the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) with reporting on the necessary procedures for assigning Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) to conduct surveys for offshore wind power projects. Norwegian Embassy issues report on Vietnam's offshore wind market Vietnam's offshore wind (OSW) market is considered promising, and the existing supply chain used by the domestic oil and gas industry for the current onshore and nearshore wind infrastructure has the potential to support in-country development. In early December, the Vietnam Coffee Corporation announced the export of the first batch of deeply processed coffee products under the Vietnam Coffee brand to China. The exported products include roasted coffee beans, ground coffee, and instant coffee with various flavours. The company aims to increase the proportion of processed products in its total export revenue. Processed coffee in export expansion, Source: freepik.com At the same time, the Miss Ede brand of Ede Farm Trade Service Ltd. in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak also announced its first shipment of a roasted and ground coffee container to the US. The 20-foot container, comprising 18,000 finished packs of roasted coffee, represents a fully processed product packaged in Vietnam, rather than raw materials or rebranded exports. The coffee was fermented to meet the US Food and Drug Administrations standards, with beans sourced from sustainable farming regions with the European Union Deforestation Regulation certification. Managed by Simexco Dak Lak, Miss Edes strategic partner and export trustee, the shipment was destined for Illinois, where it will be distributed through local supermarket networks. This opens the door for broader US consumer access and helps elevate the global profile of Vietnamese coffee. Hoang Danh Huu, founder and CEO of Miss Ede, said, With support from authorised agencies and the Buon Ma Thuot Peoples Committee, the company has participated in national and international trade promotion programmes and established connections with global buyers and entered markets such as Thailand, South Korea, and now the United States. Dak Laks agricultural products currently reach over 70 countries and territories worldwide. However, the share of processed coffee exports remains low, contributing little value to Dak Laks coffee industry. Miss Edes first shipment is a crucial milestone, paving the way for expanding the locally processed coffee exports and increasing value for the sector. The export activities are promoted in the context that the price for Arabica beans, which account for most global production, has topped $3.44 a pound (0.45kg), having jumped more than 80 per cent this year. The cost of robusta beans hit a fresh high in September. It comes as coffee traders expect crops to shrink after the worlds two largest producers, Brazil and Vietnam, were hit by bad weather and the drinks popularity continues to grow. Coffee is the worlds second most traded commodity by volume, after crude oil, and its popularity is increasing. For example, consumption in China has more than doubled in the last decade. The demand for the commodity remains high, while inventories held by producers and roasters are reported to be at low levels, said Fernanda Okada, a coffee pricing analyst at S&P Global Commodity Insights. Do Ha Nam, CEO of Intimex Corporation, stated that the high coffee prices are creating better conditions for the processed coffee of new brands. In conditions of low price levels, importers tend to prioritise sourcing processed coffee from well-established brands. However, currently, new enterprises have the opportunity to sell due to their lower prices. Furthermore, many coffee processing plants in Vietnam have been operating below capacity, so when the market opens up, they have been able to seize the opportunity without requiring additional investment, Nam said. The companys processed coffee products, which used to mainly serve the domestic market, now have international customers as well. Currently, Intimex is among the top 50 leading processed coffee exporters in Vietnam, with a growth rate of up to 50 per cent. Our factory is currently operating at full capacity and is in the expansion phase, Nam added. Intimex is striving to become a top producer and exporter of processed coffee in Vietnam, with a capacity of around 20,000 tonnes of instant coffee per year. Currently, Intimexs processing capacity for instant coffee is about 4,000 tonnes and will double in the coming year. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 2024, coffee exports reached a record high of $5.4 billion. Coffee is also the fastest-growing export product in the agricultural group, with a growth rate of up to 56.9 per cent. Coffee exports to the US decreased by nearly 30 per cent in volume but increased by 11 per cent in value compared to 2023. Coffee exports to the Chinese market have shown significant growth both in volume and value. The coffee volume has increased by 34.3 per cent, while the value has surged by 65 per cent compared to last year. Additionally, coffee exports to ASEAN countries have also increased significantly compared to the previous year, with a volume growth of 41 per cent and a value climb of up to 83 per cent. According to the data from the Vietnam Coffee Cocoa Association, Vietnams processed coffee exports in the 2022-2023 crop reached almost 90,000 tonnes, with a value of $511 million. The average export price in this crop was nearly $5,700 per tonne. In the 2023-2024 crop, the export volume surged by 42 per cent to 127,500 tonnes, accounting for 8.8 per cent of the total export volume, and the average export price also increased to just over $7,600 per tonne. In November 2024 alone, exporters shipped 10,000 tonnes of processed coffee, with a value exceeding $100 million. The export price reached a record high at $10,000 per tonne. Coffee sustainability under pressure The continuous fluctuations in prices and tightening import standards from international markets are creating significant challenges for the Vietnamese coffee sector. What achievements has Nestle Vietnam made in meeting the criteria of the National Quality Awards, and how do these achievements contribute to enhancing the brands reputation? Nestle Vietnam has consistently prioritised excellence, setting benchmarks in product quality and operational integrity. Over the years, the company has reinforced its position as a leader by adhering to the highest standards and striving to exceed customer expectations. The National Quality Awards is the only national quality award codified in Vietnams Law on Products and Goods Quality, and the Golden prize is the most prestigious accolade awarded by the Prime Minister, celebrating businesses for exceptional contributions to product quality, service excellence, and market competitiveness. Our success in meeting the awards rigorous criteriaincluding leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, and quality managementreflects the companys unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability. Le Thi Hoai Thuong, Nestle Vietnam's senior corporate affairs manager. Photo: Nestle Vietnam Leadership remains central to our strategy, with company leaders shaping and implementing comprehensive systems that prioritise quality and sustainability. These efforts ensure that each product adheres to global standards while fostering long-term value creation for local communities. Nestle Vietnam has integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance principles into its production processes. From responsible sourcing to employing advanced food safety certifications like FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001:2015, the company exemplifies sustainable business practices that align with both customer expectations and environmental goals. As part of a global network, Nestle Vietnam harnesses cutting-edge technology and internationally recognised systems to stay ahead in innovation. Central to this progress is its workforcetrained and empowered to adopt advanced processes that support both quality improvements and sustainability initiatives. Receiving the National Golden Quality Award, the highest ranking of the National Quality Award, for the second time is a significant achievement for Nestle Vietnam. This milestone reinforces the brand's reputation and highlights its commitment to elevating the standards of Vietnams food and nutrition industry. How has Nestle Vietnam implemented quality standards and operational practices to achieve high efficiency and increase customer trust? Quality and safety for our consumers is Nestles top priority. This applies to our entire portfolio and to all our systems and services. Quality has remained a cornerstone of our operations since its inception, with customer satisfaction, health, and trust consistently driving its strategies. This unwavering focus is evident in every facet of the business, from innovative product development to meticulous supply chain management. To uphold its high standards, Nestle Vietnam employs advanced systems and practices across its operations. In food safety, for instance, the company utilises the FSSC 22000 system, which adheres to stringent international and local regulations. This ensures that every product meets rigorous safety and hygiene criteria. Additionally, its quality management adheres to ISO 9001:2015 and other globally recognised standards, guaranteeing uniformity and excellence at every stage of production. Our production process is defined by a closed-loop system that enforces strict quality control from raw material procurement to product delivery. Raw materials are responsibly sourced to meet exacting quality and sustainability benchmarks. These inputs are then transformed through cutting-edge technologies to create products that consistently exceed consumer expectations. Environmental sustainability is another key factor. By implementing ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 systems, Nestle minimises its ecological footprint, reduces waste, conserves resources, and ensures safe workplace conditions. These measures extend to its warehousing and distribution networks, ensuring that product quality is preserved throughout the supply chain. One example of its dual focus on quality and sustainability lies in packaging. Nestle Vietnam employs innovative, eco-friendly packaging solutions that protect product integrity and reduce environmental impact. In coffee, through its 'NESCAFE Plan', Nestle Vietnam has been working with coffee farmers and partners to increase the quality and value of Vietnams coffee with responsible sourcing, sustainable farming, and regenerative agriculture practices. Continual improvement is the driving force behind the companys success. By regularly updating its standards and practices, Nestle Vietnam is aligned with global best practices and remains agile in addressing emerging challenges. This forward-thinking approach reinforces the brands reputation as a leader in quality and innovation. The company's consumer-centric philosophy underpins all these efforts. By prioritising customer needs, the company has built a trusted reputation for delivering products that consistently surpass expectations. This commitment has solidified Nestles position as a household name in Vietnam, synonymous with quality and reliability. Through these initiatives, Nestle Vietnam sets industry benchmarks and contributes to broader sustainability goals. What are Nestle Vietnams strategic objectives to sustain growth and improve product quality in 2025? The year 2025 marks a pivotal moment for Nestle Vietnam as it celebrates 30 years of dedicated service to Vietnamese consumers, underscoring its long-standing commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the country. Our strategic focus for 2025 centres on sustainable growth and quality improvement. Building on its legacy of success, the company plans to deepen investments in business development while prioritising environmental conservation and resource regeneration. These efforts align with Nestles global mission to create shared value for society and ensure the long-term sustainability of its operations. Nestle Vietnam receiving the golden prize at the Vietnam National Quality Awards on December 18 for the second time. Photo: Nestle Vietnam Central to these objectives is the application of science, technology, and innovation. By leveraging advanced technologies, Nestle aims to optimise production processes, elevate product quality, and meet evolving consumer needs. The companys emphasis on innovation also supports the development of products that balance modern demands with environmental responsibility. Nestle is also committed to fostering collaboration within the Vietnamese business community. By sharing expertise and best practices, particularly with small- and medium-sized enterprises in our value chain, the company seeks to build a cohesive network that enhances the overall quality of Vietnamese products. This initiative aims to boost the reputation of local goods in both domestic and international markets. In 2025, beside our ongoing commitments and initiatives, Nestle Vietnam will join the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ministry of Science and Technology in the national steering committee on the Food Innovation Hub in Vietnam to promote innovation, dual transition to improve quality, value, competitiveness, and sustainability of Vietnamese food and agricultural products. Nestle Vietnam leads green and digital transformation journey As the importance of sustainable development continues to grow, businesses are no longer viewing the 'green' trend as merely a competitive edge but as a crucial aspect of their investment strategies, according to Nestle Vietnam. NESCAFE Plan wins Human Act Prize 'Award of the Year' NESCAFE Plan was granted the 'Award of the Year' at the 2024 Human Act Prize ceremony in Hanoi on December 14, serving as a testament to Nestle Vietnams commitment to building a sustainable and thriving coffee farming community. How does this significant milestone enhance the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the UK? UK-Vietnam trade has roughly doubled over the last decade, from 3 billion ($3.8 billion) in 2014 to over 6.4 billion ($8.1 billion) in 2024, largely underpinned by our bilateral UK Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and will expand with UKs upcoming accession to the CPTPP. British consul general in Ho Chi Minh City, Alexandra Smith The CPTPP is a gateway to the wider Indo-Pacific and Americas region, bringing new opportunities for British businesses in the region that will account for the majority of global growth and half of the worlds middle-class consumers in the decades to come. It opens new markets for UK service providers by cutting tariffs on goods exports and introducing new opportunities from diversifying supply chains, ultimately giving other opportunities for preferential trade with Vietnam and building on the UKVFTA. The CPTPP also helps promote the bilateral trade and investment that benefits both of our countries, while enabling this relationship to reach its full potential, stability, predictability, and transparency continue to be the key for businesses and for attracting investment, as does enabling workers and investors to come to Vietnam. Foreign investors, including those from the UK, are also becoming increasingly sensitive to environmental and climate concerns, which is why Im pleased to see Vietnam beginning to lead the way in the region in sustainability. With the CPTPP coming into force, opening up a new trade era for UK and Vietnamese businesses, our teams at the British Embassy in Hanoi and British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City are always ready to provide support. In addition to the UKVFTA, what other benefits will Vietnamese and UK enterprises gain from the CPTPP when the UK becomes a member? The UK is the 15th largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with bilateral trade between the two countries doubled over the last 10 years, hitting more than over 6.4 billion ($8.1 billion) by 2024. This was largely possible because of the UKVFTA which came into force in 2021, which has accelerated the volume of trade, bringing more consumer choice to citizens in both countries. For example, in 2023, UK food and drink exports to Vietnam reached 126 million ($159.8 million), an increase of 97 per cent since 2019, showing Vietnams appetite for British whisky, frozen seafood, and confectionary. In turn, Vietnams agricultural products are now on the shelves in UK supermarkets. I am optimistic that the CPTPP will help to boost UK-Vietnam trade. Working together, these agreements will make it even easier for UK and Vietnam businesses to expand operations and increase exports in agriculture, healthcare, financial services, and e-commerce. Businesses will not only benefit from reduced trade barriers but will also have a stable and predictable trading environment. This will enable firms to compete globally and partner together to trade across the Indo-Pacific, which includes some of the worlds most dynamic and fast-growing markets. What advice do you think Vietnamese companies should heed to successfully capitalise on the opportunities presented by the trade agreements? The UK is the second-largest exporter of financial services in the world, with exports reaching $112.5 billion in 2022. This achievement reflects the UKs position as a global hub for high-quality professional and financial services. The country is home to world-leading firms across various sectors, including architecture and design, auditing, legal, consultancy, and many others. These industries are renowned for their expertise, innovation, and ability to deliver solutions tailored to diverse markets. Vietnam, on the other hand, is undergoing rapid and transformative development, particularly in its infrastructure sector. From urban planning and transportation systems to energy and telecommunications, the demand for professional services is growing exponentially as the country advances its modernisation agenda. This creates significant opportunities for collaboration, where the UKs expertise in delivering complex services can contribute to Vietnams ambitious projects. Moreover, the UKs role extends beyond services delivery to include robust support in financing. The UK Export Finance (UKEF), a globally recognised export credit agency, offers government-backed financing to promote international trade with the UK. For the Vietnamese market, the UKEF has earmarked 5 billion ($6.34 billion) in available finance to support projects and ventures that involve UK goods, services, and expertise. This initiative underscores the UKs commitment to fostering strong economic ties with Vietnam while enabling businesses to overcome financial barriers to growth. As Vietnamese businesses embark on new phases of development, I strongly encourage them to explore the UKs comprehensive offer of expertise and financing solutions. The UKs track record in delivering high-quality services, coupled with UKEFs substantial financial support, can make a pivotal difference in ensuring the success and sustainability of projects in Vietnam. At the same time, I remain committed to promoting the vast opportunities available in Vietnam to businesses in the UK. By fostering collaboration and building strong partnerships, we can unlock mutual benefits and drive economic growth in both nations. This is a dynamic and promising time for UK-Vietnam relations, and I am confident that by working together, we can achieve remarkable outcomes. Could you please share specific plans that the UK will implement in Vietnam after becoming a member of the CPTPP? The UK in Vietnam network stands ready to promote to British businesses about Vietnams appetite to trade with the world, with Vietnams skilled workforce, manufacturing capability and growing domestic market. The CPTPP will open up new opportunities for cooperation between the UK and countries in the Pacific region, in areas such as sustainable growth, innovation and economic development. We will partner with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant Vietnams authorities to organise a series of deep-dive training workshops for both UK and Vietnamese businesses to better understand the CPTPP and maximise its opportunities in February 2025. Looking ahead, the UK is planning multiple events to bring our business communities together. At the end of March 2025, the UKs Southeast Asia Tech Week will launch in Ho Chi Minh City, where the UK government will bring a delegation of exceptional technology companies to engage with Vietnamese partners, seeking to build and create more opportunities for trade between the rapidly growing digital and technology sectors in UK and Vietnam. London Tech Week will take place in June 2025 and this is a great opportunity for Vietnamese tech and fintech companies to engage with UK businesses. 2025 will also mark the 15-year anniversary of the UK-Vietnam Strategic Partnership. In the next four years, I look forward to further deepening relations between our two countries for a better future for people in both our countries. Recently, we often talk about Vietnams ambition and aspiration to become a developed country by 2045, and in some speeches from Party General Secretary To Lam at home and abroad, he said Vietnam is witnessing a new historical moment, a new era - the era of national growth. I and our growing team at the British Embassy in Hanoi, and the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, look forward to further deepening relations between our two countries, especially in education with a vision towards our mutual growth and sustainability. How have the British Embassy and agents in Vietnam supported companies from both nations in leveraging the advantages of the CPTPP? The UK in Vietnam network is always ready and committed to showcasing Vietnams strong potential as a vibrant trading partner to British businesses. Vietnam offers a dynamic combination of a skilled workforce, robust manufacturing capabilities, and a rapidly growing domestic market, making it an attractive destination for trade and investment. By highlighting these strengths, the network plays a vital role in fostering closer economic ties and encouraging collaboration between the two nations. In recent months, the UK in Vietnam network has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen these connections. For example, in September, a British business delegation, including Veracity, Graphcore, British Standard Institute, Soluis, and Nashtech attended Ho Chi Minh Economic Forum to discuss business support programmes in the fields of sustainable development, digital transformation and productivity and quality improvement. Also in that month, the Lord Mayor of London visited Vietnam, where he hosted several MoU signings between British and Vietnamese businesses in education. He met with several ministry leaders to discuss financial services cooperation, green finance, and energy transition. In October, we brought a UK energy delegation to participate in the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition to explore opportunities for UK businesses to engage in Vietnams transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly economy. This event served as a platform to discuss green technologies, innovation, and partnerships that can drive mutual growth in the burgeoning green sector. Building on this momentum, in November, we organised a delegation of health experts to visit Ho Chi Minh City to discuss avenues for collaboration in healthcare innovation, policy development, and service delivery. With Vietnams growing focus on improving healthcare infrastructure and services, the visit underscored the potential for UK expertise to contribute to the countrys health sector advancements. These activities reflect our ongoing efforts to deepen the relationship between the UK and Vietnam, while also promoting the wealth of opportunities available for British businesses in this fast-evolving market. By facilitating meaningful exchanges and partnerships, the UK in Vietnam network continues to pave the way for stronger trade, investment, and collaboration between our two nations. Vietnam and UK deepen science, technology and innovation partnerships Vietnam and the United Kingdom are set deepen science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) partnerships, with a focus on emerging technologies, the environment, and healthcare. Vietnam emerging as market for British agriculture companies Vietnam presents a great opportunity for UK businesses to boost their exports of agriculture, food, and drink products. The UK and Vietnam have robust trade in some areas, but are looking to boost sectors such as agriculture, Photo: Le Toan On December 15, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) officially came into effect between the UK and eight ratified members, including Vietnam, and between the UK and Australia on December 24. As one of the worlds largest and most dynamic free trade agreements, the CPTPP presents significant opportunities for economic growth and enhanced collaboration among its member nations, said a press release from the British Embassy on December 13. According to the embassy, effective implementation of the partnership requires close collaboration between governments, the private sector, and trade associations to ensure the provisions ranging from tariff reductions to rules of origin and digital trade facilitation - deliver maximum impact. Iain Frew, British Ambassador to Vietnam, said, The UK is committed to being a proactive and reliable partner in the CPTPP. We stand ready to support Vietnams ambitions for sustainable growth and innovation while promoting inclusive trade that benefits all. Moreover, we see Vietnam as a gateway to Southeast Asia and a key ally in addressing shared global challenges, such as climate change and economic resilience. The CPTPP is a free trade agreement signed by 11 countries in 2018, with entry into force seen that year for six nations. However, it was not until January 2019 that it became valid for Vietnam. In July 2023, the CPTPP parties clinched an accession protocol with the UK, welcoming it as the 12th member. Vietnams support In July, Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man signed the NAs resolution on adopting the UKs accession protocol to the CPTPP. Under the resolution, the NA assigns the government to review all relevant legal documents to amend, supplement, or newly promulgate regulations so as to ensure the consistency of the Vietnamese countrys law system and ensure the right roadmap for the implementation of commitments in the UKs protocol on access to the deal. In late November, the Ministry of Justice established a council to appraise a draft decree amending and supplementing a number of articles on promulgating the Preferential Export Tariff and Special Preferential Import Tariff of Vietnam to implement the CPTPP for 2022-2027. After joining the deal, the UK will enjoy the same incentives that Vietnam currently offers to member countries with an average tax rate of 1.8 per cent (including 87.6 per cent of tax lines being eliminated). Meanwhile, the UK will remove tariffs on 94.4 per cent of tax lines for Vietnamese goods. According to the British Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, the CPTPP is a modern and forward-looking trade agreement, with cutting-edge provisions in digital trade and e-commerce. The UK and Vietnam are increasingly working together to explore joint initiatives that promote innovation and digitalisation. The UK and Vietnam have already enjoyed a robust trade and investment relationship over the past few decades. The British Embassy to Vietnam calculated that bilateral trade has reached over 6.4 billion ($8.1 billion) in 2024, reflecting consistent growth despite global uncertainties. Key sectors such as agriculture, textiles, renewable energy, education, financial services, and technology underscore the complementary strengths of the UK and Vietnamese economies and the potential for deeper cooperation. The CPTPP represents a new chapter in this economic partnership, unlocking opportunities to strengthen trade, draw in investment, and deepen collaboration across a wide range of sectors, the embassy stated. For UK businesses, the agreement provides improved access to one of the fastest-growing economic regions globally. For Vietnam, it offers access to the UKs cutting-edge expertise, innovation, and global networks while creating opportunities to diversify exports and attract high-quality investment. After the UK joins the CPTPP, all the member states will contribute 15 per cent of global GDP, equivalent to 12 trillion ($15.2 trillion), according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade. It said that, along with joining the CPTPP, the UK has recognised Vietnam as a market economy. This will make it more favourable for Vietnam to avoid trade barriers, especially anti-dumping investigations. At the same time, Vietnams exports will not suffer from discrimination, and will be subject to more reasonable anti-dumping tax rates. Vital partners At present, the trade and investment cooperation between the two economies is largely driven by the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which has brought about significant reductions in tariffs for both sides goods. Total trade in goods in 2023 reached $5.92 billion, including Vietnams exports of $6.42 billion, up 88.5 per cent on-year, and imports of $799 million, up 87.6 per cent on-year. In the first 10 months of this year, both sides total trade is estimated to have touched more than $7 billion, including nearly $6.4 billion worth of Vietnams goods exports up 22 per cent on-year. Under the CPTPP, tariff rates for UK imports have already dropped. Tariff rates on pork have dropped from 22-25 to 8.1 per cent, while tariffs on seafood have largely disappeared. Long-term advantages will continue to develop. Vietnam is expected to benefit from increased exports of agricultural and seafood produce, while the UK should see a boost to meat exports. As a member of the CPTPP, we see Vietnam as an important partner with a rapidly growing economy in the heart of the Asia-Pacific region (with growth of over 5 per cent in 2023 and is predicted to grow roughly 6 per cent in 2024). We are committed to continue to grow our trade relationship joining this high standards and forward-thinking trade bloc enables us to work with Vietnam and other CPTPP members to shape the trading systems of the future, for example in areas like digital trade, said UK trade commissioner for Asia-Pacific Martin Kent. According to Kent, overall, the combination of complementary economies, trade agreements, diversification of trade and investment, government support, and cultural connections contributes to the strong trading relationship between the UK and Vietnam. By leveraging these factors and continuing to strengthen their economic partnership, both countries can further enhance bilateral trade and unlock new opportunities for mutual prosperity and growth, Kent added. According to Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment, cumulatively as of late November 2024, UK investors had 585 valid ventures in Vietnam, registered at nearly $4.46 billion. Prospects of Vietnams agricultural exports to the UK Although Vietnamese imports are currently just 1 per cent of the UKs annual $700 billion imports, its high purchasing power and growing Vietnamese community in the UK, is the foundation for assured future growth. To date, the UK is Vietnams third-largest trading partner in Europe. Under the UKVietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), 94 per cent of the 547 tariffs on Vietnamese vegetables, fruits and related products are eliminated. While plants and plant products imported from non-EU countries to Great Britain require strict import procedures, many Vietnamese popular fruits fall under the Unregulated Plants and Plant Products list. These items benefit from less burdensome import requirements, including pineapple, coconut, citrus, kumquat, orange, and persimmon. Seafood is also poised to be the second agri-food category that benefits most from the UKVFTA. The UK is currently one of the top 10 importers of catfish from Vietnam and under the deal, Vietnamese seafood products have become more competitive than those from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India. Vietnam also holds the potential to emerge as a significant supplier of products to UK retailers. Processed products like coffee, cashews, and pepper are already widely available in major UK supermarkets, with cashews capturing an impressive 90 per cent market share. With the UKs participation in the CPTPP, access to Vietnamese agricultural products will improve. In recent years, Vietnams agricultural sector has been transitioning towards reduced emissions, adopting organic processes, and harnessing renewable energy sources. These sustainability efforts will resonate with UK consumers who prioritise origin traceability, food safety, and environmentally friendly and ethically sourced goods. Finally, with the growing popularity of Vietnamese cuisine among the British, such as pho or banh mi, it is suggested that the Vietnamese government and exporters can do more to establish recognised brands and geographical indication protection for Vietnamese agri-food products, mirroring the successful entry of several UK food and beverage brands into Vietnam, such as Cadburys, and McVities.Source: British Embassy to Vietnam UK to join CPTPP in December The United Kingdom has secured the sixth and final ratification required to trigger its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) before the end of this year. The revised law also supports the development of nuclear power. How does this help ensure the power supply? With the global trend increasingly focusing on nuclear energy as a sustainable and stable solution, Vietnam has a great opportunity to develop its own nuclear energy industry, contributing to ensuring energy security, economic development, and environmental protection. Nguyen Thai Son, vice president of the Vietnam Energy Association Electricity demand increases by an average of about 10 per cent per year. This demand is forecast to increase sharply by around 12-13 per cent in 2025, to achieve the GDP growth target of 6.5-7 per cent. To ensure energy security, according to calculations, for 1 per cent economic growth, electricity growth of 1.5 per cent is needed. There are three advantages of nuclear power. First is the ability to provide a stable power source, not dependent on the weather, to meet the electricity demand for the growing economy. Secondly, nuclear power does not emit CO2 directly, helping to minimise climate change and air pollution, so nuclear power will contribute to achieving carbon neutrality as the target by 2050 according to the direction that the government has committed to. Thirdly, nuclear power will promote industry and engineering in Vietnam. Large nuclear power plants bring high-quality jobs and help Vietnam access advanced technologies from developed countries. Vietnam had a plan to develop nuclear in the previous decade, but it was stopped for many reasons, including safety concerns. What factors are needed for Vietnam to develop nuclear power in the future? To realise the plan to develop nuclear power in the future, we need to prepare carefully in all aspects, from developing human resources and infrastructure to building a strict safety mechanism to manage an effective system. All must be done with a long-term, methodical, and cautious strategy. In my opinion, the human factor is the first point. Building a nuclear safety culture is a hard criterion for every staff and process. Currently, there is advanced and modern nuclear power technology. However, the technology must be proven and have enough time to be proven. Nuclear safety must be the number one priority in every project stage, from design and construction to operation and waste treatment. Vietnam needs to build a strict nuclear safety monitoring and management system that meets international standards; as well as invest in training qualified personnel in nuclear safety. The decisive condition is the highest determination from all levels to ensure the factors of sustainability and unity. The Vietnam Energy Associations review board has recommended that if Vietnam returns to nuclear power research, it should return to the researched location and capacity to avoid waste. Is this feasible? I entirely agree, and we will save 4-5 years of searching for locations. If we can take advantage of this past research, we can save and optimise time, effort, and money. To implement the Electricity Law passed by the National Assembly, the prime minister has assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to urgently develop guiding decrees and a list of nuclear power plant projects. Nuclear power project restart can support Vietnams long-term net-zero commitments The consideration of restarting nuclear power projects to support Vietnams socioeconomic development is becoming increasingly necessary in the current period. Vietnam eyes nuclear revival to bolster energy security Vietnam is considering restarting its nuclear power programme to ensure a stable energy supply as it accelerates renewable energy adoption and targets net-zero emissions by 2050. Workers produce garments for export to the US and the EU at the Maxport Thai Binh apparel company (Photo: VNA) Hanoi Vietnams garment and textiles export is projected to hit nearly 44 billion USD this year, positioning the country as the worlds second biggest exporter, only behind India, said General Director of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) Cao Huu Hieu. At a meeting in Hanoi on December 25 to review Vinatexs business operations and outline plans for 2025, Hieu said Vinatex will pursue sustainable development across environment, society, governance and finance (ESGF) next year. Specifically, it will renew management practices through digital transformation and the adoption of best corporate governance models, including the integration of automation technology and artificial intelligence which is also meant to reduce reliance on labourers. Deputy Chief of the Vinatex Office Hoang Manh Cam highlighted the positive growth signals emerging from major import markets like the US and EU, where economic recovery and increased consumer spending are creating a promising outlook for the textile and garment industry. He also pointed out the significant opportunity presented by the shift of orders from Bangladesh, which could greatly benefit Vietnamese textile enterprises. While the first half of 2024 saw only modest improvements, the latter half experienced a dramatic surge in orders, fueled by unexpected political upheavals in competing nations. Despite these hurdles, Vinatex and the broader industry maintained a growth trajectory, with no units reporting losses. The group's consolidated revenue is estimated at 18.1 trillion VND (724 million USD), a 2.8% increase year on year, while consolidated profit is projected to reach 740 billion VND, up 37.5%. Additionally, the average monthly income of employees rose by 8.9%, reaching 10.3 million VND. Hieu attributed Vinatexs successes to the exploration of new and niche markets with specialised, hi-tech products such as fire-resistant fabrics and clothing, developed in partnership with the UKs COATS Group. The group has also focused on developing new filament core yarns and blended fibers, alongside adopting an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to optimise business resource management. It also held conferences and seminars on sustainable development and adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. It is directing investments toward building a second wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 8,000 cu.m per day and night, complementing the existing plant with a capacity of 10,000 cu.m at Pho Noi Textile and Garment Industrial Park in Hung Yen province, toward creating a model green textile industrial park in the northern region. Prejudices hold back garment investment The garment and textile industry is experiencing an imbalance in production, especially in the dyeing and weaving stages, as many localities are now refusing to host these projects due to environmental concerns. Opportunities await textiles and apparel sector Increasing demand towards the year-end and global economic factors present significant opportunities for textiles and apparel businesses. Ahmed Soliman, deputy general manager of Jushi Egypt Fiberglass Co., Ltd., checks on the fiberglass production line of Jushi Egypt at the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Suez province, Egypt, Aug. 10, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty recently wrapped up a two-day visit to China, where he co-chaired the China-Egypt foreign ministers' strategic dialogue and explored ways to deepen bilateral cooperation. The visit coincided with the 10th anniversary of the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, offering a chance to review achievements and explore future growth. In the past decade, China-Egypt ties have flourished. Chinese investments in Egypt surged over 300% between 2017 and 2022. Smart cities and green development have gained prominence, with Egypt becoming a key African trading partner for China. Bilateral trade reached nearly $16 billion in 2023. The growing partnership underscores both countries' commitment to advance trade relations according to their mutual agreements. Abdelatty's visit also signifies a step forward in China-Egypt cooperation on Global South interests. Their decision to strengthen solidarity with Global South countries is commendable for several reasons. First, the partnership reflects a strong belief in South-South cooperation, as shown by Egypt's advocacy for increased development financing at October's BRICS Plus meeting. The proposal emphasized expanding multilateral development banks, including the New Development Bank. As Beijing and Egypt strengthen ties within BRICS, they seek solutions to the Global South's infrastructure challenges. Second, Egypt and China have demonstrated a commitment to strengthening knowledge and expertise sharing with the Global South, necessitating deeper cooperation in this domain. Egypt promotes its "South-South and Triangular Economic Cooperation" strategy to share expertise, while China contributes through sustainable food security and climate resilience initiatives. These aligned efforts position Egypt and China as leaders in Global South development. President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi emphasizes mutually beneficial projects to advance developing nations across various sectors. China, as a leading example, is actively embracing a range of industrial fields, including artificial intelligence and green energy, to boost Global South development in the coming year. Egypt and China have cultivated a robust and dynamic partnership marked by significant strides in development cooperation. A prime example is Egypt's electrified light rail transit (LRT) system, which was built jointly by Chinese and Egyptian companies. This infrastructure project connects the New Administrative Capital with several key Egyptian cities and districts, enhancing connectivity and economic growth. The China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone (SETC-Zone), a flagship project within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), demonstrates the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation. This initiative aims to deliver substantial economic benefits and improve lives in both countries. The future of China-Egypt development cooperation shows immense promise. In recent years, Chinese investments have surged to more than a third of total investment in the past two years. This capital influx has created thousands of new jobs in Egypt and established the TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone as a trade hub connecting Asia, Europe and Africa. The TEDA zone, leveraging Egypt's location and strong bilateral ties, serves as a model for both the BRI and Egypt's Suez Canal development plan. Beijing and Cairo's commitment to enhancing BRI cooperation marks a milestone in their pursuit of development. The SETC-Zone, a flagship BRI project, demonstrates the domestic and international benefits of China-Egypt cooperation. The project complements Suez Canal expansion efforts and strengthens Egypt's economic growth. This cooperation aligns with Egypt's 2030 Sustainable Development Vision, emphasizing economic development and innovation. TEDA has become a hub for Chinese companies that are expanding production, creating jobs and transforming Egyptian industries. Through BRI cooperation, Egypt and China aim to enhance international trade and regional market access. Egypt's strategic location, combined with Chinese investments and industrial support, highlights the partnership's potential. Ultimately, Abdelatty's visit to China affirms both nations' commitment to regional stability, BRI cooperation and South-South engagement. The longstanding relationship shows promising growth ahead. The author is a foreign affairs commentator, author and recipient of the Fulbright Award. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Welsh Ambulance Service staff to enjoy Christmas lunch thanks to generous donations This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Dec 25th, 2024 Hundreds of Welsh Ambulance Service employees working on Christmas Day will receive a traditional festive lunch thanks to the generosity of hospitality businesses and charitable funds. Several pubs, hotels and restaurants from across Wales generously agreed to prepare delicious Christmas meals as a gesture of goodwill for those working on December 25. As with previous years, the Welsh Ambulance Service Charity has funded these Christmas lunches, thanks to donations from the public. Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Welsh Ambulance Service Charity in 2024, said David Hopkins, the Welsh Ambulance Services Head of Charity. Thanks to your generosity, and the kind support of hospitality businesses across Wales, were able to provide a small token of appreciation to our staff working on Christmas Day. Its just one of the ways the charity supports WAST staff, volunteers and patients, all-year-round. 700 members of staff from across more than 80 ambulance stations, clinical contact centres and other environments working a day shift will get to enjoy a lunch, some of which have been provided completely free of charge. It includes staff in the emergency medical service, non-emergency patient transport service, make ready depots, operational delivery unit and clinical contact centres, including in NHS 111 Wales and on the Trusts clinical support desk. Judith Bryce, Assistant Director of Operations, said: Weve been organising Christmas lunches for a few years now and theyre always gratefully received. As an ambulance service, we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, which means that not everyone will be able to enjoy a Christmas dinner at home with their loved ones. This is a small gesture to thank our people on Christmas day, and I hope it demonstrates on behalf of the organisation and our patients how grateful we are to colleagues for the service they provide. The Trust will also once again be sending Tesco vouchers to all operational environments including contact centres to enable colleagues to purchase festive treats. You are here: World Flash An American Airlines aircraft moves along the tarmac at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on Dec. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] American Airlines on Tuesday briefly grounded all flights following a "software outage." At the airlines' request, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) canceled all flights of American Airlines nationwide as a record-high number of travelers are expected to fly just before Christmas. The Airlines resumed its operation by 7:55 a.m. Eastern Time (1255 GMT) in the morning, reported CNBC, citing a spokeswoman of American Airlines. A software outage in calculating weight and balance requirements for flights led to the ground stop, according to some online posts. U.S. airlines are expected to fly about 30,000 U.S. flights on Tuesday, said the FAA. Flash Ukraine received $1 billion in financial aid from the United States, backed by frozen Russian assets, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Tuesday. "This is the first tranche of the planned $20 billion that the U.S. is prepared to allocate through the use of frozen Russian assets," Shmyhal said in a post on Telegram. The Ukrainian Finance Ministry later clarified that the funds were provided as a grant aid under the World Bank's Second Growth Foundation Development Policy Loan (DPL). The U.S. assistance is part of a broader commitment made by the Group of Seven (G7) countries, which envisages $50 billion in support for Ukraine secured using proceeds from immobilized Russian assets. The G7 countries have frozen about $300 billion of Russian assets in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to media reports. Bangladesh Launches $5 Billion Graft Probe Against Sheikh Hasina in Nuclear Power Plant Case 2 An anti-graft panel in Bangladesh has launched an investigation against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzling USD 5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant, according to a media report. Indian companies are participating in constructing the Rooppur nuclear power plant which is being built by Rosatom, Russias state-run corporation, in Bangladesh. The first Bangladeshi nuclear power plant, the Russian-designed Rooppur, is being built 160 km west of the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. Along with Hasina, her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Tulip Siddiq, her niece and the UKs Treasury minister, were also questioned, BDNews reported on Sunday. There are accusations of embezzling USD 5 billion in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, the report added. The development came two days after the High Court issued a rule asking why the Anti-Corruption Commissions (ACC) inaction over an alleged transfer of USD 5 billion from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project to a Malaysian bank by Hasina, Joy, and Tulip should not be declared illegal, the report added. According to ACC documents, the allegations of corruption in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project were brought to light by Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM). Hasina, 77, has been living in India since August 5 when she fled the country following a massive student-led protest that toppled her 16-year regime. Her sister Rehana accompanied her. Joy resides in the US, while her niece Tulip is a member of the British parliament. Bangladesh-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for crimes against humanity and genocide. They are also named in multiple murder cases filed in connection with the demonstrations. Valentina Gomez's Controversial Rhetoric and Call for Violence: A Dangerous Path 2 After the shocking NYC subway burning incident on December 22, 2024, Valentina Gomez stirred further outrage with a highly controversial and disturbing video she posted on X. In the video, Gomez, a Colombian-born American political activist, called for the public execution of undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes against Americans. She shockingly simulated the killing of a migrant, presenting it as a form of proof of her defiance against the political establishment. This dangerous message quickly went viral, igniting a firestorm of backlash from across social media platforms. Gomezs Disturbing Call for Execution The video was an appalling display of violent rhetoric. In it, Gomez endorsed the gruesome idea of executing immigrants accused of violent crimes, simulating the act as if it were a bold political statement. This is my defiance of the establishment, she claimed, as if promoting such extreme violence against a group of people was justified by her own political beliefs. The videos release quickly gained attention, with many social media users condemning her for inciting hatred and division while also calling attention to the disturbing, unhinged tone of her messaging. Gomezs video was nothing short of inflammatory. She framed her message as a rejection of what she perceives to be a weak political establishment. However, rather than addressing the complexities of the immigration debate, she chose to spread harmful, oversimplified, and dangerous ideas. The outrage was swift and widespread. Social media users quickly took to their platforms to condemn her, pointing out the fatal flaws in her argument and the sheer recklessness of her message. One user commented, Instead of dividing people by labels of colour, nationality, or origin, why cant we unite in the simple truth of good vs. evil? Who is keeping humans divided? I wonder The comment highlighted the central issue with Gomezs rhetoric: her attempt to oversimplify complex societal problems and weaponize division. Another user remarked, Okay, were not gonna start executing people and become the same evil. This is not the way, even if we are at our ends. This response reflected the growing alarm over her call to violence, emphasizing that such actions only perpetuate the same kind of evil they claim to fight. A Brief Overview of Valentina Gomezs Background Valentina Gomez, born on May 8, 1999, in Medellin, Colombia, moved to the United States in 2009, settling in Jersey City, New Jersey, with her family. Over the years, she has made a name for herself as a real estate investor, financier, and political activist. Her professional career includes roles in the financial sector, notably with Nestle, where she focused on financial optimization and strategic planning. She has also gained recognition as a real estate strategist, handling multimillion-dollar investments. Despite these professional achievements, it is Gomezs increasingly controversial political activism that has captured the publics attention. Beyond her corporate endeavours, Gomez co-founded Fundacion Flor de Mayo, a nonprofit organisation that provides over 1,200 children in Colombia with access to education, sports, and cultural activities. However, her recent political endeavours have been marked by provocative and inflammatory actions that have earned her both support and condemnation. The Political Campaign: Provocative and Controversial Stunts In 2024, Gomez entered the political arena by launching her campaign for Missouri Secretary of State. Her campaign quickly became a spectacle of controversy, largely due to her inflammatory rhetoric and provocative actions. One of the most shocking moments of her campaign came when she posted a video in which she urged voters not to be weak and gay while running through a historically LGBTQ+ neighbourhood in St. Louis. This crude and insensitive gesture was meant to attack what she sees as the liberal establishment, but instead, it drew widespread outrage for its homophobic overtones. Gomez also posted videos of herself burning LGBTQ+ books with a flamethrower, vowing to ban such books if elected. This act of destruction was seen as not only reckless but also as a direct attack on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ individuals. The videos sparked widespread condemnation and further fuelled the perception of Gomez as a far-right extremist. Despite the media attention these actions garnered, Gomezs campaign ended in failure. She secured only 7.4% of the vote in the Republican primary, finishing sixth out of eight candidates. Her political career, at least for the time being, was cut short. Nevertheless, Gomezs notoriety did not fade. She remains a polarising figure, continuing to use social media to express her controversial views and promote her far-right ideologies. The NYC Subway Incident and Its Aftermath On December 22, 2024, the horrific NYC subway burning incident took place at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, New York. A woman was tragically set on fire while sitting on a stationary F train. The assailant, identified as 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen Sebastian Zapeta, allegedly approached the victim, who appeared to be dozing, and set her clothes ablaze using a lighter. Despite immediate attempts by nearby police officers and subway workers to extinguish the flames, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Surveillance footage captured the chilling moments of the attack, showing Zapeta calmly setting the woman on fire before sitting on a bench and seemingly watching her burn. The brutal and senseless nature of this crime sparked outrage across the city and beyond. Public officials, including Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and NYC Mayor Eric Adams, condemned the attack as a horrific and senseless act of violence, pledging to ensure justice for the victim. The incident has further fueled concerns about public safety, particularly within the New York City transit system, which has been plagued by rising violence in recent years. Advocacy groups have called for stronger security measures and increased police presence to protect commuters. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has pledged to review safety protocols and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. Gomezs Dangerous Influence and Divisive Messaging In light of the NYC subway burning incident, Gomezs video calling for executions and advocating for such extreme measures has sparked outrage for all the wrong reasons. Her rhetoric, filled with hate and violence, presents a dangerous precedent. Instead of addressing the root causes of crime, immigration issues, and public safety with thoughtful and responsible dialogue, Gomez chooses to advocate for brutal, inhumane solutions that only serve to further divide society. Gomezs extreme far-right views have already caused significant harm to political discourse, and her recent video has only deepened the divide. While she continues to promote these divisive, toxic messages on social media, it is clear that her controversial actions and inflammatory rhetoric have crossed a dangerous line. Her call for public executions and the simulation of migrant killings are not only morally reprehensible but also a direct incitement to violence. Conclusion: A Dangerous Path Forward Valentina Gomezs controversial rhetoric and actions have revealed a deeply troubling trend in political discourse. Through inflammatory language, provocative stunts, and dangerous calls for violence, Gomez has shown that she is willing to do whatever it takes to capture attention, even if it means inciting hatred and division. The tragic NYC subway incident and her subsequent video are just the latest examples of the growing influence of extremist voices in politics. If such rhetoric continues unchecked, the consequences could be dire, leading to further polarization and violence in an already fractured society. Gomezs brand of far-right politics may have garnered her a degree of notoriety, but it has also exposed the dangers of promoting violence as a political tool. Her calls for execution and her divisive messaging are not only irresponsible but also put lives at risk. It is crucial that we confront this toxic rhetoric and work toward healing the divides in our society, rather than exacerbating them with dangerous ideologies. Two young women are dead following a double shooting on Christmas Eve in Lee County, and their alleged killer has been charged with capital murder. The Lee County Sheriffs Office 911 Center received a call around 3:48 p.m. Tuesday about gunfire near Lee County Road 2113 and Highway 29 North in the Beulah community, the office said. Deputies responded to a home in the 100 block of Lee County Road 2113, where they found the two victims, ages 18 and 19, suffering from gunshot wounds and unresponsive along with an 18-year-old man suspected of shooting the women. Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton pronounced the victims dead at the scene. Sexton identified the slain women as 18-year-old Madison Daly and 19-year-old Kayden Lynch, both of Beulah. The victims, according to the sheriffs office, were not related but listed their address as the home where the shooting occurred. Tributes were posted to the roommates on social media. My beautiful beautiful sweet angels I hate he took yall from us we will miss yall so very much , Im still in shock I need you to come I miss you so much I just wanna hear yall laugh and talk and come pick me up to go on crazy rides I love yall so much may yall rest, read one post. Another shared a photo of Lynch, writing, We will miss you sweet baby. They will definitely be missed !! wrote another who knew the roommates. The investigation revealed the 18-year-old male suspect reportedly assaulted his mother, who lived next door to the home where Daly and Lynch lived, earlier on Christmas Eve. The suspect, who was not publicly identified, then allegedly took a gun from his mothers house. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire before 911 was called. Two 9-year-old twin girls had been at the home but left prior to the shooting, the sheriffs office said. The suspect was taken into custody on capital murder charges, according to the office. The investigation remained ongoing Tuesday night. Anyone with information on the incident was asked to call the sheriffs offices Investigations Division at 334-737-7155 or Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP(7867) By Silvia Stellaci and Colleen Barry, The Associated Press VATICAN CITY Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday urged all people of all nations to find courage during this Holy Year to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia. The pontiffs Urbi et Orbi To the City and the World address serves as a summary of the woes facing the world this year. As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that he dedicated to hope, Francis called for broad reconciliation, even (with) our enemies. I invite every individual, and all people of all nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions, the pope said from the loggia of St. Peters Basilica to throngs of people below. The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peters Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing Gods mercy, which unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge. Faithful walk through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, after it was opened by Pope Francis on Christmas Eve, marking the start of the Catholic 2025 Jubilee. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)AP He called for arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine and in the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave, as well as Lebanon and Syria at this most delicate time. Francis repeated his calls for the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. He cited a deadly outbreak of measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the suffering of the people of Myanmar, forced to flee their homes by the ongoing clash of arms. The pope likewise remembered children suffering from war and hunger, the elderly living in solitude, those fleeing their homelands, who have lost their jobs, and are persecuted for their faith. Pilgrims were lined up on Christmas Day to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St. Peters Basilica, as the Jubilee is expected to bring some 32 million Catholic faithful to Rome. Traversing the Holy Door is one way that the faithful can obtain indulgences, or forgiveness for sins during a Jubilee, a once-every-quarter-century tradition that dates from 1300. Pilgrims submitted to security controls before entering the Holy Door, amid new security fears following a deadly Christmas market attack in Germany. Many paused to touch the door as they passed and made the sign of the cross upon entering the basilica dedicated to St. Peter, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church. You feel so humble when you go through the door that once you go through is almost like a release, a release of emotions, said Blanca Martin, a pilgrim from San Diego. ... Its almost like a release of emotions, you feel like now you are able to let go and put everything in the hands of God. See I am getting emotional. Its just a beautiful experience. A Chrismukkah miracle as Hanukkah and Christmas coincide Hanukkah, Judaisms eight-day Festival of Lights, begins this year on Christmas Day, which has only happened four times since 1900. Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, right, and Rabbi Shmuel Segal, left, watch the set-up of a giant Hanukkah Menorah by the Jewish Chabad Educational Center ahead of the Jewish Hanukkah holiday, in front of the Brandenburg Gate at the Pariser Platz in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)AP The calendar confluence has inspired some religious leaders to host interfaith gatherings, such as a Hanukkah party hosted last week by several Jewish organizations in Houston, Texas, bringing together members of the citys Latino and Jewish communities for latkes, the traditional potato pancake eaten on Hanukkah, topped with guacamole and salsa. While Hanukkah is intended as an upbeat, celebratory holiday, rabbis note that its taking place this year as wars rage in the Middle East and fears rise over widespread incidents of antisemitism. The holidays overlap infrequently because the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles and is not in sync with the Gregorian calendar, which sets Christmas on Dec. 25. The last time Hanukkah began on Christmas Day was in 2005. By Adrian Ashford, The Dallas Morning News (TNS) Hanukkah, an important holiday in the Jewish calendar, is celebrated for eight days every year. This year, the holiday runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2. The holiday commemorates the triumph of a small army of Jewish fighters and the rededication of a Jewish temple around 164 BCE, according to My Jewish Learning. Whats the story behind Hanukkah? During part of the second century BCE, Jewish people lived under the control of Greek emperor Antiochus, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. While in power, he enacted a law prohibiting Jews from observing their religion and barred them from keeping the Sabbath, reading from the Torah or circumcising their sons under penalty of death, according to the American Jewish Committee. Around 164 BCE, a group of Jewish fighters who had revolted against Antiochus took over a Jewish temple that he had desecrated, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Why do people light menorahs to celebrate Hanukkah? The Talmud, a collection of teachings, commentaries and debates from rabbis, says that the leader of that group of Jewish fighters entered the temple after recapturing it and found a small remnant of Jewish culture that had not been defiled by Antiochus, according to JewishHistory. That remnant was a jar of oil; the oil was used to light the temples gold menorah, or candelabrum, according to NPR. The jar had only enough oil to burn for one day, but the Talmud says the temples menorah burned for eight days miraculously, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Today, many Jews light one candle each on a special nine-branch menorah called a hanukkiah as part of their Hanukkah celebrations, according to My Jewish Learning. The hanukkiah has eight branches plus a holder for the servant candle used to light other candles, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Why is Hanukkah celebrated? For many people, Hanukkah is a celebration of Jewish peoples resilience. Hanukkah is about this eternal survival of the Jewish people, Rabbi Menachem Block, executive director of Chabad of Plano, told The News last year. This is a holiday about the freedom to be Jewish and the light of Jewish identity and commitment, Rabbi David Stern, senior rabbi of Dallas Temple Emanu-El, also said last year. ________ 2024 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Morgan County Sheriffs Office is no longer maintaining that a suspect killed by deputies fired at the officers after the investigation revealed that the man was holding a fake gun when he was fatally shot. The suspect, identified Tuesday by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation as 41-year-old Decatur resident Drew Patterson Banks, was shot dead by deputies following a vehicle chase. Priceville officers tried to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle Banks was driving, which was reported stolen, according to the SBI. The driver refused to stop and a chase ensued with Morgan County sheriffs deputies assisting the Priceville officers. The pursuit ended at Thompson Road and Byrd Road in Morgan County, when Banks allegedly exited the vehicle with what appeared to be a handgun, according to the SBI. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the firearm was a full-sized replica of a Sig Sauer 1911 semiautomatic handgun, the agency said. Banks was then fatally shot. No officers were injured. In a Facebook post, the sheriffs office initially said Monday that the subject shot at deputies, who returned fire. On Tuesday, the office edited its post to say the subject pointed a firearm, later determined by ALEA Investigators to be a replica handgun, at Deputies and Officers, who returned fire. The post no longer makes any mention of Banks firing at officers. English News China refines duty-free, tax refund policies for better consumption experience Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 10 Decembre 2024 An official with Shanghai Municipal Tax Service of China's State Taxation Administration noted that they will continue improving the distribution of stores providing departure tax refund service and focus on inbound consumption scenarios, so as to make tax refund more accessible and promote the high-quality development of tax-free and refundable economy. By Wang Guan, Yan Bingjie At the bustling Qianmen Gate in Beijing, a major attraction for foreign tourists renowned for its rich cultural heritage, a foreign exchange goods duty-free shop of Sinopharm China National Service Cooperation (Sinopharm CNSC) will soon be transformed into a downtown duty-free shop. Downtown duty-free shops refer to those approved by China's State Council to operate within Chinese urban areas and sell duty-free goods to travelers set to leave the country. According to a staff member with the shop of Sinopharm CNSC, this transformation will provide departing tourists with a wider range of shopping options. Duty-free shops are more appealing than franchises because they sell products at lower prices. Downtown duty-free shops, in particular, offer consumers imported goods that are exempt from customs duties, import value-added tax (VAT) and consumption tax, as well as goods of Chinese brands that are eligible for VAT refunds or exemptions, all at significantly discounted prices. Unlike airport duty-free shops, they are more conveniently located and offer flexible shopping hours. According to the interim measures for the administration of duty-free shops in cities issued by Chinese authorities, a duty-free store will be opened in each of China's eight cities, namely Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi'an, Changsha and Fuzhou, starting Oct. 1 this year. Another 13 foreign exchange goods duty-free shops shall be transformed into downtown duty-free shops within 3 months from the commencement of the new rules, and shall begin to operate only after passing the customs inspection. The rules also stipulated that duty-free shops in cities are for travelers who will be departing the country by air or international cruise within 60 days. These travelers can purchase at these stores without a shopping limit, but they must comply with Chinese customs regulations that the quantity of items carried by travelers entering and exiting the country shall be for personal use and of a reasonable quantity. "Downtown duty-free shops will bring new development opportunities for tourism and retail industries. They offer a more convenient shopping experience and are attractive to tourists, thereby driving the development of related industrial chains and creating new growth drivers," said Ye Yindan, a researcher with the Bank of China's research institute. As more countries are included in China's visa-free transit policy, "China travel" is becoming increasingly popular, leading to a growing consumption enthusiasm of overseas tourists. Apart from downtown duty-free shops, the departure tax refund policy is also an important tax incentive measure introduced by China to facilitate overseas tourists in response to international trends. Departure tax refund refers to the partial refund of indirect taxes to a foreign tourist who has purchased goods in the destination country. In recent years, the Chinese tax authorities have continuously improved departure tax refund services to further enhance the convenience for overseas tourists. So far, more than 20 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under China's central government, and cities under separate state planning in China, have introduced departure tax refund policies. Moreover, Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan, and other regions provide the instant departure tax refund service, which allows overseas travelers to get an instant tax refund from the merchants after shopping. After shopping at stores that provide the service, eligible overseas travelers can be rebated with the equivalent amount of RMB at the specific tax refund point. The service can fully meet the practical needs of overseas travelers and effectively improves their consumption experience. Since the beginning of this year, the departure tax refund business in Beijing has maintained a high growth trend. As of now, the number of overseas travelers applying for tax refund has increased by 2.1 times from a year ago, and the sales of tax refundable goods by 1.5 times year on year. At a service counter at the SKP Beijing department store, a South Korean tourist and his friends were having their tax refunded. According to Ma Tao, tax manager of the department store, hundreds of shops in the mall can handle departure tax refund business, which covers a variety of daily necessities such as clothing, shoes, bags, cosmetics, and watches. In addition to fashionable items, specialty products by time-honored Chinese brands are also favored by many foreign tourists. "Thanks to the development of China's tourism industry and our increasing overseas influence, we are dealing with more departure tax refund businesses than before, with the majority of tax refundable goods being traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medicinal herbs," said Zhang Rui, deputy manager with a drug store of Tong Ren Tang, a TCM manufacturer established in the 17th century, in Dashilan commercial area, Beijing. An official with Shanghai Municipal Tax Service of China's State Taxation Administration noted that they will continue improving the distribution of stores providing departure tax refund service and focus on inbound consumption scenarios, so as to make tax refund more accessible and promote the high-quality development of tax-free and refundable economy. Dans la meme rubrique : < > High-quality Belt and Road cooperation create opportunities for global growth Technological cooperation leads to closer China-Africa economic, trade ties China's economic resilience, vitality in four sets of data Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News G20 shoulders responsibility for history, takes historical initiative, moves history forward Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 14 Decembre 2024 The Chinese often say, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." As a major forum on international economic cooperation, the G20 should renew its commitment to the founding mission, and make a fresh start from Rio de Janeiro. China is ready to work with relevant parties to shoulder the responsibility of the times, build a just world of common development, and usher in a better future of common development and prosperity. By He Yin, People's Daily Chinese President Xi Jinping on Nov. 18 attended the 19th G20 Summit and delivered important speeches, explaining Chinese philosophies on "Fight Against Hunger and Poverty" and "Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance." He announced China's eight actions for global development and proposed concrete measures in economic, financial, trade, digital and eco-environmental fields for the G20. Xi's important speeches provided crucial conceptual guidance for improving global governance and addressing the practical challenges facing global development, helping consolidate consensus and strength in building a just world of common development and a just and reasonable global governance system. To build a just world of common development, all parties should shoulder their responsibility for history, take historical initiative and move history forward. Xi said prosperity and stability would not be possible in a world where the rich become richer while the poor are made poorer, and countries should make global development more inclusive, beneficial to all, and more resilient. Countries need to channel more resources to such fields as trade, investment and development cooperation, and strengthen development institutions. They need to support developing countries in adopting sustainable production and lifestyle and enhancing ecological conservation. They need an open, inclusive and non-discriminatory environment for international economic cooperation, and should promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. They also need to stay committed to multilateralism, and uphold the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Only through unity and cooperation among all parties can the goal of building a just world of common development be achieved. China is always a doer and go-getter working for the cause of global development. It has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, and met the poverty reduction target of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ahead of schedule. China's story is proof that developing countries can eliminate poverty, and 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. China's eight actions for global development announced by Xi, including pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, implementing the Global Development Initiative, supporting development in Africa, and supporting international cooperation on poverty reduction and food security, fully prove that China is a reliable long-term partner of fellow developing countries and is willing to go hand in hand with fellow developing countries toward modernization. International observers believe that China's eight actions for global development will help make global development more just, inclusive, and sustainable. To build a just world of common development, it is important to establish a fair and equitable global governance system. Currently, the Global South is gaining significant momentum, yet global governance reform has long been stagnant. After a 16-year development, the G20 needs to build on its past achievements and continue to act as a force to improve global governance and move history forward. Xi said that the G20 needs to improve global economic governance and build a world economy characterized by cooperation, to improve global financial governance and build a world economy characterized by stability, to improve global trade governance and build a world economy characterized by openness, to improve global digital governance and build a world economy characterized by innovation, and to improve global ecological governance and build a world economy characterized by eco-friendliness. He stressed that the G20 should support the U.N. and its Security Council in playing a greater role, and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises. This provides significant momentum for the international community to work together in addressing challenges and crises, while opening up new avenues for win-win cooperation. The Chinese often say, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." As a major forum on international economic cooperation, the G20 should renew its commitment to the founding mission, and make a fresh start from Rio de Janeiro. China is ready to work with relevant parties to shoulder the responsibility of the times, build a just world of common development, and usher in a better future of common development and prosperity. Dans la meme rubrique : < > High-quality Belt and Road cooperation create opportunities for global growth Technological cooperation leads to closer China-Africa economic, trade ties China's economic resilience, vitality in four sets of data Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Negative list, zero-tariff treatment exemplify China's intensified efforts in opening up Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 10 Decembre 2024 Reform and opening up is a historic process in which China and the world achieve development and progress together. China has always been committed to win-win cooperation, continuously creating new opportunities for global development through its modernization achievements. By Ren Ping, People's Daily After the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) convened its third plenary session a few months ago, global observers are focusing on two landmark moves made by China as it opens its doors wider. Zero-tariff treatment - Starting from Dec. 1, China gives all the least developed countries (LDCs) having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, becoming the first major developing country and major economy to implement such a measure. Negative list - On Nov. 1, the new edition of China's national negative list for foreign investment took effect, which slashed the items from 31 to 29 and removed all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the country's manufacturing sector. So far, China's negative list for foreign investment has experienced eight rounds of reduction, demonstrating the country's steady expansion of opening up. This exactly proves why the "next China" is still China, according to analysts. In 2013, the negative list approach was first adopted in China's inaugural pilot free trade zone (FTZ) in Shanghai, containing 190 items. The following year saw the first reduction, which brought the number of restrictions down to 139, expanding areas of opening up while easing access requirements. In 2015, China expanded the pilot FTZ practice to three other coastal provincial-level regions: south China's Guangdong province, north China's Tianjin municipality, and southeast China's Fujian province. This year, the list witnessed further shrinkage to 122 items and was applied to all FTZs. This second round of reduction removed all restrictions in the general manufacturing sector, including agricultural product processing and alcoholic beverages. Starting from 2016, China's negative list for foreign investment was implemented nationwide. At the same time, China piloted the negative list for market access in four provinces and municipalities to introduce the market access negative list into its domestic economic governance. The third reduction came in 2017, as China slashed the items on the national negative list for foreign investment to 63. Besides, the country applied the list to all its FTZs while also trimming the items on the FTZ negative list to 95. This round of reduction furthered opened sectors such as rail transportation equipment manufacturing and pharmaceutical manufacturing. In 2018, the number of items on the national negative list was cut down to only 48, while that on the FTZ negative list was reduced to 45. In addition, the system of a negative list for market access was fully implemented nationwide in China. The fifth and sixth reductions took place in 2019 and 2020, with the number of restrictions on the national negative list lowered to 40 and 33 respectively, and the FTZ negative list to 37 and 30 respectively, creating a more open, accessible and fair investment environment. In 2021, there were only 31 and 27 restriction items on the national and FTZ negative lists respectively. This seventh round of reduction made all Chinese manufacturing sectors open to foreign investors in the pilot FTZs. On Nov. 1, 2024, the new edition of the national negative list came into effect, which scrapped the two remaining manufacturing-related items on the previous list, marking the eighth reduction. The eight rounds of reduction, addressing practical concerns and looking toward long-term development, demonstrate China's intensified efforts and growing confidence in expanding opening-up. The manufacturing sector was the earliest sector in China to open up to foreign investors, and is also the most competitive and closely coordinated one in terms of global industrial division of labor. The removal of all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector exemplifies how China is promoting reform and development through opening up. At the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China would reduce as soon as possible limits on foreign investment in automobiles, ships and aircraft, automobiles in particular. Subsequently, China has gradually lifted foreign investment limits in automobiles, starting with specialized vehicles and new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2018, followed by commercial vehicles in 2020, and passenger vehicles in 2022. After a four-year transition period, China's auto industry has achieved full opening-up to foreign investment. China's production and sales of NEVs accounted for over 60 percent of the world's total in 2023, ranking first in the world for nine consecutive years. The rapid development of China's NEV industry is attributed to the country's strong commitment to reform and innovation, which allows it to effectively respond to the ever-changing dynamics of open competition. Boasting the most complete industrial system globally, China has been the world's top manufacturing country for 14 consecutive years, and has developed over 200 mature industrial clusters and 26 of the world's top 100 science and technology innovation clusters. China's confidence in removing foreign investment restrictions in the manufacturing sector stems from the fact that the country has turned from a follower to a leader in an increasing number of scientific and technological areas. Additionally, China has been advancing its manufacturing sector by focusing on high-end, intelligent, and green development, and is committed to promoting international cooperation, which has increased its capability to open up and driven its transition from a manufacturer of quantity to a manufacturer of quality. In today's world, win-win cooperation is the sure way to success in launching major initiatives that benefit all. Benin is one of the LDCs designated by the United Nations. In September 2023, China officially granted quarantine access for Beninese pineapples. In November that year, Benin's fresh pineapples made their debut at the sixth China International Import Expo. These "sugar bread of Africa" achieved the fastest entry into China in just two months, with an intended purchase deal reaching $60 million. China is pursuing high-standard opening up, and unilaterally opening its doors wider to the LDCs, which is one of the eight actions for global development outlined by the country during the 19th G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During the summit, China also announced that from now to 2030, its imports from other developing countries are likely to top $8 trillion, which shows its commitment to sharing its development opportunities with the world. The decision to give all the LDCs having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment demonstrates the country's open-mindedness, broad vision, and sense of responsibility. Reform and opening up is a historic process in which China and the world achieve development and progress together. China has always been committed to win-win cooperation, continuously creating new opportunities for global development through its modernization achievements. Dans la meme rubrique : < > High-quality Belt and Road cooperation create opportunities for global growth Technological cooperation leads to closer China-Africa economic, trade ties China's economic resilience, vitality in four sets of data Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Ningxia-grown vegetables find big market in Greater Bay Area Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 14 Decembre 2024 To meet market demand, many vegetable bases in Ningxia that supply products to Hong Kong have established strict cultivation and quality control standards. They have developed a comprehensive industrial chain from planting, management, and harvesting to packaging, cold chain transportation, and sales. By Qin Ruijie, People's Daily In a vegetable planting base in Xianjin village, Ligang township, Helan county, Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, which mainly supplies its produce to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Chinese flowering cabbages were just harvested, and they would soon be shipped to Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province around 2,300 kilometers away. "It takes only 36 hours for our Chinese flowering cabbages to reach the markets in the GBA from our fields. The demand is so high that we can hardly satisfy it," said Chen Dingyou, head of the planting base. Chen works for an agricultural technology company in Ningxia that owns vegetable distribution centers in three cities in the GBA. Chinese flowering cabbage is a vegetable commonly used in Cantonese cuisine. In Helan county alone, there are 15 planting bases that grow it, covering a total area of 24,500 mu, or about 1,633 hectares. The Chinese flowering cabbages harvested in Ningxia are shipped to the GBA through cold-chain logistics, and they enjoy high reputation in the region. The unique climate is what makes Ningxia a perfect place for growing Chinese flowering cabbage. Take Helan county as an example. The county, with an average altitude of over 1,000 meters, has dry summers and enjoys rich sunshine. Besides, with the Yellow River as the source of irrigation, nutrient accumulation becomes easy for the vegetable. Though Ningxia boasts sound natural conditions, science-based planting is still necessary. Standard planting techniques of GBA enterprises are now adopted in Ningxia. Chen picked up his phone and showed how the vegetable is planted. In the vegetable field, neatly arranged ridges spaced 20 centimeters apart stretched across the land. The Chinese flowering cabbages glistened with water droplets as workers skillfully and swiftly cut the tender greens with precision. Today, the vegetable base of Chen's company utilizes automated irrigation systems and drone-based crop protection operations, which have significantly reduced labor management costs. With a simple tap on a mobile app, the 2,000-mu planting base was divided into dozens of plots, where details like seeding and weeding progress were displayed. "We've developed a digital field management and monitoring platform that allows us to manage the entire planting process - seeding, fertilizing, and watering - all from a smartphone," said Wu Xiaoning, the materials scheduling manager of the company. "Currently, processes like rotary tilling, seeding, and film mulching are all mechanized. The base can cultivate five full crop cycles each year, with each cycle yielding 400 to 600 kilograms. The average output value per mu for the entire planting cycle reaches 10,000 yuan ($2,548)." Wu added. "The Chinese flowering cabbage grown using modern farming techniques has a crisp and tender texture," said Chen. "As soon as the product hits the market, it becomes a hot seller in the GBA." Delivering delicious Chinese flowering cabbage to the GBA, more than 2,000 kilometers away from Ningxia, wouldn't be possible without a modern logistics system. "The cold storage is maintained at 1.5 degrees Celsius. Once the freshly harvested Chinese flowering cabbage is brought in, it is rapidly cooled down," said Li Houxue, head of Xianfeng Agriculture Company based in Ningxia, referring to a cold storage facility of the company. After being pre-cooled for six hours, the Chinese flowering cabbage harvested is packed and sorted by 2 am the next day. By 8 am, refrigerated trucks set off directly for Guangzhou, where the produce is distributed to secondary centers in cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Dongguan. Some batches, after passing quality checks, are loaded onto trucks bound for Hong Kong, ready to hit the local market. "With professional cold chain logistics, the transportation cost for a 15-kilogram box of Chinese flowering cabbage has been reduced to just 15 yuan," Li said. Today, nearly 80 refrigerated trucks depart from Ningxia every day, delivering Chinese flowering cabbage to regions like the Yangtze River Delta and the GBA. To address storage challenges at the source, Helan county has ramped up cold chain infrastructure development. Currently, 56 enterprises have established cold storage facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 89,900 tons and a net volume of 449,500 cubic meters. These advancements have greatly improved the storage, preservation, and processing capabilities for agricultural products at their origin. To meet market demand, many vegetable bases in Ningxia that supply products to Hong Kong have established strict cultivation and quality control standards. They have developed a comprehensive industrial chain from planting, management, and harvesting to packaging, cold chain transportation, and sales. "In 2023, Helan county's vegetable planting area reached 243,800 mu, with an annual output of 474,600 tons and a production value of 1.4 billion yuan. This has effectively boosted employment and income for local farmers," said Chen Ying, director of the bureau of agriculture and rural affairs in Helan county. Dans la meme rubrique : < > High-quality Belt and Road cooperation create opportunities for global growth Technological cooperation leads to closer China-Africa economic, trade ties China's economic resilience, vitality in four sets of data Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) The Christmas Holiday season gives each of us an opportunity to reflect on the year gone by, our successes or failures, along with our joys or sorrows. Recently, in her weekly column for Townhall.com, conservative and political writer Myra Kahn Adams explored a very interesting topic: What if Jesus Had Never Been Born? Her article compelled me to consider the blessings we have in the West, where the Judeo-Christian ethic, morality, and worldview are foundational to our society, including the rule of law, and to compare those blessings with what life would be like without those blessings. A world in which Christ had never been born, and therefore a world in which there was no Christmas and no Christian faith or influence, would be a dystopian nightmare we can only fearfully imagine. Without Jesus, we would have no example of the self-giving, sacrificial love of the Son of God or of God the Father who sent His only Son to redeem the world from our sinour separation from and rebellion against God. But when we begin to look around, startlingly, one does not have to do a deep dive into the history books or look too far to see the contrasting realities that exist right now. Compare the wealth, prosperity, and standard of living of the West to the citizens who live under the rule of socialist, communist, or Islamic dictatorships. The socialist/communist system of government is openly hostile to religion or to belief in an almighty Creator God. In every case, Christianity is banned under the penalty of law and imprisonment. For the people who live(d) in those countries, it may as well be as if Jesus had never been born. Image: Adoration of the Shepherds by Hugo van der Goes. Public domain. Life for the citizens living under despotic, self-serving dictators serves to reinforce and dramatically illustrate the fallen nature of humanity. What motivates those who strive for authority over us is power and control. Power is what they seek, and they will stop at nothing to keep it. The Nativity story in the Gospel of Matthew provides its own example, as King Herod sought to murder the child who would be the One to fulfill ancient prophecies and be a threat to his reign. Throughout human history, we have repeatedly seen clear examples of corruption, murder, and deceit from those who claim for themselves the mantel of our ruling class. Christians in the West are also attempting to counter the influence of over a hundred years of post-modern, liberal-progressive ideologies in which social reforms (enacted and enforced by the power of the state) are intended to correct all manner of social ills, inequities, and injustices. Instead, we have squandered trillions of dollars, wreaked havoc on our culture, and continue to sustain a wider, ever-growing number of social ills, inequities, and injustices. The acceptance of a post-modern, liberal-progressive worldview that strives at every opportunity to expel the notion of God from public discussion and cultural influence is also increasingly hostile to anyone who professes religious faith, specifically a confession of faith in the Creator God of the Bible and His commandments. It is the expulsion of God from our popular culture and its broader impact that coarsens our discourse and hastens the destruction of societys foundational relationships. Herein lies the root of our problems. The very people responsible for the discord, dysfunction, inequities, and injustices are the ones who have been trying to convince large segments of our population that they are the ones to correct all wrongs if we relinquish our freedoms and give them more control. They strive to tell us, again and again, that their man-made and man-devised schemes will be the solution to all our problems, whether worldly or spiritual. In recent months, the corruption and failures of our government have not escaped notice. In the face of such blatant corruption and failures, Christians across the country have mobilized. First, as documented in an American Greatness article, Faith Made All the Difference, Christians of all denominations [showed that they] have had enough, and Christian voters made sure they were heard loud and clear as they overwhelmingly turned out for President Trump. In addition, the landslide electoral victory was likely propelled by the backdrop of the myriad failures of the federal governments response to Hurricane Helene. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, sadly, once again, embodied the frequent failures of an administration that raises ideological fealty over the desire to serve or possess the essential competencies needed to provide for citizens affected by natural disaster. When it was crunch time, it was every day, average Americansneighbor helping neighbor (as it should be)who stepped up and succeeded. Let there be no mistake: The Christians showed up and got to work! As a native of North Carolina, my church donated generously, and I spent a week volunteering in the Asheville, North Carolina, area. My son and I worked mostly behind the scenes, but we put in a full days work to help unload, sort, warehouse, and ship the supplies that were vitally needed across the region. Some have called it a triumph of the American spirit, but I will assert that it was a combination of our foundational Judeo-Christian ethic to care for our neighbor, as well as the heartfelt desire by Christians to be agents of the light, hope, love, and compassion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Myra Kahn Adams column included a paraphrased quote from British author and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis: if Jesus had never been born, it would be always winter, but never Christmas. We would be left cold, without hope. There would be estrangement, with no redemption, no peace. There would be darkness and very little discernable or perceptible light. But Christ was born! He was born in a dirty, smelly livestock pen in Bethlehem. The Gospel of Luke recorded specific historical details about the birth of Christ, linking the event to a specific time and place in human history. The Gospel of John proclaims, In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1: 4, English Standard Version). Christ came! The Gospel of John later recounts Jesus saying that He came not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17, New King James Version). Adams column also quoted American poet James Lowell Russell: I challenge any skeptic to find a ten square mile spot on this planet where they can live their lives in peace and safety and decency, where womanhood is honored, where infancy and old age are revered, where they can educate their children, where the Gospel of Jesus Christ has not gone first to prepare the way. No government, nor any system thereof devised by any politician, can solve our problems. At their root, our problems are spiritual problems. The spiritual problems of this world can only be solved by the One Who came to save us. The benefits to humanity and the blessings that flow from the birth of Christ are interwoven in human history. It is the single most important event in The Lord God Almightys direct action in human history, and because He has done so on our behalf, we all immeasurably benefit. May the Peace of God and the glad tidings of Salvation in Christ Jesus fill your hearts with Joy! Merry Christmas! Jeff M. Lewis is a Christian, a native of North Carolina, a husband, father, Veteran, and former professional pilot. Theres no doubt that Christmas is, for America, the most thoroughly celebrated holiday of the year. We close our schools for a couple of weeks. We spend an astounding amount of money on gifts that we wrap with elaborate paper and ribbons which we throw away. We spend time with family -- joyously or sacrificially. We tell our children that eight flying deer and a heavy-set guy with a big bag of toys will land on our roofs, scrunch down our chimneys (even if we dont have one). We convince these gullible children that this old guy will fill their stockings, which are way too small, with gifts way too large. He will do this for all the worlds children in one night. One of his deer has a red nose. We travel -- home mostly. We deck the halls with dead (or plastic) trees festooned with lights and glitzy, traditional baubles. We decorate cookies, hang lights around our rooflines, blow up giant rent-a-Santas, and hang rings of greenery on our front doors. If troops of Martians landed their drones (and this year they might) during this season theyd most certainly be confused. Whats with the red-suited guys in fake white beards ringing bells outside stores -- why do people walk by and throw some coins in a pot? Even more weird is the man in a similar outfit sitting on a throne in the mall apparently fondling other peoples kids. Some of the kids cry, which is the first thing the ETs see that makes sense. Should these spacemen do some research to figure out all this nonsense, theyd be even more muddled. What about any of this is connected to a baby born in a village just south of Jerusalem, 2,000 years ago? Whats with the accounts fixation on the young mother being a virgin? What about the guys on the camels? And for pitys sake, what does this baby have to do with the pudgy guys in the red suits? Well, no one ever said that mankind is reasonable. The best that can be said about an American Christmas is that its an equal-opportunity holiday. It comes in a myriad of different forms in the same span of time and in the same places which makes the traditions hard to separate into tidy file folders. Though the holiday purports to honor the birth of Jesus, the Christmas season was a time of merriment long before Christ took on human form, before Christianity materialized. It was the time of the winter solstice, a time of darkness and cold, a time that needed a reason for a party. The Germans are credited with the first form of this winter celebration -- decorating their homes with pine boughs. This was accompanied with partying -- the wine was ready, the meat unspoiled, and there was little farm work to be done. Put a yule log in the fireplace, drink, feast, and sing songs. The days will, at last, be getting longer. But what about the birth of Christ? We dont really know when that happened -- some sources say 1 B.C, some say 4 B.C. -- either way, not on 0. The Bible doesnt say; it does mention the leaders of the time -- Caesar Augustus, Herod, Quirinius, so we have some historical references we can consult. It isnt until Constantine in the third century that an official date for the Jesus Christmas is set. We must remember that the Bible never gives us a mandate to celebrate this birth. We have specific holidays demanded of the Jews -- seven feasts throughout the year. Thats not counting Hanukkah, which celebrates the rededication of the Temple after the victory of the Maccabees in the 2nd century B.C. That feast also happens during this Christmas season which adds to the confusion. We could stir in Kwanza and Festivus if they were real holidays -- thankfully theyre not. Christians are only commanded to celebrate communion (Do this in remembrance of me.) -- but when and how often is up to each church or denomination. Christmas is not biblically required, but we love it anyway. No story is lovelier than the birth story in Luke 2. So how do we best deal with this mongrel of a holiday? A couple of years ago one of my Sunday School students, during a break, began to lecture the younger students about Saint Nicholas, repeating no doubt something she had learned in school. Her younger sister interrupted her and, looking at me, said, Yeah, yeah, yeah -- but what I want to know is how did he get to be magic? These little girls come to church with their grandmother -- I dont know their parents well enough to know what they tell their kids about Santa. I held my breath -- how should I answer? God came to my rescue and the lecturer carried on with her speech and the moment passed. Whew. But this little story illustrates one of the strangest things we do in the honor of Christmas -- we lie to our children. The other thing we do is get thoroughly stressed. Since weve convinced our children of Santas magic, theres no limit to what our kids might expect from him, and since the parents are the understudies for this jolly old elf, they have a big job to do. There are also gifts to buy for everyone from old Aunt Martha to the paper boy. Where did this gift giving frenzy come from? We Christians turn to the Wise Men for an explanation. They are unlikely to have arrived in Bethlehem from the east (Babylon?) on the night of Christs birth -- unless the star they followed would have given them a head start. Some believe that the birth might have taken place in the fall and, judging from astronomical calculations, might have brought them to the star, and to Jesus on the 25th. They might have presented their gifts -- gold, frankincense, and myrrh -- on that date. We also send Christmas cards -- an activity Ive finally ceased to perform, and judging from my mail, so have most other folks. And we feast and if youre the cook, theres work to be done. We drink too, and then there are pounds to be lost. We go to Christmas plays featuring our children playing Mary or Joseph or one of the sheep. We drive around town enjoying the Christmas lights. We get on Zoom calls with those we miss but will not see. We sing and play Christmas carols. We manage all this no matter what interesting twists Mother Nature throws our way. Its no wonder that were all stressed. And we do this, whether or not Jesus Christ is a central part of our lives. As Christians, we are often accused of forcing our religion on the culture. I beg to differ. Christmas has room for us all. As it should. After all, Jesus Christ, the second person of the Godhead, arrived on earth as a human child for the purpose of providing salvation for all those who accept that, the greatest gift of all -- the opportunity for an eternity of joy and love and peace. God rest ye merry gentlemen. Deana Chadwell is an adjunct professor and department head at Pacific Bible College https://pacificbible.edu in southern Oregon. She teaches writing, logic, and literature. She can be contacted at 1window45@gmail.com Image: PickPik It is arguably the most iconic image from the American Revolution. You can find drawings, paintings, and sculptures commemorating its significance in town halls, courthouses, libraries, churches, and veterans associations throughout the country. Variations were once commonly displayed in homes, schools, and businesses. Is it Paul Reveres historic engraving of the Boston Massacre? Or Emanuel Leutzes famous Washington Crossing the Delaware? Or perhaps John Trumbulls The Declaration of Independence? Those are all good answers, but the image of which I write is of George Washington kneeling in silent prayer near the Continental Armys winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in December 1777. You can conjure that picture in your mind almost immediately the tall, striking figure of General George Washington with knee and sword touching the snowy ground, his military coat draped around his shoulders, his cocked hat removed and at his side, his bare fingers firmly interlaced, and his head bowed in solemn contemplation. To his right stands Blueskin, Washingtons strong and noble war horse whose fearlessness during battle was well known. Blueskins whitish-gray coat blends with Washingtons whitish-grey wig, while the war horses visibly cold breath blends with the frigid Pennsylvania snow. A ray of morning light crosses before the general and his loyal companion, as both man and horse appear intimately aware of Gods presence. When you think of that image, you can feel the chill. You can hear the crunching of frozen snow beneath their feet. You can briefly experience the weight of responsibility one man bore to shape his nations destiny. You can almost walk into that moment during the winter of 1777, when so few sacrificed so much for all of us alive today. Our emotional bond to that instant in time reflects our recognition that Washingtons prayer is also our countrys birth. The most famous depiction of that moment today is Arnold Fribergs The Prayer at Valley Forge, which the artist produced for the bicentennial of the United States. President Reagan prominently displayed Fribergs painting in the White House while he was in office. The most sublime picture in American history, the president noted, is of George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. That image personifies a people who know that its not enough to depend on our own courage and goodness. We must also seek help from God our father and preserver. Even in this cynical age, Americans know the truth of Reagans words. In Fribergs painting, we see the Father of America in humble supplication before Our Father Who art in Heaven. There can be no America, in other words, without Gods continued blessing. Christmas at Valley Forge was rough. The British, having defeated the Continental Army at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, easily captured the colonial capital of Philadelphia in the weeks that followed. For the Americans, the loss was an enormous strategic and emotional blow. General Washington was forced to withdraw and seek winter shelter for 12,000 soldiers, wives, and children. Valley Forge offered a defensible plateau about a days march from Philadelphia, but British raids had left American troops with dwindling supplies. By December, the fugitive Second Continental Congress granted General Washington authority to direct the war at his discretion. At the same time, after the loss of Philadelphia, some members questioned whether he should remain commander-in-chief. Perhaps because of this uncertainty, Congress failed to fix severe deficiencies in the Continental supply chains meant to reach Valley Forge. Washingtons men lacked winter clothes, shoes, and food. They were forced to build makeshift shelters in the freezing cold. The wartime settlement was the fourth largest community in the colonies. The fate of the Revolution depended on whether weary colonial troops could survive a brutal winter. Tragically, some two thousand succumbed to cold, hunger, and disease. However, the difficult Christmas at Valley Forge forged a formidable army. Washington wrote that there had never been an instance of an armys suffering such uncommon hardships as ours has done and bearing them with the same patience and fortitude. To see men without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lie on, without shoes (for the want of which their marches might be traced by the blood from their feet), and almost as often without provisions as with them, marching through the frost and snow, and at Christmas taking up their winter quarters within a days march of the enemy, without a house or a hut to cover them till they could be built, and submitting without a murmur, is a proof of patience and obedience which in my opinion can scarce be paralleled. The resiliency of Washingtons troops was also proof of his remarkable leadership. Throughout their terrible ordeal at Valley Forge, General Washington admonished his soldiers to fear God, to put away wickedness ... and to practice Christian virtues. Martha Washington, who joined her husband for part of each winter encampment, encouraged others through her presence and submission to privation and by strengthening the fortitude of those who might have complained ... giving hope and confidence to the desponding. She soothed the distresses of many sufferers, seeking out the poor and afflicted with benevolent kindness, extending relief wherever it was in her power. Together, General and Lady Washington provided tremendous spiritual leadership during a time of tremendous physical suffering. It was from this Christmas season that various accounts later emerged of General Washingtons early morning prayers. Although twentieth-century historians questioned whether Washingtons Prayer at Valley Forge is more American myth than American history, there are numerous contemporary descriptions of the great man praying for Gods protection and guidance. Officers recorded in their own writings General Washingtons habit of praying each morning and whenever he presumed to be alone. Washington regularly encouraged others to be obedient servants of God. A Lutheran minister named Henry Muhlenberg observed of Washingtons Christian virtue: Therefore, the Lord God has also singularly, yea, marvelously preserved him from harm in the midst of countless perils, ambuscades, fatigues, etc., and has hitherto graciously held him in his hand as a chosen vessel. George Washington continually sought Gods blessing, and he continually directed those under his command to be Gods instruments here on Earth. Those facts are often overlooked in modern history books. Heartfelt prayer at Valley Forge did work. Food, clothing, blankets, and ammunition eventually arrived. The alliance with France and the arrival of the Marquis de Lafayette boosted colonial morale. A Prussian drillmaster named Baron von Steuben turned Washingtons volunteer army into a disciplined unit. Weeks before they should have run the Schuylkill River, protein-rich shad fish swam up to the Valley Creek. Soldiers starving for food and encouragement found both. In their own way, each event was its own miracle at Valley Forge. Writer Rick Chromey observes that despite the hardships experienced at Valley Forge, soldiers optimistically sang this carol together: God rest ye, merry gentlemen / Let nothing you dismay / Remember Christ our Savior / Was born on Christmas-day / To save poor souls from Satans power / Which long time had gone astray / And it is tidings of comfort and joy. Following General Washingtons lead, they put their faith and hopes for salvation in the hands of Almighty God. As stories of Valley Forge reached American colonists, a shared national bond formed around the armys suffering. The soldiers sacrifice united disparate peoples into one country. One story, however, transcended the rest that of General George Washington praying in the Pennsylvania snow. That image was treasured and reproduced and passed through each generation to the present. Those who fought and died for America sent us a clear message: there can be no America unless we Americans are obedient to God. This Christmas, let us listen to our ancestors. Let us bow our heads. And let us pray. Image via Pixabay. For leftists, history isnt a matter of facts from which one learns (or that merely entertain). Instead, history is something to be manipulated to gain and maintain power. Orwell, who saw communists in action during the Spanish Civil War, wrote about the memory hole in 1984 based on having seen the communists instantly delete or rewrite past or current events to achieve present goals. This year, leftists are on fire to rewrite the story of Christ, casting him as a Palestinian refugee. Nothing could be further from the truth. First, Jesus was not a refugee but a resident of Nazareth whose family was required to go to Bethlehem for a census: Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-6) [snip] When Jesus parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. (Luke 2:39) Second, Jesus was not a Palestinian. The Bible is clear that he was born in Judea: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea... (Matthew 2:1) So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem... (Luke 2:4) The Bible is equally clear that Jesus was Jewish: ...Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? (Matthew 2:2) Jesuss lineage, from the House of David, is Jewish, for David is the most famous ancient Jewish king. Notably, the New Testament reports of Christs birth, life, death, and resurrection were all written in the first century A.D., when the land was known throughout the Roman world as Judea. It was only in the early part of the second century, possibly in response to the Bar Kokhba revolt, that Rome sought to erase the Jews 1,800-year-long ties to the land by renaming Judea Syria Palestina, in honor of the Philistines whom King David had vanquished. However, even after the Romans renamed Judea, Christians knew the truth. In 354 A.D., only three centuries after Christs death and resurrection, a chronology stated, 25 Dec.: natus Christus in Betleem Judeae (December 24th, Christ born in Bethlehem, Judea). Those are facts: Jesus, a Jew, descended from the Jewish house of David, was born in Bethlehem in Judea when his family went there for a temporary stay to be counted in a census before returning to their home in Nazareth, which had been part of the Kingdom of Israel, before becoming a vassal state. However, leftists dont like those facts. Thats why the Pope stared approvingly at a creche that had Jesus lying on a keffiyeh, the symbol of the PLO, Hamas, and other terrorist groups dedicated to killing all Jews. And thats also why Bear Grylls put out this bit of revisionist tripe: HAPPY CHRISTMAS! In these next few days billions of us around the world celebrate the birth of a Middle Eastern refugee who, 2,000 years ago, changed the course of the world forever. Let me tell you some of his story. This is just a short extract from near the beginning of the pic.twitter.com/wPamS3Cg6v Bear Grylls OBE (@BearGrylls) December 24, 2024 HAPPY CHRISTMAS! In these next few days billions of us around the world celebrate the birth of a Middle Eastern refugee who, 2,000 years ago, changed the course of the world forever. Let me tell you some of his story. This is just a short extract from near the beginning of the adventure. When Maryam, a young, poor, and no doubt terrified Palestinian girl, gives birth in a run-down animal pen, to a baby who was foretold for hundreds of years. Yet she was not alone. And she never would be. Because this was the moment that God Almighty broke into our fallen world in person To many of us, it is undoubtedly: The Greatest Story Ever Told. X users quickly schooled him: Mary was not Palestinian, you buffoon. She was a Jew, from Judea, whose son was born 135 years before the region was renamed Syria-Palestina by the conquering Romans (specifically, by the emperor Hadrian) to strip it of its Jewish identity like you just did. Ben B@dejo (@BenTelAviv) December 24, 2024 You intentionally erased Marys Jewish identity. You called her by the transliterated Arabic Maryam instead of transliterated Hebrew Miryam / Miriam, called Judea Palestine twice in the video and called her Palestinian in the text of your post (even though the Ben B@dejo (@BenTelAviv) December 24, 2024 You intentionally erased Marys Jewish identity. You called her by the transliterated Arabic Maryam instead of transliterated Hebrew Miryam / Miriam, called Judea Palestine twice in the video and called her Palestinian in the text of your post (even though the conquering Romans only renamed it Syria-Paelestina 135 years after Jesus was born) and excluded any mention of the fact that she was a Jewish woman. Disgusting. This is Erasive Antisemitism. Jesus was a Jew. His mother was a Jew. The community in which he grew up was Jewish. The land from which eh came was Jewish. To say otherwise is to erase Jews and Jewishness from history. It is racism. Ben M. Freeman (@BenMFreeman) December 24, 2024 Brutal. pic.twitter.com/beHqPdcCSt Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) December 24, 2024 Facts are stubborn things, but even stubborn things can be folded, spindled, and mutilated beyond all recognition. It is up to the worlds honest and moral people to fight back, and no fight is bigger than sticking to the Biblical truth about Jesus Christ, especially on the day given to honoring his birth. Image: A 15th-century nativity by Roger van der Weyden, set in the beauty of Flanders. Public domain. Thought that the elderly man with a poor memory defense was only a one-off, reserved for old, slow, Joe Biden? Well, think again, because lawyers for Michael Jeffries, the disgraced former boss at fashion brand Abercrombie & Fitch, are arguing that Jeffries may not be able to face the sex charges hes been hit with because (like Biden) hes likely suffering from serious cognitive impairment due to suspected dementia. Sure its silly, but its not that much of a long-shot as it just worked for Biden! In October, the feds officially charged Jeffries (and two others) with more than a dozen sex crimes, including sex trafficking and prostitution. According to the statement released by the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Eastern District of New York, federal prosecutors accused Jeffries and his pals of running a bait-and-switch prostitution ring, hiring men for industry (sex) events under the guise of modeling contracts and legitimate work, but instead pimping them out at sex events. Here is one disturbing specific allegation: On more than one occasion, Jeffries and Smith directed others to inject, or personally injected, men with an erection-inducing substance for the purpose of causing the men to engage in sex acts the men were incapable or unwilling to engage in. I mean, if this is true, its horrific, and in a just world, Jeffries and his two co-defendants would pay for these crimes but this is coming on the heels of the president of the United States being deemed too feeble-minded to stand trial for his wrongdoing, and the world just goes onand he still gets to run the nation. As the nation progressed to being more and more liberal/left, so went the justice system. If you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. Please consider supporting our work by becoming a member today. Image from X. Over the weekend, President-elect Trump stated that he intended to declare Mexico's drug cartels 'terrorist' organizations and come after them. As Reuters reported: "I will immediately designate the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations," Trump said. While in office in 2019, Trump shelved such a plan at the request of Mexico's then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who said he wanted U.S. cooperation on fighting drug gangs, not intervention. Some U.S. officials had also privately expressed misgivings that the measure could damage relations with Mexico and hinder the Mexican government's fight against drug trafficking. Trump's official election platform says that when he takes office he will order the Pentagon to use "special forces, cyber warfare, and other covert and overt actions to inflict maximum damage on cartel leadership, infrastructure, and operations." The Reuters report is kind of dull plain-vanilla reporting. The Los Angeles Times report, though, by two experienced foreign correspondents, is pretty interesting: One of the more surprising foreign policy ideas the Trump team has proposed on the eve of its ascension to power is military intervention in Mexico to go after drug cartels and possibly stop migrants headed to the United States. The idea seemed so wild and provocative siccing U.S. troops on a peaceful neighbor that Mexican officials figured it was nothing more than Trump bluster aimed at revving up his base. But now President-elect Donald Trumps choice of Ronald D. Johnson to serve as ambassador to Mexico has them wondering if he is serious. Johnson is both a former U.S. military officer a Green Beret and a former CIA official. And in his previous post as U.S. ambassador to El Salvador, Johnson was an enthusiastic enforcer of Trumps policies in support of its president, Nayib Bukele, an authoritarian widely accused of human rights abuses in a massive crackdown on gangs and in silencing dissent. It seems to be concentrating their minds as they add two and two. From them, we are starting to see headlines like these -- this one from Reuters a few hours ago: Mexico's president may be toughening fight with drug cartels But the most vivid response to these threats from Trump are coming from the little guys, the ordinary Mexicans who have to live through cartel activity -- from threats, to violence, to shakedowns, to theft, to absent visitors. Arturo Sarukhan is a respected Mexican ambassador from a previous administration, I've met him several times and he's a nice guy even if I don't always agree with him but often do. He put out this tweet in Spanish, as the view of a Mexican diplomat representing Mexico's establishment from the more conservative side: Mas alla de que muchos aplaudan en #Mexico que Trump anuncie que designara a organizaciones criminales operando en nuestro pais como organizaciones terroristas internacionales (FTOs, por las siglas en ingles), esta decision conlleva muchas secuelas que se siguen sin Amb. Arturo Sarukhan (@Arturo_Sarukhan) December 23, 2024 Google Translate has it this way in English: Even though many people applaud #Mexico Trump's announcement that he will designate criminal organizations operating in our country as international terrorist organizations (FTOs), this decision carries with it many consequences that are still not properly measured, but also the opportunity for the Mexican government to do Jiu-jitsu with this designation if it is given. 1) What is not processed in Mexico: To begin with, designating them as terrorists will only deepen the militarization of the fight against drug trafficking; the problem is aggravated because when the only tool you have is a hammer, all problems look like nails. That is the reason why, first with Bush and then with Obama (and the respective legislatures, whether with a Democratic or Republican majority), that possibility was ultimately ruled out after bilateral consultations with Mexico. The designation of criminal groups as FTOs also has consequences for trade, financial and economic relations. A country in which FTOs exist may be subject to measures suspending benefits from trade agreements or the imposition of trade sanctions, freezing the assets of Mexican nationals or companies in the US, the suspension of interbank relations with US banks, regulation and control of remittances, or the obligation of the US to vote against credit lines to Mexico and programs of multilateral economic organizations such as the World Bank, the IMF or the IDB. The decision also implies the potential suspension of visas to that nation. 2) The two opportunities that open up for Mexico if this decision is implemented: Any American who illegally sells a weapon that is trafficked to Mexico or sells weapons to drug traffickers, or launders drug trafficking proceeds, will ipso facto become an accomplice to terrorism, and the Mexican government should pressure them to be treated as such in the United States. One of the most important lessons - and tools - of the United States in the fight against international terrorism after 2001 was the use of a very aggressive policy - inter-agency and centralized in the Treasury Department - to detect, combat and prevent money laundering that fed fundamentalist terrorism, and which largely explains why there has not been a terrorist attack on U.S. soil since then. That experience should be used by Mexico to underline that this approach - instead of eradication, interdiction or arrest of bosses - must be the spearhead in the fight against international organized crime. So I do not agree with those in Mexico who celebrate this potential decision starting January 20, even though it is the direct result of Lopez Obrador's policies against organized crime and the evisceration of bilateral cooperation with the US in matters of security. But if it does happen, it will undoubtedly open up opportunities - for positioning, narrative and bilateral public policy - that the Mexican government should not waste. Read that last translated paragraph again: "those in Mexico who celebrate this potential decision starting January 20." I tweeted that I was surprised to hear that anyone was celebrating this talk from Trump and was inundated by tweets from ordinary Mexicans saying that day couldn't come soon enough. It's anecdotal of course, contingent on which Mexicans read Sarukhan's tweets, but there was so much of it, I was taken aback -- Mexicans really don't like this cartel activity and their government's inaction on it and some actually welcome Trump's threat to invade their country. The thread is here but here are a few choice tweet replies from Mexicans in Mexico to give the flavor. (I am sorry that so many felt they needed to reply in English for me, Google translate works great on tweets so they didn't need to put themselves out, but the fact that they did tells us they really wanted us here to know this): We're cheering because we are tired of being abused, of living with fear and without freedom, tired of paying taxes and extrortion, we don't reserve this. Hope Trumps make this hell less hot. mismo Cambo (@againCambo) December 23, 2024 The thing is "Mexico" meaning the government, not the Mexicans,is on the side of the cartels. They are not going to do anything. As a Mexican citizen, I welcome Trump's decision. Yes, there will be consequences but I don't believe they'll be worse than it currently is. Luis Heimpel (@lrheimpel) December 23, 2024 Mexican government arrived to power thanks to cartels, how would they become serious against them? Fernando Bautista Reyes (@FerBauRe) December 23, 2024 Is not some mexican, but maybe the 95% of us. The barbarian marines are better than the barbarian cartels Sounds good to me about an Americans citizen sell a weapon to the new terrorist can fall under arrest. Perfect match! Norepinefrina (@CmteNore) December 23, 2024 Exactly, not only that. Many of us believe the government are colluded with the organized crime. Maria Ruiz Varela M.Sc. (@mariaruizv) December 23, 2024 In the "morena" administrations they are accomplices. The cartels have financed their political campaigns, which is why they do not fight them. JManuel Ele (@jomalou1) December 23, 2024 Is that a consensus or what? This is a great unreported story for some enterprising reporter who can get out to Mexico on this -- the Mexicans will give them an earful on how they support Trump's threat to invade Mexico and hose out the cartels. As the press won't report this, maybe the Trump team will get wind of it on Twitter -- there seem to be hints of a groundswell of public support for Trump taking action against the cartel monsters making life hell for ordinary Mexicans. In a way, it's just like Trump's 2016 taco bowl stunt, which Mexicans were supposed to be outraged about, but actually kind of enjoyed. Trump probably knows more about ordinary Mexicans and how they see things than anyone supposes. Image: Screen shot from shareable Facebook post What most people dont know is that, for around 1,600 years, the papacy, while it hasnt embraced the Jews (obviously), has been the Jews protector. The papacy recognized that Jews and Christians are family, bound together by the God of the Old and New Testaments. More recently, the papacy has recognized that leftism, which seeks to destroy a Biblical world, is the Jews and Christians common enemy. Pope Franciss increasingly openly expressed enmity toward Israel, the worlds only Jewish state, marks a profound break with this tradition and speaks to my personal belief that his values are informed more by Marx than by Jesus. In the sixth century, Pope Gregory the Great issued the Constitutio pro Iudaeis, holding that Jews were not to be molested, should be protected from violence, and could freely practice their religion. He didnt envision them having equal civil rights, but again, this was in the sixth century. Subsequent popes kept this policy in effect. In the early 12th century, Pope Calixtus II issued the Sicut Judaeis, a bull that most medieval popes reissued for three more centuries. It essentially affirmed Gregory the Greats mandate. Wikipedia writes, The bull forbade, besides other things, Christians from forcing Jews to convert, or to harm them, or to take their property, or to disturb the celebration of their festivals, or to interfere with their cemeteries, on pain of excommunication. Of course, the popes were products of their time, so they put limitations on the Jews (clothing, intermarriage, having power over Christians, etc.), but within the parameters of the Middle Ages, the papacy was not the Jews enemy but their protector. Even Pope Innocent III, who held that office from 1198-1216 during the First Crusades and was viewed as unusually hostile to the Jews, basically reaffirmed the same points: Leave Jews alone but dont give them civil rights or authority. For European Jews, being left alone wasnt a bad thing. During WWII, Pope Pius XII did what he could to protect the Jews, given the limitations imposed upon him by geography and, of course, his lack of practical power versus his spiritual authority. Although his primary responsibility was to protect the Church in the face of Nazi hostility to Christianity (the Nazis used the church but were pagans), he sought to bring the Jews within the embrace of his spiritual authority. Thus, in his 1939 encyclical, Summi Pontificatus, he wrote, There is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, and emphasized the commonality of these two Biblical faiths. The Nazis brutally attacked Catholics who tried openly to protect Jews, as well as slaughtering the Jews who sought help from the church. Pope Pius responded by working with the underground to try to spirit Jews out of Nazi-occupied territory. He was a good man who did his best under completely untenable circumstances. During WWII, John Paul II, when he was already studying to become a priest in Poland, aided Jews in escaping the Nazis. He was a great friend to Israel and the Jewish people during his papacy. And while Pope Benedict was conscripted into the Hitler Youth during his lifetime (as required by law), theres no indication that he was antisemitic. As pope, while he was not as philosemitic as John Paul II, he was not an enemy of the Jews or Israel. And then theres Francis. Pope Francis came out of Latin American Liberation Theology, which was a deliberate Soviet effort to eat away at the Latin American Church from within. On issue after issue, hes made openly Marxist pronouncements on matters that have little to do with the church. Indeed, he opened his papacy by taking a Marxist line on economics. Hes also weighed in on the death penalty, indigenous people, the COVID vaccination, and climate change, always from a hard-left perspective dressed up in religious language. When it comes to the faith, Francis has been strongly opposed to abortion and ordaining women. However, his softening on homosexuality has been entirely inconsistent with the churchs long history, and reflects societal changes the left has wrought. And then theres Israel. Although a Jewish nation, Israel gives its citizens full civil rights, regardless of sex, race, religion, etc. This means that there is complete freedom of worship in Israel. Meanwhile, in Gaza and the West Bank, Jews are forbidden, while Christians are either expelled or slaughtered. Nevertheless, Franciss heart is with the Muslimsanother Marxist trait. Wikipedia nicely summarizes Franciss statements since October 7: Francis condemned Hamass October 2023 attack on Israel. He also criticized Israels actions in the Gaza Strip during the IsraelHamas war, saying that terror should not justify terror and describing Israels airstrikes as cruelty, this is not war. He condemned the killing of two Palestinian Christian women by an IDF sniper in Gaza, calling it terrorism. Throughout the war, Francis has called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the establishment of a two-state solution. He has communicated with the sole parish of Gaza daily since the start of the war. In November 2024, Pope Francis suggested that the international community should investigate whether Israels campaign in Gaza is a genocide of the Palestinian people. [Hyperlinks and endnotes omitted.] Francis seems to have missed entirely (a) the fact that Hamas has fired over 10,000 rockets at Israels civilian centers since October 7, (b) that Israel has gone to extraordinary lengths to protect and feed Gazas civilian population, a population that overwhelmingly supports Hamas's openly expressed genocidal intentions toward Israel, and (c) that the casualty figures out of Gaza are all lies. Undeterred by facts, the Pope has now accused Israel of machine-gunning children in Gaza: Let us pray for a ceasefire on all war fronts, in Ukraine, the Holy Land, in all the Middle East and the entire world, at Christmas, the pontiff said in his weekly Angelus address Sunday. And with sorrow I think of Gaza, of so much cruelty; of the children machine-gunned, the bombing of schools and hospitals So much cruelty! [snip] Sundays commentary was the second time Pope Francis accused Israel of cruelty in just one weekend, having said Saturday that Israels war on Hamas in Gaza goes beyond warfare and constitutes cruelty. Speaking to members of the Roman Curia in his annual Christmas address, Francis remarked on Israeli airstrikes on Friday that killed at least 25 Palestinians in Gaza, including 7 children. Yesterday, children were bombed. This is cruelty. This is not warfare, Francis said. I want to say this because it moves the heart. I honestly dont know whether the Popes pronouncements are because those around him feed him only pro-Hamas propaganda or if he hates Israel so much that he ignores anything thats not pro-Hamas propaganda. Theres also the possibility that Franciss weird support for Muslims may be because hes engaging in the equivalent of paying Danegeld. He thinks that if hes mean to Israel, Muslims will stop killing the worlds Christians. Hes deluded if he believes this. The best way to protect Christians is to speak out against Muslim depredations against both Jews and Christians. His shrinking confidence in defending the faith is part of the problem, not a solution. The only thing I know with certainty is that Pope Francis is breaking with an approximately 1,600-year-old papal tradition by becoming an enemy of the Jews. Image: X screen grab. One of President Trumps major mandates in the coming year is to cut wasteful government spending. Senator Rand Paul has provided a roadmap in the form of his annual Festivus Report, which details all the crazy, stupid, offensive, and un-American things long-suffering taxpayers are fundingto the tune of over one trillion dollars for the whole 2024 package! I urge you to read the report yourself so that you can fully understand how out-of-control our government has become, but here are just a few of the highlights from 2024: The Agency for International Development has budgeted $20,000,000 of your dollars to recreate Sesame Street in Iraq. The point, of course, is inclusion and respect. Yup. USAID is doing Muppet diplomacy. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) gave $10,000 of your dollars to the Bearded Ladies Cabareta queer cabaret arts organizationto fund an ice-skating show about climate change. Thats one way to show youre really serious about climate change. Image (edited) by Grok AI. The NEA has also given $385,000 for art displays in New York along the High Line. The High Line is a nice walking path suspended across a high-end part of New York. And now, thanks to your taxpayer dollars, the High Line will be even more high-end. Meanwhile, New York is drowning in feces, crazy people, criminals, and illegal aliens. But, come to think of it, those vices are things NYC has welcomed through its policies, so I cant say that I really care. The National Science Foundation spent $288,563 so bird watchers can have affinity groupspresumably places where trans, non-binary, biracial, yet still black lesbians can safely watch birds together. What started out as a hobby is now an expensive, taxpayer-funded boondoggle. The State Department gave $66,830 of your dollars to fight misinformation in Bosnia. More accurately, thats $66,830 in 2024. Since 2010, however, Bosnia has received a total of $253,363 of your money, all to fight misinformation. I cant even... The Department of Defense spent over $10,000,000 of your dollars to slice open male cats spinal cords to implant electrodes that fired electric shocks to give the cats erections before finally severing the spinal cord entirely. It used the same types of electric shocks to get the cats to defecate marbles planted in their rectums. Presumably, the purpose behind these ghastly experiments is to help troops suffering from spinal cord injuries, but this seems excessively weird, cruel, and expensive. And then theres the $7,026,689 of your dollars that our government has been handing out in the name of magic. I have to admit that I just picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone for the first time since it was published in America. Its a freebie on Amazon Prime, and I was looking for something light. Id forgotten what a delightful book it isand how much better than the movies. Having said that, I do not want to spend $388,863 on a podcast about magic, $250,000 on an exhibit about magic lanterns, $94,006 to study the old Magic School Bus show, or $6,293,820 for the DODs Magic City Discovery Center. None of thats magic. Its all just a scam. The money mantra goes like this: We are most careful about price and quality when we are using our own money to buy things for ourselves. We are less careful about price and quality when we are using our own money to buy things for others. We arent careful at all about price and quality when we are using other peoples money to buy things for others. Ill add a fourth bullet point to that mantra: We are recklessly profligate with taxpayer money when we are politicians spending it on things that bring no benefit whatsoever to the taxpayers, but that can be used to buy votes. Our government has become grotesque and needs to be reined in. DOGE: Go to work! First off, we have the original boneyard shrine to Richard M. Nixon who managed to rise up from the dead before he fell again. After losing a squeaker to John F. Kennedy, he then lost the California governors contest to Jerry Browns father -- after which he uttered the famous line You wont have tricky Dick Nixon to kick around anymore. And yet, he then became the only native Californian to reach the top of the political heap only to fall again. Heads are still being scratched over why some of his re-election operatives would commit such a risky act as the Watergate break-in when he was polling so far ahead of George McGovern during the entire campaign. Next, we have the special tomb of the woke-progressive district attorneys. Chesa Boudin was dumped during his first term by the voters of archetypically progressive San Francisco since he managed to gross even them out. Perhaps because both of his parents were convicted homicidal felons, he may have had a special love for those of the criminal persuasion. Recently the DA from across the Bay, Pamela Price, earned the same distinction, along with former SF police chief-turned LA district attorney George Gascon, who at least can still earn a living playing Kermit the Frog. Now, the construction project on your left is going to be the shrine for Kamala Harris, the first vice president to be raised by Marxists. Theres a joke going around that shes in line to replace Gavin Newsom as governor of California when hes termed out in 2026. We went ahead with construction anyhow, since the voters of California have already seen way too much of her and her obnoxious cackle. That high stone wall near the exit is the secure bunker where we sequester those who have willingly committed political suicide. The only occupant thus far is Liz[ard] Cheney. Being the sole representative for the entire state of Wyoming, she refused to actually represent her constituents and was promptly sent to the boneyard as a result. Just FYI, during the drafting of the Constitution, the Anti-Federalists wanted to have only one-year terms for representatives -- so there would be even greater direct representation by the peoples house. The two-year term was, however, the ultimate result. Image: AT via Magic Studio One of the big pieces of news over the past few years has been internal migration within America: People have fled Democrat-run states and headed to Republican-run states. Sadly, this trend wasnt reflected in the 2020 Census (which also counted illegal aliens in Blue states), so the House will have too many Democrat reps and too few Republican rep for several more years, but its still newsworthy. One of the states that lost the greatest number of residents was California. Conservatives pointed out that this wasnt a surprise, given that California is a high-tax, high-regulation, high-crime, high-homelessness, high-sexual-perversion-visited-on-children state. The fast-draining population was an indictment of leftist governance. However, California wants you to know that its back, baby! According to a report originally published in the Los Angeles Times, Californias population grew by almost a quarter of a million residents in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, a rebound that brings the state almost back to its pre-pandemic numbers. Well, thats impressive and would seem to put the lie to the contention that nobody wants to live in an expensive madhouse. However, the devil, as always, is in the details. As the article notes, California is still lagging behind states in the South, where people are running to seek fiscal and civil sanity. (By the way, the South had better be careful because some of those people are the same kind of blue state refugees who turned Colorado, once a stalwart conservative state, into a basket case wrapped in a cloud of marijuana smoke.) While Californias population gain of 232,570 people from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, represents the largest numeric population increase in the western states, it lagged behind Texas, which expanded its population by 562,941, and Florida, which grew by 467,347 people. Californias 0.6% population increase also fell short of the national average (0.9%) and was significantly outpaced by the District of Columbia (2.2%), Florida (2%) and Texas (1.8%). In other words, yes, Californias growing, but its still lagging behind the average American state. Its not an impressive accomplishment, but Gavin Newsoms team is still so proud: Gov. Gavin Newsoms office celebrated the Census Bureau estimate, released the same week that the California Department of Finance released data that also showed state population growth. People from across the nation and the globe are coming to the Golden State to pursue the California Dream and experience the success of the worlds fifth largest economy strengthening local communities, regional economies and our states future, said Brendan Richards, a spokesman for Newsom. Its only when you get to the 12th paragraph in the essay that you learn the real secret behind Californias population reboundimmigration. The essay is coy, but Im willing to bet that a lot of that immigration isnt of the legal variety: Californias population growth stems largely from international migration and natural population increases (the net result of births minus deaths) not domestic migration. [snip] The main driver of Californias population growth is people from outside the U.S. The state had the nations second largest net gain in international migration, attracting 361,057 people from other countries, short of Floridas 411,322, but ahead of Texas 319,569. Californians are also having babies, with a net gain of 110,466 people, just short of Texas 158,753. Just as Im willing to bet that the immigrants arent here legally, Im also willing to bet that this mini-baby boom isnt from legal citizens. (Texas, of course, has been the front line of illegal immigration, with many of the illegal aliens staying put in Texas.) California, of course, insists that the international migration driving the states population growth comes from legal immigration, but I have my doubts. I trust Californias official pronouncements as much as I do Bidens promise that he wasnt going to pardon Hunter. The LA Times essay strikes me as a perfect balance between truth and omission. Its also a reminder that, by 2030, Republicans had better nail down the fact that illegal aliens cannot be counted in the Census for representation in the House. Image (with added text) by Grok. An 88-year-old great-grandmother still receives a Christmas card every year from the German pen pal she has been writing to since she was 12. Sylvia Perkins, from Bermondsey, south-east London, started writing to Lisa Kull in Germany in 1948, while attending Monnow Road Girls School, as part of a school exchange after the Second World War. While the other pupils in her class ended their correspondence after the project was completed, Mrs Perkins continued writing to Mrs Kull, who is now 89. Despite never speaking on the phone or meeting in person, they have shared life updates and maintained the tradition of sending Christmas cards for the last 76 years. Sylvia started writing to Lisa while attending Monnow Road Girls School in Bermondsey (Sylvia Perkins/PA) We had this one English lesson where we were given this address, and we obviously wrote these letters, and I presume the school posted them, Mrs Perkins told the PA news agency. Then we were left to go our own way to keep it up and my mum encouraged me to keep writing. I can remember one Easter, my mum, who was a very smart dresser, bought this beautiful scarf for Lisa that we posted off at Easter. At our age now its just Christmas cards. Mrs Perkins said she was the only one in her class who continued to write letters. Im a stayer in that respect, and she must have been the same. She must have the same sort of temperament as me and I value this. Mrs Perkins said although the school exercise was initiated as a result of the war, she and Mrs Kull never spoke about it. I only know a very few words of German, but the first time she wrote to me her English was, and I mean even now is, perfect, she said. We didnt talk about the war. Her husband, Willie, I think was taken as a prisoner of war by the Russians. He didnt come home from Russia til five years after the war. Sylvia Perkins with her late husband Albert in the 1980s (Sylvia Perkins/PA) For her 50th birthday, Mrs Perkins daughter Joanne tried to arrange for Mrs Kull to come over to London but she was unable to because of her husbands ill health. While the two have never met in person or even spoken on the phone, their correspondence has been a consistent part of both their lives. Its just what we did in those days. I mean, we didnt have social media. It was pen and paper, wasnt it? said Mrs Perkins. Her most recent Christmas card from Mrs Kull reads: Dear Sylvia, another year is over, and we are one year older, 88 and 89 years. You are a great-grandmother and I am a great-grandmother to Yoshi, the new dog of my grandson, Jonas and his wife. 2024 was a good year with good health. I am in my house. For you and your family, a very happy Christmas and a healthy 2025. Yours, Lisa. Mrs Perkins said she looks forward to receiving Mrs Kulls card every Christmas to know she is still alive and well. Its one Christmas card a year, but I get that Christmas card and I think, whoopee, shes still going strong, she said. Soap actress Helen Worth thanked viewers for coming on the journey with me as she said farewell to her Coronation Street character Gail Rodwell after 50 years on the cobbles. Worth exited the soap in an emotional Christmas Day episode that saw Gail finally get her happy ending, as she married Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson) and said goodbye to her family and friends. After she had a nightmare in which her late serial killer ex-husband Richard Hillman tried to stop her marrying Jesse, Gail decided she wanted nothing more than to be Mrs Chadwick and to swap Weatherfield for a new life in France. The tears from her on-screen family were real as she was driven away down the cobbles, ITV said. Gail Rodwell and Jesse Chadwick leaving Coronation Street (ITV/PA) In a pre-recorded message shared on social media, which showed the actress sitting in her family living room on set, the 73-year-old said: Hello, all of you. Its wonderful to have this opportunity to say, ta ta!. Its been a fabulous 50 years, and I just wanted to thank all of you, some of you who may have been watching for 50 years. Is there anybody? And those of you whove been watching for a few years. Thank you. Thanks for coming on the journey with me. Ive had a wonderful time. Ive loved it all. All the stories, and of course, working with the wonderful Platts, which, for me, is what its all about. And therell be more Platt stories, and I hope youll be watching. Lots of love and thanks from me. Bye. A goodbye message from the woman herself. Thank you for everything, Helen Worth. #Corrie @ITV pic.twitter.com/6Trk16iGDZ Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) December 25, 2024 In the episode, Gail appeared at the altar where she vowed to adore Jesse to the day I die. I was a little mouse, I grew up in the shadow of a glamorous mother and glamorous friends, no-one expected I would amount to much little Gail Potter, pottering through life, she said. Ive been blessed and cursed, and now Im blessed again. It marks the end of half a century of playing the much-loved and often married Gail. Gail married her first husband Brian Tilsley, played by Christopher Quinten, in 1979 and they welcomed their first child, a son Nick, in 1980. Gail with Jesse Chadwick on their wedding day (ITV/PA) But their lives together became strained, with Gail divorcing him after having an affair with Brians cousin Ian Latimer. They later remarried when their daughter Sarah was born in 1987, but just a year later Brian was stabbed to death by a group of teenagers outside a nightclub. Following Brians death, Gail found herself in a relationship with Martin Platt, portrayed by Sean Wilson, who was 10 years her junior. Gail Rodwell and Jesse Chadwick at their wedding meal as her son David gives a speech (ITV/PA) They welcomed their son David in 1990 and married the following year before moving into the famous No 8 house with their children. After a decade together, the marriage fell apart in 2000 when Martin confessed to having an affair with Rebecca Hopkins, with the couple divorcing a year later. During the summer, Worths exit storyline was thrown into uncertainty after Wilson returned to the show briefly but later left for personal reasons. The actor, who had starred in the soap for more than two decades, later claimed he was axed when a historic assault allegation emerged which he denies. Meanwhile, Gails next marriage turned out to be her most tumultuous as husband Richard Hillman played by Brian Capron was a con artist and serial killer. Gail and Jesse on their wedding day (ITV/PA) After confessing his crimes to Gail, he attempted to murder Gail and her children by tying them up in the family car and driving them into the canal. The Platts were rescued from the water but Richard drowned, bringing his homicidal days to an end in 2003. Gail waited a while before diving into another marriage but she found herself in a secret relationship with Joe McIntyre, the father of Tina, who was dating Gails son David. Their relationship was discovered and the couple married in 2010 after Joe, played by Reece Dinsdale, sought help for his painkiller addiction issues. Their relationship also came to a dramatic end after Joe tried to fake his death to claim life insurance money, but drowned in the process. The Platt family as Coronation Street said farewell to Helen Worth after five decades on the soap (ITV/PA) Michael Rodwell (Les Dennis) was Gails fifth husband they first met when he attempted to burgle her house. They married in 2015, but split after a dispute over Michaels son. Not long after, Michael died from a heart attack in 2016. Having joined the cobbles in July 1974, Worths character has been a prominent figure in a number of explosive storylines gripping the soap over the years, with her ill-fated love life coming to define the character. In 2014, ITV honoured the long-serving actress with a documentary celebrating her 40 years on the soap with a one-off special titled Gail & Me. After being made an MBE for her services to drama in the Queens Birthday Honours in 2022, Worth told the PA news agency: To have had a job and one that I love, and to be able to work in it is quite extraordinary. And then to get an award for it is just the icing on the cake. Kay Granger, a Republican congresswoman, has been revealed to be living in a care home in Fort Worth, Texas - Tom Williams An 81-year-old congresswoman found in a Texas care home with dementia has sparked calls for a new generation of American politicians. Kay Granger, a Republican representative, was revealed earlier this week to be living in a care home in Fort Worth, explaining her months of absence from votes in Washington. Her son, Brandon Granger, told a local newspaper in Texas his mother had been having some dementia-related issues. In a statement released on Tuesday, Ms Granger said she had been navigating some unforeseen health challenges that had made travelling to vote in Congress both difficult and unpredictable. She said her staff had continued to work in her absence. The news has prompted fresh demands for a younger generation of politicians, following a presidential campaign cycle dominated by speculation about the age and health of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Mr Trump, 78, will become the oldest president to take office next month, overtaking the record set by Mr Biden in 2020. Politics in the White House and on Capitol Hill has been dominated by octogenarian politicians in recent years. In February, the Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, 82, announced he would stand down from his leadership role after health issues that saw him freeze in front of television cameras, apparently unable to continue speaking. Ms Granger said she had been navigating some unforeseen health challenges that had made travelling to vote in Congress both difficult and unpredictable - Tom Williams/Getty Images Ro Khanna, a 48-year-old California Democrat, said the latest revelations about Ms Grangers health were part of a long-running issue with Washingtons sclerotic gerontocracy. Kay Grangers long absence reveals the problem with a Congress that rewards seniority and relationships more than merit and ideas, he said. We have a sclerotic gerontocracy. We need term limits. We need to get big money out of politics so a new generation of Americans can run and serve. Tony Gonzales, a fellow Texas Republican, said he did not know his colleague had been moved to an assisted living facility. I think theres no doubt a lot of us knew that she was gaining in age, like a lot of members do, he told CBS. And, sadly, some of these members wait until its too long things have gone too far. Following his election last month, Mr Trump said he would make all official assessments of his health public, in line with White House precedent. None of his previous assessments, or those of Mr Biden, have suggested they are suffering with mental slowness. However, Mr Bidens age was a major factor in his decision to stand down from the presidential race earlier this year, after a disastrous debate performance against Mr Trump, in which he appeared to freeze and forget his talking points issues that he repeated on the campaign trail. Kari Lake, a former GOP senatorial candidate who Mr Trump has appointed to lead the state-funded Voice of America broadcaster, suggested Ms Granger had avoided telling her constituents about her health because of entrenched forces in Washington. Washington DC shouldnt be a retirement home, but the entrenched forces there are so desperate to hold on to power that they will reject fresh voices while pulling stunts like this, she said. Vladimir Putin, pictured with Bashar al-Assad in an Orthodox cathedral during a visit to Damascus, had counted on his ally to underpin his African project - Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP Russia has withdrawn the majority of its forces from Syria, weeks after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Vladimir Putins troops have vacated key positions, including the Qamishli base in northern Syria, Ukraines main military intelligence directorate has said. Russia still maintains a presence in coastal Syria at Khmeimim air base and the port of Tartus, but reports indicate it is preparing to either significantly draw down or withdraw fully. The withdrawal highlights Moscows shifting priorities, raising questions about its ability to maintain influence in the region amid ongoing instability. But it also raises doubts about Russias ability to project its power into Africa. A Russian military attack helicopter at Qamishli airport in north-eastern Syria, now abandoned by Moscows troops, earlier this month - Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images Control of the two main bases in Syria is vital for Kremlin missions to funnel aid, military kit and mercenaries to Africa, the core of Putins personal neo-colonialism project. He has deliberately fanned coups in west Africa, and dazzled its leaders with offers of cheap energy, grain, spy satellites and security as part of his global fight against the US and its allies. The Council on Foreign Relations, a US-based think tank, says of the Kremlins Africa project: Russias overarching goal is to gain more support for its vision of a multi-polar world order based on weakened Western influence. Wagner mercenaries boarding a helicopter in Mali, where the Russian group played a key role in supporting the military junta installed by a coup in 2020 - French army/via AP Analysts say Putin decided that the West was vulnerable in former European colonies in West Africa specifically Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and the Central African Republic. And so he targeted them. In Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, coups encouraged by Russia since 2021 have installed pro-Kremlin military juntas who have become regular guests to Moscow. Meanwhile, France and the US have been forced to dismantle military bases in the region. In return for backing these coups and the resulting military governments, Putin expects pro-Russia policies that include supporting its policies at the UN, blaming Ukraine and the US for global terrorism, and handing over the rights to valuable minerals and mines. But, there was one major obstacle to Putins plan to undermine the West through Africa. Supply lines. The route from Russia to west Africa is a long one, too long for heavily laden Russian cargo aircraft. And this was where Russias Khmeimim air base and Tartus naval base in Syria came in. They became vital cogs for the Kremlins resupply routes for west Africa. Control over naval and air bases in Syria is vital for Russian interests throughout Africa, said the US-based Atlantic Council think tank this week. Russian cargo planes could land at Khmeimim to refuel halfway to Libya, where Russia has also built a foothold by supporting rebels based in Benghazi, or roughly a third of the way through flights to west Africa. Khmeimim Russian solider guards a military convoy at Hmeimin air base in the Latakia coastal region of Syria - Umit Bektas/Reuters A Russian An-124 heavy transport aircraft with its nose cone lifted on the ground at Khmeimim air base - Maxar Technologies/via Reuters The Tartus base became Russias main replenishment and repair base in the Mediterranean Sea, giving the Russian navy a safe harbour and hub to project power and influence towards north Africa. The problem for the Kremlin now is that it doesnt have a deal with Syrias new Islamist government, which captured Damascus earlier this month, to allow it to keep control of these two bases. Samuel Ramani, an associate fellow at the RUSI think tank and the author of the book Russia in Africa, described the collapse of Assads regime as a geopolitical and status defeat for Russia that not only creates logistical problems but undermines its reputation with pro-Kremlin dictators in Africa. The Syrian model of counter-insurgency based on authoritarian stability was Russias main offering to autocracies in crisis in Africa, he said. Even Kremlin insiders have started to concede that the collapse of the Assad regime in 11 days means that Russia needs to rein in its global ambitions, and perhaps accept its role as a regional power. The collapse of the former Syria is bad news for Russia since its military presence there significantly expanded Moscows space of action in both the Middle East and Africa, wrote Fyodor Lukyanov, a Russian foreign affairs analyst. Last week, Russian forces in Syria were videoed pulling back from smaller forward operating bases to Khmeimim and Tartus. Rebels have been told not to attack Russian forces, but the Kremlin has said that it has not yet secured a hard deal to keep the bases. And, as John Foreman, a former Royal Navy officer who previously served as British military attache to Russia, explains, there are not many decent alternatives to these two bases as resupply and power-project points for the Kremlin. Libyan air bases are a poor substitute for Khmeimim in terms of facilities, runways, location, and security, he said. Russia has some leverage in east Libya, but it is reliant on getting permission from its allies there to use their harbours and air bases. This week US officials said that the Kremlin was in talks to upgrade port facilities in Libya. It has also flown out air defence systems from its bases in Syria to Libya. In Sudan, Russia is effectively sponsoring both sides in a civil war and is still trying to negotiate access to Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Both options are far more complicated, expensive and fragile than shifting kit and men through the Syrian bases. Which brings us back to west Africa. Fall in Russian activity predicted In Bamako, Malis capital, Ulf Laessing, director of the Sahel programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a German think tank, said that he anticipated a drop-off in Kremlin activity in the region because of the logistical problems created by the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. Its fair to say that Russia wont be able to expand any further, like Chad which they probably had in their sights, he said. I am also not sure they will be able to keep their current operations in Mali, Niger, Central African Republic or Burkina Faso at the same level. Essentially, the unravelling of Putins pet project in Syria, less than 10 years after his much-heralded intervention there, threatens to undermine his operations in Africa too. This week, Kaja Kallas, the EUs foreign affairs commissioner, said she was determined to convince Syrias new government to close Russias bases to cut the Kremlins influence in Africa. Syria was always the Achilles heel of the Kremlins African project. And Putins enemies know this. Twenty-nine people have survived after a passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines burst into flames as it crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan after veering hundreds of miles off its planned route. The flight was carrying 62 passengers and five crew members with 38 killed in the crash, according to Kazakhstans deputy prime minister, Kanat Bozumbayev. Kazakh authorities said the survivors, believed to include two children, were being treated in a nearby hospital. Azerbaijans foreign ministry said some were in critical condition. The plane was en route from Azerbaijans capital, Baku, to the Russian city of Grozny in Chechnya. A preliminary assessment suggested that both pilots had died in the crash, Russian news agency Interfax reported. Unverified video of the crash appeared to show the plane bursting into flames as it hit the ground and thick, black plumes of smoke rising. Bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact. More than 50 rescuers rushed to the scene, managing to extinguish a fire at the crash site. Kazakh officials later said more than 150 emergency workers were at the scene, while the health ministry said a flight carrying specialist doctors was being sent from Astana, the capital, to treat the injured. The plane had crashed hundreds of miles off its scheduled route on the opposite shore of the Caspian Sea, after what Russias aviation watchdog said was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike. Officials did not explain why the plane had crossed the sea, but Reuters noted that the crash occurred shortly after drone strikes hit southern Russia. Drone activity has shut airports in the area in the past and the nearest Russian airport on the planes flight path was closed on Wednesday morning, Reuters added. Kazakhstans main transport prosecutor, Timur Suleimenov, told a briefing in Astana that the planes black box, which contains flight data to help determine the cause of a crash, had been found, Interfax reported. Russian news agencies said the plane had been flying from Baku to Grozny in Chechnya, but had been rerouted because of fog in Grozny. Azerbaijan Airlines, the countrys flag carrier, said the Embraer 190 had made an emergency landing about 2 miles (3km) from Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. Today is a tragic day for AZAL, the airline said on social media. We extend our deepest condolences with profound sorrow to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew members who lost their lives in the crash of the Embraer 190 aircraft near the city of Aktau. It said those onboard, according to preliminary information, included 37 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian citizens, six Kazakh citizens, and three Kyrgyz citizens. The airline said it had set up a hotline for family members of those on the flight, adding that, in contrast to reports from the scene, there were no children among the passengers. Hours after the crash, Azerbaijans prosecutor generals Office said it had opened a criminal investigation. Authorities in Kazakhstan also said a government commission had been set up to investigate what had happened, with members of the commission to fly to the site and ensure that families of those on the flight were getting help. Kazakhstan would cooperate with Azerbaijan on the investigation, the government said. Mobile phone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground. Other footage showed part of its fuselage ripped away from the wings and the rest of the aircraft, lying upside down in the grass. The footage corresponded to the planes colours and its registration number. There was speculation in Russian media that the plane could have been shot down by Russian air defences, which mistook it for a Ukrainian drone. The Fighterbomber Telegram channel, believed to be run by Capt Ilya Tumanov of the Russian army, released a clip showing what appeared to be holes, which some suggested resembled the kind of damage caused by shelling or an explosion with shrapnel. Fighterbomber said it was unlikely that the holes were caused by a bird strike. Flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24.com showed the aircraft making what appeared to be a figure-eight as it neared the airport in Aktau, its altitude moving up and down substantially over the last minutes of the flight. In a separate post FlightRadar24 said online that the aircraft had faced strong GPS jamming which made the aircraft transmit bad ADS-B data, referring to the information that allows flight-tracking websites to follow planes in flight. Russia has been blamed in the past for jamming GPS transmissions in the wider region. Following news of the crash, Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, cut short a visit to Russia where he had been due to attend an informal summit of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a grouping of former Soviet nations, his office said in a statement. Aliyev later signed a decree declaring 26 December to be a day of mourning in Azerbaijan. It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured, he wrote on social media. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, had spoken to Aliyev after the crash. Unfortunately, Azerbaijans President Aliyev was forced to leave St Petersburg [where he had a summit]. Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau, said Peskov. We deeply sympathise with those who lost their relatives and friends in this plane crash and wish a speedy recovery to all those who managed to survive. Azerbaijans first lady, Mehriban Aliyeva, who is also the countrys vice-president, said she was deeply saddened by the news of the tragic loss of lives in the plane crash near Aktau. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Wishing them strength and patience! I also wish a speedy recovery to the injured, she said on Instagram. Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, expressed his condolences in a statement and said those being treated in hospital were in an extremely serious condition and that he and others would pray for their rapid recovery. Benza and his terminated colleagues were alleged to have covered up details from the incident. Photograph: Steve Skjold/Alamy At least eight deputies with the Los Angeles sheriffs department have been dismissed for their roles in the arrest and beating of a transgender man in February 2023, the Los Angeles Times reports. An FBI investigation remains ongoing. Deputy Joseph Benza III, the main officer involved in the incident with then 23-year-old Emmett Brock, pleaded guilty in federal court last week to one felony count of deprivation of rights under the color of law, which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. Benza and his terminated colleagues were alleged to have covered up details from the incident, including the reason for pulling Brock over on 10 February 2023, among other information. The department confirmed last week that others besides Benza had been removed but did not specify how many, according to the Times. Six unnamed sources from within the agency then told the Times that eight deputies, including several sergeants, had been fired. In a statement announcing Benzas guilty plea, the Los Angeles county sheriff Robert G Luna said that the deputys conduct undermine[s] the integrity of our Department, the trust of our community, and the safety of those we are sworn to protect. It is deeply troubling that a member of our Department, who has since been relieved of duty, violated the trust placed in them to uphold the law by abusing their authority, Luna said. Benza is due back in court on 17 January. In a statement to the Guardian, his attorney, Tom Yu, said he will ask the court for probation. I strongly stand behind my client and his decision to take accountability for this incident, said Yu, adding that although Benzas initial use of force was justified, the before and after use-of-force conduct impacted the calculus of the evaluation of the takedown and the eventual arrest of [Brock]. As Brock was leaving his job as a high school teacher in February 2023, he drove by Benza engaged in what looked like a heated exchange with a woman on the side of the road. Brock gave the middle finger as he passed, and seconds later, Benza began following him closely in a squad car. As Benza followed Brock for nearly two miles, prosecutors allege, he called another deputy to say he planned to stop someone who had flipped him the middle finger and intended to use force. He is alleged to have abandoned a domestic violence call in order to follow Brock. Video provided by Brocks lawyer to the Times shows him pulling into a 7-Eleven parking lot and getting out of the car. Benza then approached him, saying: I just stopped you without saying why, then grabbed Brocks arms and took him down to the ground. What the fuck are you doing? Get the fuck off me, Brock is heard shouting in the video. As Benza struggles to pin him down, Brock is heard screaming for help, saying: Youre gonna kill me! At one point, Benza tells him to get his arms behind his back. You have my hands, shouted Brock. Im trying to get my hands behind my back. Benza struggles to hold Brock down and punches him for about three minutes while Brock says, Im not resisting, according to the Times video. Brock, who suffered bruises, scrapes and a concussion from the incident, was charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor. He also alleged that during booking, officers asked to look at his genitals and questioned whether he should be considered male or not, even though his identification said male. Brock was later released from the Norwalk sheriffs station on $100,000 bail. All charges against Brock have been dropped and a judge formally declared him innocent, according to the Times. Details from Benzas account contradicted other evidence and suggested that he appeared to obstruct the investigation with the help of other officers. In the initial incident report, the officer said Brock appeared about to punch at him first. He said nothing about Brock giving the middle finger, claiming instead that he had pulled Brock over for a dangling air freshener. Benza also said that Brock bit him and attempted to rip the skin from [his] hand, but medical reports noted no bite marks. Prosecutors alleged that as the case gained more media coverage, Benza exchanged group text messages with colleagues in which they agreed to delete information from their personal phones. A sergeants directive for Benza to toss the phone was passed along via group chat. Related: Former county sheriff Jim McDonnell named new Los Angeles police chief Benza initially told investigators that he did not see anyone give him the middle finger. He also said that Brock had bitten him and that he did not discuss the incident report with anyone else. But in his plea agreement, he admitted that he had discussed the report with others and that a sergeant had written substantive portions of it for him. As the investigation continues, Brock and his lawyer, Thomas E Beck, have a pending federal case against Los Angeles county, Benza and other deputies alleging false imprisonment, civil rights violations and assault and battery. NBC News reported that Brock was let go from his teaching job three days after the arrest but is now working at a homeless shelter and graduating this spring with a masters degree from California State University, Fullerton. Theres a lot of anxiety still. Even when I just drive my car every day, I am worried about being pulled over and being beaten, and Im not sure if thats ever going to go away, he told NBC on 18 December. But this outcome brings me a little bit of peace of mind, as much as it can. The Metropolitan Police said its officers rushed to the scene at 00.45am on Christmas morning - Jordan Pettitt/PA A Christmas Eve partygoer was left in a life-threatening condition and three others were injured when a driver rammed his car into a crowd following a nightclub row in central London. Police arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder near Sohos iconic Windmill Club following the attack in the early hours of Christmas Day. Blood, clothing and debris were left strewn across the pavement on Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End on Wednesday as forensic officers combed the scene for evidence. The Metropolitan Police said its officers rushed to the scene at 00.45am on Christmas morning following reports of a collision and a car driving down the wrong side of the road. At the scene they found four injured pedestrians who had been rammed into by a vehicle whose driver was arrested within minutes. Forensic investigators collect evidence at the scene - Jordan Pettitt/PA Detectives believe the suspect was involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement and the attack is not-terror related, the force said. Dept Asst Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: Officers responded quickly to this report, working closely with City of London Police to arrest a man within minutes. It is believed that the suspect was involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement. A police cordon was in place between the Gielgud Theatre, where the musical Oliver is performed, and Sondheim Theatre, home to Les Miserables, as forensics officers collected evidence in bags. Could take days Outside the nearby Windmill nightclub, on Great Windmill Street, a second cordon was set up to allow further forensic work to take place. Members of the public were not allowed to enter the cordoned off area, with officers heard telling them that their investigations into the collision could take days. Forensics officers could be seen conducting investigations outside the Windmill, which is one of Sohos most famous nightclubs. The nightclub, which bills itself as a restaurant, cabaret and nightclub and stays open until 5am, was closed on Christmas Day in line with its festive opening times. Never close It reopened following a 10 million refurbishment in 2021 and, having been founded in the 1930s, it has hosted variety shows featuring the likes of Bruce Forsyth, Peter Sellers and Tony Hancock. The venue even stayed open throughout the Blitz in the Second World War, vowing to never close. The nightclub was originally known for its naked statues, women who would pose motionless in the nude to avoid falling foul of decency laws that prohibited strip dancing. It has always enjoyed high society connections, with guests in its early days including Queen Victorias grandchildren, Princesses Helena Victoria and Marie Louise. In 2022, it hosted Tatlers little black book party. Officers responded quickly Dep Asst Commissioner Cundy added: Officers responded quickly to this report, working closely with City of London Police to arrest a man within minutes. Detectives are quickly progressing inquiries as part of this investigation. Its believed that the suspect was involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement. Several scenes remain in place at the location today. This has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related. Anyone with information should call 101, post @MetCC ref CAD 233 of December 25, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. It is to be hoped that what will change, thanks to the brave, extraordinary action of Gisele Pelicot, is womens resolve to fight for justice. Photograph: AFP/Getty Reading through the seemingly endless list of men found guilty of the rape of Gisele Pelicot (Who are the men convicted over rape and assault of Gisele Pelicot?, 19 December), I am struck by how so many of them still cannot comprehend the enormity of what they have done. Most seem to have thought that it was a game. Is it possible for such abhorrent attitudes of so many men towards women to change, even in light of this case? Sadly, I very much doubt it. It is to be hoped that what will change, thanks to the brave, extraordinary action of Gisele Pelicot, is womens resolve to fight for justice against men like these and, maybe, that those who listen will do so with respect, so that shame is indeed on the head of the perpetrator and not the victim. Vicky Wolmuth London Fridays newspaper dedicated several pages to naming and giving the background of every single man who was found guilty of raping Gisele Pelicot. It finally placed the focus and guilt on these ordinary men living ordinary lives who said they did not think they had done anything wrong. Thank you for this powerful piece of factual journalism. Pippa Gibbs Exmouth, Devon With reference to Rebecca Solnits article (Gisele Pelicot has rewritten her story and electrified women all over the world. But what about men?, 19 December), in my own experience, for 50 years women and womens organisations have been demanding that we men take action to challenge each other, and ourselves, about mens violence against women and girls. Many men would be happy to see change in a culture of objectification and male entitlement, but are not prepared to commit time or energy into taking action. Imagine a world with no mens violence against women and girls what is preventing this? Us. All men need to do more to create a world fit to live in. A better world is possible. Chris Green Male Allies Challenging Sexism Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. Blue crabs have been thriving in their new home of Venice - The Washington Post Beneath the fog-shrouded waters of Venices lagoon, there lurks a silent killer. Numbering in its millions, it is wreaking havoc on one of the most delicate and productive marine ecosystems in the world. The Atlantic blue crab named for its vivid blue claws - was introduced accidentally to Italian waters, probably via the ballast water held on cargo ships. The species originates from the eastern coast of North America but is now thriving in its new home using its powerful pincers to tear into clams, mussels, prawns and other seafood that is prized by Italians, particularly for family feasts at Christmas and New Year based around classics such as spaghetti alle vongole spaghetti with clams. Agile and voracious, the crabs wreck fishing nets, devour the fish trapped inside and cause millions of euros worth of damage. But Italians have come up with a potential solution for dealing with the killer crustacean eat them. Their numbers are so great that they are cheap to buy much cheaper than native crabs. Venetian fishmonger Andrea Vio says the Atlantic blue crabs are eating his stock A local politician says the crab has a very high reproduction rate. And it eats everything that it finds - Michele Ursi Theyre everywhere, its an invasion. Its a very aggressive species, said Andrea Rossi, 57, a fisherman who is the fourth generation of his family to make a living from the Venetian lagoon, a labyrinth of islands, channels and mud shoals. He lives on the tiny island of Burano, renowned for its vibrantly painted cottages where 150 fishermen and their families live. We throw down a net, come back half an hour later and theres 30 to 40kg of blue crabs inside. They destroy the nets, cutting holes as big as this, he said, stretching out his hands to shoulder width. In the softly lit interior of the Algiubagio restaurant, on a canal bank overlooking the jade-coloured lagoon, executive chef Daniele Zennaro serves up his latest creation. He mashed some crab meat, fashioned it into the shape of a fish, deep-fried it and placed it on a bed of algae-infused pureed potato. Fried seaweed and beads of fish roe add to the tiny tableau, a culinary work of art. The concept came from the fact that the blue crab is an invasive species and not very well received by people. We thought wed present it in a more familiar form, in the shape of a fish, he said. Andrea Rossi, 57, a Venetian lagoon fisherman, says the crabs are everywhere, its an invasion Mr Zennaro says the blue crab has undergone a subtle evolution since it arrived in Italian waters for the better. The taste of the crabs has matured since they arrived here. At the beginning, it was a bit bland, insipid. Now it is more savoury, more complex. It has been nourished by the lagoon ecosystem. Restaurants across Italy are finding new ways to use blue crab in their menus, from salads to pasta dishes. From about a year ago, there has been an explosion in the use of blue crab in restaurants. People are also buying it from fishmongers and cooking it at home, said the chef. Its surge in popularity is helped by the price of clams doubling because blue crabs eat them, Mr Zennaro explained. Asked whether the blue crab represents a threat or a commercial opportunity, Giulio Antonello, the owner of Algiubagio restaurant, did not hesitate with his reply. A threat. Its a disaster out in the lagoon, a massacre. A lot of businesses are hurting the fishermen who grow the clams, the wholesalers, the buyers, everybody. Given the choice, Venetians would rather eat their beloved granseola (spider crab), along with moeche crabs which are eaten when they shed their shells twice a year, but have almost doubled in price in a decade. A fisherman harvests blue crabs in the lagoon of Scardovari, south of Venice - PIERO CRUCIATTI Mr Antonello said: The blue crab is like a virus. Their numbers are increasing exponentially. We wont resolve the problem until there is a predator for the blue crab. In Venices historic Rialto fish market, where lobsters, fish and still-living prawns are sold on glistening beds of ice, the Atlantic blue crab is also seen as an existential threat to the lagoon. Theres a fish that we call, in Venetian dialect, the go (in Italian ghiozzo, in English goby) which makes a fabulous risotto. But the crabs now eat them when the fish are small. The fish is declining and the price has risen to 30 euros a kilo, said fishmonger Andrea Vio. On the island of Mazzorbo, chefs Chiara Pavan and Francesco Brutto, who run a Michelin one-star restaurant called Venissa, see the blue crab as an opportunity to be embraced. The boom in crab numbers really began about two years ago. We started seeing a lot more of them here in the upper Adriatic, said Erica Zelante, who handles the restaurants public relations. Our chefs decided that it would make sense from an environmental point of view to start using this invasive species, she said, adding that they discovered the blue crab works well with saffron as well as with spaghetti cooked in garlic, oil and chillies. Executive chef Daniele Zennaro serves up his latest creation using blue crab Blue crabs have caused 100 million euros of damage so far to the fishing industry in Italy, according to the agricultural lobby organisation Coldiretti. Blue crabs have been in the Adriatic, in small numbers, since the 1940s. Authorities believe the recent explosion in their population is linked to climate change and warming seas. Cristiano Corazzari, the politician in charge of fisheries for the Veneto region, which includes Venice, says the impact of the blue crab has been like an earthquake. The production of clams has been cut by more than 90 per cent because of the alien crab, he said. Its been devastating. The crab has a very high reproduction rate. And it eats everything that it finds. But Italian authorities have woken up to the threat posed by the blue crab and are starting to do something about it, helping fishermen to adapt to the aggressive predator. Clams and mussels will be raised inside tough new nets to prevent the crabs from clawing their way in. If you cant beat them, eat them - PIERO CRUCIATTI Synthetic sheets will be laid on the seabed to stop the crabs emerging from the mud and preying on the molluscs. Scientists are even experimenting to see whether ultrasound can be used to ward off the voracious killers. The region of Veneto has spent around five million euros on these initiatives. The national government has contributed an additional 10 million euros, with plans to throw millions more at the problem in the 2025 budget. Italy is exporting the blue crabs to countries like the US, South Korea and Sri Lanka, but it is still not enough to put a dent in the population. Our fishermen are having to adapt to the new situation, its a big revolution, said Mr Corazzari, the politician in charge of fisheries. Well have to learn to live with the blue crab. But were determined to save the seafood sector. Its a very big part of our coastal traditions. This is not just about the economy its about our culture. King Charles delivers his Christmas Day message from Fitzrovia Chapel in London. Photograph: Aaron Chown/AP King Charles has used his Christmas address to thank doctors and nurses who provided strength, care and comfort during his cancer treatment. He also praised diversity and the way communities in the UK resisted summer riots after the murder of three children in Southport. Speaking from Fritzrovia Chapel in London, a former sacred space of the demolished Middlesex hospital, the king offered his heartfelt thanks to the medical teams who supported him and his family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness. His remarks come as the Princess of Wales makes a gradual return to public duties after completing a course of chemotherapy. Kate said in September that she was doing what she could to stay cancer free. The kings treatment for cancer is expected to continue in the new year, almost a year after it was announced he was being treated the disease. Further details about the condition of Kate and the king have not been disclosed. The monarch said in his address: I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement. A substantial part of the kings Christmas speech focused on the counter-response to the violent aftermath of the fatal stabbings of three girls at a dance class in Southport on 29 July. He spoke of his pride at the way communities came together after the subsequent riots. Serious disorder broke out triggered by false information about the alleged identity of the attacker. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, denounced the disturbances, in which mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers were targeted, as far-right thuggery at the time. The king was kept updated daily on the public disorder. The violence abated only after a series of peaceful counter-protests and a swift police and judicial crackdown on the rioters. The king said: I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when, in response to anger and lawlessness in several towns this summer, communities came together, not to repeat these behaviours, but to repair. To repair not just buildings, but relationships. And, most importantly, to repair trust; by listening and, through understanding, deciding how to act for the good of all. During the broadcast, footage was shown of the king talking to emergency workers who responded to the fatal Southport stabbings. The riots prompted widespread alarm and a prediction from the influential US billionaire Elon Musk on his X platform that civil war is inevitable. The king and Queen Camilla visited Waltham Forest town hall in north-east London last week to celebrate the community cohesion shown by Walthamstow residents, who took to the streets in August to stage one of the biggest peaceful counter-protests. Charles suggested in his speech that such community cohesion was also apparent on his visit to the South Pacific where he attended the Commonwealth summit in October. He said the trip was a reminder of how diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provides strength, not weakness. Across the Commonwealth, we are held together by a willingness to listen to each other, to learn from one another and to find just how much we have in common, he said. Because, through listening, we learn to respect our differences, to defeat prejudice, and to open up new possibilities. The king also made reference to the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, in central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere, and praised humanitarian organisations working tirelessly to bring vital relief. The example that Jesus gave is timeless and universal. It is to enter the world of those who suffer, to make a difference to their lives and so bring hope where there is despair. The broadcast, produced this year by Sky News, ended with the London-based youth choir Inner Voices singing the carol Once in Royal Davids City. The king attended the traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham alongside other royals, but not his brother Prince Andrew. It was announced last week that the Duke of York would not be attending the service amid controversy over his links with an alleged Chinese spy. He was said to be preparing to spend Christmas Day with his ex-wife Sarah, the Duchess of York, this year. The king and queen were joined at the Sandringham church by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six. Also at the church were the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. King Charles III during the recording of his Christmas message at the Fitzrovia Chapel in central London The King delivered his third Christmas speech from the Fitzrovia Chapel, surrounded by the artworks and ornate mosaics once intended to provide a place of prayer for the patients of the former Middlesex Hospital. This was the first such broadcast in 18 years to be filmed outside of a royal residence, reflecting in some ways the trying circumstances of the last year. It is understood that the King intended to both reach out to the community of his country in its totality the building is now a non-denominational community space and a location with a connection to healthcare. The King and the Princess of Wales underwent treatment for cancer this year, and these trials were made reference to in His Majestys speech, with the King offering his special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and his thoughts to those across the United Kingdom and Commonwealth who care for others, often at some cost to themselves. These themes of community and sacrifice were woven deep throughout his speech, which opened with reflections on the sacrifices made across the Commonwealth on the beaches of Normandy 80 years ago, and on those who sacrificed everything for our freedom. As the King said, while our lives are now relatively untouched by war, it behoves us at this time of year to think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere pose a daily threat, and to those working tirelessly to bring vital relief. Our own country has not been untouched by division. The King talked of his pride when anger and lawlessness in several towns were met not with further conflict but with work to repair relationships and trust between communities, and how the example of the Commonwealth summit demonstrates that diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provides strength, not weakness. As the King says, the path to overcoming the conflicts between us has been laid before us in the Gospels. The example that Jesus provides is timeless and universal; we are called to enter the world of those who suffer and bring hope where there is despair. The degree to which we help one another and draw support from each other, be we people of faith or of none is a measure of our civilisation as nations. In El Salvador, 44% of tuberculosis cases occurred in prisons, the worst scenario. The country has the highest incarceration rate of the six Latin American nations studied. Photograph: Alex Pena/Getty Images High incarceration rates in Latin America the region with the worlds fastest-growing prison population are exacerbating tuberculosis in a region that is bucking the global trend for falling incidents of the disease, experts have warned. A study published in The Lancet Public Health journal has estimated that, contrary to previous assumptions, HIV/Aids is not the primary risk factor for tuberculosis in the region as it remains in Africa, for example but rather imprisonments. While the global incidence of tuberculosis decreased by 8.7% between 2015 and 2022, it rose by 19% in Latin America. Using mathematical modelling, researchers concluded that this increase was linked to the exponential rise in imprisonment in the region, surpassing other traditional risk factors such as HIV/Aids, smoking, drug use and malnutrition. The work is centred on six countries Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Peru and El Salvador that, combined, account for 79.7% of the regions tuberculosis notifications and 82.4% of its prison population. Between 1990 and 2019, the prison population in these countries increased from 260,363 to 1,322,355 people. Our main conclusion is that, in these countries, about a third of all tuberculosis cases since 1990 were associated with incarceration, said the infectious disease specialist Dr Julio Croda, from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) in Brazil, one of the institutions involved in the study. The worst scenario is in El Salvador, where the study estimated that 44% of the countrys tuberculosis cases in 2019 occurred in its prisons. Related: Its a war on the people: El Salvadors mass arrests send thousands into despair At the time, El Salvador already had the highest imprisonment rate per 100,000 inhabitants among the six countries. After the president, Nayib Bukele, implemented his controversial state of emergency to combat gangs in 2022, mass incarceration increased even further which, according to the study, is projected to have catastrophic consequences for tuberculosis. The environment in these prisons is highly conducive to transmission, said Croda, citing tuberculosis rates 26 times higher among people deprived of liberty than in the general population. Prisons are overcrowded spaces, lacking light and proper ventilation, with a population that already has individual hazard factors for the disease, such as smoking or malnutrition. Juan Pappier, Human Rights Watchs deputy director for the Americas, said the dramatic increase in imprisonments in Latin America stemmed from a combination of excessive pretrial detention particularly in the context of the so-called war on drugs, which has led to the imprisonment of thousands of low-level offenders and longer sentencing durations. And these are all the result of pretty populist responses to crime that have not achieved any significant results in reducing the very worrisome homicide and extortion rates in the region, Pappier said. On the contrary, he noted that mass incarceration had strengthened criminal organisations born within prisons, such as Brazils PCC and Venezuelas Tren de Aragua. Julita Lemgruber, a sociologist who headed Rio de Janeiros prison system between 1991 and 1994, highlighted that people in Latin America still believed punishment only counts if someone is put behind bars. But society forgets that, in countries like Brazil, for example, there is no death penalty so those who are imprisoned will eventually be released and, after being exposed to the disease within the penitentiary system, can become a vector for spreading tuberculosis outside, she said. The study on tuberculosis projected that if imprisonment rates had remained stable since 1990, the six countries would have had at least 34,393 fewer cases in 2019 alone, which accounted for 27.2% of the total cases that year. It projected that, if there were a gradual 50% reduction in prisoner intake and sentence lengths by 2034, the incidence of tuberculosis among the population would fall by 10% in most countries. In El Salvadors case, even if the country were to halt the state of emergency immediately, it would only return to pre-Bukele levels of the disease by 2034. Then, it would also need to work on a decarceration policy to recover, at least in part, a decade of lost opportunity for tuberculosis progress. Pappier said one way to achieve this would be for security forces to focus on a more strategic approach targeting the leaders of criminal factions, and for lawmakers and the judiciary to work on alternative sentencing for those not involved in violent crimes. Croda also believes reducing the number of incarcerated people is one of the solutions. But in the meantime, he said, providing more humane and less degrading conditions in prison facilities was also necessary. He said that, in general, cases of tuberculosis were underreported within penitentiaries because diagnostic tests were rarely conducted. Health services simply do not reach these populations, he said. Trials are underway examining the impact of semaglutide in slowing the progression of dementia Ozempic could help patients with advanced Alzheimers disease, scientists believe. Trials are underway examining the impact of semaglutide marketed as Ozempic for the treatment of diabetes, and Wegovy for weight loss in slowing the progression of dementia. The injections have already been found to protect against a number of diseases, cutting the risk of heart attacks and cancer. Experts believe the role of the medication in reducing inflammation in the body is key, as this is common to many conditions, including Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease. International studies tracking 3,680 patients with early Alzheimers disease will report next year. However, there is already much excitement because evidence from patients taking Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes suggests a lowered risk of dementia and fewer symptoms among those who do develop Alzheimers disease. One US study of more than one million people with Type 2 diabetes found those put on semaglutide had up to a 70 per cent reduced risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimers disease over the next three years. Type 2 diabetes is already known to increase the risk of dementia, causing metabolic dysfunction in the brain. At a discussion hosted by Alzheimers Disease International, experts said the class of medication, known as GLP-1 agonists, could hold out hope for patients in later stages of the disease. Jeff Cummings, a professor of brain science and health, said: Lets start with the more advanced patients, I think we have to develop drugs for more advanced patients. Every patient who has early disease is eventually going on to have late disease, and so we have to find a way of trying to slow that progression into later stage disease. But once theyre there, we have to be able to help them more than we are now. But we think drugs like semaglutide, for example, medication that you would take to affect the brain metabolism, or the way the brain works, could have application in later-stage patients, even though, for now, its being tested in early-stage patients. Prof Cummings, from the Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience at the University of Nevada, said drugs that were first developed for mild disease were often later found to work in late-stage disease. He said: In donepezil this is a drug thats been around for a very long time it was first developed in mild to moderate Alzheimers disease and succeeded, and then it was tested in severe Alzheimers disease and succeeded. So thats a common pathway to start with one population. And if it works there, lets see whether we can treat another part of the population. Toolkit of treatments The potential role of the drugs in combatting Alzheimers has caused interest, not least because they are significantly cheaper than other drugs. However, there are particular risks in using GLP treatment in elderly frail populations, particularly those with dementia, given that the drugs reduce appetite, and can cause muscle loss, increasing the danger of falls. Dr Jacqui Hanley, head of research funding at Alzheimers Research UK, said: It is encouraging to see large studies exploring whether drugs already licensed could be repurposed as a dementia treatment. As these drugs have already been shown to be safe for use, this could potentially speed up the process of testing in clinical trials, as well as being significantly cheaper. We know that roughly a third of drugs in clinical trials for Alzheimers are treatments used for other conditions. If we are to cure dementia, we must develop a toolkit of treatments that tackle different aspects of the disease and can be used in combination. Research into repurposing drugs may help us do just that. The first two drugs to slow progression of Alzheimers have been licensed for use in Britain. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has refused to fund either lecanemab or donanemab, claiming they do not constitute good value for money. Rescuers carry a body after an apartment building was hit by a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine - STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE/via Reuters Russia launched a major Christmas Day missile and drone attack on Ukrainian cities, targeting the countrys energy infrastructure. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said over 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and over 100 attack drones were used to strike Ukraines power sources on Wednesday morning. Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? the Ukrainian president said, adding: They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine. Despite the country-wide air alerts, he vowed that Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas. It was the 13th large-scale strike on Ukraines energy system this year and the latest in Russias campaign targeting the power grid during winter. At least one person was killed in the Dnipro region in the attack, Oleksii Kuleba, the vice prime minister, said. Rescuers recovered a victim of the missile strike at a flat in Kryvyi Rih - Reuters At least six people were wounded in a missile attack on Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine on Wednesday morning, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Herman Halushchenko, Ukraines energy minister, said Russia again massively attacks energy infrastructure. Ukraines air force alerted multiple missiles fired at Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Poltava regions east of the country. Andrii Sybiha, Ukraines foreign minister, said one Russian missile passed Moldovan and Romanian airspace. Mr Zelensky said Ukraine managed to shoot down at least 50 missiles and a significant number of drones. He added: Unfortunately, there have been hits. As of now, there are power outages in several regions. Power engineers are working to restore power supply as soon as possible. I thank everyone who is working for the country, who is on combat duty, who is protecting our skies. Emergency services evacuate a resident from a building heavily damaged in the strike - State Emergency Service of Ukraine Footage showed Ukrainian families taking shelter in Kyivs metro stations early on Christmas morning as the air raid sirens sounded across the capital. Ukrainian state energy operator, Ukrenergo, applied preemptive power outages across the country, due to a massive missile attack, leading to electricity going out in several districts of Kyiv. Firefighters tackle a blaze after an attack on Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region - Reuters Separately, in the Dnipro region in Ukraines east, Serhiy Lysak, the local governor, reported that Russian forces been massively attacking the region and was trying to destroy its power system. Russia has intensified its attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector since spring 2024, damaging almost half of its generating capacity and causing hours-long blackouts throughout the country. Sir Keir Starmer condemned Russias strikes, branding them bloody and brutal. The Prime Minister said: I condemn this ongoing assault on Ukraines energy infrastructure. I pay tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and the leadership of President Zelensky, in the face of further drone and missile attacks from Putins bloody and brutal war machine, with no respite, even at Christmas. As we go into the New Year, it remains vital that we redouble our resolve to place Ukraine in the strongest possible position to end Russias illegal aggression against the Ukrainian people. The countrys largest private energy company, DTEK, said its generating facilities were attacked during the strike, causing serious damages to power equipment. This year, it is the 13th massive attack on the Ukrainian energy sector and the 10th massive attack on the companys energy facilities, DTEK said on Telegram. Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, called the Christmas attack an evil act. He told The Telegraph: There are no depths to which russia will not sink. Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered. Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Ukraine-based Energy Industry Research Centre, said the Russian attack dealt an alarming blow in the depths of winter, leaving civilians dangerously exposed to the cold. He added that there was a small measure of relief Ukraines nuclear plants and high-voltage grid infrastructure escaped significant damage. Sara Sharif at four years old. Photograph: Surrey Police/Reuters The horrendous torture and murder of Sara Sharif has, at last, shone a light on the inadequacies of the way we have monitored home education (Judge in Sara Sharif case warns of dangers of automatic right to home school children, 17 December). For a decade I was an inspector of home education for two education authorities, and I became increasingly disturbed by the blatant but legal slackness of the recording that was required. Remarkably, I found that I had no legal authority to meet the children to monitor the provision of their education. Although most parents allowed me into their houses, a few merely provided me with work that their child had done but I had no way of knowing its authenticity. I was overruled by one director of education when I wanted to investigate further. Even when I did meet the children, it was only once a year, and in most cases the level of education I found was pitiful. Two decades later, there is no evidence to suggest things have improved. My best endeavours to alert the nation about the scandal of home education were largely ignored. I wrote about it in the national newspapers and appeared on TV and radio, but with little effect. The main response to my whistleblowing was abuse from some home educators. I can only hope that the murder of Sara Sharif will alert the public to a major problem that needs rectifying. Tony Mooney London The renewed emphasis being placed upon further legislation to regulate home schooling should not be the chief response to the growing and legitimate concern about why Sara was left unprotected by public agencies. To do so would be to miss the real subject of concern. Although the agencies had agreed that her regular school was best placed to monitor her safety, the fact of her father taking her out of school to be schooled at home should not then have prevented Surrey police or childrens services from exercising their responsibilities to step forward to see her at home and ensure she was not being ill treated or harmed. The fact that this did not happen and that her case was even closed must be the principal focus of the investigation that is being pursued. Brian Waller Retired director of social services Tony Clamp highlights the dismantling of ContactPoint by the coalition government (Letters, 16 December). To this Id add Every Child Matters, the appointment of a lead professional, Sure Start and other measures set in place following the 2003 report of the inquiry into Victoria Climbies death. Lessons appeared to be learned by the Blair government, which showed a determination to put in place a protective network of support and care for children. It was all swept away by the coalitions funding cuts. In spite of the impact these measures would have on childrens services, one minister boasted that there was more fat to be cut. In another letter, Dr David Saltiel cautions about being unrealistic in preventing more murders like that of Sara. However, Saras death was not inevitable. Had she been surrounded by a protective network of well-resourced professional agencies charged with keeping her safe, she may have had a future beyond her sadistic family. The foundations of this system were being established following the lessons learned by the death of a child. Surely it is the priority of the government to keep their citizens safe, especially children. Those who decided that not every child matters must bear some of the responsibility for abandoning children who need our protection. David Newton Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. Blade Silvano used a blindfold and a sex toy to maintain the deception with a victim with judge saying it was not a case about gender dysphoria - Cambridgeshire Police/PA WireDaniel MartinDeputy Political Editor Transgender people who hide their biological sex from romantic partners may not be committing a crime, prosecutors have said. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has published new guidance for the crime of sex by deception, which includes where someone tricks a partner into sleeping with them by pretending to be a different sex. Critics say it could give a get out of jail free card for predators to escape rape charges by claiming they are trans. The new document makes it clear that rape or sexual assault charges may be brought if a victim was not aware of the suspects birth sex and therefore did not consent. But it also sets out a long list of reasons why transgender people may choose to keep their birth sex hidden, which campaigners fear could be exploited by men to avoid being prosecuted. Gender identity The guidance states: Many people who have transitioned may not regard themselves as trans, but simply as a man or a woman. Young people, in particular, may see their gender identity as fluid and may identify as a man and a women or neither. The guidance goes on: A person whose gender identity isnt the same as their sex may express their gender through their speech, dress, gestures, mannerisms, etc, without this being a fabrication, a performance or a deception... Trans people may be wary of revealing their birth sex due to social stigma, transphobia or safety considerations, which may produce high levels of anxiety. It says others may not openly identify as trans in the workplace for fear of a family or relationship breakdown, losing employment, or exclusion from a close-knit community or a place of worship.x To be deceptive The guidance also says that some may think it necessary to conceal their sex to meet the condition of living in their new identity for two years before they can obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate. The CPS also said: The guidance does not intend to suggest that most such offences are committed by trans or non-binary persons, nor that trans and non-binary people are pre-dispositioned to be deceptive. Maya Forstater, co-founder of the womens rights group Sex Matters, said: [The guidance] still suggests that people may avoid a conviction for sexual assault based on deception if they say they are transgender. A person who fails to be clear and honest about their sex when seeking a sexual relationship is behaving in a way that is at a minimum creepy and may, at worst, be engaging in deception and assault. If there is a complaint of rape or sexual assault by deception, this guidance offers the suspect a get-out-of-jail-free card, namely declaring they are trans. It says that a decision on whether to prosecute should take into account how the suspect feels about revealing their sex and gives weight to excuses such as that they believe they should conceal their sex to obtain a gender recognition certificate or because of social stigma, transphobia or safety considerations. This approach is not grounded in law, and shows no recognition of ordinary standards of consent to intimate contact or sexual relations. She added: Sex by deception cases are rare, but lesbians in particular face men identifying as lesbians on dating websites identifying as female. It is shameful that their rights and boundaries are being ignored by a criminal justice system that has become afraid to speak plainly about the two sexes. Gender dysphoria A year ago a woman was jailed for 10 and a half years for sexual assault after she pretended to be a man to dupe a woman into sex. Blade Silvano had a two-year relationship with the victim, using a blindfold and a sex toy to maintain the deception, in what a judge said was not a case about gender dysphoria. In August 2023, Georgia Bilham was given a community order for sexually assaulting her female victim by kissing after she convinced her that she was male. Bilham fooled her 19-year-old victim after contacting her using a fake Snapchat profile for a George Parry. She disguised herself by wearing boys clothes and kept her hood up to hide her long blonde hair, even when the pair were in bed together, claiming to be paranoid because of supposed ties to an Albanian drug gang. Essentially blind She also deceived the very short-sighted girl by taking away her glasses - leaving her essentially blind - and put on a deep voice with a Birmingham accent to disguise her true identity. And in 2015, Gayle Newland was jailed for eight years after she was convicted of committing sexual assault by using a prosthetic penis without her victims consent by another jury at Chester Crown Court. Her conviction was quashed at the Court of Appeal the following year after it was ruled that the trial judges summing up of the case was not fair and balanced, but in 2017 following a retrial at Manchester Crown Court, he was found guilty of the same offence. Newland, 27, created a disturbingly complex online persona to achieve her own bizarre sexual satisfaction, sleeping with her blindfolded victim using a prosthetic penis, the court heard. Siobhan Blake, national lead for rape and serious sexual offences at the CPS, said: We recognise this is a highly sensitive area of law it is important our guidance provides prosecutors with the knowledge they need to make decisions in the rare cases where deception as to sex may have occurred. Importantly, this guidance also clarifies the law where suspects are non-trans such as females pretending to be male and vice versa. Every prosecutor has a duty to act with impartiality, each case is always assessed on its individual merits, so we make fair and objective decisions. The generative AI boom continued at pace in 2024, with smartphones becoming a key battleground for the technologys development as Samsung, Google and Apple all introduced new AI tools to their devices. Many commentators and the tech firms themselves have said a big hurdle when it comes to generative AI features is getting them in front of as many users as possible and building them into familiar devices such as smartphones became a key topic of the year when it came to rolling out new products. Samsung was first out of the blocks in January, when it announced Galaxy AI, a new suite of tools built right into its new Galaxy S24 range of phones. It included features which helped users edit and rewrite text depending on a theme or mood they wanted to strike, as well as AI tools to edit photos, transcribe and translate audio or phone calls, and a Google-powered tool that allowed users to carry out a Google search simply by drawing a circle around an object on their screen. Some 550 drones created shapes over Londons Canary Wharf to celebrate the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S24 device featuring Galaxy AI technology (David Parry/PA) By the summer, Samsung had also expanded the tools to its new line-up of foldable devices, and enhanced and expanded on the AI tools available. It appeared to have the desired effect, as towards the end of the year, the Korean phone maker reported that in the UK it had seen a more than 40% rise in customers switching to Samsung devices from Apples iPhone since it had unveiled Galaxy AI. At that point, Apple was still to launch its AI tools in the UK. Seeking to get ahead of rivals when it comes to rolling out generative AI features was to be a theme of 2024, as Google brought forward the launch of its flagship Pixel 9 series phones from its traditional September or October slot to August, a move analysts said was a clear attempt to get its new AI-powered devices in consumers hands before Apple would unveil the iPhone 16 range, complete its Apple Intelligence AI tools, in September. Googles pitch to users when it comes to AI has been built around its new AI chatbot, Gemini, which it placed front and centre when announcing its new flagship phones in August. Googles new AI chatbot, Gemini (Alamy/PA) The tech giant spoke of how the new chips powering its phones had been developed with Google-owned, London-based DeepMind, one of the leading AI firms in this tech boom. And it meant Googles devices could run powerful AI models that would make its assistant more helpful to users, it can tune into Googles search engine to help quickly access information. These clear statements from two of Apples biggest rivals meant there was a huge focus on the iPhone maker and how it would choose to approach the rise of generative AI. In June, the company previewed what was to come, a suite of tools it called Apple Intelligence which, much like Samsung and Google before them, would use generative AI to help users edit text, transcribe conversations, and edit photos or generate new images, as well organise and summarise notifications. Apple Intelligence would also see Apples existing virtual assistant, Siri, given a substantial revamp to make it smarter and more able to understand context. But perhaps the most striking part of Apples approach has been its decision to partner with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT integration directly into peoples devices, to help process queries it judges are better suited to the chatbots skillset. At a time of heightened sensitivity around privacy and data protection, Apple has also placed huge focus on a feature it calls Private Cloud Compute, which enables a device using Apple Intelligence to send particularly complex user queries off-device, but to a secure server where the data involved can not be accessed by anyone and is not kept or saved once the query is answered. In further contrast to its rivals, Apple has so far taken a slower, more measured approach to rolling out its AI tools they are currently available in fewer countries than its rivals, something the tech giant said is a deliberately steady rollout as it refines its new technology. It means that as we approach the end of the year, the three biggest smartphone brands all now have flagship AI tools in place, exposing more people than ever to this emerging technology. It is an approach that already appears to be influencing AI developers too. In December, OpenAI launched a version of ChatGPT which can be accessed through WhatsApp, meaning anyone, anywhere in the world, could sample the AI chatbot, without needing to download the app or create an OpenAI account. It therefore seems likely that in 2025, if you have not yet had hands-on time with a generative AI tool, you soon will on a device you already use. Sir Keir Starmer has wished British Jews a happy Chanukah, as the festival coincides with Christmas for the first time since 2005. Chanukah is a time for family, community and celebration. Chag Chanukah Sameach to Jewish communities in the UK and around the world, the Prime Minister wrote in a post on X. A video shared alongside the post showed extracts from a speech given by the Prime Minister earlier this month at Downing Street. Chanukah is a time for family, community and celebration. Chag Chanukah Sameach to Jewish communities in the UK and around the world. pic.twitter.com/QxLQSZMlG2 Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 25, 2024 In it, he spoke about the importance of the Jewish festival of lights, and remembering the resilience of the Jewish people and the values that underpin that, values of justice, of freedom and dignity. Sir Keir also stressed the need for a ceasefire in the conflict in the Middle East, but said the return of Israeli hostages must be item number one for such a peace deal. Chanukahs date changes every year, as its celebration follows a lunar calendar, though it always falls in November or December and lasts eight days. The festival commemorates the more than 2,000-year-old recovery of Jerusalem by the Jews and the rededication of their temple. Children in the US are known to leave Santa milk and cookies. H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images In the US, it's common for children to leave Santa Claus milk and cookies. But this tradition looks different for children around the world. In Ireland, some families leave Santa a pint of Guinness. From the Yule Lads of Iceland to the traditionally green-clad Father Christmas of the UK, the Santa Claus Americans are accustomed to looks a little different throughout the rest of the world, and so do certain Christmas traditions. While it's common for people around the world to leave their gift giver a treat for their arrival, the snacks and drinks vary. Many American children, for example, are known to leave milk, cookies, and the occasional reindeer-friendly snack, such as a carrot, but it's common for kids to leave Santa Claus a stronger drink like beer or wine in European countries such as France and Ireland. And for children in Germany, snacks are skipped altogether in favor of handwritten letters. Whether you're looking to mix up your Santa's snacks or just learn something new this holiday season, here's a peek at how Christmas is celebrated around the world through 12 treats families leave for the man with the bag. United States Children in the US leave milk and cookies for Santa. rangizzz/Shutterstock In the US, many children leave out a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa. Some families also leave carrots and celery for Santa's reindeer. Australia In Australia, children leave Santa beer. Reshetnikov_art/Shutterstock Although Australians leave cookies for Santa to snack on, they replace the glass of milk with a cold glass of beer. December is actually summer for Australia, so the beer might be just what Santa needs in the hot weather. Ireland Some children in Ireland leave a pint of Guinness. Frantisekf/Shutterstock Some families in Ireland leave a pint of Guinness for Santa on Christmas Eve. According to Culture Trip, children usually place the cold beer near the tree to offer Saint Nick a quick pick-me-up for the long night ahead. UK Children in England leave Father Christmas mince pies and sherry. Marbury/Shutterstock Like in Australia and Ireland, children in the UK also leave Santa alcohol. Families believe Father Christmas needs some sherry to warm up on Christmas night. It's also tradition to pair the sherry with a mince pie. The Netherlands Some children in the Netherlands leave carrots in their shoes. Milos Ruzicka/Shutterstock In the Netherlands, children often leave carrots and hay to help energize Sinterklaas's horses yes, horses on their trip around the world. In some parts of Europe, like Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands, children don't believe Santa's sleigh is pulled by reindeer. Instead, they think he is being pulled by horses, so children leave food for them on Christmas Eve, and sometimes this food is left in their shoes. Argentina Children in Argentina leave hay and water out ahead of Three Kings Day. ben bryant/Shutterstock Rather than leave snacks for Santa, children in Argentina leave out hay and water for the Three Kings' horses. They also leave out their shoes, so their gifts can be placed in them, Ecela Spanish reported. Children in Argentina usually receive their presents on January 6, Three Kings Day, which honors the day the Three Kings delivered their presents to baby Jesus. Denmark Children in Denmark leave their nisse rice pudding. Gaus Alex/Shutterstock Kids in Denmark don't leave anything for Julemanden the Danish term for Santa to eat, but they do leave out treats for their nisse, or house elf. According to Atlas Obscura, the Danish tradition calls for families to leave a bowl of risengrd (rice pudding or sweet porridge) out on Christmas Eve for the house elf. Sweden Children in Sweden also leave out rice porridge. dimbar76/Shutterstock In 2017, then-press officer of the Swedish Embassy in Washington, DC, Kate Reutersward told NPR that her family would leave a bowl of risgrynsgrot (rice porridge) outside their door. "The rice porridge is thickened with milk and flavored with cinnamon and a little salt. Some families add almonds, butter, jam, or molasses, but the traditional version doesn't have to be sweetend," she said. Some families in Sweden may also leave Jultomte a cup of coffee. Iceland In Iceland, families leave the Yule Lads laufabrau. Elisa Hanssen/Shutterstock Rather than Santa Claus, children in Iceland await the arrival of the 13 Yule Lads, who, beginning on December 12, each bring them a small present, Nordic Visitor reported. In return, families leave out laufabrau, which translates to leaf bread and tastes like a crispy wafer. France Some children in France leave Pere Noel wine. New Africa/Shutterstock In France, children leave Pere Noel wine and leave Gui, his donkey, treats like carrots or hay, which is left in their shoes, History.com reported. Germany In Germany, some children leave handwritten letters. Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images Germans have a Christmas angel, the "Christkind," instead of Santa Claus, and they don't leave any snacks. Instead, they write the angel letters. Some families mail the letters ahead of the holiday, while others leave them out on Christmas Eve, History.com reported. Chile Pan de pascua is a traditional Chilean fruitcake. Ildi Papp/Shutterstock In Chile, children leave pan de pascua, a traditional fruitcake, for Viejito Pascuero, "Old Man Christmas." Some of the fruitcake's key ingredients are dulce de leche, rum, candided fruits, and nuts. Read the original article on Business Insider Five people were injured and hospitalized after falling from a chairlift at a California ski resort on Monday. The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District told the Reno Gazette Journal that the department was called to Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California on Monday morning, and later transported five injured people to the Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. Witnesses reported that two ski lift chairs collided. Travis Faanes, who was waiting in line for another ski lift when the incident happened, told the Reno Gazette Journal that he heard gasps around him and turned to see the accident. "I saw the chairs were swinging, and I saw people just hit the ground," Faanes said. Faanes told the Reno Gazette Journal he saw one person pinned to the back chair. The Heavenly Mountain Resort said it was looking into the accident on the Comet Express chairlift on Monday. "The safety of our guests is our top priority and the resort is investigating the incident," spokesperson Cole Zimmerman told the Reno Gazette Journal via email. The Reno Gazette Journal reported in January that a woman was trapped in freezing temperatures in a gondola at the Heavenly Mountain Resort for 15 hours overnight due to a "breakdown" in ski lift protocols. Ski resorts: Here's where the largest snowfall will happen this week at ski resorts Colorado ski lift malfunctions This come after a similar incident happened in Colorado. On Saturday Dec. 21, more than 100 people had to be evacuated using ropes and ladders after a gondola at the Winter Park Resort malfunctioned, leaving around 150-175 people trapped and suspended in mid-air. After ensuring that no one was in distress, a rescue operation was initiated about an hour later during which ski patrollers climbed up the lift towers, shimmied to each of the gondola's cabins and removed the occupants' equipment before using ropes to hoist people down one at a time, the spokesperson said. Rescue efforts continued till about 6 p.m. that day, and no injuries were reported. This story was updated to correct a typo. Contributing: Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com. Jaedyn Young covers local government for the Reno Gazette Journal. Her wages are 100% funded by donations and grants; if youd like to see more stories like this one, please consider donating at RGJ.com/donate. Send your story ideas and feedback to Jaedyn atjyoung@rgj.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heavenly Mountain Resort ski lift accident leaves 5 people injured Footage of the crash, circling online, showed the plane making a steep descent - ViralPress An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet crashed in the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing at least 38 people, authorities have said. Kazakhstans emergency ministry said that 67 people, including five crew, were on board the plane which was on route to Russia. Azerbaijan Airlines said the Embraer 190 aircraft made an emergency landing 3km from the Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. Footage of the crash showed the plane making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Other footage showed part of its fuselage ripped away from the wings and the rest of the aircraft lying upside down in the grass. Injured passengers could be later seen stumbling and dragging each other from the intact piece of fuselage. Kazakhstan authorities said at least 22 or the 29 survivors - including two children - had been taken to hospital. Kazakhstan authorities said fire services had put out the blaze and survivors - including three children - were being treated at a nearby hospital. The plane was flying from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan to Grozny, the capital of Russias Chechnya in the north Caucasus. Emergency crews at the site of the crash near the city of Aktau - Azamat Sarsenbayev Azerbaijan Airlines said on Wednesday it is suspending all its flights from Baku to Russias Chechnya region until its investigation is finished. The plane had flown hundreds of miles off its scheduled route after what Russias aviation watchdog said was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike. Officials did not immediately explain why it had crossed the sea, but the crash came shortly after drone strikes hit southern Russia. Drone activity has shut airports in the area in the past and the nearest Russian airport on the planes flight path was closed on Wednesday morning. According to Azerbaijan Airlines, 37 passengers were Azerbaijani citizens. There were also 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhstani and three Kyrgyzstani citizens, it said. The bodies of the dead are still being recovered. Credit: @clashreport/X One video showed a man praying and filming a message for his wife as the plane began to quickly descend. The clips cut to the aftermath as the man and a nearby woman call out for help from the broken plane. Russian news agencies said the plane had been rerouted due to fog in Grozny. Russias aviation watchdog said in a statement that preliminary information suggested the pilot had decided to make an emergency landing after a bird strike. Credit: @clashreport/X Following the crash, Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, said he is returning home from Russia where he had been due to attend a summit on Wednesday, Russias RIA news agency reported. Vladimir Putin has expressed his deep sympathies to Mr Aliyev following the crash, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, said. Unfortunately, Azerbaijans president Aliyev was forced to leave St Petersburg. Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau, Mr Peskov said. We deeply sympathise with those who lost their relatives and friends in this plane crash and wish a speedy recovery to all those who managed to survive, he added. Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, expressed his condolences in a statement and said those being treated in hospital were in an extremely serious condition and that he would pray for their rapid recovery. Azerbaijans state news agency, Azertac, said the emergency situations minister, the countrys deputy general prosecutor, and the vice president of Azerbaijan Airlines had been dispatched to Aktau to conduct an on-site investigation. 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. Robin Vince says BNY Mellon employees will circle back to bureaucracy in 2025. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images BNY CEO Robin Vince said the bank is currently in a "recharge period" until 2025. Employees at the finance giant are encouraged to focus on "core business activities." The move is part of a larger push by the bank to provide mental health support to its workers. The CEO of Bank of New York Mellon Corp. says it's OK to be more laid back at work during the last weeks of the year. Robin Vince, who also serves as president of BNY, announced Monday that the bank is bringing back its end-of-year "recharge" period for its employees. Beginning December 23, a spokesperson told Business Insider that BNY employees are encouraged to narrow their focus to client and core business activities, postponing more routine items until the New Year. Non-essential activities, like internal meetings, work that isn't time-sensitive, and in-office requirements, will be paused until January 3, they told BI. In a LinkedIn post, Vince said he's "missing the free Starbucks at our global HQ, but it's worth it to be able to spend more time with my family, all home together, while taking a break from the more routine work to really focus on what matters for clients and driving our company forward these next two weeks." Vince told Fortune in June that BNY asks employees to be in the office "more days than you're not." BNY first introduced its two-week recharge in December 2023 to allow employees more time to focus on family than non-urgent work tasks. It's part of a larger push by the bank to improve compensation and benefits for its employees. BNY announced Thursday that it'd increase the minimum hourly wage for US employees from $22.50 to $25, starting March 2025. This year the company also partnered with Spring Health to bring more mental health services to employees and their families. "We want talent to feel appropriately compensated and enjoy an industry-leading employee experience and benefits are a part of that strategy," said Shannon Hobbs, chief people officer at BNY. Read the original article on Business Insider Gavin Newsom, migrants Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration is drawing up plans to help illegal migrants dodge deportation when President-elect Donald Trump takes office. An internal memo being circulated within Newsoms administration calls for the creation of an Immigrant Support Network comprised of regional hubs to connect at-risk individuals, their families, and communities with community systems such as legal services, schools, labor unions, local governments, etc, according to Politico. The outlet notes that the memo is light on details, including the cost to taxpayers for such a program, but suggests that the hubs would refer migrants facing deportation to various service providers, share critical information and gather information to better coordinate statewide policies to counter Trumps deportation efforts. Newsom has been working to Trump-proof California since Election Day. AP A spokesperson for the governors office told The Post that the memo appears to be a preliminary document drafted at the department-level and that it has not been reviewed by Newsom. This document is an internal and deliberative draft document meant for internal discussions as part of a number of possible considerations given the incoming federal administrations public remarks, Scott Murray, a spokesperson for Californias Department of Social Services the agency that drafted the memo told The Post Tuesday. It is not a final proposal, he added. The Department of Social Services is still gauging interest in the proposed program, according to Politico, and determining when it could be implemented. If the plan is finalized, it will be announced in mid-January, according to the outlet. The memo follows Newsoms emergency request for $25 million in funding to cover the cost of legal battles he expects to have with Trump. Newsom, 57, convened an emergency special session of the California Legislature earlier this month to make the budget request, which the governors office claims will safeguard critical funding for disaster relief, health care programs, and other vital services during Trumps second term. The Pew Research Center estimated that 1.85 million illegal immigrants were living in California in 2021. James Breeden for NY Post Trump has pledged to embark on the largest deportation program in American history when he takes office next month. AFP via Getty Images Democratic Senate Budget Chairman Scott Wiener has also proposed legislation that would provide an additional $60 million in taxpayer money for an immigrant detention representation and coordination program, according to Politico. Its unclear if those funds could also go toward the proposed Immigrant Support Network in the Department of Social Services memo. Trump, 78, has vowed to move forward with the largest deportation operation in US history on Day One of his second term. Protests erupted in Christian neighborhoods of the Syrian capital Damascus after a Christmas tree was set on fire in another town by unidentified men on Monday evening. A video showing men setting fire to a publicly displayed Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near the city of Hama, emerged online, prompting the protests. Its unclear who set the tree on fire but a video surfaced of a rebel standing next to Christian priests vowing to punish the perpetrators. Next morning you will see the tree completely restored, the unidentified rebel told a protesting group next to the burnt Christmas tree. The incident came three weeks since opposition rebels led a successful campaign to topple President Bashar al-Assad. Syrias Christians now join those in Lebanon and Palestinian territories celebrating Christmas amid great uncertainty and fear in the region. The protesters in the capital marched towards churches to demand better protection for Christians in the country, George, a 24-year-old Catholic resident of Damascus, who chose to give only his first name to speak freely, told CNN. When Islamist rebels swept through Syrias second largest city in an operation that would eventually culminate in the ouster of the brutal Assad regime, Christians were given assurances that their churches and property would remain protected. Under Assad, Christians were allowed to celebrate their holidays and practice their rituals but like all Syrians faced tyrannical limitations on freedom of speech and political activity. In control of most of Syria now is the Islamist armed rebel group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed Al Jolani a man who had established al Qaedas affiliate in Syria before rebranding his group in 2016. Al-Sharaa has maintained that his group will protect minorities and religious sects of Syria but has yet to call specifically for the protection for Christians ahead of the Christmas celebrations. The HTS-led government said that Wednesday (December 25) and Thursday (December 26) will be a public holiday. Residents of the Syrian capital Damascus tell CNN that HTS has not imposed any limitations on celebrations or prayers this year, but Christians still fear that non-HTS rogue armed elements could attack them. People attend a protest against the burning of the Christmas tree in Hama, in Damascus, Syria December 24, 2024. - Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters Hayat Tahrir Al Sham have not announced anything on stopping our celebrations but there are Christians who dont want to go out to celebrate because they fear that they might get attacked from rogue armed individuals, George said. Christmas trees and other festive decorations are up across Christian neighborhoods of Damascus, George said, but people are scaling back their celebrations and imposing their own restrictions amid an absence of communication from HTS. It will make a big difference if there are announcements on better security for Christmas. Until now there isnt proper security that is 100% organized, George added. Hilda Haskour, a 50-year-old Aleppo resident who identifies as Syriac Catholic, is preparing to celebrate Christmas but says theres still worry among Christians. We just want to live in peace and safety, we are not asking for muchthere is fear, people are tired, Haskour said. We will rebuild again For the second year running, a Christmas tree will not be hoisted in the city revered as the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem. Since the Gaza war started last year in the wake of Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, the Israeli-occupied city of Bethlehem has been subjected to severe isolation due to imposed restrictions, the suspension of tourism, the closure of its gates to pilgrims, and a frozen economy, the Mayor of Bethlehem Anton Salman said at a news conference on Saturday. At least $600 million has been lost in revenue and unemployment rates have soared to over 36%, with poverty levels rising as nearly 30% of Bethlehems residents lack a source of income due to the absence of tourists. This years Christmas celebrations will be limited to prayers and religious rituals in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza and across Palestine and as a rejection of the oppression and injustice they endure, a statement citing Salman said. A woman and child light candles at the Greek Basilica in the Nativity Church Complex in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, on December 22, 2024. - HAZEM BADER/AFP/AFP via Getty Images Palestinian man Issa Kassissieh, dressed as Santa Claus, poses for a photo at Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on December 19, 2024. - Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images Over the past year in Gaza, where Israeli attacks have killed at least 45,000 people and destroyed much of the strip, churches have been targeted several times by Israeli forces. Days before Christmas last year, an Israeli military sniper shot and killed two women inside the Holy Family Parish, according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. This Christmas, the Catholic Bishop of Jerusalem, known as a Patriarch, was allowed to enter Gaza to pray with the small Christian population of the strip at the Holy Family Parish, which has served over the past year as a shelter for the small religious minority. The war will end, and we will rebuild again, but we must guard our hearts to be capable of rebuilding. We love you, so never fear and never give up, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa told worshipers during Sunday Mass. On the outskirts of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, Umm Asaad, a 74-year-old Christian woman who has been displaced 12 times along with her husband, was celebrating Christmas from a makeshift tent. She told CNN that the war was the toughest shes ever witnessed. We used to gather, go to the church, congratulate and celebrate with each other. There was hope for life, Um Asaad said. Now theres no hope, she added. Lebanon celebrates Meanwhile in Lebanon, decorations are up in Christian parts of Beirut, where communities are keen to celebrate just weeks after a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel was declared. Flights were fully booked as people returned to mark Christmas with families and festive markets opened in different neighborhoods. My brother is flying back from New York just to specifically celebrate with our mother, Tony Batte, an Armenian Catholic resident of Beirut, said. In September, Israel expanded its targeting of Hezbollah to areas inside Lebanon, including the capital Beirut. Around 4,000 people were killed and thousands more injured in Lebanon while Hezbollah continued firing rockets and drones on Israeli cities in the north displacing thousands. Hezbollah entered the war last year in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and Hamas but has since suffered significant losses, including the assassination of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and his top brass, and the debilitating of the militant groups missile capabilities. The fall of its key ally Assad, and the rebels capture of key supply routes used by Hezbollah in Syria could also affect the capabilities of the Iranian-backed group. We want stability, were tired. We were occupied by the Syrians for years and then had Iranian influence, and were tired of the Christian infighting, the Islamic infighting, the Hezbollah-Israel war, every Lebanese person is tired, not just Christians, Batte said. Mohammad Al-Sawalhi contributed to this report from Gaza. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Denmark's Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen, Greenland Denmarks not rolling over. The Nordic nation announced Tuesday that it will bolster Greenlands defenses with a $1.5 billion in new resources, including two elite sled dog teams, days after President-elect Donald Trump signaled renewed interest in purchasing the Arctic island. It is ironic that it coincides with the announcement from the United States, Danish Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen told Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten about the new defense package, dismissing that it had anything to do with Trumps Sunday Truth Social post. For many years we have not invested enough in the Arctic, now we are planning a stronger presence, he added. Denmarks Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen said the country plans to invest $1.5 billion to upgrade Greenlands defenses. Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images Poulsen noted that the massive defense package would fund the purchase of two new patrol boats, two new long-range drones and allow two additional sled dog teams to be deployed to the barren, icy island. The Danes have used mushing teams to patrol Greenland since World War II. Denmarks Sirius Dog Sled Patrol which takes its name from the Dog Star or the brightest star in the night sky is an elite special forces unit attached to the Royal Danish Navy. Members of the sled dog team patrol Greenlands wilderness for months at a time and are armed with bolt-action rifles and pistols though theyre more likely to encounter polar bears and musk oxen than people on patrol. In addition to more sled dog patrols, Denmark also plans to increase staffing at its Greenland command post and upgrade the islands airports to handle F-35 fighter jets, according to the BBC. The Danish Royal Navy uses elite sled dog teams to patrol the Arctic island. Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images Greenland has a population of less than 57,000 people. AFP via Getty Images Poulsen noted that Denmark a member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is willing to work with the US to secure Greenland. Trump, 78, expressed on Sunday his desire to see a US-owned Greenland by the end of his second term as he announced PayPal co-founder Ken Howery as his pick to serve as US ambassador to Denmark. For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity, Trump said in a statement. Sources close to the president-elect told The Post that Trump is 100% serious about wanting to acquire Greenland, as well as the Panama Canal. Trump, who is drawn to the islands natural resources and geopolitical relevance, previously indicated that he wanted to purchase Greenland back in 2019. Greenland is not for sale, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said at the time, in response to Trumps interest in making a deal. Greenland, which has a population of about 56,000, has its own government but is part of Denmark. Halle Berry/Instagram Halle Berry shares a sultry photo from her holiday vacation Halle Berry is turning up the heat for Christmas. The actress, 58, shared a collection of photos from her tropical vacation with boyfriend Van Hunt on Wednesday, Dec. 25. The first shot of the Christmas Day post was a mirror selfie of Berry in a black low-cut one-piece bathing suit. She tucked her tousled waves under a wide-brimmed hat and posed with her hip popped and hand on the wall. Another selfie was in the same spot but with a little more festive flair. The star posed with a kissy face while wearing an oversized Grinch shirt. I cant decide if I want to be naughty or nice this Christmas, but I am having a hell of a good time. Merry Christmas everyone! she wrote in the caption of the post. Halle Berry/Instagram Halle Berry wore a playful Grinch shirt while on vacation with boyfriend Van Hunt, right. Not all the fun holiday photos shared were solo. Berry also shared a sweet shot with her musician boyfriend. She and Hunt, who made their relationship public in September 2020, stood in front of a large colorful wreath and smiled in their beachwear. Berry's vacation post included various photos of the couple's trip as they enjoyed poolside meals at sunset and hanging out by the ocean. One shot even shows a mischievous animal sneaking into her hotel room and sampling the room service. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: Halle Bailey Channels Halle Berry in Bond Girl Halloween Costume and the Actress Praised the 'Huge Compliment' Last month, Berry made headlines by rewearing one of her most iconic looks. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the star attended the 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and wore the sheer Elie Saab gown she donned at the 2002 Oscars. SGranitz/WireImage; Courtesy Elie Saab Halle Berry in Elie Saab The mesh dress, which Berry wore when she won her history-making Best Actress Academy Award more than 20 years ago, features floral appliques and a silky asymmetrical skirt. For her latest take on the look, Berry added a pair of oversized gemstone earrings and wore her hair in a sleek top knot. At the 2002 ceremony, Berry rocked her then-signature pixie cut, and wore smaller gold earrings. Read the original article on People Hundreds of American Humvees have been left to rust in scrapyards across Afghanistan, three years after the US abandoned the trucks so emblematic of its military campaign in the country to the new Taliban regime. New satellite images from former Nato and US bases in several Afghan provinces show the US-made vehicles dismantled and hollowed out, with their parts haphazardly strewn around open-air garages and compounds. The US forces tried to dismantle or destroy much of their machinery, from aircraft to computer systems, in the last weeks of their chaotic pull-out from Afghanistan after 20 years of war. But much still fell to the Taliban in August 2021 when the US-trained Afghan military crumbled and surrendered to the Islamist militants, according to US defence officials. The Pentagon says US forces left behind military equipment worth over $7.2bn at the time. Glimpses of this leftover military hardware are occasionally seen at Taliban events, such as a grand parade held by the Taliban at Bagram airbase in August to mark their three years in power. Taliban military helicopters fly to celebrate the third anniversary of Talibans takeover of Afghanistan (AFP via Getty) Images from the immediate aftermath of the pull-out showed Taliban militants seizing US-supplied firepower, including guns, ammunition, helicopters and other modern military equipment. The Independent has analysed images from Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Khost and Ghazni which show Humvees, along with other military and heavy vehicles such as rangers and army tracks that were given by the American armed forces to the Afghan National Defence Security Forces and police authorities before the fall of Kabul in August 2021. The majority of these Humvees are seen in images from the two power centres in Afghanistan Kabul and Kandahar with several in the backyard of the Kabul International Airport. Most of the Humvees in Kandahar are also seen at the now-abandoned US military-run airbase near the Spin Boldak road. A satellite view from 2019 of Humvees and other military vehicles parked at the Kandahar airbase, the main point for the Nato forces inside Afghanistan (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) The same place as seen this year, under Taliban control (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) Contrasting the available images from 2019 and 2020, when the US and Afghan forces jointly managed the bases, with images from now, under the Taliban regime, shows the poor state of these vehicles. A satellite view of of destroyed Humvees and other military vehicles in Kandahar this year (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) The same place in June 2019 (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) Qais Alamdar, an open source intelligence researcher and analyst, confirms to The Independent that at least 20 geolocated coordinates from Afghanistan show abandoned Humvees, as well as other armoured vehicles, trucks and tanks. The comparison [of images] from before the Taliban took over shows that they are no longer able to upkeep this expensive Nato machinery, and there are several reasons for it including the maintenance and expensive fuel to run them, he says. In the first few months of their takeover, the Taliban were using these Humvees alongside pick-up trucks to patrol parts of Afghan provinces, but over the years they seem to have junked them by the dozen, Mr Alamdar says. A satellite view of neatly parked Humvees and other military vehicles near Kabul International Airport in 2019 (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) The same place in June 2024 (Screenshot: Google Earth Pro) Besmillah Taban, former general director of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) under the Ashraf Ghani government, says the fuel to run Humvees is more expensive and the spare parts to repair them are impossible to get outside of US and European markets. Its not just the fuel, which guzzles five to six times more than an average vehicle, but you cannot find even a small part of the Humvee in the Afghan bazar. You have to order from the United Arab Emirates. The maintenance of the Humvee is turning out to be costly and, frankly, out of the budget for the Taliban, he says. The Talibans local leaders now seem to have switched to using motorcycles to carry out patrolling, especially in areas like Baghlan and Badakhshan, he says. Mr Taban, who worked in Kabul near the places where the Humvees have been disposed of, says the mechanics who worked for Nato forces are now in the US or other parts of the world, and afraid to return to Afghanistan. Even if you manage to buy a spare part or fix a Humvee in such dire conditions, you can do it for 10 to 12 Humvees, not 100 or 200 Humvees, Mr Taban says. As a result, the Humvees are now a mere showpiece of stolen American equipment, stationed at border checkpoints in the country. In a rare show of force, a column of Humvees was used to guard the procession at the funeral of the senior Taliban minister Khalil Haqqani, who was killed in a suicide bombing attack last week. Sources present at his funeral told The Independent that a convoy of around 30 to 40 Humvees was placed in a line at the burial in Paktia province. Humvees are seen parked during the funeral ceremony of Khalil Haqqani (AFP via Getty) In the absence of spare parts, the Taliban is cannibalising these Humvees, says Lynne O'Donnell, journalist and analyst on Afghanistan. The satellite images showed several Humvees that appeared to have been broken down or hollowed out completely. Pointing to how the Taliban was able to fix Black Hawk helicopters and other US military aircraft that they flew in Afghanistan, she says the US trained the Afghan military to repair and maintain the billions of dollars worth of materiel that was transferred to the republic to build its military capacity. The US spent around $83bn to develop and sustain Afghan security forces from 2001 to 2021, according to reports from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, which oversees American taxpayers money spent on the conflict. Ahmad Zia Saraj, who served as Afghanistans spy chief from 2019 to 2021, says there is a concern that the Taliban will be able to raise funds by selling off parts of former US military hardware on the black market via neighbours like Pakistan and Iran. As soon as the Taliban took over the depots of the ministry of defence, they were looted, they stole a lot of things, weapons, ammunition, and these spare parts of these vehicles, and all of them were sold in the black markets of Pakistan, he says. An Afghan national army Humvee drives past a US army Black Hawk helicopter in Kandahar (AFP via Getty) Soon they will just sell these Nato vehicles like scrap and of course, the market will be Pakistan and how Pakistan will use it later on, he says. A dayslong holiday strike against Starbucks ended on Tuesday with the largest work stoppage ever carried out by the company's unionized workers, involving strikes at more than 300 stores in dozens of cities nationwide, the union Starbucks Workers United said. "The company should be concerned because this is just the beginning," Michelle Eisen, a Starbucks barista in Buffalo, New York, and a member of the union's bargaining team, told ABC News. The union and the company remain without a collective bargaining agreement at organized stores. Monthslong negotiations recently broke off over a disagreement about economic issues, including potential wage increases. As workers fold up their placards and return to their jobs, a question looms: What happens next? MORE: Starbucks strike expands to 300 stores on Christmas Eve Labor experts who spoke to ABC News said the worker unrest could give way to a resumption of negotiations and an eventual contract agreement, as both sides find reason to resolve the standoff. However, if a deal proves elusive, the workers may escalate their opposition toward the company with additional strikes or other pressure tactics, the experts said. The company may also pivot toward a more adversarial approach, leaving the bargaining table and cracking down on union organizing, the experts added. The strike in recent days interrupted a period of relative calm between Starbucks and the union. Starbucks Workers United and Starbucks announced in February that they would work on a "foundational framework" to reach a collective bargaining agreement for unionized stores. The union says Starbucks has failed to offer a viable proposal on economic issues, taking issue as well with the company's alleged refusal to resolve federal charges over illegal anti-union conduct. Workers United told ABC News in a statement that Starbucks had proposed no immediate wage increases for most baristas and a guarantee of only 1.5% wage increases in future years. Meanwhile, Starbucks said in a statement that the union had proposed an immediate increase in the minimum wage of hourly partners by 64%, as well as an overall 77% raise over the duration of a three-year contract. "This is not sustainable," a Starbucks spokesperson told ABC News. Starbucks United contests those figures as a disingenuous characterization of its proposal, the union told ABC News. "We've reached the position in the bargaining where we need to remind Starbucks who we are," Eisen said, pointing to public attention and worker strength demonstrated by the recent strike. Starbucks did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. Sara Kelly, Starbucks' executive vice president and chief partner officer, downplayed the impact of the strikes in a public letter to employees late Monday. "The overwhelming majority of Starbucks stores across the country have opened as planned and are busy with customers enjoying the holidays," Kelly said, noting that the company operates 10,000 stores and employs 200,000 people nationwide. "The union chose to walk away from bargaining last week," Kelly said. "We are ready to continue negotiations when the union comes back to the bargaining table." PHOTO: Workers and supporters picket in front of a Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle, Dec. 24, 2024. (David Ryder/Reuters) The show of worker strength could induce a better offer from Starbucks, since the company may recognize the public relations threat posed by the prospect of more headline-grabbing worker protests, some experts said. "Starbucks has to continually worry about getting a new generation of customers on board with their product," Matthew Bodie, a law professor at the University of Minnesota who focuses on labor issues, told ABC News, pointing to the company's reputation as a liberal-minded employer. Still, federal labor law affords wide latitude for a company to delay a collective bargaining agreement and lacks the large penalties necessary to compel an agreement, granting Starbucks sizable leverage over the next step in the labor dispute, Bodie added. "The traditional management playbook is to fight, fight, fight," Bodie said. "I see it as largely a decision for Starbucks to make because our system gives so much power and discretion to companies in how they manage collective bargaining." If Starbucks opts to forgo a new proposal, the union could shift toward a more militant strategy that resembles the previous approach taken by the campaign, experts said. In 2022 and 2023, Starbucks workers at the company carried out about 100 strikes per year, Johnnie Kallas, a professor of labor relations at the University of Illinois who tracks strike activity, told ABC News. The recent holiday strike marks the first work stoppage of 2024, since the union had pivoted toward a more cooperative approach amid negotiations, Kallas said. "If Starbucks doesn't meaningfully negotiate on economic proposals, you'll see a rise in militancy," Kallas said. "The workers may reach a fork in the road." Meanwhile, the company could also opt for a more adversarial approach, experts said. The negotiations this year have reflected a friendlier public posture from Starbucks. As recently as last year, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said he didn't believe unions had any place at the company. MORE: Why are Amazon and Starbucks workers striking over the holidays? The National Labor Relations Board, or NLRB, the federal agency that enforces labor rules, is expected to become more sympathetic toward management under President-elect Donald Trump, experts said. Starbucks could shift toward an increasingly hostile approach, knowing it's unlikely to face much pushback from the NLRB, the experts added. "If it remains a private negotiation between Starbucks and the union, it could go nowhere under Trump," John Logan, a professor of U.S. labor history at San Francisco State University, told ABC News. For now, Eisen said, union members plan to catch up on some rest over the holidays and weigh the path forward. Beyond doubt, however, are the union's plans to continue organizing new stores, Eisen said. Workers United organized more than 150 stores in 2024, bringing the total number of unionized stores to about 540. "You always want your movement to grow," Eisen said. "The bigger we are, the stronger we are." What happens next for the labor battle at Starbucks? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com As a sitting member of Congress, Matt Gaetz paid for sex with a 17-year-old high school student, used cocaine and ecstasy, and spent thousands of dollars on sex- and drug-fueled partying, according to a bombshell report from the House Ethics Committee. The report found substantial evidence the now-former Republican congressman regularly paid for sex and met women through a sugar dating website through a former associate who has since pleaded guilty to sex trafficking. The report determined Gaetz likely violated rules of conduct for the House of Representatives that prohibit prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress. Matt Gaetz is accused of paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl and using illicit drugs while a member of Congress (Getty Images) Ethics committee members paint a damning portrait of a four-year span, in which Gaetz allegedly paid tens of thousands of dollars to young women for sex a period when Gaetz emerged as a far-right bulldog for Donald Trumps agenda and a prominent figure in right-wing media. The president-elect named Gaetz as his first choice for the next U.S. attorney general, overseeing the Department of Justice as the nations top law enforcement official. Gaetz resigned from the House following that nomination, and then withdrew his name from consideration amid mounting scrutiny of the allegations at the center of the committees years-long investigation. The former congressman has since taken a job with One America News Network and hinted at another run for public office. He has vehemently denied allegations of wrongdoing. He filed a federal lawsuit against the committee to block the public release of its findings, which he claimed contained defamatory information. Statutory rape involving 17-year-old girl Shortly after he entered office in 2017, Gaetz and his associate Joel Greenberg attended a party where Gaetz had sex with multiple women, including a 17-year-old girl, who were paid, according to the report. Gaetzs then-girlfriend also attended the party, which was allegedly at the home of Christopher Dorworth, a prominent lobbyist in Florida. Then-congressman Gaetz and the girl, identified as Victim A, had sex twice during the party, including at least once in the presence of other party attendees. Gaetz was 35 years old at the time. Matt Gaetz allegedly had sex with a high school student while he was 35 and a newly sworn-in member of the House of Representatives (AP) Victim A testified to the committee that she was under the influence of ecstasy and recalled receiving $400 in cash from Gaetz, which she understood to be payment for sex She did not disclose her age, nor did he ask. The committee did not find evidence that Gaetz was aware she was a minor. After later learning she was a minor, he maintained contact less than [six] months after she turned 18 year old, and then met up with her again for commercial sex, according to the report. When Greenberg was prosecuted for sex trafficking that same victim, Gaetz publicly stated that Victim A doesnt exist and that he has not had sex with a 17-year-old since I was 17, the report noted. The committee found his statements untrue and his alleged actions were in violation of Floridas statutory rape law. Tens of thousands of dollars for sex Gaetz became friends with Greenberg who had recently taken office as a tax collector in Floridas Seminole County shortly after Gaetz was sworn into Congress in 2017, according to the report. Greenberg would contact women through SeekingArrangement.com now Seeking.com which had billed itself as a sugar dating website to connect financially well-off men with younger women for transactional relationships. Greenberg would show the website to Gaetz and give him his login credentials, and the men would then split the costs of drugs, hotels and girls they would invite to parties and travel destinations, according to the report. Gaetz and his associate Joel Greenberg allegedly met women through a sugar dating website and paid them tens of thousands of dollars for sex (AP) Gaetz would often pay women through PayPal and Venmo, as well as cash and with paper checks, or Greenberg would pay women to have sex with Gaetz, who then reimbursed Greenberg, the report found. Sometimes a lump sum would be sent to one woman, who would then distribute the cash to others who attended their parties, according to the report. The report lists payments totaling more than $90,000 to 12 different women between 2017 and 2020. Text messages obtained by the committee appear to show that Gaetz and the women understood the nature of the payments as transactions for sex. Representative Gaetz did not appear to have negotiated specific payment amounts prior to engaging in sexual activity with the women he paid, according to the report. Instead, the women had a general expectation that they would typically receive some amount of money after each sexual encounter. One woman told the committee Gaetz paid her more than $5,000 between 2018 and 2019, and 99 percent of the time that Gaetz and I] were hanging out, there was sex involved. Gaetz is also accused of routinely using drugs including cocaine and ecstasy (REUTERS) A 21-year-old woman Greenberg met on SeekingArrangement.com eventually became Gaetzs girlfriend when he was 35. Their relationship continued for more than two years, though they were not exclusive; she sometimes participated with him in sexual encounters with other women who were active on the website or otherwise involved in sex-for-money arrangements, according to the report. She invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in response to several of the committees questions, including whether Gaetz had ever paid her for sex and if she was aware Gaetz had ever paid anyone for sex. There is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz paid women for sex, and had others pay women for sex on his behalf, the report concluded. Nearly every young woman that the committee interviewed confirmed that she was paid for sex by, or on behalf of, Representative Gaetz. While some women characterized their relationship as a date-for-hire arrangement where sex was not necessarily expected, Gaetz still spent tens of thousands of dollars on other women with whom he had a shared understanding that they would be compensated for sexual activity with him, according to the report. There were potentially additional amounts spent on commercial sex that could not be specifically identified either because payments were made in cash or through intermediaries, the committee added. The Committees record thus indicates that Representative Gaetz enticed and procured women to engage in sexual activity for hire and purchased the services of women engaging in sexual activity for hire, in violation of Florida state law. Use of marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine Text messages obtained by the committee include Gaetzs requests for a full compliment [sic] of party favors, as well as vitamins or rolls. Greenberg asks one woman if she had ever done molly, while women testified that Gaetz routinely was under the influence of marijuana, cocaine or ecstasy. Gaetz sent one woman several hundred dollars to buy marijuana cartridges, while another woman said she and Gaetzs then-girlfriend brought drugs on a trip to the Bahamas, the report found. A years-long House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations surrounding Matt Gaetz concluded with a sweeping report published December 23 (Getty Images) Another woman said that she brought cocaine to at least one event with Gaetz and that she witnessed him taking cocaine or ecstasy on at least five occasions, according to the report. Nearly every witness interviewed observed Representative Gaetz using marijuana, the report stated. Greenberg also testified that he would typically provide drugs and Gaetz would pay him back in cash. Questions of consent and coercion All of the women interviewed by the committee said their sexual relationship with Gaetz was consensual, but at least one woman said the use of drugs at the parties they attended with him may have [impaired their] ability to really know what was going on or fully consent. Indeed, nearly every woman that the Committee spoke with could not remember the details of at least one or more of the events they attended with Representative Gaetz and attributed that to drug or alcohol consumption, according to the report. Women also testified to moments where Gaetz tried to convince them to have sex with him or Greenberg. Women described being made to feel bad about not having sex with the men, and being asked to make them happy. Another woman said that their relationship at some point was a loving friendship, but over time came to feel like a task, according to the report. When I look back on certain moments, I feel violated, one woman said. I think about it all the time. ... I still see him when I turn on the TV and theres nothing anyone can do, said another. Its frustrating to know I lived a reality that he denies. The committees report suggests women may not have been able to fully consent to sex with Gaetz while they were under the influence of drugs and alcohol (AP) In one instance, a 21-year-old woman who joined Greenberg and Gaetz at a Florida hotel, along with another 20-year-old woman Gaetz regularly paid for sex, had asked Gaetz for help with her tuition payments, according to messages included in the report. When she arrived to pick up the check in a hotel room, she found Greenberg and the 20-year-old woman, with the expectation of a sexual encounter in exchange, according to the report. The four of them had sex and afterwards Representative Gaetz gave her a $750 check made out to cash with tuition reimbursement in the memo line, the report found. The 21-year-old woman told the committee she believed that the encounter could potentially be a form of coercion because I really needed the money. While the committee did not find evidence that Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws, the report noted that the youngest person who joined the Bahamas trip was 18 years old at the time, and that while his relationship with the women involved an exploitative power imbalance, the Committee does not have reason to believe that he used force, fraud, or coercion as those terms apply under the applicable laws. Abuse of office In early 2018, Greenberg paid a woman who had sex with Gaetz the night they met, according to the report. During that encounter, the woman told Gaetz she needed a new passport, and Gaetz connected her to his chief of staff, who then worked with the State Department to secure an appointment days later, the report found. She said the $1,000 she received from Greenberg was to assist her with transportation costs to go to the Miami passport office from Orlando, according to the report. The woman said she continued to meet with Gaetz for sex. Obstruction and tampering The committee found evidence of Gaetzs obstruction of the probe, pointing to his refusals to answer committee questions while publicly attacking the report and denying allegations that the committee was asking for information about. Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress after Donald Trump nominated him for US attorney general. He then withdrew his name from consideration following reports that an ethics probe could soon publish its findings (REUTERS) The committee also was investigating allegations that Gaetz may have sought to tamper with witness testimony in connection with its investigation or the DOJs investigation. Prosecutors refused to provide a copy of an audio recording in which Representative Gaetz discussed the DOJs inquiry with one of the women he paid for sex, according to the report. The committee did not find documentary evidence that Representative Gaetz directly acted to prevent any woman from testifying for either of those probes, but some women cited a fear of retaliation from the congressman when declining to speak on the record with the Committee. No evidence of sex trafficking In 2021, Greenberg pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a minor, among other charges, and agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department in the prosecutions of other persons, and to testify in related proceedings, if necessary. He admitted to introducing a minor to other adult men, who engaged in commercial sex acts with her, according to a plea agreement. The Ethics Committee found substantial evidence that Gaetz violated state and federal laws and congressional rules surrounding prostitution and statutory rape, among other allegations, but investigators ultimately did not find that Gaetz violated a federal sex trafficking statute. Although Representative Gaetz did cause the transportation of women across state lines for purposes of commercial sex, the Committee did not find evidence that any of those women were under 18 at the time of travel, nor did the Committee find sufficient evidence to conclude that the commercial sex acts were induced by force, fraud, or coercion, the report concluded. Christmas time has always been special for John and Joan Reichart. In December 1970, John, back home in Indianola, Iowa, after serving in the Vietnam War as a Marine, proposed to his girlfriend Joan on Christmas Eve. After getting married, the couple decided to make every Christmas they celebrated special. Over the years, the holidays became a cherished time for the Reicharts. "Coming out of the Great Depression and World War II when we were born, you know, people didn't have a lot of things, so there were Christmases that we both remember not getting any gifts," John, 74, said. "Once we married, we both decided we would go all out for Christmas since we were robbed of it when we were young." Recently, however, the holidays have been bittersweet for the Reicharts. In December 2020, Joan, 72, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's after going through a brutal battle with triple-negative breast cancer. Joan and John Reichart circa 1970. "She couldn't catch a break," he said. "She kept getting hit with one thing right after another." Determined to create lasting memories for Joan despite her health challenges, John set out to surpass the couple's previous Christmases this year by doing something unforgettable for Joan: lighting up his neighborhood by decorating every house on his block for the holiday season. "We would always light up our house for Christmas, but it was nothing like this," he said. "I went all-in on the lights this year." The Reicharts' story goes viral John and Joan Reichart have been married for 53 years. John set out to decorate his neighborhood with Christmas lights in late September when most people were decorating their homes for Halloween. Using thousands of dollars from his savings, he made weekly trips to hardware stores to stock up on LED lights. Afterward, he spent nearly every night in his garage assembling the decorations before planting them in his neighbors' yards if they wished to participate. One neighbor, Frank Ewurs, had been looking to install permanent lighting on his house for some time. When he noticed John installing Christmas lighting in others' yards, he decided to strike up a conversation with him. "I started talking to him and discovered he was doing all this himself and doing it for his wife, and that really touched me," Ewurs said. Ewurs, 45, moved to Indianola two years ago with his wife and two children. He said he had never spoken with John before seeing him put up the Christmas lights. "I got to talking to him a little more and found out that we were both military veterans and had similar interests," Ewurs said. "We kind of just been friends since then." John Reichart poses with one of the homes he decorated for Christmas on E. Franklin Avenue in Indianola. Ewurs helped John finish installing the lights on the last houses on the block, and by the second week of November, nearly every house on E. Franklin Avenue was dawned with its own custom LED lighting under the soffit of the home and a nine-foot LED Christmas tree for the lawn. Almost immediately, residents of Indianola went to check out the homes on John's block. Then, as word quickly spread and local news organizations began running the story, John started receiving visitors from across the state. By Thanksgiving, the Reicharts' story went international, as the brightly lit neighborhood was being shown on the CBS Evening News before later being picked up by The Washington Post and BBC News. "In the last month or so, I've been interviewed by people from Canada and the Netherlands," he said. "The attention this has gotten has been truly something else." Whenever folks check out E. Franklin Avenue, they're almost certain to find John and Joan sitting in their garage no matter the weather bundled up and handing out hot chocolate to people. There was just one problem with all the decorations: there was nowhere to put them. This led John to purchase a new shed to store the lights, which he said was over $20,000. Nearly every house on E. Franklin Avenue in Indianola was decorated by John Reichart for Christmas. "I told [John] that's going to cost a lot of money, and I already knew how much money he had put into the lights and all the medical bills with his wife," Ewurs said. "I told him maybe we could take up a collection in the neighborhood or set up a GoFundMe." Initially hesitant, John agreed to Ewurs setting up a GoFundMe and opening up a P.O. Box on his behalf. Since starting both in late November, the GoFundMe has raised over $10,000, and John has been sent over 2,000 cards from all 50 states and around the globe. Ewurs said it has been great to see all the support Joan and John have received due to the latter inspiring others and bringing the community closer together. "Their story has brought people in the neighborhood together I've met more people in the neighborhood since John began doing this than I knew prior," Ewurs said. "His love for his wife and Christmas is heartwarming and means a lot to people in our community." With the success of the Christmas lights on his block this year, John said he has created his own Christmas tradition that he hopes to continue for many years. "Even if [Joan] passes away, I'm still going to do it as a way to remember her," John said. Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa man decorates neighborhood with Christmas lights for sick wife The number of migrants traversing the treacherous Darien Gap in the hopes of making it to the United States has plummeted as Panamas right-wing President Jose Raul Mulino cracks down on the major migration route. Crossings through the 70-mile stretch of jungle the only land bridge between South and Central America dropped by 40% this year to about 300,000, the countrys Security Minister Frank Abrego told the Wall Street Journal. Mulino, who took office in July, had vowed to curb illegal immigration, with his government quickly signing an agreement with the US to crack down on migration through the Darien Gap. Under the deal, the US agreed to cover the costs of repatriating migrants who enter Panama illegally. Panamanian president Jose Raul Mulino has said the true US border is actually here at the Darien Gap and is beseeching the Trump administration to continue funding their stepped-up enforcement efforts. AFP via Getty Images But despite the significant drop in crossings, Mulino stressed that the numbers could creep up again without ongoing US support. We want the Trump administration to realize that its border is actually here at the Darien Gap and to see how complicated that area is, Mulino told the Journal. We are still concerned, he said. Last year alone, human smugglers helped more than 530,000 migrants navigate the remote jungle route on their way through the country. The notable decline is thanks in large part to the country beefing up their security measures to include biometric screening which makes it easier for border agents to identify those with criminal histories. These numbers are promising, but ex-border chiefs previously told The Post it came more than three years too late thanks to the disastrous border czar reign of Vice President Kamala Harris. More than 530,000 migrants traversed the treacherous Darien Gap jungle path last year, but with US sending aid that figure has been reduced by 40% this year. AFP via Getty Images The Darien Gap has become a favorite smuggling route and helped facilitate multiple surges of migrants entering the US illegally. Abrego said some days as many as 25,000 people would take the route on a daily basis. Migrants who made their way through the dense jungle were then whisked via bus through Panama and onto Costa Rica, where the cycle would repeat. Panamas pro-Trump president Jose Raul Mulino is working to curb the flow of migrants trekking through his country on their way to the US border. Bloomberg via Getty Images Many countries along the caravan route would even provide busing to migrants in the interest of moving them along to the next country, the Journal reported. Mulino has taken hardline steps to end the free-for-all, including deploying troops and installing razor wire fences to keep migrants moving single-file through the wilderness, which makes them easier to track. Trump and Mulino dont see eye to eye on everything, however. The incoming commander-in-chief has made overtures for the US to take control of the Panama Canal, which was given to the country via treaty nearly a quarter-century ago. Mulino said in no uncertain terms that the canal changing hands is not in the offing. Betsie Van Der Meer/Getty Stock image of bride stands next to her wedding gifts The coworker of a newly married woman says she used their recent company holiday party to swindle wedding gifts After sharing a "sob story" about how she wasn't given enough money from her guests to pay for her "lavish destination wedding" and two apartments, the "entitled bride" pestered her co-workers for their raffle prizes at their company party "Come raffle time, she has staked out her favorite gifts and was determined to leave with them," the co-worker wrote on Reddit A newly married woman is being accused of using a company holiday party to get more wedding gifts. In a post on Reddit's "Wedding Shaming" forum, a co-worker of the bride expressed their distaste for the woman's actions at their company party. The woman got married over the summer and had "a rather lavish destination wedding." In the months leading up to the big day, it was all she could talk about, according to the Redditor. However, she allegedly expected others to pay for her grand celebration. "Three weeks before her wedding, the women in her department had a small bridal luncheon at work and her boss invited everyone to an after work party as well," the individual wrote. "For those unable to attend, there was an option to make a cash donation since she did not have a wedding registry (hmm!)." Even though the bride already had a chance to receive gifts and monetary donations from her co-workers, it apparently wasn't enough. The co-worker claimed that the married woman saw this year's annual holiday party as another chance to cash out. Getty Stock image of a bride and groom admiring their wedding gifts The company emailed its staff stating that this would be the best party yet, with a guarantee that every person leaves with a prize from the raffle. The prizes included two Roku televisions, a high-quality espresso machine, KitchenAid cake mixer worth at least $400, mini-fridge, Bose television speaker, back massager, wireless earbuds, nice bedding, an air purifier, gift cards worth between $50 and $250 and products from Brookstone and Crate & Barrel. During cocktail hour at the party, the newly married woman shared a "sob story about how she wished she had gone with a registry because the amount of money received was nowhere near enough to cover most [wedding] costs." Nor was she given enough money to furnish her and her husband's dual apartments, which are located in two different states, according to the co-worker. 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. "Come raffle time, she has staked out her favorite gifts and was determined to leave with them," the individual recalled. "I had the unfortunate luck of winning one of her coveted prizes and thus ended up on the hit list." The Redditor won a 48" TV. In the comments section, they claimed the woman harassed them. "After my number was called and prize announced, she made her way over to my table. She gave me a half-hearted congratulations and asked if I plan to take it. I said 'yes,' " they recalled in the comments section of their post. "She says the living room in her Boston apartment lacks furniture and they watch TV on their phones. Then she asked if I wanted to push my luck for the 65 by taking her number. I said 'Im good.' " Related: Bride's Best Friend Backs Out of Maid of Honor Role 4 Days Before Wedding to Meet Up with Man from Dating App At first, the woman walked away to pester different raffle winners for their prizes. But she soon returned to the poster. Harbucks/Getty Stock image of office holiday party "I was approached again at the bar (her number had not been called yet) and asked what time I was leaving. I said I wasn't sure," the individual explained. "She tells me she is planning to leave soon and wished she could give her ticket to someone else, take a nice prize and go home already. I told her my answer had not changed. She then made her way to the winner of the 65 TV and received the same answer." They continued: "I was approached again as I was loading the prize into my car. This time my response was 'no is a complete sentence.' " While the woman may have been unsuccessful with the poster, she did still leave with at least three gifts. "I have been to some crazy work holiday parties. But I have never attended one where an entitled bride stalked others and myself for raffle prizes," the Redditor concluded. "What happened to manners? 1/3 of us barely know and 2/3 have no clue who you are. You are a name in a directory of a few hundred people." Reddit users in the comments section agreed that the woman's behavior was inappropriate, and suggested the poster make a complaint to human resources (HR). Read the original article on People Spanish archaeologists have successfully removed a 2,600-year-old shipwreck from waters off the country's southeastern coast, two decades after the relic was initially found, officials said. The ancient Phoenician shipwreck dates back to the 7th century B.C.E. It was discovered in 1994 off the coast of Murcia in southeastern Spain, near the town of Mazarron, according to Spain's Ministry of Culture. Now called the Mazarron II, this shipwreck was one of two located in that same general area. The first, called Mazarron I, was initially located in 1993, lifted from the water in June 1995, and put on display at Spain's National Museum of Underwater Archaeology in 2005 after undergoing years of conservation treatments, the museum said. Underwater photo of the Mazarron II, an ancient Phoenician shipwreck. / Credit: Spanish National Museum of Underwater Archaeology Mazarron II is of particular interest to archaeologists and researchers because it is one of only a few Phoenician-era shipwrecks discovered largely intact, said Carlos de Juan, the director of the excavation project, in a video shared by the University of Valencia. The university partnered with the regional culture ministry in Murcia to carry out the excavation. A team of 14 specialists worked with de Juan to lift the shipwreck from the sea in less than two months, beginning the project Sept. 13 and finishing Nov. 7. Video shows divers carrying wooden fragments of the wreck to the surface in pieces. Phoenicia was an ancient civilization along the eastern Mediterranean coast, in the area of modern-day Lebanon, Syria and Israel, which existed from about 1500 to 300 B.C.E. Although historians say Phoenicians thrived for a time on trade and developed an alphabet that formed the basis for the ones later produced by ancient Greece and Rome, many traces of the civilization were considered lost until the 20th century. Artifacts like Mazarron II can help shed light on Phoenician culture, said de Juan. He noted in his comments to the University of Valencia that little is known about Phoenician naval construction, even now, despite the wealth of information about ships built nearby in the Mediterranean by the ancient Greeks. "Therefore, this wreck is a very important contribution to this area of study," de Juan said. He noted that elements of the Mazarron II are similar to construction designs seen in cultures throughout the surrounding region, but some are distinctive and mysterious, at least for now. Each piece of the shipwreck has been transferred to a laboratory at the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, in southern Spain. The lab will work carefully to conserve its remains, in a process that will likely take several more years. "Hail and Farewell": A tribute to those we lost in 2024 Dr. Leana Wen says for bird flu, "we should have learned our lesson from COVID" in testing How Japanese mochi brings communities in America together TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nippon Steel said on Thursday it has extended the closing period for its $15 billion purchase of U.S. Steel, expressing confidence that the acquisition will protect and grow the American company. The estimated closing date was revised to the first quarter of 2025 from the third or fourth quarter of 2024 previously. On Monday, a U.S. foreign investment committee referred the decision whether to approve or block the deal to U.S. President Joe Biden, who has 15 days to decide. Biden and his incoming successor, Donald Trump, have both expressed opposition to the purchase. "Nippon Steel hopes that the President will use this time to conduct a fair and fact-based evaluation of the acquisition. We remain confident that the acquisition will protect and grow U.S. Steel," Nippon Steel said on Thursday. It added that the review process of the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice was also underway, without specifying when it may end. (Reporting by Rocky Swift and Katya Golubkova; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Muralikumar Anantharaman) (Reuters) -A ballistic missile struck an apartment building in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring 15, four of them seriously, officials said. Ukrainian officials denounced the Christmas Eve attack on the city, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's hometown. "The monsters landed a direct hit on a four-storey residential block with 32 apartments," the head of the city's military administration, Oleksandr Vilkul, wrote on Telegram. One man whose body had been pulled from under the rubble could not be revived by medics, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said. Vilkul later said that a woman had been rescued and taken to a hospital after spending four hours covered in rubble. "While other countries of the world are celebrating Christmas, Ukrainians are continuing to suffer from endless Russian attacks," Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets wrote on Telegram. Governor Lysak posted photographs of rescuers trawling through a large pile of rubble, recovering a person covered in dust and loading them into an ambulance. Kryvyi Rih is a steelmaking city with a pre-war population of more than 600,000. Its southern outskirts lie about 40 miles (65 km) from the nearest Russian-occupied territory, and it has regularly been the target of Russian missile attacks throughout the war. Russia says it does not deliberately target civilians, although thousands have been killed since Moscow launched its invasion in 2022. (Reporting by Max Hunder and Ron Popeski; Editing by Barbara Lewis and Mark Porter) OCEAN CITY, N.J. Sue McElwee didn't realize she and her friends were about to start a holiday tradition in 2019 when they set up a Christmas tree on the beach. They just wanted a beautiful backdrop for family photos. "We left the tree up," she said, "and let the kids write their names on shells with Sharpies." Soon, others were stopping by, leaving their own messages on seashells and taking their own photos. Five years later, there are at least eight other trees at various spots along the Ocean City, New Jersey, beach, each with its own story. "It really took off in 2020," said McElwee, a mother of four whose family moved to the town that calls itself "America's Greatest Family Resort" full time the same year. "People, even in the winter, will still walk on the beach," she said. "And with it being 2020, I think they were just looking for a way to be outside and be connected. Everyone appreciated small things, and they'd hear about it on social media and travel down here. They can put a message or their name on a shell." Her children, ages 8 to 17, have learned the value of connections and simple beauty, and McElwee said she's honored that people have taken the idea and made it their own. "People tell their stories, and it's a really special thing." Sue McElwee snapped a photo of her daughter, Harlow, next to the Christmas tree she and some friends set up on the beach near their Ocean City, New Jersey, home. The tree sparked a bit of a tradition in the resort town. 'A true celebration of nature' Paul Ribble lives in Ocean City in the offseason. He's semi-retired and finds it quieter (not to mention cheaper) to rent during the cooler months. He is one of the people caring for the tree at the southernmost tip of Ocean City, on the 59th Street beach. Melanie Stampone set up a tree at 50th Street in 2021, and as a storm approached, some of her neighbors, including Wendy Smith and Gail Ping knowing Stampone wasn't nearby gathered up all the shells, took down the tree so it wouldn't be swept away and replaced everything once the storm passed. A Christmas tree on the 11th Street beach in Ocean City, New Jersey, is surrounded with shells that have messages paying tribute to military veterans and service members. "Its a labor of love," Smith said. "If you didnt have people there to care for them, it would be a mess." The next year, a dredging project prompted them to move the tree a few blocks south to 59th Street. McElwee said making sure the North Street tree was as environmentally friendly as possible was important: "You have to think about (what's on and around the tree). You don't want stuff blowing into the ocean. You have to be conscious of that it's not your living room." The Memorial Tree at the 34th Street beach in Ocean City, New Jersey, invites visitors to leave messages and remembrances of lost loved ones on seashells and in a Letters to Heaven box. The tree McElwee maintains at North Street is donated to Funny Farm Animal Rescue in nearby Mays Landing after the holidays. Smith said the 59th Street tree is usually donated to a local farm or to the Cape May Zoo. Most of the trees have ornaments made of shells, driftwood, even starfish. "Our tree (on the 50th Street beach) is a true celebration of nature," Lisa Walsh of the OCNJ Queens wrote in an email, "adorned with handmade ornaments crafted from bird seed, peanut butter, pinecones, pretzel sticks, and, of course, clam shells." Seashells at the 11th Street beach Christmas tree pay tribute to military members and veterans, thanking them for their service and sacrifice. Christmas trees and causes The 59th Street tree is donated by Ponderosa Tree Farm in Egg Harbor City. This year, while Smith recovered from surgery, Ribble and others picked it up and installed it on the beach (burying the trunk deep in the sand and reinforcing it with two-by-fours). Caretakers collect shells and put them into baskets. Plastic buckets hold markers, though Ribble said some people take the shells home and paint them with more elaborate designs. There are string lights along the wooden fence leading from 59th Street, past the dunes and onto the beach. And this year, visitors can bring nonperishable items to be donated to a local food pantry; Ribble said two big rubber bins have already been filled a few times since Thanksgiving. Lights help visitors find their way to the Christmas tree at the 59th Street beach in Ocean City, New Jersey. Visitors can bring nonperishable food items to benefit a local food pantry and write messages on seashells. A "Memorial Tree" at 34th Street offers visitors a place to leave messages to lost loved ones. At 11th Street, another tree pays tribute to military members and veterans and has American flags and shells for people to leave messages of thanks for those who serve and sacrifice. And at 50th Street, the OCNJ Queens, a philanthropic women's group, raised nearly $1,000 last year for Angels in Motion, which helps people dealing with substance use disorder and homelessness. This year, the group's tree supports the cancer nonprofit Gilda's Club of South Jersey. Ornaments on many of the Ocean City beach Christmas trees are made from sustainable or natural materials, like seashells, starfish and driftwood. Thousands of shells, visitors from all over Smith said thousands of shells have been collected over the years just from the 59th Street tree. Visitors have come from all over the East Coast and as far away as Canada. McElwee remembered one family who left messages to two daughters who died from medical conditions. Their mother wrote to her from Boston to tell her how much it meant to her to leave a small memorial to them near the ocean. Sue McElwee and a few of her friends in Ocean City, New Jersey, wanted a nice Christmas photo. So they put up a tree on the beach at North Street, decorated and watched as it turned into a local tradition. Smith, a retired educator, said she has welcomed her former students and their own families to the 59th Street tree. She's grateful for everyone who visits and has seen marriage proposals, someone playing "O Christmas Tree" on the violin, and countless beachfront Christmas photos. Paul Ribble wipes sand off a seashell next to the tree at 59th Street beach in Ocean City, New Jersey. Ribble is one of the people who takes care of the tree and makes sure it's maintained throughout the season. "You know when someone thanks you for something and you think, Why are you thanking me?" she said. "That tree gives more to me than I could ever give to it. People find joy in it, and in caring for it. We love doing something that makes so many people feel good." Reach Phaedra Trethan at ptrethan@usatoday.com, on Bluesky @byphaedra or on Threads @by_phaedra. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How one Christmas tree on a NJ beach became a beloved tradition Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Illinois.gov (The Center Square) Illinois employers are bracing for minimum-wage hikes, which may lead to more job cuts around the state. Illinois minimum wage is rising from $14 per hour to $15 on Jan 1, the final increase in a series of annual increases from a law Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed in February of 2019. In addition, the minimum wage for tipped workers is increasing from $8.40 per hour to $9. The youth minimum wage, for workers under age working fewer than 650 hours per calendar year, is going up from $12 per hour to $13. Im very, very proud about the work that we did to get from $8.25 to $15. Thats a big jump, and it put us in a leadership position in the Midwest for attracting great workers to the state of Illinois, Pritzker said. When asked at a news conference earlier this month, the governor did not rule out another minimum wage hike. I think we did it the right way when we did it back in 2019. I havent seen a proposal yet for a change going forward, Pritzker said. In February 2019, when the law passed, the states unemployment rate was 4.8%. Its now 5.3%, third highest in the U.S. Only Nevada (5.7%) and California (5.4%) are higher. The national unemployment rate in November was 4.1%. At the same time that weve raised the minimum wage, Ive been working hard to create more jobs in the state to make sure that weve got a competitive environment for the workers in our state, Pritzker said. All of the states bordering Illinois have lower minimum wages and lower unemployment rates. Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Wisconsin have a $7.25 minimum wage. Missouris minimum wage is $12.30 per hour. The unemployment rate in Kentucky is 5.1%. Indiana is at 4.4%, Missouri at 3.7%, and Iowa at 3.1%. Wisconsin has the seventh-lowest unemployment rate in the nation at 2.9%. Despite some individual studies showing no job cuts with minimum wage hikes, Reason.org states, There are vastly more studies that find job reductions with minimum wage hikes. Reason.org noted that economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis concluded in 2021, A higher minimum wage can also result in employers using automation to replace more expensive human labor. In July 2019, several months after Pritzker signed Illinois minimum wage legislation, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the effects of a federal minimum-wage increase. In an average week in 2025, the $15 option would boost the wages of 17 million workers who would otherwise earn less than $15 per hour. Another 10 million workers otherwise earning slightly more than $15 per hour might see their wages rise as well. But 1.3 million other workers would become jobless, according to CBOs median estimate, the CBO stated. In July of this year, Chicago raised its minimum wage to $16.20 per hour for employers with four or more employees. The minimum wage for tipped employees in Chicago is now $11.02 per hour and is eventually slated to match the minimum wage for non-tipped workers. Chicago Bars, a social media account working on behalf of Chicago bars, restaurants, and music joints, commented about the announced closing of Old Town Pour House on Wells Street, posting on X, I have never seen bar and restaurant closings coming as fast as they are right now in Chicago. Russia launched an inhumane attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, with explosions reported across the country, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said. It is the thirteenth time this year Russia has carried out a major attack on Ukraines power grid, according to DTEK, the countrys largest energy provider, leaving it in a precarious position while the war grinds into a third winter. At least one person died in the attacks in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, while six others were injured in Kharkiv less than 20 miles from the Russian border Ukraines national police said, adding that residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged in the attack. At least seven missile strikes targeted the city, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Half a million households have been left without heating in the Kharkiv region in temperatures of 3 degrees Celsius (37 degrees Fahrenheit). Kyiv has imposed rolling blackouts to stabilize the grid, DTEK said. Ukrainian forces meanwhile said Wednesday that they attacked a Russian command post overnight in Lgov in the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a surprise offensive this year. Four people were killed and five have been hospitalised, including one woman in a serious condition, according to local authorities in the Kursk region. In Russias North Ossetia-Alania, the ministry of defence said an explosion and fire in a shopping center in Vladikavkaz was caused by falling debris from a drone shot down by air defence forces Wednesday morning which killed one person. Attack comes after Xmas day switch Prior to 2023, most Ukrainians celebrated Christmas on January 7 under the Julian church calendar, but last year Zelensky signed a law formally changing the date as a way of further distancing the country from the traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church and bringing it in line with much of the rest of Europe. Ukraine created its own independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine in 2018, splitting from the Moscow-affiliated Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Since then, religious affiliation has increasingly been viewed as a symbol of national loyalty. The holiday is now celebrated by Ukrainian Orthodox Christians on December 25, and Zelensky said Russias intentions were clear. Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice not only of targets but also of timing and date, Zelensky said. Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? People take shelter at a metro station during an air raid alert in Kyiv, Ukraine, on December 25, 2024. - Thomas Peter/Reuters Russia launched more than 70 missiles on Wednesday, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 attack drones targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure, he said, adding more than 50 missiles were shot down along with a significant number of drones. Unfortunately, there are hits. As of now, there are blackouts in several regions, he added. DTEK said the attacks severely damaged equipment at its thermal power plants across the country. This year, it is the thirteenth massive attack on the Ukrainian energy sector and the tenth massive attack on the companys energy facilities, the company said, adding its thermal power plants have been shelled more than 200 times since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russia attacked the energy sector again on a massive scale, Ukraines energy minister German Halushchenko said on his Facebook page. Ukraines energy operator imposed emergency blackouts in several parts of the country, the minister added. Ukraines foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha said on X that a Russian missile passed Moldovan and Romanian airspace reminding that Russia threatens not only Ukraine. Maia Sandu, president of the Republic of Moldova said on X: While our countries celebrate Christmas, Kremlin chooses destruction targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure and violating Moldovas airspace with a missile, actions that clearly violate international law. Moldova condemns these acts and stands in full solidarity with Ukraine. Romanians ministry of national defense said they could not confirm that Romanian airspace was crossed. Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to a Russian missile threat in western Ukraine, according to the Polish Operational Command. Wednesdays attack follows a deadly Russian strike on the city of Kryvyi Rih on Christmas Eve. At least one person was killed and 17 others were injured after a Russian missile struck a residential building in the city the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An explosion sank a sanctioned Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean Sea on Monday night, Russian authorities said, leaving two crew members missing. The crisis center of the Russian Foreign Ministry said the vessel, Ursa Major, sank south of Spain after a blast in the engine room. It was traveling through the Mediterranean after traversing the Strait of Gibraltar, the narrow sliver of ocean between Europe and Africa. The ministry said 14 crew members were rescued and taken to a Spanish port but two were unaccounted for. Ursa Major is the flagship vessel owned by Oboronlogistika, a shipping company that moves cargo for Russias Defense Ministry. The company was sanctioned by the US State Department in 2022. Russian state media RIA Novosti said Wednesday that the incident was caused by a terrorist attack and involved three explosions on the starboard side of ship, citing the vessel owner Oboronlogistika. CNN has reached out to Oboronlogistika for comment. Spains maritime rescue agency confirmed that the vessel had sunk, alerting ships in the area to the possibility of shipwreck debris and urging them to keep a sharp lookout, keep a wide berth and report any sightings to authorities. Oboronlogistika had said in a press release on Friday that the vessel, which was formerly called Sparta, was on its way to Vladivostok, in Russias far east, transporting two large cranes that would be used to develop port infrastructure there. But Ukraines Main Intelligence Directorate, GUR, claimed on social media on Monday morning hours before the vessel sunk that the ship was heading to Syria, and had already encountered problems on its journey. Kyivs intelligence service claimed the ship had broken down off the coast of Portugal but that the crew had resolved the problem and continued with their journey. Video filmed on Monday, shared on Russian social media channels and verified by CNN, showed a vessel matching the appearance of the Ursa Major listing heavily, with cranes visible on the ship. The agency said Russia sent the ship to move its weapons and equipment out of Syria, where Russia still controls a port facility at Tartus, following the ouster of Moscows ally and former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Last week, two US officials and a western official familiar with the intelligence told CNN that Russia had begun withdrawing a large amount of military equipment and troops from Syria. The US State Department says Oboronlogistikas main objectives are to guarantee the needs of the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding transportation, storage, and production of military and special purpose goods. Earlier this month, two Russian tankers carrying thousands of tons of fuel were badly damaged in stormy weather near the Black Sea, leading to an oil spill. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Northwestern Medicine Abbey Cannon and Meredith Everhart Meredith Everhart is celebrating Christmas this year with her family and her new heart. She and her sister Abbey Cannon, who are 7 years apart, both had heart transplants at age 38. This Christmas, they have a newfound appreciation for being together over the holidays. Im so thankful to be alive, says Everhart, a 39-year-old social worker. I just want to give and I just want to love and I just want to have us all together. Everhart can't believe she is the second person in her family to go through the transplant process and that she followed her sister to get there. In 2012, her older sister Cannon started having chest pain and fast heartbeats. The symptoms lasted a couple days, so she called her doctor and made an appointment. The next day, the 34-year-old moms left arm went numb and started tingling. At the time, she happened to be on the phone with Everhart, who insisted her sister go to the ER near her home in Nashville. Related: Triathlete, 38, Survives After Widow Maker Heart Attack Leaves Him 'Dead for Several Minutes' During Race They told me that I had a heart attack, says Cannon, now 46, who owns a southern comfort food restaurant and food truck in Elmhurst, Ill., as well as a seasoning blend company with her chef husband, Tony Cannon. However, further testing showed that her arteries were clear. She was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM, the most common genetic heart disease, affecting 1 in 500 people. It is also the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people and athletes, according to Northwestern Medicine. I'd never heard of it. I thought it was good news because they said, "You didn't actually have a heart attack," Cannon says. Courtesy of Abbey Cannon and Meredith Everhart Left: Meredith Everhart and Abbey Cannon; Right: Abbey Cannon and Meredith Everhart Related: Utah Mom, 33, Has Heart Attack After Walking on Treadmill, 4-Year-Old Son Told His Dad She Was 'Sleeping' Since HCM is a genetic condition, Cannon's parents and two sisters were tested; they were negative. But the symptoms seemed familiar to her youngest sister: When she was 19, Everhart had gone to the emergency room with chest pain. I dug out the paperwork and it said 'mild HCM,' she tells PEOPLE. (When she followed up with a cardiologist at the time, she was told she had 'unspecified chest pain'.) This time though, examining Everhart, doctors did see a little thickness, but not enough to be HCM, Cannon recalls. The day after her diagnosis, Cannon got a surgically implanted defibrillator and a pacemaker. Unfortunately, it was just a temporary fix. "I expected to get better, and I just did not I was declining, Cannon says. Over the next five years, Cannon continued to get sick. In 2015, she went for a second opinion at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, which has a team of HCM specialists. They would handle her care from that point forward. In May 2016, the sisters both moved from Nashville back into their parents home in Roselle, Ill., to prepare for what was to come. Related: See the Joyful Moment a 6-Year-Old on Transplant List Tells Hospital Staff: 'I'm Getting a New Heart!' Cannon received a heart transplant on February 27, 2017. Her sister was by her side and helped her care for her two young children while her husband continued working. Cannon recovered well from her surgery and was actually up and walking within six hours. In fact, several months after her transplant, she was back to working out. Cannon took Everhart to a cardio hip hop class. While Cannon felt great, Everhart had to sit down after five minutes. She says she recalls feeling like she was going to die. She was crying as her sister insisted she go to the doctor. In April 2017, Everhart got confirmation that she also had HCM, despite testing negative years before. "It very much runs in families but it can look very different," explains their cardiologist Dr. Esther Vorovich, an advanced heart failure and transplant specialist at Northwestern Medicine Blum Cardiovascular Institute, "Having the gene doesn't always mean you're going to have the same symptoms of the disease or how severe and aggressive the disease will be," she says. There's a "level of uncertainty," so people have to "see how it plays out." Until that exercise class, Everhart had spent years trying to ignore her worsening symptoms, like not being able to walk more than a couple of blocks. If she and her friends went to the beach, she drove her own car so she could sit in air-conditioning if she felt too hot. You feel like somebody was squeezing your heart as hard as they possibly could, Everhart says, adding that it started happening more frequently. There were a lot of signs, Everhart says. She wanted to deny it, Cannon says. She was misdiagnosed several times, which is common in this disease very common. Everhart concurs. "I was in such denial," she says. I had seen my sister suffer with her heart problems and I didnt want to go through that. Courtesy of Abbey Cannon and Meredith Everhart Meredith Everhart in the hospital with her sister Abbey Cannon by her side Related: College Student and Toddler She Babysits Share a 'Special Bond': They're Both Heart Transplant Survivors (Exclusive) In May 2022, the sisters vacationed at a lake house in Michigan. During that trip, Cannon got COVID. Everhart took care of her sister, then got sick herself. While her sister got better Everhart didnt. Everhart wondered if she had asthma or long COVID, but doctors determined she was in heart failure in November 2022. In December 2022, she started testing for a heart transplant. In May 2023, the testing was complete and she was officially added to the transplant list. On January 29, 2024, Everhart received the call she had been waiting for: Doctors had found a new heart for her. Cannon drove her to the hospital for the heart transplant surgery. Cannon understood everything her sister was going through and helped her on her journey. It was really amazing to watch the sisterly support, and how much more comforting it was to the second one to have seen it from the inside," their cardiologist Vorovich tells PEOPLE. They're really tough ladies, and they've been through a lot. The way they manage to support each other and have this wonderful family of support, to get each other through this, I think has been fantastic. Northwestern Medicine Abbey Cannon and Meredith Everhart The sisters say they have always been very close, but the transplant brought them closer. Its recreated our whole family and brought all of us to a deeper level of life and love, Everhart says. They share their story in hopes of encouraging others to register to become organ donors. Right now, Everhart is writing a letter to her donors family. I want them to know that their loved one's heart is being loved and cared for, Everhart says. I think about my donor all the time. This Christmas I will be thinking about them and their family. She plans to tell them: I'm a social worker that helps people all day long. I wouldn't be here to be able to give back like that without your loved one. And so they mean more to me than anything, especially this holiday season. Read the original article on People Sylvester Stallone invoked his friend President-elect Donald Trump at a Palm Beach town council meeting earlier this month. After hearing outcry from neighbors and concerns from Town Council members about a proposed seaweed barrier near his North End Palm Beach home, action star Sylvester Stallone pulled the plans during a testy public meeting on Dec. 19, according to the Palm Beach Daily News, which is part of the USA TODAY Network. Stallone's representatives had said in state and federal applications that the barrier was necessary to prevent seaweed and other debris from washing up on his beach. But an October public notice from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said agency officials believed that was a secondary concern, with the primary purpose being to "exclude boaters" from the area directly next to Stallone's home. Stallone attended the meeting with his wife, Jennifer Flavin Stallone, and members of the project team. Neighbors first heard about the project earlier this month when several received a notice seeking public comment from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. A project engineer sent an email soon after the Town Council meeting to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to withdraw that application, according to publicly available records. The Army Corps has not responded to a request to confirm that application was withdrawn as well. However, the project no longer appears on a map or in a database on the Army Corps website. The estate where the famed "Rocky" and "Rambo" actor and his wife live includes a 262-foot private beach on the lake, along with a two-story mansion, a guesthouse and a pool pavilion. The property is near the very northern edge of Palm Beach and the Palm Beach Inlet, with a view west toward the Port of Palm Beach and a view to the northwest toward Peanut Island, which is a popular recreation and party spot for boaters and kayakers. His property is a unique piece of land because of its location and how the current flows through the area, he said. The spot also has a lot of "interesting aquatic life," Stallone said. But there used to be even more, he noted. The area has been adversely affected by boaters, Stallone said. Sylvester Stallone speaks about his application for a seaweed barrier at his Palm Beach property during a special Town Council meeting on Dec. 19. "There's a lot of traffic that comes in there, because of our notoriety," he said, adding that while there are "lookie-loos," there are also fishermen and tour boats. Vessels will come into the area next to Stallone's home, drop anchor and stay there for 10 hours while they have a party or fish, he said. "We're trying to make this pristine," he said. He noted there is a lot of bird activity in the area, eliciting laughter from those at the meeting when he mistakenly said "penguins" instead of pelicans. He laughed, and joked, "I gotta study up on my geographics a little bit." Stallone also raised the issue of derelict boats, or vessels that have been left to rot in the waterway. People also dump trash and other waste in the Intracoastal, he said. "It's unbelievable to me that you can have your house and you can have some guy sit there for 10 months and do his laundry in front, and there's nothing you can do about it," Stallone said. He added that he is working with Trump, with whom he is friends, on the issue. In case you missed: Sylvester Stallone calls Trump 'second George Washington' and a 'mythical character' Jennifer Flavin and Sylvester Stallone hold hands as they decide to withdraw their application for a seaweed barrier at their Palm Beach property during special Town Council meeting on Dec. 19. "It's almost something that's been kind of lax, and no one's really paying attention," Stallone said. "Well, I'm going to pay attention. Trust me." He cited recent manatee deaths in the state in saying that he wants to clean up waterways and prevent more damage from being done. "Thank you very much for your time," Stallone said. "I have to go feed my penguins. They're hungry." Speaking before Stallone's decision to withdraw his plans from consideration, Mayor Danielle Moore told the council the barrier would set a bad precedent for Palm Beach. Through his entity Southpaw Trust, Sylvester Stallone owns this North End property at 1480 N. Lake Way in Palm Beach. "I think it's appropriate that we object to this," Moore said, adding later, "Unfortunately, I understand all the circumstances. But I also understand that I believe it would be taking away the rights of boaters and the public to use this particular area." Minnie Pulitzer daughter of fashion icon and designer Lilly Pulitzer, who lives in and grew up on the North End implored Stallone to reconsider his plans. More from Stallone: Sylvester Stallone warns actors not to do their own stunts after on-set injuries Palm Beach North End resident Minnie Pulitzer, second from right, speaks to Maura Ziska, from left, Jennifer Flavin Stallone and Sylvester Stallone about her concerns about their application for a seaweed barrier next to their Palm Beach property during a special Town Council meeting on Dec. 19. Town Manager Kirk Blouin is at right. "If you allow this, you set a precedent for it to happen all the way down through Palm Beach," she told the council. After neighbors' comments, Stallone said he understood their concerns. "Youre great neighbors and youve been here a long time, and we respect your work and the way you see this," he said, adding that his plan for the barrier "was not just a vanity thing." Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Sylvester Stallone invokes Donald Trump in Palm Beach town meeting Brazilian authorities are investigating after a bridge collapsed Sunday, killing at least four people and sending trucks loaded with sulfuric acid and pesticides plunging into a river, raising concerns about water contamination. More than a dozen people are missing after the 533-meter-long Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira bridge which connects the northeastern cities of Estreito and Aguiarnopolis gave way. Four trucks, three cars, and three motorbikes fell into the Tocantins River, according to the state-run Agencia Brasil news agency. Three women and one man died in the collapse, Agencia Brasil reported, citing the Maranhao Fire Department. The trucks were carrying about 25,000 liters of pesticides and 76 tons of sulfuric acid, according to the National Agency for Water and Basic Sanitation, raising concerns about environmental damage. Authorities warned residents not to drink or bathe in the rivers water. CNN Brazil reported that the search for the missing was suspended because of the sulfuric acid in the river. More than a dozen people are missing after the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira bridge collapsed Sunday. - Mauricio Marinho/Reuters President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sent his condolences to the families of the victims in a post to social media Monday, and said his government will support local authorities in dealing with the emergency. Brazils National Department of Transport Infrastructure has opened an investigation into the cause of the collapse, the government said in a statement. The Navy will also deploy equipment and boats to continue the search for the 13 people who are missing, the government said. The government also said it will hire a new company for the design and construction of a new bridge that will be ready in about a year. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An attorney representing once-aspiring male models trafficked for sex in an international scheme allegedly orchestrated by ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries is questioning claims that the 80-year-old has dementia and cannot stand trial. Jeffries, along with two others, is facing charges in the scheme, which coerced dozens of men into sex with hopes of landing modeling jobs with the company. He and Abercrombie also are facing a class-action lawsuit from victims accusing the retailer of knowing of the operation and looking the other way. The timing of Mike Jeffriess purported health issues is suspicious, to say the least, Brad Edwards, an attorney for the victims, told USA TODAY on Wednesday. He noted it appears he first saw a doctor after consulting with his defense attorney about the sex charges. My clients are following this closely, and we intend to provide information to law enforcement pertinent to this competency issue, Edwards said. We will hold everyone accountable for the heinous crimes committed against these many young men." Abercrombie & Fitch's chairman and chief executive Michael Jeffries, in this Feb. 16, 1998, file photo, has a contract that includes a $1 million annual salary & a retirement package not tied to the company's performance. Mandatory Credit: Mike Munden-USA TODAY NETWORK Prosecutors say the operation lasted years, cost millions of dollars and involved dozens of victims, according to court filings. Edwards' comments come after the former CEO's attorneys said in court filings Monday that a neuropsychologist diagnosed Jeffries with Lewy body dementia and late-onset Alzheimers. Jeffries ran the clothing company from 1992 to 2014. He was arrested and charged in October. Jeffries' attorney Brian Bieber wrote in the court filings Monday that he began questioning the former CEOs attentiveness, focus, competency, and understanding in early meetings in the sex trafficking case. A neuropsychologist then diagnosed Jeffries with the neurodegenerative diseases, Bieber wrote. The former CEO did not even come close to resembling a Masters degree-educated individual who once ran a publicly traded company, Bieber wrote in filings in the Eastern District of New York. A neuropsychologist performed a series of evaluations in October before arriving at a diagnosis, filings say. (aberannual sheban hinckley 06/13/07) Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael S. Jeffries addresses the annual meeting at the company's headquarters in New Albany. (Dispatch photo by Jeff Hinckley) michael jeffries Jeffries conditions are irreversible and will continue to worsen over time, Bieber wrote. Continued physical and cognitive decline is expected until Mr. Jeffries eventually succumbs to the diseases. Bieber argued that Jeffries conditions mean he will not be able to assist in his own defense and therefore cannot be tried. The competency hearing will be held June 16 and 17, according to Michael Loguercio, an administrative specialist for the Eastern District of New York. Edwards said he expects the cases will be decided in his clients' favor. "When the criminal and civil cases end, we expect there to be a conclusion that will set an example and forever deter corporations and their leaders from engaging in the sexual exploitation that Abercrombie did. Sex trafficking male models: What to know about the charges Jeffries was charged earlier this year along Matthew Smith, 61, of West Palm Beach, and James Jacobson, 71, of Wisconsin, with sex trafficking and engaging in interstate prostitution, prosecutors said. Smith has been referred to in hearings as Jeffries life partner. The operation involved taking young, aspiring male models to events in New York and other places around the world and coercing them into having sex. The men were led to believe that the events would lead to modeling opportunities and further their careers. The indictment against Jeffries alleges in graphic and disturbing detail that while he was CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, he used his power, his wealth and his influence to traffic men for his own sexual pleasure and that of his romantic partner, Smith, Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said when the charges were announced. The 16-count indictment lays out a sprawling investigation and charges the three defendants with exploiting young men in New York City, the Hamptons and in hotels around the world, including in England, France, Italy, Morocco and St. Barts. Jeffries and Smith employed Jacobson as a recruiter to find men and pay them to engage in sex acts, Peace said. Smith would personally select men to be flown to the couples homes or hotels to engage in commercial sex, Peace said. Heterosexual men were intentionally recruited, some of whom had worked for Abercrombie, according to the indictment. The defendants employed a staff to operate events where victims would be supplied with drugs and alcohol and coerced into sexual activity, the indictment says. The staff helped keep the events secret by ensuring the men handed over their phones and signed nondisclosure agreements, prosecutors say. Peace said the operation lasted from at least from 2008 to 2015 and required millions of dollars to support its massive infrastructure and maintain secrecy. In addition to paying the men for sex, the defendants spent prolific amounts on the staff to run it, he said. Though only 15 men are identified in the indictment as John Does, Peace said, prosecutors believe dozens and dozens of victims were involved. He thanked the victims for coming forward and encouraged any others to contact the FBI. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Victims' lawyer questions dementia of ex-Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries Santa Claus made his annual Christmas Eve journey from the North Pole to households around the world and, in keeping with decades of tradition, the North American Aerospace Command, or NORAD, once again tracked him as he delivered gifts to children. NORAD used an official map that was updated consistently to show where he was. NORAD, the agency responsible for monitoring and defending airspaces over the United States and Canada, has tracked Santa's whereabouts every year since 1958. Its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command, handled the project for three years before NORAD took over. Here's what to know as the tracker mapped out Santa's journey. Where did Santa's trip take him? NORAD updated its map in real time to show Santa's locations on his trip around the world. Santa's progress was shown on a live map on NORAD's website and updates are posted on the agency's Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube pages. From his starting point at the North Pole, the map shows Santa headed south along the Pacific rim and then across Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe. He stopped in Antarctica, and as night fell in the Western Hemisphere, he traversed South America and the Caribbean, Greenland and then Canada and the U.S., delivering more than 8 billion gifts along the way. NORAD said Santa got back to the North Pole shortly after 5 a.m. EST. Santa's arrival times Although the NORAD tracker reflected where Santa was at different points on his route around the world so people could see how far Santa was from them, the map couldn't predict when he would arrive at any given household. NORAD said its intel enabled the tracker to follow Saint Nick along his Christmas journey but couldn't anticipate his itinerary or where he would travel next once he stopped at any one location. "Only Santa know his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house," NORAD writes on its website. "We do, however, know from history that it appears he arrives only when children are asleep!" According to the experts at NORAD, Santa typically arrives at individual homes between 9 p.m. and midnight on Christmas Eve. How does the Santa tracker work? The tracker relies on radar technology and satellites to keep tabs on Santa, according to NORAD, which notes those methods are the same ones the agency employs to protect skies over North America. Its radar system, called the North American Warning System, includes 47 different checkpoints across northern Canada and Alaska. "NORAD makes a point of checking the radar closely for indications of Santa Claus leaving the North Pole every holiday season," its website explains. "The moment our radar tells us that Santa has lifted off, we begin to use the same satellites that we use in providing air warning of possible missile launches aimed at North America." Updates were also available via phone from the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center by calling 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723). Once Santa's journey was completed, a recorded voice advised called to call back on Christmas Eve 2025. More than 1,250 uniformed personnel from the United States and Canada volunteer on Christmas Eve to answer phone calls and emails that NORAD receives while its Santa tracker is live. Civilians from the U.S. Department of Defense help too and some years, the president and first lady have joined in to answer some calls. The White House said President Biden and first lady Jill Biden "participated in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Santa tracking calls with children and families across the country." What else is there to know about the Santa tracker? NORAD says Santa Claus typically begins his Christmas journey at the International Date Line, located in the Pacific Ocean, and proceeds to travel westward around the globe. That means, historically, he begins by visiting areas in the South Pacific before moving on to New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, Central America and South America, in that order. "Keep in mind, Santa's route can be affected by the weather, so it's really unpredictable," NORAD says, adding that it "coordinates with Santa's Elf Launch Staff to confirm his launch time, but from that point on, Santa calls the shots." Watch: Luigi Mangione's attorney addresses court during arraignment Huge waves tear through Santa Cruz wharf, sending debris into the ocean "The Dish: Recipe": Sweet and salty peanut butter cookies In the Urbi et Orbi message, the Pope's gaze falls on a humanity wounded by wars on every continent and at Christ, as the true Door to be crossed in the Jubilee year that has just begun. May Christmas bring comfort to those in Myanmar who are forced to flee their homes. Thanks to the missionaries scattered around the world, who bring light and comfort to so many people in difficulty. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - An invitation to every person, every people and nation to have the courage to pass through the Door, to become pilgrims of hope, to silence weapons and overcome divisions. This is Pope Francis' appeal - after opening the Holy Door of the Vatican basilica last night, inaugurating the Jubilee 2025 - made to the entire world in his Urbi et Orbi message from the Loggia of Blessings in St. Peter's with his Christmas greetings. This night, said the Pope, the mystery that never ceases to amaze and move us was renewed: the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Yes, this event, which happened more than two thousand years ago, is renewed through the work of the Holy Spirit. And so today, in the travail of our time, the eternal Word of salvation is once again truly incarnated, saying to every man and woman, saying to the whole world: I love you, I forgive you, return to me, the door of my heart is open. Let us be forgiven: God always forgives, God forgives everything'. This is the meaning of the Holy Door that Francis opened last night and that will welcome pilgrims to Rome for an entire year. It represents Jesus, the Door of salvation open for all, the Pope explained, Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid! The Door is open, the door is wide open! There is no need to knock on the door. It is open. Come! Let us be reconciled with God, and then we will be reconciled with ourselves and able to be reconciled with one another, even our enemies. Gods mercy can do all things. It unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; Gods mercy dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge. Come! Jesus is the Door of Peace. And this is the invitation that Francis returned to address to all the peoples of the world, especially those most painfully wounded by war. Let there be a hush to arms in the tormented Ukraine, he asked, May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine! May there be the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation and to gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace. SMay the sound of arms be silenced in the Middle East! In contemplating the Crib of Bethlehem, I think of the Christian communities in Palestine and in Israel, particularly the dear community in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave. May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war. I express my closeness to the Christian community in Lebanon, especially in the south, and to that of Syria, at this most delicate time. May the doors of dialogue and peace be flung open throughout the region, devastated by conflict'. But there are also many other nations brought to their knees by conflict: Francis specifically mentioned the Libyan people, still in search of national reconciliation, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Mozambique. Turning his gaze to Asia, he continued: May the proclamation of Christmas bring comfort to the people of Myanmar, who, due to the ongoing clash of arms, suffer greatly and are forced to flee their homes.. For the American continent, he called for effective solutions in truth and justice, to promote social harmony, particularly in Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia and Nicaragua. He did not fail to mention the walls of separation that need to be torn down, the ideological ones, which so often mark political life, and the physical ones, such as the division that has been affecting the island of Cyprus for fifty years now and has torn its human and social fabric. Returning to cross the wide-open door that is Jesus, however, also asks everyone to rediscover the meaning of our existence and the sacredness of every life, recovering the founding values of the human family. He awaits us at the threshold. He awaits each one of us, especially the most vulnerable. He awaits the children, all those children who suffer from war and hunger. He awaits the elderly, so often forced to live in conditions of solitude and abandonment. He awaits those who have lost their homes or are fleeing their homelands in an effort to find a safe haven. He awaits all those who have lost their jobs or are unable to find work. He awaits prisoners who, everything notwithstanding, are still children of God, always children of God. He awaits all those and there are many of them who endure persecution for their faith." But in this Christmas that opens the Jubilee, Pope Francis also invited not to fail to be grateful to those who do their best for the good in a silent and faithful manner: I am thinking of parents, educators and teachers - he listed - who have the great responsibility of forming future generations; I am thinking of health workers, the forces of law and order, those engaged in works of charity, especially missionaries scattered throughout the world, who bring light and comfort to so many people in difficulty. Finally, he cited the Jubilee appeal to forgive debts, especially those that burden the poorest countries. But it is each of us who is called to forgive the offences received, because the Son of God, who was born in the cold and darkness of the night, forgives all our debts. He came to heal us and forgive us,' the Pontiff concluded. Pilgrims of hope, let us go out to meet Him! Let us open the doors of our hearts to Him, as He has thrown open the door of His Heart to us. 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. Finance Minister Vahe Hovannisian said on Wednesday that the full-year shortfall will total about 200 billion drams ($506 million), a figure equivalent to nearly 8 percent of the tax revenue target set by the 2024 state budget. Hovannisian said the government had to cut back on its current and capital expenditures and tap the budgetary Reserve Fund to make up for the shortfall. He downplayed it at the same time, saying that no capital projects have been fully cancelled as a result. The worse-than-expected tax collection appears to reflect slowing GDP growth which is projected at 5.8 percent this year. The Armenian economy grew by 12 percent in 2022 and 8 percent in 2023 mainly because of positive side-effects of Western sanctions against Russia. Armenian entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the sanctions by re-exporting many Western-manufactured goods to Russia. Also, Armenia appears to have become this year a conduit for exports of Russian diamonds and gold to world markets. Some local economists say the lucrative re-exports can no longer translate into strong increases in tax revenue because they mainly benefit a narrow circle of individuals. The government has forecast a growth rate of 5.1 percent for 2025. Citing this downward trend, Hovannisian said last month that it should spend public money more sparingly while continuing to combat tax evasion. A senior official from the International Monetary Fund similarly said later in November that economic growth in Armenia is moderating to more sustainable levels due to the dwindling impact of the transitory factors. Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted outside the city later in the day an annual informal meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders. It will be followed by a summit on Thursday of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a Russian-led trade bloc comprising fewer ex-Soviet states. Pashinian said on Facebook early in the morning that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and worked remotely in the following days. My December 25 test result is negative, and I am returning to my normal work schedule, he wrote. However, after consulting with my colleagues, I will not participate in the informal summit of the CIS leaders to be held in Saint Petersburg today. In another post a few hours later, Pashinian said that he took another test and that it came back positive. I will work with certain restrictions until I recover, he said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced, meanwhile, that Pashinian will not arrive in the Russian city and will attend Thursdays EEU summit via video link. The Armenian premier did not confirm that as of 10 p.m. local time. Some Armenian commentators dismissed the official explanation of Pashinians no-show, saying that it is an excuse for another boycott of ex-Soviet summits which reflects Yerevans strained relations with Moscow. Hayk Konjorian, the parliamentary leader of Armenias ruling Civil Contract party, denied these claims. Pashinians press secretary, Nazeli Baghdasarian, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service that he takes coronavirus tests when the host country has a corresponding protocol or procedure. Baghdasarian did not say explicitly whether the latest tests reported by the prime minister were demanded by the Russians. According to the Armenian Ministry of Health, only 29 coronavirus cases have been registered in the country over the last two weeks. The upcoming EEU summit will take place in Saint Petersburg, rather than Yerevan, despite Armenias yearlong rotating presidency of the bloc. Pashinian said earlier this month that he will not host it because not all leaders of EEU member states are welcome in Armenia. It was not clear whether he referred to Putin or Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. Pashinian skipped similar EEU and CIS meetings held in Kyrgyzstan in October 2023. He went on to boycott a Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit before announcing an effective suspension Armenias membership in the Russian-led military alliance. Yerevan has so far been careful not to distance itself from the EEU as well, mindful of the Armenian economys heavy dependence on Russias vast market and relatively cheap natural gas. Armenia is still a very important participant of the EEU and the CIS, Peskov told Russian journalists on Wednesday. Both Armenia and the Armenian people receive a lot of dividends from this participation. 25 December 2024 19:21 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijan was rocked with tragic news on the morning of December 25, 2024. An Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight J2-8243, en route from Baku to Grozny, made an emergency landing 3 kilometres from the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. Initial reports suggest the aircraft collided with a flock of birds shortly after takeoff, leading to an emergency landing. The plane was carrying 67 passengers and 5 crew members, but details about the condition of those aboard have not yet been confirmed. Azerbaijan Airlines has stated that it will release more information about the incident shortly. Unfortunately, despite the utmost professionalism of AZAL and its pilots, accidents can still occur, sometimes beyond anyone's control. This is a harsh reality not only in Azerbaijan but around the world. Let us take a moment to reflect on some of the most tragic accidents in aviation history that remind us of the inherent risks in air travel. The Tenerife Airport Disaster (1977) - One of the deadliest aviation accidents occurred at Los Rodeos Airport (Tenerife), Canary Islands, on March 27, 1977. Two Boeing 747 jumbo jets, operated by KLM and Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), collided on the runway in dense fog, resulting in 583 deaths. The crash happened as a result of miscommunications and human error. - Cause: A miscommunication between the air traffic control tower, the KLM flight crew, and the Pan Am flight crew. Despite orders to remain on the runway, the KLM aircraft initiated its takeoff, leading to a collision. - Aftermath: This crash highlighted the importance of clear and standardized communication protocols, leading to the implementation of Standardized Phraseology in aviation worldwide. - Lessons and Changes: The Crew Resource Management (CRM) training program was introduced, emphasizing teamwork, communication, and decision-making in the cockpit. The 9/11 Attacks (2001) - On September 11, 2001, four commercial airplanes were hijacked by terrorists and deliberately crashed, resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. The most devastating of these crashes were at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. - Cause: The hijackers used the aircraft as weapons, leading to catastrophic consequences. - Aftermath: The 9/11 attacks led to sweeping reforms in airport security, including the introduction of increased screening procedures, airline passenger profiling, and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in the United States. - Lessons and Changes: Airlines and governments around the world began adopting stricter security measures, such as cockpit doors that cant be opened from the outside and advanced surveillance systems in airports. The MH370 Disappearance (2014) - The MH370 Disappearance (2014) - The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 on March 8, 2014, is one of the most perplexing aviation mysteries in history. The Boeing 777-200ER, with 239 people aboard, vanished during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 on March 8, 2014, is one of the most perplexing aviation mysteries in history. The Boeing 777-200ER, with 239 people aboard, vanished during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. - Cause: Despite years of investigation, the cause of the disappearance remains unknown. It is believed that the aircraft's communication systems were deliberately disabled before it diverted off course. - Aftermath: The incident exposed gaps in tracking technology for aircraft, especially in remote regions. - Lessons and Changes: In response, the aviation industry has begun adopting more advanced tracking technologies such as Satellite Tracking and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems, which ensure that aircraft can be monitored in real-time. How governments and airlines should prevent crashes? To prevent such crashes, both governments and airlines must play an active role in enhancing safety measures, improving communication, and ensuring strict compliance with regulations. Here are some key recommendations: Implementing stringent safety regulations - Governments should ensure that airlines comply with international aviation safety standards, such as those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Regular audits and inspections should be conducted to ensure that airlines maintain the highest safety standards, particularly for aircraft maintenance, flight operations, and crew training. Investing in advanced technology - Airlines and governments should prioritize investment in cutting-edge technology to ensure safety in all areas of aviation. This includes: - Enhanced bird strike management: Airports must deploy radar systems and other technologies to detect and deter birds near runways. - Real-time aircraft tracking: Airlines should implement advanced tracking technologies that can ensure aircraft are continuously monitored, especially in remote areas, as seen in the response to MH370. - Cockpit Communication Systems: Strengthening communication systems in cockpits and ensuring Standard Operating Procedures are followed can prevent confusion and human error. Improving human factors and training: - Crew Resource Management (CRM) training is crucial for preventing errors in the cockpit. CRM ensures that pilots, flight crews, and air traffic controllers work cohesively, even in stressful or unusual situations. - Governments should ensure that airlines have robust pilot training programs, including simulations of emergency scenarios, and mental health checks to address stress and fatigue among flight crews. Despite the common perception that airplane accidents are terrifying, statistics reveal that air travel is actually the safest mode of transportation. When comparing the risks of different modes of transportationairplanes, ships, trains, and carsit's essential to look at the fatality rates and safety records for each. Although each mode of transportation carries inherent risks, the data shows significant differences in the level of risk associated with each. Air travel: The safest mode of transport - Fatality rate: Air travel is often considered the safest mode of transportation. According to the National Safety Council (NSC) and other aviation safety organizations, the fatality rate for commercial aviation is approximately 0.07 deaths per billion miles traveled. - Reasons for safety: Airplanes are highly regulated and undergo rigorous safety checks and maintenance. Pilot training is extremely strict, and the aviation industry has incorporated extensive safety features and protocols. Additionally, air traffic control systems and technology, like radar and satellite tracking, ensure constant monitoring of flights. - Incidents: While plane crashes tend to capture significant media attention due to their high-profile nature, they are incredibly rare. The airline industry has made continuous improvements to flight safety, with major incidents being more likely to result from a combination of human error, mechanical failure, or external factors (such as weather or bird strikes). - Statistical comparison: Based on fatality rates per mile traveled, flying is far less risky than driving or taking a train. While the Embraer 190 incident in Aktau is still under investigation, it serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers faced by the aviation industry. From bird strikes to human errors, crashes have occurred throughout history. The aviation industry has made considerable strides in improving safety, but it remains critical for governments and airlines to stay vigilant, invest in new technology, and ensure ongoing training and regulatory compliance. By learning from past tragedies and implementing proactive measures, we can continue to make air travel one of the safest modes of transportation. 25 December 2024 13:38 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more SOCAR's Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) and Kazakhstan's Safi Utebayev Atyrau Oil and Gas University JSC have signed an additional protocol to their existing cooperation memorandum. Azernews reports that the higher education institution, the additional protocol has led to the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Science and Education Center on the BHOS campus. This center will conduct scientific research activities in the oil and gas industry, energy, and environmental sectors. These activities will focus on reducing carbon emissions, promoting digitalization, and supporting sustainable development initiatives. In addition to supporting the development of specialists in these fields, these initiatives will further expand the cooperation between the two brotherly countries in the areas of education and scientific research. 25 December 2024 17:39 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more A delegation from the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CBU) visited the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) to study the supervisory framework for Non-Banking Credit Organizations (NBCOs), Azernews reports. The delegation from the CBU engaged in discussions at the CBA regarding newly adopted regulations, business models, development dynamics, the protection of financial service consumers' rights, the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as financial inclusivity. The CBU delegation also had meetings with the Azerbaijan Micro-Finance Association, the Entrepreneurship Development Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Agrarian Credit and Development Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture. During these meetings, detailed information was provided about the working principles and financing process of NBCOs with these organizations. 25 December 2024 21:46 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) released the information about the volume of problematic loans in Azerbaijan, 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! 25 December 2024 17:58 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum has opened an exhibition "Azerbaijani Carpet Splendour. Safavid Treasures", Azernews reports. Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum Amina Malikova, Deputy Culture Minister Saadat, Vice-President for the Caspian region, Communications and External Affairs at bp Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, Head of Amir Textiles and Rugs LLC Amir Oskouei, delivered speeches and underlined the significance of the exhibition in terms of promotion of historical Azerbaijani cultural heritage. The artistic part of the event featured songs performed by Ravan Gachayev and Zeynab Najafova, accompanied by tar player Nihad Gadirli and kamancha player Togrul Gasimov. Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble performed Uzundere, Shalakho and Gaytagi dances. The exhibition displays 14 unique carpets and artistic embroidery samples of the 17th-18th centuries from the private collection of the USA citizen Amir Oskouei. The worldwide-known palace carpets based on Afshan, Goja and Khatai (Dragon) compositions occupy a special place. The carpet art experienced its heyday during the reign of the Safavids, when production of these elegant carpets of unique artistic design was extended in Azerbaijan. At that period, the carpets made in Shirvan, Garabagh, Baku and Guba carpet centres increased in size. Carpet samples were decorated with partially redesigned images and elements of the Tabriz carpets such as islimi, khatai, bulud, ajdaha, simurgh and the tree of life. Along with carpets, the 16th-century palace workshops of the Safavids also produced artistic embroidery, highly appreciated decorative and applied art samples of the time. During the 17th and 18th centuries, many weaving centres of Azerbaijan created embroidery samples inspired by the ones made at the palace workshops. The unique Azerbaijani carpets were always highly appreciated around the globe in virtue of their quality and artistic features. Noblemen of the West with aristocratic taste collected Azerbaijani carpets and decorated palaces, mansions and religious monuments with them. The Azerbaijani decorative and applied art samples preserved at the world museums and private collections attract great attention to this very day. Taking this into account, the visitors can obtain detailed information in Azerbaijani and English about the rare exhibits presented at the exhibition via touchscreen displays. The exhibition also includes a video created by the AI about the palace carpets, depicted on Tabriz miniatures. The video presents the creation process of the 16th-17th-century palace carpets of the Safavid period as harmony between modern technologies and historical craftsmanship. The exhibition is organised jointly by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Amir Textiles and Rugs (Oskouei LLC), sponsored by BP Azerbaijan and supported by the United States Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce, Silk Way West Airlines and Terra Leone. bp, the longtime and reliable partner of Azerbaijan in the field of energy, has implemented a number of significant social, educational and cultural projects along with its successful activity in the oil and gas sector. bp took an active part in promotion of Azerbaijani cultural heritage, including gurama (patchwork) and kelaghayi (womens national headdress). This project is the continuation of bps support to promotion and research of rare art treasures. The exhibition "Azerbaijani Carpet Splendour. Safavid Treasures" is on until May 10, 2025. 24 December 2024 19:05 (UTC+04:00) On December 24, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq, made a phone call to Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Azernews reports that Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid extended his birthday congratulations to the head of state, wishing him success in his presidential duties and good health. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the attention and congratulations. The Iraqi President also congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the successful organization of COP29. In response, the head of state thanked him for the congratulations and once again expressed his appreciation for President Rashids participation in COP29. During the conversation, the two leaders discussed the prospects for cooperation between their countries. 24 December 2024 19:09 (UTC+04:00) On December 24, Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia, made a phone call to Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Azernews reports that Irakli Kobakhidze congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on his birthday, wishing him success in his presidential activities and good health. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the attention and congratulations. During the conversation, both sides expressed confidence that the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia would continue to develop successfully across various areas. They also exchanged views on the prospects for bilateral cooperation and upcoming contacts in the year ahead. 25 December 2024 12:40 (UTC+04:00) A high-level delegation from Azerbaijan has been dispatched to Aktau, Kazakhstan, to investigate the emergency landing of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, Azernews reports. The delegation, sent on the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, includes: The Minister of Digital Development and Transport The Minister of Emergency Situations The Deputy Prosecutor General The Deputy Minister of Health The Deputy Director of the State Civil Aviation Agency The Vice President of AZAL Representatives from other relevant state bodies This coordinated effort aims to thoroughly assess the incident and provide necessary assistance to those affected. Further updates on the investigation will be shared as they become available. 25 December 2024 12:57 (UTC+04:00) The Press Service of the President of Azerbaijan has issued a statement regarding the recent AZAL plane crash, Azernews reports. President Ilham Aliyev, who was en route to the Russian Federation to participate in the informal summit of CIS heads of state in St. Petersburg, was informed of the incident while in Russian airspace. Upon learning about the crash, the President immediately instructed his flight to return to Azerbaijan. While still on the plane, President Aliyev issued directives to relevant state bodies to thoroughly investigate the causes of the accident and take urgent measures. The President is personally overseeing all matters related to the crash. 25 December 2024 14:48 (UTC+04:00) Upon receiving information about the incident while en route to Russia to attend the informal summit of CIS heads of state in St. Petersburg, President Ilham Aliyev promptly instructed the plane to return and has flown back to Azerbaijan. The plane carrying Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, 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! 25 December 2024 15:33 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry issues statement on AZAL plane crash, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statement reads: On December 25, an "Embraer 190" aircraft operated by "Azerbaijan Airlines," on flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, was directed towards Aktau city due to the necessity for an emergency landing and subsequently crashed near Aktau. The causes of the crash are currently under investigation. There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members. Initial reports indicate that 32 individuals have survived, with some in critical condition. Following the directive of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, a state commission chaired by Prime Minister Ali Asadov has been established to investigate the causes of the plane crash. Additionally, in response to the tragic accident, a delegation led by the Minister of Emergency Situations and the Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan has been dispatched to Kazakhstan. From the outset of the incident, the Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aktau has been actively working at the scene. In coordination with the Kazakh authorities, emergency rescue teams have been conducting urgent and operational measures. Hotlines Related to the Crash: - AZAL: - (+994) 12 5048280 - (+994) 12 5048202 - (+994) 12 5048203 - Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aktau: - +77087127016 - Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan: - +7 7172 559621 - +7 7292 319091 Our condolences to those who lost their lives in the crash, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. 25 December 2024 16:13 (UTC+04:00) On December 25, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to express his condolences following the tragic crash of an AZAL passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, Azernews reports. President Erdogan extended his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery to those injured in the incident. In response, President Ilham Aliyev thanked the Turkish leader for his attention and kind condolences during this difficult time. 25 December 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The Republic of Korea and the United States are resuming diplomatic activities that had been suspended due to the imposition of martial law, Azernews reports. According to sources, the two countries have agreed to restart events focused on diplomacy and security issues. This decision marks a significant step toward stabilizing and strengthening bilateral relations after a period of disruption. Earlier, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached an agreement to meet face-to-face as soon as possible to discuss key matters, including ongoing security concerns and regional stability. This resumption of diplomacy comes at a critical time for both nations, as they continue to navigate regional security dynamics in East Asia. The suspension of diplomatic activities had raised concerns, particularly regarding North Koreas actions and Chinas growing influence in the region. With tensions rising over these issues, both countries recognize the importance of strengthening their strategic partnership. Cho Tae-yeol and Antony Blinken have emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust security framework in the region, particularly as North Koreas missile tests continue to challenge regional peace and stability. The U.S. has reaffirmed its commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, while South Korea seeks to bolster its defense capabilities in light of increasing provocations from the North. Additionally, the diplomatic renewal signals a broader global shift towards strengthening alliances in response to geopolitical shifts, especially in the face of rising tensions between China and the West. Both South Korea and the United States are looking to deepen their cooperation not just on security, but also on economic and technological fronts, with a focus on trade, cybersecurity, and advanced technologies. This diplomatic thaw could also have significant implications for multilateral efforts in addressing global challenges, including the ongoing climate crisis and the global economic recovery in the post-pandemic era. 25 December 2024 15:29 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The Russian Emergencies Ministry has dispatched a plane equipped with medical personnel and specialized equipment to the crash site near Aktau, Kazakhstan, following the tragic incident involving an Azerbaijani airline AZAL passenger plane, Azernews reports. During an informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested observing a moment of silence to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the crash. On behalf of all CIS leaders in attendance, Putin expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery to the injured. In agreement with the President of Kazakhstan, the Russian Emergencies Ministry plane with medical personnel and the necessary equipment is en route to Aktau, Putin stated. The Embraer 190 aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was on a flight from Baku to Grozny when it crashed near Aktau on Wednesday. According to the latest reports, the plane had 69 people on board, including Azerbaijani, Russian, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz citizens. The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that 32 individuals survived the crash. 25 December 2024 19:45 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Taiwan's armed forces have reported the approach of three Chinese aircraft and six ships to the island, Azernews reports. "Three PLA aircraft and six PLA Navy ships operating around Taiwan were detected before 6 a.m. today (02:00 Baku time). One of the aircraft entered Taiwan's eastern air defense identification zone," the statement said. The agency notes that Taiwan's armed forces are closely monitoring the situation and are "responding appropriately" to ensure the island's security. This escalation comes amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, with China frequently conducting military maneuvers near Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province. Taiwan has strengthened its defenses in recent years, including modernizing its military and increasing surveillance capabilities to counter potential threats. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 25th December 2024 Christmas babies in Belfast Baby Rosie Ennis (6lb 2oz), born at 6.36am with mum Kate at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald on Christmas morning. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 25th December 2024 Christmas babies in Belfast Baby Rosie Ennis (6lb 2oz), born at 6.36am at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald on Christmas morning. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 25th December 2024 Christmas babies in Belfast Baby boy Scott (7lbs 8oz), born at 1.36am with Midwives Claire Ellis and Laura pictured at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald on Christmas morning. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/12/2024 Christmas Day babies born in Northern Ireland 2024. Mum Katie Fitzpatrick pictured with Baby Poise born at 2.37am Weight 7lbs 3oz at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/12/2024 Christmas Day babies born in Northern Ireland 2024. Mum Sarah Coyle pictured with Baby Eleanor born at 6.36am Weight 6lbs 2oz and dad Ben Ennis pictured at the Ulster Hospital Maternity. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/12/2024 Christmas Day babies born in Northern Ireland 2024. Mum Katie Ennis pictured with Baby Rosie born at 6.10am Weight 7lbs 12oz and dad Ben Ennis pictured at the Ulster Hospital Maternity. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/12/2024 Christmas Day babies born in Northern Ireland 2024. Mum Natalie Tosh pictured with New Baby boy born at 4.44am Weight 6lbs 8oz at the Ulster Hospital Maternity. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/12/2024 Christmas Day babies born in Northern Ireland 2024. Mum Katie Ennis pictured with Baby Rosie born at 6.10am Weight 7lbs 12oz and dad Ben Ennis pictured at the Ulster Hospital Maternity. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 25/12/2024 Christmas Day babies born in Northern Ireland 2024. Mum Sarah Coyle pictured with Baby Eleanor born at 6.36am Weight 6lbs 2oz and dad Ben Ennis pictured with Leanne Wilson and Midwife India Hanna at the Ulster Hospital Maternity. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 25th December 2024 Christmas babies in Belfast Baby boy Scott (7lbs 8oz), born at 1.36am pictured at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald on Christmas morning. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye It was an extra merry Christmas Day for many families welcoming bundles of joy into the world. Proud parents were celebrating festive newborns at maternity wards across Northern Ireland. Although December 25 is the day her first baby was born, third-year midwifery student Katie Fitzpatrick knew exactly how the process would go, thanks to her studies. Baby Poise was born at 2.37am, weighing 7lbs 3oz, at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast. Poise was actually due on December 29, but Katie was induced, and said her little girl has been the perfect Christmas present, even though she and her partner Stephen Brown are still yet to get some sleep after the birth. "I had her so early in the morning and then I was up the whole night before having contractions too, she explained. "I think being a midwifery student was maybe a bad things, because maybe I knew too much about what was going on! I was induced because of reduced movements, but I did end up just going myself, and I didnt need the hormone drip or anything, because my waters just broke then. Explaining that giving birth is in fact exactly like what she thought it would be (very sore), Katie noted that her baby girl is doing brilliantly and sleeping away. Another Katie also gave birth on Wednesday, in the Ulster Hospital. Katie Ennis had her baby Rosie born at 6.10am, weighing 7lbs 12oz. Also at the Ulster Hospital, Natalie Tosh was pictured with her new baby boy, born at 4.44am, weighing 6lbs 8oz. The staff also joined in with the festive photos, as mum Sarah Coyle was pictured with Baby Eleanor, born at 6.36am weighing 6lbs 2oz, pictured with Leanne Wilson and Midwife India Hanna at the Ulster Hospital Maternity. One of the earliest babies born was Scott (7lbs 8oz), born at 1.36am also at the Ulster Hospital. And, in Co Tyrone, odds-defying baby boy Iarla Ace who weighed only 1lb 10oz at birth has had his first taste of Christmas dinner, after having a feeding tube removed just ahead of the festive season. Doctors feared Iarla Ace would not survive long when he was born prematurely at 25 weeks in the Royal Maternity Hospital in Belfast last October. But he has since confounded expectations to overcome multiple serious health issues, including a brain haemorrhage shortly after birth. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 25th December 2024 Christmas babies in Belfast Baby boy Scott (7lbs 8oz), born at 1.36am pictured at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald on Christmas morning. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye Watch: Firefighters battle blaze in north Belfast Police at the scene of an incident in the Windsor Avenue area of Lisburn on December 25th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Police attended the scene of an ongoing incident in the Windsor Avenue area of Lisburn on Christmas Day. The Belfast Telegraph understands armed response officers were called to reports of an incident at an address in the area shortly before midday. Police officers and a cordon remained at the scene throughout the afternoon. Police have been contacted for comment. Police at the scene of an incident in the Windsor Avenue area of Lisburn on December 25th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Watch: Firefighters battle blaze in north Belfast Police deal with scramblers in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on December 25th 2024 Police deal with scramblers in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on December 25th 2024 Police deal with scramblers in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on December 25th 2024 Police deal with scramblers in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on December 25th 2024 Police deal with scramblers in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on December 25th 2024 Police deal with scramblers in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on December 25th 2024 Police deal with scramblers in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on December 25th 2024 Police make an arrest in Twinbrook while scramblers continue to tear up fields nearby Police have issued a Christmas Day warning after officers were tasked to a really dangerous incident in west Belfast involving 15 scrambler bikes. PSNI staff were deployed to pitches in the Twinbrook area of the city shortly before 11am following reports of motorbikes on the wrong side of the road. A police helicopter was scrambled and an evidence-gathering operation mounted. Several scramblers could be seen tearing up a grass area and performing wheelies on the wrong side of the road. It is understood some of the bikes were brought to the area in vans and flat-bed vehicles from the nearby Lisburn area. Officers withdrew from the area shortly after 1.45pm before returning again at 3pm. It is understood a bike was seized and an arrest made. Police deal with scramblers in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on December 25th 2024 Posting to social media local MLA Danny Baker said: I have been contacted by the PSNI and residents regarding the amount of scramblers on pitches and main roads, particularly in Twinbrook and Poleglass. I know there is a lot of excited young people who received presents for Christmas but driving them in our community isn't safe. PSNI have told me that they will seize bikes/scramblers and will arrest. I appeal to everyone to bring their bikes home and use them in safe destinations. I spoke to a number of people on bikes in Twinbrook and they are going to safely leave the pitch. I want everyone to have a safe and happy Christmas. A local police spokesperson responded on Wednesday afternoon: We are currently dealing with reports of a number of scramblers in the area of Bell Steele Road. These are being ridden on roads and footways and some of the riders are not wearing helmets. This is really dangerous!! We have deployed the Police Helicopter to the area to help local officers who continue to deal with this issue. If you have any information please call us and quote reference 401 of 25th December 2024. Police make an arrest in Twinbrook while scramblers continue to tear up fields nearby Watch: Firefighters battle blaze in north Belfast The wife of deposed Syrian leader Bashar Assad is severely ill with leukaemia and has been given a 50/50 chance of survival, media reports have claimed. Asma Assad is being isolated to prevent infection and cannot be in the same room as other people, the Telegraph newspaper also reported. The Assad family fled to Moscow as a lightning rebel offensive swept Syrias capital Damascus earlier this month. British-born Mrs Assad and their children left for Russia ahead of the former president, and she is now reportedly being cared for by her father Fawaz Akhras, a respected Harley Street cardiologist, who is said to be heartbroken. Queen Elizabeth II meeting with then-Syrian president Bashar Assad and his wife Asma in 2002 (PA) Syrias presidency announced in May that Mrs Assad, the then-first lady, had been diagnosed with an acute form of leukaemia, a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. She had previously been treated for breast cancer, and in 2019 announced she was free of the disease after a year of treatment. The Telegraph reported her leukaemia is believed to have reappeared after a period of remission. Previous reports have suggested Mrs Assad is tired of restrictions placed upon her in Russia, and wants to divorce her husband and to seek treatment in London. The Kremlin has denied this, though the Assad family has not commented. David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, has said Mrs Assad who was born in London in 1975 is not welcome to return to the UK. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said Mrs Assad is not welcome in the UK (Dan Kitwood/PA) Ive seen mentioned in the last few days Asma Assad, potentially someone with UK citizenship that might attempt to come into our country, and I want it confirmed that shes a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK, he told the Commons following the fall of the Assad regime. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has meanwhile said it is far too early to say whether Mrs Assad, a dual British-Syrian national, could be stripped of UK citizenship. Senior British officials have recently travelled to Damascus to meet with representatives of the new Syrian regime, which is led by an Islamist group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment. The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 lies on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan (The Administration of Mangystau Region via AP) An Azerbaijani plane with 67 people onboard has crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors, a Kazakh official said. Deputy prime minister Kanat Bozumbaev disclosed the figures while meeting with Azerbaijani officials, the Russian news agency Interfax reported. The Embraer 190 was en route from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus when it was diverted and attempted an emergency landing three kilometres (1.8 miles) from Aktau, Azerbaijan Airlines said. Speaking at a news conference, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said it was too soon to speculate on the reasons behind the crash, but said that the weather had forced the plane to change from its planned course. The information provided to me is that the plane changed its course between Baku and Grozny due to worsening weather conditions and headed to Aktau airport, where it crashed upon landing, he said. Russias civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, said preliminary information showed that the pilots diverted to Aktau after a bird strike led to an emergency on board. According to Kazakh officials, those aboard the plane included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhs and three Kyrgyzstan nationals. Azerbaijans prosecutor generals office previously said that 32 of the 67 people on board had survived the crash, but told journalists that the number was not final. The Associated Press could not immediately reconcile the difference between the numbers of survivors given by Kazakhstan and Azerbaijani officials. Mobile phone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Other footage showed part of its fuselage ripped away from the wings and the rest of the aircraft lying upside in the grass. The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan (Azamat Sarsenbayev/AP) The footage corresponded to the planes colours and its registration number. Some of the videos posted on social media showed survivors dragging fellow passengers away from the wreckage. Flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24.com showed the aircraft making what appeared to be a figure eight once nearing the airport in Aktau, its altitude moving up and down substantially over the last minutes of the flight before impacting the ground. FlightRadar24 separately said in an online post that the aircraft had faced strong GPS jamming, which made the aircraft transmit bad ADS-B data, referring to the information that allows flight-tracking websites to follow planes in flight. Russia has been blamed in the past for jamming GPS transmissions in the wider region. Azerbaijan Airlines said it would keep members of the public updated and changed its social media banners to solid black. It also said that it would suspend flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as between Baku and the city of Makhachkala in Russias North Caucasus, until its investigation into the crash has been concluded. Azerbaijans state news agency, Azertac, said that an official delegation of Azerbaijans emergency situations minister, the deputy general prosecutor and the vice president of Azerbaijan Airlines were sent to Aktau to conduct an on-site investigation. The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 on the ground near the airport of Aktau (Azamat Sarsenbayev/AP) Mr Aliyev, who was travelling to Russia, returned to Azerbaijan on hearing news of the crash, the presidents press service said. He was due to attend an informal meeting of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a bloc of former Soviet countries founded after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in St Petersburg. Mr Aliyev expressed his condolences to the families of the victims in a statement on social media. It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured, he wrote. He also signed a decree declaring December 26 a day of mourning in Azerbaijan. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Mr Aliyev on the phone and expressed his condolences, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Speaking at the CIS meeting in St Petersburg, Mr Putin also said that Russias Emergency Ministry sent a plane with equipment and medical workers to Kazakhstan to assist with the aftermath of the crash. Kazakhstani, Azerbaijani and Russian authorities said they were investigating the crash. Embraer told The Associated Press in a statement that the company is ready to assist all relevant authorities. Pope Francis waves before delivering the Urbi et Orbi from the main balcony of St Peters Basilica at the Vatican (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Pope Francis has used his traditional Christmas message to urge all people of all nations to find courage during this Holy Year to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions. The pontiffs Urbi et Orbi To the City and the World address serves as a summary of the woes facing the world this year. As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that he dedicated to hope, Francis called for broad reconciliation, even (with) our enemies. I invite every individual, and all people of all nations to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions, the pope said from the loggia of St Peters Basilica to throngs of people below. The pope urged people to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The pope invoked the Holy Door of St Peters Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing Gods mercy, which unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge. He called for arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine and in the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave as well as Lebanon and Syria at this most delicate time. Francis repeated his calls for the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. He cited a deadly outbreak of measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the suffering of the people of Myanmar, forced to flee their homes by the ongoing clash of arms. The pope likewise remembered children suffering from war and hunger, the elderly living in solitude, those fleeing their homelands, who have lost their jobs, and are persecuted for their faith. Pilgrims were lined up on Christmas Day to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St Peters Basilica, as the Jubilee is expected to bring some 32 million Catholic faithful to Rome. A man stops in prayer as he walks through the Holy Door (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Traversing the Holy Door is one way that the faithful can obtain indulgences, or forgiveness for sins during a Jubilee, a once-every-quarter-century tradition that dates from 1300. Pilgrims submitted to security controls before entering the Holy Door, amid new security fears following a deadly Christmas market attack in Germany. Many paused to touch the door as they passed and made the sign of the cross upon entering the basilica dedicated to St Peter, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church. You feel so humble when you go through the door that once you go through is almost like a release, a release of emotions, said Blanca Martin, a pilgrim from San Diego. Its almost like a release of emotions, you feel like now you are able to let go and put everything in the hands of God. See I am getting emotional. Its just a beautiful experience. A Chrismukkah miracle as Hanukkah and Christmas coincide Hanukkah, Judaisms eight-day Festival of Lights, begins this year on Christmas Day, which has only happened four times since 1900. The calendar confluence has inspired some religious leaders to host interfaith gatherings, such as a Hanukkah party hosted last week by several Jewish organisations in Houston, Texas, bringing together members of the citys Latino and Jewish communities for latkes, the traditional potato pancake eaten on Hanukkah, topped with guacamole and salsa. While Hanukkah is intended as an upbeat, celebratory holiday, rabbis note that it is taking place this year as wars rage in the Middle East and fears rise over widespread incidents of antisemitism. The holidays overlap infrequently because the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles and is not in sync with the Gregorian calendar, which sets Christmas on December 25. The last time Hanukkah began on Christmas Day was in 2005. Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, right, and Rabbi Shmuel Segal, left, watch the set-up of a giant Hanukkah Menorah by the Jewish Chabad Educational Centre in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) Iraqi Christians persist in their faith Christians in Nineveh Plains attended Christmas Mass on Tuesday at the Mar Georgis church in the centre of Telaskaf, Iraq, with security concerns about the future. We feel that they will pull the rug out from under our feet at any time. Our fate is unknown here, said Bayda Nadhim, a resident of Telaskaf. Iraqs Christians, whose presence there goes back nearly to the time of Christ, belong to a number of rites and denominations. They once constituted a sizeable minority in Iraq, estimated at around 1.4 million. But the community has steadily dwindled since the 2003 US-led invasion and further in 2014 when the so-called Islamic State militant group swept through the area. The exact number of Christians left in Iraq is unclear, but they are thought to number several hundred thousand. German celebrations muted by market attack German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg on Friday that left five people dead, including a nine-year-old boy, and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack, saying that there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg. He urged Germans to stand together and that hate and violence must not have the last word. A 50-year-old Saudi doctor who had practised medicine in Germany since 2006 was arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and bodily harm. The suspects X account describes him as a former Muslim and is filled with anti-Islamic themes. He criticised authorities for failing to combat the Islamification of Germany and voiced support for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Firefighters at a site destroyed by a Russian attack in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) A thermal power plant was struck in the attack, prompting Ukrainians to take shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 attack drones were used to strike Ukraines power sources, in a statement on X. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said one Russian missile passed Moldovan and Romanian airspace. Firefighters put out a fire in Dnipropetrovsk (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) At least one person was killed in the Dnipro region in the attack, Ukrainian vice prime minister Oleksii Kuleba said on Telegram, adding that heating was disrupted for 155 residential buildings in Ivano-Frankivsk. He also said 500,000 recipients or 2,677 buildings in the Kharkiv region were without heat. Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Mr Zelensky said. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine. He said Ukraine has managed to shoot down at least 50 missiles and a significant number of drones. 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 Ukrainian energy minister, Herman Halushchenko, said Russia again massively attacks energy infrastructure in a Facebook statement. Ukraines Air Force said multiple missiles were fired at the Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Poltava regions in the east of the country. The (electricity) distribution system operator takes the necessary measures to limit consumption to minimise negative consequences for the power system, Mr Halushchenko said. As soon as the security situation allows, energy workers will establish the damage caused. Ukraines biggest private energy company, DTEK, said Russia struck one of their thermal power plants on Wednesday morning, making it the 13th attack on Ukraines power grid this year. Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered, Maxim Timchenko, chief executive of DTEK wrote on his X account. Ukrainian servicemen praying before a Christmas dinner in Donetsk (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) Ukrainian state energy operator, Ukrenergo, applied pre-emptive power outages across the country, due to a massive missile attack leading to electricity going out in several districts of the capital, Kyiv. At least seven strikes targeted Kharkiv sparking fires across the city, regional head Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram. At least three people were injured, local authorities said. Kharkiv is under massive missile fire. A series of explosions rang out in the city and there are still ballistic missiles flying in the direction of the city. Stay in safe places, Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said. The army were searching for IRA weaponsA large number of guns, mostly belonging to the Official IRA, were seizedThe killing of civilians, the use of CS gas and widescale destruction turned the population against the army Military Police stand guard at checkpoint on the Falls Road in 1970 On the 3rd of July 1970, a Friday, the British Army seals off the lower Falls area of west Belfast. A curfew is announced, although without a legal basis. Troops go in, searching from house to house, looking for IRA weapons. But the use of CS gas, houses being wrecked, looted even, turns the population against them. Hundreds, maybe thousands of rounds were fired four people died all victims of the army. The Official IRA decided since they couldnt get their guns out they should fight the army in what they called The Battle of the Falls. In the end the army did seize a considerable number of weapons, though many were smuggled out. However, the standing of the British Army in west Belfast had been completely changed. To hear the story of the Falls Curfew and its impact, Ciaran Dunbar is joined by historian Brian Hanley, and by Belfast Telegraph columnist and author Malachi ODoherty. This podcast was originally published in July 2024. Adobe Stock It may seem strange to talk about scripture being "dangerous," but scripture challenges us to "accurately handle the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). So what verses or passages might be considered "dangerous"? What makes a verse "dangerous?" The first step to identifying "dangerous" Scripture passages is to understand what makes a passage dangerous. Consider these characteristics: Confusing, leading to misunderstanding. A confusing passage could lead someone to misunderstand it. Misunderstanding could, in turn, lead to wrong actions or beliefs. Susceptible to misinterpretation or often taken out of context. A passage that is taken out of context might lead believers to wrong interpretations. Unfortunately, wrong interpretations are often magnified by a misplaced dogmatic defense of them, causing division within the Body of Christ over matters that are not central to the Christian faith. This does not mean that Christians should ignore such verses; God inspires all scripture and is beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Instead, Christians should approach these passages carefully, depending on the Holy Spirit for direction and understanding. What are the most "dangerous" verses? "For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame" (Hebrews 6:4-6). Why is this passage dangerous? Because it might convince someone who has stumbled in their journey that there is no hope or help for them; if that is indeed true, then why would John write that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous so that He will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness? John is writing to believers those who "have been enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift and have been partakers of the Holy Spirit." So clearly, the writer of Hebrews does not mean that just any stumble constitutes a "falling away." Thus, "falling away" must mean a continued and willful rejection of God a "turning away" from God of the same level that our repentance constitutes a "turning away" from sin and toward God. But if that happens, is it really "impossible" for us to turn back to God? The writer of Hebrews does not say such people can't be restored, but to "restore them." But true repentance is a gift of God, not merely a human work. Therefore, people may not be able to restore themselves, but surely it is not impossible for God because nothing is impossible for God! (Matthew 19:26). "And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him" (Luke 12:10). Why is this dangerous? For two reasons: first, because it seems to minimize the seriousness of "speaking against the Son of Man"; second, because it seems to say that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable. But doesn't Jesus say that? What Jesus says is that the one who "blasphemes" against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. So what does it mean to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit? The key is in Jesus' use of the present tense, "blasphemes against." He does not say "whoever commits blasphemy" or "whoever has blasphemed." This may seem like splitting hairs, but Jesus is likely saying that whoever continues to blaspheme against the spirit will not be forgiven. Why? Because an ongoing rejection of the spirit is fundamentally inconsistent with the repentance which would lead to forgiveness. Jesus is likely saying that hardening oneself against the spirit creates an attitude that makes true repentance impossible and thus makes forgiveness impossible. If the spirit grants a person the spirit of repentance, however, repentance and restoration are possible. "Do not judge, so that you will not be judged" (Matthew 7:1). If there is one verse that most unbelievers know, Matthew 7:1 would be a likely choice. Whenever a Christian identifies behavior that the Bible describes as sinful, the response comes back, "Don't judge! You're not supposed to judge!" The danger in this verse is that Christians often do not understand what it means to judge. In the Biblical sense, to "judge" someone means to pronounce eternal judgment on them to use the vernacular, to tell them that they're "going to hell." It is not the job of individual believers to convict others of sin; Jesus says that's the Holy Spirit's job (John 16:8). The best example of this kind of judgment is in John 8 when the religious leaders bring a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus. Jesus does not deny that the woman's actions were sinful. At the end of the account, He tells her not to sin any longer (John 8:11). However, He also tells her accusers that the one who is without sin should be the first to throw a stone at her. They all leave because they realize that they cannot meet that standard. Nor can anyone else except Jesus. But to say that we are not to "judge" does not mean that we cannot proclaim the truth of scripture. The Bible identifies sinful behaviors and attitudes. Christians cannot ignore that teaching, nor can they contradict it. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). Christians bear witness to the truth of scripture, allow the Holy Spirit to convict people, and allow God to judge. "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come" (John 16:13). Why is this verse dangerous? Frankly, because it causes many people to believe that they don't need to listen to anyone else. This is clearly inconsistent with the overall message of scripture. Paul tells us in several places that teaching is a spiritual gift. He also says that Jesus has given teachers to the church to equip the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). Why would Christ give "teachers" to the church for the equipping of the saints if those saints did not need teachers? Many other verses or passages of scripture could be dangerous if not understood and applied correctly. As noted above, "danger" in this sense comes from the Scriptures, which leads to misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and discouragement. The way scriptures are used can also be dangerous if it tends to divide the church rather than unite it. As John Wesley said, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity." Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, as He and the Father are one (John 17:22). Scripture should bring believers together! Scripture can be dangerous when it is used improperly. "For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Rick Rice has served as pastor of Traverse City Church of the Nazarene since August 1999. He is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University (B.A.), Notre Dame Law School (J.D.), and Trinity Theological Seminary (D.Min.). Rick and his wife, Jill, have three adult children: Allen, David (Brianna), and MacKenzie. Rick enjoys cycling, golf, hiking, and sunshine. He has written for NCM Magazine and is currently writing a blog on various topics related to spiritual formation, My Journey, for Patheos. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. GREAT BARRINGTON State and local authorities are still investigating the specific cause of the Butternut Fire. But the size of the wildfire, and other factors, will make it difficult to pinpoint how it started. The investigators didnt find obvious evidence of a campfire or other ignition source, said Great Barrington Fire Chief Scott Turner, so we really cant give a definite answer, unfortunately. Massachusetts Department of Fire Services spokesperson Jake Wark said that finding the exact cause of a wildfire that burned around 1,670 acres across East Mountain in late November is harder than, say, determining the cause of a household fire. While state police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshall as well as Great Barringtons fire and police departments are still working together on the investigation, the cause is undetermined at this point, Wark said. While fire officials know that the fire was started by human activity, the question of what kind of activity and whether it was accidental or intentional still remains. We have not ruled out a suspicious fire, Wark said, but we have also not ruled out any potential factor. Fire, Wark added, does destroy evidence. But it also leaves evidence. And the point of greatest damage tends to be the place where it started. Great Barrington Police continue to follow up on their leads, but we have nothing new, Police Chief Paul Storti said. The wildfire that began on the evening of Nov. 18 spread across the mountain that week and crossed into Sheffield. The fire required at least 100 firefighters every day, many called in from other cities and towns, as well as a small crew from Wyoming who happened to be fighting fires in Pennsylvania. It also required state police air wing support to map the fire as well as National Guard helicopters to drop water. The fire threatened two neighborhoods on opposite sides of the mountain, burning a path toward some homes. The main strategy by firefighters was cutting fire breaks around the perimeter by removing any potential fuel like vegetation and dead leaves. The pure mineral soil in the breaks caused the fire to burn out. Later, the rain and snow came along to help extinguish it and the remaining hot spots. The fire appears to have started just below the high cliffs on East Mountain, Turner previously told The Eagle, fueled in part by severe drought conditions in the county and across the state. During fall, there were 664 wildfires across Massachusetts, according to the Department of Fire Services. Turner had twice extended his outdoor burn ban in November. When asked if a fire made on the deck of the Brookside Road bridge several days before the Butternut Fire started was in any way connected to the wildfire, Police Chief Storti said that while it is suspicious given the timing trying to connect those dots is going to be challenging. As people around the world gather around a Christmas tree to celebrate a day unlike any other, many are unaware of why we recognize Christmas on the 25th of December. The original purpose of Christmas was to recognize the birth of Jesus. Many secular celebrations followed. Today we are going to look into why we celebrate Christmas on December 25th. Who Chose the Date December 25 and Why? As you probably have noticed, Christmas is a time of year where we experience a variety of traditions. Some of these stem from faith in Jesus and others do not. There is nothing wrong with participating in the secular fun as long as we are still keeping Jesus first and remembering that He is the reason why we have Christmas in the first place. Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th. They say that Jesus exact birthday is unknown, however, based on the Scriptures, some believed it to be in early spring. The Editors of Britannica share that the remembrance of Jesus birth began in the 2nd century. There are three potential reasons why December 25th was selected. First, Sextus Julius Africanus was a Roman believer who believed that Jesus conception was March 25th and nine months later would be December 25th. The next is that in the 3rd century, Rome, a secular community, celebrated the winter solace on the 25th. The third is that the believers in Rome started recognizing Christmas on December 25th in 336 AD because of Constantines rule. Constantine supported the Christian faith in Rome and some thought it was a political move to lessen the pagan celebrations in the country. December 25th was not celebrated in the Eastern territory because January 6th was their preference. In the 9th century, they began to celebrate on December 25th as well. I remember in science class when we would do experiments and I would always hate it when my results were inconclusive. We like answers, but sometimes in life there is mystery. Unfortunately, there is no exact answer to this question, but a few educated possibilities. What we do know and can stand on is that Jesus was born and we can honor His life, death, and resurrection for us. Do We Know That Jesus Was Actually Born? Yes, confidently, Jesus was born. On top of the fact that Jesus birth is confirmed by God Himself through the Bible, historically there are other documents that prove that Jesus walked this earth. We can be 100% confident that Jesus was born. For example, The History Channel, a secular group, recognizes that Jesus walked the earth. They share, Within a few decades of his lifetime, Jesus was mentioned by Jewish and Roman historians in passages that corroborate portions of the New Testament that describe the life and death of Jesus. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus from the first century mentions Jesus twice in his Jewish Antiquities about the Jewish people that he wrote in 93AD. The other is Cornelius Tacitus from the Roman Empire. He wrote Annals of Imperial Rome near 116 AD. In his account, he talks about the crucifixion of Christ by Pilate and the Christian movement when Nero persecuted them. The Bible is also the most obvious place to go to read the account of Jesuss birth. Luke 1:30-31 says, But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. Then, in Luke 2:6-7 Jesus is born. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Matthew 1-2, Isaiah 9:6-7, and Revelation 12 also tell of the birth of Jesus. Do We Know When Jesus Was Actually Born? There is no question as to if Jesus was on this earth, the question is just when he was born. Although it is not likely to be December 25th, we can still confidently celebrate and give praise to His gift of His life to us. Good News at Beyond Today shares the facts that we do know. First, Shepherds were in their fields, so it must have been, this can indicate a late summer or early fall birthday. Second, Mary and Joseph had to register. The censuses were normally taken in warmer months for easier travel. The scholars concluded based on events that took place that Jesus may have been born in late September because of the details given about Zacharias and Elizabeths conception and birth of John the Baptist. (Luke 1) Good News teaches that historical calculations show that the temple service for Zacharias was likely June 13-19. (The Companion Bible, 1974, Appendix 179, p. 200). They believe if Elizabeth conceived in the latter part of June then, John the Baptist who was due 6 months before Jesus, would have been born at the end of March and six months after late March is late September. What Has Celebrating Christmas Looked Like across History to Now? Megan Finley from The Museum of Arts and Sciences tell us that Christmas has looked differently across the span of history. 3rd Century AD: Megan says that it began in the 3rd century when church officials decided on December 25th during another popular pagan holiday called Saturnalia. They would eat, give gifts, and decorate. At this time the secular holiday was separate from Christmas, then they merged into a lot of overlap in celebration styles. Colonial Times: During this time period, some rejected Christmas like the Puritans. Some celebrated the 12 days of Christmas starting on the 25th. They would eat, hold special church services, visit loved ones, and host parties. The final day, January 6th would be the greatest day of celebration. The main focus was Jesus and spending time with others. Gifts were part of the time together, but not the main point. Only those of German descent had Christmas trees. People thought it was strange. 19th Century: This is the time period that propelled us into a lot of the traditions which we hold today. The majority of people began to celebrate. Christmas cards began in 1843. Now, instead of focusing on community parties, people began to focus more on the home and children. This was especially because the character Santa Claus was created in 1882 when Clement Clark Moore wrote, An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas, better known as Twas the Night Before Christmas. The German Christmas trees became more widespread when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made them popular. 20th Century: During this time, traditions continued on, however the stores began to market Christmas. Toy stores did really well this time of the year. Whether people were in times of peace, war, feast, or famine, they kept up holiday traditions. In 1924 the first Macys Day Parade was held to excite people about Christmas and shopping. In 1931, the famous Santa Claus holding and promoting Coca-cola was crafted. Many beloved Christmas movies and songs were created. 21st Century: Today, we live in the 21st century. Our Christmases carry a lot of the same traditions. Jeff Westover from My Merry Christmas shares that people have added or changed things in this latest century. Instead of sending Christmas cards, this technologically savvy generation texts Merry Christmas. Families track Santa Claus online. Ugly Christmas sweaters got started, plus Elf on the Shelf. Lets not forget to mention online shopping. What amazes me about seeing how Christmas was started and morphed over time is that the central theme and testimony of Jesus birth has not changed. He is the Unchanging One (Hebrews 13:8). Across cultures, in the hard and good times, over centuries, His name and His story are still being told and celebrated at Christmas each year. We have not added to it or taken away from it because it stands the wonderful story of Jesus coming into our imperfect world. He loved us so much to come to us. He is Emmanuel, God with us. Even though we should be honoring Jesus every day, December 25th is a very special day to reflect on Him. The secular traditions can be a blast, but may we never forget to take intentional time to remember and worship our Living King. Photo credit: GettyImages/ Siri Stafford Britains Strictly Come Dancings first drag artist, Tayce, and professional dancer Kai Widdrington have been crowned winners of the BBC shows Christmas special. The RuPauls Drag Race UK star, 30, and Widdrington lifted the Christmas star-shaped trophy after receiving a perfect score of four 10s for their cha-cha to 100 Degrees by Kylie and Dannii Minogue. Advertisement Judge Craig Revel Horwood was full of praise, saying it was absolutely fierce, serving realness, serving fab-u-lous. Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special winners Tayce and Kai Widdrington (Guy Levy/BBC/PA) The show also saw performances from comedian Josh Widdicombe and Karen Hauer, who performed a Charleston dressed as penguins to the Glee cast version of Let It Snow. Strictly judge Anton Du Beke referenced a previous dance partner on the show, former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, who despite having a similar surname to comedian Josh, is no relation. Following the routine from Hauer and Widdicombe, which scored them 36 points, including a 10 from Du Beke, he said: I have to tell you one thing though, it has finally happened, the moment has come. Advertisement Karen has turned into me. She is the longest-serving professional on Strictly and they give you a Widdicombe, congratulations, youve earned it. I am gobsmacked, that was totally, totally brilliant. Comedian Josh Widdicombe was paired with Karen Hauer (Guy Levy/BBC/PA) Du Beke and Widdecombe danced together in 2010, and became favourites with the audience that guaranteed their progress through several weeks of the show, including an infamous samba in Blackpool. Also part of the festive line-up were Irish TV star Vogue Williams and Gorka Marquez, who jived to Rockin Robin by Bobby Day. Advertisement They were scored 33 for their routine by the judges. Elsewhere, former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite and Nikita Kuzmin danced a Viennese waltz to KD Langs version of Hallelujah. Du Beke told them: It was like my favourite sherry trifle at Christmas, it was layered, you had the lovely creamy, lovely top, with that beautiful cherry on the top which was your lovely top line your arms were like the whirling cream across the custard layer Your lifts were gorgeous, give me another spoonful of your trifle. Advertisement Tamzin Outhwaite and Nikita Kuzmin during the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special (BBC Services/Guy Levy) Former racing car driver Billy Monger and Nadiya Bychkova danced the American smooth to Merry Christmas by Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John. Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and his dance partner Nancy Xu danced street commercial to the Glee cast version of Christmas Wrapping. The festive special began with a group routine from the celebrities and their dance partners to I Love Christmas from the Scrooge film and ended with a closing number to Leona Lewiss version of I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day. The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special featuring Emma Bunton (BBC Services/Guy Levy) The episode also saw Emma Bunton perform a rendition of the Spice Girls song 2 Become 1. Advertisement The show was hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, with the dances judged by Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Revel Horwood and Du Beke. The winners were announced after combining the studio audience votes with the judges scores. The number of young people spending Christmas Day alone has doubled, according to new research that compares festive attitudes and behaviours in 2024 and 1969. According to a study by the Policy Institute at Kings College London, one in nine people say they will be spending Christmas Day alone this year. Advertisement That number has increased from one in 20 who said the same 55 years ago. While the share of people aged 65 and over who said they would spend Christmas Day by themselves has remained the same since 1969 15% of over 65s the number for other demographics has risen. The study was carried out by the Policy Institute at Kings College London (Jacob King/PA) The biggest increase was seen among the youngest surveyed, where one in 11, or 9%, of people aged 21 to 34 said they will be spending Christmas Day alone. Only one in 100 said the same in 1969. Advertisement Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at Kings College London, said the data indicates that Christmas now seems just a little bit lonelier and less magical than it was 55 years ago. The proportion of people spending the day itself alone has doubled, were less likely to say we enjoy it, and a lot less likely to think parents should encourage their children to believe in Santa, he said. But this doesnt mean weve given up on Christmas indeed a large majority of eight in 10 still say they do enjoy it, and nine in 10 will spend it with family or friends. The research which is based on two nationally representative surveys of UK adults aged 21 and over in 2024 and 1969 is part of a series of studies updating survey results from decades ago to understand changes in Britains core beliefs and ways of living. Advertisement Other data found that 80% of people today say they enjoy Christmas, which has dropped slightly from 86% in 1969. More people say Christmas is too commercialised in 2024 than in 1969 (Ben Birchall/PA) Men have seen the biggest change in attitudes on Christmas in retail, with 81% of males surveyed saying Christmas goods are sold too early up from 59% in 1969. No religion was the second most common response on the census, increasing to 37.2% from 25.2% in 2011. Cast during the dress rehearsal for the Wintershall estates nativity play held in a barn on the estate in Guildford, Surrey in 2023 (Aaron Chown/PA) Professor Duffy said that while things have changed significantly in the world when compared with 1969, the collated data also shows that some things have not changed at all. Advertisement These long-term trends are also useful in reminding us that some things have remained the same, despite the huge changes seen, he said. An Azerbaijani plane with 67 people onboard has crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors, a Kazakh official said. Deputy prime minister Kanat Bozumbaev disclosed the figures while meeting with Azerbaijani officials, the Russian news agency Interfax reported. Advertisement The Embraer 190 was en route from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus when it was diverted and attempted an emergency landing three kilometres (1.8 miles) from Aktau, Azerbaijan Airlines said. Speaking at a news conference, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said it was too soon to speculate on the reasons behind the crash, but said that the weather had forced the plane to change from its planned course. The information provided to me is that the plane changed its course between Baku and Grozny due to worsening weather conditions and headed to Aktau airport, where it crashed upon landing, he said. Russias civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, said preliminary information showed that the pilots diverted to Aktau after a bird strike led to an emergency on board. Advertisement According to Kazakh officials, those aboard the plane included 42 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian nationals, six Kazakhs and three Kyrgyzstan nationals. Azerbaijans prosecutor generals office previously said that 32 of the 67 people on board had survived the crash, but told journalists that the number was not final. The Associated Press could not immediately reconcile the difference between the numbers of survivors given by Kazakhstan and Azerbaijani officials. Mobile phone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Advertisement Other footage showed part of its fuselage ripped away from the wings and the rest of the aircraft lying upside in the grass. The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan (Azamat Sarsenbayev/AP) The footage corresponded to the planes colours and its registration number. Some of the videos posted on social media showed survivors dragging fellow passengers away from the wreckage. Flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24.com showed the aircraft making what appeared to be a figure eight once nearing the airport in Aktau, its altitude moving up and down substantially over the last minutes of the flight before impacting the ground. Advertisement FlightRadar24 separately said in an online post that the aircraft had faced strong GPS jamming, which made the aircraft transmit bad ADS-B data, referring to the information that allows flight-tracking websites to follow planes in flight. Russia has been blamed in the past for jamming GPS transmissions in the wider region. Azerbaijan Airlines said it would keep members of the public updated and changed its social media banners to solid black. It also said that it would suspend flights between Baku and Grozny, as well as between Baku and the city of Makhachkala in Russias North Caucasus, until its investigation into the crash has been concluded. Advertisement Azerbaijans state news agency, Azertac, said that an official delegation of Azerbaijans emergency situations minister, the deputy general prosecutor and the vice president of Azerbaijan Airlines were sent to Aktau to conduct an on-site investigation. The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 on the ground near the airport of Aktau (Azamat Sarsenbayev/AP) Mr Aliyev, who was travelling to Russia, returned to Azerbaijan on hearing news of the crash, the presidents press service said. He was due to attend an informal meeting of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a bloc of former Soviet countries founded after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in St Petersburg. Mr Aliyev expressed his condolences to the families of the victims in a statement on social media. It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured, he wrote. He also signed a decree declaring December 26 a day of mourning in Azerbaijan. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Mr Aliyev on the phone and expressed his condolences, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Speaking at the CIS meeting in St Petersburg, Mr Putin also said that Russias Emergency Ministry sent a plane with equipment and medical workers to Kazakhstan to assist with the aftermath of the crash. Kazakhstani, Azerbaijani and Russian authorities said they were investigating the crash. Embraer told The Associated Press in a statement that the company is ready to assist all relevant authorities. Pope Francis has used his traditional Christmas message to urge all people of all nations to find courage during this Holy Year to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions. The pontiffs Urbi et Orbi To the City and the World address serves as a summary of the woes facing the world this year. As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that he dedicated to hope, Francis called for broad reconciliation, even (with) our enemies. Advertisement I invite every individual, and all people of all nations to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions, the pope said from the loggia of St Peters Basilica to throngs of people below. The pope urged people to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions Photo: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini. The pope invoked the Holy Door of St Peters Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing Gods mercy, which unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and the spirit of revenge. He called for arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine and in the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave as well as Lebanon and Syria at this most delicate time. Francis repeated his calls for the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas on October 7th 2023. Advertisement He cited a deadly outbreak of measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the suffering of the people of Myanmar, forced to flee their homes by the ongoing clash of arms. The pope likewise remembered children suffering from war and hunger, the elderly living in solitude, those fleeing their homelands, who have lost their jobs, and are persecuted for their faith. Pilgrims were lined up on Christmas Day to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St Peters Basilica, as the Jubilee is expected to bring some 32 million Catholic faithful to Rome. A man stops in prayer as he walks through the Holy Door. Photo: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini. Traversing the Holy Door is one way that the faithful can obtain indulgences, or forgiveness for sins during a Jubilee, a once-every-quarter-century tradition that dates from 1300. Pilgrims submitted to security controls before entering the Holy Door, amid new security fears following a deadly Christmas market attack in Germany. Many paused to touch the door as they passed and made the sign of the cross upon entering the basilica dedicated to St Peter, the founder of the Roman Catholic Church. Advertisement You feel so humble when you go through the door that once you go through is almost like a release, a release of emotions, said Blanca Martin, a pilgrim from San Diego. Its almost like a release of emotions, you feel like now you are able to let go and put everything in the hands of God. See I am getting emotional. Its just a beautiful experience. A Chrismukkah miracle as Hanukkah and Christmas coincide Hanukkah, Judaisms eight-day Festival of Lights, begins this year on Christmas Day, which has only happened four times since 1900. The calendar confluence has inspired some religious leaders to host interfaith gatherings, such as a Hanukkah party hosted last week by several Jewish organisations in Houston, Texas, bringing together members of the citys Latino and Jewish communities for latkes, the traditional potato pancake eaten on Hanukkah, topped with guacamole and salsa. While Hanukkah is intended as an upbeat, celebratory holiday, rabbis note that it is taking place this year as wars rage in the Middle East and fears rise over widespread incidents of antisemitism. Advertisement The holidays overlap infrequently because the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles and is not in sync with the Gregorian calendar, which sets Christmas on December 25th. The last time Hanukkah began on Christmas Day was in 2005. Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, right, and Rabbi Shmuel Segal, left, watch the set-up of a giant Hanukkah Menorah by the Jewish Chabad Educational Centre in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Photo: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber. Iraqi Christians persist in their faith Christians in Nineveh Plains attended Christmas Mass on Tuesday at the Mar Georgis church in the centre of Telaskaf, Iraq, with security concerns about the future. We feel that they will pull the rug out from under our feet at any time. Our fate is unknown here, said Bayda Nadhim, a resident of Telaskaf. Iraqs Christians, whose presence there goes back nearly to the time of Christ, belong to a number of rites and denominations. They once constituted a sizeable minority in Iraq, estimated at around 1.4 million. But the community has steadily dwindled since the 2003 US-led invasion and further in 2014 when the so-called Islamic State militant group swept through the area. The exact number of Christians left in Iraq is unclear, but they are thought to number several hundred thousand. Advertisement German celebrations muted by market attack German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg on Friday that left five people dead, including a nine-year-old boy, and 200 people injured. World Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder afte... Read More President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack, saying that there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg. He urged Germans to stand together and that hate and violence must not have the last word. A 50-year-old Saudi doctor who had practised medicine in Germany since 2006 was arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and bodily harm. The suspects X account describes him as a former Muslim and is filled with anti-Islamic themes. He criticised authorities for failing to combat the Islamification of Germany and voiced support for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Serbias striking university students have rallied outside the chief prosecutors office to demand justice over a concrete canopy collapse that killed 15 people last month in the countrys north. More than 1,000 students symbolically left letters on the doorstep of the public prosecutors office, telling chief prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac that students expect you to fight for law and justice, without political abuse or corruption. Advertisement Mr Dolovacs office later responded with a statement inviting a student delegation to a meeting. Serbias universities have been blockaded for weeks as part of a wider movement demanding accountability over the November 1 tragedy in Novi Sad when a huge concrete construction at the railway station crashed onto the people below. The protests were sparked by the collapse of a concrete canopy collapse that killed 15 people last month (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) Many in Serbia blame the collapse on widespread corruption and sloppy work on the building renovation, one of a number of questionable infrastructure megaprojects involving Chinese state companies. Prosecutors have arrested 13 people over the Novi Sad tragedy, including a government minister whose release later fuelled public scepticism about the honesty of the investigation. Advertisement Striking students have received wide support in Serbia from their teachers, farmers, actors and others. Tens of thousands joined a student-led protest in Belgrade on Sunday that also reflected wider discontent with the rule of Serbias President Aleksandar Vucic. Protesting students on Wednesday carried banners featuring red handprints a protest symbol telling the authorities they have blood on their hands. In an apparent attempt to defuse the student strikes, Mr Vucic has been advertising what he describes as favourable loans for young people to purchase flats. The increasingly autocratic Serbian leader has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms despite formally pursuing European Union membership for the Balkan nation. Electric vehicle chargers need to multiply from hundreds to thousands by the end of the decade, a major energy distributor has warned, and legal reforms might be required to ensure they arrive in time. Ausgrid issued the warning after the International Energy Agency found Australias charging infrastructure had slipped from one charger for every 35 electric cars to one for every 68. One executive said a failure to act swiftly could put the brakes on electric vehicle adoption or encourage apartment dwellers and renters to adopt riskier methods of recharging their cars. Tesla remained the most popular EV make last year, followed by BYD and Cupra, according to NAB. Credit: iStock An Electric Vehicle Council report found battery-powered vehicles made up more than nine per cent of all new cars sold in Australia in 2024 - up 13 per cent on 2023. Sometimes nature just refuses to come to the party. Take Kodiak bears. Together with polar bears, theyre the worlds largest land carnivore. Clyde, the biggest known Kodiak bear, was estimated to weigh a tonne before he died in a North Dakota zoo in 1987. Im keen to see one up close in its natural habitat, so I set a course for the place where they roam by the thousands Kodiak Island. The second-largest island in the US (after the Big Island of Hawaii) lies off Alaskas southern coast. If you kept on island-hopping from Kodiak, via the Alaska Marine Highway System or one of the rare cruises that cross the Pacific from Alaska to Japan, youd hit that elegant arc of the Aleutian Islands. Credit: Jamie Brown You can fly from Anchorage to Kodiak but wheres the adventure in that? I head to Homer to board the overnight ferry and chug along the marine highway. Its a no-frills journey infused with bonhomie (other passengers include a group of elderly southern baptists embarking on their annual fishing trip). We dock and, after I recover from the unexpected sight of wind turbines lining a ridge above the City of Kodiak, a local shows me around. The island, also home to the countrys largest Coast Guard base, has only 140 kilometres of roads so you cant go far. We stop at a bridge and peer down at a creek. Huge bear prints are pressed into its muddy banks. My heart leaps. Surely, a bear looms in my not-too-distant future. Kyiv: Russia attacked Ukraines energy system and some cities with cruise and ballistic missiles plus drones in an inhuman Christmas Day assault, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Half a million people in Kharkiv region were left without heating, in temperatures just a few degrees Celsius above zero, while there were blackouts in the capital Kyiv and elsewhere. Firefighters put out the fire following a Russian missile attack on the countrys energy system in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, on Christmas Day. Credit: Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP Today, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhuman? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones, he said. Russias Defence Ministry confirmed it had conducted a massive strike on what it said were critical energy facilities supporting the work of Kyivs military-industrial complex. The aim of the strike was achieved. All facilities have been hit, it said in a statement. The Starbase petition describes a community of around 500 current inhabitants, including at least 219 primary residents and more than 100 children, in an area at the very end of State Highway 4 by Boca Chica Beach, where SpaceX launches many of its rockets. The town would be about 3.9 square kilometres, or 390 hectares. Nearly everyone is a renter and works at SpaceX, according to the petition. There are few examples in Texas of such company towns, though there is one north of Houston where the founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival created the town of Todd Mission. And Musk may not be content with just one new town. He has already looked into the possibility of housing employees in a development outside the town of Bastrop, near Austin. The area is home to a swiftly growing campus for Musk companies, including a manufacturing plant for SpaceX; the headquarters of the Boring Co, which is creating tunnelling technology; and, soon, offices for the social platform X. Loading It was not clear from the petition why Musk and his company were seeking to create the new town of Starbase nor what benefit they might obtain from doing so. Bojorquez said that most new towns were created by people who lived in unincorporated areas and want to prevent their area from being gobbled up by an expanding city, or to keep a particularly undesirable business from moving in. The new town being proposed by Musk could create its own police or fire departments, or issue its own ordinances. But it would not have to. Cities are required by law to do very little, Bojorquez said. One of the biggest practical issues is road maintenance, which would no longer be handled by the county. Of course, incorporation allows communities to elect their own local leaders, and also to create municipal utility systems, such as for water. As a city, Starbase would be eligible for state and federal grants, Bojorquez said. In a letter filed along with the petition, Kathryn Lueders, SpaceXs general manager for Starbase, said the company needed the ability to grow Starbase as a community and noted that SpaceX currently performs civil functions because of its remote location, including managing utilities and providing schooling and medical care. Incorporation would move the management of some of these functions to a more appropriate public body, Lueders wrote in her letter to the Cameron County judge, who must approve the petition if it meets all the legal requirements. For years, SpaceX has run into local opposition in Cameron County from environmental groups over the effect on the protected coastal ecology of frequent launches. And residents and officials from Brownsville, about 32 kilometres away, have complained that launches shut down roads and cut them off from the beach. Elon Musk speaking at the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Texas, in August. Credit: Bloomberg Previously, the company had appeared interested only in having the areas name changed for the purposes of postal delivery. An application to do so is pending before a federal agency. Loading We thought that was what they were really looking for, but I guess they wanted to extend that a little further, the county judge, Eddie Trevino Jr, said in an interview. Obviously, they think that theres some advantage to it. Trevino said the countys legal team and elections office were studying the petition to see if it met the legal requirements. An election could be scheduled next year. The proposed new mayor, Milburn, declined to comment when reached by phone on Monday. So did others who signed the petition. Cayetana Polanco, who lives on Memes Street within the proposed town, said she was looking forward to the creation of Starbase and hoped that it could be a model of what new cities should be. She doesnt work for SpaceX but her husband does. If all goes through with this petition, my baby might be the first child born in this city, she said. It would be pretty epic! President-elect Donald Trump watches the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket in Boca Chica. Elon Musk wants to raise a town here. Credit: AP Nearly all the residents who live in the area work for SpaceX or have family members who do. Most live in company-owned houses clustered around the companys main buildings, including at least one restaurant, open only to SpaceX employees. Washington: President-elect Donald Trump has floated the idea of taking over the Panama Canal a vital maritime route for global trade that was once under American control. At a rally in Arizona on Sunday, Trump criticised fees to use the vital Latin American shipping lane, a day after complaining on social media that the United States foolishly gave it away during the Carter administration and that China had expanded its influence on the canal. More than half of the ships that travel the canal are headed to or from American ports, but the United States does not own or control the shortcut between the Pacific and the Atlantic. And China is already increasing its foothold in Latin America, traditionally the United States backyard, with the opening of a port in Peru, and designs on its own closer shipping routes between the Americas and the Pacific. Heres what you need to know about this key interoceanic waterway, which Panamas president says is not for sale. A cargo ship traverses the Panama Canal. Credit: AP What is the Panama Canal? A VET whose dog attacked a flock of sheep and who subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts under the Control of Dogs Act was spared a criminal conviction and had the matter struck out when she paid a donation to the court poor box last week in Carlow District Court. Sarah Jane King, Ballynure Demesne, Grangecon, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty to two counts of having an uncontrolled dog arising from an incident that occurred at Knocknamuck Lower, Grangecon on 24 January 2024. Sergeant Hud Kelly told the court that Ms Kings dog and her mothers dog were shot by a farmer after he caught them attacking his sheep on that date. Sergeant Kelly continued that three ewes had to be euthanised while others needed medical attention after the attack. Solicitor Michael Lannigan told Judge Geraldine Carthy that Ms King was a 30-year-old vet who cared for animals at her core. He said that Ms King left her mother in charge of her dog on that day because she needed to go to Dublin, but that when she returned at 5pm she noticed immediately that her dog and her mothers dog had gone missing. The court heard that Ms Kings mother had inadvertently left a door into their house open as she was bringing in the shopping and that the two dogs had got out. Mr Lanigan continued that when Ms King noticed the dogs missing she had spent several hours looking for them before going to the garda station in Dunlavin the following day to report them missing, only to be informed by the gardai that they had been shot. The court heard that Ms King and her father subsequently contacted the farmer who owned the sheep and that compensation had been paid over. Mr Lanigan said that Ms King had trained to be a vet in Budapest and that, while she was there, she volunteered in a charity for stray dogs where she subsequently adopted her own dog and brought it back to Ireland with her. Mr Lanigan told Judge Geraldine Carthy that Ms King wanted to open her own practice as a vet and that a criminal conviction would have a disproportionate effect on her career. Judge Carthy noted Ms Kings early guilty plea, that there were no previous convictions and that there was a unique set of circumstances that led the dogs to be out of control. She ordered Ms King to pay a 1,000 donation to the court poor box and, after she did so, Judge Carthy struck the matter out. BEAMING faces all decked out in the iconic brown of Gaelscoil Eoghain Ui Thuarisc thousands and thousands of miles from where the uniform first started out. Staff and parents at the Carlow primary school have been deeply touched by the whole new lease of life the schools former uniform is enjoying in Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC), Nairobi, Kenya. The centre, run by Sr Mary Kileen, welcomes children from the Mukuru Slums, an extremely tough and impoverished place thats home to more than 700,000 people, all living in shacks made from cardboard or plastic materials, without sanitation or running water. MPC runs a range of programmes, including education, health and social development and rehabilitation, in collaboration with the Mukuru community and is making a genuine impact on the lives of Makurus most vulnerable. Many of the boys attending the centre have been abandoned, suffer from extreme hunger and poverty and are also susceptible to crime and exploitation. When the Gaelscoil decided to change its uniform last year, one local woman knew exactly the right home for the no-longer-needed jumpers, shirts and trousers. My niece in a teacher in the Gaelcholaiste and she told me the Gaelscoil was changing their uniform. I thought, oh, Ill take them, said Catherine Nolan from Graiguecullen who, along with seven other local women, has volunteered with the Mukuru Promotion Centre for a number of years. On one of her first visits to the centre, Mary recalled speaking to one of the centres boys who, when asked what he would wish for, he replied: Please, Miss, can we have a uniform. The boys had seen other children in the school across from them wearing uniforms and they wanted to have them, too, said Catherine. The call went out to Gaelscoil parents to donate their no-longer-needed uniforms and the response was incredible. The response was amazing; it surpassed all expectations, said Catherine. I had three rooms in the house all filled with Gaelscoil uniforms, she said. Catherine spent weeks sorting the huge piles of clothes into various sizes and on her recent visit to Mukuru took out three large suitcases filled with uniforms. The boys were absolutely thrilled. The reaction when we handed them their little bundle with their name and age on it and their new uniform was amazing, said Catherine. Catherine admits that visits there can be heartbreaking, while the task can often seem enormous, with so many children from the slums in need of support. While I was out there, a little four-year-old boy was found abandoned on the dump. There are children who are starving. Before I left, we were handing out food to mothers with babies and children and you know that that food has to last them until Christmas it is heartbreaking, said Catherine. But there are success stories, too, and lots of moments of joy. Two of our boys have gone on to university and a boy I sponsored is now making a career in photography, so there are success stories. The boys are so good, so grateful and thankful for everything. Its unbelievable they are great, she added. If anyone would like to support Mukuru Promotion Centre, where a little goes such a long way, contact Catherine on 086 8709846 or Vera Smyth on 086 8317940. The volunteers will be returning to Nairobi in March. A CO CARLOW woman has described how her childhood was destroyed by the very person who was supposed to protect her, as her father was found guilty and jailed for her sexual abuse. Philip Kavanagh of Banagagole, Old Leighlin, Co Carlow was found guilty of sexual assault, contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act of his daughter following a ten-day trial at the Central Criminal Court last month. Mr Kavanagh (61) had pleaded not guilty to the charge at the trial, which was held before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs in Waterford. However, having heard all the evidence from a number of witnesses, including the victim and members of her family, the jury found Mr Kavanagh guilty of the charge. Mr Kavanagh did not give evidence at the trial. In her evidence, the victim recounted the sexual assault, which took place in her parents bedroom, when she was aged between second and fifth class. In delivering her sentence on 3 December, Ms Justice Biggs remarked that the offence had taken place in what should have been a safe place for the victim, her family home in Co Wexford, and had been committed by her own father. Ms Justice Biggs sentenced Mr Kavanagh to three years and seven months imprisonment. He was also placed under post-release supervision in accordance with the Sex Offenders Act for a period of three years and ordered to comply with the directions of the Probation Service on his release from custody. In a moving victim impact statement, Mr Kavanaghs 41-year-old daughter spoke of how her fathers actions had destroyed my childhood. I dont have any good memories not my Communion, Confirmation or birthdays. The memories I do have I wish I could forget. He was my father he was supposed to protect me, not destroy me. He knows exactly what he did to me, she stated. The woman described how her father had broken me and made me feel my life wasnt worth living. I had no way out. I couldnt escape it or live with what he had done to me anymore. She stated that she had tried to pull away from him years ago but I just wasnt able to; he had too much power and control over me. I hate him for the person he has made me, she said. In her statement, the woman admitted that she is still afraid, still living in fear, even though she knows her father is in jail. Im still looking around me, checking to make sure hes not there. I know Im an adult now but all of those terrible things he has done to me, Im still afraid. Im not able to fix me; I dont know if I have the strength anymore, she said. He is a monster of the worst kind, the woman said. Addressing the impact of reporting the abuse to gardai and sitting though a contested trial, the woman said: These last five years have been so, so hard; many times I thought I wouldnt make it. Thankfully, Im here and still fighting fighting to survive, to stay going because I have to, my kids and my husband need me. My husband has been fantastic through all of this. I really believe that only for him I wouldnt be here today hes my rock, she said. All through this process and court, I was made to feel like I was the one that had done wrong. During the trial, both my husband and I sat with our heads down, afraid to look around. We were being judged, which was so wrong. We did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong all I did was tell the truth, she said. No-one protected me when I was a child, and there was no-one protecting me now either. Im the victim. I didnt do anything wrong, but I was the one who had to hide away, living in fear, when he got to walk around doing whatever he wanted to. I believe the only way I escaped it was the day I reported what Philip had done to me to the guards. I will never get over what hes done to me, but in a small way Ive taken back some control over my life, she concluded. By Rebecca Black, PA From a silent flying object making its way towards the Belfast docks to suspicious sightings across the outskirts of the capital, there were three official reports of UFO sightings in Northern Ireland in 2024. While media in the US focused on reports of puzzling unidentified aircraft in New Jersey, it appears some believe we may have our own mysterious visitors. Responding to an Freedom of Information request by the PA news agency, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they had received three reports concerning UFOs across 2024. The first of the year came in early February with a caller in Crumlin telling the PSNI that on January 29 they had seen an object with eight to 10 lights along its perimeter. The next two came in the autumn, again both from the greater Belfast area. On October 18th, a caller from the capital told the PSNI that around 11pm on the previous night, they had noted a flying object rising into the sky from the direction behind their house. They described: It has a vapour trail but made no sound at all. It had green and red flashing lights, and said it went over their house and out towards the dock area. There were a number of UFO sightings. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA. The final report of the year came on October 27th from a caller in the Newtownabbey area. They told police that their wife observed a UFO through their camera in May, and said it has visited them every night since. They described it as a bright light with holes in the bottom. The PSNI said of each of the three reports from the year that they were noted for information by police, not indicating that any investigation had been carried out into any of the reported sightings. The number of UFO sightings has varied over the last five years, going from four in 2019, to six in 2020, eight in 2021, one in 2022 and no reported UFO sightings from January 1st to November 1st 2023. However in 2023, there were two reported sightings of aliens and one reported sighting of strange lights. The Ministry of Defence previously recorded UFO sightings, but closed its UFO desk in 2009 after concluding that in more than 50 years, no received report had ever disclosed any evidence of a potential threat. Nick Pope, who previously investigated UFO reports for the MoD, said the figures sound staggeringly low, and said the MoD used to receive several hundred sightings each year before 2009. There were three official reports of UFO sightings in Northern Ireland in 2024. Credit: Liam McBurney/PA He said he believes many wont come forward with sightings because they fear they will not be believed. None of the sightings sound particularly spectacular, and the one mentioning red and green flashing lights and a vapour trail is clearly an aircraft, he said. The annotation on the FOI response stating noted for information by police is a polite way of saying the cops didnt take any further action, and thats quite understandable, because it really isnt their job. That doubtless explains the low numbers, because anyone seeing a UFO will realize this isnt really a matter for the police. Despite the MoD having axed their UFO project, many witnesses will think of UFOs as a defence and national security issue, and may still report sightings to the MoD. Alternatively, as theres a perception that the authorities are covering up the truth about UFOs, many witnesses may not bother to report what they see at all. Finally, the fear of not being believed or of being ridiculed may be another factor that explains the low figures. For all these reasons the number of actual sightings is doubtless much higher than the number of reported sightings. The recent drone incursions in the UK and the US have brought the issue of unexplained objects in the sky into fresh focus, so it will be interesting to see if this leads to an upsurge in reports. AS we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, Im conscious of all that we have to be grateful for. Many long for what so often we take for granted. The terrible tragedy of Israel and Gaza, the ongoing war in Ukraine and the persistent and life-destroying famine in East Africa are all the more shocking when we see their impact on the lives of children. The terror of hunger, fear or maiming should be far from every childs life and yet we see it daily in the media. Recently, Pope Francis unveiled a nativity scene featuring a unique display crafted by Palestinian artisans from Bethlehem and featuring baby Jesus lying in a cradle wrapped in a Palestinian keffiyeh. During the event, the pope appealed for an end to the war, saying: Enough wars, enough violence. Did you know that one of the most profitable industries here is weapons manufacturing? Profit from killing. Enough wars. Through his actions, the pope reminds us of the important role churches have in advocating for peace and showing solidarity with all those who are suffering, especially at this time of the year. It is right to reflect on these matters as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the baby who was God himself. The world into which Jesus was born was as destructive to childhood as ours in many similar ways: hunger, homelessness, seeking and being refused refuge and being the victim of political leaders power struggles. There was no social media to carry the instant story and yet the events of Bethlehem and Nazareth have echoed down the years, changing peoples hearts from stone to flesh, their lives from hatred to love. As we prepare for Christmas, let us pray that the telling of the Christmas story will give us a new impetus to leave aside hatred, jealousy, judgemental attitudes and allow us to see the life-changing effect of letting love in. The Christmas story began with Mary and her acceptance of her place in Gods plan. Human, like the rest of us, she could not see all that it would entail of joy and sorrow, but at the moment of the Annunciation she was willing to let Gods love work through her. She was truly faithful in the sense that she trusted God and felt that great things could happen if she said yes. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the challenge given to us is much smaller but no less significant. Can we say yes over the holiday period to children, to the elderly and to the lonely or recently bereaved? Not just by giving material things but also by giving people our attention the gift of noticing them and making them feel visible and loved in the world. Throughout his life, Jesus welcomed the outsider, the marginalised and assured them that being included was Gods plan for them. We will have plenty of opportunities to do this over Christmas and the year ahead. It is in small things, kind words, a welcoming smile, a helping hand that the Kingdom of God is found and our chance to build Gods Kingdom is when we take the opportunities to do that. 2025 is a jubilee year. Its hard to believe it is almost 25 years since we began the journey of the new millennium. The first quarter of a century has brought huge opportunity and challenge to humanity. Pope Francis has called this jubilee a year of hope. In an often-troubled world, hope will always prevail for the Christian people. Hope in the promise that we are not alone, our God is very near and in him all things will be well. Hope that soon even the winter darkness will once again be but a memory, when we anticipate the birth and new life and green shoots of the new spring. Hope because Gods presence is alive and active in the many actions of compassion and kindness that are part and parcel of our daily lives. Hope is, indeed, one of the great Christian virtues and my prayer is that this new jubilee year there will be anointing of great hope in all our lives. We are at a time of great change in the Church as Pope Francis calls it, a change of era but we can look forward with hope to God doing great things in all our lives. With that thought in our hearts and minds, let us see in Mary, Gods mother, a model for journeying in faith without knowing where the journey will take us. I pray we will all be filled with hope and the joy of Christmas, the confidence to see that God is at work in every person and the courage to fearlessly bring about change in the time and place where we live. May the Lord fill us with health of body and peace of mind this Christmas. May the feet of God walk with you, and His hand hold you tight. May the eye of God rest on you, and His ear hear your cry. May the smile of God be for you, and His breath give you life. May the Child of God grow in you, and His love bring you home. I love Rudolph, the Grinch, and Charlie Brown as much as anybody else, but if youre looking for holiday-themed animation off the beaten track, were here to clue you in to some off-the-wall Christmas cartoons you may have missed. Lets kick things off with the absurdist gem The Christmas Card (1968), the film where future Monty Python member Terry Gilliam developed his paper cutout style. According to Gilliam, I went down to the Tate and theyve got a huge collection of Victorian Christmas cards so I went through the collection and photocopied things and started moving them around. So the style just developed out of that rather than any planning being involved. The result is hilariously irreverent but also charmingly playful. Eighteen years before Frosty the Snowman made his debut in the popular holiday song, animator Ted Eshbaugh created The Snowman (1932), in which a snowman comes to life and proceeds to go on a monstrous rampage of evil. The way this seemingly cheerful wintertime frolic suddenly turns nightmarish makes this short uniquely strange, especially as the cartoon provides no explanation for the snowmans wickedness. I encountered this beautifully-drawn oddball in black & white on one of those bargain-bin VHS tapes as a kid, but this great print from Thunderbean restores this forgotten classic back to its original two-color Technicolor glory. Walter Lantzs Merry Dog (1933), starring short-lived cartoon star Pooch the Pup, is a particularly underrated Christmas cartoon. The film tells the story of a ferocious wolf who impersonates Santa in order to eat Pooch and his girlfriend. The great rubber-hose animator Bill Nolan offers up a constant stream of ludicrous sight gags here, all delivered with a deadpan lack of sentimentality and capped off with an amusingly macabre final joke. This short deserves a good restoration and a cult following. One of my all-time favorite holiday shorts is the Van Beuren cartoon Pals (1933), where the Little King brings two of his hobo friends into his castle to sleep and bathe together as they await Santa Claus. This off-kilter short (available on Thunderbeans Complete Animated Adventures of the Little King Blu-ray) builds up to a crescendo of chaos as the three men giddily destroy the castle with their new toys. Im not sure if the final gag in which the king hiccups a bubble, just like his friend has been doing throughout the cartoon is supposed to imply that the soap flew out of the hobos throat and into the kings, or if the king accidentally swallowed the hobo in the crash. See what you think: Perhaps the zaniest of all Christmas cartoons is Tex Averys One Hams Family (1943), in which a wolf dresses up as Santa Claus (a common theme in old cartoons) in order to eat a couple of pigs and their obnoxious brat son. Nothing is safe from ridicule in an Avery cartoon, including the people watching it, and here Avery reaches Andy Kaufman-levels of trolling the audience with patience-testing silliness. The stop-motion Christmas film Adventures of Toys by Katsuo Takahashi was created for the Japan Expo of 1970 as a way of encouraging exchanges with foreign countries. The goal of this particular short was to promote the Japanese toy industry. Stylistically, it feels like a cross between one of those Rankin-Bass specials (which were animated in Japan) and a Godzilla movie. There are some pretty wild tonal shifts in the opening scenes here: Dutch animator Paul Driessen is the master of presenting ideas in cleverly unexpected ways, such as splitting the screen into multiple panels with interlocking stories or creating a narrative from the inside of an egg. In his short An Old Box (1975), he puts his own psychedelic spin on the Nativity story. A standout among the many Christmas tv specials produced over the years is Clive A. Smiths A Cosmic Christmas (1977), a trippy sci-fi fable with a memorable synthesizer soundtrack. This was the first fully-animated film by the prolific Canadian studio Nelvana, and they really knocked it out of the park by creating such lush animation on a tv budget. George Lucas was so impressed by the film that he hired the studio to animate the cartoon segment of the notorious Star Wars Holiday Special (the only section of the special that anyone seems to like). Some of the best holiday cartoons of the 20th century come from the Soviet Union, although they arent technically Christmas cartoons. Following the Russian Revolution, Christmas was banned by the Communist Party for being bourgeois and religious, and so typical Christmas traditions were shifted to the New Years holiday Novy God. The Santa Claus equivalent in this holiday is the Slavic winter spirit Ded Moroz (usually translated as Father Frost), who puts on a show in the clay-animated short New Years Eve Song by Ded Moroz (1982). Genius animator Alexander Tatarsky (who also directed the cult classic Last Years Snow Was Falling) was always filling up his films with crazy sight gags and surreal transformations, which caused the censors to suspect he might be sending coded messages to foreign intelligence through his cartoons. Speaking of communism: one of the darkest and oddest of all Christmas cartoons is the Polish film The Star, which was fittingly made in 1984. The film misleadingly opens in Santas workshop, before we shift to a desolate futuristic society run by identical bald men in crowns who keep constant surveillance on their citizens; the people are finally awakened from their numb complacency by following the Star of Bethlehem. The communist authorities in Poland, who apparently didnt have a sense of humor about themselves, ordered animator Witold Giersz to remove the image of the giant red eye that watches over the people, but Giersz refused, so the film was withdrawn and denied distribution. Giersz was also forbidden from completing the second and third parts of his planned trilogy, leaving the films peculiar story unresolved. Rankin-Bass specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer are perennial classics, but one that never got much airplay is The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985), the last of the studios stop-motion specials. Based on a book by Wizard of Oz creator L. Frank Baum, the special in which the Great Ak pleads with the council of the Immortals to grant Santa Claus everlasting life is less whimsical than earlier Rankin-Bass efforts, and is instead a high fantasy in the Lord of the Rings vein (but still animated in the quirky Animagic style). The specials grave tone while delivering its illogical story makes it seem like an adaptation of some nonexistent Santa-based religion. The villainous Awgwas would make great toys. Hows this for a plot? In the Canadian short Lucretia (1986), a curious demon distracts the angel Gabriel by burning his toast, and she takes the opportunity to escape Hell and find out what Christmas is all about. The setup might be unusual, but this is actually a very sweet film, with beautiful artwork by designer/director/animator Heidi Blomkvist. Have you ever wondered how all of the various Santas from different cultures came about? Well, Im glad you asked: little Santa hatchlings in ice eggs are grown in a frozen incubator room by snowmen and are assigned to deliver presents in different parts of the world, of course. We learn all of this and more in the Soviet stop-motion short Frost-Frost (1986), directed by Leonid Zarubin. I love that the little Santas are already sporting beards and mittens when they hatch. You might be surprised to learn that Ralph Bakshi, director of grungy X-rated features like Fritz the Cat and Heavy Traffic, once directed a Christmas special, and it aired on Nickelodeon of all places. Christmas in Tattertown (1988) was intended to be a pilot for a tv series about a magical world where all of the junk that humans throw away comes alive. The series never materialized, but it was notable for being one of the first cartoons commissioned by Nickelodeon and for featuring early work by an array of future animation greats. The special itself is a work of unrestrained chaos, with ancillary creatures who look like they stepped out of a 1920s comic strip constantly squiggling all around the screen, distracting from any semblance of a plot. There seems to be a fairly typical story about the true meaning of Christmas somewhere in here, but its buried under layers of freewheeling cartoon nonsense. Remember when you could smoke cigars and fire machine guns on a kids tv network? Not to be outdone by Nickelodeon in the weirdness department, Cartoon Network aired a special by famed indie animator Bill Plympton entitled 12 Tiny Christmas Tales (2001), which was based on Christmas cards Plympton drew for his parents over the years. The segments, all drawn in colored pencil by Plympton himself, range from cute to comically twisted. We featured Pat Venturas work in our recent rundown of great wild takes, but Id be remiss if I didnt mention the gleefully demented short George and Juniors Christmas Spectacular (1995), a segment from Cartoon Networks What a Cartoon! anthology series. George and Junior are characters Tex Avery created back in the 1940s, but Ventura injects them with an extra dose of holiday hysteria. Thats all for us, but how about you? Which bizarre Christmas cartoons left an impact on you? Let us know in the comments, and have a very merry Yak Shaving Day! The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate an incident on Tuesday when Chattanooga Police fatally shot a man they said was wielding a knife. The TBI said at approximately 12:18 p.m., officers with the Chattanooga Police Department responded to a report of a man armed with a knife in the 7800 block of East Brainerd Road. Preliminary information indicates that when officers attempted to make contact with the man, he fled into a nearby wooded area. Officers gave verbal commands for Roberto Carlos Rodriguez Zayas, 38, to drop the weapon, but, for reasons still under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in at least two officers firing upon Zayas. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident. TBI agents said they are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney general for her further review and consideration. Officials said the TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether an officers actions were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBIs involvement. The TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to the respective department to answer as it sees fit. Police first encountered the man at the Waffle House on East Brainerd Road. Officers said he ran down the road and went into the wooded area. The movie version of "Wicked" has become a massive success, grossing over $530 million worldwide and receiving high praise for the performances of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. However, an intriguing look back at the movie's early development shows that the casting could have looked quite different, with Demi Moore potentially stepping into the role of the legendary green-skinned Elphaba. In the late 1990s, the project was initially optioned by Moore's production company, Moving Pictures. Producer Marc Platt recalled to Vanity Fair that when he took on the role of president of production at Universal, the project had already generated interest. Gregory Maguire's novel, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," was seen as a prime candidate for adaptation, with its narrative and strong characters. Michelle Pfeiffer, Emma Thompson and Nicole Kidman were reportedly considered to play Glinda. Moore was considered a top choice for Elphaba due to her star power at the time. The pursuit of "Wicked" also attracted other big names, including Whoopi Goldberg, who was eager to secure the rights for her own production. Producer Suzanne Todd mentioned that Goldberg's manager was vying to purchase the rights for her and was clear that there was a deep interest in bringing the complex story of Oz's misunderstood witch to life. As the project moved into the screenwriting phase, Linda Woolverton, who is popular for her work on Disney classics, delivered a draft that Platt described as a "fairly faithful adaptation." Woolverton's vision focused on Elphaba as a warrior and portrayed the Wizard as an authoritarian leader, aligning with the themes of Maguire's book. Woolverton also suggested transforming the story into a musical, drawing from her experience in Disney musicals. According to Platt, "It was, as I recall, a fairly faithful adaptation of a very big, dense, thick novel. The focus was Elphaba as the warrior and The Wizard as this authoritarian leader, which is very much the DNA of Gregory's book." Despite the promising beginnings, Woolverton's script ultimately did not come to fruition. Todd explained, "Linda is the one who really wanted to do a musical. The idea came from her work at Disney, where she had also worked on the musicals of those animated films." Stephen Schwartz, who recognized the potential for "Wicked" as a musical, successfully secured the rights and paved the way for its later success on stage, which would eventually lead to the film we know today. Home News Christian population nearly wiped out under Hamas, PA rule in Christianity's birthplace The Christian population in areas governed by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas has plummeted drastically by up to 90% in some communities, a new study suggests, attributing the decline to violence, discrimination and economic hardships that threaten the survival of Christianity in its historical heartland. The Christian demographic in Palestinian territories has experienced a dramatic reduction over the past century. In 1922, Christians made up 11% of the population in geographical Palestine. By 2024, this number had dwindled to 1%, marking a nearly 90% decrease, according to a study conducted by the Israeli think tank Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs. "The international community often disregards the plight of the Palestinian Christian community. While minor clashes with some Israeli Jewish extremists are reported in hyper-focus in the media, the PA represses the reporting of grave incidents of Christian systemic oppression, the stories never seeing the light of day," the report, authored by Lt. Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch and attorney Tirza Shorr, states. 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 "Often, Christian individuals are afraid to report hate incidents in the PA for fear of being arrested or worse. This creates a skewed picture, one eagerly adopted by Western governments and media outlets." The Christian population in Gaza decreased from 5,000 individuals before Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 to only 1,000 by October 2023, the report notes. Religious and legal discrimination, the desecration of holy sites and social exclusion are primary drivers pushing Christians to leave their communities. The city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, serves as an example of this trend. In 1950, Bethlehem and its surrounding villages were 86% Christian. However, by the last census in 2017, the Christian population had dropped to about 10%. The report attributes the decline in Bethlehem to systemic socio-economic hardships, instability and harassment by both Muslim Palestinians and the Islam-dominated Palestinian Authority. "The mass exodus of the Christians risks undermining the survival of Christianity in its birthplace," the researchers conclude. One Protestant clergy member living under the control of the PA said, "Christians feel unprotected due to the failure of the PA police to intervene on their behalf in confrontations with Muslims." In 2022, a mob attacked the Forefathers Orthodox Church in Beit Sahour, injuring several congregants after a Muslim man harassed young Christian women. In October 2022, an unidentified gunman targeted the Christian-owned Bethlehem Hotel, resulting in no arrests and further instilling fear within the community. Employment discrimination also plays a significant role in the declining numbers. Palestinian Christians report systematic barriers to securing jobs, forcing many to seek opportunities abroad. A 2022 study cited by JCFA found that the desire to emigrate among Gaza's Christian population was twice as strong as that of Muslims. This economic and social disenfranchisement has led to a sharp reduction in the Christian community, particularly under Hamas rule. Further, discrimination within local courts makes it difficult for Christians to seek justice for crimes committed against them, the report warns. The lack of legal recourse discourages the reporting of abuses and perpetuating victimization. Christian women are especially vulnerable, facing significant bias and obstacles when seeking protection or justice. Religious coercion also contributes to the decline. Christians in the West Bank and Gaza frequently face harassment for practicing their faith. Incidents of church desecration, such as the vandalism of a Maronite church in Bethlehem in 2019, are not uncommon. Converts from Islam to Christianity face extreme pressure and threats, particularly in Gaza, where practicing Christianity often requires utmost secrecy. Economic instability under Hamas has further strained the Christian community in Gaza. Since Hamas took control in 2007, the report says Christians have endured increased violence and discrimination, leading to a significant population decline. The combination of economic hardship, security concerns and religious persecution has made life untenable for many Christians, prompting mass emigration. The JCFA researchers found the global community often overlooks the plight of Palestinian Christians, focusing instead on other conflicts in the region. "The survival of Christianity in its birthplace depends on awareness and action. Silence strengthens the perpetrators and leaves the victims without international support," the researchers state. Earlier this month, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would 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. Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,2000 individuals, mostly civilians. Hamas, recognized by the U.S. government as a terror group, also took around 250 people hostage. Israel's stated goal with the offensive is to secure the release of the hostages and destroy Hamas. "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," Katz wrote on X. "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." Home News Christians protest in Syria after giant Christmas tree was set ablaze Thousands of Christians took to the streets in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday in protest after hooded men burned down a large Christmas tree in a Christian-majority town in central Syria on Monday, weeks after the fall of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad. The demonstrations kicked off Monday night after a video posted to social media showed perpetrators dousing a large Christmas tree and setting it on fire in the town of Al-Suqalabiyah near the city of Hama. The burning ignites further concerns about what conditions could be like for Christians and other religious minorities under the control of rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist rebel group that led the charge to topple Assad. 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 Although HTS leaders have tried to assure Christians they would protect religious minorities, many Christians remain cautious as the group tries to distance itself from roots in radical jihadist movements like Al-Qaeda. HTS is recognized as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. "We demand the rights of Christians," protesters were heard chanting in streets of Damascus' Christian neighborhoods, according to AFP. "If we're not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don't belong here any more." The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that the perpetrators were foreigners from the Islamist group Ansar al-Tawhid. HTS said foreign fighters have been detained in connection to the incident. Video circulating online shows demonstrators chanting, "Raise your cross, raise it!" and "We are with you to death, Suqalabiyah!" according to NBC News. Others were seen holding wooden crosses and chanting, "With blood and soul, we sacrifice for Jesus," according to a video obtained by The Washington Post. "We do not accept this," resident Laila Farkouh told the outlet. "As a Christian sect, we want our rights as Christians. We want to participate in everything and have our names and voices represented." Talal Abdullah, a former member of the Syrian National Council from Al-Suqaylabiyah, told NBC News that HTS officials assured residents that the tree burning was unacceptable and vowed to punish those responsible. "That night, and under the rain, they set up a new tree in the same spot, decorated it, and arrested the attackers," he said. The al-Suqaylabiyah tree-burning came after an incident weeks earlier in Aleppo where a tree was destroyed in a Christian neighborhood but later replaced by HTS, The Telegraph reports. In a bid to get countries to drop their terror designations and sanctions against HTS, Syria's de facto new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has tried to portray his faction as one that will be inclusive of all religious and ethnic groups. On Tuesday, HTS announced that al-Sharaa and the heads of rebel factions merged the groups under the Syrian Ministry of Defense. "The factions will be dissolved and the fighters will be prepared to join the Ministry of Defense, and everyone will be subject to the law," al-Sharaa was quoted as saying during a meeting with members of the Druze religious minority group. One faction that appeared to be absent from the meeting and likely will not dissolve is the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, a key United States ally in the fight against Islamic extremism, which is still fighting the Turkey-backed rebel Syrian National Army near the border with Turkey. Home News Modis Christmas celebration attendance at Indian bishops conference draws criticism Nearly 200 prominent Indians protested Prime Minister Narendra Modis Christmas celebration attendance at the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) in New Delhi on Monday, highlighting an alarming rise in anti-Christian violence across the country. Its surprising that despite the growing persecution of Christians, prominent members of the Christian hierarchy have chosen to engage with Prime Minister Modi, who has been criticized for his inaction in protecting the rights of Christians, the statement read, signed by figures including Mahatma Gandhis great-grandson Tushar Gandhi, activist Annie Raja and Father Cedric Prakash. This meeting symbolizes a deep disconnect between the institutional church leadership and the harsh reality faced by Christians on the ground," John Dayal, veteran activist and writer, told Christian Today. 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 "When 745 of our brothers and sisters have been attacked for their faith this year alone, and over 200 churches lie in ruins in Manipur, ceremonial handshakes at Christmas parties ring hollow. The prime minister heads a government that has presided over the most dramatic rise in anti-Christian violence since independence." The protesters presented stark statistics: Presently, January 2024 to November 2024, India has recorded 745 incidents of Christian citizens being attacked for their faith. This represents a dramatic escalation from 486 incidents of anti-Christian violence in 2022, including 115 incidents of physical violence and 357 incidents of intimidation and harassment. For comparison, they noted only 127 incidents were recorded in 2014 when Modis government took power. One of the main reasons attributed to this alarming rise in persecution is the resurgence of Hindutva nationalism, which has led to an increase in anti-minorities sentiment, specially [sic] targeting Christians and Muslims, the statement explained. Religious nationalist groups, including the Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), were specifically named as instigators of violence. The statement highlighted recent violence: The May 3rd Manipur riots witnessed the destruction of over 200 churches and countless lives lost. It also criticized legislative changes: Simultaneously, 13 state governments have now enacted anti-conversion bills, which are being blatantly abused to wreak havoc on the lives of Christian citizens. We see this as an attempt by senior institutional leaders of the Christian community to legitimise the governments inaction on Christian persecution, the statement declared. Symbolic gestures do little to address the issue hatred generated against the community, and the resultant targeted violence, harassment, arrests, and incidents of ostracization in several parts of the country. The statement also mentioned concern that the treatment of minorities in India had attracted international attention and scrutiny, with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recommending India be placed on the U.S. State Department's Countries of Particular Concern list in 2021. In the same year, at least 17 human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, co-sponsored a congressional briefing urging U.S. government action against the growing persecution. The celebration at CBCI headquarters marked the first time an Indian prime minister attended such an event at the Catholic Churchs headquarters in India since its establishment in 1944. The prime minister met with cardinals, bishops and prominent lay leaders of the Church during the evening programm. This article was originally published by Christian Today India. Home News Christian man with mental illness arrested for blasphemy; Christians forced into hiding The recent arrest of a mentally disabled Christian waste collector in Lahore is driving renewed awareness of how Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws continue to disproportionately target the country's most vulnerable populations religious minorities, the poor and people with disabilities. Zafar Iqbal Masih, who collects recyclables from the streets for a living, was arrested on Nov. 2 following mob violence triggered by accusations that he burned pages of the Quran. The case adds to a growing pattern of blasphemy accusations against Pakistan's marginalized communities, particularly those at the intersection of poverty, disability and religious minority status. The incident began when Masih, who has an undisclosed mental disability, was sorting his daily collection of recyclables a common occupation among Pakistan's poorest citizens. His wife, Rubina, describes how a routine task of burning unsellable waste escalated into a dangerous confrontation when a neighbor accused him of burning religious texts. "Zafar is an innocent man. Because of his mental illness and his illiteracy, there is no way he could do a blasphemous act," Rubina told GCR. She detailed how her husband's mental health had deteriorated over their 13-year marriage, further limiting his already modest earning capacity as a waste collector. The accusation quickly drew an angry mob, highlighting the volatile intersection of religious sensitivities and social vulnerability. "Within minutes, members of the neighborhood gathered and started chanting religious slogans. They broke into our house and started beating Zafar," Rubina recounted, describing how the mob dragged her husband into the street and pelted him with stones before police intervention. The case mirrors numerous similar incidents where Pakistan's blasphemy laws have been wielded against society's most vulnerable. In June 2024, 60-year-old Jamila Jacob, a mentally disabled woman, was jailed rather than receiving medical treatment after facing blasphemy charges. She is still awaiting justice. In 2012, 14-year-old Rimsha Masih, a girl with intellectual disabilities, faced similar accusations before her case was eventually dismissed. Christian journalist and social activist Saleem Iqbal reported that the incident has sparked wider community tensions, forcing local Christians already among the city's most marginalized groups into hiding. "When I reached the scene, homes were locked and all the Christians in the area were nowhere to be found. The extremists of the Muslim community were roaming the streets and chanting slogans filled with threats for Zafar and other Christians," he said. According to the police report, Qari Mujahid Abbas, chief of the local Noorani Mosque, filed the complaint leading to Masih's arrest under Section 295B of Pakistan's Anti-Blasphemy Law. Critics have long argued that these laws are systematically misused to settle personal scores or target minority communities, with the poor and disabled being particularly vulnerable to false accusations. Masih's attorney, Dr. Sharjeel Zafar, emphasized the discriminatory nature of Pakistan's blasphemy laws while noting that requests for his client's hospital treatment have gone unanswered. "It's a sad reality that the religious minorities of Pakistan are suffering from discriminatory laws like blasphemy," he said. Masih remains in a special cell awaiting further legal proceedings. The case has renewed calls for reform of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which human rights organizations say create a dangerous environment for the country's most vulnerable populations, particularly those who face multiple layers of social marginalization through poverty, disability and religious minority status. 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 Charming China Hospitable Shandong: Episode 1 People's Daily Online) 14:27, December 24, 2024 The travel documentary "Charming China - Hospitable Shandong", co-produced by People's Daily Online Australia and Grainger TV, premiered on Australia's Channel Ten in November 2024. The program showcases the rich natural landscapes and profound cultural heritage in east China's Shandong Province. In the first episode, renowned Australian TV presenter Greg Granger guides Australian viewers through Shandong's cities of Zaozhuang, Tai'an, and Jinan, exploring local customs and traditions. In Zaozhuang, Granger visits the historic Taierzhuang Ancient Town and attends the 2024 Pomegranate Industry Development Conference, learning about the area's 2,000-year-old tradition of pomegranate cultivation. The program also highlights China's ancient wisdom through interviews and experiences related to the inventions of figures like Lu Ban and Mo Zi. In Tai'an, Granger ascends Mount Tai to witness the breath-taking sunrise and experiences the lively and unique traditional Tai Mountain shadow puppet performance at a local theater. In Jinan, he takes a boat ride to explore the famous Black Tiger Spring, Baotu Spring, and Daming Lake, showcasing the distinctive charm of the city known as the "City of Springs." Hospitable Shandong is the latest installment in the Charming China series. Since 2018, People's Daily Online Australia has introduced the beautiful landscapes and diverse cultures of Chinese provinces, including Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hainan, Guangdong, Anhui, and Hubei, to Australian audiences. (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) The 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024 include (clockwise from top left): toro tartare at Yozora; a sandwich at The Newstand; chicken mole verde at Nixtamali; and breakfast tacos at Sukie's Taco House. Mike Sutter/Staff Well remember 2024 as the year Michelin came to town. And well remember 2024 as the year Pullman Market stormed the city with four restaurants, a beehive food hall and a full-on grocery store under one roof. But beyond the red-carpet glam of the world-famous Michelin Guide and the theme park energy of Pearl, I found so much to love at San Antonio restaurants. Old-school breakfast tacos, enchiladas and pollos asados. New-school vegan doughnuts and artisan coffee. Soul food, Korean, Italian, Japanese. Drawing from more than 400 restaurant visits, here are the 25 best things I ate in San Antonio this year. And because the law of averages cuts both ways, on Friday Ill count down the 10 worst things I ate. Dig in. WORST OF 2024: The 10 worst things I ate this year Advertisement Article continues below this ad Suck It O.G. ramen (top) at Suck it Asian Kitchen in St. Paul Square is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 25. Suck It O.G. ramen at Suck It Asian Kitchen Its not my favorite name for a restaurant, but Suck It comes by the name honestly, with its origins reaching back to its hookah days. The downtown ramen menu is different from the location at the Medical Center, leaning less on novelty and more on what made ramen great in the first place. Thats where the O.G. comes in, with a 36-hour pork and chicken broth that radiates comfort in its opaque golden depths. Its not just a bowl. Its an offering, jeweled with roasted pork belly, mushrooms, corn, scallions and ajitama egg. 1167 E. Commerce St., San Antonio, 210-564-9062, chefsuckit.com Chicken-fried steak at Spechts Texas is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 24. Chicken-fried steak at Spechts Texas On the first day San Antonio hit 100 degrees, we sat in the fan-cooled pavilion behind Spechts Texas and watched two of our best friends dance to a Santana cover by the rock band Evolution. We drank dressed Modelos, watched the sunset and moved on to the main event: chicken-fried steak. This old country store turned rocky-tonk bar and grill has seen a lot of changes in its hundred years on the edge of Comal County. But that chicken-fried steak is as reliable as those friends on the dance floor. Tender-hearted, crisp and collected on the outside, covered in cream gravy. The steak, not the friends. 112 W. Specht Road, 830-438-1888, barandgrillsanantonio.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad A mesquite-grilled cheeseburger at Cuarto De Kilo is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 23. Cheeseburger at Cuarto de Kilo The aroma of mesquite charcoal shrouds you the second you walk in the door, and you can see the grill doing its fiery work, a circular grate revolving like the wheel of time if that wheel revolved around burgers. Cuarto De Kilo translates to half a pound at this Mexican burger chain, and the mesquite takes about 15 minutes to work its way to a juicy medium. They dress your burger like you would at your own backyard burger party: giant sesame seed bun, mustard, mayo, ketchup and more lettuce, tomatoes and onions than one bun could possibly hold. Its gloriously sloppy and hard to handle. 12411 Bandera Road, Suite 108, 210-263-9228, cuartodekilo.us Vegan doughnuts at Cake Thieves Bakery are some of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 22. Vegan doughnuts at Cake Thieves Bakery Cake Thieves is the first of two vegan restaurants on this list, a testament to owners Sam Martinez and Kia Geronimo, who rolled the dice on something different when they opened this East Side bakery in 2022 in shades of pink and possibility. They fill the case with a dozen kinds of doughnuts on any given day. Big, robust doughnuts with room to breathe even when theyre built out with cookies and cream or banana pudding or Fruity Pebbles. Light and fluffy when they need to be, with infrastructure to brace them for the durability we demand of doughnuts on the move. The Vanilla Bean Glazed Twist doughnut with a hot Americano is the glazed-and-a-coffee experience we need right now, minus some of the things we dont. And thats math I can get behind. 1602 E. Houston St., Instagram: @cakethievesbakery Advertisement Article continues below this ad Breakfast tacos at Sukie's Taco House are some of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 21. Breakfast tacos at Sukies Taco House For almost 50 years, the taco shop founded by the late Socorro Sukie Cavazos has helped wake up its Los Angeles Heights neighborhood with breakfast tacos starting at 6 in the morning. Theyre the real thing: carne guisada with cheese, chorizo y papa, huevos a la mexicana with bacon. And my favorite: properly caramelized country sausage with egg and potato. All on handmade flour tortillas. 1808 West Ave., San Antonio, 210-732-0230, sukiestacohouse.com The Pork Chop Ranchero Plate at The Hut Diner is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 20. Pork Chop Ranchero Plate at The Hut Diner Alex Lopez opened The Hut on Fredericksburg Road in 2013, the kind of diner every neighborhood should have, with the throwback charm of swivel chairs along the low kitchen counter and a couple of booths that fit four people if they know and like each other. Or even if theyre family. The flat-top grill is so close you could almost flip the hash browns yourself, but leave it to the pros for a breakfast plate piled with grilled pork chop bites and a bouquet of peppers, onions and tomatoes with two eggs, toast and hash browns that dont need to be smothered, covered or scattered. Its like eating at Waffle House. Except its good. 1610 Fredericksburg Road, 210-649-8574, Facebook: The Hut Diner Advertisement Article continues below this ad A cheese enchilada plate at Tias Taco Hut is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 19. Cheese Enchilada Plate at Tias Taco Hut When this local Mexican restaurant chain opened its 11th and 12th locations this year, it made news by dialing its $7.99 cheese enchilada plate all the way down to 99 cents for the openings. The 99-cent deal is long gone, but Im here to say that even at $7.99, its one of San Antonios best values for Mexican comfort food, rolled in red corn tortillas with chili gravy, rice, beans, chopped salad and two fresh flour tortillas. We celebrate cheap Mexican food like its a national holiday. Its worth celebrating at a sustainable price all year long. 12834 Potranco Road, 210-263-9469, more locations at tiastacohuttx.com Breakfast at Labor Street Cafe is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 18. Breakfast at Labor Street Cafe Labor Street draws a clean line between Southtown and Interstate 37, running through a neighborhood of modest family houses. Blink and youll miss the cafe, tucked among those houses with no sign except the one stenciled on the glass door. Owner Kevin De La Garza you might know him from the burger bar Southtown 101 opened Labor Street Cafe in December 2023, hoping to fill the neighborhoods need for a breakfast-and-lunch diner. Breakfast here means eggs Benedict with rich Hollandaise and thick country ham. It means a fat stack of pancakes, biscuits smothered in country gravy and hash browns woven together like an Idaho cobblestone. Id call it brunch, but rarely do you get so much for so little at brunch. 718 Labor St., 210-942-8527, laborstreetcafe.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad A chicken-and-waffle cone at Pullman Market at Pearl is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 17. Chicken-and-waffle ice cream cone at Pullman Market Before his Pullman Market dessert lab Nicosi earned a Michelin recommendation, and before Esquire magazine named him Pastry Chef of the Year, chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph had chicken and waffles on his mind. The flavor of this chicken is screaming to me that it needs to be something sweet. Thats the origin story of Bristol-Josephs ice cream spin on chicken and waffles at Pullman Market. The Hey Bird! cone at the markets ice cream counter combines ice cream fortified by chicken stock from the markets butcher counter with a crispy waffle cone that incorporates roasted chicken skin. The stock amplifies the richness of the ice cream without hijacking the flavor, and the cones like pulling together the crispy snowflake shag that falls from a piece of honey-fried chicken. 221 Newell Ave. at Pearl, 210-759-0086, pullmanmarket.com Lasagna Bolognese with an optional meatball at Mare E Monte Italian Restaurant is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 16. Lasagna Bolognese at Mare e Monte Italian Restaurant Mare e Monte owner Prince Blakaj does something very few restaurant owners can do: He makes you feel like a regular on your very first visit. And part of being a regular is knowing exactly what to order. Let me help. Mare e Monte paints best when it paints in shades of red. The most luminous red of all finds its canvas with lasagna Bolognese, a brightly acidic pomodoro ladeled generously over layers of pasta and slow-cooked meat sauce united by cheese, a dish brought to a higher place with an optional meatball rising like a peak in the center. A melting-pot moment of Italian, American and Albanian soul food. 9390 Huebner Road, 210-267-1233, mareemonte.com The vegan Sunshine Burger from Plantology is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 15. Sunshine Burger at Plantology My exploration of the Top 10 Veggie Burgers took me to this third local concept from chef Griselda Munoz, joining Kind Burgers and Vegan Avenue. Plantology serves breakfast and brunch all day long, so the Sunshine Burger is a natural contender for the veggie-burger crown, with an Impossible patty and vegan versions of bacon, egg, and cheese on a multi-seed bun. Im not looking for it to taste exactly like bacon and eggs. Im looking for the joy of a good burger, for something to fill me up, for something I cant create myself. The Sunrise Burger does all three with style. 22026 U.S. 281, Suite 101, 210-290-8000, eatplantology.com Pollos asados at the Pollos Asados El Chiapas trailer is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 14. Pollos asados at Pollos Asados El Chiapas Sometimes the citys best food is hiding on the side of the road in a trailer being pulled behind a pickup truck. That trailer is Pollos Asados El Chiapas, started by Jose and Brenda Perez three years ago in the parking lot of Vickys Barbacoa on the West Side. Grilled over mesquite coals, the chickens the color of a desert sunset, with the toasted crackle of mesquite char over the top. 1702 Pinn Road, 210-859-4743, Facebook: Pollos Asados El Chiapas Coffee at NoFi slow bar, managed by Tali Koppelman Harif, is one of the 10 best (and worst) things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in the fall of 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 13. Coffee at NoFi slow bar They dont do wifi at NoFi. Thats why its called that. The slow bar part means coffee and tea worth settling in for. Emphasis on in, because theres no carryout. They dont even have cups for it. What they have is a room with the muted colors and modest setting of a Vermeer painting, filled with the warm sounds of vinyl from a turntable. And they have coffee, maybe 10 varieties on a given day, coffee with the same confident skill of their other venture, Bright Coffee, the citys best overall coffee shop. Its built one cup at a time, mostly with pourover cones, with some reserved for espressos, cortados and cappuccinos. But no lattes, no syrups and no basic drips. In one cup of Prodigal Finca La Roca made from Colombian beans that cost about $100 a pound, I tasted earth and sky and the freedom to appreciate coffee as both art and science. 819 Fredericksburg Road, Instagram: @nofi.slowbar Cured salmon at Outlaw Kitchens is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 12. Cured salmon at Outlaw Kitchens In the neighborhood sweet spot between Beacon Hill and Monte Vista, Outlaw Kitchens is like having weekend dinner at a California vineyard, sitting outside under the misters at a restaurant that looks more like the home of counterculture gourmands. Those gourmands are Paul Sartory and Peggy Howe, who keep things simple Thursdays through Saturdays with two three-course dinner options. A summer nights first course included velveteen slices of salmon cured in-house with beets and dill, the opening salvo to a dinner that felt like a flight to the wine country, right here at home. 2919 N. Flores St., 210-300-4728, outlawkitchens.com Budae Jjigae at Arirang Korean Restaurant is one of the 10 best (and worst) things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in and around San Antonio in July of 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 11. Budae Jjigae at Arirang Korean Restaurant They call Budae Jjigae Army stew, and I think I know why: hot dogs and Spam. Mystery meat is the foundation for this bubbling cauldron of orange and red, a tabletop burner simmering a pot big enough to feed an army? Its salt and fat. Its kimchi and onions. Its the ballet of banchan dishes on the side. And its one of the citys Top 10 Korean restaurants. 2154 Austin Highway, 210-650-3845, arirang-san-antonio.com WHERE SHOULD WE EAT?: San Antonios Top 25 Restaurants Fried oysters on yuca chips at Boudro's Texas Bistro on the River Walk are some of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 10. Chile-fried oysters at Boudros Texas Bistro The yuca chips at the base of these fried oysters curve like the hat-shaped umbrellas that mark Boudros familiar home on the River Walk. The restaurants parked along one of the rivers most congested traffic lanes, but theres always room for style, with a plate of flash and color animated by fresh greens, honey aioli, pineapple pico de gallo and oysters with rippled golden armor. 421 E. Commerce St. on the River Walk, 210-224-8484, boudros.com Friday lunch at Aldo's Ristorante Italiano, featuring a Gorgonzola cheeseburger and a saffron-braised lamb shank, is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 9. Friday lunch at Aldos Ristorante Italiano The citys No. 1 Italian restaurant generated some buzz when it brought back Friday lunch at the beginning of the year. Not just because it recalled the restaurants early days in the Medical Center, but because the menu included a doorbuster $19 deal on a saffron-braised lamb shank and, for the first time in Aldos 39-year history, a cheeseburger. And not just a cheeseburger, but one with freshly ground beef, a house-baked sesame bun, Gorgonzola cheese and sauteed mushrooms, served with hand-cut fries for just $17. The whole lunch experience, available 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays, lives up to the restaurants dinnertime standards. And Id put the lamb right up there with the legendary Friday pork chop lunch deal at Perrys Steakhouse. 22211 Interstate 10 W., Suite 1101, 210-696-2536, aldossa.com Sweet-and-sour grilled tuna at Bilia Eatery is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 8. Sweet-and-sour grilled tuna at Bilia Eatery When it opened in 2019, Bilia made its name with sandwiches and arepas inspired by Colombia, Argentina, Cuba and San Antonio. To keep up with their success, Bryan Rojas and Mariana Wong moved Bilia to a bigger space on Northwest Military Highway in 2022, where theyve expanded their vision to include grilled slices of ruby-red tuna glazed with a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce, layered over sweet potatoes in a bowl of radiant green coconut-cilantro sauce. The artful presentation, the contrast of textures and the balance of flavors all suggest a restaurant ready for the next level. 1900 NW Military Highway, 210-530-1333, eatbilia.com Toro tartare from Yozora Sake & Wine Listening Bar is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 7. Toro tartare at Yozora Sake & Wine Listening Bar Dressed out like a pop-art turntable, this bowl of fresh raw tuna with sea urchin and osetra caviar proves that chef Grey Hwang can handle a Japanese izakaya with the same skill as his best-in-class sushi bar Shiro. 22211 IH 10 W., Suite 1111, 210-218-3925, yozora.online Churro bread pudding at Stixs & Stone is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 6. Churro bread pudding at Stixs & Stone Chef Leo Davila embraces complexity. His mission at Stixs & Stone is proof enough, a gluten-free restaurant devoted to the fusion of Mexican and Asian styles orchestrated by a man of Chinese and Mexican heritage. And hes good at it. Good enough to be a UNESCO food ambassador for San Antonio, good enough to land Stixs & Stone among the citys Top 25 Mexican restaurants. But his churro bread pudding goes above and beyond complicated. He and chef de cuisine Hunter McCall make fresh churro batter, then fry it and dehydrate it for 24 hours. They make a custard and soak the cut churros for 10 hours, then they all hide out in Vegas for a week (Im making that part up). Then they bake it until it sets in the middle, slice it to order, grill it on the flattop, then drizzle it with house-made caramel and crown it with horchata mousse and cinnamon sugar dust. Complicated? Yes. But simply one of the best desserts in San Antonio. 5718B Wurzbach Road, 210-592-1187, stixsandstonesa.com A sandwich collaboration between The Newstand and The Jerk Shack at the The Newstand on Broadway is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 5. Sandwich collaborations at The Newstand You might say I like The Newstand because it fosters the idea of reading newspapers. And youd be right. Another reason I like this coffee and sandwich shop from Page Pressley and Dez Rodriguez is the collegial spirit that led to popup sandwich collaborations with local restaurants including The Jerk Shack and Curry Boys BBQ. Pressleys already grinding his own grain to make flour for the homemade bread that holds his own shops sandwiches. But this year he made room for jerk pork and smoked brisket creations from his friends and friendly competitors. It was a great way to get to know this new Broadway hangout, sitting there with bad headlines and a good cappuccino. 1900 Broadway, Suite 106, 210-459-9779, thenewstandtx.com A dry-aged wagyu rib-eye steak at the Pullman Market restaurant Isidore at Pearl is one of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 4. Dry-aged wagyu rib-eye at Isidore at Pullman Market The last of the full-service restaurants to open at Pearls all-in-one Pullman Market, Isidore arrived in August. Its named for the patron saint of farmers, a showcase for a kitchen led by chef de cuisine Ian Lanphear to harvest local meats and produce from the multimarket ecosystem of Pullman and beyond. The menu speaks in subtle tones of red snapper aguachile with peach granita; a gin martini braced with fermented celery leaf; and a scarlet bowl of beets roasted in the embers from the grill. But the wagyu rib-eye doesnt speak so much as it stands on the table like a scene out of Dead Poets Society, a mighty yawp of a steak seared by a fire that cuts through Isidores genteel restraint with flash and smoke. Perfectly salted, marbled like a painting by Rubens, set off by velvet tones of marigold bearnaise, its why we order steak at restaurants in the first place. 221 Newell Ave. at Pullman Market at Pearl, 210-756-7359, isidoresatx.com A dish called Tale of Two Worlds from the La Conquista menu at the Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant Mixtli is one of the 10 best (and worst) things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in the fall of 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 3. Tale of Two Worlds at Mixtli Part formal fine dining, part molecular flavor lab, part Mexican history seminar. That captures the pioneering Mexican restaurant Mixtli, the first San Antonio restaurant to earn a Michelin star in the guides Texas debut this year. For example, consider the two-bite taco called Tale of Two Worlds that kicks off the current La Conquista menu. The shell was formed by crunchy rice in the style of rice at the bottom of a paella pan. The filling combined frijoles with pork fat and chicharron, with a side of golden mole made from tomatillos, serranos and corn masa. Elements of Mesoamerica and elements of Spain, finding harmony they never found in 1519. But Mixtli found it. It only took 500 years. 812 S. Alamo St., Suite 103, 210-338-0746, restaurantmixtli.com Braised oxtails at Mamma Lou's Soul Food Kitchen are some of the 25 best things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 2. Oxtails at Mamma Lous Soul Food Kitchen Besides giving us a place to sit for lunch, the best thing thats happened to Mamma Lous since it moved into this big restaurant space from a little drive-thru shack a block away is that they have oxtails all the time now instead of just the weekends. In my research for Decembers ranking of Top 10 comfort food restaurants, I knew I wanted oxtails for their straight ratio of fat and lean, the kind of half-rendered gloss that goes to your heart and your head with equal speed. Mamma Lous does oxtails in a molten gravy braise the color of weathered wood for a homecoming with rice and yams and greens, if youre doing it right. And they do. 4941 Walzem Road, 210-277-7847, Facebook: Mamma Lous Soul Kitchen Chicken mole verde at Nixtamali Molino + Comedor in Southtown is one of the 10 best (and worst) things Express-News restaurant critic Mike Sutter ate in San Antonio in September 2024. Mike Sutter/Staff 1. Chicken mole verde at Nixtamali Molino + Comedor Home News Lawmaker who prayed against demonic display urges Christians to show God's love to satanists A Christian state senator who participated in a recent prayer gathering against a satanic display in the Minnesota Capitol last week expressed the need for Christians to show love toward satanists while standing firm against their beliefs. Republican Minnesota state Sen. Nathan Wesenberg, a Catholic who has represented the state's 10th district since 2023, told The Christian Post that he was among the approximately 100 citizens and legislators who got together to pray and sing Christmas carols around the satanic display last week. The display, which was erected on Dec. 13 by a group called Minnesota Satanists, features a phoenix, an inverted pentagram and the text of "The Mass of the Phoenix," a ritual that featured in the work of prominent English 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 The sign featuring the ritual text is emblazoned with the words, "You are your own god." Rumors circulated on social media last week that the phoenix display had been removed, but it was put back up after having been knocked over, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. The display, which was approved by the Minnesota Department of Administration, is slated to remain up in the rotunda of the state Capitol in St. Paul until Dec. 27. "You see these things, and they keep popping up, and at the same time, Christianity is getting torn down, and we need to speak up and say, 'This is not right,'" Wesenberg told CP. Satanic displays have been placed at multiple state capitols in recent years, including Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire. This year, a statue of the demon Baphomet was placed on the grounds of the New Hampshire State House in Concord before it was destroyed within 48 hours, which prompted an ongoing police investigation. Wesenberg emphasized that the gathering last week was "not a protest." After speaking with a pastor, he and others decided to engage in prayer, carol singing and sharing the love of God at the site of the display. Wesenberg said that Christians at the event attempted to show satanists there the love that God has for them, which he said is absent in satanism. These people that do this, they dont really love Satan, he said. "We got to talk to them and let them know that God's here for them, and we're here for them." "And you know, that's what Christianity is: we love them. And let's figure out what's going on. Let's talk with each other. We don't hate you. We condemn Satan, but the people aren't that," he continued. "People want to be loved, and we need to be together, and that's what we need to do, is we love each other. We've come together to help each other," he added. "That's not what Satan does." Wesenberg said the opposition to the satanic display has been bipartisan. "I don't think anyone agrees with this," he said of his colleagues. "This isn't Democrat or Republican. This is good and evil." Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate in the unsuccessful 2024 Democratic presidential ticket, at first drew criticism for not publicly condemning the display. According to CBS News, his office later issued a statement explaining that while he did not personally agree with it, he wasn't going to police the displays in the state Capitol. Julie Nelsen, spokesperson for the state, claimed that while the First Amendment protects the display, the permit "does not imply an endorsement by the State." U.S. Navy veteran Michael Cassidy made headlines last year when he was slapped with criminal charges for dismantling a satanic display in the Iowa state Capitol that drew national attention. The statue in Iowa prompted a debate among Christian state legislators last year, some of whom argued that the government shouldn't weigh in on such issues. Home Opinion Some of the best things in life are (humanly) unplanned Life is full of surprises. Life, itself, is a surprise on so many levels. We still dont fully understand it all. There are those who amusingly debate the scientifically confirmed fact that we all begin at conception. Others argue that some of us arent persons depending on our age and geography. You know, because that argument always ends well. And when our elected leaders in the federal government fail to act to protect the first right, Life, theyve failed this great nation. Were constantly told were a nation of immigrants. Yes, we are. And I love that. But were a nation of people, all with the same exact residence for nine months of our lives as we miraculously form in the wombs of our mothers. Every human is a person. Every person is a human. Its really that simple. When we veer from this, we get it wrong. Dead wrong. It reminds me of the tragedy that has befallen many states across the country as the majority of voters in states like Missouri demanded to enshrine killing their posterity as a state constitutional right. Show me, pro-abortion Missouri, how this is any different than the fight against slavery. People of my complexion were property then. Unborn people of any hue are property now. 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 Human history is so circular. I remember standing beside the Dred and Harriet Scott statue in St. Louis Gateway Arch National Park. Dred Scott a slave who sued for his freedom was deemed to be property, not a person. The Supreme Court, as is the case way too often, was supremely wrong. Yet, ironically with the vast majority of Black votes, Missouri decided in 2024 that another group of human beings do not deserve the protections of the Constitution. Amendment 3, which erased the states abortion ban and all pro-life protections, passed by a slim margin: 51.6% to 48.4%. The most vulnerable are once again property, not persons. Even some Black ministers protested the states ban on abortions. One clergy member, Rev. Traci Blackmon, absurdly proclaimed: Challenging Missouris abortion ban was an expression of my faith, which calls us to defend the dignity and autonomy of all people. Well, not all people just the ones with born privilege. Blackmon is a minister of the warped social justice gospel and a member of the constitutionally challenged Americans United for Separation of Church and State. She says: My God is a God of choice. God says, in His own words, that He hates the shedding of innocent blood. We have free will. That doesnt translate into having a license to freely kill. And we wonder why it took so many churches so long to denounce the obvious evil of slavery. Same theological wrongs. Different century. A few days ago, a Missouri judge struck down most of the states abortion restrictions in light of the passage of Amendment 3 back in November. Im grateful for the tireless efforts of pro-life organizations, the Catholic Church, Missouri Baptists, and other Christian leaders who tried to awaken the publics conscience. Im heartbroken that it just wasnt enough. It was nearly impossible to be heard over all the disinforming noise from news media, Planned Parenthood and millions of out-of-state dollars. The pro-abortion side outraised the pro-life side $31 million to $5.5 million. Theres certainly no scarcity of funds for the side that celebrates the violence of abortion and believes were not created equal. It's Christmas, and its impossible to ignore the essence of this worldwide sacred holiday. Its all about a baby who was not humanly planned. And He upended and changed the world. A few years ago, I wrote a song about the greatest (humanly) unplanned story ever told. Its found in this video entitled Stronger. In a world that simultaneously reveres a baby full of promise in a manger as it rejects a baby full of promise in the womb, these lyrics speak to the God-given purpose we all have, planned or unplanned: We have purpose Theres a reason why were here Sometimes it takes a miracle For God to make it clear. We have choices We have the power to decide Whether we pursue our destiny Or let it die inside. Stronger than you ever ever knew You are stronger than you ever ever knew No matter what would ever come at you Youre stronger, stronger. The shortened version for the video then cuts to these words that I hope speak encouragement to anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy (get help here) in our nations capital, Missouri or any of the other 49 states of this great nation. God makes impossible, possible. God makes impossible, possible. This is the Good News that is meant for all of us. Politics will always be in a state of chaos because humanity is always in conflict with the Creator. But we can have peace in knowing that in the middle of all the cultural confusion, God is the compassionate constant. His love can change any circumstance, even those unexpected ones that cause us to embrace fear instead of faith. I was unplanned. My wifes first child, now my adopted daughter, was unplanned. Our youngest son, Justice, was unplanned too but adopted and loved. Yes. Life is full of surprises. Its why my creed is this: Some of the best things in life are unplanned. Merry Christmas! And may you know the love of the Savior who knit you together in your mothers womb. Home Opinion Are you aware of the true meaning of Christmas? It's not about you, and it's not about me. It's not even about the 8 billion people who currently inhabit this planet. It is all about the One who created this planet, along with the entire universe. Yes, my friend, it is true; It is all about Jesus! Are you aware that "by Him (Christ) all things were created"? (Colossians 1:16). This includes "things in Heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible ... all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:16-17). You see, the babe of Bethlehem created the world! Just let that monumental fact saturate your mind for a moment. I hope you can grasp why the whole world revolves around Jesus. It has always been that way, ever since God created the heavens and the Earth in the beginning. (Genesis 1:1) While generations come and go, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). 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 Dr. Sy Garte is a retired biochemist. For most of his life, he was an atheist. Sy said, "I grew up in a family of three generations of atheists ... their atheism was very strong, very militant, so that's what I grew up with. I assumed there could not be any such thing as God." Sy added, "Even in college as a young man, I began to feel there was something missing in my life ... I started wondering whether science was the only way to find any truth...I was not yet ready to believe in God, and that took a lot of other steps." Sy said, "I was brought to a church by a friend." And during that time Sy progressed from atheism to agnosticism. "It just seemed that saying evolution explains everything in life seems too glib ... I didn't really know what 'God' was ... I didn't really understand very much about God." Sy continued, "I started looking at the Bible for the first time ... I read the Book of Matthew and I read the Book of Acts. I found those very moving. The Book of Acts struck me as actual history. I was sure that this was not something that anyone made up. Sy explained how after many years, "I realized that Christianity is true, and Christ is real. He lived and died and rose. And I became a Christian." You see, the only way to become aware that the world revolves around Jesus is to actually become a follower of Christ. You yield your heart, soul and mind to the Messiah as you trust the Savior to forgive your sins. You "repent and believe the good news" (Mark 1:15). When children grow up in a grace-filled Christian home, they have a massive advantage in coming to know Jesus and loving Him as their Lord and Savior. On the other hand, children raised by atheists learn very little if anything about the baby born in Bethlehem, or the purpose of His death and resurrection. When you assume the world revolves around you, or around science, you live in spiritual darkness. And when you are unaware of Jesus and the purpose of His sacrificial death, you fail to grasp the love of God. And you even remain oblivious to why God created you in the first place. So, what is at the center of your world today? If it is your family, that is certainly a noble objective. But it does not reach the deepest reality, which is your spiritual life. You are more than just a physical body. You will exist forever because God created you with an immortal soul. Do you realize why men and women, unlike animals, have such a deep longing for eternal life? "God set eternity in the hearts of men" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). If you treat Christmas as nothing more than a festive holiday involving parties and presents, you completely miss out on its holy meaning. An angel appeared to Joseph and said, "Mary will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Christmas is a celebration of the Messiah's birth, who came to "seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10). Sy Garte was lost until he met Christ and entered into a personal relationship with God. The same thing can happen to you, my friend. Charles Wesley (1707-1788), along with his brother John, was an English leader of the Methodist movement. Wesley wrote over 6,500 hymns, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." I hope you will spend a few moments reflecting upon the inspiring words found in this beautiful Christmas hymn: "Mild He leaves His throne on high, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of Earth, Born to give them second birth; Hark! the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King.'" Will you become mild before the Lord and humbly receive King Jesus into your heart this Christmas? After all, millions of people have already done so. But what about you? Does your world revolve around the King, or around yourself? Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity. "Today is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Jesus paid it all for you when He suffered and died for your sins. And so yes, there truly is a package under the tree with your name on it! You can open God's free gift this Christmas, as you trust Jesus to forgive your sins, and as you surrender yourself to the One who gave His life on the cross for your eternal salvation. Home Opinion Are you homesick this Christmas? Here's your solution In 1943, American soldiers were experiencing their first Christmas away from home during World War II. The song Ill Be Home for Christmas was released that year, and Bing Crosbys voice went out widely across the airwaves. With its gaze homeward at a special time of the year, the song spoke to that universal love and longing for the place you feel most welcome, secure, connected. This year, for the first time in a while, we will be home for Christmas in Northern Ireland so we recorded this song in honor of that! When we first moved to America nearly 20 years ago, ideas of home suddenly became more significant. We were trying to build a new one in a new land while also being very much aware of our home thousands of miles away. We saw things at different angles. Feeling a little on the outside brought us into the inside of a deeper sense of home thats beyond geography and beyond time. 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 Frederick Buechner once wrote, Faith is homesickness. Faith is a lump in the throat Faith is waiting. Faith is journeying through space and through time. Homesickness is such a compelling way to consider a life of faith. To follow Christ and find our rest in Him will always mean earthly life is a pilgrim journey; an immigrants story. One day I will be truly home. The love of home as we find it here and now only presses that hope in more. This thought has always grown my sense of adventure, and when I have felt homesick or lonely, kept my heart up. No home on earth is permanent. But perhaps our longing for home is the very thing that reminds us that we are made for something beyond what we can see, beyond what can be held in time and space. If you feel on the outside looking in this evening if your sense of home feels broken if there is a homesickness niggling at your soul listen to the words of the carols, hear their good tidings, ask the Lord to open your heart to receive His grace, and be welcomed home. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has used his Christmas Day sermon to call for change in the Church of England. It comes after the recent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, over his role in safeguarding failings relating to prolific abuser John Smyth. The Archbishop of York himself is under pressure from abuse victims to resign over his handling of the David Tudor case while he was Bishop of Chelmsford. Tudor remained for years in ministry positions in the Diocese of Chelmsford with Cottrell's approval despite being barred from being alone with children. Tudor was eventually barred from ministry completely in October over the sexual assault of two teenage girls. Cottrell has defended his handling of the case and insisted that he was unable for legal reasons to remove Tudor sooner. Cottrell is due to take over temporary leadership of the Church of England until Welby's successor is appointed following his departure from office on January 6. In his Christmas Day sermon, Cottrell said the Church needed to go beyond words as he called for change. "Right now, this Christmas, God's Church itself needs to come again to the manger and strip off her finery and kneel in penitence and adoration. And be changed," he said. "At the centre of the Christmas story is a tiny vulnerable child; a child that Herod's furious wrath will seek to destroy, for like every tyrant, Herod cannot abide a rival. "And I believe the Church of England the Church of England I love and serve needs to look at this vulnerable child, at this emptying out of power to demonstrate the power of love, for it is in this tiny vulnerable child we are invited to see God." He concluded by saying that the Gospel message was about actions. "Don't just talk about justice, don't just talk about joy, don't just talk about service, don't just talk about love. Show me," he said. The Bishop of Newcastle, who has previously called for Cottrell's resignation in relation to the Tudor case, said his sermon was "empty words". "I have no words more than that to describe their meaning," she said, according to BBC News. (Photo: Getty/iStock) Christians in Syria are on alert after a Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah was set on fire, triggering protests. Footage showed masked individuals pouring an unidentified liquid on the tree on the eve of Christmas, although it was unclear if they were attempting to extinguish or fuel the fire, media reported. Later videos revealed a religious leader from the governing HTS group addressing the crowd in Suqaylabiyah, assuring them that the tree would be repaired by morning. The leader then raised a cross as a gesture of solidarity, an unusual act for Islamist conservatives. On Tuesday, protests intensified in response to the arson, spreading to areas of Damascus, the capital. Demonstrators in Damascus's Kassa neighborhood voiced opposition to foreign fighters in Syria, chanting, "Syria is free, non-Syrians should leave," in reference to those HTS claimed were responsible for the attack. In Bab Touma, another Damascus neighborhood, protesters carried a cross and Syrian flags, declaring, "We will sacrifice our souls for our cross." One protester, Georges, told AFP, "If we're not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don't belong here anymore." Syria is home to a diverse population, including Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Christians, Druze, Alawite Shia, and Arab Sunnis, the latter being the majority of the Muslim population. Just over two weeks ago, rebel forces toppled Bashar al-Assad's presidency, ending the Assad family's rule of over 50 years. The governance approach of HTS, now in power, remains uncertain. Originally a jihadist group advocating violence to establish a state governed by Islamic law, HTS has recently taken a more pragmatic stance. Earlier this month, as fighters advanced on Damascus, HTS leaders expressed aspirations to create a Syria inclusive of all its citizens. The new Islamic leadership in Syria faces significant challenges, including addressing the presence of foreign fighters, Islamist extremists, and remnants of the previous regime that might seek to undermine stability and target minorities. Christians express cautious hope after end of Assad's rule Respond to the question what Christians thought of the fall of Assad's regime, a Kurdish-Syrian Christian, whose name is withheld for security reasons, offered both his hope and concerns for the future. "First, the answer is good news. In short, a single family has ruled Syria for more than fifty years, even though it is a republic and not a monarchy," he said. "Second, there are many detainees in Syrian prisons, which are not just prisons but human slaughterhouses. Thousands of people have died under torture. Others have lost their minds, and some have permanent disabilities regardless of the mass graves." Pointing to Saydnaya Prison, which he described as "one of the worst", he said: "In the coming years, the victims who survived the prison will be revealed. The stories of the amount of brutality and violence that happened to the detainees are like science fiction. The mere fact that these prisons have ended is in itself joyous news." He cautioned, however, that there are still many unknowns and that the road to the future will be long. "Does this mean that the Syrian war has completely ended and the problem is solved? Of course not," he said, adding: "Because the upcoming political phase will face many difficulties, and there is an atmosphere of fear dominating the future of the Syrians. Just facing an unknown future is frightening in itself. "The war in Syria has been ongoing for more than a decade. This means almost half a generation of Syrians knows nothing but war, and nearly two generations don't know what it means to live in a democracy. This situation could lead to many conflicts over power and money in the country." Specific points of concerns for him are the future of minorities, freedom of religion, freedom to hold diverse political views and the freedom of women and their role in society. He also points to those who have been born outside of Syria and can no longer identify with the life in the country that is unfamiliar to them. He also says that as a Kurd, he is concerned about the Kurdish areas in northwestern Syria that are still under the control of forces affiliated with Turkey. "The Kurdish-Turkish conflict has not been resolved yet. If there are detainees and prisoners in the prisons of these groups in Afrin, then the liberation of Afrin and the return of the Afrinians to their homes means to me, as a Kurd from Afrin, that Syria hasn't been completely liberated. Otherwise, Syria is only liberated from the Assad regime, the dictatorship. "However, it is necessary to celebrate the liberation of Syrian regions from the Syrian regime and work together for Syria to be a country for everyone," he adds. "Syria for Arabs, Kurds, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and the rest of the Syrian people." Christian Daily International (Photo: Getty/iStock) At Christmas we seek solace from the tumult of politics and the darkness of the world. We take comfort in magic and sparkle, mountains of food and festive films. On the Christmas adverts, it is always snowing outside and sparkling inside. Windows glow, children are rosy-cheeked and presents are expertly wrapped. Even though most of us probably never actually experienced a Christmas like this - we may have memories of family awkwardness, arguments or absences we want to recapture a fabricated nostalgia, a sense of belonging and contentment. And I fully immerse myself in all this. I always look forward to dipping into my collection of Christmas DVDs. Nestling on the shelf between It's a Wonderful Life and Elf, there is a film of the nativity. But is this really just another nice story to watch alongside the usual feel-good fare? Can we tell the difference between fact and fiction? I believe that if we take the claims of this story seriously, we will truly find the sense of belonging we all seek. We can't know every detail of what happened that first Christmas night in Bethlehem, but the gospel-writer Luke gives us one account. And he wants to convince us that these events really took place. He makes clear that he has "carefully investigated everything from the beginning", including eyewitness accounts, so that his friend Theophilus "may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." Christmas tells us that we are all part of God's story. By breaking into history as a tiny baby, God has invited us to join the circle of wonder gathered around the manger. We gaze in alongside the shepherds and wise men, sharing with them and all our fellow humans an understanding that we are all sinners, saved by grace through this baby who grew up to change the world. Whatever you make of the New Testament accounts of his birth, life and death, Jesus Christ is the most significant person in world history. You may be put off investigating the Christmas story by the church itself. Terrible acts have been carried out in God's name over the centuries, culminating in revelations of sickening abuse scandals and cover-ups. Christians often get it terribly wrong. We are flawed and broken. But Jesus came to save flawed and broken people. Or maybe you find the Christmas story itself to be offensive. Which is understandable. This story tells our culture which places ultimate value in personal autonomy that in reality we are not our own; we cannot save ourselves, we owe everything to Another. The other gospel writer to record the Christmas story was Matthew. He speaks of the wise men visiting Herod to ask him about the new king they had seen foretold in the stars. Herod felt deeply threatened by this baby. He had power and was desperate to hold onto it. He feared the prophecy and tried to stamp it out. Political landscapes around the world are full of Herods, trying to cling onto power. But as Assad has found in Syria, all human power is eventually swept away. Perhaps we all have some of Herod's tendencies in us? It's not the role most of us would want in the school nativity, but we all have things we cling onto, things we put our faith in, whether it be career, relationships, status, identity or the desire to control our own lives. We may feel threatened by the story that tells us we need saving from ourselves, and that we can instead find our security and meaning in the person of Jesus Christ. The Christian story tells us that Jesus came to us as a helpless baby, and as a man he freely gave up his power and autonomy at the cross. He did this to offer each of us a gift of love and grace that is completely undeserved. If the story of the baby in the manger is true, it means there is a God and we know his name. If it is true, it is the best news anyone could ever hear, and so surely we must consider it. The Christian faith doesn't tell us how to vote or what policies to pursue. But it teaches us to forgive others because we have been forgiven, to seek justice with love and compassion, and to join together in the hope that Jesus will one day put the whole world to rights and deal with the darkness and chaos once and for all. Luke also tells us about an old man in the temple called Simeon who held baby Jesus and declared: "my eyes have seen (God's) salvation". His eyes saw not a way of life, not an ideology, not a set of rules, but a human. Salvation is a person. Jesus himself later said : "I am the way" not "this is the way". He claimed to be the one and only human being who will not let you down. Perhaps you feel uplifted at this time of year by candlelit carols in ancient churches, adding your presence to the worship and wonder that has taken place there for centuries. Don't be afraid this Christmas to let yourself be captured by the awe of the shepherds in the dark fields, confronted by the brightness of angels. Or the determination of the wise men, travelling hundreds of miles to seek the promised king. Don't be afraid to gaze into the crib this Christmas, like Simeon, who looked beyond the baby to the hope that he brought. You might find something wonderful there that will last long beyond the New Year. Tim Farron has been the Member of Parliament for Westmorland and Lonsdale since 2005 and served as the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party from 2015 to 2017. Tim is also the host of Premier's 'A Mucky Business' podcast, which unpacks the murky world of politics and encourages believers around the UK to engage prayerfully. He is the author of A Mucky Business: Why Christians should get involved in politics." A CashNet USA study says one San Antonio ZIP code has one of the best rent-to-income ratios in the country. Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer Choosing the right apartment can make or break your San Antonio experience. Local crime levels, amenities and neighborly friendliness all inform an apartment hunt, but perhaps the biggest consideration remains the price. Luckily, San Antonio is home to the fourth-most affordable ZIP code in the United States, according to a cost-of-living report from financial services company CashNetUSA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The online lender compared the median household income and average rent in each ZIP code for U.S. cities with a population greater than 100,000 to determine the most affordable locales. The results singled out the North Side, whose residents enjoy the lowest rent-to-income ratios in the city. San Antonios 78248 ZIP code, nestled between Shavano Park and Hollywood Park, emerged as the most affordable ZIP code in Texas, and the fourth-most in the nation. Annual rent amounted to about 12.3% of the local median household income. This ZIP code is also one of the wealthier areas in the city. The median household income for the roughly 13,800 people who live in the area north of Loop 410 comes out to about $130,600, according to the Census Bureau figures. Experts recommend renters spend no more than 30% of their monthly income on rent and utilities. Yet over 50% of San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan area tenants exceeded that threshold in 2022, according to a report by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The four other most affordable ZIP codes are all concentrated on the North Side, commonly regarded as the most wealthy part of the city. The second most affordable ZIP code went to 78261 in far north central San Antonio, off Highway 281. The next three most affordable ZIP codes run from 78258, 78259 and 78260. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus speaks following an officer-involved shooting on the city's North Side Tuesday. A wanted man was shot after pulling a gun on an officer during a chase around 1 p.m. Christmas Eve. San Antonio Police Department San Antonio police said a detective shot a wanted 19-year-old man who pulled out a gun during a chase with police Tuesday afternoon on the North Side. Police Chief William McManus said officers were tracking Damion Holmes and Esquire Pettit, who had active warrants for violent offenses, about 1 p.m. in the 100 block of Melrose Place, near San Pedro Avenue. Holmes was charged with aggravated assault against a public servant. Pettit, 18, was also arrested, but he was not shot, police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Holmes was wanted on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Pettit was wanted on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two aggravated robbery charges. McManus said the two men were walking out of a nearby H-E-B when they noticed police. The men attempted to get into a vehicle which had been reported stolen. While Pettit was detained, Holmes fled on foot to a nearby apartment complex. It was during the chase with officers that the shooting occurred, police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One of the individuals pulled a weapon our officer fired (and) struck him one time, McManus said at the scene, citing preliminary information. Holmes suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. Officers provided aid to the wanted man until he was taken to a local hospital. Police said the detective, whose name was not released, is a 22-year veteran of the department. He will be placed on administrative duty until further notice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net. A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band. These days, the American Dream for many people is leaving the United States. With its high cost of living, political tensions and often exhausting hustle culture, there are numerous reasons Americans seek a different lifestyle in another country. They may want to see their money go further or crave a more relaxed culture. Regardless of their reasons, many of the Americans living abroad interviewed by CNBC Make It report increased life satisfaction and little desire to return to the States. Here's why four Americans who have settled abroad don't plan on coming back for some time. 'Our life is just so much more fulfilling' For Cara West, her daughter's safety was a major factor in choosing to relocate to another country. West and her family lived in Austin, Texas, in 2022 when the deadly mass shooting occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. "There were so many things that started to come to light after becoming a mother in the U.S. that made me truly understand that the U.S. does not really support families and mothers and children," she told CNBC Make It earlier this year. West and her family enjoy trying new foods in Syros, Greece, and exploring the island together. Vicky Markolefa for CNBC Make It The 33-year-old luxury travel concierge and content creator first brought her family to Portugal in January 2023 to give living abroad a three-month trial. The slower pace of life in Europe had an immediate impact. [My husband] saw how happy I was, how much of a glow I had, how much time we were spending with each other and as a family," West said. From Portugal, they returned to the U.S. and started planning and packing up their life in Texas. By July of 2023, when the lease on their apartment ended, West and her husband were ready to begin living as digital nomads. After nearly a year of roaming around, they settled in Syros, Greece, in June 2024. "In the United States, it's all about hustle culture and your worth is tied into your productivity," West said. "But here in Greece ... rest is really valued." She and her family have also enjoyed the ease of traveling around the rest of Greece from their home on the island of Syros. "It's really easy to get around the country. You can take the ferries, you can take flights," West says. "Overall, our life is just so much more fulfilling here in Greece." West is excited to grow her family and give her daughter a global education through homeschooling and continuing to travel. "Just being able to see the world, to meet new people, to experience a new language, cultures, traditions it's just so special and something that we aren't really exposed to enough in the United States," she said. 'A place where my work-life balance finally makes sense' Steven Guo first became an entrepreneur as a preteen hosting Minecraft servers. Since then, he's continued to build successful businesses. Now in his early 20s, he's founded several e-commerce brands on track to bring in nearly $2 million in combined revenue this year. Despite that financial success which earned Guo a salary of over $250,000 this year he chose to move to Bali, Indonesia, where it costs a "fraction" of what he was previously paying to live in Southern California. "I'm definitely much happier in Bali because of how great the lifestyle is," Guo previously told Make It. "Bali really is a place where my work-life balance finally makes sense." Steven Guo owns several e-commerce businesses that ladder up to his company Manifest Five, a venture capital studio that advises 8- and 9-figure startup brands. Ruda Putra | CNBC Make It Guo spends his mornings working and typically goes surfing or explores the outdoors in the afternoons. He splits a four-bedroom Airbnb in Canggu, a resort village on the southern coast with ideal surfing conditions. "I get to spend tons of time with my friends. I also get to spend a lot of time doing the activities that I like," Guo said. Though he makes a decent living, Guo knows how success can change quickly for a business. He lives frugally to help ensure he can navigate any challenges or setbacks, which he's able to do without skimping on quality in Bali. "I typically don't like to spend too much money on myself," he said. "Most of my expenses go towards food, but if I do spend money, it's typically towards gifts for family or my girlfriend." 'It just felt right and it has continued to feel that way' At first, Iceland seemed like a wild card for native New Yorker Jewells Chambers. But after living there for more than eight years, she now earns a living sharing the country with her thousands of podcast and YouTube subscribers. "It felt as if there was something magnetic that has been pulling me in this direction, and I still haven't been able to put my finger on it exactly," Chambers said of her move to Iceland. "I know it has something to do with the nature, because that has been and continues to be such a rejuvenating piece for me." Jewells Chambers is the founder of All Things Iceland. Grimur Sigurdsson for CNBC Make It Chambers was inspired to move abroad when she was in high school in Brooklyn. "While the professor was talking about U.S. economics and politics, something in my brain was just like, 'I don't think I'm meant to live in the U.S.,'" she said. After college, she wound up marrying an Icelandic man in 2015. He wanted to return to his home country and Chambers got on board after she landed a job with an Icelandic tourism company. The couple moved to Iceland in 2016. To do her job as a marketer better, Chambers started trying some of the unique outdoor adventures Iceland has to offer. Her "life changed," she said. "Everything became about nature and understanding, respecting and then being able to market that out to our potential customers. And I loved it." Chambers started her own podcast, All Things Iceland, in 2018 as a way to share her experiences and answer questions her friends and family had about her expat journey. In August 2020, she left her day job to focus on All Things Iceland full time. She and her husband divorced in 2023, but her business has continued to grow and allowed her to live well in Iceland while taking full advantage of the country's natural beauty and financial advantages. She doesn't pay any health insurance premiums, for example. "When I made that decision and stepped my foot down that day when I came to the country full time, it just felt right and it has continued to feel that way," Chambers said. "So for the foreseeable future, Iceland is my home." Her Seattle tech salary 'wasn't worth the detriment to my mental health' Valerie Valcourt had it made, by some standards, earning over $100,000 a year working in tech in Seattle. But "the paycheck wasn't worth the detriment to my mental health," she previously told CNBC Make It. Valcourt decided to fulfill a childhood dream of attending pastry school in France, where she now lives. She initially applied and was going to start her pastry chef training in 2021, but she didn't feel financially prepared at the time. When she finally moved to France in 2022, she planned to stay for just seven months. But her internship was extended and she landed a full-time job in November 2023. She's now planning on staying in France for the foreseeable future, she said earlier this year. Valerie Valcourt moved to France in late 2022 to go to pastry school, which was a childhood dream. Luis Carballo | CNBC Make It Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. A US government panel failed to reach a consensus on whether US Steel's acquisition by Nippon Steel threatens Washington's national security, shifting the decision to the White House, the Japanese company said late Monday. The deadlock by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) means the controversial $14.9 billion transaction will now be referred to President Joe Biden, who is legally required to act within a 15-day deadline. "Nippon Steel has been informed by CFIUS that the Committee has referred this matter to President Biden after failing to reach a consensus on our transaction with US Steel," Nippon said. Biden has criticized the deal for months, joining a loud consensus of US power players who have slammed the transaction, including President-elect Donald Trump and the incoming vice president, JD Vance. The deal became ensnared in the 2024 presidential campaign when Pennsylvania emerged as a critical swing state and leaders of the United Steelworkers (USW) union loudly opposed the transaction. Nippon officials had hoped to have more success after the election, but there have been few signs of change in the dynamics. US media have reported that the killing of the deal could prompt litigation from the steel companies. There are also questions about diplomatic fallout from derailing a transaction championed by Japan, a close US ally. Nippon said the deal should go through. "During the 15-day period that the President has to make a final decision, we urge him to reflect on the great lengths that we have gone to address any national security concerns that have been raised and the significant commitments we have made to grow US Steel, protect American jobs, and strengthen the entire American steel industry, which will enhance American national security," Nippon said. "We are confident that our transaction should and will be approved if it is fairly evaluated on its merits." US Steel also called on Biden to approve the deal, noting that Nippon is based in "one of the United States' closest allies" and describing the transaction as a means to "combat the competitive threat from China." The Nippon deal is "the best way, by far, to ensure that US Steel, including its employees, communities, and customers, will thrive well into the future," US Steel said. Nippon has argued that the transaction would pump much-needed capital to update plants in Pennsylvania's Mon Valley, the oldest of which dates to 1875. The company has described the transaction as a lifeline to Pennsylvania's much-diminished steel industry, vowing to keep US Steel's headquarters in Pittsburgh. But the USW union has characterized Nippon's commitments as untrustworthy, while slamming US Steel executives as being motivated by the huge windfalls they would likely make from the sale. "The proposed US Steel-Nippon transaction represents nothing more than corporate greed, selling out American workers and jeopardizing the long-term future of the domestic steel industry and our national security," USW President David McCall said Monday as he urged Biden to block the transaction. In 2024, nation-state cyber activity was off the charts, with Chinese, Russian, and Iranian actors leading the charge. Their campaigns werent just relentless they were innovative, using a crafty mix of Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) to gain footholds, stay hidden, and spy-like pros. There was definitely a continued and noted uptick in nation-state activity in 2024, said Chris Hughes, a cyber innovation fellow at the US governments Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA). Some of the largest activities in 2024 included from Chinese APTs, such as Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon. No single TTP was the main player on its own. Instead, they worked together (often mutually inclusive) like puzzle pieces, each playing a role in the bigger picture. One actor, for example, might deploy spear-phishing to gain entry, exploit zero days for privilege escalation, and use wiper malware to cover their tracks all in the same campaign. South Korea's opposition said Tuesday it would impeach acting president Han Duck-soo in protest at the interim leader's refusal to sign into law special bills to investigate his impeached predecessor. The main opposition Democratic Party had set Christmas Eve as the deadline for Han to promulgate two special bills investigating suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law, as well as graft allegations surrounding his wife, Kim Keon Hee. The conservative leader was stripped of his duties by parliament on December 14 following his brief declaration of martial law 11 days earlier, which plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades. But Han, who stepped in to replace Yoon, rejected the opposition's demand at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, insisting on bipartisan agreements for the two bills. Han's stance "left us no other option but to interpret it as his intention to continue the insurrection by delaying proceedings", opposition floor leader Park Chan-dae told a press briefing. "We will immediately initiate impeachment proceedings against Han." The warning came 10 days after Yoon was impeached in an opposition-led vote, suspending him from presidential duties pending a Constitutional Court ruling on whether to uphold the decision. The opposition is seeking two special independent investigative bodies to look into Yoon's martial law declaration and the controversial affairs of first lady Kim, including alleged bribery. Yoon is currently under investigation by a joint team comprising police, the defence ministry, and anti-corruption investigators. The opposition says it needs only a simple majority in the 300-member parliament to impeach Han, as this is the threshold for a cabinet member. The ruling People Power Party, however, argues that a two-thirds majority is required since Han is currently serving as acting president. This Christmas, King Charles and Queen Camilla will host a larger than usual gathering as they will be joined more than 40 members of the Royal Family at Sandringham. Dozens of royals - including the Prince and Princess of Wales along with their children - will head to Norfolk on December 25, where they will enjoy quality time and take part in annual royal Christmas festivities - including watching the King's pre-recorded speech in the saloon in Sandringham - a room which plays a key role in the family's festive days. While the royals have their own special way of marking the holiday, the core traditions have remained largely unchanged from the days of Queen Elizabeth II. King Charles may have added his own touches since taking the throne, but the core basics - tight schedules, festive meals, and plenty of family time - are just as they've always been. For many key members of the Firm, royal Christmas celebrations come with a precise 72-hour timetable that leaves little room for relaxation. According to royal author Robert Jobson, as revealed to OK!: 'The schedule still exists and it's really quite exhausting. One minute you're doing one thing, then you have to change for drinks, then get changed again for dinner.' But amid their busy itineraries, the royals still find time for the things they cherish most, like Christmas Eve presents and the famous Christmas Day walk to church, which is the only part of their festivities shared with the public. On Christmas Day, the family sits down to enjoy a traditional dinner at 1pm, complete with crackers, corny jokes - enthusiastically encouraged by the late Queen Elizabeth - and lots of laughter. This year, King Charles and Queen Camilla will host a larger than usual gathering this Christmas as they will be joined more than 40 members of the Royal Family (pictured: the saloon at Sandringham) Dozens of royals - including the Prince and Princess of Wales along with their children - will head to Norfolk on December 25, where they will enjoy quality time and take part in annual royal Christmas festivities (stock image) Once the meal is over, it's time to head to one of Sandringham's most opulent and distinguished spaces: the saloon. This stunning, double-height room is where each member of the Royal Family comes together after dinner, as well as enjoying afternoon tea on Christmas Eve. With its wood panelling, chandeliers, and original Minstrel's gallery - which once housed a live band when the room was used as a ballroom - the saloon is a space filled with history and character. The impressive saloon, located at the entrance to the nineteenth century house, spans two floors and is complete with a wooden dining table, detailed tapestries, cream sofas, and a piano, topped with photos. Poignantly, the room also contains a large painting of the late Queen; as the royals remember the monarch on a day meant for family. According to Jobson, the vast space is where royals gather to unwind, sip Veuve Clicquot champagne and enjoy each other's company. At 3pm, it's showtime; as all eyes turn to the television to watch King Charles' pre-recorded Christmas Day speech, as is tradition. Jobson explained: 'They retire there to watch the King's pre-recorded Christmas message at 3pm, all standing for the National Anthem.' For the royals, this speech is as much a part of the day as the dinner itself, and it's in this warm, elegant room that they take a moment to reflect on the year and their role within the United Kingdom. This stunning, double-height room is where each member of the Royal Family comes together after dinner to watch the King's speech on Christmas Day The impressive saloon, located at the entrance to the nineteenth century house, spans two floors and is complete with a wooden dining table, detailed tapestries, cream sofas, and a piano, topped with photos At 3pm, it's showtime; as all eyes turn to the television to watch King Charles' pre-recorded Christmas Day speech, as is tradition (stock image) The saloon, which overlooks the grand entrance hall, has always been a gathering place for the family, whether they're watching TV, playing games, or enjoying afternoon tea. If the weather permits, Jobson revealed they might even take a walk around Sandringhams grounds, enjoying the peaceful surroundings. In this cosy yet grand setting, King Charles and up to 45 members of the Royal Family will spend their Christmas afternoon together, continuing a tradition that's been passed down through generations. While King Charles is hosting his 'biggest ever' family Christmas in Sandringham, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are set for a very lonely day 130 miles away in Windsor. The beleaguered duke has agreed to skip the annual Christmas festivities at the Norfolk estate and the King's pre-Christmas lunch in London following counselling from his loyal ex-wife as controversy rages over his links to a 'Chinese spy'. Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice, who is currently expecting her second child with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, has joined in with the the festivities at Sandringham, after her initial plans were scrapped following medical advice. The Princess of York, 36, had planned to fly to Italy to celebrate the festive period with her 40-year-old husband's parents in their 18th century Italian mansion. However, Buckingham Palace revealed last weekend that the late Queen's granddaughter changed her festive plans following medical advice that she should not travel for 'long distances'. On October 1, the Palace announced Princess Beatrice was expecting the baby 'in early spring'. She is now in the third trimester of her pregnancy, which starts from 28 weeks. Alyssa Lauren, 26, from Los Angeles was too sad to spend last Christmas with other people. Her mother had just died and Alyssa preferred to reflect alone. Yet this year, its very different, she says: shell be all on her own yet again but entirely by choice! Heres why My mom passed away unexpectedly a week before my 25th birthday in September 2023. I had gone to visit her at home in Inland Empire, California, with my then-boyfriend and as she stood up to pack some leftovers for me, she just collapsed. It was a stroke. We rushed her to hospital and she had surgery, but she was already brain-dead. She was only 54. Im not in contact with my father, so my mom was the only family I had. For most of my life we had celebrated small but warm Christmases with her friends. When she died, everything changed. That first Christmas after her death, my friends invited me to join their families, but I knew how sad I would be. I didnt want to bring that negativity into their homes. So, I stayed by myself and tried to remain positive by doing small festive things: On Christmas Eve, I decided to get my favorite meal, a seafood boil, for example. The day itself was hard. Yet this year, although people find it strange, I've decided to spend Christmas alone again and I'm actually looking forward to it. Before her mother died in 2023, Alyssa always spent small Christmases with her mother and their friends (pictured here in 2021) That first Christmas after her death, my friends invited me to join their families, but I knew how sad I would be. I didnt want to bring that negativity into their homes. My mom passed away unexpectedly a week before my 25th birthday in September 2023. Id always been the type of person who hated being by myself; now I want to prove that I can do it and that it will teach me how to truly appreciate family moments of togetherness in the future. I know my mom would still want me to celebrate, because although life looks a little different now, I have so much to be grateful for. So I've planned a special day, just for me. To help me feel festive I went to Target, like my mom and I used to do - we had a private tradition of going and fighting back and forth over what color ornaments we should have - and then set up a little tree in my room with a few decorations. And to keep me busy, I have some Christmas movies lined up. I love journaling, and then I'll write some letters to my friends and hand them over on New Year's Eve for good luck. I won't make a Christmas dinner, but I have a plan to honor my mom. I'm Filipino, but I grew up in a part of California where many of my neighbors are Mexicans. So, my mom would always cook pozole, a meat stew with shredded vegetables. I'm going to make it this year. I will also start a new Christmas tradition - writing a letter to my future children. I will tell them: I know you're not here yet, but I just want you to know that the thought of you is already filling a gap in my heart. So, if you're alone on Christmas like me, do something that you love and be appreciative of what you have in front of you. Don't allow one bad event in your life overshadow all the goodness. The Princess of Wales accepted bouquets of flowers from well-wishers as she greeted the crowds outside St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham today. Kate, 42, was a sight to behold as she walked alongside Prince William, their children Prince Louis, six, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George, 11, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla at their Sandringham estate in Norfolk on Wednesday morning. Her attendance followed joyous anticipation after what has been a gruelling year for the Princess, who stunned the world with a shock cancer diagnosis in March 2024. The Princess underwent major abdominal surgery in hospital, after which doctors broke the news that they had found evidence of cancer and advised her to undergo treatment immediately. She began a gradual and measured return to public life after announcing she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy in September. Today, all eyes were on Kate as she looked as positive and radiant as ever, bearing no indication of the challenging year behind her. (From left to right): Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte The Princess of Wales accepted bouquets of flowers from well-wishers as she greeted the crowds outside St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham today Kate looked ethereal in a forest green coat with a matching fascinator and scarf, as she joined her husband, the Prince of Wales, and their children at Sandringham on Christmas The Royal Family, led by King Charles and Queen Camilla, on their way to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Christmas morning The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte The princess dazzled in a forest green Alexander McQueen coat, which she had previously worn during a visit to Leeds in January 2023. She teamed the coat with a matching fascinator and scarf, as well as a pair of black gloves and black boots by Gianvito Rossi to keep warm. The future queen carried a small handbag by Grace Han - as the she waved at the crowds outside St Mary Magdalene Church. Kate's beautiful new earrings with blue jewels and diamonds were by London-based jewellery designer Robinson Pelham. Her silky brunette locks were styled in soft waves, while her make-up was typically understated yet flawless. Fans have been queuing in Sandringham since early yesterday evening, with several people eager to wish Kate and the Royal Family a Merry Christmas after what has been a particularly difficult 12 months. King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year, and the monarch is still undergoing treatment for the disease. One royal super-fan, John Loughrey, told Sky News that he had arrived at Sandringham around 7.30pm on Christmas Eve - hoping to give Kate a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Mr Loughrey said: 'It's not been easy on Catherine and her family, so we've come to support that.' 'And we hope we can see her today and also give these beautiful flowers.' Kate flashed her infectious smile while greeting crowds of onlookers, some of who began queuing outside the church as early as last evening Prince Louis, six, held his mother's hands as they walked to the church Kate pictured with daughter Princess Charlotte, nine, who looked sweet in a checked coat with navy tights and patent ballet flats The Prince and Princess of Wales posed for photographs with their three children: George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six Prince William smiled as he put a loving hand on the shoulder of his youngest son Kate was radiant as she spoke to well-wishers gathered at Sandringham, many of whom brought bouquets of colourful flowers for the princess Kate knelt down to receive a bouquet of flowers from well-wishers gathered at Sandringham Princess Charlotte was her mother's mini-me in double-breasted coat with flecks of green Kate put her arm around Charlotte as they left the church after the special Christmas service Kate pictured speaking to members of the public outside St Mary Magdalene church Members of the public gathered at Sandringham stopped to take photos of beaming Kate The Prince of Wales, Prince Louis, Prince George, and the Princess of Wales following the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Behind them is Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, along with son Christopher 'Wolfie' Woolf, eight As King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales walked into the church, the crowds could be heard wishing them a 'Merry Christmas!'. Kate's infectious smile was testament to her courage in the face of adversity as well as her work ethic, as the Christmas service marks just one of many official public engagements attended by the Princess since announcing her cancer treatment. It is also the second time the Wales family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King's birthday parade, in June. Prince William, 42, looked dapper in a navy coat and trousers, perhaps paving the way for his son's dashing style, with George wearing a similar ensemble to the future King. Meanwhile, Charlotte twinned with her mother, with the young princess also wearing a dark green coat. They were joined by senior members of the Royal Family including Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall, as well as Princess Beatrice. Earlier this month, the Waleses and other members of the Royal Family came together for Kate's special Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in London. The fourth edition of Kate's 'Together at Christmas' service was broadcast last evening on Christmas Eve, as the programme paid tribute to individuals from all over the country who have shown love, kindness, and empathy to those in their communities. At the start of her annual carol concert, Kate called for people to 'slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all' and turn to 'love, not fear' - as she appeared to reflect on the tumult of the past year. Since announcing she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy in September, Kate has embarked on a slow and measured return to public life - with royal fans cheering her comeback every step of the way. Today, dozens of well-wishers have been queuing since the early hours to catch a glimpse of the royals, and waved excitedly as they made their way to the Church. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two children Archie and Lilibet remained in Montecito in California, USA. For the Royals, festivities usually start when everyone arrives on Christmas Eve. The family open their presents, some of which are gag gifts - one of the Royal Family's traditions. The family then attend services at Saint Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. Once they get home Christmas lunch is served, followed by afternoon games. Two years ago, the Royals experienced their biggest change for decades as they celebrated their first festive period without Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September 2022. The world was thrust into mourning at the news of her passing at the age of 96. Britain's longest-reigning monarch was rushed to Balmoral after doctors became 'concerned' for her health - she later died 'peacefully' surrounded by family. Queen Camilla and King Charles were in good spirits, waving at the crowds gathered at Sandringham Camilla, 77, who also received flowers from well-wishers, wore a bottle green coat and matching hat with a colourful feather Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (right), was accompanied by her daughter Lady Louise Windsor (left), 21 Sophie paired her vibrant lilac coat with a pillbox hat adorned with netting in a deeper shade of blue Zara and Mile Tindall put on a smiling display. Princess Anne's daughter, 43, chose a gorgeous shade of burgundy for the occasion Pregnant Princess Beatrice waved at the crowds with her husband Edoardo Mozzi and her stepson Christopher 'Wolfie' Wolf Beatrice, 36, wore a tan coloured coat and a wide velvet headband for the church service Fans have been queuing in Sandringham since early yesterday evening, with several people eager to wish Kate and the Royal Family a Merry Christmas after what has been a particularly difficult 12 months Well-wishers gathered outside the Royal Family's Sandringham estate in Norfolk ahead of their arrival on Christmas morning One of the furrier bystanders outside the St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham A child wears a crown as people gather outside the St Mary Magdalene's church, on the day Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to attend the Royal Family's Christmas Day service The tragic moment would precede a string of devastating events that befell the Royal Family, most notably the Princess of Wales' distressing cancer announcement. She revealed in March that she had been undergoing preventative chemotherapy since late February, after being diagnosed with cancer. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to attack tumours and is typically given to treat cancer directly or shrink a tumour in preparation for surgery. But it can also be used as a preventative option in the hope of stopping cancer coming back - with as much as 46 per cent decrease in returning cases, according to a 2019 study. In a video released in September, Kate admitted the last nine months had been 'incredibly tough' for her and her family. 'The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,' she said. After six months of preventive chemotherapy the princess says she is now 'cancer free'. 'Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes,' she added. Initially the reason for Kate's surgery was understood to be non-cancerous. She later revealed subsequent tests had found cancer was present. Kate was then advised to undergo a course of preventative chemo and described herself as being in the 'early stages' of that treatment. Preventative chemotherapy, also called adjuvant chemotherapy, aims to stop cancer coming back once the main tumour has been removed from the body. It has also taken its toll on her closest, with Prince William declaring 2024 the 'hardest year in my life' following his wife and father's cancer diagnoses. In a remarkably candid - and at times emotional - interview at the end of his official visit to South Africa in November, he admitted the past few months had been 'brutal'. But the Prince also said how hugely 'proud' he was of Catherine and the King for handling their health battles with such dignity and bravery. Slightly sighing and lowering his voice, he said: 'Honestly? It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. 'But I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. 'But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal'. Prince William, George, Charlotte, Louis and Kate during the 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024 - the last time the family were seen William left alongside Prince George, William and Louis The Prince and Princess of Wales released their Christmas card on social media yesterday The Princess of Wales looked effortlessly chic as she joined Prince William , the King and the rest of the royal family at Christmas Day Church service in Sandringham in today The Princess of Wales said her family (pictured together on December 25) 'need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment' Catherine, the Princess of Wales (pictured) revealed earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer The Prince and Princess of Wales in the original image, part of a video issued on September 9 King Charles III and Queen Camilla recently returned from a trip to Samoa (pictured in Apia in October) And speaking earlier that week, he heaped praise on his wife for being 'amazing this whole year'. The Prince will surely continue to be a pillar of support for his father, King Charles, who will continue to undergo cancer treatment into 2025. Shortly before Christmas, a Buckingham Palace source said the 76-year-old's health is still being 'managed' but is 'moving in a positive direction'. Charles has been carrying on with his duties despite facing a personally challenging year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer. News of Charles's cancer, undisclosed in its form, came in February after the disease was discovered while he was being treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate in January. He cancelled all face-to-face public duties but returned in April and has since travelled to France for D-Day commemorations, hosted incoming state visits for the Emperor of Japan and the Emir of Qatar, and undertaken a hectic tour to Australia and Samoa with the Queen, despite still undergoing outpatient cancer treatment. Meanwhile Queen Camilla, 77, is battling her own health woes and is said to be recovering from a bout of pneumonia since returning from a royal tour of Australia and Samoa with her husband. The chest infection temporarily ruled her out of a series of royal duties and she was at one time said to be resting at home in Wiltshire while being monitored by doctors. Dear Jane, My husband and I got married earlier this year are spending Christmas with his parents for the first time. My husband's two brothers and their respective wives and children joined the celebrations too so if anything, I was excited. Perhaps I should have been more wary. But first, a disclaimer: My husbands mother is nothing but nice to me. And she has welcomed me into the family with open arms. Thats why I was so shocked. Earlier this week, we were all sitting with a glass of champagne before dinner when my mother-in-law suggested we do a round of early gifts, a little family tradition she explained. I really want you to have this ahead of Christmas, she said when it got to my turn, handing me a small, perfectly wrapped box tied with a bow and winked. DEAR JANE: My new mother-in-law just gave me a kinky Christmas gift I thanked her and, of course, opened the gift up in front of everyone (including my young nieces and nephews). To my horror, it contained a bright-red lace bra and matching thong. Not only a thong a G-string, with a little gold heart charm hanging over the crotch. The entire room went silent and Im pretty sure my cheeks were burning scarlet. My mother-in-law laughed really loudly and said she thought the ridiculous under-garments would 'suit me'. As soon as I had a private moment, I asked my husband why his mom made a fool out of me, but he brushed it off and said she must have genuinely thought I would like the gift. I can't imagine why any mother would buy their daughter-in-law lingerie. Maybe she has the wrong impression of me. Or was she trying to humiliate me on purpose? From, Provocative Present International best-selling author Jane Green offers sage advice on readers' most burning issues in her agony aunt column Dear Provocative Present, I have no idea why your mother-in-law bought you a red lace G-string and bra. Ive always thought that only husbands and lovers get to buy women sexy lingerie, although there are some crazy things that happen at bachelorette parties. Either way, I have the ick from just reading this letter, so can only imagine how uncomfortable you must have felt. The thing is, none of us could even begin to guess why she thought that would be a fun, appropriate, or funny Christmas gift. So, you need to ask her. You felt that shes made a fool out of you but, remember, you dont know if that was her intention. Given how well you get on and how youve been welcomed, it might be better to assume she didnt plan to humiliate you at all. In fact, she might be horrified that you would think such a thing. But you will never solve the mystery until you talk to her. Tell her that, while youre grateful to have been included, you felt humiliated by red lacy lingerie. Tell her that you love how you have been welcomed into her family and that you suspect you might have the wrong end of the stick that it would be out of character for her to deliberately make a fool of you. Yet you felt like a fool and her rather personal comments have left you questioning what she meant. Then sit back and listen. Try not to react until you hear all that she has to say. If you need to ask more questions for clarity, ask more questions. Only after youve understood what she was thinking can you make a decision about how to move forward. But you can certainly tell her and indeed you should tell her that youre not comfortable with anyone other than your partner buying you sexy lingerie. William and Kate were joined by their three children for the Christmas Day service Prince Louis, six, couldn't contain his glee as the young royal accepted boxes of Cadbury chocolates and stuffed animals from fans at Sandringham on Christmas morning. Louis on Wednesday attended the special Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Norfolk estate with his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and siblings, Prince George, 11 and Princess Charlotte, nine. After the service, senior members of the Royal Family, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, greeted well-wishers - laden with gifts - who began arriving outside the church yesterday evening. Prince Louis looked visibly excited by the presents he received from members of the public - including a box of Cadbury's chocolates, Christmas crackers, bouquets of flowers, and an assortment of stuffed toys. In a sweet video from this morning, a very happy Louis had his hands full of gifts before another well-wisher offered him a Father Christmas headband. The young prince accepted the headband, politely thanked the person who gifted it and returned to his father and siblings. Prince William, who was himself greeting well-wishers with enthusiasm, appeared amused by his youngest son's haul and said: 'You've got that as well'. But when the family started to move along the path, Louis appeared to struggle to keep hold of everything he had received. Prince Louis, six, couldn't contain his glee as the young royal accepted boxes of Cadbury chocolates and stuffed animals from royal fans at Sandringham on Christmas morning Princess Charlotte and Prince George also graciously accepted their presents, as they waved to the crowds while standing alongside their father, Prince William Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis at Sandringham At that point, he returned to his father and sweetly asked: 'Papa, can you carry some?' Princess Charlotte and Prince George also graciously accepted their presents, as they waved to the crowds while standing alongside their father, Prince William. George, who will start secondary school next year, was twinning with his father, Prince William in a navy coat and matching trousers, while his younger sister wore a dark green coat that was almost identical to Kate's Alexander McQueen number. Kate, meanwhile, stole the show as the future Queen exchanged warm hugs with royal fans, who appeared joyous at her return to Sandringham following what has been a particularly turbulent year for the Royals. The Waleses looked picture perfect as they arrived at Sandringham on Christmas morning, with Charlotte holding on to her father's hand. Prince George, 11, walked confidently ahead of his siblings, while his younger brother Prince Louis refused to let go of Kate's hand. Prince Louis with his Christmas haul The young prince is known for his cheeky antics and often steals the spotlight at royal family events Prince Louis couldn't contain his excitement as he collected all his Christmas gifts from well-wishers Louis can be seen holding up a candy bar after the Royal Family's walkabout on Christmas morning The young royals joined their family members for the annual Christmas walkabout in perfectly coordinated outfits While Princess Charlotte's outfit was a nod to her mother Kate's look, Princes George and Louis matched with their father Prince William Princess Charlotte walked alongside cousin Mia Tindall, ten, who is the eldest of Zara and Mike Tindall's three children Prince Louis shows off his presents Princess Charlotte accessorised her winter outfit with a dark green velvet bow, in a subtle nod to her mother's outfit The princess appeared at ease while interacting with members of the public and wishing royal fans a Merry Christmas She can be seen holding gifts from well-wishers, including a stuffed toy and a bouquet of flowers Picture perfect! The Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children, Prince Louis, six, and Princess Charlotte, with Prince George, 11, watching over his younger siblings George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, accompanied the Prince and Princess of Wales to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Norfolk Estate for the traditional outing Today, all eyes were on Kate as she looked as chic as ever, bearing no indication of the challenging year behind her and her father-in-law, 76, who was also diagnosed with cancer, for which he is still undergoing treatment. Charlotte also accessorised with a matching velvet bow. Meanwhile, Prince Louis was dressed smartly, with the six-year-old wearing a coat, trousers, and a white shirt just like his elder brother. Kate, 42, was a sight to behold alongside Prince William, their three children, King Charles and other members of the Royal Family. Her presence at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Norfolk Estate was revered and perhaps unanticipated following a painfully gruelling year for the Princess, who stunned the world with a shock cancer diagnosis in March 2024. The Princess underwent major abdominal surgery in hospital, after which doctors broke the news that they had found evidence of cancer and advised her to undergo treatment immediately. The princess dazzled in a forest green Alexander McQueen coat that she previously wore during a visit to Leeds in 2023. Her silky brunette locks were styled in a classic blow dry while her make-up was simple for the daytime event. The Waleses along with several senior membersof the Royal Family, including Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Princess Charlotte finished her outfit with navy blue tights and black ballet flats Princess Charlotte waves to the crowds at Sandringham, alongside Prince George and their father, the Prince of Wales Princess Charlotte standing with her younger brother, Prince Louis Prince George's tie matched his sister Charlotte's coat as well as mother Kate's navy and green scarf Members of the royal family were greeted at the foot of the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams Prince Louis could be seen holding on to his mother's hand as the Waleses walked towards St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Christmas morning Meanwhile, Charlotte grabbed her father Prince William's hand as they smiled at well-wishers who had lined the streets ahead of their arrival The Prince of Wales and his eldest son, Prince George Prince William lays a reassuring hand on George's back as Britain's future king greets royal fans at Sandringham Sweet! Prince Louis rushes to give his brother Prince George one of the chocolate bars he received Prince Louis looked dapper in a navy coat and matching trousers Princess Charlotte seen walking with her brother Louis and mother Kate, as the young royal picked a chequered navy and green coat for the outing Prince Louis appeared serious as he walked alongside his family The royal family photographed at Sandringham King Charles appeared in good spirits as he greeted well-wishers at Sandringham William and Kate pictured with Prince George and Prince Louis Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two children Archie and Lilibet remain in Montecito, California. She walked past well-wishers who were visibly elated to catch a glimpse of the brave Princess in her essence. Her infectious smile was testament to her courage in the face of adversity as well as her work ethic, as the Christmas service marks just one of many official public engagements attended by the Princess since announcing her cancer treatment. It is also the second time the Wales family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King's birthday parade, in June. Prince William, 42, looked dapper in a suit and tie perhaps inspiring his eldest son's dashing style. Hundreds of well-wishers have been queuing since the early hours to catch a glimpse of the royals, and waved excitedly as Prince William and Princess Kate made their way to the Church. For the Royals, festivities usually start when everyone arrives on Christmas Eve. The family open presents, some of which are gag gifts - one of the Royal Family's traditions. The family then attend services at Saint Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. Once they get home Christmas lunch is served, followed by afternoon games. Kate and Queen Camilla wore matching green coats for the festivities on Wednesday But it can also be used as a preventative option in the hope of stopping cancer coming back - with as much as 46 per cent decrease in returning cases, according to a 2019 study. This time, two years ago, the Royals experienced their biggest change for decades as they celebrated their first festive period without Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September 2022. The world was thrust into mourning at the news of her passing at age 96. Britain's longest-reigning monarch was rushed to Balmoral after doctors became 'concerned' for her health - she later died 'peacefully' surrounded by family. The tragic moment would precede a string of devastating events that befell the Royal Family, most notably the Princess of Wales distressing cancer announcement. She revealed in March that she had been undergoing preventative chemotherapy since late February, after being diagnosed with cancer. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to attack tumours and is typically given to treat cancer directly or shrink a tumour in preparation for surgery. In a video released in September, Kate admitted the last nine months had been 'incredibly tough' for her and her family. 'The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you,' she said. Kate smiles at Prince Louis, six, as the Waleses arrived at Sandringham After six months of preventive chemotherapy the princess says she is now 'cancer free'. 'Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes,' she added. Initially the reason for Kate's surgery was understood to be non-cancerous. She later revealed subsequent tests had found cancer was present. Kate was then advised to undergo a course of preventative chemo and described herself as being in the 'early stages' of that treatment. Preventative chemotherapy, also called adjuvant chemotherapy, aims to stop cancer coming back once the main tumour has been removed from the body. It has also taken its toll on her closest, with Prince William declaring 2024 the 'hardest year in my life' following his wife and father's cancer diagnoses. In a remarkably candid - and at times emotional - interview at the end of his official visit to South Africa in November, he admitted the past few months had been 'brutal'. The three royal children were overloaded with gifts from people who had come out to greet the Royal Family at Sandringham But the Prince also said how hugely 'proud' he was of Catherine and the King for handling their health battles with such dignity and bravery. Slightly sighing and lowering his voice, he said: 'Honestly? It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. 'But I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. 'But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal'. And speaking earlier that week, he heaped praises on his wife for being 'amazing this whole year'. Surely the Prince will continue to be a pillar of support for his father, King Charles, who will continue to undergo cancer treatment into 2025. Shortly before Christmas, a Buckingham Palace source said the 76-year-old's health is still being 'managed' but is 'moving in a positive direction'. Charles has been carrying on with his duties despite facing a personally challenging year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer. Princess Charlotte exchanges a smile with her older brother Prince George News of Charles' cancer, undisclosed in its form, came out in February, after it was discovered while he was treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate in January. He cancelled all face-to-face public duties but returned in April and has since travelled to France for D-Day commemorations, hosted incoming state visits for the Emperor of Japan and the Emir of Qatar, and undertaken a hectic tour to Australia and Samoa with the Queen, despite still undergoing outpatient cancer treatment. Meanwhile Queen Camilla, 77, is battling her own health woes and is said to be recovering from a bout of pneumonia since returning from a royal tour of Australia and Samoa with her husband. The chest infection has temporarily ruled her out of a series of royal duties and was at one time said to be resting at home in Wiltshire while being monitored by doctors. Pregnant Princess Beatrice put on a stylish display as she stepped out at the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham today. Looking effortlessly elegant, the late Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter joined other Royal Family members, such as King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales for the occasion. She was accompanied by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and her stepson Christopher Woolf 'Wolfie' Mapelli Mozzi. Beatrice, 36, wore a tan coat from the Net-a-Porter for The King's Fooundation collection. The coat was designed by students from the Foundation's Modern Artisan programme, run in collaboration with Net-a-Porter. This follows Princess Beatrices visit to The Kings Foundations Future Textiles exhibition at the Garrison Chapel in November, where the Modern Artisan collection formed part of the display. The daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson completed her look with a black dress, finishing her outfit with a pair of black knee-high boots. Wolfie looked dapper in a grey jacket and navy trousers, while Edoardo embraced the festive spirit with a forest green tie. Princess Beatrice, 36, waves at crowds as she arrives at St Mary Magdalene Church accompanied by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and her stepson Christopher Woolf 'Wolfie' Mapelli Mozzi Beatrice, who fondly refers to Wolfie as her 'bonus child', placed a loving hand on the eight-year-old's back Her appearance at St Mary Magdalene Church on the monarch's Norfolk estate comes after it was revealed that she had been ordered by doctors to stay home in the UK for Christmas in case travelling endangers her baby. The Duke and Duchess of York's daughter was planning to spend the festive period overseas with her property tycoon husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi's family for the first time since their marriage in 2020. But Buckingham Palace announced a few days ago that the Beatrice, 36, who is in the final months of her second pregnancy, has changed her plans following medical advice that she should not travel for 'long distances'. Meanwhile, her younger sister Eugenie, 34, did not attend the Christmas festivities at Sandringham, amid rumours Prince Harry had invited his cousin to spend the holidays with him and wife Meghan Markle in California this year. On October 1, the Palace announced Princess Beatrice was expecting the baby 'in early spring'. She is now in the third trimester of her pregnancy, which starts from 28 weeks. Dr Ellie Cannon, Mail on Sunday columnist and GP, said: 'There are a whole host of reasons why somebody in their third trimester may not be able to fly. 'Different acute issues might be something common such as a chest infection or even a viral illness, which can be quite serious in pregnancy. 'Flying can make this worse because of dehydration and sitting still for hours which can also raise the risk of blood clots. 'More long-term issues could be high blood pressure or diabetes. Travelling long distance can be dangerous in this scenario because of the ongoing monitoring needed.' The Princess is celebrating at Sandringham with the Royal Family, alongside husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, her stepson Wolfie, eight, and daughter Sienna, three. Beatrice has attended other public events recently, including the pre-Christmas Lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. Her appearance at St Mary Magdalene Church on the monarch's Norfolk estate comes after it was revealed that she had been ordered by doctors to stay home in the UK for Christmas in case travelling endangers her baby Princess Beatrice was gifted a bouquet of colourful flowers by well-wishers at Sandringham King Charles and Queen Camilla put on a smiling display as they waved at the crowds, many of whom had been waiting at Sandringham since yesterday evening The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, posed for photographs outside the church at Sandringham Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (right), was accompanied by her daughter Lady Louise Windsor (left), 21 Princess Anne, 74, was glamorous in a crimson coat and matching scarf Zara Tindall (left), pictured with her husband Mike Tindall, wore a beautiful burgundy coat to the church service It is not known exactly where Beatrice was planning to travel to spend Christmas, but it was reported that she had been planning to celebrate with her in-laws. Her husband Mr Mapelli Mozzi, known as Edo, is the son of former Olympic skier Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi and Nikki Williams-Ellis. The family owns an 18th Century mansion an hour from Lake Como in northern Italy. Princess Beatrice and Eugenie normally spend Christmas at Sandringham but this year both planned to celebrate with their in-laws. Princess Eugenie, 34, is still planning to visit the family of husband Jack Brooksbank, 38. Both daughters will not spend their day with their parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, who will be at the Royal Lodge in Windsor. It is understood that Sarah helped persuade Andrew to lay low over Christmas after he was embroiled in a scandal over his connections to a Chinese spy. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has announced he is abdicating in favour of his son Guillaume, who will officially take the throne from next October. The monarch, 69, made the shock announcement during what will now be considered his last ever annual Christmas broadcast, bringing his 24-year reign to an end. Guillaume, 43, who had already assumed many of his father's duties in recent months as Lieutenant-Representant, will formally take up his new title on October 3, 2025. Henri's abdication marks the second European monarch to step down from their reign this year. His royal relation Queen Margrethe of Denmark decided to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January. During tonight's broadcast, the outgoing Grand Duke said he was 'proud' to have served his country for a quarter of a century. He said: 'It has been a period during which Luxembourg has undergone great changes, and I am proud to have been able to, together with the Grand Duchess, walk this path with you.' While explaining that 'the Grand Duke is above political parties and does not interfere in political debates,' he said, 'nothing prevents me from speaking out when the fundamental interests of the country and its citizens are at stake.' Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has announced he is abdicating in favour of his son Guillaume, who will officially take the throne from next October The monarch, 69, made the shock announcement during what will now be considered his last ever annual Christmas broadcast, bringing his 24-year reign to an end Grand Duke Henri (second from left), with Grand Duchess Maria Teresa (left), and Guillaume (second from right) with his wife, Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg (right) Grand Duke Henri will pass this new title to his 43-year-old son, Prince Guillaume, in October 2025 (pictured in 2022) He continued: 'This is what I have strived to do over the past 25 years, paying particular attention from the outset to the diversity of our population, the need for coexistence, and sustainability in all areas of our society, so that we can leave our children a healthier country.' Henri had hinted at stepping down in June this year when he announced his son would become Lieutenant-Representant. After the announcement, the Grand Duke appeared very moved and kissed his son whilst the room applauded. According to the official Palace website, 'designation of the Lieutenant-Representative traditionally occurs in the process of change of reign'. 'This is the beginning of a next chapter for our monarchy,' Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden told local media at the time. While the move over the summer on the country's National Day came as a shock to the public, Frieden said it had been mulled behind closed doors for a while. 'We have been talking about it for some time, and I think that on the national holiday it was the right moment, because the Grand Duke is the symbol of our nation,' he said. Grand Duke Henri is the eldest son of the five children of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte and took to the throne in 2000, after his father abdicated following a 36-year reign. He is married to Maria Teresa Mestre, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. and the pair have five children together; Prince Guillaume, Princess Alexandra, Prince Louis, Prince Felix and Prince Sebastien. He turned 69 in April and admitted that he 'intends to retire at some point' in an interview with French publication La Libre. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg is pictured with his son, Prince Guillaume and his grandson, Prince Charles in 2020 Different country, same story: King Frederik, Queen Mary and Queen Margrethe of Denmark pictured in May - Frederik was made monarch after Queen Margrethe of Denmark abdicated 'All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective.' 'There are plans, it will happen,' the Grand Duke continued. Earlier this year, Queen Margrethe of Denmark decided to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January. In a statement revealing the news, the former Danish monarch said: 'I have decided that now is the right time. 'The 14th January 2024 - 52 years after I followed my beloved father - I will step back as the Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son the Crown Prince Frederik.' Sophie, 59, was also joined by her husband Edward and son James Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, looked typically chic today as she joined other members of the Royal Family at a special Christmas service in Sandringham. The duchess, 59, was accompanied by her husband Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, 60, and her children, Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17, at St Mary Magdalene Church. Sophie, who has been widely praised for supporting Kate Middleton during her gradual return to royal duties, chose a vibrant lilac coat for the occasion, which she paired with a pillbox hat in a complementary shade of blue. The mother-of-two's double-breasted, calf-length wool coat had two pockets on the front and was cinched at the waist thanks to a slim belt. She wore a pair of stylish brown, leather, knee-high boots and carried a small green handbag with a gold chain strap. Her blond hair was brushed back into a chignon while her hat was adorned with a layer of blue netting. She kept her make-up simple for the occasion, adding a slick of lipstick and some blush to her flawless complexion, and wore dainty diamond earrings along with a pendant necklace. Sophie's daughter, Lady Louise, was dressed in a double-breasted pale pink coat, which she paired with a cream beret. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (right), was accompanied by her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor (left), son James, Earl of Wessex (back, centre) and husband Edward, Ducke of Edinburgh (back, right) Louise, who is a student at St Andrew's University and a skilled carriage driver, completed her ensemble with beige suede block heels. She looked typically fresh-faced and wore her wavy hair brushed back to reveal a pair of gold earrings. James and his father, Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, both dressed smartly in suits and ties, walked behind Sophie and Louise, while Princess Anne's husband Sir Timothy Laurence also joined them. The family were photographed outside the church with pregnant Princess Beatrice, 36, who attended with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and stepson Christopher 'Wolfie' Woolf, eight. Also present at Sandringham was Kate, 42, who was a sight to behold as she walked alongside Prince William, their children Prince Louis, six, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George, 11, and King Charles and Queen Camilla. Her attendance followed joyous anticipation after what has been a gruelling year for the Princess, who stunned the world with a shock cancer diagnosis in March 2024. Sophie (centre), accompanied by Lady Louise (left) and Princess Anne's husband Sir Timothy Laurence (right), wore a vibrant lilac coat for the special Christmas church service at Sandringham this morning Sophie paired her coat with a pillbox hat complete with netting in a deeper shade of blue The Princess underwent major abdominal surgery in hospital, after which doctors broke the news that they had found evidence of cancer and advised her to undergo treatment immediately. She began a gradual and measured return to public life after annoucing she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy in September. Today, all eyes were on Kate as she looked as positive and radiant as ever, bearing no indication of the challenging year behind her. The princess dazzled in a forest green Alexander McQueen coat, which she had previously worn during a visit to Leeds in January 2023. She teamed the coat with a matching fascinator and scarf, as well as a pair of black gloves and black boots to keep warm - as the future Queen waved at the crowds outside St Mary Magdalene Church. Her silky brunette locks were styled in soft waves, while her make-up was typically understated yet flawless. Fans have been queuing in Sandringham since early last evening, with several people eager to wish Kate and the Royal Family a Merry Christmas after what has been a particularly difficult 12 months. King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year, and the monarch is still undergoing treatment for the disease. Lady Louise, 21, wore a beige coat, which she paired with a cream beret and beige suede block heels Sophie and her family pictured outside St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, with Princess Beatrice (right of Sophie) and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (right) One royal megafan, John Loughrey, told Sky News he arrived at Sandringham around 7.30pm on Christmas Eve - hoping to give Kate a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Mr Loughrey said: 'It's not been easy on Catherine and her family, so we've come to support that,' he said. 'And we hope we can see her today and also give these beautiful flowers.' As King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales walked into the church, the crowds could be heard wishing them a 'Merry Christmas!'. Her infectious smile was testament to her courage in the face of adversity as well as her work ethic, as the Christmas service marks just one of many official public engagements attended by the Princess since announcing her cancer treatment. It is also the second time the Wales family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King's birthday parade, in June. Prince William, 42, looked dapper in a navy coat and trousers, perhaps paving the way for his son's dashing style, with George wearing a similar ensemble to the future King. Meanwhile, Charlotte twinned with her mother, with the young princess also wearing a dark green coat. They were joined by senior members of the Royal Family including Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall, as well as Princess Beatrice. Sophie completed her look with a pair of high-heeled, brown leather knee-high boots James, 17, and Edward, 60, looked smart in suits and ties with overcoats Princess Beatrice (centre), who is pregnant with her second child, wore a double-breasted tan coat Earlier this month, the Waleses and other members of the Royal Family came together for Kate's special Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in London. The fourth edition of Kate's 'Together at Christmas' service was broadcast last evening on Christmas Eve, as the programme paid tribute to individuals from all over the country who have shown love, kindness, and empathy to those in their communities. At the start of her annual carol concert, Kate called for people to 'slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all' and turn to 'love, not fear' - as she appeared to reflect on the tumult of the past year. Since announcing she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy in September, Kate has embarked on a slow and measured return to public life - with royal fans cheering her comeback every step of the way. Today, well-wishers queued since the early hours to catch a glimpse of the royals, and waved excitedly as they made their way to the Church. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two children Archie and Lilibet remained in Montecito in California. Sophie, who has been praised for supporting Kate in recent weeks, was all smiles as she made her way to the church For the Royals, festivities usually start when everyone arrives on Christmas Eve. The family open presents, some of which are gag gifts - one of the Royal Family's traditions. The family then attend services at Saint Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. Once they get home Christmas lunch is served, followed by afternoon games. Andy Cohen has revealed that his son Benjamin, five, asked for police drones this Christmas - which left him wondering if the youngster has been watching the news lately. In recent months, many have spotted drones hovering above the Northeast, in places like New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C. Since at least November 18, New Jersey officials and federal investigators have been plagued by reports of inexplicable apparent aircraft - some as big as cars - conducting bizarre, unscheduled night flights over sensitive sites across the state. While The White House has assured the public that there is no threat to national security and that these drones are simply 'hobbyists,' it has caused mass hysteria. And now, it looks like Cohen's young son has caught wind of what's been happening this holiday season. 'He had me help him write a letter to Santa, and he said he wants a police drone for himself, which is very timely,' Cohen, 56, told Us Weekly in a new interview. 'A Lego police drone that really flies. Im like, "I dont think that exists, but all right." It is timely,' he added. The Watch What Happens Live host wondered if his son had been tuning into the news given his aptly timed request. Andy Cohen has revealed that his son Benjamin, 5, asked for police drones this Christmas - and is hilariously wondering if he's been watching the news lately But now, it looks like Cohen's son has caught wind of what's been happening this holiday season 'Im like, "What have you been watching the news?"' Cohen joked. But besides these Lego police drones, there are a few other things on Ben's Christmas list - and they included things for his little sister, Lucy, two. 'He asked for bath toys for Lucy and he wants a kit of Valentines cards so he can make Valentines for me cause he loves me,' Cohen shared with the outlet. 'I couldnt believe it,' he added. Cohen welcomed his first child, Ben, via surrogate on February, 4, 2019. Over two years later, on April 29, 2022, Cohen welcomed his second child, daughter Lucy, also via surrogate. He is a single parent, and has been open about his journey so far, often showing off funny and relatable moments with his kids on his Instagram page. In an interview with People last year, the Bravo TV producer shared even more about his son's 'funny' personality. 'He asked for bath toys for Lucy and he wants a kit of Valentines cards so he can make Valentines for me cause he loves me,' Cohen shared with the outlet 'He's so funny, and that tickles me for obvious reasons,' Cohen said of son Ben. 'I love it that he makes me laugh,' he continued. 'I posted something the other day where he was collecting bottle caps and I said, "What are you gonna do with these bottles?" 'And he said, "I'm gonna put them on bottles." I mean, it's quite literal, but I thought, "Oh, you're smart."' He also revealed some sage parenting advice. 'Kids don't have a lot of patience, but we're working on it,' he told the outlet at the time. 'If the toy's not working, they want to throw it. But you want to show them and say, "Hey, stay with this. Let's figure this out." It doesn't always work, but sometimes," he added. Ivanka Trump has once again shown off her enviable figure while celebrating the holidays with her husband, Jared Kushner, their three kids, and her dad, Donald Trump, at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The 42-year-old - who will become the First Daughter again after her father is inaugurated on January 6 - has been boasting her Christmas plans all over social media in recent days. On the night before Christmas, she was seen grinning from ear-to-ear while sporting an off-the-shoulder white dress for a dinner at the Palm Beach, Florida, club. The chic ensemble hugged her toned figure and accentuated her trim waistline. The mom-of-three chose the perfect outfit for her outing at Mar-a-Lago, which saw the Trump family come together to celebrate the holiday. A video shared by internet personality Michael Solakiewicz gave an inside glimpse into their festivities. In the video, Donald showed off his gleeful personality and holiday cheer as he shimmied from side to side. 'President Donald J Trump with First Lady Melania Trump and family tonight at Mar-a-Lago for Christmas Eve. TRUMP-VANCE 2024,' he captioned it. Ivanka Trump has once again shown off her enviable figure while celebrating the holidays with her family and dad Donald Trump at has Mar-a-Lago estate She was captured grinning from ear-to-ear while sporting an off-the-shoulder white dress while at the Palm Beach club Although short, the video perfectly captured Ivanka's stunning looks as she gave the camera a sweet grin. Ivanka opted for glamorous makeup that emphasized her natural beauty and let her long blonde locks fall straight down her back. The mom-of-three previously showed off her impressive physique as she enjoyed a fun-filled family vacation ahead of Christmas. The 42-year-old shared a slew of lovely snaps from her vacation on her Instagram account. One showed her enjoying a beach adventure with husband Jared, 43, and her three kids, Arabella, 13, Joseph, 11, and Theodore, eight. In another snap, the blonde beauty showed off her toned legs as she stared out at the shimmering water. In a third, Ivanka donned a linen white dress that flowed down the length of her body. She and Jared also showcased their loved-up marriage in a snap that saw them wrapping their arms around each other. The mom-of-three chose the perfect outfit for her outing at Mar-a-Lago, which saw the Trump family come together to celebrate the festive season Yesterday, she showed off her stunning physique as she enjoyed a fun-filled family vacation ahead of Christmas The mom-of-three took to Instagram to boast her good looks as she revealed that she was feeling an 'abundance of gratitude' Ivanka captioned the photos: 'Feeling an abundance of gratitude this Christmas Eve.' In her flick with Jared, Ivanka donned a blue mini-dress that accentuated her trim waistline. Meanwhile, her hubby opted for a more casual look as he sported a black T-shirt and white shorts. Ivanka also posted a few snaps of her children that showed they were having the time of their lives as they couldn't hide their huge smiles and sun-kissed cheeks. Since bidding adieu to a life of politics, Ivanka has been focusing on traveling with her family. She previously showed off her playful side as she flaunted her physique while surfing. The mom-of-three took to her Instagram Story to boast her figure after DailyMail.com detailed her strict workout regime. While on an adventure with her family, Ivanka jumped in the water and began surfing. The 42-year-old shared a clip of her riding the waves on a FlowRider - a 40-foot-long surf stimulator. The 42-year-old shared a slew of lovely snaps from her vacation on her Instagram account While on a beach adventure with husband Jared Kushner, 43, and her three kids, Arabella, 13, Joseph, 11, and Theodore, eight, Ivanka grinned from ear-to-ear Ivanka also posted a few snaps of her children that showed they were having the time of their lives as they couldn't hide their huge smiles and sun-kissed cheeks And while her skills were impressive, all eyes were on her as she wowed in a black one-piece. Ivanka and Jared relocated to Florida with children Arabella, Joseph, and Theodore after Trump left office in January 2021. It was a change of pace for the incumbent First Daughter, who was heavily involved in Donald's first term in the White House. She had an office in the West Wing and frequently represented the administration both at home and abroad. But after her father announced he was running for president again, Ivanka announced that she was stepping away from the world of politics. Syria's new leaders announced Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with the country's rebel groups on their dissolution and integration under the defence ministry. Absent from the meeting were representatives of the US-backed, Kurdish-led forces that control swathes of Syria's northeast. The meeting between the rebel groups and Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa "ended in an agreement on the dissolution of all the groups and their integration under the supervision of the ministry of defence", said a statement carried by the SANA news agency and the authorities' Telegram account. The announcement comes just over two weeks after president Bashar al-Assad fled Syria, following a lightning offensive spearheaded by Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group. On Sunday Sharaa, long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, had said the new authorities would "absolutely not allow there to be weapons in the country outside state control". That also applied to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), he said. Last week, the military chief of HTS told AFP that Kurdish-held areas would be integrated under the new leadership, and that "Syria will not be divided". Thirteen years of civil war in Syria has left more than half a million people dead and fragmented the country into zones of influence controlled by different armed groups backed by regional and international powers. SDF spokesman Farhad Shami told AFP the question of his group's integration into the national armed forces "should be discussed directly". He did not dismiss the possibility, saying that doing so would strengthen "the whole of Syria". Shami added that his forces prefer "dialogue with Damascus to resolve all questions". Turkey has long held ties with HTS, and analysts say that since the Islamists took over Syria, both sides have sought to profit from the relationship. Ankara accuses the People's Protection Units (YPG) -- the main component of the SDF -- of being affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency on Turkish soil. Earlier this month, a Syria specialist who advises Western diplomats in Turkey said: "The Turks would like to push HTS into striking at the Kurds but HTS doesn't want to get involved." Although Ankara's role in Assad's overthrow had been "overstated", Turkey now has "real economic leverage" thanks to the 900-kilometre (560-mile) border it shares with Syria, the source said on condition of anonymity. How the situation develops will also depend on US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20 but has already proclaimed that "Turkey is going to hold the key to Syria". Since late November, the SDF has been battling Turkey-backed fighters who launched an offensive on Kurdish-held areas at the same time as HTS's anti-Assad campaign. On Tuesday, the SDF said in a statement its fighters were waging deadly combat to the east of the key city of Manbij, with 16 deaths in its ranks. Syria's Kurds, long oppressed under Assad's rule, saw an opportunity during the war to carve out a semi-autonomous territory in the northeast. They proved an indispensable ally to the US-led coalition battling the Islamist State group. Since Assad's ouster on December 8, they have issued numerous statements welcoming his downfall, and also put out calls for dialogue with the new leadership in Damascus and with Turkey. In Syria's northeast, both the Kurdish flag and the three-star independence-era flag used by the new authorities can be seen. Princess Anne put on a stylish display in a crimson coat and matching scarf today as she joined other members of the Royal Family at a special Christmas church service at Sandringham. The Princess Royal, 74, has had a very busy 12 months, taking on more royal engagements amid King Charles's cancer battle, and was named the hardest-working royal for the second consecutive year. As she made her way to St Mary Magdalene church on Christmas morning, Anne looked regal in a collarless red coat which she paired with a navy pleated plaid skirt and black suede knee-high boots. The mother-of-two added a gold brooch, crimson scarf and a wide-brimmed hat - complete with a firm trim - as well as a navy suede clutch bag. She wore a pair of drop earrings, which complemented her brooch, and kept her make-up simple for the occasion, just adding a swipe of red lipstick. Anne, who received a bouquet of flowers from a well-wisher, was joined by her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, 69, and son Peter Phillips, 47. Also in attendance was her daughter Zara Tindall, 43, who looked stunning in a burgundy coat. Anne has not only supported her brother King Charles by taking on extra public duties this year, she has also stood by him amid what has been a turbulent year for the monarch - including his and Kate's cancer diagnoses as well as Prince Andrew's Chinese spy scandal. Princess Anne (pictured) looked typically stylish at Sandringham this morning in a crimson coat and matching scarf Earlier this month, the royals braced for the fallout from Prince Andrew's ties to an alleged Chinese spy, with King Charles said to be furious with his younger brother for tarnishing the reputation of the entire Royal Family. Following the allegations, Andrew and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who remains a key support for the disgraced prince, agreed to stay away from the royal Christmas celebrations at Sandringham. While Andrew and Sarah were absent, Kate Middleton, 42, who was a sight to behold as she walked alongside Prince William, their children Prince Louis, six, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George, 11, and King Charles and Queen Camilla. Her attendance followed joyous anticipation after what has been a gruelling year for the Princess, who stunned the world with a shock cancer diagnosis in March 2024. The Princess underwent major abdominal surgery in hospital, after which doctors broke the news that they had found evidence of cancer and advised her to undergo treatment immediately. She began a gradual and measured return to public life after announcing she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy in September. The Princess Royal, 74, is pictured with her youngest brother Prince Edward, 60 Today, all eyes were on Kate as she looked as positive and radiant as ever, bearing no indication of the challenging year behind her. The princess dazzled in a forest green Alexander McQueen coat, which she had previously worn during a visit to Leeds in January 2023. She teamed the coat with a matching fascinator and scarf, as well as a pair of black gloves and black boots to keep warm - as the future Queen waved at the crowds outside St Mary Magdalene Church. Her silky brunette locks were styled in soft waves, while her make-up was typically understated yet flawless. Fans have been queuing in Sandringham since early last evening, with several people eager to wish Kate and the Royal Family a Merry Christmas after what has been a particularly difficult 12 months. King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year, and the monarch is still undergoing treatment for the disease. One royal megafan, John Loughrey, told Sky News he arrived at Sandringham around 7.30pm on Christmas Eve - hoping to give Kate a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Mr Loughrey said: 'It's not been easy on Catherine and her family, so we've come to support that,' he said. Anne wore a red coat adorned with a gold brooch, which she paired with a navy plaid skirt and knee-high boots 'And we hope we can see her today and also give these beautiful flowers.' As King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales walked into the church, the crowds could be heard wishing them a 'Merry Christmas!'. Her infectious smile was testament to her courage in the face of adversity as well as her work ethic, as the Christmas service marks just one of many official public engagements attended by the Princess since announcing her cancer treatment. It is also the second time the Wales family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King's birthday parade, in June. Prince William, 42, looked dapper in a navy coat and trousers, perhaps paving the way for his son's dashing style, with George wearing a similar ensemble to the future King. Meanwhile, Charlotte twinned with her mother, with the young princess also wearing a dark green coat. They were joined by senior members of the Royal Family including Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall, as well as Princess Beatrice. Earlier this month, the Waleses and other members of the Royal Family came together for Kate's special Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in London. Pictured next to her son, Peter Phillips, 47, Anne wore a wide-brimmed hat complete with a firm trim Anne (right) walked with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence (second from right) and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (second from left) and Sophie's daughter Lady Louise Windsor (left) The fourth edition of Kate's 'Together at Christmas' service was broadcast last evening on Christmas Eve, as the programme paid tribute to individuals from all over the country who have shown love, kindness, and empathy to those in their communities. At the start of her annual carol concert, Kate called for people to 'slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all' and turn to 'love, not fear' - as she appeared to reflect on the tumult of the past year. Since announcing she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy in September, Kate has embarked on a slow and measured return to public life - with royal fans cheering her comeback every step of the way. Today, well-wishers queued since the early hours to catch a glimpse of the royals, and waved excitedly as they made their way to the Church. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two children Archie and Lilibet remained in Montecito in California. For the Royals, festivities usually start when everyone arrives on Christmas Eve. The family open presents, some of which are gag gifts - one of the Royal Family's traditions. The family then attend services at Saint Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. Once they get home, Christmas lunch is served, followed by afternoon games. I honestly thought I was too savvy to be scammed. Ive had emails from thieves in Nigeria asking for my bank account details so they could send me the millions of pounds Id won on what was clearly a fictional lottery. I knew neither of my sons was lost abroad somewhere without money, so didnt fall for that one. And when Ive received demands for payment from, say, Microsoft, Ive always found a number to ring to check its genuine. Its surprising how often it is an attempted scam. Nevertheless, I had a text and a call purporting to be from my bank last month which showed me how vulnerable even the most careful of us can be. I was told the call came from my banks fraud department and I was asked if I recognised a transaction on my credit card of .00 GBP to Google. It said *Temporary Hold unknown 17.11.2024 06.46.23 APPROVED. Of course I didnt recognise it, as I told the bank. They informed me they suspected it was an example of a new kind of scam. They would block my card and send me a new one as soon as possible. This was most inconvenient. I was about to set off for my cruise to the Canary Islands and there was no way they could get a new credit card to me before I left. They told me not to worry as Id be able to use my debit card instead. I thought no more about it, grateful my banks fraud department appeared to be doing their best to protect me. On the ship there was a small group of speakers including the financial whizz, Paul Lewis, familiar to most from Radio 4s Moneybox. Ive known him for years. Hes often scared me to death pointing out some failure of mine to be clever enough with my money. I had a text and a call purporting to be from my bank last month which showed me how vulnerable even the most careful of us can be, writes JENNI MURRAY We speakers got together one night for dinner and I began to tell my story about the attempted scam and how delighted I was with the care that was taken by my bank. Hold on, Jenni, said Paul ominously. Are you sure it was your bank that called you? I paled in shock and fear. Was I sure it was my bank that called me? Not really. Id just assumed. Right, said Paul. Do you still have the credit card with you? I did, even though it was blocked and useless to me. Theres a number on the back, said Paul. Call it immediately and check it was your bank that contacted you. I called and to my huge relief I had been rung by my bank and the whole business was absolutely genuine. I was not going to lose money, but I should have known better. Paul, as always, was absolutely right. Never assume a call that claims to be from your bank is real. Always check. Now is apparently one of the most dangerous periods to become victims of the scammers. Earlier this week, Santander warned that the period between Christmas Day and January 1 is a busy time for crooks, who obviously dont take the holiday period off. Last year nearly 2 million was lost in transfer scams by Santanders customers over the festive period. The biggest loss was a shocking 600,000 as part of an investment swindle. Scam artists know were relaxed at this time of year and may be looking for bargains in the Christmas or New Year sales. Last year there were fake clothing deals on Instagram, and fake Taylor Swift tickets on Facebook marketplace. Ive often teased my husband about his extreme caution when it comes to putting our money at risk on the internet. He refuses to use online banking. Its not safe, he says. Hes lucky our house on the south coast isnt far from one of the few surviving branches of our bank, where you can actually go in and talk to someone. Where I am in London thats become increasingly impossible, so I rely on my banking app. But Im beginning to think he may be right. Hes an electronic engineer and understands technology far more than most of us do. He would never allow his bank cards to be visible on the wallet in his phone. Ive taken his advice on that one. Its sad to feel you cant really trust anybody these days, but money is hard earned and we need to protect ourselves. I shant be letting my caution slip over the New Year. Ill buy nothing online without checking its real and Ill never take a call from my bank and believe it, without calling back to make sure its them. We all need to unite and make the scammers lives a misery, not ours. Year ends with sparkles for Gio The Italian Strictly trophy puts our modest glitter ball to shame So pleased for Giovanni Pernice whos won the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando Con Le Stelle, putting all the unpleasantness he suffered with Amanda Abbington and her bullying allegations behind him. Hes fallen for his partner, actress Bianca Guaccero, and plans to propose. And look at the size of that trophy. It puts our modest glitter ball to shame. Would you dare cook lunch for Delia? How nerve-racking must it have been for the nephew of the great Delia Smith! My Christmas lunch, cooked by my son and my son-in-law caused no anxiety for them as they knew they were far better at the job than I would have been. But how nerve-racking must it have been for the nephew of the great Delia Smith, now 83. She said she was excited not to be cooking for the festivities for the first time in 52 years, but also admitted that its hard to watch someone not doing it properly. Bet that nephew and his wife were terrified. Hands up if you want a WFH teacher Can the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, really be serious about letting teachers work from home? Apparently its to make the job more appealing to the next generation. But presumably if you want to be a teacher, you like helping children learn. Teachers should be in school as long as their pupils are there. Its the only way they get to know them. My mum always got a full report on my work and character because my teachers knew me inside out. Jennifer must learn she does not have the right to slide down the school bannisters. She must learn the rules and obey them. I got away with nothing. Why has the King dropped Cadbury from the Royal Warrant list for the first time in 170 years? It was his mothers favourite chocolate, and preferred, I think, by most of us. I hope hes not trying to lead us hoi polloi to his own Highgrove brand at almost 6 a bar. I used to hate Brussels sprouts. They were so bitter and boiled to destruction. No longer. My two sons knew exactly how to get the best out of them. Lightly sauteed in butter. Delicious. An urgent warning has been issued in three states after more than 7,500 pounds of raw sausage meat was recalled for containing potentially deadly ingredients. Impero Foods & Meats, based out of Baltimore, Maryland, produced raw pork sausage products without it being inspected by the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). FSIS says the products 'weren't processed to meet safety standards, posing a risk to public health'. The product was shipped to restaurants and retail locations in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The raw Italian pork sausage items were produced from October 3 through December 19 and have the establishment number 'EST. 10827' inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products being recalled are white cardboard boxes weighing 10 pounds and 'containing Old World Italian Sausage'. Some of the boxes have 'rope' handwritten on the case, referring to the way the sausages have been divided up, while other lots have 'link' written on the boxes. The government agency designated the recall as Class I, describing it as a 'health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.' More than 7,500lbs of raw sausage meat has been recalled across the US for being potentially harmful to eat Your browser does not support iframes. FSIS warns that some products may have been sold at retail deli counters without labels or other identification. The problem was discovered when FSIS was performing surveillance activities at a retailer which was notified that items may have been produced at a facility that had a suspended grant of inspection. After further investigation, it was determined that the items were produced without the benefit of a FSIS check. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in retailers' or restaurants' refrigerators or freezers. Retailers and restaurants are urged not to sell or serve these products. The sausage meat was shipped to restaurants and retail locations in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania They are instructed to throw the products away or return them to the place of purchase. Jerry Vitale, the owner of Impero Foods & Meats, told Newsweek that his company 'followed the FSIS recommendation and voluntarily recalled any products that [were] out in commerce'. The company, which has been running since 1985, states on its website that it operates its own USDA inspected meat processing facility. It adds: 'Specializing in European style veal cuttings, our butchers have decades of experience. 'We are able to offer fresh Italian sausage, ground meats (beef, veal, pork, or a mix), veal, and chicken. 'We also have rabbit, wild boar, duck, and quail, as well as Italian meats like prosciutto, pancetta, coppa, and sopressata. ' Cornwall has quickly become the UK's new solar farm capital and the rolling fields and winding lanes are at risk being replaced by seas of black glass brought in by greedy energy companies from overseas. The south west county reportedly has 27,000 solar panels already, more than anywhere else in the UK and with many more planned under Ed Miliband's green energy rollout, residents and councillors are becoming increasingly frustrated. Locals highlight the loss of productive and versatile farmland, the lack of job creation or any significant benefit to the local economy and the industrialisation of the countryside as reasons to think again. The village of St Stephen, three miles from St Austell, which grew out of the 18th century clay industry and mining has become a new battleground. Energy companies started buying up nearby farmland in a solar goldrush several years ago, hoping to take advantage of the villages proximity to main power lines. In a few short years seven sites had sprung up in the parish, comprising thousands of panels, with another already granted permission for development. Now 80% of the four square miles of the parish is in sight of a solar panel and French energy giant EDF is seeking permission for a 200 acre solar farm just to the west of the village. If approved, it will see a third generation tenant farmer lose their livelihood. Pictured in front of the affected farmland are (L-to-R) Julie Floyd, Sally Blake, Rose Barnecut, Jacques Egbers, Andrea Feltham, Mark Blake, Mike Bulley. Paramedic Mike Bulley, 39, lives next door to the proposed site and is worried about the plans The village of The village of St Stephen has been earmarked for the next huge solar farm Rose Barnecut whose family have farmed land near EDFs proposed solar farm for four generations described it as another kick in the teeth for farmers following the Labour governments inheritance tax row. She said: It started off incrementally, one little solar farm after another, and you accepted it but then it becomes like dominoes and suddenly its right on your doorstep on ground that should absolutely be protected. Its one of the best farms in the parish, its been farmed really well by generations of tenant farmers who have been evicted. Farmers are in such a difficult position, they cant afford to battle against it and if they dont get compensation they have lost everything. Everything you see around you is going to be completely destroyed by this sea of black glass for no benefit. For the clay industry at least we had jobs, this will bring no benefits and no jobs. The amount of wealth that has come out of this area is incredible, its paid its share and look how much wealth is left here, none. Its a big multinational company coming to poorer areas of Cornwall to make a profit and we pay the price. Frustrated at a perceived lack of protection, residents have formed the Stop Trelion Solar Farm campaign and are coordinating with other grassroots campaigns which have enjoyed success. Signs and posters have been put up in opposition to the planned Trelion Solar Farm Rose Barnecut's family have farmed land near EDFs proposed solar farm for four generations She says it is another kick in the teeth for farmers after the inheritance tax rise Pictured (L-to-R) Rose Barnecut, Mike Bulley, Andrea Feltham, Julie Floyd, Mark Blake, Sally Blake, Jacques Egber With many homes near the proposed site drawing their water from boreholes, residents are alarmed by the risk of toxins contained in solar panels including carcinogenic cadmium contaminating groundwater. Paramedic Mike Bulley, 39, lives next door to the proposed site, said: Its a concern especially if you have a borehole and we are planning to live here for a long time so I want some more information on the cumulative effects but when I asked them they had no information. Thats a great concern. There is so much wildlife in the area which is going to be grossly affected by it and push more wildlife onto busy roads. Were not NIMBYs, this isnt just about this community but what is happening is scary. We need to look at other options that doesnt involve losing prime versatile farmland. Julie Floyd, 59, an accountant, added: The area is a haven for wildlife and if they have got to cross that busy main road to be faced with a two metre high fence it completely disrupts the natural way of things. The impact on wildlife is unacceptable. Its just a crying shame. A sign near the proposed site has encouraged people to make their objections known on the planning application Accountant Julie Floyd said the impact the solar farm would have on wildlife was 'unacceptable' Mike Bulley is concerned about the affects the solar farm may have on the local water supply And small business owner Mark Blake said: Its farcical that they are doing this on green field rather than industrial land. They are going to take the power cables from the green fields through the industrial land which is basically baron because its slightly more expensive. It should be built on the industrial brownfield site to begin with where nobody would complain. You cant grow potatoes on tips but you can put solar farms there. This should never have even reached the planning stage but the reason EDF can do it is because Cornwall Council has no money to fight it. Campaigners have been encouraged by the recent refusal of an almost identical site in Canworthy Water, near Launceston, where residents argued the visual impact was too great and claimed Cornwall was being used as a dumping ground for solar panels. In August, Cornwall Councils strategic planning committee voted against the application by 7-3. Local councillor Barry Jordan said the proposals were causing people sleepless nights and anguish. And 125,000-panel proposed solar farm between Truro and Newquay has been compared to a glass and concrete prison by locals. More than 100 concerned people, including farmers, attended a meeting in March to voice their oppostion. A decision is expected later this month. A new report from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed Cornwall has more solar production capacity than any other part of the country. The report also stated that south western counties, Wiltshire and Somerset, were second and third in terms of capacity and generation. Cllr. Nick Craker, Chairman of the East Cornwall Planning Committee, said: The new Labour government have given the green light for an explosion of large scale solar projects. 80 per cent of the four square miles of the parish is in sight of a solar panel French energy giant EDF is seeking permission for a 200 acre solar farm just to the west of the village Cornwall has more solar production capacity than any other part of the country It's a new era in planning, that's going to define our countryside for a generation. The mood music from this new Labour government just gives a green light to more and larger industrial solar farms across the countryside. The concern and anger comes when the big solar companies buy up large swathes of farm land, sometimes multiple farms at a time, and plaster hectare after hectare in panels. Local communities regularly raise concerns about the impact of large solar schemes. With the panels often manufactured in China, and industrialisation of whole communities that were once productive farm land. There are at least 30 major solar schemes being proposed across the county, potentially covering 10 square miles of farmland. And Peter Connor, an associate professor in renewable energy policy from the University of Exeter, predicted more solar farm and wind turbine applications would be made in Cornwall. He said: Cornwall has a good solar resource - it's sunny here because we're in the south. It's windy because we stick out into the Atlantic and we get the first of the wind. We don't want the whole county to be covered. We do have to be careful to protect the natural beauty of the county. We don't want to ruin where we live to make the world a better place. Nestled in a stunning Massachusetts city is an eerie hotel with a chilling history. It is the site of one of America's most notorious murder mysteries, and for just $250 a night visitors can stay in the room where one of the gruesome slayings occurred. Known as the Lizzie Borden House, the hotel in Fall River is where the woman's father and stepmother were found brutally hacked to death with an ax in 1892. She was charged with the gruesome double murder but sensationally acquitted. The homicide case remains unsolved to this day. Around 130 years on, the property was bought by Lance Zaal, who runs US Ghost Adventures, and turned into a bed and breakfast for true crime enthusiasts. The bodies of wealthy businessman Andrew Borden and his second wife Abby were found in the eight-bedroom mansion in the morning of August 4, 1892. Police photos taken of the scene showed Andrew lying on a living room couch with bloody head that had been almost entirely caved in. Abby was pictured slumped over on the floor in a pool of blood and suffering from horrific head injuries in an upstairs bedroom. Lizzie, then 32, found the bodies and alerted the housekeeper Bridget Sullivan, who was outside washing the windows. Her sister Emma was away at the time and Lizzie quickly became the prime suspect, with police at the time believing she had killed the couple to ensure they would get her father's $300,000 fortune (worth over $10 million today). Pictured: The Lizzie Borden House, which is now run as a museum, a bed & breakfast and supposedly, a prime location to see ghosts and spirits On the morning of August 4, 1892, wealthy businessman Andrew Borden and his second wife Abby were found bludgeoned to death in the eight-bedroom mansion The net closed in on Lizzie when she was found to have burned a dress similar to the one she wore on the day of the murders in the week after her parents' killings. She claimed the dress had been covered in paint, but prosecutors said she was burning the blood-stained dress to cover-up the murders. Prosecutors also said she had bought a small ax the day before. Witnesses at her trial would also later claim they saw Lizzie trying to buy prussic acid, now known as hydrogen cyanide, the day before the murders. Lizzie was arrested and charged with the murders on August 11, 1892. But after a widely publicized trial, she was acquitted on June 20 following just 90 minutes of jury deliberations. It is believed jurors were swayed by the fact she was an active member of the local church Police had also refused to carry out fingerprint testing on the murder weapon found in the basement, claiming the technique was unreliable. No one else was ever suspected or taken into custody and the case went cold. Most people still believe that Lizzie likely committed the murders. The Borden sisters went on to inherit their father's estate and bought another home in 1894, now known as Maplecroft, where they lived together for many years before a falling out in 1905. Lizzie died from pneumonia in 1927 and was buried in the family plot next to her parents. A police photo shows the body of Andrew Borden, with his head crushed and entirely unrecognizable after someone bludgeoned him with an axe A similar fate befell his wife Abby Borden, who was found in her bedroom in a pool of blood and with a gaping wound to the back of her head Today the house where the murders took place has been transformed into a museum by day and a B&B/paranormal ghost tour destination by night. The cheapest room goes for around $250 a night. Many who have stayed over the years insist it is haunted, with some even refusing to spend the entire night. Julie Jordan, editor at large for People Magazine, along with Liz Beedle and Emily Penke visited the home on Halloween this year to see if the hype was real. Together, the trio call themselves Ghost Moms and post videos of themselves on social media supposedly interacting with spirits from the beyond. They went on a daytime tour and heard all the grisly details about the murders, according to the article written by Jordan. She and her friends stayed in the housekeeper's bedroom in the attic, opting not to stay in the room where Abby died. Later, they braved Abby's bedroom and claimed they set up some sort of system that responded to changes in electromagnetic energy. They asked the supposed spirits in the room questions and nothing happened until 'Emily wanted to know if anything minded that we were there. The lights immediately flashed,' Jordan wrote. Pictured: The bedroom where Abby Borden was found murdered. She was found on the floor in a pool of blood next to her bed Julie Jordan (right), who is the editor at large of People Magazine, recently visited the Lizzie Borden House this Halloween with her friends Liz Beedle (left) and Emily Penke to see if it was as haunted as some say 'We then all heard what sounded like a mans gasp from out in the hallway. The house was empty except for those of us in the room,' she added. Her conclusion was that the home 'is most definitely spooky and just might have a few spirits still hanging around, perhaps trying to solve the mystery of exactly what happened there.' Some people have since questioned if the couch in the foyer is the same one that the deceased father was found lying on. However, this was completely soiled and destroyed after the trial so the one there today is a replica. Since launching as a bed and breakfast, the Borden house has run into disagreements with a local business owner, resulting in two court battles. The hotel owner sued Miss Lizzie's Coffee, which is one door down from the Borden house on Second Street over alleged trademark infringements in September 2023. In the suit, Zaal argued that the cafe's use of hatchet logo and other similar iconography 'deceptively confuses unsuspecting customers.' However, US District Judge Leo T. Sorokin ruled on October 27, 2023, that the coffee shop did 'nothing' to imitate US Ghost Adventures' business and said the company does not have a trademark on the word 'Lizzie.' Pictured: The entryway to the Lizzie Borden House, which changed hands in 2021 Right down the street is Miss Lizzie's Coffee, which also uses aspects of the Lizzie Borden story in its business Sorokin also pointed out that the hatchet logo used by Miss Lizzie's Coffee was different from the one on the hotel's sign. Zaal appealed this decision but lost again in November 2024, when a three-judge panel with the First Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the lower court's ruling. 'Ghost Adventures' challenge to the district court's assessment of the strength of its marks is haunted by legal confusion,' Judge Bruce Selya wrote in his opinion. 'We need go no further.' More recently Zaal filed a $50,000 defamation suit against Joseph Pereira, the owner of the Lizzie Borden-themed coffee shop, and an unknown author of a Facebook page that has posted scathing critiques of US Ghost Adventures. Zaal brought the latter case to Bristol County Superior Court this July and alleged that Pereira defamed him in a March article that ran in New Bedford's WBSM. In the interview, Pereira blasted Zaal and his company for what he described as 'bullying tactics'. He also warned potential witnesses who might plan on supplying supposedly false affidavits on behalf of US Ghost Adventures that he would sue them for perjury. Pereira added that he would write a book titled Miss Lizzie & Me that will cover 'some of the intricacies of all this and the truth of what really happens with these so-called ghost adventures.' US Ghost Adventures argued that these statements are defamatory, particularly because Pereira accused Zaal's company of perjury. As part of that case, Zaal also sued the person behind the Facebook page 'Boycott the Lizzie Borden House.' Pictured: The interior of Miss Lizzie's Coffee Shop, which can continue to operate since both lawsuits against it are ongoing Joseph Pereira, the owner of Lizzie's Coffee Shop, is pictured here in a mugshot. After getting into a prolonged legal battle with Lance Zaal, the owner of the Lizzie Borden House, he claimed his criminal record was leaked by a witness for Zaal's company in order to embarrass him That since-deleted page called Zaal a 'liar' and the company 'unethical and predatory,' according to court documents. No one appeared in court to represent 'Boycott the Lizzie Borden House' and Meta, Facebook's parent company, declined to reveal the identity of the page's creator 'except in response to a valid subpoena,' according to the civil complaint. As for his part in the case, Pereira tried and failed to dismiss the defamation claims against him. Pereira also argued in an appeals brief filed in July that a witness for US Ghost Adventures spread his 'criminal record throughout the Internet and [sent] copies to several vendors and agencies that [Pereira] uses' hoping to embarrass him. He has been arraigned roughly three dozen times on larceny-related charges since 1982. He was last arrested in December 2019, reported The Herald News, a local Massachusetts newspaper. In 1996, Pereira pleaded guilty to stealing more than $119,000 from more than a dozen people and spent 15 months in prison, The Herald News and The Standard-Times reported. Both the federal trademark case and the defamation suit are open and ongoing, according to court records. And the battle to be the one to cash in on the Lizzie Borden murders is expected to drag on as the murder case is one of Fall River's main claims to fame. A husband tried to play down his glamorous teacher wife's rapes of a 13 year-old student when confronted by the boy's incandescent father. Brittany Zamora's spouse Daniel said 'God preaches forgiveness man,' to the outraged dad, named only as John, after John called Zamora over the phone and branded her a 'f**king monster,' according to new footage obtained by EWU Bodycam. Zamora was arrested in March 2018 aged 27 for the shocking crimes at Las Brisas Academy, with newly-unearthed footage depicting her trembling voice as she was confronted by her victim's dad. The pervert teacher, now 33 and 5 years into a 20 year sentence, had a surprise ally in her husband after being confronted over the multiple rapes, which took place as another child stood as watchman. When the phone was passed to Daniel, the victim's father, identified o called Brittany a 'f***ing monster' and suggested he leave her, but Daniel stayed by her side. Daniel's plea to John to forgive Brittany fell on deaf ears, with John heard branding him a 'stupid motherf*****.' The father made it clear that he would 'not settle outside of court' as both Zamora and Daniel tried to convince him to meet up with them to talk about her relationship with his son. 'Listen to me, I am not gonna settle outside of court. There's not enough money you could f***ing possibly ask and offer me to settle this,' John yelled into the phone. Despite telling John that he understands, Daniel proceeded to talk positively about his wife, insisting that she just 'made a huge mistake' in a bid to get the student's parents to let the horrid incident go. Newly released footage has detailed the moment the father of the teen who was involved in a sexually inappropriate relationship with Brittany Zamora spoke to her then husband, Daniel. (Pictured: Brittany and Daniel) During their phone call, Daniel stood up for his wife and even called her a 'great teacher' as he tried to plead with the irate father to settle the issue outside of court. (Pictured: Brittany in her March 2018 mugshot) The victim's father, named John, is pictured here while visiting Zamora's school to talk with staff about the horrific abuse inflicted on his young son 'So, what I'm asking you is, if you could possibly, I mean - Brittany has been a great teacher for a long time, five years, she's done so much for so many students and raised so many people's lives from the ghetto,' Daniel said. 'She's been to, you know, parents' homes to talk to students, she's really done the tutoring program. She's done so much and she made a huge mistake, the biggest mistake of anybody could ever make in the whole entire world.' Daniel even went as far as to call the man's son 'a great student' and 'great person,' while the father fumed in the background. 'But she got invested in a very, very, very bright, smart and great student, honestly, and a great person,' he continued, insisting that those qualities 'probably' come from John and his wife Maria - the student's step-mother. Although John let Daniel talk, Brittany's husband did not change his point of view. 'Your wife decided to be a monster and prey on a child. She scarred my son mentally, do you understand what a 13-year-old boy did?,' John said. Daniel then asked what the father meant by that, but John declined to share sickening details of Zamora's rapes. The abuse began after Brittany informed her students she would be out of school the following day and that they could contact her using an app called Class Craft because she would be bored, according to records. District attorneys said the pair once even touched each other sexually while other students in the class watched a video in the classroom (pictured) Her messages with the boy soon turned romantic and the pair started having sex, prosecutors said. Brittany was caught by her victim's parents who decided to install an app on his phone called Sentry Parental Control, which monitors messaging apps for 'suspicious content or behavior', after they noticed he was acting strangely. The Sentry app sends parents alerts when it detects suspicious images, messages, or if a child is exposed to inappropriate online content through its web monitoring feature. When the teen's parents started getting the alerts about inappropriate text messages, they confronted their son and he admitted to having sex with his teacher. District attorneys said the pair once even touched each other sexually while other students in the class watched a video in the classroom. In one X-rated back-and-forth, Brittany told the boy she wanted to have sex with him 'every day with no time limit.' 'Wyd?' she started one conversation with him, using the slang-abbreviation for 'what are you doing?' He replied: 'Thinking about your sexy self' and added two pink heart emojis. 'Aww baby (love heart eyes emoji) I wish you were with me,' she responded. Daniel even went as far as to call the man's son 'a great student' and 'great person,' while the father fumed in the background. (Pictured: Daniel and Brittany at their wedding in 2015) The boy replied: 'I want u bby. (sic).. when can we f**k again?', this time adding two red heart emojis to his message. Brittany replied: 'I want you too baby so bad! Whenever we can you know I'm down,' with a red heart emoji. She went on: 'Like you for real get sexier to me every day lol.' 'I want to f**k you so bad baby those times weren't enough,' the boy replied to her. She responded: 'Me neither baby! I want you every day with no time limit.' In another message, she told him she would quit her job in order for them to be together. They also exchanged explicit photographs including images of Brittany naked in lingerie. The boy also gave her love notes on brightly colored post-its which contained messages including 'you are sexy', according to police. On two occasions, she drove to his grandparents' home to have sex with him in her car while her husband was fishing. She and the boy performed oral sex on each other before her husband phoned to tell her he would be home soon, according to the records. What's more, is for many of their illicit interactions, an 11-year-old friend of the victim would act as a 'look out' to make sure nobody spotted the former teacher and student together. The boy also gave her love notes (pictured) on brightly colored post-its which contained messages including 'you are sexy', according to police After she was arrested, Brittany told police that she was nervous she would not survive behind bars, stating: 'I'm little. They're gonna tear me apart.' (Pictured: Brittany in court in July 2019) The child told authorities that Brittany even threatened him and the victim that if they ever told anyone what was happening, they would get 'in deep trouble', the new clip revealed. It was previously reported that three students at the school also complained to administrators about Brittany favoring the 13-year-old. Some of the students went so far as to say that she was 'dating' or 'in a relationship' with the teen. 'Everyone talks about them having an inappropriate relationship outside of class and at recess,' one of the students said, according to notes taken by Principal Tom Dickey in an interview. 'I've heard other kids in my class say that they think they are dating,' another note read. At the time, the school district interim superintendent, Richard Rundhaug, said that they investigated the allegations, but found no evidence of a romantic relationship. Despite Daniel's support over the phone, the marriage later foundered. Brittany filed for divorce from Daniel on April 28, 2020 - nearly one year after she pleaded guilty and was sentenced for sexual conduct with a minor, public sexual indecency and molestation of a child. In the court documents, Brittany checked a box reading, 'Our marriage is broken beyond repair ("irretrievably broken") and there is no hope of reconciliation.' Court documents later revealed that the victim's father told police that both Brittany and Daniel were harassing him over the phone, trying to justify her actions and convince him to not take them to court. (Pictured: Brittany's update mugshot) As part of the filing, Brittany has relinquished her hold on the family home and all other shared properties. The couple married in 2015 after meeting when they were 16. They have no children together. Court documents later revealed that the victim's father told police that both Brittany and Daniel were harassing him over the phone, trying to justify her actions and convince him to not take them to court. John went on to file a lawsuit against Daniel for failing to alert authorities when he learned of the affair. It was settled for an undisclosed amount. After she was arrested, Brittany told police that she was nervous she would not survive behind bars, stating: 'I'm little. They're gonna tear me apart.' She then asked 'Can I have an attorney?' when the interviewer declared: 'I'm going to give you an opportunity to explain what happened.' Before being helped into a police car by an officer who warned her to watch her step, she asked cops to help her move her hair in front of her face to avoid the glare of waiting media. She even appeared to be smiling at one point. Controversial MAGA firebrand Valentina Gomez has sparked outrage by sharing a graphic video simulating the public execution of a migrant. The 25-year-old real estate investor said that any undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes 'deserve to be ended'. Her video shows her shooting a hooded dummy restrained to a chair in the back of the head with a handgun. She says: 'It's that simple, public executions for any illegal that rapes or kills an American. They don't deserve deportation, they deserve to be ended.' The video, which X have censored due to potentially violating their violent speech policy, has quickly gone viral due to the nature of it. Gomez, a Colombia native, has frequently shared contentious videos onto her social media pages which has resulted in her being banned from Instagram. Past videos have included her setting two LGBTQ-inclusive books on fire in February as she characterized the literature as 'grooming, indoctrinating and sexualizing'. The latest clip quickly spared fury online, with some users branding her a 'psychopath' over the nature of it while others supported her. One person posted: 'They're unhinged, mentally ill, and sociopathic', with another person adding: 'What a psychopath'. Valentina Gomez, a 25-year-old real estate investor, shared a clip of herself shooting a dummy restrained to a chair in the back of the head with a handgun Gomez, a Colombia native, has frequently shared contentious videos onto her social media pages which has resulted in her being banned from Instagram Another commented: 'What is wrong with these people?', while some people expressed support for her. One person added: 'Not just for illegals. For anyone. The justice system is soft.' Another person posted: 'I've been saying that for a while now. Same goes for Europe. Deportations aren't gonna cut it anymore.' After X started restricting the video, she posted: 'My video being restricted & my account getting suspended shows all of you that I am the biggest threat to the establishment because I call it like I see it, I give people hope, and I dont need their money. Remember, nobody is coming to save us. Stay strapped.' She later added: 'Same treatment should go for all the pedophiles. Congress is only good at having useless hearings, investigations, and strongly worded letters. Yet, no actual results to the American people. Her video comes after an illegal migrant was charged with the murder and arson after setting an unknown woman on fire while on the New York City subway. Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, set the unnamed passenger on fire as she slept on the F train on Sunway morning and watched as she burn to death, according to police. The New York Post reported that Zapeta-Calil was in the country illegally after being deported at the Arizona border in June 2018. It is unclear how he got back into the US. Gomez had been running to become Missouri's Republican candidate for secretary of state earlier this year but lost out after coming sixth in the eight-person primary. In a recent video, she announced that she would be running for Congress in Texas. She did not say what incumbent Republican she would be challenging The footage split social media users, with some backing her idea and others branding her a 'psychopath' Gomez had been running to become Missouri's Republican candidate for secretary of state earlier this year but lost out after coming sixth in the eight-person primary Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, seen here, set the unnamed passenger on fire as she slept on the F train on Sunway morning and watched as she burn to death, according to police In a recent video, she announced that she would be running for Congress in Texas. She did not say what incumbent Republican she would be challenging. Sharing her infamous video of her burning the LGBTQ books, she wrote: ''When Im Secretary of State, I will BURN all books that are grooming, indoctrinating, and sexualizing our children. MAGA. America First.' After Instagram removed the video, Gomez told HuffPost she was: 'Just like President Trump,' adding: 'I am one of the most suppressed voices on Instagram.' Gomez has previously said 'don't be gay,' when referencing 'countries that ban rifles, guns or even flamethrowers, as reported by radio station WCPT. Her social media bio reads: 'Jesus is King. MAGA. America First.' She openly opposes vaccine mandates and the 'transgender agenda.' Gomez's inflammatory videos have also had a knock on affect on the political career of her brother Jonathan Gomez. Gomez took a flamethrower to 'grooming, indoctrinating and sexualizing' books in a viral video shared as part of her campaign Gomez had been running to become Missouri's Republican candidate for secretary of state earlier this year but lost out after coming sixth in the eight-person primary After it emerged he had multiple donations to his sister's campaign he was fired as an aide to Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City, New Jersey, according to NBC. Gomez has garnered a reputation for wading into conservative culture war issues - one of her favorites includes protecting children from the 'transgender agenda,' as she puts it on her campaign website. She attacked transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney ahead of Mulvaney's speech to students at Saint Louis University, a Jesuit college in St. Louis. 'That dude is mocking women,' Gomez said in a video filmed in front of the university's campus. 'It doesn't matter how many surgeries, shots, or hormones you get, a man will never become a woman.' She believes the 2020 election was stolen from President-elect Donald Trump, which possibly informs her idea to 'remove electronic voting machines to successfully transition towards universal paper ballot hand counting,' per her campaign website. She also supported deploying the National Guard to monitor polling places in Missouri for the presidential election. A mum who kept her blood tests to herself for 'fear of worrying her hubby' is stranded on holiday in Kenya with liver failure - as her insurance won't cover the 80,000 bills. Lee Flint and her husband Jack Flint flew out to Kenya on September 16th to continue their life-long charity work there, as well as to celebrate Jack's cancer-free diagnosis. A few weeks after arriving in the East African country, the 77-year-old was found unresponsive in her bed and was rushed to the Mombasa Intensive Care Unit. Doctors told Jack that Lee had suffered grade four kidney and liver failure and that her organs were shutting down and she remains in a critical condition with internal bleeding and blood poisoning. Despite the couple taking out insurance cover before setting off to Kenya, they are unable to claim it as Lee did not declare any pre-existing conditions. Lee's son Jamie Flint, 52, said that his mum had gone to the doctor's for a blood test and scan before the trip, but no one knew about it until she fell ill in Kenya. Jamie believes his mum may have not mentioned her blood tests to her husband because she didn't want to worry Jack as he had been going through chemotherapy and has only just been given the all-clear from his cancer battle. However it meant that when Jack completed the holiday insurance forms, he was not aware of the tests - which have voided her insurance. Lee Flint and her husband Jack Flint (both pictured) flew out to Kenya on September 16th to continue their life-long charity work there, as well as to celebrate Jack's cancer-free diagnosis A few weeks after Jack and Lee (pictured, centre and left) arrived in the East African country, Lee was found unresponsive in her bed, the couple's son Jamie (pictured, right) said The solar engineer has now set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money to fund the estimated 80,000 bill to fly Lee home, plus thousands more to cover her hospital fees. Jamie, from Addlestone, Surrey, said: 'After my dad had finished his chemotherapy and my mum was his main carer which took a lot out of her, they inevitably made a mistake on the insurance form. 'A few months before that my mum had been to the doctor's [for some blood tests]. My mum didn't want to stress my dad out, she kept it to herself. 'But in the meantime she was becoming poorly and we didn't realise. 'My dad was filling out the insurance form on his laptop and made a mistake and that's why it's invalid. 'It's a living nightmare really. 'One day she was not responsive in her bed and they had no idea what happened. 'She has kidney and liver failure so her organs are shutting down. 'I know she's got an internal bleed. She had blood poisoning and that's what was causing her to fall in and out of consciousness. The couple are said to have made a mistake with their insurance form, meaning their bills will not be paid for The family say they do not know if Lee knew the results of her tests or not as she is now unable to speak 'My mum lived in Kenya for five years when she was younger, that is why she has a love for the country', Jamie said 'I was heartbroken and felt completely helpless. I told my dad I have to come out there. 'He told me to sit tight at home. I kept myself busy by ripping their bathroom out, so I was going to put in a disabled shower. 'That's when I thought they were coming home, but mum has got worse and worse. 'I feel completely helpless, just because I am stuck in England. 'My mum and dad did the question wrong over the phone or the laptop but my dad had just been really poorly with his chemo, my mum had been exhausted. She is a clever lady but she made a mistake. 'My dad was more concerned about his insurance because he had just had chemo and cancer, he was more concerned about anything that might happen to him than my mum.' The family say they do not know if Lee knew the results of her tests or not as she is now unable to speak. The couple had been doing charity work in Watamu, Kenya for more than 30 years, and tended to stay there for months at a time. 'My mum and dad did the question wrong over the phone or the laptop but my dad had just been really poorly with his chemo, my mum had been exhausted', Jamie said Jamie (pictured) said: 'All I want is for my mum to come home but the hospital bills are extortionately high' The dad-of-four said what's happened to Lee should be a warning to other travellers when taking out insurance This time, they had arrived with 62 kilos of clothing and reading glasses to give to schools and orphanages. Jamie said: 'In 1991 they went to a place called Watamu and were shocked with how little the people had, so they started sponsoring local schools and doctors. 'They've been tirelessly doing charity work for 30 years, they go a few times a year. 'My mum lived in Kenya for five years when she was younger, that is why she has a love for the country. 'My parents have dedicated their lives to helping others and fundraising in the country they love.' Jamie has raised more than half of the target amount through GoFundMe. The dad-of-four said what's happened to Lee should be a warning to other travellers when taking out insurance. Jamie said: 'Just be absolutely thorough when you do something like this, go over and over it again if you're elderly or have any past history of being poorly. 'You've got to do it and you do feel a bit of anger during these companies, they are what they are, you have to do these things correctly. 'I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else. All I want is for my mum to come home but the hospital bills are extortionately high. 'I am absolutely humbled by the people, I'm not great with social media but I feel completely humbled and blessed, it makes me almost cry when I think about it.' It's the Grinch who took out a group of alleged drug dealers in Peru. A cop dressed in a head-to-toe Grinch costume led a drug bust in Lima that resulted in the arrest of three siblings, including the alleged drug ring's leader. A video from Peru's national police showed the agent prancing around as the famous Dr. Seuss character - before taking a sledgehammer to the door of the alleged dealers' hideout. The agent, whose identity was withheld, delivered two blows to bust down the door as he and his partners rushed inside. The officers arrested the suspects without incident and seized a cache of cocaine and marijuana. Authorities also confiscated several scales and grinders. Peru Police Colonel Carlos Lopez said the alleged dealers, Norca Espinoza and Fidel Espinoza, were led by Eva Espinoza, and peddled drugs throughout resorts in the southern end of the country's capital. 'On this occasion, for the Christmas holidays, using the ingenuity and cunning of the Terna Group, we used the Grinch,' he said. 'This is a good Grinch who likes Christmas but is an enemy of criminals, those who harm society.' Lopez revealed that Espinoza, who is known as 'The Queen of the South,' had been arrested three other times. She planned to acquire five kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride that would flood the nightclubs of the southern resorts with drugs. A Peruvian cop dressed as a Grinch places one of the three suspects under arrest after leading the charge into their hideout in Lima A cop dressed as the Grinch is joined by another police officer in escorting one of three siblings who formed part of a gang that sold cocaine and marijuana throughout resorts in the southern end of Lima A cop dressed as a Grinch posses next to the three drug gang suspects who were arrested Tuesday in Lima, the capital of Peru Her most recent arrest came in August in the coastal district of Punta Negra when cops apprehended her and two other people on drug dealing charges and confiscated more than 900 packages of cocaine. The second took place in February at the same residence where the latest arrest occurred. Police also arrested three men and recovered 1,000 packages if cocaine and one package filled with 60 grams of Type-A drug. Espinoza was also arrested with three other people during an April 2023 operation in which agents seized cocaine. It's early morning on the Biden family's last Christmas in the White House and the Executive Wing is already bustling with activity. Dr Jill awakens to find the President hard at work at his desk, still dressed in his red MAGA sleeping cap and Trump 2024 onesie. 'Joey,' she screeches. 'You know I don't allow crayons in the bedroom.' 'I'm not drawing, sir,' says the commander-in-chief. 'I'm writing my final clemency list. 'There are so many naughty people in Washington and in the prisons and it's my job to pardon them all.' 'You're getting confused with Santa Claus, dear,' scolds Jill. Just then a despondent First Felon creeps into the room. 'What's the matter, kiddo?' pleads Joe. 'I thought your early Christmas pardon cheered you up?' It's early morning on the Biden family's last Christmas in the White House and the Executive Wing is already bustling with activity. Dr Jill awakens to find the President hard at work at his desk, still dressed in his red MAGA sleeping cap and Trump 2024 onesie. (Pictured: President Biden wears a Trump 2024 hat on the campaign trail in September 2024) Apparently Hunter had looked into his Christmas stocking and found that the Chinese government left him a lump of coal. 'Awww Pop, Christmas isn't the same now that you're a toothless lame duck,' Hunter whines. 'We used to vacation in Nantucket and Santa Barbara in the homes of billionaires, but now we're worthless to them. 'I will not spend Spring Break in Rehoboth,' he shouts, stomping his foot on the floor. 'You're tellin' me, pal,' Biden says. 'I texted my rich private equity buddy David Rubenstein and he replied, "New phone, who dis?"' But on this final Christmas of the Biden presidency, Joe has a plan. Surely, he assumes, if he commutes the sentences of thousands of convicted criminals - and preemptively pardons all his friends - then someone will feel compelled to do him a favor. So Biden has canceled Christmas for the family in lieu of a pardon party and everyone's going to be there. 'Who's on your list, dad?' nudges Hunter. 'Well, there's Shifty Senator Adam Schiff, the Shutdown Doctor Tony Fauci, Uncle Jim and Bashar Al-Assad,' reads Joe. 'Dad, you can't pardon Assad,' Hunter squeaks. 'Malarky,' shouts the President. 'Santa Claus is all powerful!' Smoke begins pouring out of the fireplace and a bearded apparition emerges from the haze. 'I'm the ghost of the future of the US justice system,' the spirit howls. 'Cut it out, Kevin,' chides Hunter to his sugar daddy lawyer Kevin Morris. 'And I told you: No bong smoking in the People's House.' With that the family shuffles over to the East Room to check on preparations for the party to find Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre hanging a 'Happy Birthday' banner upside-down. But the president spots another woman in a maude pant suit teetering on a ladder and measuring the drapes. 'Malarky,' shouts the President. 'Santa Claus is all powerful!' Smoke begins pouring out the bedroom fireplace and a bearded apparition emerges from the haze. 'Krazy Kamala, is that you?' booms Joe. 'After you blew through a billion dollars losing an election and destroying my legacy, I flushed your White House credentials down the toilet. How'd you get in here?' 'Oh, hi Joe,' cackles the flustered vice president. 'I wanted to get a jump on my 2029 inauguration. My slogan is Make America Grape Again because I love wine. BUUUUUUURPP!' Joe and Hunter exchange a knowing look. 'Right and I'm going to be the head of the DEA,' jokes Hunter. 'Where's Doug?' asks Jill. 'We had such a nice time at the State of the Union. I was hoping to steal another kiss.' The second gentleman is at home studying up on the Hanukkah story (or scouring the internet for hot nannies). After botching the ancient tale in a social media post last year, Doug is determined to get it right, so he called Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for some help. 'It turns out the Maccabbes were committing genocide, not the Greeks,' Kamala says. 'Not everyone knows that.' Fuming, Joe summons the only loyal Biden family member left, his German Shepard Commander: 'Attack her, boy!' Commander looks up from gnawing on the femur of a Secret Service agent, but even he isn't interested in Kamala. 'Where's Doug?' asks Jill. 'We had such a nice time at the State of the Union. I was hoping to steal another kiss.' (Pictured: Doug Emhoff and Jill Biden at the State of the Union on February 8, 2023) 'Cut it out, Kevin,' chides Hunter to his sugar daddy lawyer Kevin Morris. 'And I told you no bong smoking in the People's House.' (Pictured: Kevin Morris outside his California home in July 2023) Suddenly, there's an anxiously tapping at the window. Outside a waxy, botoxed ghoul pushes his filler-filled face against the glass. 'Is that Caitlyn Jenner?!' Dr Jill shrieks. KJP recognizes the interloper: 'It's Matt Gaetz! He's here for his preemptive pardon.' 'Absolutely not,' declares Joe. 'I cannot condone rampant drug abuse and the solicitation of prostitution.' Everyone turns and looks at Hunter. 'Fine,' concedes Joe. 'But I'll only allow a minor incursion into the White House.' At that, Gaetz smashes through the window and claims the first four rows of chairs. Hail to the Chief plays and everyone - including Biden - snaps to attention, as an outraged Barack Obama charges into the room. 'Joey, I told you not to have any parties while I was away. What is going on here?' he demands. 'My apologies Your Highness,' blubbers Biden, making a salute. 'I thought now that everyone knows I was never really president, there's no harm in having some fun. Wanna trash the place?' All of the sudden, they hear someone anxiously tapping against the window. Outside a waxy, botoxed ghoul pushes his filler-filled face against the glass. (Pictured: Rep. Matt Gaetz) Obama shakes his head and walks out. He's spending Christmas alone this year. Michelle and the girls are on David Geffen's yacht. Hunter, Jill, Kamala and KJP gather around Joe for a group hug to take in the moment before all the trappings of power are taken away for good. Hunter manages a smile and says, 'Merry Christmas, Dad.' Joe looks at him without blinking for what feels like an eternity and replies, 'What's Christmas?' With that, they all laugh like idiots in a very special last Biden family Christmas. President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at a vision for American territorial expansion that, if pursued, could rival historic acquisitions like the Louisiana Purchase or the purchase of Alaska from Russia. Over the past week, Trump has made provocative statements, suggesting the U.S. could annex Canada as its 51st state, reclaim control of the Panama Canal, which has been under Panamanian authority for 25 years, and renew his earlier push to acquire Greenland, a Danish territory he has previously expressed interest in. Trump's remarks blur the line between serious policy ambitions and rhetoric designed to capture attention or energize his supporters. At times, such declarations have served as initial gambits in his broader strategy of dealmaking. When Trump issued his threat to reclaim the Panama Canal over the weekend, he coupled it with a potential reprieve for the Central American nation: a demand to reduce fees for American ships using the critical waterway to transit between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The proposals stand out for their shared focus on extending the United States' presence beyond its current borders. For a leader who campaigned on reducing foreign intervention, these ideas evoke a modern parallel to the 19th-century doctrine of Manifest Destinythe belief in America's divine right to expand its territory across the continent. Speaking in Arizona this weekend, Trump also reiterated plans to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, a distinction that could preface the use of military force on Mexican soil. Trump has threatened to drop bombs on fentanyl labs and send special forces to take out cartel leaders, an incursion that could violate Mexico's sovereignty and disrupt relations with the United States' largest trading partner. Trump's transition team declined to clarify whether these latest statements reflect genuine ambitions or other motivations, instead pointing CNN back to his recent comments and social media posts. Several people close to and within Trump's transition could not pinpoint the origins of his sudden interest in the ongoing activities at the Panama Canal, a topic that he didn't raise on the campaign trail. One adviser, though, noted that Trump regularly elevates causes brought to his attention by people ranging from longtime friends to new acquaintances if it animates him. Since winning the election last month, Trump has spent most days entertaining close allies, business titans, donors and heads of state at his Palm Beach estate. Reveal how they were forced to flee their homeland Twin sisters Nevart and Silva are celebrating their first Christmas with their family in Australia for the first time after fleeing war-ravaged Syria. The siblings, who fleeing the city of Aleppo for western Sydney, have put up a Christmas tree and decorations to celebrate their first feast with Nevart's son since they were separated 13 years ago. The sisters arrived in Australia as refugees last December and, after a few months of staying with family and looking for a suitable home in a tight rental market, they are finally able to gather under one roof for Christmas. It is a far cry from living under constant bombardment in Syria during a decade-long civil war that claimed more than 500,000 lives and displaced more than 10 million people including the sisters. 'It's happiness for me to be reunited with my only son after 13 years,' Nevart said. 'Every time we talked to him it was after a bomb had gone off here and there. 'We left our home in Aleppo not knowing if we'd ever go back there again. It was terrifying ... we didn't know if a missile would fall on us.' The regime of long-time autocrat Bashar al-Assad fell in December in a lightning offensive by Turkish-backed Islamist rebels. Twin sisters Nevart and Silva (pictured) are celebrating their first Christmas with their family after they arrived in Australia as refugees in December 2023 The sisters fled Aleppo and sought refuge in neighbouring Lebanon in 2017 - part of the exodus of 1.5 million Syrians who moved there following the outbreak of the war. Like most of their compatriots, they could not secure permanent residency and were rendered illegals. They made ends meet by teaching and caring for the elderly for three years until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, shuttering their meagre sources of income. Further tragedy hit in August 2020 when the port of Beirut exploded, killing more than 200 people including an Australian toddler. 'It was so scary ... at first we thought someone had made a (suicide) bombing ... we didn't think it was that far away in the port,' Nevart said. The explosion triggered memories of the missile strikes and barrel bombs the sisters had fled in Aleppo. 'It was all fear. We didn't know what the future would hold - there was darkness.' The darkness was also literal, with electricity only available for a couple of hours during the day. Water in the household was considered a luxury and clothes were washed by hand. Determined to enjoy a better life, they decided to move to Australia. The twin Armenian-Syrian sisters, who now live in multicultural western Sydney, have put up a Christmas tree and decorations to celebrate the festivities (pictured residents in Sydney's west visiting a home with Christmas decorations) 'We feel safe in Australia ... there's no bombings, water is on all the time, electricity is available always,' Nevart said. Rima Ramdani, the sisters' casework manager with not-for-profit refugee resettlement agency Settlement Services International, said acclimatising to life in Australia could be challenging, with each new arrival's unique journey depending on their circumstances. 'We advocate on their (refugees') behalf - from doctors to employers to driving schools,' she said. 'We are here to orient them so they can be independent.' It was not the first time the twin sisters had escaped war. They previously fled Kuwait, where they had a comfortable life with their parents after Iraq invaded the oil-rich Gulf country in 1990. Silva has been busy whipping up a Christmas storm of delectable Armenian and Middle Eastern dishes from kibbeh traboulsieh (fried meat and bulgur) to muhammara (roasted red pepper and walnut dip) and ouzi (a lamb and rice dish). The sisters were among 10 million people, who were displaced, during the decade long civil war in Syria (pictured a refugee camp in Syria) 'We were two women only by ourselves which was hard ... we only had God. We prayed to him and he answered our prayers,' Silva said of the six years she lived through the brutal conflict in Aleppo. 'We are totally different but inseparable. We feel each other always,' the sisters said in unison, laughing. The New York City police department is facing outrage after officers were caught on camera walking past a woman on fire in the subway. Terrifying footage posted online shows the woman leaning against the door frame on the F train at Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island as flames erupted from her head and waist, as pieces of fabric from her clothes apparently fall to the ground. 'No one even attempted to help this woman. They watched like cowards,' Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard B Kerik said. Another X user raged that the NYPD 'will shoot you down for the $2 train fare if you jump the turnstile, but will walk past a woman who is literally on fire. 'Also f*** everyone who just stood by,' she said. 'I hate that we have no sense of responsibility towards each other.' In the video, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority police officer could be seen casually walking past, and just looking back at the still-burning woman. Moments later, another officer walked past and put his hands up, apparently incredulous about the incident. Only the alleged perpetrator Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, approached the burning woman to commit the vile act of fanning the flames with a shirt. At least two police officers were caught on camera walking past a woman as she was burned alive on the F train at Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island One man could be seen in the footage fanning the flames. It is now believed the man is suspect Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33 One of the cops, noticing what he was doing but apparently oblivious to the fact he was the alleged killer, is heard telling the onlookers to stand back from the flames. Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan migrant who snuck into the country after being deported by the Trump administration, was charged Monday with first-degree murder. NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told a press conference that officers who responded were not aware the suspect was on the scene at the time. Chief of Transit Joe Gulotta claimed the cops at the scene were working to get a fire extinguisher. But their apparent inaction in the video has prompted many online to criticize the nation's largest police force. 'As a former EMT in a fire department and the son of a retired NYPD officer... my dad and I both watched this video and were outraged by the response from the officer on the scene,' wrote Pat Calvin, a meteorologist out of Houston. Kerik, meanwhile, blamed prosecutors who charged Daniel Penny with manslaughter in the May 2023 death of 30-year-old Michael Jackson impersonator Jordan Neely. 'Where are the Daniel Pennys when you need them?' he asked. 'Biden, Harris and [Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro] Mayorkas [are] responsible for no one attempting to help her.' The officers' inaction led many online to criticize the nation's largest police force Others also compared the officers' failure to take action to the manhunt that ensued after United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down in midtown Manhattan and the perp walk for suspect Luigi Mangione. 'Last week, hordes of NYPD officers surrounded Luigi Mangione for his perp walk to the courthouse for the cameras as if he was a captured mutant, and yesterday a NYPD cop literally walked by a woman on fire on the subway and did nothing,' activist Chip Goines wrote. 'What is the NYPD even doing?' 'Set a woman on fire? Casually let go by the NYPD and picked up a few hours later by a few cops,' another added. 'Suspect in hitting up a CEO? Nationwide manhunt followed by potential death penalty in a state that hasn't used it in decades.' Zapeta-Calil was caught hours after he allegedly lit the woman on fire, when a group of high school students identified him as the suspect as he rode the F train in downtown Brooklyn. NYPD officers alerted MTA, who stopped the train eight stops north from the sighting at Herald Square in Midtown Manhattan. Cops boarded the subway and detained Zapeta-Calil as he sat in a busy train car, as caught in dramatic videos shared online. Police Commissioner Tisch praised the police response to the heinous incident as 'an example of great technology and even greater old fashioned police work' during a press conference on Sunday night. She added that detectives do not believe Zapeta-Calil and the victim knew each other, while giving more details about the 'depraved crime'. 'The suspect calmly walked up to the victim, who was in a seated position at the end of a subway car,' she said. 'The suspect used what we believe to be a lighter to ignite the victim's clothing, which became fully engulfed in a matter of seconds. Zapeta-Calil was caught hours after he allegedly lit the woman on fire, when a group of high school students identified him as the suspect as he rode the F train in downtown Brooklyn 'Officers who were on patrol on an upper level of that station smelled and saw smoke and went to investigate. What they saw was a person standing inside a train car, fully engulfed in flames. 'With the help of an MTA employee and a fire extinguisher, the flames were put out. Unfortunately it was too late, and the victim was pronounced (dead) on the scene. 'Unbeknownst to the officers who responded, the suspect had stayed on the scene and was seated on a bench on a platform just outside the train car. 'The body-worn cameras on the responding officers produced a very clear, detailed look at the killer.' Zapeta-Calil was wearing the same 'gray hoodie, distinct wool hat, paint-splattered pants and tan boots' when officers tracked him down, and he also had a lighter in his pocket, the NYPD said. Fox News described him as a Guatemalan migrant. This has not been confirmed by police. Zapeta-Calil is now facing murder and arson charges in the woman's death, which he has claimed he was drunk for and doesn't remember. Meanwhile, authorities continue to work to identify the victim. Zapeta-Calil is now facing murder and arson charges in the woman's death Sources have told DailyMail.com the delay is likely due to the dire state of her remains. 'She was burned, she was torched to death,' the official said. The woman, who is believed to have been homeless, was not thought to have been carrying an ID at the time of the attack. The arson marked the tenth murder in the New York City subway system this year. From 1997 to 2019, the subway system never recorded more than five murders in a single year, according to NYPD data. The surge in violence marks a stark increase from pre-pandemic safety levels. Yet Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul brazenly posted photos bragging about the safety of the subway system hours after the incident. 'In March, I took action to make our subways safer for the millions of people who take the trains each day,' she said. Hochul was referencing her efforts earlier this year to send National Guard members to help police conduct random searches of riders' bags for weapons following a series of high-profile crimes on city trains. Kathy Hochul took a lashing from Republicans and Democrats for posting photos bragging about the safety of the New York City subway system hours after a woman was burned alive At 3:40pm Sunday, hours after the story broke, New York Governor Hochul bizarrely posted photos of herself smiling with straphangers as she praised the safety of the subway lines The governor also deployed additional members to help patrol during the holiday season. 'Since deploying the @NationalGuardNY to support @NYPDnews and @MTA safety efforts and adding cameras to all subway cars, crime is going down, and ridership is going up,' she added, making no mention of the woman who was set on fire. Councilman Joe Borelli, the GOP leader of the far left-leaning New York City Council, shared the post with the remark: 'Aged like milk.' Hochul was slammed by her own party as well, with Congressman Ritchie Torres - who has teased a primary challenge to the governor in 2026 - destroying her for the post. 'Two hours ago, Kathy Hochul took a victory lap for making subways "safer." She congratulates herself on the same day two subway riders were stabbed in Queens (one in the face and one in the chest) and another was barbarically burned alive.' Torres asked: 'Has there ever been a more tone-deaf Governor in the history of New York?' Hochul appeared to do her own U-turn on the subway later in the day when praising the NYPD for arresting the suspect. 'Make no mistake: any crime is one too many, even with subway crime going down. We are continuing to surge personnel and resources to make our subways safer.' An Amazon delivery driver abandoned dozens of packages in the woods of a Massachusetts town because she was stressed. A police sergeant for the town of Lakeville, which is about 42 miles south of Boston, found the boxes near 63 Bedford Street during a routine patrol around 2am on Sunday. When he investigated further, he discovered 'three large totes full of Amazon packages that were spread out several feet into the woods,' according to a release by the Lakeland Police Department. The sergeant's body cam captured him lifting the totes out from the wooded area. Later, the totes - containing roughly 80 undelivered Amazon packages - were brought back to the police station. 'I was like, "what is that? Is that trash?" Then I was like, "that's not trash, that's Amazon,"' the sergeant said as he and another officer lugged the packages into the back of their vehicle. Police received no reports that the packages were misplaced or stolen, so they contacted a nearby Amazon distribution center in Middleborough and returned them. The Amazon driver came forward on Monday and visited the Lakeville Police Department to confess that she had left the packages on the side of the road because she was 'stressed.' She dropped the packages there on Saturday at around 7pm, according to police. Pictured: The Lakeland Police sergeant first sees the abandoned Amazon packages in the woods Another officer later came to help the sergeant lug the packages into the back of their vehicle The driver told police she was planning to report the incident to her manager. Police did not disclose the name of the driver. 'I am proud of the way our Lakeville Police officers handled and investigated this matter. At this time, we are not seeking criminal charges and are considering this a human resources matter for Amazon,' Lakeland Police Chief Matthew Perkins said. Perkins added that 'Sgt. Robert likely saved a Christmas headache for many local residents by noticing these totes and getting them back to Amazon, hopefully in time for a holiday delivery.' Amazon told NBC News that 'all customer orders were reprocessed and redelivered, or are currently in the process of being redelivered. Customers can check their accounts to see updates around expected delivery times.' Blake Brangan was one of the residents affected by the missing packages, though he has since received it. 'It's frustrating, but there's a lot more things in life to be more frustrated about,' Brangan said. 'It's really crazy just to toss them out in the woods like that but thankfully, that officer found them.' 'It's stressful times during the holidays, but I really feel bad for whoever it was,' he added. Pictured: All 80 packages sitting in the police station after being collected by officers. They were later delivered to a nearby Amazon distribution center Blake Brangan, a local resident, noticed his package was missing. He later got it delivered There are a number of things customers can do if they have issues with Amazon orders. Amazon says that if an order is marked as delivered but the package hasn't arrived, a customer should look for a notice of a delivery attempt. If that doesn't work, the customer should check with neighbors to see if the item was delivered to the wrong address. If all that fails, Amazon recommends waiting 48 hours before contacting the carrier and then the seller. If the package status is marked undeliverable or missing, Amazon will either refund the package or direct you to contact the third party seller directly. A beloved mother-of-four and member of the Gambaro restaurateur family has died from cancer just days before Christmas. Jess Gambaro, 46, died on Monday following a long battle with Oesophageal cancer. Mrs Gambaro was diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer in August last year after she went to the hospital thinking she had pneumonia. Her heartbroken husband Donny Gambaro shared a touching tribute to his wife and mother of their four children, Don, 16, Zara, 12, nine-year-old Massimo and seven-year-old Nico. 'I have lost the love my life and my best friend,' Mr Gambaro told The Courier Mail. Mr Gambaro explained his wife's cancer diagnosis was a 'mystery' as she had never smoked and did not drink alcohol either. Oesophageal cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the innermost layer of the oesophagus. It is a slow-growing cancer which is usually detected in its advanced stages as there may not be many symptoms in the early stages. Jess Gambaro, 46, died on Monday, just two days before Christmas, following a long battle with Oesophageal cancer Her heartbroken husband Donny Gambaro shared a touching tribute to his wife, describing her as the 'love of his life' In 2023, Oesophageal cancer accounted for one per cent of all cancers affecting around 1,700 Australians - mostly men aged over 70 - with the main cause being tobacco smoking and high alcohol consumption. Mrs Gambaro's treatment included three types of chemotherapy, extensive radiation and a course of a trial drug. Mr Gambaro said there was a 'glimmer of hope' his wife was going to beat the cancer and was even body surfing last Christmas. 'We got a glimmer of hope we were going to beat it last Christmas, but it was all the subsidiary cancers that took my darling,' Mr Gambaro said. 'She really believed she would beat this this time last year she was body surfing at Coolangatta.' In a heartfelt tribute to his wife, Mr Gambaro described her as a woman who had a calming presence, with a smile that radiated a room. He added Jess was an 'outspoken lady', with a 'great sense of humour' that was not outrageous or over the top. Mrs Gambaro had degrees in marketing and IT and was working up until the last few months of her life building websites for the family business. Mrs Gambaro was a beloved member of the Gambaro hospitality group (pictured) The Gambaro Group is an Australian hospitality company founded in 1953 by Italian immigrant Giovanbaptista Gambaro who moved to North Queensland in 1938. The company was passed down to sons Michael and Domenico, who then opened the Gambaro Seafood Restaurant in 1974 - which remains the oldest established restaurant in Brisbane. It's humble beginnings, with a fish and chip shop on Caxton Street, Petrie Terrace, is still run today by the sons of the late Michael Gambaro, Frank, Donny and John. The Gambaro empire now comprises of a string of popular venues including Pipi's Restaurant, Persone Italian in Brisbane city, Awaken cafe at Coolangatta and Black Hide Steak & Seafood at The Star on Caxton Street. A funeral for Mrs Gambaro will be held at St Brigid's Church in Red Hill - the same place she married her husband 17 years ago - on January 3, 2025. She is survived by her husband, their four children, her parents Lloyd and Joan Bennett and siblings Philippa, Zoe and Rhys. Cruise lines across the US have been urged to avoid stopping at certain Mexican ports as criminals run rampant. The US Department of State has issued a 'Level 4: Do Not Travel' advisory for six Mexican states amid a heightened threat of kidnapping and murder as crime rates spiral out of control. 'Violent crime such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery is widespread and common in Mexico,' the advisory read. 'The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by US government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. 'US citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel.' Here are the six states the agency recommends not traveling to: 1. Colima The State Department has asked citizens to refrain from visiting the port of Manzanillo in Colima as of result widespread violent crime and gang activity. Cruise lines across the US are reportedly canceling stops on certain Mexican ports as crime continues to run rampant in sunny country The state has a shocking murder rate of 22 per 100,000 residents one of the highest globally - and has recorded 623 homicides between January and October 2024, the Latin Times reported. 'Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. US citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping,' the advisory states. The agency did provide an exception for the actual cruise port area of Manzanillo and noted: 'US government employee travel is limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo. US government employees may not travel to other areas of Colima state'. According to the Miami Herald, the Royal Caribbean has stopped sailing to Manzanillo as a result. The outlet further noted that Princess Cruises, a Carnival-owned company, still has ships set for Manzanillo in the next two months. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Royal Caribbean Cruises for a comment. 2. Guerrero The federal agency has further warned travelers against visiting the Guerrero - a southwestern state that is bounded by the Pacific Ocean. 'Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. The State Department has asked citizens to refrain from visiting the port of Manzanillo in Colima as of result widespread violent crime and gang activity According to the Miami Herald, the Royal Caribbean has stopped sailing to Manzanillo as a result Alejandro Arcos, the mayor of the southwestern Mexican city of Chilpancingo, was killed and decapitated 'Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. US citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years,' the Department warned. Two months ago, Mayor Alejandro Arcos was found decapitated less than a week after he took office in Chilpancingo, capital of Guerrero. Disturbing photos on social media showed Arcos' severed head lying on top of a pickup truck in the city. The 43-year-old's murder came as Chilpancingo was still reeling from the killing of its newly appointed city council secretary a week earlier. 'They have murdered our mayor of Chilpancingo, Alejandro Arcos, and just three days ago the secretary of this same City Council, Francisco Tapia,' Alejandro Moreno, the national leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Moreno said both men were 'young and honest officials who sought progress for their community.' Investigators and forensic personnel work at the crime scene where remains of Chilpancingo Mayor Alejandro Arcos were found in a vehicle Just hours before his death, Arcos visited the Chilpancingo neighborhoods of Plan de Ayala and Yerbabuena and met with residents whose homes were damaged by the passing of the Hurricane John. 3. Michoacan Cruisers have also been advised to not visit Michoacan due to 'crime and kidnapping'. The agency further specified that federal employees should only travel on Federal Highway 15D to transit the state between Mexico City and Guadalajara. On December 11, an American couple were executed while on vacation in Michoacan. Rafael Cardona, 53, and his wife Gloria Cardona, 50, were traveling in a pickup truck when they came under fire and were shot to death in the municipality of Angamacurito. Cardona was the brother-in-law of Angamacurito Mayor Humberto Pacheco. US born Rafael Cardona was shot as he was driving near his home in the western Mexican town of Angamacurito and was rushed to a local hospital and died. His wife, Gloria Cardona, was also shot and died at the scene. Rafael was the brother-in-law of Angamacurito Mayor Humberto Pacheco A spokesperson for the Michoacan State Attorney General's Office told DailyMail.com that American couple, Rafael Cardona, 53, and his wife Gloria Cardona, 50, were traveling in a pickup truck when they came under fire in the municipality of Angamacurito. Gloria died at the scene and Cardona was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died Cardona's sister and the mayor's wife, Lucy Cardona, is the director the city's National System for Integral Family Development, the agency that focuses on family welfare. Gloria, a naturalized US citizen, was declared dead on the scene and Rafael, who was born in the US, was rushed to a hospital in the municipality of Puruandiro, where he died. A spokesperson with the Michoacan State Attorney General's Office told DailyMail.com that the couple arrived in Mexico on November 30 to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones. They said that Rafael and Gloria were just several blocks away from the residence they own when they were shot. It's unknown why the couple were attacked. 4. Sinaloa The State Department has warned US citizens from visiting Sinaloa in fears of heavily spread violent crime by criminal organizations that are operating in the state. Government employees have also been asked to travel to Mazatlan, Los Mochis and Topolobampo by air or sea only. On December 20, a popular Mexican YouTuber was found dead on a dirt road with his hands tied and eyes taped shut in the state, as police he believe was tortured by notorious drug gang Los Chapitos. Mexican YouTuber Miguel Vivanco was found dead on a dirt road and it is feared he might have been tortured by drug gang 'Los Chapitos' Members of the National Guard and personnel from the prosecutor's office arrive at the scene, who have carried out investigations on the scene and ordered the removal of the body Miguel Vivanco, also known as 'El Jasper', was found early morning on a road in the city of Culiacan, the capital and largest city of Sinaloa. According to Spanish-speaking news outlet Infobae, 29-year-old Vivanco had at least 70 bullet wounds when he was found by his relatives. His family claim that a group of hitmen had forced their way into the YouTuber's home on November 21, located in the Quila area of Sinaloa, and had not seen him since. But when his body was found, traces of torture became apparent as his eyes had been covered with green tape and he had been handcuffed and wrapped in a sheet. Vivanco, who is originally from Culiacan, became famous in Sinaloa after uploading content to YouTube and TikTok. 5. Tamaulipas American vacationers have also been cautioned from traveling to the state of Tamaulipas due to organized crime, sexual assault and murder. 'Organized crime activity including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. 'Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments. Members of the National Guard in the border city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas state, Mexico The state of Tamaulipas has various organized crime groups, whose main activities include human smuggling and drug trafficking. A smuggler prepares to transport young migrants towards the United States from the bank of the Rio Grande river in Ciudad Miguel Aleman 'Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas of the state and operate with impunity particularly along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo. 'In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime. US citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Earlier this year, at least 12 alleged cartel members were killed by the Mexican army in a shootout near the border with the United States, according to officials. The soldiers were on patrol in the municipality of Miguel Aleman ( a municipality located in Tamaulipas), along the Texas border, when they were attacked by 'armed civilians hiding in the bush,' the state's security agency said in a statement published on X. The gunmen who attacked the soldiers were alleged members of a drug cartel, AFP reported. 6. Zacatecas Lastly, the advisory named Zacatecas as a state to avoid visiting in the near future as a result of intense violent crime, extortion and gang activity. Nine bodies were found dumped on a street in Morelos, a municipality in the central Mexico state of Zacatecas that has been plagued by a turf war between the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel Mexican cops guard the scene were five bodies were left wrapped in blankets and covered with duct tape in Fresnillo. An additional four bodies were also dumped on another avenue in the city. Five of the nine victims were identified, according to the Zacatecas State Attorney General's Office Federal employees have also been asked to only visit Zacatecas City proper and been prohibited from all other parts of the state. In May, nine corpses were found abandoned on a street in Zacatecas - which has been plagued by an ongoing battle between rival criminal organizations. The bodies of nine men were left lying next to each other in Morelos while another nine bodies were found in the city of Fresnillo, according to CBS News. The gruesome findings came a day after authorities discovered nine bodies across two main avenues in the Zacatecas town of Fresnillo, 29 miles north of Morelos. Surveillance footage showed a group of men removing four bodies from a pickup truck and dumping them in the middle of the street before they took off. The Sinaloa Cartel claimed responsibility for the killings by leaving behind messages next to the corpses. Idaho quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger was once investigated in connection to a terrifying home invasion in Pullman, Washington, it has been revealed. The shocking twist only deepens the mystery surrounding one of the most infamous murder cases in recent history. The Pullman home invasion occurred in October 2021, just 10 miles from the horrific events in Moscow, Idaho, where four students were savagely stabbed to death in their off-campus home in November 2022. Officials said Kohberger had been investigated in connection to the initial incident - but never charged with a crime. Newly released body camera footage obtained by ABC News has shed light on the eerie break-in that left a young woman shaken and fearing for her life. 'I heard my door open and I looked over, and someone was wearing a ski mask and had a knife,' the woman told officers in the footage, her voice trembling with fear. 'I kicked the s*** out of their stomach and screamed super loud. They flew back into my closet and then ran out my door and up the stairs.' The alleged attack occurred in the dead of night, at around 3.30am. Officials have revealed Bryan Kohberger - the accused suspect in the brutal quadruple homicide of four University of Idaho students - was once investigated in connection to a terrifying home invasion in Pullman, Washington Newly released body camera footage sheds light on the eerie break-in that left a young woman shaken and fearing for her life The masked intruder was silent and held a knife as he entered her bedroom, the victim said. Despite her quick reaction and a roommate's immediate call to 911, responding officers found no trace of the suspect or any physical evidence. Fast forward just over one year later to November 13, 2022, when the sleepy college town of Moscow, Idaho, was rocked by a quadruple killing. Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, along with their housemate Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were stabbed to death in the early morning hours. Survivors in the home later recounted seeing a masked man with 'bushy eyebrows' fleeing after overhearing cries and sounds of a violent struggle. Thirteen days after the killings Kohberger was named as a person of interest in the Pullman case. There were chilling parallels between the Pullman break-in and the Moscow homicides. Both incidents involved a masked intruder, a knife, and a silent, predatory figure entering homes in the stillness of early morning hours. Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, along with their housemate Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were found brutally stabbed to death in November 2022 Kohberger, 28, a Ph.D. criminology student at Washington State University, was arrested weeks after the Idaho murders at his parents' home in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania But authorities have since clarified that Kohberger is no longer considered a person of interest in the Pullman case. Kohberger, 28, a PhD criminology student at Washington State University, was arrested weeks after the Idaho murders at his parents' home in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He now faces four first-degree murder charges and a felony burglary charge. Prosecutors allege Kohberger stalked the off-campus rental home before the attack and meticulously planned the murders. However, Kohberger's potential connection to the Pullman break-in initially raised eyebrows. According to police reports, Kohberger was named a person of interest in the Pullman case just 13 days after the Idaho murders, but some critical differences between the two cases ultimately ruled him out. The victim of the Pullman break-in described her attacker as being 5'3' to 5'5', while Kohberger stands at six feet tall. Kohberger's background as a criminology student has added to the intrigue, with some speculating whether his academic interests might have played a role in the alleged crimes Kohberger has filed multiple challenges to the search warrants executed during his arrest, claiming procedural errors and privacy violations Furthermore, Kohberger was not yet enrolled at Washington State University at the time of the 2021 incident. Pullman police have since closed the case, and it remains unsolved. Kohberger's background as a criminology student has only added to the intrigue, with many speculating whether his academic interests might have played a role in the planning and execution of his alleged crimes. Kohberger has filed multiple challenges to the search warrants executed during his arrest, claiming procedural errors and privacy violations. Prosecutors, however, remain steadfast in their case, rejecting his attempts to suppress evidence. His trial - scheduled to begin with jury selection on July 30, 2025 - is being heard in Ada County in Boise in hopes of a more favorable jury. Prosecutors have claimed that Kohberger's DNA was found on a Ka-Bar knife sheath found at the victim's off-campus home, though no murder weapon was ever found. Officials have also claimed that cell phone data and surveillance put Kohberger's car at the crime scene. Kohberger was a PhD criminology student and teaching assistant at Washington State University's Pullman campus, a 15-minute drive from Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger has maintained his innocence since his arrest and filed his alibi in 2023 as 'late night drives'. A 27-year-old man has been taken into custody A man is in custody after a body was found dumped by the side of a country road on Christmas morning. An off-duty police officer found the body - which belongs to a man in his 20s - on the side of Martyville Road, in Martyville, near Innisfail, in Far North Queensland, around 5.20am on Wednesday. Following inquiries at a nearby address, Queensland Police a 27-year-old man into custody. Investigations are ongoing. Earlier, a Queensland Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia detectives are investigating how the man died. 'Forensic Crash Unit and Detectives from Innisfail have been advised and are investigating. 'There is no further information at this time but investigations into the cause of death are ongoing.' Police have urged anyone with information in relation to the incident or with dash cam footage to contact police on 13 14 44. A man is custody after the body of another man was found dumped by the side of a road on Christmas morning (pictured stock image) An off-duty police officer found the body on the side of Martyville Road, (pictured) in Martyville, near Innisfail in Far North Queensland around 5.20am on Wednesday More to come. Attorneys representing longtime Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries in his sex trafficking and prostitution case have claimed he has dementia and will need to undergo a competency hearing to determine whether he can face the vile charges. The lawyers wrote in court documents on Monday that the 80-year-old was examined by a neuropsychologist in October, who concluded that he likely has dementia with behavioral disturbance, Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. They claimed the neuropsychologist concluded that Jeffries exhibited cognitive impairments including impaired memory, diminished attention, processing speed slowness and ease of confusion. Jeffries does 'not even come close to resembling a Master's degree-educated individual who was just nine years earlier the chief executive officer of a publicly traded company,' attorney Brian Bieber argued, according to Bloomberg. He went on to question whether Jeffries could 'rationally assist - on a sustained and consistent basis' his attorneys 'in connection with the possible factual and legal defenses to the allegations he was facing.' Defense attorneys and prosecutors have now agreed to let the expert who examined Jeffries testify at a two-day competency hearing in June. In the meantime, Jeffries remains free on a $10million bond after he pleaded not guilty to accusations that he sexually abused 15 young male models between 2008 and 2015. Prosecutors have claimed he, his partner Matthew Smith and alleged fixer James Jacobson lured the men to drug-fueled sex parties in the Hamptons by promising them they would model for the retailer's ads. Attorneys representing longtime Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries, 80, (center) in his sex trafficking and prostitution case have claimed he has dementia and will need to undergo a competency hearing to determine whether he can face the vile charges Prosecutors have claimed he, his partner Matthew Smith (right) and alleged fixer James Jacobson (left) lured the men to drug-fueled sex parties in the Hamptons by promising them they would model for the retailer's ads They claim Jacobson traveled across the US and abroad to recruit and interview men for the sex parties, using the nicknames 'Jim Jake,' 'Mrs. Cook' and 'Todd.' Jacobson would then allegedly conduct 'tryouts' with potential candidates by paying them for sex with him. At the direction of Smith, Jacobson is also accused of paying fees to individuals who referred men for the sex parties in the Hamptons. The alleged victims have said they believed attending the sex parties could provide them with model opportunities with Abercrombie and that their careers could suffer if they did not comply. The victims were 'financially vulnerable,' prosecutors argued, according to NBC News, with the youngest being just 19 years old. The sex parties incorporated Abercrombie products, with victims being given itineraries for it that did not mention commercial sex and 'resembled those often sent to models for photo shoots.' Staff members controlled the entry and exit to the parties, and required the victims to surrender their wallets, cellphones and sign non-disclosure agreements, according to the criminal indictment. But prosecutors say the aspiring models were never told 'the full extent and nature of the sexual activity that would be required' - which allegedly included 'anal intercourse, the insertion of large sex toys into the anus, and high-pressured enemas administered by inserting a hose into the anus.' Jeffries' reign at Abercrombie & Fitch was dominated by its controversial brand image and the equally controversial remarks he made about his customer base They claim staff members provided the men with muscle relaxants known as 'poppers,' as well as lubricant, Viagra and condoms. At times, Smith and Jeffries also allegedly injected in in their penises with 'a prescription-grade erection-inducing substance' that caused painful, hours-long reactions to get them to engage in sex acts 'in which they were otherwise incapable or unwilling.' The victims were also allegedly paid to travel to places including New York City, England, France, Italy, Morocco and Saint Barthelemy to have sex with Jeffries, Smith and others. When witnesses threatened to expose what was going on, Jeffries and Smith used a security company to surveil and intimidate them into silence, prosecutors said. A court filing says Jeffries does 'not even come close to resembling a Master's degree-educated individual who was just nine years earlier the chief executive officer of a publicly traded company' When Jeffries appeared in court in October to plead not guilty to one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution, he acted at times like he was hard of hearing When Jeffries appeared in court in October to plead not guilty to one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution, he acted at times like he was hard of hearing. He could be seen speaking often with his attorneys when the judge asked him certain questions. Nevertheless, he seemed very alert. He looked at the victims several times but never even glanced at Jacobson, who was behind him. The former CEO then appeared expressionless as he followed his family members and his attorney out of the courtroom as Jacobson's proceeding was getting started. He had served as CEO of Abercrombie - famed for its homoerotic advertising - between 1992 and 2014. But his reputation eventually fell apart thanks to Netflix's White Hot documentary, which laid bare abuse Abercrombie workers and models say they suffered. A Virginia father posted joyful Christmas decorations on his Facebook profile, but the local sheriff accused him of stealing the holiday inflatable set up strewn across his front yard. Trey Robinette flaunted the Santas and snowmen last week in a post on social media that said the holiday display was dedicated to his a daughter Baleigh. 'Winter wonderland all set up at the house for little miss baleigh, I think she's going to love it,' he wrote in his Facebook post. According to his profile, Robinette runs a contracting business in Ridgeway, Virginia. After locals flooded the comments of the post to criticize Robinette for allegedly stealing the decorations, the Henry County Sheriff's Office chimed in with a devastatingly funny reaction. 'Mr. Robinette, Sheriff Davis and several other deputies came by your home today to look at this fine display of Christmas Joy in your front yard and we just so happened to notice that they all belong to other fine citizens who work for a living,' the sheriff commented. 'We appreciate your holiday spirit, but next time we suggest decking your halls with decorations that you actually bought and paid for. Our deputies will be back soon to discuss your inflated sense of entitlement. Merry Christmas!' the comment finished. The sheriff's comment got more than 18,000 reactions, far more than the 1,300 reactions Robinette's post got. Trey Robinette is pictured with his daughter. Robinette is accused of stealing his neighbors' Christmas decorations Pictured: A gingerbread house, snowmen and penguins that are now in Robinette's front yard One resident claimed she has video evidence of Robinette stealing her Christmas decorations Pictured: Robinette's post caught the eye of the Henry County Sheriff's Office, which wrote this comment The hundreds of replies to the sheriff's comment applauded the office for its sense of humor. 'This post wins the internet for Christmas,' one person wrote. 'Laughing all the way in Scotland,' another wrote, with someone else in the comments saying they were from Australia. 'Whoever runs this account deserves a raise,' a third wrote. Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis told DailyMail.com that the comment he 'personally' wrote 'was not a joke.' Davis was amazed that his comment went viral, saying, 'I had no idea how it would explode like this.' Davis accused Robinette of stealing the Christmas decorations from 'numerous families' in a nearby subdivision approximately a week ago. His office took reports from the families, many of whom had children that were upset because their inflatable Santa or snowman was gone. Davis said Robinette inflated the decorations the same night he allegedly stole them and later posted them to Facebook. Just like the sheriff's post implied, deputies went to Robinette's home on Monday. Robinette wasn't home at the time, but officers were able to recover and return the decorations to the affected families. Robinette, who is well known to the sheriff's department and has a criminal history, is now wanted by the county for multiple counts of larceny. Davis said he is currently 'evading arrest.' Robinette made this post on October 19, and now many of his local detractors believe it's ironic The rest of the comments on Robinette's post shamed him for allegedly setting a bad example for his daughter and being brazen enough to post pictures of his alleged crime on social media. 'I mean if you're gonna steal something, maybe don't post the evidence all over Facebook. Give those people their decorations back and if you can't afford them yourself then ride your kid around to see them,' the person suggested. Many people also picked up on a post he made back in October that they thought was ironic. Robinette reposted a image with the following text: 'Someday your kids are going to figure you out. I promise you they will. The type of parent you are. The type of spouse you are. How you treat other people. How much effort you put into them. 'You're either going to be someone they look up to, or someone they never wanna be like. Always remember they are watching and absorbing.' Locals flooded that two-month old post with negative comments as well following the sheriff's public callout of Robinette. 'Yup she will. You thief. Poor kid,' one person wrote. 'This didn't age well,' another wrote. 'Dude, you're young and dumb right now. Your daughter will see how you are. Change now while you can,' a third wrote. Police are hunting for a semi-naked man after finding a pair of singed underwear at a burnt-out fast food outlet. Emergency services were called to Doncaster Road, in Melbourne's north-east, around 3am on Wednesday following reports the restaurant was ablaze. Initial investigations have determined that the fire was deliberately lit before the automatic sprinkler system was set off a short time later. Police found a pair of burned underpants at the scene before later discovering some slightly singed shoes and pants nearby. 'Despite a thorough search of the area, the semi-naked offender was not located,' Victoria Police said in a statement. 'Police are on the hunt for the only Victorian, who may actually want Santa to bring underpants on Christmas day.' Firefighters from Fire and Rescue Victoria doused the flames and a small burn mark from the fire was left on the surface of a nearby footpath. A Fire and Recue Victoria spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the blaze was brought under control within 10 minutes. Firefighters from Fire and Rescue Victoria quickly doused the flames and dozes of residents living in nearby apartments were evacuated from the area at the time (pictured stock image) Police are on the hunt for a semi-naked man after underwear was found near a fast food store in Melbourne in the early hours of Christmas morning (pictured stock image) 'About 10-20 residents of nearby apartments were evacuated and [were] able to return after about two hours,' the spokesman said. 'The scene was handed to Victoria Police.' Police continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire. Anyone, who may have witnessed the incident, or who has any information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The property at 120 Carnarvon was sold for more than $20 million in 2022 the region's most expensive home sale ever, according to Houston Association of Realtors. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer You could spend years commuting along Memorial Drive and never pay much notice to Carnarvon Drive, a few blocks west of 610 and north of The Houstonian pool, club and spa. The turnoff to the short street is flanked by trees rather than gates or guards; the homes are surrounded by towering pines and set back from the main road. And yet Carnarvon Drive might be the most expensive street in the city, boasting a higher median home value than more well-known River Oaks Boulevard. It's a short street, comprising about a dozen homes. Each sits on at least 2 acres, and several stand out even among Houston's multimillion-dollar estates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The 26,400-square-foot mansion at 100 Carnarvon is known as "Chateau Carnarvon," Steve Chenn Courtesy of HAR.com. Carnarvon Drive is photographed Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 at near Memorial in Houston. Carnarvon Drive, a street off Memorial that is arguably the most expensive street in the city. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The 215 Carnarvon Drive house is under construction, also by Layne Kelly Homes. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The entrance to the home at 100 Carnarvon, Houstons most expensive listing at one point in 2023. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The lavish Parisian-styled chateau at 100 Carnarvon was named the most expensive listing in Texas by HAR. Steve Chenn Courtesy of HAR.com. At 100 Carnarvon Drive is the 26,400-square-foot mansion known as "Chateau Carnarvon," which became the most expensive listing in Texas when it was put on the market for $36 million last year. A few doors down, there's 120 Carnarvon, which sold for more than $20 million in 2022 the region's most expensive home sale ever, according to Houston Association of Realtors. And a neighboring property is likely to soon take the latter title: 223 Carnarvon, priced at just under $25 million, recently went under contract, one day after being listed on HAR.com. The newly built home features seven or eight bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, a pool, a wine room, a game room, state-of-the-art security and custom finishes from L'Atelier Paris. The home at 223 Carnarvon Drive is under construction by Layne Kelly Homes, which says this house is under contract for $25 million and will become the most expensive house sold in the city. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Similar amenities distinguish 223 Carnarvon's next-door neighbor, 215 Carnarvon, which is listed for $22.5 million. Both are by luxury homebuilder Layne Kelly Homes, which also is developing properties at 1 Farish Circle and 8818 Sandringham Drive, adjoining Carnarvon Drive. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "These are all ultra-premium properties with extremely discerning buyers and owners," said Bradley Smith, owner of Layne Kelly Homes. "None of these properties are lacking for anything." The same could be said of the homes lining streets such as River Oaks Boulevard or Lazy Lane, also in River Oaks, both of which have at times been described as Houston's most expensive street. But Smith, for his part, says Carnarvon Drive has become Houston's most expensive street. "By far," he said. The peaceful, wooded Carnarvon Drive, off Memorial west of I-610, could easily be overlooked. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Its low profile, he added, is part of the appeal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cyclone Tracy survivors broke down in tears as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to those who lost their lives in one of Australia's worst natural disasters. The category four cyclone swept through the Northern Territory capital half a century ago on Christmas Eve and the early morning hours of Christmas Day in 1974. The cyclone flattened the city as heavy rain, severe storms and damaging winds of up to 217km/h brought down power lines and destroyed the homes of thousands of families. The destructive storm tragically claimed the lives of 66 people. Mr Albanese along with the Governor General Sam Mostyn paid their respects to them - and the city's brave survivors - on the 50th anniversary of the devastating tragedy on Wednesday. A memorial, complete with a shade sculpture, was also unveiled in honour those who were lost at sea or killed during the cyclone. Artist Techy Masero designed and constructed the monument, which is aptly named 'Five Decades, Five Flowers, Forever Remembered'. Ms Masero explained her inspiration for the work were the countless frangipani flowers left all over the city scattered by the wind. Mr Albanese along with the Governor General Sam Mostyn travelled to Darwin for the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy and to unveil a monument commemorating the disaster Artist Techy Masero designed and constructed the monument, aptly named 'Five Decades, Five Flowers, Forever Remembered', to honour those who died during the Cyclone The monument is comprised of five frangipani flowers crafted from polished concrete and steel which surround a metal awning symbolising the contorted corrugated iron that was blown through the city. Mr Albanese spoke at the ceremony and labelled the tragedy 'the destructive force of nature at its very worst'. 'An entire city almost wiped off the map,' Mr Albanese said. 'Across Darwin, families huddled fearfully in the safest places they could find, whispering prayers, holding each other tight, waiting for the howling darkness to pass.' His words resonated with survivors whose sobs became audible, their tears wiped away by each other as the trauma of Tracy resurfaced. There was a sense of collective grief as the memorial was unveiled revealing the names of those who have been recorded as dying in Cyclone Tracy. Mr Albanese reminded the crowd many more lives, particularly First Nations people, had also been lost but were never counted. 'For many First Nations people, their loss wasn't recorded as families returned to their traditional homelands,' Mr Albanese said. Families and friends gathered to pay tribute to those who lost their lives (pictured) Mr Albanese (centre) praised the residents of Darwin for their 'profound courage', describing the cyclone as the 'nature at its very worst' 'Today, we gather to pay our nation's respects to all those taken from their loved ones that fateful night.' The Prime Minister, who was a child and living in Sydney when Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin, also praised the residents of Darwin for their 'profound courage'. He added the cyclone highlighted the 'strength and kindness of Australians at their very best', including emergency services and 'everyday Australians who responded with characteristic generosity' and rushed to the disaster zone. 'Above all we pay tribute to the great resilience of the great city of Darwin and the proud people who call it home, because the hard work of rebuilding homes, communities and lives is always an act of profound courage,' Mr Albanese said. 'While the modern city of Darwin has grown and thrived, it has changed and evolved the unique character of this place and the special warmth of the people who call it home endures stronger than ever,' Mr Albanese said. 'The monument that we unveil today stands in tribute to those qualities and to this solemn truth. 'The story of Darwin and the story of Australia no matter the challenge, we face it together and we look after each other.' Governor General Sam Mostyn described the people of Darwin as tenacious and praised them for the kindness shown during the first few days following the cyclone. Cyclone Tracy swept through Darwin on Christmas Eve and during the early morning hours of Christmas Day in 1974 The cyclone flattened the city as heavy rain, severe storms and damaging winds of up to 217km/h brought down power lines and destroyed the homes of thousands of families 'This is your tenacity, your love for Darwin and commitment to ensuring that what you and your community went through will not be forgotten,' Ms Mostyn said. 'It was all of you, the people that determinedly stayed to get ready for what was to come to make sure Darwin survived you are a tenacious group. '(You) took care of each other and I think you taught the country what real care and kindness looks like. 'The care and kindness of the community and those first few days underpinning the persistence and determination and ensured a new Darwin would emerge and emerge quickly. 'As much as we mourn the loss of those that did not make it, that tells us so much about what makes you mighty today.' The ceremony concluded with families, survivors and dignitaries embracing each other as they stood where the tropical cyclone first made landfall half a century ago. Elon Musk's new Tesla Optimus robots appeared in a dystopian Christmas card-themed advertisement as the SpaceX founder moves forward with his plans to create a new Texas town. In a Christmas Eve post on X, two of the Optimus robots were seen wearing a Santa Claus hat and Christmas sweaters - including one featuring a Tesla car that read 'Silent Night, Electric Light.' 'They grow up so fast,' the company wrote as it tried to advertise the $30,000 devices designed to help with household chores as a good present for the holidays. Meanwhile, employees of his other company, SpaceX, gathered signatures and filed an official petition to hold an election in the first major step to create their own company town, called Starbase, in coastal South Texas, the New York Times reports. If the petition were to be approved by a Cameron County judge, residents within a mile and a half of Musk's Starbase would be allowed to cast a ballot for three new city officials - including its first mayor, which it suggests should be SpaceX's security manager, Gunnar Milburn. The petition describes a community of about 500 inhabitants, including at least 219 primary residents and more than 100 children. Nearly everyone in the proposed town is a renter, living in company-owned homes around the company's main buildings and work for the rocket company. Elon Musk 's new Tesla Optimus robots appeared in a dystopian Christmas card-themed advertisement It remains unclear why the proposed leader of the Department of Government Efficiency wants to incorporate a town. But in a letter filed along with the petition, Kathryn Lueders, SpaceX's general manager for Starbase, said the company needed 'the ability to grow Starbase as a community.' She also noted that the company 'currently performs civil functions' due to its remote location, including managing utilities and providing schooling and medical care. 'We are investing billions in infrastructure and generating hundreds of millions in income and taxes for local businesses and government, all with the goal of making South Texas the Gateway to Mars,' Luenders wrote in her letter to the Cameron County judge - who must approve the petition if it meets all the legal requirements. 'Incorporating Starbase will streamline the processes required to build the amenities necessary to make the area a world class place to live - for the hundreds already calling it home, as well as for prospective workers eager to help build humanity's future in space.' Richard Cardile Sr., the manager of spaceport operations for SpaceX, also wrote in an affidavit that the company 'is the predominant landowner in the proposed Starbase area and with only a few exceptions, owns all the real property. He said the company keeps 'detailed records of all individuals who reside in each dwelling unit in the proposed city of Starbase.' Elon Musk's plans to create a new town in Texas surrounding his Starbase SpaceX launch site moved forward this month when residents filed an official petition to hold an election If the petition were to be approved by a Cameron County judge, residents within a mile and a half of Musk's Starbase would be allowed to cast a ballot for three new city officials Creating the city could also help the company as it faces local opposition in Cameron County from environmental groups over the effects of its large-scale and frequent launches on nearby protected coastal ecology. Residents and officials from Brownsville, about 20 miles away, have also complained that the launches shut down roads and cut them off from the beach. But at first, SpaceX only appeared interested in having the area's name changed for the purposes of postal delivery. An application to do so is now pending before the federal agency. 'We thought that was what they were really looking for, but I guess they wanted to extend that a little further,' Judge Eddie Trevino Jr told the Times. 'Obviously, they think that there's some advantage to it.' Kathryn Lueders, SpaceX's general manager for Starbase, said the company needed 'the ability to grow Starbase as a community' As a city, Starbase could create its own police or fire department, issue its own ordinances and maintain roads. It would also be eligible for state and federal grants, and the city would have certain immunity from lawsuits and condemn property. Incorporation would also allow the community to elect their own local leaders and create a municipal utility system. Trevino said the county's legal team and elections office are now studying the petition to determine whether it meets legal requirements. If it does, an election for city officials could be scheduled as early as next year, which residents say they are excited for. Cayatana Polanco, for example, told the Times she hoped Starbase could be 'a model of what new cities should be.' 'If all goes through with this petition, my baby might be the first child born in this city,' said Polanco, who does not work for SpaceX but who said her husband does. 'It would be pretty epic.' A former sheriff's deputy has died by suicide after he was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of attempting to have sex with a minor, the Los Angeles Times reported. Anthony Russo, 52, once a deputy in the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, was found dead in his Arrowbear Lake home on Friday, the San Bernadino County Coroner confirmed. The sheriff's special investigation bureau received a tip about possible crimes committed by Russo on December 10. An undercover investigator posing as a 15-year-old contacted Russo, who 'shared explicit material and communicated his intent to meet with the supposed minor to engage in sexual acts' A day later on December 10, Russo was arrested at Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he worked as a corrections officer, according to a release by the sheriff's office. He was booked on two felony counts but was ultimately charged by the Riverside County district attorneys office with one felony count of knowingly distributing harmful material. After his arrest, he also resigned from his role in the corrections division of the sheriff's department. Russo had been out on $50,000 bail when he died and was scheduled to appear in court on January 24. Anthony Russo, 52, once a deputy in the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, was found dead in his Arrowbear Lake home on Friday, the San Bernadino County Coroner confirmed Pictured: Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, where Russo worked The coroner's office didn't provide any additional information about the nature of Russo's suicide or reveal who found him. Thew sheriff's department said they had no additional details on his death because the investigation is out of their jurisdiction. The department did offer condolences to 'the family and friends affected by this tragic loss.' This comes as a New York City police sergeant was found dead Monday night after apparently shooting himself in the head. The unidentified 44-year-old officer who worked in Queens was found dead inside his car from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at around 7.20pm on a residential block in Flushing, according to the New York Post. Authorities have not yet released the officer's name, pending family notification. Monday's death marked just the latest suicide among the New York Police Department forces in recent years. In 2019, four city cops took their own lives in just a matter of three weeks. Deputy Chief Steven Silks, 63, marked the first of the four deaths that year, when he was found dead in a police vehicle in Queens on June 5 - one month before his mandatory retirement. The next day, police found the body of missing detective Joseph Calabrese, 58, at a Brooklyn beach. Police said they both also died of gunshot wounds to the head. Then on June 14, police officer Michael Caddy, 29, shot himself in the head inside a car parked on a Staten Island street, and on June 2, Kevin Preiss, 53, a veteran cop assigned to the Bronx was found dead at his Nassau County home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. In total, 10 NYPD officers took their own lives in 2019. A Texas woman has been arrested for allegedly tying up a young girl and locking her inside a dog cage underneath a Christmas tree for hours on end. Rose Anderson, a 55-year-old single mother, was taken into custody accused of restraining the seven-year-old with zip ties, duct-taping her mouth, kicking and beating her while she was locked inside. The alleged incident took place at the accused's apartment near Old Spanish Train off of Dixie Drive in Houston around December 13. According to court documents, Anderson allegedly left the girl without food, water or a bathroom - forcing her to urinate on herself. Anderson was charged with unlawful restraint as well as injury to a child. During her initial hearing, prosecutors claimed that her motive was to 'discipline' the seven-year-old 'for her behavior at school.' Anderson posted her $10,000 bond after the hearing and was released from Harris County Jail. Melissa Lanford, a Texas Department of Family Services spokesperson, confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into the situation. She said the young girl is now in foster care. Rose Anderson, 55, a single mother, was taken into custody for reportedly restraining the seven-year-old with zip ties, duct-taping her mouth, kicking and beating her while she was locked inside 'CPS is investigating these abuse allegations alongside law enforcement. The child is now safe in foster care, where she is receiving the care she needs,' she told ABC13. According to the Harris County DA's office, officials found out about the incident after an 'electronic tip'. Neighbor Lonnie Hatchet was shocked after learning of the allegations and told the New York Post: 'It was strange to me. What happened to time out? Take away one of the Christmas gifts, but not the dog cage - come on!' Anderson's next court appearance is scheduled for January 6. It remains unclear how she and the girl are known to one another. This comes months after a Pennsylvania couple were hit with multiple charges relating to the torture of their six-year-old daughter. They were accused of locking her in a dog crate at night. Jacob William Weight Sr., 37, and Mimi Ann Frost, 33, were charged in Fayette County with aggravated assault, corruption of minors, strangulation, endangering the welfare of children and several other counts. The investigation began on February 6 when troopers were sent to the couple's Brownsville Borough home after the child fell unresponsive, Pennsylvania State Police said. When they arrived they found the home in 'deplorable condition,' littered with dog feces, trash and urine. Footage from inside the house of horrors shows a large black dog crate in the living room with blankets and debris strewn across the floor. According to court documents, Anderson also allegedly left the without food, water or a bathroom - forcing her to urinate on herself During her initial hearing, prosecutors claimed that her motive was to 'discipline' the seven-year-old 'for her behavior at school' Weight called 911 after the six-year-old suffered an apparent seizure when one of the other children living in the home tried to bathe her. The children told officials that the girl had been locked in a dog crate and beaten with a broom. 'For lack of a better way to put it, she had been tortured in that house,' Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele told KDKA. He said Weight didn't allow first responders inside and led the six-year-old out himself. The little girl's body was covered in open sores and she was believed to be septic. Of the six children living in the home, only the six-year-old was targeted, officials said. Four of the others were the couple's children and one was a nephew. The nephew told police that Frost would zip-tie the little girl's hands and feet and refused to wash her. Another child said the couple wanted the six-year-old to eat her own waste. Two reporters and a police officer have been killed in a gang attack in Haiti on the reopening of Port-au-Prince's biggest public hospital. Suspected gang members opened fire on journalists working to cover the reopening of General Hospital in Haiti's capital in a Christmas Eve tragedy. The hospital was forced to close earlier this year due to street gang violence, and the reopening was a highly anticipated event. Several more victims were injured in the tragedy. Videos from local media livestreaming the attack showed journalists huddled on the floor of the hospital lobby as a barrage of bullets flew by. Some appeared to have been hit and were bleeding. Armed gangs in Haiti, with near-total control over capital Port-au-Prince and wide remit over the rest of the country, have targeted hospitals to show their muscle over the government, forcing most to shut down. Robest Dimanche, a spokesman for the Online Media Collective, identified the killed journalists as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. Dimanche said an unspecified number of reporters had also been caught up in the attack, which he blamed on the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs. The Haitian Association of Journalists confirmed two reporters and a police officer were killed, while seven reporters were wounded in what it called 'a macabre scene comparable to terrorism, pure and simple.' Haiti's interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the attack. He did not specify the casualty numbers or provide a breakdown. 'I send my sympathies to the people who were victims, the national police and the journalists,' Voltaire said. 'What happened today is unacceptable.' Later, the government put out a statement saying it is 'responding firmly to the attack.' 'This heinous act, which targets an institution dedicated to health and life, constitutes an unacceptable attack on the very foundations of our society,' it said. Journalists sit wounded after being shot by armed gangs at the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday Medics inspect an ambulance of wounded people, shot by armed gangs at the hospital The wife of a journalist, who was shot during an armed gang attack cries as an ambulance arrives with his body, at a different hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti Earlier, a video posted online by the reporters trapped inside the hospital shows what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes bloodied. One of the men had a lanyard with a press credential around his neck. Radio Tele Metronome initially reported that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded. Police and officials did not immediately respond to calls for information on the attack. Another video posted online, which also could not be immediately verified, showed reporters inside the building and at least three lying on the floor, apparently wounded. Journalists were invited to arrive at the hospital from 8am to the press conference in the downtown area of the capital Port-au-Prince with Haiti's new health minister. They were still awaiting the minister when shooting began around 11am. Health Minister Duckenson Lorthe Blema was installed in November in a cabinet reshuffle when former Prime Minister Garry Conille was ousted after just six months in office. Radio reporter Markenzy Nathoux was one of the two journalists killed during the shooting Fellow journalist Jimmy Jean was also shot and killed during attack on Christmas Eve Journalists lie wounded after being shot by armed gangs at the general hospital An injured man sits with his back against a wall after armed men opened fire The wife of a journalist cries outside La Paixe hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti A wounded journalist talks on the phone after being shot by armed gangs at the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti A journalist cries outside La Paixe hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti olice officers patrol a street following the attack on the public hospital in Port-au-Prince Journalists climb up a wall to take cover from gunfire, after being shot at by armed gangs People help a wounded journalist who was shot by armed gangs at the General Hospital The State University of Haiti Hospital, known locally as the General Hospital, is the country's largest public hospital but it has been closed since a March surge in gang attacks that saw former Prime Minister Ariel Henry ousted from power. In July, authorities celebrated retaking control of the hospital with a press conference in the facility, but Conille was forced to flee alongside security officers and journalists under a flurry of gunfire. The hospital is in downtown Port-au-Prince, a stone's throw from the central Champ de Mars square, an area that has seen frequent gun battles and clashes between police and a city-wide alliance of gangs known as Viv Ansanm. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85 percent of Port-au-Prince and have also targeted the main international airport and Haiti's two largest prisons. Neighboring countries have been slow to deliver on promises of security support for the Caribbean nation. An international mission approved last year has so far seen just a fraction of troops deploying, while Haitian calls to shore up its resources by converting it to a peacekeeping force met opposition at the U.N. Security Council. Johnson 'Izo' Andre, considered Haitis most powerful gang leader and part of the Viv Ansanm group of gangs, which that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince, posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital's reopening. Injured people lie on the ground after armed men opened fire on a group of journalists who gathered for a government press conference set to announce the reopening of Haiti's largest public hospital An injured person sits on the ground after armed men opened fire Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85 percent of Port-au-Prince and have also targeted the main international airport and Haiti's two largest prisons Journalists sit wounded after being shot by armed gangs at the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince A journalist injured in an attack is treated at La Paixe hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Armed individuals belonging to the Vivre Ensemble (Living Together) coalition attacked Port-au-Prince's General Hospital, killing at least two journalists and a policeman An injured man sits with his back against a wall after armed men opened fire on a group of journalists who gathered for a government press conference on Tuesday An injured woman looks on after armed men opened fire on a group of journalists A wounded security officer looks on after being shot by armed gangs at the General Hospital Haiti has seen journalists targeted before. In 2023, two local journalists were killed in the space of a couple of weeks - radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in mid-April that year, while journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month. In July, former Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more widely known as the General Hospital, after authorities regained control of it from gangs. The hospital had been left ravaged and strewn with debris. Walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs. The hospital is across the street from the national palace, the scene of several battles in recent months. Gang attacks have pushed Haitis health system to the brink of collapse with looting, setting fires, and destroying medical institutions and pharmacies in the capital. The violence has created a surge in patients and a shortage of resources to treat them. Haiti's health care system faces additional challenges during the rainy season, which is likely to increase the risk of water-borne diseases. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements have heightened the risk of diseases like cholera, with over 84,000 suspected cases in the country, according to UNICEF. She revealed her father had suffered abuse as a child Ruby Rose has opened up about her late father and the devastating years of abuse he suffered at numerous orphanages and boys' homes while growing up. The Australian actress's heartfelt comments came after she revealed her dad, Peter, had died just days out from Christmas. 'RIP Dad. You leave me. Alone. With so many complex emotions,' she wrote in a caption shared to her Instagram Stories. The 38-year-old shared pictures of her late father with her followers on Christmas while detailing the difficult relationship they had shared over the year. 'R.I.P and Merry Christmas Dad,' Rose wrote. 'I am glad we reconnected a few years ago, not because you had changed all that much, not because it brought me all that much joy, its actually been very hard. You know that. 'You were very hard. I cut you off twice in that time lol. Once for a year. But our last emails were right before you died. Mine was a kind email and Im glad.' Rose revealed her father had endured a tumultuous childhood and suffered abuse while at St Augustine's Boys' Orphanage and other boys' homes across Melbourne. Ruby Rose has revealed her father, who died just two days before Christmas, had suffered abuse while at orphanages and boys' homes when he was a child Rose did not reveal the cause of her father Peter's (pictured) death, but hinted the pair had a difficult relationship She also slammed former Christian Brother William Houston who is currently behind bars after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two boys at St Augustine's. 'I found it very hard to hear about what happened to you as a child,' she wrote. 'What happened to all of your siblings at the hands of St Augustines and other orphanages and boys homes in Melbourne. Brother Houston I hope you rot in jail.' In 2021, Houston was sentenced to seven years in jail for buggery and three counts of indecent assault for abusing two boys, who were wards of the state, in their beds when he was a dormitory supervisor at St Augustine's in Highton in the 1960s. The 86-year-old was already serving a jail sentence after he was found guilty in 2016 for abusing six other boys at the orphanage in the 1960s. Rose did not reveal her father's cause of death but did hint at their difficult relationship. She explained knowing about her father's abuse helped her understand him better but did not excuse the suffering she endured at his hands. 'None of this undoes the abuse I incurred down the line, but it helped me understand you,' Rose wrote. 'To try to understand you was to love you. R.I.P dad Im very sorry no one protected you. Im very sorry life was not so much more. 'Im devastated really. Youre probably blown away by how sad I am. if you can see me.' Rose explained knowing about her father's abuse helped her understand him better but did not excuse the abuse she suffered at his hands (pictured, Ruby and her father) Rose ended her post by declaring that she had forgiven her father despite him never apologising for the abuse she faced. 'I dont think you ever really said sorry. Not really. You didnt know where to begin, but I forgave you. And I still do,' she wrote. The former video jockey grew up in country Victoria on a farm with her mother Katia and dad Peter, who was a racehorse breeder. Her parents split when Rose was just one year old and she grew up as a 'gypsy kid' and 'moved around a lot' between Churchill, Gippsland, Surfers Paradise and Melbourne. Social media followers praised Rose for the emotional post, with many wishing her strength while on her road to forgiveness. 'Thanks for the vulnerability of sharing this. Its hard to understand when were grown and our parents dont change. Your approach is inspiring, thank you,' one person wrote. 'Damn. This is rough. Breaking that cycle is the most impactful thing you can do,' a second commented. A third added: 'Sorry for what youve endured I could only imagined how painful it was. Nothing can take away the pain but I hope youve found some peace and forgiveness both for dad and yourself'. The mother of Harmony Montgomery sued New Hampshire officials for failing to respond to reports of abuse prior to her horrific murder. Crystal Sorey, the five-year-old's grieving mother, has accused the Division of Children, Youth, and Families of not addressing 17 different reports of abuse that had been about Harmony before she went missing and was killed. Earlier this year, Harmony's killer father, Adam Montgomery, 34, was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for the slaying of the little girl. He repeatedly punched the helpless child in the face after she had a bathroom accident while sleeping in the car in December 2019. The heartless dad and his wife Kayla then took opioids and ate fast food as the girl died of her injuries on the backseat. Sorey's lawsuit was also filed against the state of New Hampshire and the Department of Health and Human Services. Court documents stated that in one of the complaints, the child was reported being molested by people who stayed at the Adam's family's Manchester home - where drugs were also being used. Child protection social worker Demetrios Tsaros has also been accused of wrongdoing in the filing. The child protection worker allegedly failed to appropriately respond to another report about Harmony having a black eye. However, he told News 9 on Monday that 'everything he did in his former position was directed by a supervisor'. Crystal Sorey, mother of Harmony Montgomery has sued New Hampshire officials for failing to respond to reports of abuse prior to her murder Her killer father, Adam Montgomery (pictured), 34, was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for the 2019 slaying Harmony's black eye was spotted her uncle, Kevin Montgomery in February 2019 while on a visit from Florida. While Sorey had originally filed her lawsuit in September, her attorney filed a revised version with additional information about why they claim the state failed to protect the girl this month. In July, the mother organized a search of the Rumney Marsh Reservation - where investigators believe Adam traveled in March 2020 - in hopes of finding her daughter's body. 'That's the acceptance I've had to come to terms with in my grief, just accepting the fact that he's never going to do the right thing for her,' Sorey told WCVB. 'I've had a lot of dreams and this area has been in my dreams.' Although Harmony's remains were not found, officials said they are focused on the route of a U-Haul the killer rented in March 2020. They have been able to ping the vehicle's movements between Manchester and the Tobin Bridge in Boston using toll data. 'Adam Montgomery drove 133 miles in the U-Haul truck. After accounting for 3.2 miles of back-and-forth travel with the rental, he covered approximately 106 miles on his route, including traveling through the Tobin Bridge tolls,' said New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Ben Agati. She has accused the Division of Children, Youth, and Families for not addressing 17 different reports of abuse that had been about Harmony before she went missing and was killed Child protection social worker Demetrios Tsaros has also been accused in the filing Court documents stated that in one of the complaints, the child was reported being molested by people who stayed at the Adam's family's Manchester home - where drugs were also being used 'He traveled northbound, southbound, and then northbound again through those tolls before returning to Manchester. This left him with about 26 miles of driving between the Econo Lodge in Manchester and the Tobin Bridge. 'Harmony's remains are likely somewhere along this route.' In addition to being convicted for Harmony's murder, the father was also charged with witness tampering, falsifying physical evidence and abuse of a corpse. Prosecutors gave the killer one last chance to reveal where Harmony's remains are in exchange for the state recommending a lesser sentence, but were met with silence from Montgomery's attorneys. He was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for the five-year-old's brutal murder, and he is serving a minimum sentence of 32 1/2 years in prison on unrelated gun charges. Police believe that Harmony was killed nearly two years before she was reported missing in 2021. A judge declared Harmony legally dead in March at the request of her mother. Adam had custody of Harmony. Her mother, who was no longer in a relationship with him, said the last time she saw her daughter was during a video call in April 2019. He repeatedly punched the helpless child in the face after she had a bathroom accident while sleeping in the car in December 2019 Police believe that Harmony was killed nearly two years before she was reported missing in 2021 Adam had custody Harmony. Her mother, who was no longer in a relationship with him, said the last time she saw her daughter was during a video call in April 2019 The mom eventually went to police, who announced they were looking for the missing child on New Year's Eve 2021. Montgomery and his wife told police that he had taken his daughter to live with Sorey in Massachusetts. Harmony's stepmother, Kayla Montgomery, testified that her husband killed Harmony on December 7, 2019, while the family lived in their car. She said he was driving to a fast food restaurant when he turned around and repeatedly punched Harmony in the face and head because he was angry that she was having bathroom accidents in the car. She said he then hid the body in the trunk of a car, in a ceiling vent of a homeless shelter and in the walk-in freezer at his workplace before disposing of it in March 2020. Kayla was released on parole in May after serving an 18-month sentence for perjury. A new father in Missouri is accused of fracturing 14 bones in his two-month-old baby daughter's body after claiming he tripped over the child. Richard Leonard, 20, and his wife took their two-month-old daughter to a pediatrician on December 18 who 'pointed out some bruising' on the young child that Leonard 'wasn't seeing/ didn't think was bruising,' according to a probable cause affidavit. The doctor recommended the new parents take their child to a hospital, and then called the Department of Family Services hotline to report signs of abuse. Police officers then conducted a home check at the request of the department, but found the child in her mother's arms, apparently content, Law & Crime reports. But the following day, police received a phone call from a doctor at the Children's Mercy Hospital, saying the child was brought in late the night before with a total of 14 fractures to her arms, legs, ribs and fingers, which the doctor said were 'signs of classic abuse,' according to the Kansas City Star. She also had bruises on her shoulder, face and back. At that point, police say, Leonard claimed he dropped the baby after tripping. He then changed his story to say he fell on top of the child after he tripped. Yet the doctor said that would only explain some of the injuries, but not all of them, as the fractures were in various stages of healing - which he claimed were 'signs of classic abuse,' WDBJ reports. Richard Leonard, 20, is facing child abuse charges for allegedly fracturing 14 bones in his two-month-old baby's body Upon questioning, the child's mother told officers she and Leonard had been together since November 2023, got married in May and had the girl in October. She said she did not think her husband was 'capable' of hurting the child, as she questioned whether she could have injured her daughter by rolling over her while co-sleeping or if a jumping dog could have caused the injuries. But the mother also allegedly told police Leonard was abused as a child and was placed in foster care. Leonard then told officers that the 'lack of sleep, constant crying during diaper changes and his own anger issues had become a problem resulting in abuse.' He explained that when he was abused as a child, he would pull out his hair to deal with the stress - and he had recently resorted back to that behavior. Leonard said the stress was building, after the couple moved into a new home and with a new baby, and 'there was just too much going on at once.' 'The part that made him the most upset is the fact that [the baby] would always scream when he tried to hold her,' the affidavit said. Leonard was released from Lee County prison after paying $5,000 of his $50,000 bond Leonard also allegedly told police that when the baby was 'really young, he had a problem with punching himself in the jaw. 'This is how he coped with the stress,' the affidavit said. 'When she would wake up in the night, he would take out the stress on himself rather than [the child]. He would bruise himself up pretty good. 'Then one day, he decided to stop.' 'He never hit [the girl], just grabbed her roughly,' the affidavit said, explaining how Leonard admitted to using 'more force than necessary' during dressing, swaddling and diaper changes. Leonard is now charged with child abuse, but was released from Lee County prison after paying $5,000 of his $50,000 bond. He is barred from having any contact with the child's mother and his daughter, who is now in the custody of the Department of Family Services. He leaves behind is partner and two young daughters A young family is reeling from the tragic death of a loving father after he was electrocuted while working on an air-conditioning unit on Christmas Eve. Aaron Greentree died while he was working at the property on Jet Place, in Eagle Vale, in Sydney's south-west around 10am on Tuesday. Emergency services including paramedics and fire crews rushed to the scene, but the young father could not be saved. The 29-year-old tradesman is understood to have been working inside the roof cavity of the home at the time he died, the Daily Telegraph reports. Mr Greentree, who was from Oakdale, leaves behind his partner and two young daughters. A close family friend said Mr Greentree's family have been left shattered by the incident and said it has been difficult to come to terms with his sudden death. 'We can't even begin to understand this he was the best dad, we are shattered for his girls,' they told the newspaper. 'How do you break this news to them, especially on Christmas? 'He was a beautiful young man. May he rest in peace.' Aaron Greentree, 29, (pictured) died after he was electrocuted while working on an air conditioning unit at a home in Sydney's south-west Several of Mr Greentree's friends visited the scene and also expressed their heartbreak over his tragic death. The doting dad recently got engaged to his long time partner and celebrated his 29th birthday in November. A spokesman from NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia officers set up a crime scene following the incident. A spokesman from SafeWork NSW declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail as it was a private job and the incident did not occur on an official work site. Mr Greentree is understood to have been working inside the roof cavity of the home at the time he died (pictured emergency service workers on top of the roof at the home) Emergency services including fire crews and paramedics rushed to the scene, but the young father could not be saved (pictured emergency services at the scene) Forensic officers spent hours removing tiles from the roof to get access to the space underneath in an effort to recover Mr Greentree's body. Several emergency service workers were seen standing on top of the roof. Police had taped off the property and a fire truck, police vehicles and ambulance vehicles were seen parked in front of the home on Tuesday. Officers were also seen taking photographs of the scene and they also took pictures from inside Mr Greentree's work vehicle. A report will be prepared for the coroner. READ MORE: Firefighters battle to contain bushfires in south Australia A bushwalker has tragically been declared dead after being found on a remote and rugged Australian hiking trail on Christmas Day. Emergency services were contacted about 12.30pm on Wednesday after hikers found the 60-year-old man unresponsive by a track on Cradle Mountain, in Tasmania. Tasmania Police attended to the man near the junction of Hansons Peak and Twisted Lakes tracks soon after but sadly pronounced him dead. 'Preliminary investigations suggest there are no suspicious circumstances,' Tasmania Police said in a statement. 'Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones at this difficult time.' The cause of death is unknown at this stage and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. A 60-year-old man has been declared dead by a hiking path on Tasmania's Cradle Mountain (pictured) after he was discovered unresponsive by hikers Cradle Mountain has become a popular tourist hotspot over the past decade, with an estimated 292,000 people travelling to the area last summer. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services website urges hikers to 'choose walks suitable to your experience and fitness' and to 'avoid walking alone'. While the area is popular, it is still incredibly remote with little access to support for hikers who choose to brave the weather. Some of the hikes are amongst the longest and hardest-rated in the country. Peter Weller as Robocop in 'Robocop 2.'? Deana Newcomb/Orion Pictures Corp. "Robocop 2" is coming back to Houston. The action film directed by Irvin Kershner, filmed in various locations around the city and premiering at the River Oaks Theatre in 1990, is returning to the River Oaks at 6:30 p.m. Monday. But this isn't just another repertory screening. It is being billed as a "local crew reunion talk back" with members of the crew who were there offering some of their memories. The program will start with a pre-movie costume contest. After the film, crew members will share their stories from the set. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Robocop 2," along with "Rushmore" and "Terms of Endearment," is one of the most recognizable movies to be shot in Houston. Interestingly, the first "Robocop" was also shot in Texas but in Dallas. This showing is sponsored by Arthouse Houston in collaboration with the Orange Show for Visionary Arts. For more information, go to www.theriveroakstheatre.com Thousands of boozy revellers hit the town last night - making the most of the festive season before Santa arrived. Partygoers across the UK rang in the special day in style, locating the few open bars and clubs before dancing the night away. They appeared full of Christmas cheer donning sparkly outfits and festive jumpers - but many are bound to wake up hungover this morning. Images show groups of families and friends smiling and embracing as they celebrated into the early hours. Many were wrapped up in coats and scarves to avoid the winter chill, but some brave souls bore all in dresses and skirts. Let's hope bleary eyes and sore heads won't damper festive spirits as Christmas Day gets underway. Revellers in Leeds donned Christmas pyjamas as they celebrated Christmas Eve with one person making a festive outfit from wrapping paper Drinkers in Newcastle also joined in the festivities, appearing in high spirits as they raised a toast to the camera Two women in Leeds share a joke after braving the winter chill to dress in matching outfits for the occasion One man in Newcastle wears a Christmas pudding hat as he joins in the festive fun A group of friends smile and waved as they danced the night away in Newcastle This is the horrific moment a passenger plane with 72 people on board hit the ground in a fireball in a Christmas Day crash landing in Kazakhstan. There were 67 passengers and five crew members on board the Azerbaijan airlines flight from Azerbaijan's capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny. Footage of the crash showed the plane bursting into flames as it hit the ground and thick black smoke then rising. Bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact. The plane was in flames and broke into several parts on landing in Aktau, in western Kazakhstan. The country's emergency situations ministry said its personnel were putting out a fire at the site. 'At the moment, 14 survivors have been taken to the regional hospital, including five in intensive care,' the health ministry's regional department said in a statement. The ministry later said that 28 people survived the crash, seven of which are in serious condition. At least 22 survivors are being treated in hospital and two of those are children, according to the ministry. At least 10 people were confirmed as dead after the Embraer 190 crash, reported as being thrown out of the cabin. More than 40 people are feared to have died. Azerbaijan Airlines, the country's flag carrier, said the Embraer 190 had 'made an emergency landing' around three kilometres from Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. 'A plane doing the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau. It belongs to Azerbaijan Airlines,' the Kazakh ministry said on Telegram. This is the horrific moment a passenger plane hit the ground in a fireball in a Christmas Day crash landing There were 105 passengers and five crew members on board the fight from Azerbaijan capital Baku to Russian city Grozny. Earlier reports had suggested 67 on board Reports said the plane collided with a bird and suffered a steering failure. The aircraft is seen coming in steeply descending its nose pointing down too steeply The Embraer E190AR with registration number 4K-AZ65 sent out a distress signal at an altitude of 2,125 feet over the Caspian Sea. According to survivors, a bird got into the engine of the aircraft, 'after which an oxygen tank exploded on board'. 'People on board began to lose consciousness,' said a report. Authorities in Kazakhstan said they had begun looking into different possible versions of what had happened, including a technical problem, Russia's Interfax news agency reported. Dramatic new footage showed the pilot pulling the plane out of a steep fall as he sought to regain control. But the aircraft still suffered a catastrophic crash exploding in fire. The two main sites of the wreck at Aktau airport were hundreds of yards apart. Mangled human remains from the horror crash were strewn on rough ground at the airport. Dazed and bloodied passengers are seen emerging from the severed rear of the plane. Some sat in shock on the ground after escaping from the aircraft. Others managed to walk clear. Meanwhile, the front of the aircraft - torn asunder by the crash - could be seen ablaze in the distance. Footage of the crash showed the plane bursting into flames as it hit the ground and thick black smoke then rising People are seen standing next to the crashed passenger jet Emergency services are pictured above at the scene of the plane crash Footage from the crash site shows rescuers looking for survivors of the horrific crash Another angle shows a massive fireball where the aircraft hit the ground The plane attempted to land at Aktau in western Kazakhstan after being rerouted from Grozny and another Russian city Makhachkala due to fog. Two of the 28 survivors are children, believed to be girls aged 11 and 16. 'They are receiving all the necessary medical care in hospitals in the region,' said the Ministry of Health. '23 ambulance teams were mobilised to the scene of the incident.' Unconfirmed reports said that both pilots died in the crash, and from the crew only a female flight attendant survived. Tengrinews reported 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 of Russia, six of Kazakhstan and three of Kyrgyzstan were on board the stricken plane. Following the crash, Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, was returning home from Russia where he had been due to attend a summit on Wednesday, Russia's RIA news agency reported. Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, expressed his condolences in a statement and said those being treated in hospital were in an extremely serious condition and that he and others would pray for their rapid recovery. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to Aliyev over the loss of life, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact The front of the aircraft - torn asunder by the crash - could be seen ablaze in the distance At least ten people died after being thrown out of the plane The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 lays on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, December 25 A drone view shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan December 25 'Unfortunately, Azerbaijan's President Aliyev was forced to leave St Petersburg (where he had a summit). Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau,' Peskov said. 'We deeply sympathise with those who lost their relatives and friends in this plane crash and wish a speedy recovery to all those who managed to survive.' Aktau residents have been asked to donate blood for the survivors. Authorities in Kazakhstan said a government commission had been set up to investigate what had happened and its members ordered to fly to the site and ensure that the families of the dead and injured were getting the help they needed. Kazakhstan would cooperate with Azerbaijan on the investigation, the government said. Grozny - the destination - is the capital of the Chechnya republic, a Russian region controlled by Vladimir Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov which regularly sends troops to fight in the war against Ukraine. A teacher who was allegedly murdered in a vicious attack was stabbed a horringfying 54 times, the Old Bailey has heard. Gemma Devonish, 42, was a beloved teacher at the all-girls Rosebery Secondary School, in Epsom, Surrey, and was found dead at her home in Nutfield Close, Carshalton, at 10.30am on Thursday last week. On the morning of the incident, emergency services were called to reports of an injured woman at the Carshalton property just after 10.30am, where they discovered Miss Devonish had suffered stab wounds. Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Miss Devonish's boyfriend of ten years, James Madden, 38, of Railton Road, Lambeth, has been charged with her murder, with Police not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the teacher's death. As news of the tragedy emerged, tributes were paid to Miss Devonish, including from her 'devastated' colleagues. A statement from Rosebery School said: 'The entire Rosebery community is devastated by the sudden and unexpected death of Miss Gemma Devonish. 'Our thoughts are with Gemma's mother and sister, extended family and friends, at this deeply distressing time.' Tributes have been paid to Gemma Devonish, 42, a teacher at Rosebery School in Epsom, Surrey, as police confirmed a man known to her has been charged with murder Police have appealed for any information about the fatal stabbing in Carshalton on Thursday Headteacher David Lach described Miss Devonish as 'the kindest and most gentle of people' and that her loss to the school is 'incalculable', he told Surrey Live. He said: 'She was a wonderful teacher who inspired a love of her subject among all her students and went above and beyond to offer her time, expertise and care to the students in her classes and in her year group. 'We know that this news will have come as a terrible shock to students and parents/carers across our community, as it has to all staff, who are finding it incredibly difficult to comprehend that we have lost such a cherished friend and colleague, so suddenly. 'Her loss to our school is incalculable, but she leaves the most incredible legacy in the hundreds of students that have been touched by her energy, passion and empathy.' Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, said on X that she was 'deeply distressed' by the news. In a statement she wrote: 'My heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends & colleagues.' Meanwhile on social media, a friend described her as 'beautiful, level headed, really f***ing cool. Always kind, always a gorgeous easy smile. She was wonderful.' On Friday, Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila expressed his sympathies towards Miss Devonish's family and friends. He said: 'Our thoughts today are with Gemma's family and friends who are trying to come to terms with this truly tragic event. We are offering them all the support that we can. Emergency services were called to reports of an injured woman at a property in Nutfield Close just after 10.30am on Thursday, where they discovered Miss Devonish had been stabbed Police announced today that James Madden, 38, of Railton Road, Lambeth, who was known to Miss Devonish, was charged with her murder and remanded into custody 'We know that the wider community will also be impacted and I would urge anyone with concerns to please speak with local officers. 'While we have made an arrest, detectives continue to carry out a number of enquiries as we build a picture of the events that led to this horrific murder. 'I would ask anyone who was in the area of Nutfield Close who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, particularly on Wednesday 18 or morning of Thursday 19 December, to make contact.' At the Old Bailey hearing, the accused, James Madden, was remanded in custody, with Judge Mark Dennis KC saying: 'This was a dreadful and sustained attack upon the victim 54 stab and incise wounds caused.' He adjourned the case for a plea hearing on March 11 next year. A date has been set for October 6 next year. A drunk British woman is spending Christmas Day in a Thai prison cell after trying to have sex on a hotel's glass table before fighting with police. The blonde holidaymaker is said to have straddled her partner in the lobby before breaking the piece of furniture in Pattaya, Thailand, at 3am this morning. She allegedly ran away with the porter in pursuit before grappling with an armed officer in front of the beach. Bystanders eventually helped to subdue her. Footage shows the woman in a white mini-dress hurling vile insults at locals while being frogmarched in handcuffs to the station. Her boyfriend had quietly slipped away. She says in the video: 'What are you doing, oi, somebody English' before branding the officer a 'f****** f** s****** c***'. As more officers arrive to detain her, she says: 'Record me, England, I'm from England, mister, hey. mister please, keep recording everything, stupid little fat f***** pudgy c***'. The woman arrives at the station as an officer says 'shut your mouth' while leading her into a holding cell to sober up. The hotel porter in a red t-shirt is seen in the video leading her into the station, while the large shaven-headed man helping to subdue her outside was a bystander. Do YOU know the woman jailed in Thailand today? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk Brit woman arrested for 'breaking glass table while romping in hotel' is escorted out by staff and police The blonde holidaymaker is said to have straddled her partner in the lobby before breaking the piece of furniture in Pattaya Footage shows the woman in a white mini-dress hurling vile insults at locals while being frogmarched in handcuffs to the station The woman is spending Christmas Day in a Thai jail Speaking today at 2pm local time, Police Lieutenant General Ittikorn Saikratok, who is handling the case, said: 'The British woman is still in the cell this afternoon but she's still very drunk. 'She hasn't sobered up yet. She has been making a lot of noise all night but nobody can understand what she is saying. She is yelling and incoherent. 'She has no identification on her so we don't know her name. 'I told her to go to sleep. When she's sober and can speak more clearly, a translator will come and help with the situation. 'We advised the hotel staff to file a crime report with evidence of the damaged item and wait for the woman to sober before starting discussions about compensation.' Staff at the Flipper Lodge Hotel where the incident started said today that the woman and her partner began having sex on a sofa before one of them allegedly tried to sit on the glass table. It was knocked over and shattered. A staff member said: 'Both of the foreigners were not hotel customers. They were drunk and entered while we were working, and we didn't notice them because we thought they were our customers, so we didn't pay attention. 'After a while, they did something obscene. They started trying to have sex on a glass table, causing it to break along with other property.' Staff at the Flipper Lodge Hotel where the incident started said today that the woman and her partner began having sex on a sofa before one of them allegedly tried to sit on the glass table Staff said the woman and her boyfriend were not hotel customers 'We will need to proceed with pressing charges because they damaged the hotel property and must take responsibility,' staff said The staff member continued: 'We approached them and discovered they were not hotel customers, so we ushered them out. 'However, they refused and caused a commotion, so we took them to the police station to file a report and calm them down. 'We will need to proceed with pressing charges because they damaged the hotel property and must take responsibility, though it's not a huge issue.' Pattaya on the east coast of Thailand is a two-hour drive from the main airport serving the capital Bangkok. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations alongside the capital and Phuket in the south. It is also the most debauched - with bars and massage parlours lining most roads in the city and hundreds of thousands of young women working in the sex trade. Thailand's role in aiding the United States in the second Indochina War against Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia led to the region growing into a sex tourism destination for American GIs on rest and relaxation breaks. Advertisement King Charles has used his Christmas message to pay tribute to 'selfless' doctors and nurses who supported him and the Princess of Wales during their cancer treatments. Making the King's Speech from the Chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital in London, Charles said medics helped support his family through the 'uncertainties of illness'. His address came hours after the Royal Family greeted well wishers in Sandringham for the traditional Christmas Day service with Princess Kate hugging one cancer survivor in the crowd. Our live coverage has now ended but for a full recap see below A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car rammed into four people outside a London nightclub in the early hours of Christmas Day. Police were called at 12.45am following reports of the 'nightclub bust-up' which involved a car driving on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue, W1. Four pedestrians have been taken to hospital with one remaining in a life-threatening condition, as blood remains strewn across the pavement. Items of clothing that have been scattered on the scene and bagged up by forensics include a jacket, shoes and a hat in front of the Caffe Concerto. A police cordon stretches between the Gielgud Theatre, where the musical Oliver is performed, and Sondheim Theatre, home to Les Miserables. The Met says officers responded within minutes to the incident and that they have now launched an investigation. It is believed the suspect mounted the pavement after he was involved in an altercation at the venue. The incident has also been described as isolated and is not thought to be terror-related. Four pedestrians have been taken to hospital with one remaining in a life-threatening condition, as blood remains strewn across the pavement A police cordon stretches between the Gielgud Theatre, where the musical Oliver is performed, and Sondheim Theatre, home to Les Miserables Items of clothing that have been scattered on the scene include a jacket, shoes and a hat in front of the Caffe Concerto Though, officers continue to monitor the area while enquiries into the 'attempted murder' continue. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: 'Officers responded quickly to this report, working closely with City of London Police to arrest a man within minutes. 'Detectives are quickly progressing enquiries as part of this investigation. It's believed that the suspect was involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement. 'Several scenes remain in place at the location today. 'This has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terrorism related.' Shaftsebury Avenue is a high traffic and bustling thoroughfare home to some of the largest theatres in the West End. It was built between 1877 and 1886 to provide a northsouth traffic artery through the crowded districts of Soho and St. Giles. Among the shows that would have been on last night at the renowned Shaftsebury Theatre are Mrs Doubtfire based on hit film 'Poppets' and dynamic new dance show Burn the Floor. Map indicating Shaftsebury Avenue - a high traffic and bustling thoroughfare home to some of the largest theatres in the West End Terrifying video from inside a doomed jet shows passengers praying just before it crashed in a fireball in Kazakhstan. Footage filmed by a passenger shows terrified people praying and some oxygen masks lowered with damage inside the cabin minutes before the plane crashed and broke apart in Kazakhstan, with 42 people feared dead. Another video shows rescuers looking for survivors inside the Azerbaijan airlines flight from Baku to the Russian city of Grozny, which crashed with 67 passengers and five crew members on board near Aktau, western Kazakhstan. There was mayhem as rescuers went inside the severed rear of the aircraft, where several people can be seen lying on the ground. Astonishingly, some were found still alive. One trapped woman shouted at rescuers: 'Help me please!'. A firefighter asked her whether she needed help to get up, and she confirmed that she would need to be lifted out of the debris. It is understood that the 29 people reported to have survived the crash were found in the rear section of the aircraft, with the front being badly destroyed by fire. Latest figures indicate 22 of the 29 survivors are being treated in hospital, seven of whom are in serious condition. At least ten people dying after reportedly being thrown out of the cabin. One terrifying video shows the moment the plane burst into flames and broke into several parts as it hit the ground, with thick black smoke rising up from the wrecked aircraft after. Footage shows scared passengers praying and some oxygen masks lowered with damage inside the cabin minutes before the plane crashes and breaks apart in Kazakhstan, with 42 people feared dead This is the horrific moment a passenger plane hit the ground in a fireball in a Christmas Day crash landing The footage taken moments before the plane crashed were filmed by a passenger who sent it to his wife Terrified passengers can be seen on the plane as oxygen masks dropped down, just before the crash One trapped woman shouted at rescuers: 'Help me please!'. A firefighter asked her whether she needed help to get up, and she confirmed that she would need to be lifted out of the debris A firefighter is seen above climbing through debris in the upside-down plane Later bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact. Azerbaijan Airlines, the country's flag carrier, said the Embraer 190 had 'made an emergency landing' around three kilometres from Aktau, an oil and gas hub on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. 'A plane doing the Baku-Grozny route crashed near the city of Aktau. It belongs to Azerbaijan Airlines,' the Kazakh ministry said on Telegram. The Embraer E190AR with registration number 4K-AZ65 sent out a distress signal at an altitude of 2,125 feet over the Caspian Sea. Ahead of the crash, the crew had reported a strong impact on the hull. They assumed the aircraft hit a flock of birds but now it appears to have been the explosion of an oxygen tank to supply the cockpit in the event of depressurisation. This supposed sudden depressurisation of the cylinder caused significant damage to the hull and its 'scattering into fragments'. Afterwards, people on board began to lose consciousness, according to a local media report. Authorities in Kazakhstan said they had begun looking into different possible versions of what had happened, including a technical problem, Russia's Interfax news agency reported. Latest figures indicate 22 of the 29 survivors are being treated in hospital, seven of whom are in serious condition. One survivor is pictured in hospital above Rescuers are pictured crawling into the plane wreck to look for survivors People are seen standing next to the rear of the crashed passenger jet There were 105 passengers and five crew members on board the fight from Azerbaijan capital Baku to Russian city Grozny. Earlier reports had suggested 67 on board Footage of the crash showed the plane bursting into flames as it hit the ground and thick black smoke then rising Emergency services are pictured above at the scene of the plane crash Footage from the crash site shows rescuers looking for survivors of the horrific crash The front of the plane burst into flames when the aircraft hit the ground Dramatic new footage showed the pilot pulling the plane out of a steep fall as he sought to regain control, but the aircraft still suffered a catastrophic crash exploding in fire. The two main sites of the wreck at Aktau airport were hundreds of yards apart. Mangled human remains from the horror crash were strewn on rough ground at the airport. Dazed and bloodied passengers are seen emerging from the severed rear of the plane. Some sat in shock on the ground after escaping from the aircraft. Others managed to walk clear. Meanwhile, the front of the aircraft - torn asunder by the crash - could be seen ablaze in the distance. Plane crash survivor Kristina Evstigneeva, 34, a travel agent from Vladivostok, was in a serious condition and had to undergo brain surgery after the plane crash in Kazakhstan. Another survivor Zaur Mamedov, 36, was returning from his father's funeral in Baku. The plane attempted to land at Aktau in western Kazakhstan after being rerouted from Grozny and another Russian city Makhachkala due to fog. Two of the 29 survivors are children, believed to be girls aged 11 and 16. Bloodied and bruised passengers could be seen stumbling from a piece of the fuselage that had remained intact The front of the aircraft - torn asunder by the crash - could be seen ablaze in the distance At least ten people died after being thrown out of the plane The wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 lays on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, December 25 'They are receiving all the necessary medical care in hospitals in the region,' said the Ministry of Health. '23 ambulance teams were mobilised to the scene of the incident.' Unconfirmed reports said that both pilots died in the crash, and from the crew only a female flight attendant survived. Tengrinews reported 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 of Russia, six of Kazakhstan and three of Kyrgyzstan were on board the stricken plane. Following the crash, Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, was returning home from Russia where he had been due to attend a summit on Wednesday, Russia's RIA news agency reported. Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, expressed his condolences in a statement and said those being treated in hospital were in an extremely serious condition and that he and others would pray for their rapid recovery. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to Aliyev over the loss of life, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. 'Unfortunately, Azerbaijan's President Aliyev was forced to leave St Petersburg (where he had a summit). Putin has already called him and expressed his condolences in connection with the crash of the Azerbaijani plane in Aktau,' Peskov said. 'We deeply sympathise with those who lost their relatives and friends in this plane crash and wish a speedy recovery to all those who managed to survive.' Another angle shows a massive fireball where the aircraft hit the ground A drone view shows emergency specialists working at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan December 25 Reports said the plane collided with a bird and suffered a steering failure. The aircraft is seen coming in steeply descending its nose pointing down too steeply In this handout picture released by Kazakhstan's emergency situations ministry, emergency specialists work at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet near the western Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25 Aktau residents have been asked to donate blood for the survivors. Authorities in Kazakhstan said a government commission had been set up to investigate what had happened and its members ordered to fly to the site and ensure that the families of the dead and injured were getting the help they needed. Kazakhstan would cooperate with Azerbaijan on the investigation, the government said. Grozny - the destination - is the capital of the Chechnya republic, a Russian region controlled by Vladimir Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov which regularly sends troops to fight in the war against Ukraine. Dozens of migrants have been intercepted crossing the English Channel in small boats today amid calm seas despite murky conditions on Christmas Day. People smugglers took advantage of gentle waters for the first time in two weeks as inflatables took to the water overnight. It is the first crossing since December 14, when 160 people in three dinghies were picked up by Britain's coastguard and border force. Storms and strong winds had whipped up The Channel, making crossings impossible until today. But several boats were seen making the dangerous journey from France early this morning, with more expected to follow over the course of the day. The Border Force vessels Ranger and the small boat recovery ship Tacu as well as the French rescue ship Abeille Normandie could be seen positioned mid-Channel north of Normandy. The Border Force Volunteer was also positioned in the middle of the Dover Strait of Calais while the Border Force Hunter was seen returning to the Port of Dover, according to the shipping website Marine Traffic. Groups were brought ashore at the Port of Dover in Kent before dawn today on a Border Force vessel. The Border Force Volunteer is seen towing a migrant craft BF Volunteer is seen approaching a migrant craft in the Channel BF Hurricane departs from Dover Before dawn, dozens of migrants, mainly men, were seen being escorted up the gangway to the immigration processing centre at the former jetfoil terminal at the Western Docks. A total of 35,040 migrants in 657 boats have made the crossing so far this year. Some 21,466 have been intercepted since Labour came to power in July. The figure is considerably lower than the record high in 2022, when 45,774 people made the crossing. But more than 60 people are known to have died this year - the deadliest year on record. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has acknowledged that it would be 'no comfort' to the public if numbers continued to remain at high levels. Sir Keir Starmer has made 'smashing the gangs' who facilitate the small boats crossings one of his top priorities since Labour came to power. As part of this work, the Prime Minister has set up a new Border Security Command, and is attempting to work more closely with the UK's European neighbours to pull apart organised crime gangs involved in people smuggling. BF Volunteer approaches a migrant craft in the Channel early this morning A total of 35,040 migrants in 657 boats have made the crossing so far this year A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. 'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.' Earlier this month, the Home Secretary told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg that, while the number of asylum seekers entering Britain via boat is too high, she is wary of giving herself a deadline to solve the problem. She said: 'These levels are far too high, this is dangerous what's happening. 'Of course we want to continue to progress, of course we want to see the boat crossings come down as rapidly as possible.' She added that she is also wary of adding herself to the list of home secretaries that make pledges on migration that they invariably fail to keep. The Home Secretary also pushed back on claims that migration has fallen down the Government's list of priorities. She said: 'We have made clear border security is one of the foundations. We have made it clear we need to reduce both legal migration and illegal migration, it is a clear priority for the government in terms of tackling these dangerous boat crossings.' A University of Oregon staffer who was fired after telling Trump voters to kill themselves claimed that he is the real victim in the situation in a new Instagram rant. Leonard Serrato was terminated from his position as Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life after he was placed on leave for telling Trump supporters to jump off a bridge in a video posted right after the Republican won November's election. But Serrato claimed on Instagram Live that the media had changed the meaning of his video, sparking a harassment campaign against him. 'Once it went viral, the theme of my video changed. [The news media] turned the narrative into me telling all Trump supporters to unalive themselves,' Serrato said in a December 20 Instagram Live seen by the Daily Emerald. 'Because of this, I was then doxxed on Twitter. Not only was my work email, my personal email, my address, my familys address back in Los Banos, and my cellphone number.' Serrato said that after he posted the controversial video, he received thousands of threats and was called homophobic, fatphobic and racial slurs. He added that he believes it was his own students who made the video where he told Trump supporters to kill themselves to go viral. 'At the time, my account was set to public, and because of that, individuals recorded what I said and posted it,' Serrato said. 'It was students who did this, but I know it was students because it was originally posted to the anonymous app called Fizz.' Leonard Serrato worked as Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of Oregon and posted the inflammatory video on his Instagram account. He is now revealed to have been fired The school cited the reason for Serrato's dismissal as 'personal' and did not elaborate on why he no longer holds the position. Serrato worked as Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of Oregon before he posted a video on Instagram with the shocking message for Republican voters. 'I'm done crying. My sadness is over. My anger has set in,' Serrato said, describing himself as a 'proudly petty person.' He continued: 'I'm saying this in the most disrespectful way possible - I don't care if you are my family, I don't care if you are my friend, I don't care if we've been friends our entire lives. You can literally go f**k yourself if you voted for Donald Trump. 'If you are so sad about your groceries being expensive, get a f*****g better paying job. Do better in life. Get a f****g education. 'Do something, 'cause youre f*****g stupid and I hope you go jump off a f*****g bridge.' The University of Oregon cited the reason for his dismissal as 'personal' and did not elaborate on why he no longer holds the position Serrato said: 'If you are so sad about your groceries being expensive, get a f*****g better paying job. Do better in life. Get a f****g education. 'Do something, 'cause youre f*****g stupid and I hope you go jump off a f*****g bridge' Serrato then addressed his 'LGTBQIA' students, as well as those 'of color.' 'Take care of yourself and know that you have my support,' he said. The university told KOIN in November that it was conducting an investigation into the matter. 'The University of Oregon finds the statements made in the video abhorrent and not in alignment with our values or mission,' the college said. 'We appreciate the conflict between his statements, his role in Student Life at the University, and our institutional values.' Serrato had previously served jail time in connection with the deadly hazing of an 18-year-old fraternity pledge at Fresno State University. He was an undergraduate student in 2012 when he was involved in Philip Dhanens's alcohol-related death. Police said Serrato and others egged Dhanens to drink dozens of shots. He had a 0.4 blood alcohol level when he died. Serrato went on to work at Fresno State as an assistant advisor of fraternity and sorority life Philip Dhanens died in 2012 after a fatal hazing incident that Serrato was later jailed for Serrato became an activist against hazing, using his experience to make speeches in colleges around the country Serrato was one of the people who purchased the alcohol. Dhanens had only been at college two weeks when he took part in a drinking binge at an off-campus fraternity house. Serrato's lawyer at the time told ABC that the incident 'had a huge effect on a number of people including Mr. Serrato and his family.' The lawyer added: '[Serrato] is very remorseful that this young man passed away at such an early age from this type of tragedy and he accepts responsibility for his actions and we'll move forward from here.' Serrato went on to work at Fresno State as an assistant advisor of fraternity and sorority life. He then became an activist against hazing, using his experience to make speeches in colleges around the country. Serrato was just one of many who issued questionable messages following Trump's electoral win. The editor of America's oldest magazine, launched an astonishing outburst against Republicans following Donald Trump's election win in November. Serrato was just one of many who issued questionable messages following Trump's landslide electoral win Laura Helmuth, the editor-in-chief of Scientific American, went on a rampage against Trump supporters in now-deleted posts on social media, calling them fascists, racists and sexists. 'I apologize to younger voters that my Gen X is so full of f*****g fascists,' Helmuth wrote on the social media platform Bluesky. She also wrote: 'Solidarity to everybody whose meanest, dumbest, most bigoted high-school classmates are celebrating early results because f**k them to the moon and back.' Helmuth then went after her own home state: 'Every four years I remember why I left Indiana (where I grew up) and remember why I respect the people who stayed and are trying to make it less racist and sexist. 'The moral arc of the universe isn't going to bend itself.' Helmuth was booted from her job days later. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available The billionaire owner of In-N-Out Burger has revealed the shocking wave of violence that forced her to shut down the chain's Oakland restaurant. Lynsi Snyder revealed it was the 'absolutely dangerous' conditions that led to the unprecedented closure of the popular burger joint - the first permanent shutdown in the company's 76-year history. In an interview with PragerU, she described 300 out of 365 days of violence in a single year - including stabbings and gunshots ripping through the building. 'Out of 365 days, I think almost 300 days there was some type of event,' Snyder said to PragerU. 'There were, car burglaries, violence, theft, there was a lot,' she said. 'Gun shots went through the store, stabbings - it was huge.' 'The amount of time it would take for the police to get there was alarming,' Snyder added. 'For the safety of our associates, it was just not okay.' The restaurant, which had become a magnet for crime in the area, was forced to close its doors in March after police logged a staggering 1,335 criminal incidents in its location since 2019 - making it Oakland's most dangerous business location. The billionaire owner of In-N-Out Burger has revealed the shocking wave of violence that forced her to shut down the chain's Oakland restaurant Lynsi Snyder revealed it was the 'absolutely dangerous' conditions that led to the unprecedented closure of the popular burger joint - the first permanent shutdown in the company's 76-year history The crime wave included 1,174 car break-ins, nine robberies, two commercial burglaries, and four domestic violence incidents. The Oakland location, situated on a busy route to the airport and near the Oakland A's stadium, had been a local staple until crime made operations untenable. In January, Denny Warnick, In-N-Out's chief operating officer, announced the news in a statement. 'We have made the decision to close our In-N-Out Burger location in Oakland, California, due to ongoing issues with crime,' Warnick wrote in a statement. The company said it has taken 'repeated steps to create safer conditions our Customers and Associates are regularly victimized.' 'We feel the frequency and severity of the crimes being encountered by our customers and associates leave us no alternative,' Warnick said. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao had promised increased police presence in the area, but for In-N-Out, the damage was already done. 'As mayor, I have prioritized this critical gateway to Oakland,' Thao told the Oakland-based television station KTUV-TV at the time. In an interview with PragerU , she described 300 out of 365 days of violence in a single year - including stabbings and gunshots ripping through the building Cars near the In-N-Out are often the target of robberies The In-N-Out sits near Oakland Airport, and as such is a perfect target for thieves She explained that Oakland police had three cameras placed to monitor the area. After Oakland's location closed, another In-N-Out franchise closed in California - but only temporarily. The iconic In-N-Out Burger location on Sunset Boulevard and North Orange Drive in Hollywood - a popular post-Oscars hangout for many a celebrity - announced that the restaurant would be closed for a couple days in March 'for routine termite treatment and prevention.' The Hollywood In-N-Out Burger had a tent over the restaurant and it was fenced off, KTLA 5 reported. The In-N-Out Burger in Hollywood is one of the fast-food chain's 286 restaurants in California, all of which are open seven days a week. Earlier this month, terrified customers captured the bizarre moment a crazed knife-wielding man stabbed the windows of an In-N-Out restaurant on Van Nuys Boulevard in Sherman Oaks - a neighborhood located in the city of Los Angeles. A man wearing nothing but black joggers and sneakers began chaotically stabbing the large windows of the establishment from outside - startling customers who were eating directly on the other side of the glass. The In-N-Out sits in a square mile with several gas stations that cops say are the targets of around a dozen violent crimes every day Video footage showed the fully-clothed, unnamed man lying face-up on the pavement just feet away from the front door as a security guard stood over him - all while several customers huddled together on the other side of the glass to watch. But the next recorded clip captured the same man - this time without his shirt - as he walked around the parking lot before approaching the windows with a sharp knife. 'Oh sh**, bro got a knife,' the person filming can be heard saying. 'This went from fun to dangerous real quick.' The video showed the man walking from window to window attempting to stab the glass - all while patrons quickly moved away from their tables and an employee stood by the door on the phone. A security guard was then captured right outside of the front door where he pushed the shirtless man - who appeared to be more aggressive - away from both himself and the entry to the restaurant.